In this thesis, a national information technology (IT) strategy applicable to Turkish construction industry for future implementation of IT is developed, advising guidance to current and future stakeholders but also researchers and decision makers to set the right priorities and pre-harmonization for IT in construction. Within this study, the present situation of the industry is discussed, so as to structure today&rsquo / s required industry abilities fulfilling tomorrow&rsquo / s demands and innovative IT solutions. Then, a coherent vision is developed for agile, model-based, knowledge driven Turkish construction industry. Following the analysis of IT trends and opportunities, a national IT strategy framework for the industry is specified. Finally / other country applications are examined to give direction for the developed strategy implementation approach.

This research project began with the objective of obtaining a deeper understanding of the conduct of business on the Internet. Research regarding the overall performance of business on the Web has been limited due to several constraining factors. Firstly, the shear size, volume, and perceived complexity of business on the Web made it an imposing target for research. Secondly, the interdisciplinary nature of the field had an initial dampening effect on research activity. Kuhn (1962) describes this phenomenon as the insufficiency of methodological directives. He writes (p. 3) ‘Instructed to examine electrical or chemical phenomena, the man who is ignorant of these fields but who knows what it is to be scientific may legitimately reach any one of a number of incompatible conclusions. Among those legitimate possibilities, the particular conclusions he does arrive at are probably determined by his prior experience in the other fields’. Thirdly, academic interest in Web businesses was somewhat diminished by the bursting of the dot com bubble during 2000-2001 as evidenced by the fact that many academic programs in electronic commerce have been discontinued or significantly reduced (Featherstone, Ellis & Borstorff 2004). Lastly, methodological issues arose which limited the application of previously available sampling methods. The impact of this meant that drawing representative samples of websites in order to examine business behaviour became a more complex endeavour. As a result, many fundamental questions regarding business on the Web have remained unanswered. For example, there has been no clear answer to the question of what new business models, if any, are evolving within the Web environment. What is the role of entrepreneurship employing the Web? What are the key elements or mechanisms driving business expansion in the Web? Some have suggested that Web use necessitates greater business cooperation than may be necessary in the non-virtual world. Is there evidence that this is so? This thesis addresses these questions. It accomplishes this by reducing the function of business on the Internet to its simplest element, the domain name, and by employing innovative methodologies to explore the business environment of the Web. Using Complexity and Network Theories as a contextual framework , and based upon a review of existing literature, this thesis develops a series of propositions regarding both the conduct and attributes of Web business, and proceeds to present evidence of confirmation or refutation of these propositions.

This research project began with the objective of obtaining a deeper understanding of the conduct of business on the Internet. Research regarding the overall performance of business on the Web has been limited due to several constraining factors. Firstly, the shear size, volume, and perceived complexity of business on the Web made it an imposing target for research. Secondly, the interdisciplinary nature of the field had an initial dampening effect on research activity. Kuhn (1962) describes this phenomenon as the insufficiency of methodological directives. He writes (p. 3) ‘Instructed to examine electrical or chemical phenomena, the man who is ignorant of these fields but who knows what it is to be scientific may legitimately reach any one of a number of incompatible conclusions. Among those legitimate possibilities, the particular conclusions he does arrive at are probably determined by his prior experience in the other fields’. Thirdly, academic interest in Web businesses was somewhat diminished by the bursting of the dot com bubble during 2000-2001 as evidenced by the fact that many academic programs in electronic commerce have been discontinued or significantly reduced (Featherstone, Ellis & Borstorff 2004). Lastly, methodological issues arose which limited the application of previously available sampling methods. The impact of this meant that drawing representative samples of websites in order to examine business behaviour became a more complex endeavour. As a result, many fundamental questions regarding business on the Web have remained unanswered. For example, there has been no clear answer to the question of what new business models, if any, are evolving within the Web environment. What is the role of entrepreneurship employing the Web? What are the key elements or mechanisms driving business expansion in the Web? Some have suggested that Web use necessitates greater business cooperation than may be necessary in the non-virtual world. Is there evidence that this is so? This thesis addresses these questions. It accomplishes this by reducing the function of business on the Internet to its simplest element, the domain name, and by employing innovative methodologies to explore the business environment of the Web. Using Complexity and Network Theories as a contextual framework , and based upon a review of existing literature, this thesis develops a series of propositions regarding both the conduct and attributes of Web business, and proceeds to present evidence of confirmation or refutation of these propositions.

De nouveaux modèles logistiques, tels que l’Internet Physique, proposent une rupture dans le mode acheminement de marchandises au sein de réseaux de plus en plus interconnectés. Cette interconnexion requiert l’usage de systèmes d’informations innovants relevant de l’Internet des Objets, pour tracer et router ces marchandises en boucle ouverte. Cette double redéfinition des flux informationnels et physiques est à même d’impacter les métiers logistiques et leurs business models. Au cours d’une recherche sous contrat CIFRE pour le compte d’un consortium, nous étudions cette question en trois temps : Par une expérimentation de technologies de track et trace standardisées au sein d’un service de gestion de supports logistiques réutilisables, Par l’identification des nouvelles logiques de valeur induites, Par l’observation de l’impact de ces nouvelles offres technologies/business sur les services logistiques en place. Nos résultats valident l’intérêt de ces systèmes d’informations pour tracer les conteneurs au sein de l’Internet Physique. Une gamme de nouvelles tactiques induites par ces nouveaux modèles informationnels et physiques est proposée. Cependant, les business models au sein de ce réseau logistique ne sont pas, à ce stade d’expérimentation, impactes par les nouvelles logiques du numérique. / New logistics model, such as the Physical Internet, offer a breakthrough in the way goods are routed inside networks that are more and more inter-connected. This inter-connection requires innovative, Internet-of-Things-like, information systems for tracking and routing those goods within open loops. This double redefinition of physical and digital flows is bound to impact logistics service providers professions and their business models. Through an action-research on be-half of an industrial consortium, we study this question in three steps : by experimenting track and trace standardized technologies used to manage returnable transport items, by identifying new value logics induced by these new technological means, and finally observing how these new technologies and businesses impact the logistics services in place. Our results validate the benefit of these new information systems to trace logistical units within the Physical Internet. A range of new business tactics induced by those new digital and physical models is proposed. However, to the extent of our research, the logistic’s network business models are not yet impacted by these new digital logics.

Nos últimos anos, um conjunto de fatores tem colaborado para expansão da energia fotovoltaica no Brasil. No entanto, ainda não se oferecem políticas públicas ou incentivos regulatórios para que as distribuidoras contribuam com a geração fotovoltaica sem prejuízo ao equilíbrio de suas operações. Diante disso, este trabalho buscou investigar a viabilidade de novos papéis para as distribuidoras brasileiras frente aos desafios de modernização do setor elétrico. Para isso, buscou nos EUA, país que apresenta crescente participação de energia FV em sua matriz elétrica, exemplos de incentivos financeiros e regulatórios e novos modelos de negócios para operação das distribuidoras. Através da metodologia de análise SWOT, três modelos de negócio do mercado fotovoltaico norte-americano são avaliados para o setor de distribuição brasileiro. Os resultados evidenciam as forças e fraquezas das distribuidoras em relação a outros atores do mercado e as oportunidade e ameaças de cada modelo. / In recent years, a combination of events have contributed for solar photovoltaics raising adoption in Brazil. However, there are yet no available regulatory incentives or public policies to enable utilities participation without harming their financial equilibrium. As a result, the current study aims to identify new roles for Brazilian utilities that comply with smart grid emerging challenges. In an effort to identify examples of financial and regulatory incentives as well as new business models, North American solar photovoltaic experiences were evaluated. The effectiveness of three American business models for the Brazilian energy sector were discussed through SWOT analysis. The results indicate utilities main strengths and weaknesses compared to other energy market actors and also the opportunities and threats of each business model.

Submitted by Cláudia Bueno (claudiamoura18@gmail.com) on 2016-05-18T17:50:48Z No. of bitstreams: 2 Dissertação - Bruno Alencar Pereira - 2015.pdf: 1703557 bytes, checksum: 3b0bfddd96375277b93e50576cb6723c (MD5) license_rdf: 23148 bytes, checksum: 9da0b6dfac957114c6a7714714b86306 (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Luciana Ferreira (lucgeral@gmail.com) on 2016-05-19T13:28:17Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 2 Dissertação - Bruno Alencar Pereira - 2015.pdf: 1703557 bytes, checksum: 3b0bfddd96375277b93e50576cb6723c (MD5) license_rdf: 23148 bytes, checksum: 9da0b6dfac957114c6a7714714b86306 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2016-05-19T13:28:17Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 2 Dissertação - Bruno Alencar Pereira - 2015.pdf: 1703557 bytes, checksum: 3b0bfddd96375277b93e50576cb6723c (MD5) license_rdf: 23148 bytes, checksum: 9da0b6dfac957114c6a7714714b86306 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2015-12-07 / In the air transport sector, especially in the airlines, innovation in business models can contribute to the creation of value, competitive advantage and profitability with new possibilities of action in the sector. The proposed research aims to identify the business models adopted by Brazilian airlines and characterize how innovation happens to create value, competitive advantage and profitability by models applied to the sector with the identification and implementation of appropriate indicators not yet exploited to this understanding. The methodology consisted of empirical, exploratory and descriptive research by multi case study with three of the main Brazilian airlines, allowing an investigation to raise significant and holistic characteristics of innovation indicators applied to the business models adopted in the sector. The results show the search paradigm breaks related to the dichotomy of the traditionals models low-cost and full-service toward hybrid business models and perceived the need for a business model that maintains a balance between the services offered, however, no major innovations identified by the supplied value proposition. The conclusion is that in the Brazilian airlines the innovation in business models occur linearly as examples highlighted by the companies, that the perception of them, internal changes in business models are considered major organizational innovations, however, there is no evidence results in large external innovations to the market provided by the business models adopted in a comparative panorama of such airlines. / No setor do transporte aéreo, especialmente nas companhias aéreas, a inovação nos modelos de negócios pode contribuir para a criação de valor, vantagem competitiva e lucratividade com novas possibilidades de atuação no setor. A pesquisa proposta teve por objetivo identificar os modelos de negócios adotados pelas companhias aéreas brasileiras e caracterizar como a inovação ocorre para a criação de valor, vantagem competitiva e lucratividade nos modelos aplicados ao setor, com a identificação e aplicação de indicadores ainda não explorados adequados à essa compreensão. A metodologia utilizada consistiu em pesquisa empírica, exploratória e descritiva realizada por estudo multicaso com três das principais companhias aéreas brasileiras, permitindo uma investigação para levantar as características significantes e holísticas dos indicadores de inovação aplicados aos modelos de negócios adotados no transporte aéreo. Os resultados demonstram a busca por rupturas do paradigma relacionado à dicotomia dos modelos tradicionais low-cost e full-service em direção à modelos de negócios híbridos, sendo perceptível a necessidade de um modelo de negócio que mantenha um equilíbrio entre os serviços oferecidos, porém, sem grandes inovações identificadas pela proposição de valor ofertada. Conclui-se que, nas companhias brasileiras a inovação nos modelos de negócios ocorre de forma linear conforme exemplos destacados pelas companhias que, pela percepção das próprias empresas, as mudanças internas nos modelos de negócios são consideradas grandes inovações organizacionais, porém, não se evidencia nos resultados grandes inovações externas para o mercado proporcionada pelos modelos de negócios adotados em um panorama comparativo entre tais companhias.

As empresas historicamente voltadas à produção de bens manufaturados têm enfrentado uma série de desafios ao longo das últimas décadas. Notadamente o acirramento da competitividade nos diversos mercados tem contribuído para com que diversos produtos sejam transformados em commodities com qualidade e desempenho similares. A disputa entre os players deixa de ser baseada em liderança tecnológica e tende a se resumir à busca por menores custos de produção. Paralelamente, cresce a consciência em diversos atores da sociedade em relação às questões ambientais e, consequentemente, a pressão sobre as indústrias para que contribuam com a criação de uma sociedade mais sustentável. A criação de pacotes que combinam produtos e serviços para entregar valor em uso ou via realização de uma função é uma estratégia que tem sido estudada para contornar os desafios citados. A criação e oferta de um Sistema Produto-Serviço (PSS – do inglês Product-Service System) por uma empresa de manufatura tem potencial para contribuir nas três perspectivas da sustentabilidade, mas traz alguns desafios. O desenvolvimento de produtos e de serviços deve ser feito de forma integrada, considerando seus relacionamentos e, muitas vezes, o modelo de negócios da empresa acaba sendo modificado. Para contornar os desafios relacionados ao desenvolvimento, existem modelos genéricos de processo de desenvolvimento de PSS propostos para que as empresas definam seus próprios modelos específicos. Esses modelos foram propostos para diferentes contextos de desenvolvimento e normalmente carregam os vieses de seus autores, apresentando pontos fortes e limitações. O presente trabalho tem como objetivo propor um framework para definir modelos de processos específicos de desenvolvimento de Sistemas Produto-Serviço. Para tanto este trabalho utiliza o paradigma do método hipotético-dedutivo e a abordagem metodológica DRM (Design Research Methodology). Os métodos de pesquisa utilizados são: painel de especialistas, linguística de corpus e semântica de frames, focus group, estudo de caso, revisão bibliográfica sistemática e análise de conteúdo. Foi possível obter três contribuições inéditas: um conjunto de 310 atividades-síntese; a análise de 15 modelos de processo de desenvolvimento de PSS; e o framework propriamente dito. As duas primeiras são contribuições à teoria. As atividades-síntese correspondem a todas as atividades de desenvolvimento de PSS previstas nos modelos de processo de desenvolvimento de PSS disponíveis na literatura, constituindo seu estado da arte. A análise dos modelos de processo evidenciou objetivamente os seus diferentes perfis, com cada modelo priorizando determinadas categorias de atividades em detrimento de outras. O framework criado foi testado em dois projetos de desenvolvimento de PSS em duas startups, e constitui uma contribuição aos praticantes nas indústrias, que podem utilizá-lo para definir seus modelos de processos específicos de desenvolvimento de PSS a partir de uma base mais abrangente de atividades que em qualquer um dos 15 modelos genéricos analisados. / Companies historically focused on the production of manufactured goods have faced a number of challenges over the past few decades. Notably, the intensification of competitiveness in the various markets has contributed to the transformation of various products into commodities of similar quality and performance. The dispute between players ceases to be based on technological leadership and tends to be limited to the search for lower production costs. At the same time, rises the awareness of various actors in society regarding environmental issues and, consequently, the pressure on industries to contribute to the creation of a more sustainable society. The creation of products and services bundles to deliver value in use or through the performance of a function is a strategy that has been studied to overcome the aforementioned challenges. The creation and offering of a Product-Service System (PSS) by a manufacturing company has the potential to contribute to the three perspectives of sustainability, but it also poses some challenges. The development of products and services must be done in an integrated way, considering their relationships and, often, the company\'s business model has to be changed. In order to overcome the development challenges, there are generic PSS development process models proposed for companies to define their own specific models. These models have been proposed for different development contexts and usually carry the biases of their authors, thus presenting strengths and limitations. The present work aims to propose a framework for defining specific process models to develop Product-Service Systems. For this, this work uses the paradigm of the hypothetical-deductive method and the DRM (Design Research Methodology) methodological approach. The research methods used are: experts\' panel, corpus linguistics and frame semantics, focus group, case study, systematic literature review and content analysis. It was possible to obtain three unpublished contributions: the set of 310 synthesis activities; the analysis of the 15 PSS development process models; and the framework itself. The first two are contributions to theory. The synthesis activities correspond to all the PSS development activities prescribed by the PSS development process models available in the literature, constituting its state of the art. The analysis of the process models objectively evidenced their different profiles, with each model prioritizing certain categories of activities in comparison to others. The framework created was applied to two PSS design project in two startups, being a contribution to practitioners in industries that can use it to define their specific PSS development processes models from a broader base of activities than in any of the 15 generic models analyzed.

Esta pesquisa discute a utilização de livros eletrônicos em bibliotecas e as transformações que este recurso pode ocasionar em unidades de informação e nas atividades bibliotecárias. Para tanto são analisadas as transformações pelas quais passou o livro, em seus suportes e formatos, passando pelas ideias de Vannevar Bush, o Dynabook, primeiro dispositivo de leitura e a oferta de conteúdo do Projeto Gutenberg até o advento do livro eletrônico. As denominações empregadas para designar os livros eletrônicos são identificadas e busca-se conceituar o objeto empírico. São identificados seus quatro elementos, formato, dispositivo, plataforma e DRM, e as transformações ocorridas no processo de aquisição, com a possibilidade de licenciamento do conteúdo em oposição à propriedade. Neste aspecto são analisadas as teorias da primeira venda e do uso justo e a implicação que os licenciamentos representam às bibliotecas. São identificados os tipos de fornecedores de conteúdo digital licenciado, editores, agregadores e distribuidores, e as possibilidades de acesso às plataformas e aos conteúdos contratados. Os principais modelos de negócios são apresentados, aquisição perpétua, assinatura, Aquisição Orientada ao Usuário (DDA), Empréstimo de curto prazo (STL) e Aquisição orientada por evidência (EBS), além das possibilidades de inclusão de conteúdo aberto. A partir das características dos modelos de negócios para aquisição de conteúdo licenciado, aspectos do desenvolvimento de coleção são analisados, buscando identificar questões significativas nas práticas bibliotecárias. O texto finaliza com levantamento de vantagens e desvantagens da aplicação de livros eletrônicos em bibliotecas e a importância da continuidade de estudos sobre este tema. / This research discusses the applicability of electronic books (e-books) in libraries and the transformations that this resource can provide in information units and librarianship activities. To do that, are analyzed the book transformations, in its supports and formats, through the ideas of Vannevar Bush, the Dynabook, the first electronic reader and the content offer provided by Gutenberg Project until the evolution of e-book. The various ways in which the ebooks are denominated are presented, seeking for the concept the empirical object. Are identified the four elements of the e-book: the format, the device, the platform and the DRM, and the transmutation in the acquisition process, with the possibility of content licensing as opposed to property. In this aspect, the theory of first sale and the fair use are analyzed and its implications for libraries. From the identification of types of digital content providers, as editors, aggregators and distributors, and the access to platforms and content, the main business models are analyzed, Perpetual acquisition, Signature, Demand Driven Acquisition, Short Term Loans and Evidence Based Selection, addition of open access. From the business models characteristics to acquire digital content, are analyzed some aspects of collection management, trying to identify significant questions about the libraries practices. The text ends with the advantages and disadvantages of the e-books adoption in libraries and the importance of continuing studies on this topic.

I dagens spelindustri är det allt vanligare att spel innehåller affärsmodeller som innefattar mikrotransaktioner, det vill säga köp inom spelet. Framfarten av mikrotransaktioner har skapat många skilda åsikter. Denna studie är gjord för att skapa en inblick till hur spelare uppfattar och förhåller sig till fenomenet och dessutom fördjupa förståelsen av vad spelutvecklingsföretagen gör för att få sina spelare att genomföra köp inom sina spel. För att belysa problemet formades forskningsfrågan som följande: Hur förhåller sig spelare till mikrotransaktioner och på vilka sätt påverkar spelutvecklare spelare att genomföra köp genom mikrotransaktioner? Studien utfördes med en enkät som bestod av frågor utifrån en mixad metodansats. Frågornas karaktär formades med inslag av både kvantitativa och kvalitativa ansatser. 117 respondenter svarade på enkäten varpå enkätsvaren sedan analyserades och resultatet visar på att det finns både positiva och negativa åsikter om mikrotransaktioner och att det finns flera olika angreppssätt som spelutvecklarna använder sig av för att få sina spelare att genomföra köp. Utifrån tidigare forskning påvisar denna studie att synsättet på mikrotransaktioner förändrats positivt. Framför allt för att spelutvecklingsföretagen på senare tid fokuserat på att lyssna på sina spelare och genom det utvecklat mikrotransaktioner utifrån spelarnas behov men man måste också ta i beaktande att en positivare syn på mikrotransaktioner eventuellt kan leda till olika grader av beroende. Resultaten i denna studie kan påverka läsarens syn på fenomenet. Studien lyfter en ny syn på hur spelare förhåller sig till fenomenet som både motsäger och stärker tidigare forskning, vilket eventuellt kan gynna spelutvecklingsföretagen samt vidare forskning inom ämnet. / In today’s gaming industry it’s increasingly common to use business models that include microtransactions, in short in-game purchases. The recent rise of microtransactions has created many different opinions. This thesis was conducted to provide an insight of how the players perceive and relate to the phenomenon and further deepen the understanding of what game development companies do to get their players to make in-game purchases. To highlight the problem, the research question was formed as follows: How do players relate to microtransactions and how do game developers affect players to make purchases through microtransactions? The study was conducted with a questionnaire consisting of questions based on a mixed method. The nature of the questions was shaped with elements of both quantitative and qualitative approaches. 117 players responded on the questionnaire, which was analyzed and the result shows both positive and negative opinions about microtransactions and there were several different approaches that the game development companies use to convince their players to perform in-game purchases. Based on previous research, this study shows that the view on micro-transactions has changed to the positive. In particular, game development companies have recently focused on listening to their players leading to developed microtransactions based on player's needs but it need to be considered that a more positive view of microtransactions may potentially affect different degrees of addiction. The results in this study may affect the reader’s view of the phenomenon. The study highlights a new view of how players relate to the phenomenon that both contradicts and strengthens previous research, which may benefit game development companies as well as further research on the subject.

Background:   This research paper studies the potential of the Flourishing Business Canvas developed from the new research field of Business Models for Sustainability. Throughout the literature review arguments for the new concept of Business Models for Sustainability are made. Showing also the need for a tool that can help companies to transform towards a BMfS. The Flourishing Business Canvas is the first tool being developed at the moment and is based on the Business Model Canvas of Osterwalder and Pigneur. In this research data from reports from three different fashion companies is used to complete the Flourishing Business Canvasses and to evaluatethe applicability and usefulness of the canvas. Aim:   The purpose of this study is to investigate the potential of the newly developed Flourishing Business Canvas through case studies of secondary data research in the fashion industry. The research will evaluate the applicability and usefulness of the building blocks of the alpha-version of the Flourishing Business Canvas on the basis of information gathered from annual reports, sustainability reports, home pages and academic research. To contribute to the ongoing research of this tool, the research will try to suggest improvements where needed to make the tool suitable for the sustainable development of the fashion industry. Methodology:   The research is performed trough a qualitative research based on three small casestudies. The canvas is completed for three fashion companies, of three different market segments, based on published reports, media articles and research articles. The gaps in the canvas and the usefulness of the answers will be defined. Results:   The results of the research showed that the three companies follow the four mainarguments for a Business Model for Sustainability, but that what they express in their reports is notcompletely what they do in practise. The Flourishing Business Canvas for the three fashioncompanies was easy to complete as an outsider, this was mostly because they were transparentcompanies that published a lot of information. The questions in the Flourishing Business Canvasalso could show well the efforts on economic, social and environmental sustainability. Conclusion:   The Flourishing Business Canvas is a good tool for the fashion companies to show their economic, social and environmental sustainability in a schematic way and on strategic level. Although in general the canvas expresses that it shows true sustainability, two important elements of a sustainable fashion company; circularity and transparency, were not specifically defined.