Alliance portfolios, or a firm collection of simultaneous alliances, have become common phenomena particularly in technology industries. These portfolios have been found to have a significant impact on firms’ financial performance. At the same time, there is little consensus regarding the direction of this effect. Findings have shown positive, negative, curvilinear, and non-significant relationships. In this dissertation, I employed an organizational learning perspective to investigate the effect of alliance portfolio size on firm financial performance. Using a sample of 343 firm-year observations in the U.S. software industry, I explored portfolio- and firm-level characteristics as moderators of this relationship. Findings provide evidence for a curvilinear, inverted U-shaped relationship between portfolio size and firm performance that is moderated by the timing of the alliances within the portfolio and by the firms’ Top Management Team (TMT) turnover. / Includes bibliography. / Dissertation (Ph.D.)--Florida Atlantic University, 2017. / FAU Electronic Theses and Dissertations Collection

O objetivo desse estudo é descrever a dinâmica competitiva que sustenta o fenômeno de concentração de empresas dos aglomerados regionais de micro e pequenas empresas de base tecnológica. Para responder essa questão, foi realizada uma pesquisa empírica de natureza qualitativa, adotando-se como estratégia o estudo de caso único do tipo descritivo, em um aglomerado brasileiro de micro e pequenas empresas de base tecnológica, que é formalmente caracterizado como um Arranjo Produtivo Local Eletroeletrônico e conhecido informalmente como Vale da Eletrônica. O aglomerado selecionado está localizado no município de Santa Rita do Sapucaí, Sul de Minas Gerais. O estudo é justificado por quatro fatores que se complementam mutuamente. São eles: (i) a importância das MPEs para as economias de países emergentes como o Brasil; (ii) a importância das aglomerações de MPEs para as políticas públicas desses países; (iii) a importância de se estudar empiricamente esses aglomerados; (iv) as lacunas existentes devido à complexidade e especificidade dos diferentes aglomerados. O estudo iniciou-se com uma revisão bibliográfica sobre aglomeração de empresas, competitividade e vantagem competitiva e competitividade de aglomerados de empresas, após então foi definido o modelo conceitual que orientou a etapa da pesquisa empírica. Os resultados obtidos na pesquisa empírica incluíram: (i) identificação e análise das características e especificidades do aglomerado escolhido como alvo do estudo; (ii) identificação do estágio evolucionário do APL; (iii) descrição da cadeia de valor do APL; (iv) identificação e análise dos principais fatores de competitividade do APL; e (v) proposição de um quadro (framework) para representar a dinâmica competitiva do APL. O estudo traz uma contribuição relevante para o avanço da compreensão e discussão dos fundamentos teóricos que potencializam e/ou sustentam a competitividade de aglomerados de negócios. Ao fornecer informações significativas sobre os aspectos competitivos de aglomerados de micro e pequenas empresas de base tecnológica, abre caminho para novas pesquisas em outros aglomerados e regiões inovadoras, ou mesmo para futuros aprofundamentos ou abordagens no mesmo aglomerado já estudado. / The aim of this study is to describe the competitive dynamics that underlies the phenomenon of concentration of regional cluster of micro and small technology-based companies. In order to answer this question, it was conducted a qualitative empirical research, adopting a descriptive case study in a Brazilian cluster of micro and small technology-based companies, which is formally characterized as an Electronics Local Productive Arrangement and informally known as Electronic Valley. The selected cluster is located in the municipality of Santa Rita do Sapucaí, South of Minas Gerais. The study is justified by four factors that complement each other. They are: (i) the importance of MSEs to the economies of emerging countries such as Brazil; (ii) the importance of clusters of MSEs for public policy of these countries; (iii) the importance of empirically study these clusters; and (iv) the existing gaps due to the complexity and specificity of the different clusters. The study began with a literature review about agglomeration of firms, competitiveness and competitive advantage and competitiveness of clusters. Further, it was defined the conceptual model that guided the stage of empirical research. The results obtained in the empirical research included: (i) identification and analysis of the characteristics and specificities of the cluster chosen as the study target; (ii) identification of the evolutionary stage of the cluster; (iii) description of the value chain of the cluster; (iv) identification and analysis of key factors of competitiveness of the cluster; and, finally, (v) propose a framework to represent the competitive dynamics of the cluster. The study provides an important contribution to the advancement of understanding and discussion of the theoretical foundations that enhance and / or sustain the competitiveness of business clusters. In order to provide significant information about the competitive aspects of clusters of micro and small technology-based companies, it opens the way for further research in other clusters and innovative regions or even for future insights or approaches in the same cluster.

Submitted by William Justo Figueiro (williamjf) on 2015-07-20T23:30:30Z No. of bitstreams: 1 60c.pdf: 1119156 bytes, checksum: 78327cb7af31c564c8d8dcee0b7aec8d (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2015-07-20T23:30:30Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 60c.pdf: 1119156 bytes, checksum: 78327cb7af31c564c8d8dcee0b7aec8d (MD5) Previous issue date: 2011 / Nenhuma / O objetivo do estudo é Identificar quais as práticas de governança adotadas pelas redes de empresas do Rio Grande do Sul, no seguimento de mercado e supermercados. Diante das mudanças organizacionais da evolução constante das sociedades capitalistas, as empresas passaram a cuidar mais a sua forma de gestão, criando uma nova relação entre empresas e a sociedade, abrindo espaço para as práticas de governança como um processo para melhorar a capacidade de manter a eficiência e eficácia das atividades das organizações. Quanto a metodologia, a pesquisa classifica-se como aplicada, segundo seus objetivos é definida como descritiva. Para obter os dados a cerca das práticas de governança adotadas pelas redes de empresas, foi utilizada a técnica de levantamento de dados por meio de entrevistas estruturadas, aplicadas em 17 redes de empresas do estado do Rio Grande do Sul, no segmento de mercado e supermercado, que compuseram a amostra. O instrumento de coleta dos dados, abordou os objetivos que levaram a formação; atributos de interação; características da gestão; instrumentos para gestão, gestão de governança; praticas de governança adotadas pelo conselho de administração, diretoria executiva e conselho fiscal das redes. Os dados coletados foram submetidos à análise descritiva, na qual se calculou o Ranking Médio e Geral de escala, baseado nas respostas obtidas na escala Likert. Como resultado da pesquisa identificou-se que as redes de empresas do segmento de mercado e supermercado do estado do Rio Grande do Sul, adotam práticas de governança na sua gestão, se utilizando delas para melhorar o relacionamento entre empresa e associado. / The objective is to identify which governance practices adopted by the business networks in Rio Grande do Sul, market and supermarkets segment. Given the organizational changes of the constant evolution of capitalist societies, companies began to look more to how it was managed by creating a new relationship between companies and society, making room for the practices of governance as a process to improve the ability to maintain efficiency and effectiveness of organizations' activities. The research methodology, ranks as applied, according to its goals it is defined as descriptive. To get data about the governance practices adopted by the business networks, the technique of data collection was used through structured interviews, applied in 17 business networks in the state of Rio Grande do Sul, market and supermarket segment, that composed the sample. The data collection instrument, addressed the goals that led the formation, interaction attributes, characteristics of management, management tools, governance management, governance practices adopted by the administrative council, executive board and audit committee of the business networks. The data collected were submitted to descriptive analysis, in which it was calculated the Average and Overall Ranking of the scale, based on the Likert scale responses. As the research results it was identified that the business networks market and supermarket segment in the state of Rio Grande do Sul, adopt governance practices in its management, using them to improve the relationship between company and associate.

Esta pesquisa situa-se no âmbito dos estudos sobre redes de negócios. Em especial, tem por objetivo geral contribuir à compreensão sobre a relação entre governança em rede e a confiança interorganizacional, dois constructos considerados na literatura como fundamentais para a competitividade das redes de negócios. A despeito da importância desta relação, não há uma consolidação teórica quanto à influência do emprego de mecanismos formais e relacionais de governança em rede sobre a confiança interorganizacional. Em especial, resta inconcluso se os mecanismos formais e relacionais atuam como substitutos ou como complementares na governança de transações em rede, lacuna teórica que se configura no problema de pesquisa deste estudo. A partir desta situação, este estudo estabelece como objetivos específicos identificar a influência do emprego de mecanismos formais e relacionais de governança em rede sobre a confiança, bem como verificar se, nesta relação, mecanismos formais e relacionais atuam como substitutos ou complementares. Com suporte no referencial teórico constituído pela teoria dos custos de transação e pela teoria da imersão social e estrutural, bem como por seus respectivos desenvolvimentos no campo das redes de negócios, o estudo adota uma abordagem metodológica descritiva e quantitativa, com a realização de levantamento junto a uma amostra composta por 35 empresas imobiliárias que atuam em redes de negócios. Após análise dos resultados empregando métodos estatísticos não paramétricos, o estudo verifica que, no contexto pesquisado, os mecanismos formais e relacionais de governança se complementam em sua influência sobre a confiança, resultado aderente aos estudos mais recentes. Nas redes imobiliárias, foi observado que mecanismos formais possibilitam um maior compartilhamento de recursos e uma maior integração entre os participantes da rede, sem prejudicar a atuação dos mecanismos relacionais. O estudo contribui à teoria das redes interorganizacionais ao sustentar empiricamente o argumento da possibilidade de atuação complementar dos mecanismos formais e relacionais de governança. Informa ainda a necessidade de uma abordagem multidimensional na manipulação dos constructos da governança em rede e da confiança, uma vez que foi identificada uma associação positiva no emprego de mecanismos formais com a dimensão interorganizacional da confiança, enquanto que o emprego de mecanismos relacionais se mostra positivamente associado, ainda que mais fracamente, à dimensão interpessoal da confiança. Considerando as limitações da pesquisa social, novos estudos, em contextos distintos, são indicados para complementar os resultados obtidos, possibilitando uma maior generalização das conclusões. / This research lies in the context of studies on business networks. It aims to contribute for a better understanding of the relationship between network governance and inter-organizational trust, both essential constructs to the business networks\' competitiveness. Despite the importance of this relationship, there is not a theoretical consolidation about the influence of use of formal and relational mechanisms of governance in inter-organizational trust. In particular, it remains inconclusive whether the formal and relational mechanisms act as substitutes or as complements in the governance of network transactions, theoretical gap that sets the research problem of this study. From this problem, this study aims to identify the specific influence of the use of formal and relational governance on trust and verify, in this relationship, if formal and relational mechanisms act as substitutes or complements. Supported by the integration of transaction cost theory and the theory of social and structural embeddedness, as well as their developments in the field of study of business networks, the study adopts a descriptive and quantitative methodological approach, by means of a survey with a sample of 35 real estate companies that operate in business networks. After analysis using non-parametric statistical methods, the study finds that, in the context of research, the formal and relational governance are complementary in their influence on trust, results that are adherent to recent studies. In real estate networks it was observed that formal mechanisms enable a greater sharing of resources and greater integration between the network participants, without impairing the performance of relational mechanisms. The study contributes to the theory of inter-organizational networks by supporting empirically the argument of the complementary role of formal and relational governance. It also stresses the need for a multidimensional approach in handling the constructs of network governance and trust, since a positive association was identified in the use of formal mechanisms to the size of inter-organizational trust, while the use of relational mechanisms shown positive association, albeit weakly, to interpersonal trust. Considering the limitations of social research, new studies, in different contexts, could complement the results of this research, allowing a greater generalization of its findings.

I investigate whether or not a firm’s social network size (also known as social capital) impacts the quality of its information environment. Following social capital theory, I posit three potential channels that help bring an informational advantage to wellconnected firms. First, well-connected firms are likely to have timely access to a broader set of information that affords them the opportunity to disclose this information. Second, a social network fosters trust among social peers, which promotes the transfer of more accurate information within that network. Third, well-connected executives and directors have greater reputational capital at stake, which may encourage them to provide accurate information to the market. I provide evidence that well-connected firms have higher quality information environments. I further document that the beneficial impact of the firm’s social network size on the quality of the firm’s information environment is higher for complex firms. I also find that the beneficial effect of the firm’s social ties on the quality of the firm’s information environment is greater when the firm’s connections are in the same industry or are top executives or are industry leaders or are financiers in the capital markets. My study extends existing social network literature by investigating whether firm’s social connections to outside executives and directors impact the quality of the firm’s information environment. My paper focuses on the networking skills of the executives and directors and extends the literature on how executives’ and directors’ personal characteristics are important. Additionally, I respond to the call by Engelberg et al. (2013) to identify the mechanism by which a CEO’s network creates value to the firm and well-connected CEOs get paid higher compensation. This study also contributes to a growing debate in social network literature between social capital theory and agency theory. Finally, my study is important to the regulators and standard setters as they can provide further evidence on the impact of non-financial information on the information quality surrounding the firm. / Includes bibliography. / Dissertation (Ph.D.)--Florida Atlantic University, 2017. / FAU Electronic Theses and Dissertations Collection

The purpose of my thesis is to demonstrate the economic development of China and Latin America. My reason for choosing these two regions for my study is because they are both Third World Nations. My intention on writing this thesis is to prove that culture and the informal business networks of China are the major forces of what is driving the Chinese economy ahead of Latin America. I will explain how the definition of culture ties in with the economic society of both regions. In writing about culture, I will attempt to explain if there really is a difference between trust in each society. To better interpret this thesis, I came up with several variables of economy that will help explain each region's development. These variables are federal direct investment (FDI), labor, and funding of businesses in each region. In my study, I present the different approaches that are taken by each region to attract FDI. In addition, I will explain how and if informal networking is beneficial to the work force and the funding of businesses in each region. The majority of my research for this thesis consisted on reviewing past articles of scholarly journals. From these journals I drew conclusions of my own and compared them to other scholars' work. I also analyzed such websites like the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank and various others to be able to come up with my own findings necessary to complete my thesis. To anticipate the conclusion, this thesis notes how important it is for each region to find its own unique way to attract FDI and how culture can impact the development of an economy. In my thesis, I am including the importance of trust in the society and the significance of the informal business networks on the Chinese economy.

The interaction of the personnel boundary in inter-firm relationship management is viewed as particularistic in China instead of universalistic as in many Western cultures. Specifically, guanxi networks, the Chinese system of inter-personal relationship, have strong strategic implications for business interactions. The practices of guanxi and the social norms associated with guanxi are complicated. On the one hand, guanxi practices can be traced back to Confucianism; on the other hand, guanxi???s significance has been changing in line with China???s economic reform. In this research, we have attempted to find what presently constitutes good guanxi in inter-firm relationship management against this dynamic backdrop. Additionally, from the transaction cost economies (TCE) perspective, we provide an analysis that guanxi-based business practices offer transaction cost advantages as an alternative to market-based practices. We argue that such advantages partially result from guanxi???s effect on the reduction of opportunist behaviors. Backed up by 97 questionnaire responses from firms in Shanghai and 15 semi-structured interviews, our study confirms that, in inter-firm relationships management, trust, affection and long-term orientation are features of close guanxi. To enhance guanxi quality, familiarization by self-disclosure and the presence of mutual benefits are also necessary, providing practical implications for business practitioners in China. Our study also indicates that guanxi business partners are expected to be obligational in business and flexible in contingencies. Opportunistic behaviors can be mitigated by adopting guanxi practices, supporting the TCE logic. In an absence of a rationalized legal system, guanxi may fill the gaps in the enforcement of the written contract.N

This thesis examines perceptions of cooperation among small to medium sized enterprises (SME) in western Oregon's forest products industry. Recent changes in the industry, such as corporate consolidation, global marketing, and government regulations have created an environment in which many SMEs find it difficult to stay competitive. Cooperation among SMEs is one method for alleviating the situation; however, few SME owners are engaging in cooperative projects or behaviors. Common assumptions and stereotypes about the individualistic nature of the forest products industry lead some to believe that cooperation is an unlikely avenue for SME owners. Through 16 in-depth interviews with SME owners, this view is found to be overly simplistic. It does not account for the variety of factors at play and the depth of the issues involved in SME owners' attitudes toward cooperation. In studying attitudes toward cooperation, this study first attempts to understand the cultural values of the decision makers. It is apparent that values play an integral role in the decision making and strategy of SME owners. This research highlights the complexity of the issues facing small businesses and their owners and reveals that four main factors contribute to SME owners' perceptions about cooperation and influence strategic business decisions: common values, stereotypes, risk perception, and a lack of knowledge about cooperation. Values are found to be especially relevant in understanding and influencing attitudes toward cooperation as values affect risk perception and risk perception in turn directly impacts business strategy. Understanding the values of SME owners helps to describe their attitudes toward cooperation and dispels the notion that they are too independent to ever work together. Eight recommendations stem from the findings of this study which may lead to cooperative action and more successful SMEs: 1) Find a trustworthy agent to act as a sponsor; 2) Build credible systems; 3) Match members with similar values; 4) Expound the potential benefits of cooperation to reduce risk perception; 5) Find a spark plug, not a spokesperson; 6) Provide education; 7) Define and implement both learning networks and action groups; 8) Target new and future categories of SME owners such as women and the children or grandchildren of current owners. / Graduation date: 2004

Drawing upon the research on gender in science (especially gender and publication and patent productivity), social network studies, and social studies of interdisciplinary research and nanotechnology, this dissertation develops and tests a series of hypotheses to advance the understanding of the gender difference in patenting in the U.S. Ridgeways theory of gender frame (Ridgeway, 2009, 2007; Ridgeway&England, 2004) is very powerful in explaining gender inequity at both micro- and macro-levels, and thus constitutes the foundation of this study. After laying out the theoretical foundation, I set out to focus on collaboration as one of critical mechanisms accounting for the gender difference in patenting. While social network scholars maintain that social capital resides in network structure and claim different structures provide different benefits (Borgatti, Jones,&Everett, 1998), I conceive of diversity as the most important structural feature of collaboration networks to predict patenting performance, and accordingly develop the concept boundary-spanning collaboration to refer to collaboration networks containing relationships to diverse others. Then, I rely on social studies of gender, network, and desired outcomes as well as research on interdisciplinary fields in general and nanotechnology in particular to propose several hypotheses regarding how gender would differ on boundary-spanning collaboration and how the differences matter the gender gap in patenting in the context of nanotechnology. Two sets of analyses, performed on large-scale patent data and individual-level survey data, generate novel and important findings. These results enhance our understanding of the distinct context of nanotechnology, especially with regard to collaboration and gender representation, and the interrelationships of gender, boundary-spanning collaboration, and patenting involvement in this context. In brief, there are three major findings. First, while nanotechnology and patenting activities present new areas for gendered studies in science, the influential gender stereotypes always predict the detection of a gender gap. Second, collaboration networks, especially those featured with diversity, are relevant to the gender gap in patenting nanotechnology in a complicated way, but the operationalization of diversity is the key to comprehend the complexity. Third, the returns from collaborative relationships are generally gendered, but the gender gap in returns varies upon the context where a relationship takes place. Relating these findings to previous research, I highlight the theoretical and methodological contributions of this study, point out its limitations for future research development, and draw pertinent policy implications.

Underpinning economic growth is the emergence of entrepreneurial ventures with the potential to grow that boost job creation and provide new sources of products for mature companies. The critical role associated with new firms, underscores the importance of understanding how entrepreneurship unfolds. Network-based research, while leading the way to rich empirical studies provides a limited understanding of how entrepreneurial networks are built and their impact on the emergence of a new venture. Employing a multiple case study design and a perspective based on organizational path building, three young technology ventures were investigated in terms of the formation of networks around five key entrepreneurial activities defined by entrepreneurs. Rich insight into new venture emergence is presented in terms of the reciprocal relationship between specific activities enacted by entrepreneurs and the networks that form to execute those activities revealing the path building mechanisms that evolve to drive network development. The findings of this research not only contribute to theories of new venture emergence, but also offer an interesting opportunity for future research into factors that may influence the outcome of entrepreneurial ventures and provide practical insight for organizations seeking to sustain or develop an entrepreneurial path.