隨著中國大陸近十餘年來的改革開放，以低廉的勞工與土地成本、及高度持續之經濟成長，吸引台商紛紛將過去的台灣經驗移植到大陸。本研究從大陸子公司角度探討影響其經營績效之因素，分析台商母公司的智慧資本對大陸子公司經營績效的影響，特別將母子公司間的移轉機制與子公司的吸收能耐納入實證分析中。 本研究採用田野研究、問卷調查、與實證資料檢定，並結合多種不同的資料庫來源，以在大陸設有子公司進行投資活動之我國公司為研究對象進行問卷調查，回收之有效樣本合計共103家。路徑分析之結果發現大部分台商母公司所擁有的智慧資本會直接影響大陸子公司的經營績效。在智慧資本的移轉成效上，台商人力資本有移轉和吸收效果，但創新資本的效果則不佳。在上市櫃電子業之樣本下，母公司所擁有的人力資本係先透過影響母子公司間的移轉機制，再間接影響大陸子公司的資產報酬率。當台商母公司所擁有的人力資本愈高時，有助於提高大陸子公司之吸收能耐，並間接影響大陸子公司的資產報酬率。另外，迴歸分析之結果發現，不同智慧資本組成要素對大陸子公司經營績效影響的程度並不相同，人力資本對經營績效有顯著的正效果，而創新資本對經營績效的影響並不顯著。本研究最後建議理論或實務上之管理意涵。 / Over the past decade, the regulations of China have changed, and it provided a huge resource of cheap labor and land. Following the rapid economic growth has attracted Taiwanese enterprises to transfer their success experiences to China. It is important to examine the determinants of performance of subsidiary in China. This study analyzes the relationship between intellectual capital and performance covering the transfer from Taiwanese parent to Chinese subsidiary. This study particularly highlights the role of transfer mechanism and absorptive capacity in explaining the effect of intellectual capital on performance. This study integrates multiple research methodologies including field study, questionnaire, and empirical study. Since no single database exists to support this study, multiple sources are employed for constructing the sample frame. Based on a sample of 103 subsidiaries of Taiwanese enterprises in China, results of path analysis indicate that intellectual capital from parent is positively associated with the performance of subsidiary. In general, the results support that the effects of human capital on performance are mediated by both transfer mechanism and absorptive capacity, but the transfer roles of innovation capital are not supported. Finding from the public electronic industry reveals that the influence of human capital on return of assets is indirect through the mediating role of transfer mechanism. An absorptive capacity path is presented where absorptive capacity is associated with return of assets, and human capital influences absorptive capacity. Moreover, regression analyses demonstrate that different intellectual capital elements have a different effect on organizational performance. Human capital is important in explaining the variations in the performance of subsidiary, while innovation capital has little or no effect. Implications for theory and research are discussed.

Um dos temas de maior interesse na pesquisa em estratégia nos últimos anos tem sido as capacidades dinâmicas, uma abordagem que se baseia nos conceitos de recursos e rotinas organizacionais para explicar a heterogeneidade do desempenho das organizações. Os estudos quantitativos na área são menos frequentes e tendem a usar medidas financeiras e unidimensionais, com particular interesse na relação entre as capacidades dinâmicas e o desempenho em detrimento de seus antecedentes. A fim de contribuir com a literatura, esse trabalho mapeia as principais bases teóricas relativas ao tema de capacidades dinâmicas e analisa quantitativamente o funcionamento de uma capacidade dinâmica com base em indicadores dos seus processos assim como examina seus condicionantes. Para operacionalização da etapa empírica, este trabalho elegeu um tipo específico de capacidade dinâmica, a capacidade de absorção, e restringiu a amostra a um setor, o de tecnologias da informação e comunicação no Brasil. A capacidade de absorção é relevante para a competitividade nesse setor porque ele é intensivo em conhecimento e enfrenta competição global, permitindo às organizações absorverem conhecimento de fontes externas e convertê-los em recursos que melhorem o desempenho em congruência com o ambiente. O modelo empírico foi avaliado com a técnica de modelagem de equações estruturais e construído com dados secundários de fontes oficiais. Verificou-se que a capacidade de absorção é um constructo bidimensional, cuja capacidade realizada estabelece uma relação de mediação entre a capacidade potencial e o desempenho da inovação. Foi identificado também que o desempenho da inovação afeta o desempenho de mercado, mas não o desempenho ambiental. Confirmou-se condicionantes do modelo que são estatisticamente significantes. Finalmente, foram encontradas evidências do formato do processo da capacidade de absorção. Os resultados empíricos e o mapeamento das bases conceituais contribuem para melhorar a compreensão das capacidades, com implicações teóricas e gerenciais. / One of the most relevant issues of strategy research in recent years has been dynamic capabilities, an approach, based on the concept of resources and organizational routines, aims to explain heterogeneity of organizations performance. Quantitative studies in the area are less frequent and tend to use one-dimensional and financial measures, with particularly interest in the relationship between dynamic capabilities and performance at expense of their antecedents. In order to contribute to literature, this work maps the main theoretical bases about dynamic capabilities and quantitatively analyzes the operation of a dynamic capability based on indicators of its processes as well as examining their conditionings. To operationalize empirical stage, this work elected a particular type of dynamic capability, absorptive capacity, and restricted sample to one sector, information and communication technology in Brazil. Absorptive capacity is relevant to competitiveness in this sector because it is knowledge-intensive and faces global competition, enabling organizations to absorb knowledge from external sources and convert them into resources that improve performance in congruence with environment. Empirical model was evaluated with structural equation modeling technique and built with secondary data from official sources. It was found that absorptive capacity is a two-dimensional construct, whose realized capacity establishes a mediation relationship between potential capacity and performance of innovation. It was also identified that performance of innovation affect the market performance, but not the environmental performance. It was confirmed that model constraints are statistically significant. Finally, evidence of the process format of absorptive capacity was found. Empirical results and the mapping of the conceptual bases contribute to better understanding of capabilities, with theoretical and managerial implications.

Submitted by Maicon Juliano Schmidt (maicons) on 2015-04-06T13:05:21Z No. of bitstreams: 1 Sabrina Rossi de Oliveira.pdf: 1451424 bytes, checksum: 7eb1361bce401f0935c9bc7cef5c6cff (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2015-04-06T13:05:21Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Sabrina Rossi de Oliveira.pdf: 1451424 bytes, checksum: 7eb1361bce401f0935c9bc7cef5c6cff (MD5) Previous issue date: 2012-03-29 / CAPES - Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior / O paradigma econômico atual está intimamente associado à dinâmica do desenvolvimento tecnológico. Assim, as atividades de Pesquisa e Desenvolvimento (P&D) adquirem um papel preponderante nesse contexto, tanto para o desempenho das firmas quanto para o desenvolvimento macroeconômico de regiões e países. Uma estratégia cada vez mais comum adotada pelas empresas como forma de operacionalizar suas pesquisas é formar parcerias colaborativas com universidades e centros de pesquisas. Uma iniciativa que se insere nesse contexto é o acordo firmado pela UNISINOS e a HT Micron com vistas ao desenvolvimento de uma infraestrutura científico-tecnológica destinada ao encapsulamento de semicondutores. Entretanto, pelo fato de não possuir uma tradição científica nesse campo, um desafio que se impõe à essa universidade é o desenvolvimento de sua capacidade de absorção de conhecimentos relativos à essa tecnologia. Dessa forma, o objetivo central dessa dissertação é explicar o processo de desenvolvimento da capacidade absortiva por parte de uma universidade no contexto de um projeto colaborativo de cunho tecnológico. A pesquisa apoiase na linha teórica que defende que o processo de desenvolvimento da capacidade absortiva está atrelado, por um lado, à influência exercida pelos determinantes dessa capacidade e, por outro, ao tipo de conhecimento a ser adquirido. A estratégia de pesquisa utilizada foi o estudo de caso único e os dados foram obtidos qualitativamente através de entrevistas semiestruturadas e consulta a fontes secundárias. Os resultados fornecidos pelo trabalho sugerem que a capacidade absortiva da UNISINOS pode ser aperfeiçoada através de ações que influenciem a base inicial de conhecimento relacionada ao projeto, os recursos humanos ligados a esse conhecimento, a estrutura organizacional e as relações interorganizacionais que possam fomentar esse aprendizado. Também se concluiu que as etapas iniciais do projeto, as quais envolvem tecnologias prontas para serem utilizadas, exigem que as ações adotadas sejam pontuais, possibilitando um rápido acesso ao conhecimento externo. Já as fases posteriores, as quais incluem o desenvolvimento de novos conhecimentos, pedem medidas cujos resultados sejam gerados ao longo do tempo e, dessa forma, construam uma capacidade de absorção capaz de prover a universidade com conhecimentos mais elaborados. / The current economic paradigm is closely associated with the dynamics of technological development. Thus, the activities of P & D acquire a leading role in this context, both for the performance of firms, and to the macroeconomic development of regions and countries. An increasingly common strategy adopted by companies as a way to operationalize their research is to form collaborative partnerships with universities and research centers. An initiative that is within this context is the agreement signed by UNISINOS and HT Micron with a view of developing a scientific-technological infrastructure intended for semiconductor encapsulation. However, because of not having a scientific tradition in this field, a challenge imposed to this university is developing its capacity to absorb knowledge regarding this technology. Thus, the main objective of this thesis is to explain the process of the absorptive capacity development for a university in the context of a collaborative project of a technological nature. The research is based on the theoretical line which argues that the process of developing the absorptive capacity is linked to, on the one hand, the influence exerted by the determinants of this capacity and, on the other hand, the type of knowledge to be acquired. The research strategy used was a single case study where the data was obtained qualitatively through semi-structured interviews and secondary sources that were consulted. The results from the study suggest that the absorptive capacity of the UNISINOS can be improved through actions that influence the initial base of knowledge related to the project, the human resources linked to this knowledge, the organizational structure and inter-organizational relationships that can foster this learning. It also concluded that the initial stages of the project, which involving technologies ready to be used, require that the actions taken are timely, enabling quick access to external knowledge. Having the posterior phases, which include development of new knowledge, demand measures whose results are generated over time, and thus build an absorption capacity capable of providing the university with more elaborate knowledge.

Submitted by JOSIANE SANTOS DE OLIVEIRA (josianeso) on 2018-08-20T14:14:28Z No. of bitstreams: 1 Claudio Testoni Cardozo_.pdf: 4021041 bytes, checksum: fde25db231a8129b09da005e745e691a (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2018-08-20T14:14:28Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Claudio Testoni Cardozo_.pdf: 4021041 bytes, checksum: fde25db231a8129b09da005e745e691a (MD5) Previous issue date: 2018-03-19 / Nenhuma / Esta dissertação trata da capacidade de adaptação das empresas de Tecnologia da Informação a ambientes turbulentos, seja devido a situações de crise política e financeira, ou mesmo pela característica peculiar do mercado tecnológico em permanente mudança e evolução através de inovações cada vez mais constantes. Essa habilidade de mudar rapidamente em meio a um ambiente incerto é aprofundada pelas capacidades dinâmicas da firma. Empresas de Tecnologia da Informação são reconhecidas pela literatura como intensivas em conhecimento, onde a capacidade absortiva se revela como mecanismo impulsionador de inovação e desempenho. Visando um aprofundamento desse tema, esta dissertação tem como objetivo principal a avaliação da relação entre a capacidade absortiva e o desempenho organizacional em empresas de TI. Para tanto, um modelo teórico contendo as hipóteses que relacionam os referidos constructos foi elaborado e submetido à análise através da técnica de modelagem de equações estruturais. Os resultados dessa análise foram submetidos a um painel de experts que analisou as hipóteses suportadas pelo modelo e contribuiu com discursos que revelaram um conjunto de competências e mecanismos que explicam como a capacidade absortiva é operacionalizada nas organizações. O resultado final demonstrou não somente como ocorre a relação entre os elementos da capacidade absortiva (aquisição, assimilação, transformação e exploração) e os elementos do desempenho como também apresentou a relação deste modelo em outros aspectos revelados: (i) Competitividade; (ii) Estratégia; (iii) Networking; (iv) Ambiente econômico e político; (v) Aprendizagem organizacional; e (vi) Clima organizacional. Os resultados também sugerem a realização de futuras pesquisas longitudinais para análise e comparação em diferentes momentos. / This master’s thesis refers to the adaptability of information technology companies to turbulent environments, whether due to political and financial crisis, or even by the peculiar characteristic of an environment in constant change and increasingly innovations. This ability to change quickly amid an uncertain environment is deepened by the firm's dynamic capabilities. Information technology companies are recognized by the literature as knowledge intensive business, where the absorptive capacity is revealed as a mechanism that fosters innovation and performance. Seeking a better comprehension of this theme, this research evaluates the relationship between absorptive capacity’s elements and organizational performance’s elements in IT companies. For this purpose, a theoretical model, which included hypotheses relating those relationships, was created and submitted through the application of the technique of structural equation modeling. The results of this analysis were submitted to an expert’s panel who analyzed the model’s supported hypotheses and contributed with discourses that revealed a set of competencies and mechanisms that explain how the absorptive capacity is operationalized in those organizations. The final result showed not only the relationship between the elements of the absorptive capacity (acquisition, assimilation, transformation and exploration) with the performance but also the relationships between this model in other revealed aspects: (i) Competitiveness; (ii) Strategy; (iii) Networking; (iv) Economic and political environment; (v) Organizational learning; and (vi) Organizational climate. The results also suggest the realization of future longitudinal researches for analysis and comparison at different moments.

Cette thèse porte sur le confort acoustique et, en particulier, sur les matériaux absorbants destinés au traitement des nuisances sonores dans le domaine de l’habitat. L’objectif est double : il s’agit de proposer un matériau bio-sourcé et absorbant dans la gamme des basses fréquences.Notre choix s’est porté sur un matériau poreux bio-sourcé basé sur la fabrication de céramiques poreuses. Il est constitué de cellulose homogène et isotrope. Son procédé de fabrication repose sur la construction d’une empreinte en polyméthacrylate de méthyle permettant un contrôle fin de sa structure interne. Ensuite, nous avons procédé à la caractérisation expérimentale de ses propriétés acoustiques et des paramètres intrinsèques du matériau. L’analyse de ces données, associée à la modélisation numérique, a permis de définir les caractéristiques physiques influant sur ses performances acoustiques et d’identifier les leviers d’amélioration de celles-ci.Enfin, une mise en œuvre de concepts empiriques est présentée, à savoir : (i) inclusion d’aérogel dans la matrice poreuse, (ii) exploitation de la double porosité dans deux configurations différentes, soit dans le cas d’un composite cellulose/aérogel, soit celui d’un matériau constitué d’un double réseau mésoporeux/microporeux et (iii) utilisation de matériaux à gradient de propriétés (interconnexions ou porosité). Pour chacune de ces trois approches, le procédé de fabrication et la caractérisation de ces nouveaux matériaux sont détaillés et leurs performances acoustiques sont discutées. / This thesis is about acoustic comfort and deals particularly with absorptive materials used to treat noise pollution in the housing environment. Our purpose is a double-sided one as the idea is to propose a bio based and absorptive material within the range of low frequencies.We have focused on porous bio based material on the same manufacturing process of porous ceramic. It is composed of homogeneous and isotropic cellulose. The making of a polymethyl methcrylate print enabling a thorough control of its internal structure. Then, we have dealt with the experimental characterization of its acoustic properties and of the intrinsic parameters of the material. The analysis of these data together with the numerical modelling permitted to define the physical characteristics having an influence on acoustic performances and to identify their means of improvement.Finally, the implementation of empirical means will be presented, namely: (i) the inclusion of aerogel in the porous mould, (ii) the exploitation of double porosity in two different configurations, either in the case of cellulose/aerogel composite, or the one of a material composed of a double mesoporous/microporous structure and (iii) the use of materials containing gradients of properties (interconnection or porosity). For each of these three approaches, the manufacturing process and the characterization of these new materials are detailed and their acoustic performances are discussed.

Os custos elevados de aquisição de conhecimento, a intensificação da concorrência e a necessidade de aproximação do consumidor vêm estimulando empresas a buscar formas alternativas de aumentar seu potencial de inovação pela integração de usuários. No entanto, a literatura e o senso comum convergem ao afirmar que nem todo usuário está habilitado a trazer conhecimentos que sustentem a vantagem competitiva das inovações. Nesse contexto, emerge a figura do lead user que, por definição, é capaz de sentir necessidades de produtos e serviços ainda não expressos por usuários regulares. Esses conhecimentos, quando adequadamente absorvidos, trazem benefícios expressivos às empresas que os incorporam ao DNP. Sabendo que as formas de incorporação de usuários apresentam variações, este estudo se destina a entender como empresas de diferentes setores absorvem conhecimentos de lead users por diferentes práticas de integração. Para tanto, foi escolhido o método de estudo de casos múltiplos incorporados, observados em três multinacionais de grande porte: Natura, Whirlpool e Microsoft (Bing). Ao todo foram avalidados cinco modos de integração distintos, escolhidos a partir de duas formações: individual (conhecimentos isolados de usuários distintos) e coletivo (conhecimentos articulados em discussões em grupo), analisados pelos métodos de indução analítica com síntese cruzada de dados. Os resultados mostraram que as categorias teóricas utilizadas para observação inicial do fenômenol: parâmetro de identificação e técnica de seleção (aquisição); mecanismo de interação (assimilação); mecanismos de socialização (transformação) e sistema de formalização (exploração) apoiaram parcialmente o entendimento das atividades do processo e, por esta razão, precisaram se complementadas pelas categorias emergentes: criação de contexto, motivação (aquisição); estímulos, parâmetro de observação, interpretação (assimilação); definição de papéis, coordenação de processos, combinação de conhecimento (transformação) e gestão do conhecimento (exploração), coletadas na fase empírica Essa complementação aumentou a robustez do modelo inicial e mostrou como a absorção de conhecimentos pode ser avaliada pelas dimensões absortivas. No entanto, as análises intra e intercasos que se seguiram, mostraram que esse entendimento era insuficiente para explicar a capacidade de absorção por diferentes práticas, uma vez que o fenômeno é influenciado por fatores contextuais associados tanto à prática de integração quanto ao modo como cada empresa se organiza para inovar (tipo de acesso ao colaborador). As reflexões teóricas realizadas a partir desses resultados permitiram contribuir com a teoria existente de duas formas: I) pelo entendimento estendido das atividades de absorção necessárias para incorporação de conhecimentos de lead users e III) pela proposição de um modelo conceitual amplo que abarcou diferentes práticas de integração considerando também os antecedentes de inovação, as atividades absortivas e os fatores adjuntos, inerentes a cada prática. Esta pesquisa objetiva contribuir para o conhecimento teórico sobre inovação e motivar reflexões que possam ser úteis para gerentes e executivos interessados em aprimorar suas práticas e processos de captação de conhecimentos de lead users. / The high costs of acquiring knowledge, the increased competition and the need for consumer approach has stimulated companies to seek alternative ways to increase their innovation potential by integrating users. However, literature and common sense converge to say that not every user is able to bring knowledge to support the competitive advantage of innovations. In this context, the picture emerges of the lead user that, by definition, is capable of sensing needs for products and services not yet expressed by regular users. This knowledge, when properly absorbed, bring significant benefits to companies that incorporate the DNP. Knowing that the forms of incorporation users have variations, this study aims to understand how companies from different sectors lead absorb knowledge users for different integration practices. Thus, it was chosen the method of multiple case study incorporated, observed in three large multinationals: Natura, Whirlpool and Microsoft (Bing). In all, we avalidados five distinct modes of integration, chosen from two configurations: individual (individual knowledge of different users) and collective (articulated knowledge in group discussions), analyzed by the methods of analytic induction cross-synthesis of data. The results showed that the theoretical categories used for the initial observation phenomenological: identification and parameter selection technique (acquisition); interaction mechanism (assimilation); socialization mechanisms (transformation) and formalizing system (exploration) partially supported the understanding of the process activities and, therefore, had to be complemented by emerging categories: context of creation, motivation (acquisition); stimulus parameter of observation, interpretation (assimilation); definition of roles, coordination processes, combination of knowledge (processing) and knowledge management (holding) collected empirical phase This supplement increased the robustness of the initial model and showed how the absorption of knowledge can be assessed by the absorptive dimensions. However, intra- and intercasos analysis that followed showed that such an approach was insufficient to explain the absorption capacity for different practices, since the phenomenon is influenced by contextual factors related both to the practice of integration as to how each enterprise is organized to innovate (type of access to the employee). The theoretical reflections made from these results allowed to contribute to the existing theory in two ways: I) by understanding extended the absorption activities necessary for incorporating lead users of knowledge and III) by proposing a broad conceptual model that encompassed different practices Integration also considering the innovation history, the absorptive activities and deputy factors inherent to each practice. This research aims to contribute to the theoretical understanding of innovation and motivate reflections that might be useful for managers and executives interested in improving their practices and lead users knowledge capture processes.

En adoptant l’approche basée sur la connaissance, cette recherche étudie les effets de trois éléments préalables pour le transfert inter-organisationnel de connaissances (TIC). Ces trois éléments sont: l’intention de l’entreprise à explorer la connaissance du partenaire, la diversité entre les partenaires qui représente la source de nouveauté potentielle à apprendre, et enfin les effets mutuels de ces deux éléments. Une enquête auprès de 114 entreprises françaises, montre un impact positif de l’intention d’exploration sur l’efficacité du TIC. Nous avons également trouvé une relation en U inversé entre la diversité du partenaire et l’efficacité du TIC. Les interactions entre ces deux éléments sont étudiées sur la base de deux hypothèses complémentaires: La variation de l’intention d’explorer a un impact positif sur le TIC dans un contexte de faible diversité des partenaires, au contraire des alliances avec forte diversité entre les partenaires dans lesquelles la variation de l’intention d’explorer influence négativement le TIC. Les résultats de ces dernières hypothèses correspondent à deux approches d’exploration : la profondeur et l’étendue de l’exploration. Lorsqu’une entreprise, ayant une intention exploratoire, fait une alliance avec des partenaires similaires, ils profitent de leur profondeur commune d’exploration pour favoriser l'apprentissage et la création de nouvelles connaissances. L’étendue de l’exploration dans une alliance est la mesure par laquelle les partenaires de l'alliance explorent de nouvelles connaissances dans des éléments non-similaires de leur base de connaissances. Toutefois, nos résultats montrent que la diversité trop élevé entre des partenaires réduit l’effet positif de l’intention d’explorer sur le TIC à cause de la distance important entre les éléments de connaissances des partenaires à explorer / Relying on knowledge based view; this study tests the effects of three concepts as the prerequisites for interfirm learning: Intent to explore, Existence of novelty, and Approach of exploration. The paper defines the existence of new knowledge to be learnt by the level of partner diversity and addresses approaches of exploration by the interactive effect of the explorative intent and partner diversity. The hypotheses are tested based on a survey over a sample of 114 French companies. Determinants of knowledge transfer between partners such as ambiguity of partner's knowledge, knowledge protection and trust are controlled. Using Tobit regression models, the findings show that the intent to explore is positively related with interfirm knowledge transfer. Moreover, an inverted U-shape relationship is observed between partner diversity and the effectiveness of interfirm knowledge transfer. Finally, the negative moderating effect of partner diversity on the relation of exploration and knowledge transfer highlights the effect of two approaches of exploration: depth and scope of exploration. In the accordance with the concept of depth of search we find that the interactive effect of similarity of partners with explorative intent is positive on interfirm learning. We also find that a broad search scope represented by the interactive effect of partner diversity and intent to explore has negative impact on interfirm learning

No description available.

<p>Abstract</p><p>The research investigates the sustainability and effectiveness of the projects that are funded by the Swedish International Development Agency (SIDA) in Kenya. SIDA is the Swedish central state agency responsible for planning, implementing and managing Aid. The research applies both the absorptive capacity and the institutional theory to explain the phenomenon of Aid projects failures in Kenya. The research has used a qualitative research method, a literature study that blend with structured open-ended interview questions which we have formulated.</p><p>By studying the various Actors involved in Swedish foreign Aid, their operations and deliverance, it will facilitate our study to establish the major causes and origins of development projects failures in Kenya. The main and current Swedish development goals are “improving the standard of living for poor people”, the sub goals are Economic growth, Economic and social equality, Economic and Political Independence, Democratic Development and Protection of human rights, Sustainable use of natural resources, protection of Environment Conflict management and Security. The reason why Aid projects are not producing the intended results could be divided into two parts; the planning problem that emanate from the donors side. The irony is that development partners are viewed to be aiming at alleviating poverty without proper planning and even their priorities are not always right. The other major reason is attributed to the recipients’ side and could be summarized as lack of democracy, corruption, weak institutions, lack of absorptive capacity and mismanagement.</p>

Background: Due to the increasing global competition managers must realize the importance of competitive advantage. This can be done by reconsider how new knowledge should be acquired into the organization.  The importance of new competence creation is well known as a factor for longitudinal success for companies. There is a growing trend in outsourcing human resources activities that used to be in-house. There are numerous training vendors active on the market offering training and development opportunities to small firms. It can therefore be questioned how well the programs offered by the training vendors suites the needs of small firms. Purpose: The purpose of this study is to investigating the perceived training and development needs for small firms. This to understand and overcome the differences in the perception of small firms’ needs, between training vendors and small firms. Method: The research approach of this study is inspired by Grounded theory. Ten in-depth interviews have been performed, four with training vendors and six with small firms. The findings where then coded and categorized to answer the research questions and purpose of the research. Conclusion: From this research it can be seen that both small firms and training vendors do understand the need for training and development of small firms. The areas where training and development is needed for small firms can be summarised to fields of general business management and business specific knowledge. However, this research also identifies barriers that prevent small firms from attending external training. These barriers are cost, time, relevance, pride, flexibility and suitability. Time and cost are the most commonly mentioned barriers, but not the primary barriers that training vendors and small firms should focus on overcoming. Instead we argue that, the efforts should be on the attitude driven barriers: relevance, suitability, flexibility and pride. If you change the attitude among small firms towards training, the perceived benefits will become larger and therefore cost and price will become less important. If the small firms and the training vendors co-operate these barriers could easier be decreased. This could be done by ensuring that the training results in practical tools that the firms use and that they work on building a trustworthy relationship. This will help the small firms to see the relevance and the suitability of the courses offered and the training vendors to understand how to make the courses appear more relevant and suitable to the small firms. / Bakgrund: I och med den ökade globala konkurrensen, måste företagsledare förstå vikten av att inneha och bevara en konkurrens fördel. Detta kan göras genom att fokusera på hur kunskap kan tas in i organisationen. Vikten av kompetens utveckling är en välkänd faktor för långsiktig framgång för företag. Det finns en ökad trend att lägga ut ansvaret för human resources på externa företag, vilket tidigare sköttes inom företaget. Det finns ett stort antal externa utvecklingsleverantörer på marknaden. Det kan därför ifrågasättas hur väl programmen, som de externa träningsleverantörerna erbjuder, passar med behoven hos småföretagarna. Syfte: Syftet med studien är att undersöka uppfattningen om tränings- och utvecklingsbehov hos småföretagare. Detta för att få en förståelse av småföretagarnas behov och komma över skillnaderna i uppfattningarna mellan externa utvecklingsleverantörer och småföretagare. Metod: Forskningsansatsen till den här studien är inspirerad av Grundad teori. Tio djupintervjuer har genomförts, fyra stycken med externa utvecklingsleverantörer och sex stycken med småföretagare. Det empiriska materialet har organiserats genom kodning och kategorisering enligt Grundad teori. Slutsats: Från den här studien kan det ses att både småföretagare och externa utvecklingsleverantörer ser behovet av träning och utveckling i småföretag. De områden där träningsbehov är identifierade kan summers till generell företagsekonomi och specifik kunskap inom företagets bransch. Genom denna studie har dock barriärer som motverkar träning och utveckling i småföretag identifierats. Barriärerna är: kostnad, tid, relevans, stolthet, flexibilitet och lämplighet. Tid och kostnad är de mest nämnda barriärerna, men dock inte de barriärer som primärts bör fokuseras på. Istället anser vi att kraften skall fokuseras på att minska de attityd drivna barriärerna: relevans, lämplighet, flexibilitet och stolthet hos företagarna. Om attityden hos småföretagarna ändras vad gäller träning så kommer den uppfattade fördelen av träning att öka, därmed minskar vikten av barriärerna kostnad och pris. Dessa barriärer kan lättare överbyggas om småföretagarna och de externa utvecklingsleverantörerna samarbetar. Samarbetet kan ske genom att fastställa att det praktiska verktygen, utvecklade av de externa utvecklingsleverantörerna, används av småföretagarna och att en tillförlitlig relation byggs. Detta skulle hjälpa småföretagarna att se relevansen och lämpligheten i de erbjudna kurserna och de externa utvecklingsleverantörerna skulle få en förståelse i hur man kan få kurserna att framstå som relevanta och lämpliga för småföretag.