Mémoire numérisé par la Direction des bibliothèques de l'Université de Montréal.

The research is focusing on small and mid-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the German Medical Technology (MedTech) industry and investigates the antecedents and the effects of organizational capabilities on their strategy regarding international ventures. Although there is various research in the field of strategy, internationalisation and SMEs, the impact of existing research in the specific field of German Medtech SMEs is relatively poor while theoretical and empirical findings obtained in another particular institutional context are not yet applicable in other countries or industries. As a consequence, a systematic review of the literature has been conducted. An initial conceptual model was developed, in which significant findings regards country, industry and firm-specific aspects could be identified. The philosophical stand of the researcher and his ontological view as a post-positivist allows both, a qualitative and a quantitative approach. By applying a mixed method approach a focus group discussion provided in depth-knowledge in order to sharpen the initial model. Antecedents, as well as the most important factors related to strategy, were emphasized and further important aspects that focus on capabilities were revealed. With these results, constructs and relationships were modeled and quantitative data from a survey with more than 60 German MedTech SMEs were collected and assessed. This approach led to the finding that factors such as ́market potential ́, ́physical capital ́, ́medical regulations ́ and ́product competitive-ness ́ have the highest influence on the firm ́s strategic approach. ́Organizational learning ́ and ́coordination mechanism ́ have particularly an impact on strategy development, whereas relationship capabilities mediating effect on the strategy-competitive advantage relationship. Firm size and firm ́s experience in international ventures influence a firm ́s internationalisation. The results will serve as a strategic input for SME’s in the German MedTech industry. This research provided a contribution to knowledge that is relevant from an academic as well as from an economic point of view. The findings should help academics, MedTech SMEs, and governmental institutions to understand the decisive factors for internationalisation and the importance to develop specific organizational capabilities in this context. This understanding contributes towards a sound development of German MedTech SMEs in their future internationalisation.

This thesis assesses the role of the Government (in Mexico) and the Foreign Trade Council of Mexico (BANCOMEXT) in the internationalization of Mexican small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in low- and medium-technology industries (LMT), which is the main group of firms serviced by BANCOMEXT-Europe. It also sheds light on the internal and external barriers this organization has identified as affecting the internationalization of these SMEs from developing countries (Mexico) in developed and distant markets (the European Union). To achieve this, a case study was undertaken in the six offices of BANCOMEXT (now PROMEXICO) in Europe: Italy, the UK, Germany, Spain, the Netherlands and France. BANCOMEXT is the most specialized governmental organization dealing with the internationalization of SMEs. The story told by the BANCOMEXT officers is analysed from the international business (the Uppsala model and the role of government intermediaries in the internationalization of SMEs), innovation and policy perspectives (the national system of innovation (NSI) approach) and the economic perspective. After the inductive analysis of the interviews undertaken with government officers from BANCOMEXT-Europe, 220 concepts that span the policy, macro, micro and meso levels were identified. The findings suggest that BANCOMEXT-Europe has mainly contributed to the internationalization of LMT-SMEs by the provision of information and by putting these firms in contact with potential clients abroad, but there are some unattended areas in which BANCOMEXT-Europe could expand its activities to contribute to the internationalization of LMT-SMEs. This thesis also uncovered that the SMEs' performance and the scope of BANCOMEXT's activities have been negatively affected by problems of different origins. Some of them are internal to Mexican SMEs, and there are also external barriers of both domestic and foreign origin inhibiting the SMEs' internationalization and explaining their very limited participation in foreign markets. These problems are enhanced by the environmental differences (differences in institutional set-ups) between Mexico and the EU and the geographical distance. In addition, this research provides empirical evidence from a developing country (Mexico) about the pervasive consequences of the lack of governmental support and policies for the internationalization of LMT-SMEs. This research calls for more active participation from the Government and policy makers to contribute to long-term economic growth from the supply side by improving SMEs' competitiveness through interactive learning, knowledge access and knowledge creation, innovation (incremental innovation) and the provision of favourable conditions for the internationalization of LMT-SMEs. Accordingly, a series of suggestions aimed at improving the competitiveness and internationalization of Mexican LMT-SMEs in the EU is also presented.

Thesis (B.A.)--Haverford College, Dept. of Anthropology, 2007. / Includes bibliographical references.

Every year, the US Conference of Mayors presents awards to mayors and their administrations for programs that enhance the quality of life in urban areas. In 2009, the City of Charleston won and was named America’s “Most Livable” City. The program that won them the honor was the Palmetto Artisan Program, an entrepreneurial skill program helping youth artisans become licensed business vendors. This report seeks to understand the potential for arts-based youth programs, like the Palmetto Artisan Program, to impact local economic development and enhance quality of life. I explore this issue through a literature review of workforce development, arts-related economic development, an analysis of five programs across the country, and an in-depth analysis of the Palmetto Artisan Program in Charleston, SC. The report concludes with recommendations and insights for cities and regions wishing to implement similar programs that benefit young people and their communities. / text

The Small- to Medium- Sized Enterprise (SME) has attracted the attention of researchers and governments because of the increasingly important role it is playing in national and international economies. The current research is directed towards understanding the internationalisation of this important economic unit, specifically the internationalisation of SMEs in the East Midlands region of the United Kingdom. The research adopts a critical realist philosophy, used by researchers to explain the decision-making process, and applies it in a different context to provide insights into the internationalisation process of the SME. A critical realist approach is used as it enables an understanding of the roles of structures and the contingent environment in facilitating differing levels of SME internationalisation. These are factors that are believed to operate at a level below that of the observable. The study adopts a mixed methodology (a questionnaire survey and two company case studies) that identifies three main issues, including, the international orientation of the industry, previous international experience of management, and the age of the firm. The survey also identified two other issues, perceptions of competition levels, and technology. All of these factors heavily influenced the differing internationalisation levels seen. The two case study companies were used to illustrate the issues at a real level, highlighting the effect of the structures of the capitalist mode of production and the supply chain. The roles of these structures were shown as not deterministic, as the affect of structure was only exhibited under particular contingent conditions in the external and internal environments

Thesis (Ph. D.)--State University of New York at Binghamton, Department of History, 2006. / Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis -- Departmental honors in Art History. / Bibliography: ℓ. 130-133.

Thesis--Zaragoza, 1977. / Includes indexes. Includes bibliographical references (p. [436]-451).

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Missouri-Columbia, 2001. / Typescript. Vita. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 174-181). Also available on the Internet.