Thesis (Ph.D.)--Auburn University, 2007. / Abstract. Includes survey instruments. Includes bibliographic references (ℓ. 108-126)

Thesis (M.A.)--Miami University, Dept. of Psychology, 2007. / Title from first page of PDF document. Includes bibliographical references (p. 42-51).

Background: Start-ups’ contributions to shaping the economic landscape of the modern world are multifold as they are for example a source of productivity and economic growth or they are the source of net job creation. Yet, up to half of them fail during the first 3 to 4 years of their lives. As such, their founders face notable uncertainties whether their start-ups will survive or not. Many different factors have an impact on the likelihood of start-up survival, particularly social capital appears to play an important role in it. Purpose: The purpose of this thesis is to understand the role of founders' social capital in the survival of tech start-ups. We approach the survival from the perspective of challenges start-ups face in the early start-up and business development stage, and we look into how social capital contributes to overcoming them. Method: Our research was conducted from social constructionist view. We conducted a multiple case study with 16 start-up founders, who we interviewed in the Czech Republic. Conclusion: We offer three conclusions - firstly, social capital plays an important role in the early start-up phase most significantly by helping founders form the right teams, which then help the founders better address the other challenges such as acquiring customers or managing financing. Secondly, social capital helps the founders establish legitimacy and it connects them with more experienced people who help them avoid fatal mistakes in the business development phase. Thirdly, founders’ openness to network and awareness of their own limits resulting in reaching out for helpis also crucial for start-up survival.

Contribution au développement et à l'optimisation des machines électriques à courant continu pour des applications Stop-Start Résumé Actuellement le marché automobile est en forte demande de modèles hybrides capables de limiter les consommations et les rejets de CO2. Parmi les diff érentes solutions technologiques possibles, cette thèse traite d'un dispositif microhybride de type Stop-Start reposant sur l'utilisation de moteurs à aimants permanents à commutation mécanique. Ce travail de recherche, encadré par Valeo et le laboratoire de Génie Électrique de Grenoble (G2Elab), a pour vocation à élaborer des méthodologies de conception permettant une implémentation facile et à bas coût de cette fonction. L'étude se concentre sur une modélisation numérique rigoureuse de la machine électrique pour ensuite analyser plusieurs améliorations techniques du démarreur en vue d'augmenter ses performances. Pour cela nous avons développé un modèle précis et rapide de la machine grâce à une approche d'identication des paramètres par optimisation et en utilisant la méthode des plans d'expériences. Ce modèle nous a permis de proposer des structures de démarreurs renforcés adaptés à la fonction Stop-Start. / Contribution to the development and optimization of direct-current machines for automotive stop-start applications abstract currently in the automotive market, the demand for hybrid vehicles is booming. These vehicles are meant to reduce fuel consumption and CO2 emissions. Among various possible technological solutions, this thesis deals with one of the Stop-Start technologies of micro-hybrid vehicles that is based on the use of permanent-magnet brushed DC motors. The present work, performed under a partnership between Valeo and Grenoble Electrical Engineering laboratory (G2Elab), aims to develop new design methodologies allowing the implementation of this system in a cheap and easy way. The study focuses on a rigorous numerical modeling of the electrical machine in order to analyze several technical improvements and to achieve a better performing car starter. To this end, we have developed a fast and accurate numerical model of the motor through a parameter identication technique using the design of experiments optimization approach. This model has enabled us to propose several enhanced starter motor structures, suitable for the Stop-Start function.

Les start-up représentent un vivier important de création d'emplois et de richesses. La forte hétérogénéité de leurs trajectoires conduit à s'interroger sur les éléments à l'origine du processus de croissance. La plupart des recherches antérieures réalisées sur cette question soulignent le rôle central du dirigeant, essentiellement en termes de capacité à perdre le contrôle au sein de l'entreprise et de motivation à la croissance. En s'inscrivant dans le cadre d'analyse de la gouvernance élargie, qui invite à prendre simultanément en compte les visions coercitives et cognitives de la gouvernance, cette recherche s'intéresse aux profils des 2703 dirigeants de start-up ayant été soutenues par le Ministère de l'Enseignement Supérieur et de la Recherche entre 1999 et 2012. L'objectif principal est de comprendre les liens qui existent entre les représentations de ces dirigeants en matière de croissance et de gouvernance et les trajectoires de leur société. Les résultats mettent en évidence l'existence de quatre idéaux-types d'entrepreneurs. Les indépendants ont une vision cognitive de la gouvernance et considèrent que les actionnaires doivent avoir un pouvoir habilitant d'apport de compétences, de connaissances et de réseau. Ils attendent de la croissance qu'elle leur offre une indépendance plus forte, et sont à la tête d'une société ayant connu une certaine croissance dans le passé ; ils ne sont plus réellement motivés pour continuer à la faire croitre. Les collectifs ont une vision hybride de la gouvernance, centrée principalement sur le rôle coercitif managérial des actionnaires mais aussi sur leurs apports cognitifs. Ces dirigeants ne voient la croissance que de manière positive et, contrairement aux indépendants, si leur société n'a pas encore connu la croissance, ils y sont fortement motivés. Les managers ont uniquement une vision coercitive financière de la gouvernance ; ils anticipent la croissance comme un moyen de consolider une société qui a déjà vu sa taille fortement augmenter par le passé. Leur motivation à la croissance est également très élevée. Finalement, les autocentrés n'accordent qu'un rôle extrêmement faible aux actionnaires ; ils ont une vision négative de la croissance, sont à la tête d'une société qui n'a pas connu de croissance passée et ne souhaitent pas que cela change dans le futur. En conclusion, nous observons des relations fortes entre les représentations des dirigeants en matière de gouvernance et de croissance, et les trajectoires des start-up qu'ils dirigent. / Start-ups' represent a large pool of job and wealth creation. The high heterogeneity of their trajectories raises questions about the factors behind the growth process. Most previous research on this issue highlights the central role of the entrepreneur, primarily in terms of ability to lose control within the company and motivation for growth. This research is embedded in the broader conception of corporate governance that calls for taking into account simultaneously disciplinary and cognitive views of governance. This study analyzes the 2,703 entrepreneurs' profiles of start-ups which have been supported by the French Ministry in charge of Research between 1999 and 2012. The main objective is to understand the relationship between entrepreneurs' representations in terms of growth and governance and the trajectories of their firms. The results show the existence of four types of entrepreneurs. The independent entrepreneurs have a cognitive approach to corporate governance and consider that shareholders should have an enabling power by bringing skills, knowledge and network to the firm. They expect that growth could offer them greater independence, and are at the head of a company having experienced some growth in the past; they are still more motivated to continue to grow. The collective entrepreneurs have a hybrid approach to governance, centered primarily on managerial disciplinary role of shareholders but also on their cognitive contributions. These entrepreneurs only see growth in a positive way and, unlike independent entrepreneurs, if their company has not yet experienced growth, they are highly motivated for growth. The entrepreneurs-managers have only a disciplinary financial governance view; they anticipate growth as a way to consolidate the company that has seen its size greatly increased in the past. Their motivation to growth is also very high. Finally, self-centered entrepreneurs accord only extremely small role to shareholders; they have a negative view of growth, are at the head of a company which has no past growth and do not want to change in the future. To conclude, we observe a strong relationship between entrepreneurs' representations in terms of governance and growth, and the trajectories of the start-ups they lead.

This thesis discusses factors of success in the process of new business venturing and growth in current business environment. It employs a sample of 200 entrepreneurial cases documented through interviews which were each broken into over 40 mainly quantitative criteria. Aided by simple statistical tools this result is then analyzed and evaluated, leading to a thorough analysis of each of the aspects discussed and finally culminating in conclusion stating which factors are the most significant. Besides purely academic interest, conclusions of this thesis could be of interest to both actual and prospective entrepreneurs.

The diploma thesis is focused on the evaluation of the performance of a selected company using the START Model. The introductory part is dedicaded to clarifying the theoretical basis, basic concepts and the method of measuring performance. The analytical part introduces the evaluated organization, conducts a survey using the selected model and according to the results are interpreted strengths and areas for improvement. In the last section, based on the outputs of the analysis, measures are proposed to increase the company's performance.

The master’s thesis is focused on evaluation of the performance of the company Deceuninck, spol. s r. o. by using the START Model, which is based on the logic of the EFQM Excellence Model. The first part of the thesis contains theoretical bases related to performance and methods of its measurement. The second part is focused on the description of the selected company and evaluation of the results of the questionnaire survey. The final part of this work contains measures which were suggested to improve the current situation.

This diploma thesis deals with the company performance assessment of the selected organization. The described organization is called ENVINET Inc. and it is analyzed according to multi-criteria model START PLUS. According to this model, the final point assessment of the company is realised, strengths and weaknesses and areas for improvement are identified. There are also proposed specific measures whose implementation can improve the performance of the analyzed company.

This thesis attempts to answer the question why there are so few female founders of startup companies in the Czech Republic. In order to identify the main roots of gender inequality in this field and obtain a detailed understanding of the gender culture of Czech startups, biographic-narrative interviews were conducted with women in managing positions as well as female founders of Czech startups. Through in-depth analysis of these women's narratives, key areas were identified which contribute to the reproduction of gender segregation in this field. The research found that the inequality is mainly caused by gender stereotypes towards women in the field of technology, which even the interviewed women reproduce through identification with a specific type of masculinity. In an attempt to fulfill the gendered expectations from an ideal startup founder or manager women often find themselves in conflict with the traditional role of women in the Czech Republic. The second group of women on the other hand emphasize the importance of femininity and indentify themselves against this type of masculinity. The analysis also showed the importance of the gender inequalities in the technical field of education, that are also reflected in the startups. The author recommends a further research into the following areas...