This thesis presents a Hamiltonian formulation of the electromagnetic fields in structured (inhomogeneous) media of arbitrary dimensionality, with arbitrary material dispersion and absorption consistent with causality. The method is based on an identification of the photonic component of the polariton modes of the system. Although the medium degrees of freedom are introduced in an oscillator model, only the macroscopic response of the medium appears in the derived eigenvalue equation for the polaritons. For both the discrete transparent-regime spectrum and the continuous absorptive-regime spectrum, standard codes for photonic modes in nonabsorptive systems can easily be leveraged to calculate polariton modes. Two applications of the theory are presented: pulse propagation and spontaneous parametric down-conversion (SPDC). In the propagation study, the dynamics of the nonfluctuating part of a classical-like pulse are expressed in terms of a Schr\"{o}dinger equation for a polariton effective field. The complex propagation parameters of that equation can be obtained from the same generalized dispersion surfaces typically used while neglecting absorption, without incurring additional computational complexity. As an example I characterize optical pulse propagation in an Au/MgF$_2$ metallodielectric stack, using the empirical response function, and elucidate the various roles of Bragg scattering, interband absorption and field expulsion. Further, I derive the Beer coefficient in causal structured media. The SPDC calculation is rigorous, captures the full 3D physics, and properly incorporates linear dispersion. I obtain an expression for the down-converted state, quantify pair-production properties, and characterize the scaling behavior of the SPDC energy. Dispersion affects the normalization of the polariton modes, and calculations of the down-conversion efficiency that neglect this can be off by 100$\%$ or more for common media regardless of geometry if the pump is near the band edge. Furthermore, I derive a 3D three-wave group velocity walkoff factor; due to the interplay of a topological property with a symmetry property, I show that even if down-conversion is into a narrow forward cone, neglect of the transverse walkoff can lead to an overestimate of the SPDC energy by orders of magnitude.

La tesi si focalizza sull'implementazione di un sistema ERP in una organizzazione multinazionale con headquarters in Massachusetts, USA. Il metodo e' case study e l'approccio e' di tipo interpretativo. Sono studiati i processi di apprendimento (learning) di utenti e management che hanno permesso lo sviluppo di absorptive capacity. I risultati sottolineano l'importanza di processi di apprendimento di tipo "double loop". E' proposta una riconcettualizzazione del costrutto "absorptive capacity" ispirato all'originario framework di Cohen e Levinthal (1990)che rappresenta un modello di sintesi. / The dissertation concentrates on ERP implementation in a worldwide organization with headquarters in Massachusetts, USA. The method used is the case study and the approach is interpretive. The research points to learning processes which underpin the development of absorptive capacity. The findings highlight that double-loop learning is necessary to develop absorptive capacity. A reconceptualized model of absorptive capacity is provided based on the original construct of Cohen and Levinthal (1990).

Resource limitation and inadequate capabilities are the SME’s major problems. On this basis, alliances as vehicles of inter-firm collaboration provide opportunities for SMEs to obtain complementary capabilities and critical resources to overcome resource limitations. In this respect, examining the extant literature on non-equity strategic alliances shows that very few studies have empirically examined the impact of these alliances, such as inward international licensing (IIL) on SMEs’ dynamic capabilities (e.g. absorptive capacity and networking capability) in developing context. Consequently, to close this research gap, the purpose of this study is to examine and explore the major impacts of inward international licensing (IIL) on dynamic capabilities of SMEs, with focus on absorptive capacity (ACAP) and networking capability (NC) in a developing economy context (Iran). This study is focused on pharmaceutical SMEs involved in international business activities through inward international licensing (IIL). The study is explorative, qualitative and elaborative in nature. The dominant analytical approach in this study was abductive. Given the research type (nature), a multiple-case study was selected as an appropriate research strategy to achieve the research purpose and objectives. All cases were selected purposefully. The data were collected from four pharmaceutical SMEs (licensees) with licenses from European pharmaceutical largescale enterprises (LSEs). The results of the first part of this study reveal that in all cases studied, inward international licensing (IIL) has a strong effect on absorptive capacity (ACAP) and networking capability (NC). In this regard, all absorptive factors (AFs), namely acquisition, assimilation, transformation, and exploitation, have been enhanced by influenced contextual factors (CFs) of ACAP. The SMEs’ management and strategy, human resources, internal knowledge, and inter and intra-firm relationships, as several contextual factors (CF) of ACAP, have been forcefully influenced by inward international licensing (IIL). The second part of the empirical results indicates that the international licensing alliance between SMEs and LSEs helps the development of SMEs’ networking capability as well. This was particularly significant in development of the main components of networking capability, such as relationship initiation capability (RIC) and relationship developing capability (RDC).

The performance of various designs of outdoor noise barrier has been investigated using numerical modelling and full scale experiments. The numerical modelling has been performed using a two-dimensional boundary element method. The model has been extended to allow the efficient simulation of barrier arrangements on ground having two distinct impedance values and cross-sections incorporating cuttings. It has been reported previously that the performance of a plane screen can be enhanced by adding a device to the top of the barrier to induce destructive interference. Full scale modelling and boundary element simulations have been performed on one such commercially available device. It has been shown that, taking the height increase into account, the major contribution to the improved performance is the presence of two diffracting edges rather than any interference effects generated. It is known that the performance of a single barrier is degraded following the introduction of a barrier on the opposite side of a source. Boundary element simulations of such parallel arrangements have been performed. Modifications have been proposed to reduce the over-estimation of multiple reflections within the model, together with a method for converting predictions to the equivalent point source values. Sound absorptive, tilted and median barriers have been shown to be effective in reducing the degradation. A multiple-edge barrier configuration is known to offer improved screening performance over a plane screen. Reported in-situ measurements have suggested the behaviour to be influenced by site geometry. Boundary element calculations have been performed to identify a more efficient variant of the device. The results suggest the addition of an inclined base panel to be most effective. The boundary element model has been used to investigate the effect of shape and surface treatment upon railway noise barriers. The model has been adapted to allow the use of dipole sources characteristic of railway noise. The cross-section of the rolling stock has been shown to affect the performance of rigid barriers. If the upper edges are coincident, the results suggest that simple absorptive barriers provide better screening than tilted designs. The addition of multiple edges further enhances performance.

Diss. Stockholm : Handelshögskolan, 2009.

As microempresas são consideradas uma importante parte de um sistema econômico. Sua importância está centrada em sua diversificação de atuação, relacionada ao comércio, serviço e à indústria, formando um sistema de amortecimento das variações econômicas de uma nação. Sua importância em números de empresas em funcionamento e no número de funcionários é fundamental para a economia. A capacidade absortiva pode ser entendida como a capacidade de uma empresa em extrair conhecimento a partir do ambiente externo; reconhecer o valor da informação externa, assimilá-la e aplicá-la para fins comerciais, para aumentar/desenvolver a inovação. (COHEN; LEVINTHAL, 1990). Já a orientação para o mercado é descrita por Narver e Slater (1990) como um construto formado por três componentes comportamentais: orientação para o cliente, orientação para os concorrentes e coordenação interfuncional, bem como foco no longo prazo e na lucratividade, denominadas como critérios de decisão. Este trabalho buscou analisar a relação destes dois construtos com o desempenho das microempresas localizadas no Corede Serra do Rio Grande do Sul. A pesquisa foi realizada com uma amostra de 295 microempresas. Os resultados indicam que há uma correlação significativa entre a capacidade absortiva, a orientação para o mercado e o desempenho das empresas estudadas. As correlações apresentadas foram significativas em nível da significância (p<0,01), mesmo sendo baixas a moderadas, com valores em torno do 0,4, representou que há uma relação percebida entre capacidade absortiva, orientação para o mercado e desempenho nas microempresas. / Submitted by Marcelo Teixeira (mvteixeira@ucs.br) on 2014-04-30T12:58:24Z No. of bitstreams: 1 Dissertacao Joao Vicente F. de Godolphim.pdf: 672225 bytes, checksum: 6a9e2b401501fa64e565d6a705c039d1 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2014-04-30T12:58:24Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Dissertacao Joao Vicente F. de Godolphim.pdf: 672225 bytes, checksum: 6a9e2b401501fa64e565d6a705c039d1 (MD5) / Microenterprises are regarded as an important part of an economic system. Their importance is centered on their action diversification, which is related to trade, services and industry, thus forming a buffering system for the economic variations of a nation. Their importance in terms of both number of operating companies and number of employees is fundamental to the economy. The absorptive capacity can be understood as a company’s ability to extract knowledge from the external environment, recognize the value of external information, assimilate it and apply it to commercial purposes in order to increase/develop innovation (COHEN; LEVINTHAL, 1990). Market orientation, in turn, was described by Narver and Slater (1990) as a construct comprising three behavioral components: customer orientation, competitor orientation and interfunctional coordination, with a focus on long-term and profitability, which have been denominated as decision criteria. This paper aimed at analyzing the relationship of these two constructs with the performance of microenterprises located in Corede Serra in Rio Grande do Sul. The sample consisted of 295 microenterprises. The results evidenced a significant correlation between absorptive capacity, market orientation and performance of the companies under study. The correlations presented were significant at the significance level (p<0.01). Despite being low to moderate, with values around 0.4, they evidenced a perceived relationship between absorptive capacity, market orientation and performance in micro-enterprises.

Business growth has been a widely interesting topic among researchers throughout the years. Most research has emphasised growth as an outcome that considers different measures to growth, whereas the outcome of growth that reflects upon managing challenges when growing and growth as a process that refers to how firms adapt internally whilst growing have been much more neglected. As an organisation grows, human capital has been suggested as one of the most critical aspects to manage when firms need to develop knowledge, competencies, and skills beyond what already exists within the organisation. Small firms in comparison to their larger counterparts seldom have specific departments to manage human resources, which leaves room for interesting areas to understand how small firms can manage processes to develop human resources beyond those already existing as firms grow. As small firms grow and encounter various challenges in need of management, absorptive capacity considers means for managers to address growth challenges by realising the value of new and external knowledge to produce dynamic capabilities, which in turn enable firms to align resources to the changing environment of a growing organisation. Previous research highlights the need to develop a practical understanding of internal processes that managers apply when managing a wider range of competencies. The purpose of this study serves to create an understanding of how small firms that encounter growth challenges can manage human resources to develop necessary skills and competencies beyond existing means as organisations grow. To develop this understanding, this study develops a conceptual framework based upon human capital, absorptive capacity and dynamic capabilities with the guiding research question: How can small firms manage human resources when growing? Through a qualitative study with data collected through semi-structured interviews, this study concludes that small firms can manage human resources through various processes, in which organisational culture should serve as a foundation throughout the entire process of managing human resources. This study also concludes that as organisations grow, it is important to be aware of and question current processes to efficiently address challenges in changing environments. Furthermore, this study considers the importance of being an attractive firm and to manage human resources through means of defining a market to attract and acquire human resources when growing. With previous research highlighting the need to develop a more practical understanding of processes that managers utilise when managing a growing organisation, this study contributes to existing literature by emphasising the role of the manager throughout the process of managing human resources. The study also provides practical reasonings for small firms to remain efficient and survive in a market dominated by competition of larger organisations with financial resources to outcompete smaller and less established firms.

Afin de faire face à la concurrence accrue dans leurs marchés, de plus en plus PMEs innovent dans des réseaux d'innovation collaboratifs (RICs). En effet, ces derniers leur permettent d'accéder à des connaissances complémentaires nécessaires pour mener à bien leurs projets innovants. La contribution d'une PME à un tel réseau nécessite une absorption des connaissances externes, apportées par les autres participants et éventuellement de connaissances externes au réseau constitué.L'objet de cette thèse est de construire un outil de maturité pour évaluer la capacité d'absorption des PMEs intégrées dans de tels contextes. Cette évaluation les aidera à contribuer efficacement au projet et favorisera ainsi le succès de l'innovation. Elle les guidera également vers les bonnes pratiques pour capitaliser sur leurs expériences dans des RICs et améliorer la performance de leurs propres organisations à la lumière des apprentissages issus de ce dernier.Une approche méthodologique mixte a été adoptée pour le développement de cet outil. Une première phase qualitative a permis d'identifier les pratiques d'absorption d'une PME dans un projet de co-innovation. Cette phase est principalement composée d'une revue de littérature approfondie, de 20 entretiens semi-directifs auprès de 13 PMEs dans les régions Rhône-Alpes en France et Yorkshire au Royaume-Uni et de deux demi-journées de travail avec des experts chercheurs et praticiens. Une seconde phase quantitative avait pour objectif d'évaluer la pertinence de ces pratiques pour chaque situation possible de participation d'une PME à un réseau d'innovation collaboratif. Dans ce sens, un questionnaire d'enquête a été d'abord testé auprès de 2 praticiens et 2 chercheurs, puis administré auprès de PMEs ayant opéré dans des contextes de réseaux similaires. Les données collectées ont été analysées suivant une approche PLS-SEM et ont permis de formuler, pour chaque pratique d'absorption, une équation de prédiction de sa pertinence en fonction du contexte de participation d'une PME à un réseau d'innovation collaboratif. Les pratiques issues de la phase qualitative et les équations déterminées suite à l'approche quantitative ont ensuite été opérationnalisées sous la forme d'un outil de grille de maturité. Ce dernier sera affiné itérativement au fur et à mesure de sa mise en œuvre avec des PMEs intégrées dans des RICs.Cette recherche comporte des contributions à plusieurs niveaux. D'un point de vue théorique, elle confirme la proéminence pour l'innovation du concept de capacité d'absorption, en le caractérisant pour le contexte d'une PME intégrée dans un RIC. D'un point de vue pratique, la mise en œuvre de cette caractérisation via un outil à l'usage de PMEs permet de favoriser le succès de leurs expériences dans ces réseaux, en les guidant vers les pratiques appropriées aux contextes de leurs participations à ces derniers. Enfin d'un point de vue méthodologique, l'adoption d'une démarche quantitative pour contextualiser une grille de maturité constitue une approche novatrice dans le champ de développement de tels outils d'amélioration de la performance. / In order to face the increased market competition, SMEs are joining collaborative innovation networks (CINs). In fact, these sturcutres enable them access to complementary knowledge that is necessary to conduct their innovation projects. The contribution of an SME to such a network requires an absorption of the knowledge brought by the other participants and eventually of knowledge external to the constituted network.The aim of this thesis is to develop a maturity tool to assess the absorptive capacity of SMEs operating in such contexts. This evaluation will help them contribute effectively to the project and foster the innovation success of this latter. It will also guide them towards the best practices to capitalize on their experiences within these networks and hence improve the performance of their own organizationsA mixed method has been adopted for the development of this tool. A first qualitative phase enabled the identification of absorption practices for an SME embedded in a CIN. This phase is mainly composed of an in-depth literature review, 20 semi-directive interviews with 13 SMEs in the Rhône-Alpes region of France and the Yorkshire region in the UK and two working sessions with expert researchers and practitioners. A second quantitative phase aimed at evaluating the relevance of these practices for each possible situation of an SME's participation in a CIN. To this end, a survey questionnaire was first tested with 2 practitioners and 2 researchers and then administered to a sample of SMEs who had operated in similar contexts. The collected data was analyzed according to a PLS-SEM approach and enabled formulating a prediction equation for each absorption practice, according to the context of the SME's participation within the network. The practices resulting from the qualitative phase combined with the formulas steming from the quantitative one were then operationalized through a maturity grid. The latter will be iteratively improved through successive applications with SMEs embedded in CINs.This thesis implies contributions at several levels. From a theoretical point of view, it confirms the prominence for innovation of the concept of absorptive capacity, through its characterization for the context of an SME embedded in a CIN. From a practical point of view, the implementation of this characterization through a tool for the use of SMEs helps them foster the success of their experiences within such networks. Finally, from a methodological point of view, the adoption of a quantitative approach to contextualize a maturity grid is a novel methodology in the development stream of such performance improvement tools.

This thesis investigates knowledge and learning in new technology-based firms (NTBFs) in an early-stage entrepreneurial ecosystem. Previous work on entrepreneurial learning suggests that experiential learning, vicarious learning and exploration are the learning types that entrepreneurs use to manage knowledge, and that this leads to the creation of entrepreneurial knowledge. While the majority of previous research involves entrepreneurial learning that is based on absorptive capacity (ACAP) to generate competitive advantage, this study examines how new venture teams (NVTs) manage new and prior knowledge when developing and commercialising software. The knowledge-based view (KBV) regards knowledge as the most important resource to allocate. This research adopts this approach in exploring how NVTs acquire, assimilate and use new knowledge. Based on a framework encompassing networks, prior knowledge and knowledge management the study explores, examines and analyses: i. Entrepreneurial networks; ii. Early-stage entrepreneurial ecosystems; iii. NVTs’ prior knowledge; and iv. Knowledge integration activities. The research adopts a qualitative approach and methodology comprising two stages. The first one captures the perceptions of multiple agents involved in the entrepreneurial networks in Colombia, from government, academia and support institutions (private and public). In the second stage eight NVTs from Medellín were asked to describe the resources and source of resources used when developing and commercialising the first innovative product while creating and establishing the NTBF; their answers were validated in a second interview using a mind map to illustrate key events and key sources of new knowledge. Analysis of the data reveals that even in early-stage entrepreneurial ecosystems, NVTs acquire knowledge from external sources, such as mentors, intermediaries and customers. This finding echoes the importance of ACAP in NTBF creation and survival. Moreover, NVTs acquire knowledge from internal sources of knowledge, such as new members, experience and formal education. In general, regardless of how related, specific and complementary the prior knowledge of the NVT is, all cases use external and internal knowledge integration activities. This study provides new insights into the nature of knowledge integration and has clarified distinctions between two key substantive capabilities in NTBFs: developing a technology and commercialising a new product. As regard to the KBV, the thesis also shows how entrepreneurial and innovative networks helped with the acquisition of new knowledge in an early-stage entrepreneurial ecosystem. This new knowledge can be market-related but also technical-related, and can also be acquired by outsourcing when the NVT’s knowledge base is not specialised in the technology that the firm offers. NVTs manage prior and new knowledge when developing and commercialising new technologies while they create and establish the NTBF, for by doing so they also focus on sales to maintain cash flow. The study suggests that members of NVTs work together, make decisions together and are both reflective and selective when choosing their sources of new knowledge in NTBFs. This study has important implications for policymakers and practitioners. While current policies and entrepreneurs recognise networks as the most important source of knowledge, findings of this research suggests that internal sources of knowledge are equally important, therefore NVTs must also develop internal knowledge integration abilities.

A capacidade inovativa não é um assunto recente, mas ainda não possui consenso entre os pesquisadores na sua definição. Alguns estudos, como os de Rush, Bessant e Hobday (2007) e Cetindamar et al. (2009), propuseram modelos de avaliação da capacidade inovativa como resultado do processo de aprendizagem tecnológica. Nesta abordagem, ter capacidade inovativa significa adquirir informações, transformá-las em novos conhecimentos, promover a mudança tecnológica e obter novos produtos. Seguindo esta abordagem, o objetivo deste trabalho foi o de estabelecer um modelo que pudesse analisar a capacidade inovativa através da capacidade absortiva e da capacidade tecnológica mediante a inclusão de uma variável de validação econômica, o desempenho inovativo das empresas. Isto foi realizado através de um levantamento [survey] em 491 empresas da indústria cosmética brasileira. Em 202, como resultado se obteve uma grande quantidade de empresas que lançam produtos cosméticos em função do conhecimento contido na sua própria cadeia produtiva. Desta forma, clientes e fornecedores possuem um papel importante no desenvolvimento de produtos deste setor e as mudanças tecnológicas acabam centradas em melhorias, o que confere menor grau de novidade aos produtos. A partir da análise de cluster proposta neste trabalho foi possível identificar um cluster com maior desempenho inovativo e que apresenta diferenças nas suas práticas com relação ao grande grupo de empresas. / Innovative capability is not a recent issue but still there is no consensus among researchers as to its definition. Some studies, such as Rush, Bessant and Hobday (2007) and Cetindamar et al. (2009), have proposed models for evaluation of innovative capability as a result of the technological learning process. According to this approach, being innovative capable means to acquire information, turn into new knowledge, promote technological changes and get new products. Following this view, the aim of this study was to establish a model that would be able to analyze the innovative capability through the absorptive capacity and technological capability by including a economic variable, the innovative performance of the firms. This was accomplished through a survey conducted among 491 Brazilian companies in the cosmetics industry. In 202, as a result, it was obtained a large number of companies that launch cosmetics from the contained knowledge in their own supply chain. Thus, customers and suppliers have an important role in product development. The technological changes in this industry are focused on improvements, which gives a less degree of novelty in products. Through the cluster analysis, it was possible to identify a cluster with the highest innovative performance. This cluster differs in its practices with respect to the large group of companies.