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This thesis addresses the commercialization decisions of academic scientists. Although there is a great deal of research on environmental, university and individual determinants of the formal technology transfer mechanisms, this thesis addresses a gap in the literature by studying how technology characteristics affect the selection of university technology transfer mechanisms. For this purpose the insights from main theoretical sources were combined: a) the economics of technological change and b) the diffusion of innovations theory and a conceptual framework that considers eight characteristics of technology was developed. The technology characteristics derived from the two theoretical sources are: pervasiveness, tacitness, complexity, system dependence, relative advantage, compatibility, trialability and observability. These characteristics were then related to the choice of four technology transfer mechanisms by academic scientists. The study covers UK university scientists who have been involved in commercialization between 2005 and 2015. In the first stage, qualitative data were collected through 14 semi-structured interviews. The qualitative data analysis confirmed the predictive power of most factors in the conceptual framework and six new variables were also as potential predictors: patentability, inimitability, effectiveness of patents for the technology, capital intensity, independence, and technology dynamism. In the second phase, a questionnaire was developed and the quantitative data from 331 academic inventors were used to verify the result of the qualitative study. The quantitative data analysis suggests that the technologies that lead to the formation of a new company (either through formal or informal spin-offs) are complex and academics perceive higher profitability resulting from the commercialization of the technology. More novel or more system dependent technologies lead to the formation of formal university spin-offs and the technologies that are less novel or less system dependent are more likely to be transferred to a new company via informal spin-offs or to an existing company via licensing or consulting activity. In addition, when technologies are more capital intensive or patents are more effective for protection of them from imitation, they are more likely to be transferred formally via licensing or formal university spin-offs. The data analysis also confirms that higher dynamism associated with a technology leads to the creation of informal spin-offs and less patentability of a technology significantly predicts the engagement of academics in consulting activity. The thesis concludes with implication for theory and practices.

This research investigates why some individuals make better decisions in risky investments than others and what individual/socio-demographic characteristics influence in making these decisions. Three research questions with nineteen hypotheses were developed for the investigation. The first research question was (RQ1) Which demographic factors (gender, age, ethnicity, education, and investment experience), decision making styles and personality traits affect financial risk tolerance, financial literacy and risky decision making? Second research questionw as (RQ2) Is there any significant relationship between financial risk tolerance, financial literacy and risky decision making? And the third and last research question was (RQ3) Which combination of demographic factors (gender, age, ethnicity, education, and investment experience), decision making styles and personality traits predict financial risk tolerance score and financial literacy score? The investigation included two risk decisions making experimental tasks i.e. Iowa gambling task (IGT) and the balloon analogue risk task (BART) and an online questionnaire in which 244 UK respondents participated. The participants included professional (71%) and nonprofessional (29%) investors. Mixed factor ANOVA, one way ANOVA, Pearson correlation and multiple regression were used to analyse the data. (RQ1) There were no significant differences in the gambling task performance based on financial knowledge, investment experience, personality traits and demographics. There were significant differences in basic and advances financial literacy based on gender, age and investment experience. (RQ2) The results of the mixed factor ANOVA showed that there was no significant main effect of financial risk tolerance on the Iowa gambling task performance but a significant interaction was found to be present. Thus, financial risk tolerance high or low does not affect the risky decision-making task performance. The results of mixed factor ANOVA results show that same level of perceived financial knowledge and actual financial literacy was significantly related to better performance on the Iowa gambling task. Therefore, overconfidence or under confidence about one's level of financial understanding affects performance on risky decision-making tasks. (RQ3) 28% variability in the financial risk tolerance score is explained by the predictors gender, financial literacy score, spontaneous decision style, extraversion and investment experience. The regression model showed that gender, financial risk tolerance score, rational decision making, intuitive decision making and investment experience cause 38% variability in financial literacy score. The participants did learn to make better selections in the gambling task but still majority 56% of them displayed impaired performance. Based on the findings of the research it is recommended that the importance of financial literacy and investment experience should be considered when the financial consultants prepare the investors profile. It is also recommended that the assumptions for measuring healthy performance on the Iowa gambling task should be evaluated carefully when applied to healthy participants in such a way that the individual differences are also incorporated.

An integrated fraework of Park and Ghauri (2011) of developing technological capabilities will be replicated and examined from Multinationals to subsidiaries doing business in Morocco. This research identifies the key elements that affect the ability of subsidiaried in Morocco to cultivate technological capabilities through imported technology. The main objective of this research is to investigate the role of Multinationals in contributing technological capabilities to subsidiaries established in target markets. It will replicate the same conceptual framework used by PArk and Ghauri (2011), and take into consideration the external factors, government support, the recipient technology infrastructure, and the technology transfer mode. It will be relevant to investigate how these external factors are crucial to Moroccan industries for the development of their technological capabilities. They argue that three fundamental constructs influence technology acquisition in SMLFS: firm-specific resources of knowledge acquirers that include human capital, intent to learn and international experience; trust and organizational compatibility (trust, compatible organizational culture, and business relatedness); and collaborative support by knowledge transferors that included active assistance of foreign acquiring firms in technology management, and the participation of foreign expatriate experts. Not only endogenous factors can contribute to the development of technological capability of the firms established in Morocco, but external factors can also play a significant role in determining the development of technological capability of SMLFs. A review of existing literature shows that no previous study has replicated the Park & Ghauri's model of technological capabilities in Morocco. This model was only replicated in Indonesia, India and South Korea but not in Morocco. In terms of North African countries, an academic research focusing on the Egyptian can industry has been done but not in Morocco, so that is why it is interesting to conduct this study. The main objective of this research is to investigate whether Multinationals contribute towards the enhancement of technological capabilities of subsidiaries established in foreign markets, especially in Morocco. Given that drivers promoting technology acquisitions from acquiring firms have been largely neglected in the literature, this research attempts to identify key factors influenceing this phenomenon. Although many studies have discussed knowledge exchange through international acquisitions (IAs), little attention has been given to small and medium sized local acquired firms (SMLFs). Park and Ghauri (2011) have used a list of all Korean firms acquired by foreign MNEs from Foreign Direct Investment published by the Ministry of Knowledge and Economy (2008).

In 2001, charities in the UK celebrated the 400th anniversary of their legal birth. They now wield considerable economic influence in their contribution to the economy as changes made to the welfare state over the last 20 years have transferred the delivery of some essential public services to the sector. However, the research problem (and hence pressing challenge facing charities) is whether their governance systems and processes are keeping pace with their growing role in Britain today. The objectives and purpose of this study become, therefore, to examine, describe and evaluate the various elements of charity governance from an 'insider-trustee' perspective and from there to build both theoretical understanding of, and insight into effective charity governance, such as to bridge identified gaps in the literature. This has become necessary because, 'for the first time in history, charities are ... now receiving more cash from the state than private donors' (Brindle, 2010, p. 1), and need, therefore, to demonstrate accountability to the UK taxpayer. Three research questions have guided this study: (i) What constitutes effective charity governance?; (ii) How does the Charity Board contribute to effective charity governance?; and (iii) Who are the stakeholders in charities, and does their recognition and engagement contribute to effective charity governance? The study adopts a descriptive, comparative, cross-sectional and multiple case study approach in order to explore the experiences, procedures and systems of third sector governance in three UK charities. This research design is considered suitable because it offers a robust, scientific methodology to investigate and understand the emic nature of the research problem. A conceptual framework developed on the three main themes of: (i) organisation structure and strategy, (ii) internal governance mechanisms, and (iii) external governance mechanisms, is used to provide the intra-and cross-case analysis presented. Participatory observation of governance meetings provides both an insider and direct access, insight into and understanding of, governance in the object charities. Document analysis is also employed to collect relevant data. However, the main data collection method employed is in-depth, face-to-face, open-ended interviews with trustees, Management Committee members, directors and Chief Officers of the object charities. The findings from the study reveal that although there are various elements of best practice governance in the object charities, significant room remains for improvement in organisation structure and both internal and external governance mechanisms in order to achieve effective charity governance. The study has made contributions to theory, practice and policy in several areas. In the area of theory, this research presents the first comparison of the development of corporate and charity governance in Britain. The study offers suggestions on how corporate governance codes can be 'flexed' for charities. In the area of practice, specific governance recommendations are made to transform the practices of the three charities. Training courses for trustees, chief officers and other executive directors have been developed from the empirical data and the literature. In the area of policy, changes in regulations are suggested. Finally, the empirical findings and literature provide a model which can be used by charity trustees and chief officers to assess the effectiveness of their governance arrangements. This model has been classified as the emergent principles of effective charity governance being: (i) optimal, responsive organisation structure; (ii) clear direction of travel based on defined goals and objectives; (iii) committed and focused governing body; (iv) sound financial and risk management; and (v) open, ethical and accountable stakeholder engagement.

Three topics very much in the forefront of businessmcns' and politicians' minds today are corporate governance, entrepreneurship and corporate performance and the relationship between these three concepts. The terms corporate governance and entrepreneurship would appear to be contradictory when used in the same sentence. Governance is often associated with regulations and control, whereas entrepreneurship is more associated with spontaneity and discovering new ways of creating value. It would seem therefore, that these terms are more mutually exclusive than compatible. This apparent incompatibility is evident in business today. Stakeholders in companies are demanding more accountability in their companies while at the same time demanding consistent, if not, rising returns on their investments. To improve accountability requires the utilisation of increasingly scare resources - the same resources that companies require to improve their financial returns. This author is interested in investigating this apparent incompatibility. Therefore the aim of this thesis is to examine "The influence of entrepreneurship on the relationship between corporate governance and corporate performance ". The first step of this research was to examine the relationship between corporate governance and corporate performance. This was done by reviewing the factors that drive corporate governance and understanding how these factors can influence corporate performance. The second step was to examine the effect that entrepreneurship can have on corporate performance and the final step was to assess* the effect of entrepreneurship upon corporate governance and corporate performance. This approach was derived from the literature review and the conceptual framework adopted by this author, which was influenced by the work of Shields and Taialli (2006). As a result of this approach this author made a number of propositions which formed the basis of the research. In order to research these propositions, the case study methodology was adopted. The applicability of this methodological approach is supported by Yin (2003), Dube and Pare (2003) and Benbasat et al. (1987). To carry out the research six US based high technology companies were selected for in depth research. Data sources were selected primarily from those available in the public domain, due to the fact that a number of the companies researched had ceased trading at the time the research was carried out. The data was collected with a clear understanding of the strengthsa nd weaknesseso f each data collection technique. The data was then analyseda nd the evidence documented. The main theoretical conclusions derived from this research were as follows. It was concluded that corporate governance should be studied in its entirely rather than in its individual constituent components; the role and types of blockholders have changed over time but these changes are not yet adequately understood; traditional methods of aligning the interest of shareholders and management are no longer appropriate and need to be reassessed;t here is a need to better understand the role of corporate founders in companies once they are no longer majority shareholders and there is a need to know how to promote and measure entrepreneurship at the individual company level. All these issues have an impact on the corporate governance, entrepreneurshipa nd corporatep erformancer elationship and therefore need to be understood. The main managerial conclusions derived from this research were as follows. The importance of the appointment of Chief Governance Officers at board level was found to be vital. Equal importance needst o be given to all shareholdersa nd not just to the largest shareholders. There is a need for continuity in the boardroom and it is necessary to re-evaluate the form and content of management executive plans. Finally, benchmarks for the measurement of entrepreneurship at the corporate level have yet to be developed.

Organisational learning represents a primary determinant of enhanced organisational performance. To meet the challenges of complex and turbulent business markets organisations have to quickly learn how to adapt operations. Existing knowledge concerning organisational learning is substantive and encompasses a voluminous literature. But, irrespective of the development of expanding theory and empirical study organisational learning is not fully understood. A number of limitations justify the requirement for further research. Processes and determinants of learning in a firm are not sufficiently explained. How organisational learning results in the accumulation of new stocks of knowledge is unclear. The claim that exploitation and exploration jointly moderate the predicted relationship between organisational learning and organisational knowledge relies on insufficient evidence. Under what circumstances learning contributes to an improvement in existing standards of performance has yet to be tested. As a consequence of the above limitations the aim of this study is to examine the impact of organisational culture, learning and knowledge development on performance. The research model grounded in literature proposes that organisational structure and organisational culture represent determinants of learning. Organisational learning is predicted to have a positive impact on the accumulation of unique stocks of organisational knowledge. The hypothesised relationship between organisational learning and organisational knowledge is moderated by exploitation and exploration effects. Accumulated stocks of organisational knowledge are assumed to result in enhanced standards of performance. Competing models have been formulated to test alternative configurations of the research model. Specifically, the model is tested at different levels of aggregation of the organisational learning, organisational knowledge and performance constructs. Research methods are undertaken in accordance with this authors' positivist orientation. The study setting is the UK construction industry.' Data are collected on a cross-sectional basis through the administration of a survey encompassing borrowed but purified measures of formative constructs. From the target population 76 usable replies were obtained. Data were analysed using partial least squares and the following are the main findings. A disaggregated model was adopted. Organisational structure does not represent a determinant of organisational learning (organisational learning comprises of individual, group and organisation dimensions). Organisational culture does represent a determinant of organisational learning. Organisation learning and organisational knowledge (organisational knowledge comprises of new product development, alliance formation and technological innovation) are not significantly related. Individual and group dimensions of organisational learning are significantly related to new product development, alliance formation and technological innovation. Exploitation has a moderating impact on new product development, alliance formation and technological innovation. Exploration does not. New product development and technological innovation impact positively on the finance and non-finance dimensions of performance. Alliance formation does not. Knowledge has been advanced as a result of this study. An original contribution is made that addresses important gaps and limitations in literature that constrain the theoretical and empirical development of the field. Practising managers are now able to enhance existing standards of performance because this research clearly explains how and under what circumstances learning can be introduced at the level of the firm.

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Considering current trends and developments in, the European economical-political structures, the study of transition and its immediate implications on cases such as inward foreign direct investment (FDI) under the conditions of a post-communist environment gains particular research interest. Central-Eastern European (CEE) transition economies including the case of Bulgaria that is the focus of research within this Thesis, become a pole of attraction for new economic activity, and render the investigation and understanding of related research areas as of immense significance in contributing to the update of theoretical conceptualizations and further providing a basis of information for real life practices of investment orientation and strategy. The existing literature on inward FDI in the case of CEE transition countries is characterized by broad generalizations that are unable to capture the specifications and interesting differentiations that exist across these countries, and only country-specific research can reveal. The primary aim of this research is to take into consideration the existing generic framework of transition 'theorization and explore the extent of applicability in a single country approach. For this purpose, this research focuses on the country of Bulgaria and the study of inward Greek FDI activity. The central aim is to examine inward FDI activity in Bulgaria in terms of strategy and decision-making, and furthermore to provide a parallel assessment of the dominant conditions and characteristics of the host investment environment. The ultimate purpose of this study is to identify 'which aspects of the host investment environment have an effect, and to what extent, on FDI decisions'. Accordingly, a theoretically grounded model has been constructed in order to test the relationships between different aspects of the host investment environment in Bulgaria and FDI decisions relevant to forms, patters and strategy of the activities established in Bulgaria. The research contribution of this study comprises of three elements referring to the proposed research model, the relevant theoretical contributions and the emerging policy implications. The importance of the research model lies on the proposition that it can be applied in other transition countries in order to explore inward FDI patterns and processes, and accordingly provide a common platform upon which to base comparative research on the theorization of FDI in transition economies. In terms of theoretical substance, this study confirms the existing literature on the importance of parameters relevant to: the institutional environment; the principles advocated in Dunning's Eclectic Paradigm; and, CEE-specific FDI determinants referring to unit labour costs, host market size, the progress in transition reformations, and European Union accession. Research findings further align to the importance of market¬related advantages that are increasingly replacing factor costs as the prime determinant of FDI activity, but extend to highlight the importance of low market competition. Additionally, the study confirms the significant relationship between the timing of investment decisions and changes in the business environment. Respectively, research findings indicate a crucial deviation from the traditional FDI theorisation on the issue of country risk, and further raise concerns on the importance placed on low costs and the relevant implications on FDI operations. Therefore, the findings of this research consist an important contribution in providing a guideline of policy implications that can be used by: a) Potential new foreign investors considering to establish activities in Bulgaria b) Existing investors so as to reflect on the current dominant FDI patterns and conditions, the respective elements of concern or the rise of new opportunities that surface from this research; c) Governments in identifying measures that can constitute propositions for formulating policy under the objective of improving host investment conditions, and subsequently create a more attractive environment for FDI activity.

Very high proportions of implementation projects for Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems are shown to result in failure. This is probably due, inter alia, to the neglect of the strategic dimensions that give rise to conflicting objectives amongst the stakeholders. Most ERP implementation efforts seem to rely too heavily on project management techniques alone for success. The strategic planning that ought to precede such far-reaching change programmes appear to be neglected whilst attention is focused on project-planning issues. Moreover, there is no tried, tested and widely adopted model for successful ERP implementation, and no known scientific approach exist for the evaluation and empirical testing of ugge- ted models. This research investigated these problems. It analysed efforts made so far to address the prevalent implementation failures, which include identification of issues or factors that impact the outcome of such projects as well a suggestions of implementation models. Key attributes of an effective implementation model were examined. Unlike other models reviewed, the Parr and Shanks (2000) "Project Phase Model ofERP Implementation (PPM)" was deemed to possess many of these attributes, and so was selected as the template for the study. The case study method was adopted as the most suitable strategy for the investigation in line with the views of Markus (1983), Benbasat et al. (1987) Lee (1989), Yin (1994, 2003a, 2003b) and Pare (2001). The implementation process, phase of focus, critical success factors, and basis of project outcome determination associated with the PPM were formulated into predicted patterns for successful ERP implementation. Suitable instances of successful and unsuccessful ERP implementation, two in each case, were studied; empirical pattens were extracted from their attributes similar to those of the PPM and the various patterns compared. This study devised a robust and scientific technique, based on the case study strategy, for the evaluation and empirical testing of suggested models for the implementation of ERP and other information systems. Applying this approach, the research showed that thorough strategic planning incorporating prior specification of objectives, together with adequate focus on the specific needs of an organisation in the prefatory and transformation activities relating to ERP implementation, appear to be key to success. A new model for successful ERP implementation was also developed from the study. This has been presented as "the Specific Business Needs (SBN) Model of ERP System Implementation" and proffered for further research and empirical test.