BACKGROUND. The relaxation of the global conditions, mainly but not reduced to the introduction of the Internet, and the demanding competitive pressures have triggered the expansionary phenomenon of startups that seek to compete internationally right after its birth. This urge for a mechanism to facilitate the internationalisation process, namely the business model. In this regard, there is a need to elaborate on the field of the business model in combination to the internationalization literature, which has tended to develop in isolation. PURPOSE. The purpose of this master thesis is to expand the knowledge about the process of designing the business model of a new international venture and how the drivers of internationalisation affect this process. METHODOLOGY. The research problem was identified by exploring two major streams of theory, the business model and the internationalisation, which were developed jointly in a visual representation. In the next step, from two Sweden-based international new ventures, named Againity AB and MIMSI Materials AB, empirical information was collected from diverse stakeholders. The technique was qualitative research method, which was scrutinized following a process model approach. Finally, a model proposition was constructed by analysing the realities of the practical and theoretical phenomenon to serve the purpose of enhancing knowledge. RESULT. The BMD process is composed by three stages, namely initiating, generating and refining, of iterative and interdependent nature. Each driver of internationalization, when scrutinized using the empirical realities of the INVs, tends to have different influential roles at different stages of the business model. This is integrated into a conceptual model of the key internationalization drivers and BMD stages, which reflects the strategic fit from which new ventures benefit.

Nowadays about 1.2 billion people in world lack modern access to electricity, with the majority of them living in rural areas in low-income and developing contexts. This research addresses the issue of energy access by investigating the design of sustainable business models, and in particular by exploring the combination of Product-Service Systems (PSS) with Distributed Renewable Energy systems (DRE). The combination of PSS and DRE represents a new design approach to explore promising business models for energy access and to deliver clean and affordable solutions in low-income contexts. The overall aim of this research is to explore the applications of PSS and DRE in low-income and developing contexts, thus defining characteristics of these models, their variables and critical factors. Additionally, this research aims at developing a support for companies, practitioners and other stakeholders for designing sustainable PSS applied to DRE, with a specific focus on the idea generation phase of new solutions. The first part of this PhD resulted in the development of a classification system for PSS applied to DRE, in the identification of 15 Archetypal Models and in the collection of critical factors to successfully implement these models. Then, these findings have been translated into three tools for designing PSSs applied to DRE: the Innovation Map, the Design Framework and Cards, the Energy System Map. These tools have been tested, refined and evaluated through a series of iterative applications in South Africa, Botswana, Kenya and the UK. Through the testing activities, which involved a wide range of companies, NGOs, practitioners and experts, the usefulness, usability and completeness of the tools were demonstrated. This research concludes with reflections on the design process for different scenarios of applications and by highlighting further research activities for the field of PSS applied to DRE in low-income and developing contexts.

La prise de décision dans les phases amont de conception est autant cruciale que difficile. Les besoins des parties prenantes et leurs perceptions sont difficiles à prédire et à partager au sein de l’équipe de conception. Il est ensuite difficile de comprendre quels concepts sont à plus forte valeur ajoutée.Cette thèse s’inspire des méthodes de conception orientées valeur et développe une méthodologie en trois étapes pour aider à la prise de décision dans les phases amont de conception.La méthodologie a été testée et validée sur plusieurs cas industriels. / Decision making in early design stages is crucial as well as difficult. Stakeholders’ needs and perceptions are difficult to predict and share among the design team. It is then difficult to understand which design concepts are the most valuable to explore.This thesis builds upon value-oriented design methodologies and develops a three-step methodology to maximize value creation in early design stages.The methodology was tested and validated on several industrial use cases.

Considering the competitiveness of global markets within an ever-changing environment, a company\'s Business Model should be able to innovate constantly to capture value within the company, while addressing better the customer needs. The PSS Business Model represents an innovation while providing value to the customer supported by a combination of products and services. However, the PSS Business Model also needs to innovate constantly. The Internet of Things (IoT) comprises networked objects able to interact with each other and to people, to reach common goals with a high level of efficiency, thus presenting potential to create a new value proposition to PSS Business Model Design. However, the existing literature represents an IoT solution into PSS Design, using either technical constructs or a high level free textual description. The goal of this study is to propose a \"Method to support the representation of IoT solutions during the PSS Business Model Design\". The method was developed based on the Design Research Methodology (DRM), comprising three research stages. During the first and second stages, a literature review was conducted to generate theoretical requirements for guiding the proposition of the method. During the third stage, the requirements were developed, and multiple case studies using secondary sources were used to propose the method in theory. During the final activity of the third stage, an exploratory application of the method for a Driverless PSS Car Sharing were applied and its results, as well as all the method\'s artifacts, were object of an initial evaluation by a focus group. The results indicated that method has potential to provide a common language for the PSS Business Model designers, while providing detailed information, to be added to the dimensions of a PSS Business Model that comprises IoT solutions. / Considerando a competitividade dos mercados globais dentro de um ambiente de constante mudança, o modelo de negócio de uma empresa deve ser capaz de inovar constantemente, capturando valor dentro da empresa ao mesmo tempo em que atende melhor as necessidades dos clientes. O modelo de negócio de PSS representa uma inovação ao entregar valor ao cliente através de uma combinação de produtos e serviços. No entanto, o modelo de negócio de PSS também precisa inovar constantemente. A Internet das coisas (IoT) compreende objetos em rede capazes de interagir uns com os outros e com as pessoas, para alcançar metas comuns com elevado nível de eficiência. Dessa forma, apresenta potencial para criar a nova proposta de valor para o desenho de modelo de negócio de PSS. No entanto, a literatura existente representa a solução de IoT usando ou constructos técnicos, ou um nível alto de descrição textual. O objetivo deste estudo é propor um \"Método de representação de soluções de internet das coisas (IoT) durante o design de um modelo de negócios de um Sistema produto-serviço (PSS)\". O método foi desenvolvido com apoio da Design Research Methodology (DRM), sendo composto de três fases de investigação. Durante a primeira e a segunda fase, realizou-se uma revisão da literatura para gerar requisitos teóricos para orientar a proposição de método. Durante a terceira fase, foram desenvolvidos requerimentos e analisados múltiplos estudos de caso, usando fontes secundárias, para propor o método na teoria. Durante a atividade final da terceira fase foi realizada uma aplicação exploratória do método, em um caso de um PSS de \"uso compartilhado de carros\" usando um carro autônomo. Em seguida todos os artefatos do método, e os resultados dessa aplicação exploratória, foram objeto de uma avaliação inicial por um grupo focal. Os resultados indicaram que o método tem potencial para fornecer uma linguagem comum para os desenvolvedores de modelo de negócio de PSS, proporcionando informações detalhadas, a serem adicionadas às dimensões de um modelo de negócio de PSS.

Considering the competitiveness of global markets within an ever-changing environment, a company\'s Business Model should be able to innovate constantly to capture value within the company, while addressing better the customer needs. The PSS Business Model represents an innovation while providing value to the customer supported by a combination of products and services. However, the PSS Business Model also needs to innovate constantly. The Internet of Things (IoT) comprises networked objects able to interact with each other and to people, to reach common goals with a high level of efficiency, thus presenting potential to create a new value proposition to PSS Business Model Design. However, the existing literature represents an IoT solution into PSS Design, using either technical constructs or a high level free textual description. The goal of this study is to propose a \"Method to support the representation of IoT solutions during the PSS Business Model Design\". The method was developed based on the Design Research Methodology (DRM), comprising three research stages. During the first and second stages, a literature review was conducted to generate theoretical requirements for guiding the proposition of the method. During the third stage, the requirements were developed, and multiple case studies using secondary sources were used to propose the method in theory. During the final activity of the third stage, an exploratory application of the method for a Driverless PSS Car Sharing were applied and its results, as well as all the method\'s artifacts, were object of an initial evaluation by a focus group. The results indicated that method has potential to provide a common language for the PSS Business Model designers, while providing detailed information, to be added to the dimensions of a PSS Business Model that comprises IoT solutions. / Considerando a competitividade dos mercados globais dentro de um ambiente de constante mudança, o modelo de negócio de uma empresa deve ser capaz de inovar constantemente, capturando valor dentro da empresa ao mesmo tempo em que atende melhor as necessidades dos clientes. O modelo de negócio de PSS representa uma inovação ao entregar valor ao cliente através de uma combinação de produtos e serviços. No entanto, o modelo de negócio de PSS também precisa inovar constantemente. A Internet das coisas (IoT) compreende objetos em rede capazes de interagir uns com os outros e com as pessoas, para alcançar metas comuns com elevado nível de eficiência. Dessa forma, apresenta potencial para criar a nova proposta de valor para o desenho de modelo de negócio de PSS. No entanto, a literatura existente representa a solução de IoT usando ou constructos técnicos, ou um nível alto de descrição textual. O objetivo deste estudo é propor um \"Método de representação de soluções de internet das coisas (IoT) durante o design de um modelo de negócios de um Sistema produto-serviço (PSS)\". O método foi desenvolvido com apoio da Design Research Methodology (DRM), sendo composto de três fases de investigação. Durante a primeira e a segunda fase, realizou-se uma revisão da literatura para gerar requisitos teóricos para orientar a proposição de método. Durante a terceira fase, foram desenvolvidos requerimentos e analisados múltiplos estudos de caso, usando fontes secundárias, para propor o método na teoria. Durante a atividade final da terceira fase foi realizada uma aplicação exploratória do método, em um caso de um PSS de \"uso compartilhado de carros\" usando um carro autônomo. Em seguida todos os artefatos do método, e os resultados dessa aplicação exploratória, foram objeto de uma avaliação inicial por um grupo focal. Os resultados indicaram que o método tem potencial para fornecer uma linguagem comum para os desenvolvedores de modelo de negócio de PSS, proporcionando informações detalhadas, a serem adicionadas às dimensões de um modelo de negócio de PSS.

The purpose of this thesis is to uncover and examine the processes that start-up entrepreneurs go through while designing and then developing their business models. This is done with the intent of deciphering the kind of development that might ultimately lead to a unique or innovative business model. This study uses primary qualitative data generated from interviews with founding entrepreneurs and managers who still participate in running the organization. Each of these organizations participates in the men’s retail market. The research design and methodology of this research uses a grounded-theory coding procedure to analyze the data. Three questions guide this research forward and the findings are threefold. First, for these organizations two business model design paths were followed, herein referred to as the path to ‘Alleviate Pain’ and as the path to ‘Adopt and Modify.’ Second, entrepreneurial leaders tended to act as arbiters when developing their business models, mediating between the set of information accrued during operations and three identified factors. Thirdly, new research into whether or not business model innovations are the result of ex-ante insights or ex-post operational learning is presented. And the findings tend to indicate that both ex-ante insights and ex-post learning are important, but their importance is temporally induced. Lastly, a brief discussion is carried out on how this research informs the entrepreneurial business model creation process (see entrepreneurial practicum) and how it adds to the current literature on business models and business model innovation.

The agri-food industry is an important economic and social engine in many countries, not only because of its economic importance, but also because of its vital significance. For years, it has been possible to consider that this sector evolution has conducted to the development of centralized and global distribution networks. These global distribution networks, in a market of low value-for-weight products, are more efficient the more centralized their logistics be. This new paradigm has a collateral effect which is the difficult survival of the small producer-sellers with the problems that this entails for citizens as society members. This thesis is part of a project conducted by the Universitat Politècnica de València professors named as HOF3M (Heterarchical Open Food 3-sustainable Market). The project aims to facilitate the development of a triple bottom-line food product market, generating the technological and business bases to reduce entry barriers, so that anyone, anywhere in the world can become an agent that approaches any producer to any consumer. The aim of this thesis is to "provide a methodology for identifying and analysing business models through case studies, with the objective of creating a triple bottom-line, replicable and non-scalable business model bank in the agri-food industry". The application of this methodology provides a tool that facilitates the replicability of business models in the agri-food business context. In addition, it allows to identify those triply sustainable and non-scalable models that can be implemented by consumers, producers and intermediaries. The research work is carried out from literature reviews to understand the business models scope, triple bottom-line business and the context of the agri-food economy, as well as the application of the case study research methodology, for which the proposal is validated. This thesis gives three fundamental contributions: a methodology to identify and analyse a business model through study cases, a triple bottom-line assessment model within the agri-food economy framework, and three food retailing business model analysis. / El sector agroalimentario supone un importante motor económico y social en muchos países, no solo por su relevancia económica, sino también por su significado vital. Desde hace años se puede considerar que la evolución del sector ha derivado en el desarrollo de redes de distribución centralizadas y globales. Estas redes de distribución globales, en un mercado de productos de bajo ratio valor/peso, son más eficientes cuanto más centralizada esté su logística. Este nuevo paradigma tiene como efecto colateral la difícil pervivencia del pequeño productor-vendedor con los problemas que esto supone para el ciudadano en cuanto a miembro de la sociedad. Esta tesis se enmarca en un proyecto de profesores de la Universitat Politècnica de València denominado HOF3M (Heterarchical Open Food 3-sustainable Market). El proyecto tiene el objetivo de facilitar el desarrollo de un mercado triplemente sostenible de productos alimentarios, generando las bases tecnológicas y de negocio que reduzcan las barreras de entrada para que, cualquiera, en cualquier lugar del planeta pueda convertirse en un agente que acerque cualquier productor a cualquier consumidor. El objetivo de esta tesis se concreta en "proporcionar una metodología para la identificación y el análisis de modelos de negocio, a través del estudio de casos prácticos en empresas, con el objeto de confeccionar un banco de modelos de negocio triplemente sostenibles, replicables y no escalables en el sector agroalimentario". La aplicación de esta metodología proporciona una herramienta que facilita la replicabilidad de modelos de negocio en el tejido empresarial agroalimentario. Además, permite identificar aquellos modelos triplemente sostenibles y no escalables, que pueden ser implementados por consumidores, productores e intermediarios. El trabajo de investigación se realiza desde las revisiones de literatura para el entendimiento del ámbito de los modelos de negocio, de la triple sostenibilidad empresarial y del contexto de la economía agroalimentaria, además de la aplicación de la metodología de investigación a tres casos de estudio, con los cuales se valida la propuesta. De esta tesis se extraen tres aportaciones fundamentales: una metodología para identificar y analizar un modelo de negocio a través de casos de estudio, un modelo de evaluación de la triple sostenibilidad en el marco de la economía agroalimentaria, y tres análisis de modelos de negocio de venta al por menor de alimentos. / El sector agroalimentari suposa un important motor econòmic i social en molts països, no només per la seva rellevància econòmica, sinó també pel seu significat vital. Des de fa anys es pot considerar que l'evolució del sector ha derivat en el desenrotllament de xarxes de distribució centralitzades i globals. Estes xarxes de distribució globals, en un mercat de productes de baix ràtio valor/pes, són mes eficients quant mes centralitzada estiga la seua logística. Este nou paradigma té com a efecte col·lateral la difícil pervivència del xicotet productor-venedor amb els problemes que açò suposa per al ciutadà quant a membre de la societat. Esta tesi s'emmarca en un projecte de professors de la Universitat Politècnica de València denominat HOF3M (Heterarchical Open Food 3-sustainable Market). El projecte té l'objectiu de facilitar el desenrotllament d'un mercat triplement sostenible de productes alimentaris, generant les bases tecnològiques i de negoci que reduïsquen les barreres d'entrada perquè, qualsevol, en qualsevol lloc del planeta puga convertir-se en un agent que acoste qualsevol productor a qualsevol consumidor. L'objectiu d'esta tesi es concreta en "proporcionar una metodologia per a la identificació i l'anàlisi de models de negoci, a través de l'estudi de casos pràctics en empreses, amb l'objecte de confeccionar un banc de models de negoci triplement sostenibles, replicables i no escalables en el sector agroalimentari". L'aplicació d'esta metodologia proporciona una ferramenta que facilita la replicabilidad de models de negoci en el teixit empresarial agroalimentari. A més, permet identificar aquells models triplement sostenibles i no escalables, que poden ser implementats per consumidors, productor i intermediaris. El treball d'investigació es realitza des de les revisions de literatura per a l'enteniment de l'àmbit dels models de negoci, de la triple sostenibilitat empresarial i del context de l'economia agroalimentària, a més de l'aplicació de la metodologia d'investigació a tres casos d'estudi, amb els quals es valida la proposta. D'esta tesi s'extrauen tres aportacions fonamentals: una metodologia per a identificar i analitzar un model de negoci a través de casos d'estudi, un model d'avaluació de la triple sostenibilitat en el marc de l'economia agroalimentària, i tres anàlisis de models de negoci de venda al detall d'aliments. / Galeano Revert, AM. (2017). PROPUESTA DE METODOLOGIA PARA LA IDENTIFICACION Y EL ANALISIS DE MODELOS DE NEGOCIO TRIPLEMENTE SOSTENIBLES EN EL SECTOR AGROALIMENTARIO [Tesis doctoral no publicada]. Universitat Politècnica de València. https://doi.org/10.4995/Thesis/10251/88395 / TESIS

Accentuating the role of managerial cognition in business model design, scholarly work recently conceptualizes business models as cognitive phenomenon reflecting managerial mental models. However, this theoretical position has been largely criticized for its emphasis on the limitations of human cognition, resulting in studies that explore the manifestation of cognitive constraints. To further advance the conceptualization of business models as cognitive structures, this dissertation focuses on the cognitive heuristics undergirding managerial reasoning to counter cognitive biases inherent in the design of new business models. Providing implications for research at the intersection of cognition and business model design, our studies are situated in the context of corporate entrepreneurship initiatives, spawning the entrepreneur at the nexus of individual and idiosyncratic context.:1 Introduction 2 Theoretical framework 2.1 Theoretical perspectives in business model research 2.2 Cognitive view in business model research 3 Scientific contribution 3.1 Article I: Not all are equal – Linking dominant and emergent business model logics in corporate entrepreneurship initiatives 3.2 Article II: Corporate entrepreneurship initiatives: Antagonizing cognitive biases in business model design 3.3 Article III: Situated entrepreneurial cognition in corporate incubators and accelerators: The business model as a boundary object List of appendices Bibliography