In the 1990s, globalisation became the 'Zeitgeist', with commercial companies striving to become "global players". Under these globalising influences, European construction companies have to respond to a significant reorientation of their markets, which range from the Domestic to the European and the Global markets. They have, therefore, to formulate global strategies to create and sustain competitive positions. This thesis reviews organisation and management theory on global strategies, and applies this theory to examine how a sample of European contractors has approached this strategic challenge. In this thesis "global player" is defined qualitatively as a firm that regards the whole world as a playing field, and shows that some European contractors are leading global players. This research study determines the global position, applied global strategies and competitive advantage of the top European international contractors, for three market levels (Domestic, European and Global) and also for individual international markets. For this, a research model has been developed to illustrate a logical relationship of the factors and markets which influence the position of a company, via global strategies, to a proposed global organisation based on the principles of "glocalisation". In part inspired by Porter's (1990) work, competitive advantage of contractors has also been examined in relation to home country specific characteristics. Furthermore Michael Porter's (1980) 'five forces model' has been developed to the special characteristics of the construction industry, from a contractors perspective, into a 'seven forces model'. The study is carried out by means of in-depth interviews with executives from 11 UK and 11 German top international contractors. In addition, 68 interviews were conducted with European contractors in South East Asia (Indonesia 21; Laos 3; Malaysia 11; Singapore 3; Thailand 14; Vietnam 5); and the United Arab Emirates 11). Comparative analysis between the two contracting nations (UK and Germany), market levels, individual overseas markets and European contracting nations (France, Holland, Italy, Sweden) is carried out using quantitative and qualitative measurements. This information was supplemented by semi-structured qualitative case studies of European contractors as global players, so the applying a holistic approach to the research methodology. The study reveals that the power of the seven competitive forces is similar in each market, whilst the competition structure among contractors differed between each market, which is partly explained due to contractors' nationality. The study shows that successful strategies and operational performance of European global contractors in international contracting are especially dependent on certain markets and certain time periods, which makes them distinct global players. This non-homogenous market behaviour is proven by the underlying theory that positioning factors, global strategies in part and competitive advantage differ between markets and contractors. It is suggested that the top European contractors are global players. In their search for sustainable global, regional and local competitive advantage, towards the new millennium, they may be able to alleviate national barriers and differences among the markets from a superior global position in the ideal form of a global organisation. The realisation of glocalisation might then replace nation-specific advantages by global ownership.

With increasing opportunities to study abroad, learning to read in a foreign language has become increasingly important for countless second language learners. International students in pursuit of higher education degrees are required and expected to read in the target language at the same level of fluency and comprehension as their native-speaking counterparts. The number of international students studying in Arabic higher education institutions has followed the general ascending trend. For these second language speakers of Arabic, good reading skills in Arabic are essential for their academic success. Since the use of reading strategies is an important component of first and second language reading, this study aimed to investigate the use of reading strategies by native and non-native speakers of Arabic when reading academic materials in Arabic. In addition, it aimed to explore possible differences in the use of reading strategies between these two groups. For this purpose, a total of 305 students participated in the study. A survey composed of 30 items was administered to 222 non-native speakers of Arabic, and the same survey with 28 items was administered to 83 native speakers of Arabic. The survey included demographic questions adapted from Mokhtari and Sheorey (2008) and employed the questionnaire SORS used by Mokhtari and Sheorey (2002). These 30 items belonged to three strategy subscales: Global, Problem-solving, and Support strategies. To analyze the collected data, descriptive statistics and multiple independent t-tests were performed. In addition, an analysis was performed to find the most and least used reading strategies by both groups as well as possible differences between them in terms of reading strategy use. Problem-solving strategies were the most frequently used by both groups with a slightly higher use by the non-native speakers. Regarding the other two types, the native and non-native speakers showed different preferences. Specifically, Support strategies were the second most favored type among the non-native speakers, whereas for the native speakers, the second most frequently used type were Global strategies. However, even though Global strategies were the least used among non-native speakers, the non-native speakers' mean score on Global strategies use was higher than the native speaker score of use. Overall, the similarities and differences in the use of reading strategies by native and non-native speakers of Arabic deserve attention because they carry implications for both reading research and pedagogy. These empirical findings can be used by Education policy makers to create training courses and workshops that will help students improve their reading skills in general and reading strategies in particular. This study also suggests that there is a need for further research that will examine how the use of reading strategies is related to the academic performance of native and non-native speakers.

Reconhecida como uma das maiores empresas do Brasil, controlada pelo governo, a Petrobras apresenta um processo de internacionalização dividido em duas fases: (i) busca de melhores condições contratuais para o abastecimento do mercado interno e (ii) posicionamento mundial, segurança financeira e internacionalização da marca. Ambas as perspectivas de atuação internacional promoveram o aproveitamento de vantagem competitiva, ainda que sob comportamentos distintos. Diante disso, o objetivo do presente estudo é mensurar o impacto do processo de internacionalização no sistema de controle gerencial da unidade de estudo: Petrobras Uruguay Distribución, subsidiária no segmento de downstream1 e constituída em 2006 por meio de um processo de reorganização societária decorrente da aquisição dos ativos da Shell. Para atender a este propósito, analisam-se as possíveis alterações dos sistemas de controle gerencial e a relação existente, em termos de proximidade e afastamento da literatura presente e o caso estudado. Para tanto, o capítulo de revisão de literatura representa o embasamento teórico responsável pelas abordagens das características dos sistemas de controles, identificação dos contextos influenciadores de seu desenho e destaque para os tipos de internacionalização, nas tangentes comportamentais e motivacionais, além de abordar as teorias de ciclo de vida organizacional. O método aplicado no teste do referencial teórico foi o estudo exploratório com caso único, mediante a aplicação de um questionário padronizado. As variáveis de pesquisa consubstanciaram-se no relacionamento da literatura abordada e as questões de pesquisa e foram classificadas, segundo a natureza, em contingentes e identificadoras. Os resultados obtidos possibilitaram avaliar o nível do impacto do processo de internacionalização e a capacidade de adaptabilidade da organização aos novos contextos, comprovando que o empreendimento de novas estratégias, sejam elas internacionais ou em novos negócios, influencia o desenho do sistema de controle gerencial que refletirá, na proporção do interesse dos gestores, num processo de controle mais adequado à organização. / Known as one of the biggest companies of Brazil, controlled for the government, Petrobras presents an internationalization processs divided in two stages: (i) searchs of better contractual conditions for supplying domestic market; and (ii) world-wide spotting, financial security and internationalization of the mark. Both perspectives of international performance had promoted the advantage competitiveness, even tough under distinct behaviours. The objective of this study is to measure the impact of the internationalizations process on the management control system of the leading: Petrobras Uruguay Distribución, subsidiary in the downstream segment and created in 2006 by a process of sould reorganization in face of the acquisition of Shells assets. To answer to this purpose, was analyzed the possible changes of the management control system and the existing relationships, in terms of closeness and distance of this literature and the study. Therefore, the chapter of literatures revision represents theoretical basement which is responsible for the approaching the characteristics of the controls systems, identification of the contexts that influence of this design and prominence for the types of internationalization, on the behaviours and motivational aspects, besides approaching the theories of corporate life cycle. The method applied in the test of the review of literature was the exploratory cases study approaching an unique case, by the application of a standard questionnaire. The research variables a related to the relationship of the literature and the questions of research, witch were classified, according its nature, in contingents and identifiers. The results obtained made possible to evaluate the level of the impact of internationalization process and the capacity of adaptation of organization to the new contexts, proving that the use of new strategies, international or new businesses, influence the design of the management control systems that it will reflect, in the ratio of the managers interest, a control process more adjusted to the organization.

Reconhecida como uma das maiores empresas do Brasil, controlada pelo governo, a Petrobras apresenta um processo de internacionalização dividido em duas fases: (i) busca de melhores condições contratuais para o abastecimento do mercado interno e (ii) posicionamento mundial, segurança financeira e internacionalização da marca. Ambas as perspectivas de atuação internacional promoveram o aproveitamento de vantagem competitiva, ainda que sob comportamentos distintos. Diante disso, o objetivo do presente estudo é mensurar o impacto do processo de internacionalização no sistema de controle gerencial da unidade de estudo: Petrobras Uruguay Distribución, subsidiária no segmento de downstream1 e constituída em 2006 por meio de um processo de reorganização societária decorrente da aquisição dos ativos da Shell. Para atender a este propósito, analisam-se as possíveis alterações dos sistemas de controle gerencial e a relação existente, em termos de proximidade e afastamento da literatura presente e o caso estudado. Para tanto, o capítulo de revisão de literatura representa o embasamento teórico responsável pelas abordagens das características dos sistemas de controles, identificação dos contextos influenciadores de seu desenho e destaque para os tipos de internacionalização, nas tangentes comportamentais e motivacionais, além de abordar as teorias de ciclo de vida organizacional. O método aplicado no teste do referencial teórico foi o estudo exploratório com caso único, mediante a aplicação de um questionário padronizado. As variáveis de pesquisa consubstanciaram-se no relacionamento da literatura abordada e as questões de pesquisa e foram classificadas, segundo a natureza, em contingentes e identificadoras. Os resultados obtidos possibilitaram avaliar o nível do impacto do processo de internacionalização e a capacidade de adaptabilidade da organização aos novos contextos, comprovando que o empreendimento de novas estratégias, sejam elas internacionais ou em novos negócios, influencia o desenho do sistema de controle gerencial que refletirá, na proporção do interesse dos gestores, num processo de controle mais adequado à organização. / Known as one of the biggest companies of Brazil, controlled for the government, Petrobras presents an internationalization processs divided in two stages: (i) searchs of better contractual conditions for supplying domestic market; and (ii) world-wide spotting, financial security and internationalization of the mark. Both perspectives of international performance had promoted the advantage competitiveness, even tough under distinct behaviours. The objective of this study is to measure the impact of the internationalizations process on the management control system of the leading: Petrobras Uruguay Distribución, subsidiary in the downstream segment and created in 2006 by a process of sould reorganization in face of the acquisition of Shells assets. To answer to this purpose, was analyzed the possible changes of the management control system and the existing relationships, in terms of closeness and distance of this literature and the study. Therefore, the chapter of literatures revision represents theoretical basement which is responsible for the approaching the characteristics of the controls systems, identification of the contexts that influence of this design and prominence for the types of internationalization, on the behaviours and motivational aspects, besides approaching the theories of corporate life cycle. The method applied in the test of the review of literature was the exploratory cases study approaching an unique case, by the application of a standard questionnaire. The research variables a related to the relationship of the literature and the questions of research, witch were classified, according its nature, in contingents and identifiers. The results obtained made possible to evaluate the level of the impact of internationalization process and the capacity of adaptation of organization to the new contexts, proving that the use of new strategies, international or new businesses, influence the design of the management control systems that it will reflect, in the ratio of the managers interest, a control process more adjusted to the organization.

As formas alternativas de motorização e o atual design dominante, o motor de combustão interna (ICE), disputam as maiores atenções das montadoras globais. Muitas estratégias tecnológicas em motorização emergem a todo o momento, seja para preservar o ICE, seja para criar alternativas a ele. Durante os anos de 2011 e 2012, foram estudadas 25 montadoras globais, que representam 87% das vendas globais, por meio de seus movimentos estratégicos em torno da motorização. Utilizando-se um estudo exploratório múltiplo de casos e como método de pesquisa a \"grounded research\", coletou-se cerca de 1.200 dados e informações relacionadas a estratégias tecnológicas das montadoras e demais stakeholders da indústria automobilística em torno da motorização. A seguir, esses dados foram classificados de acordo com as fases de dominância do arcabouço de Suarez (2004). Construiu-se um trio de construtos para suportar teoricamente a pesquisa: estratégias tecnológicas, teoria institucional e design dominante. As estratégias tecnológicas em motorização se desenvolvem em 4 verticais tecnológicas: Combustão Interna, Eletrificação, Hibridização Eletrificada e Hibridização Não Eletrificada. Há mais esforço sendo empreendido na fase de pós - dominância, o que denota o desejo da indústria automobilística em estender a vida do ICE, exaurindo-o ao máximo. Nesta fase, existe relativa homogeneidade entre as montadoras; chegam a ser isomórficas e ter comportamentos miméticos. Nas fases de pré - dominância, no entanto, há grande heterogeneidade nas fases de pesquisa e desenvolvimento, viabilidade técnica e criação de mercado de formas alternativas de motorização; na busca de criar alternativas ao ICE, todas as montadoras estão testando de tudo, mas há claramente opções tecnológicas mais específicas sendo feitas por cada uma. Não se comprovou o \'efeito manada\' esperado, inferindo-se que há entre as montadoras interpretações distintas do ambiente institucional. A maioria das montadoras revela trabalhar mais com os híbridos elétricos na fase da criação de mercado, sinalizando que, depois de duas décadas de investimentos nas alternativas ao ICE, seria hora de tomar uma decisão em torno de uma única tecnologia alternativa; ou seja, a vertical tecnológica Hibridização Eletrificada é a que mais tem se aproximado de um desafio mais contundente ao ICE. Algumas montadoras se destacam em veículos elétricos (EVs), casos da Nissan - Renault e General Motors; outras se destacam em híbridos elétricos (HEVs) e híbridos elétricos plug - in (PHEVs), como Toyota, Volkswagen - Audi e PSA Peugeot Citroën. Já a Honda e a Hyundai se mostram confiantes nos híbridos movidos a células de hidrogênio (FCEVs). A hibridização não eletrificada é uma aposta da Tata e da Ford. As montadoras globais adotam estratégias globais, mas o palco das experimentações são EUA, Alemanha, Japão, Reino Unido e China. Apesar de haver experimentos das start - ups nas fases de pré - dominância, parece pouco provável que uma nova entrante venha a competir com as montadoras veteranas. Não se evidenciou qualquer movimento que indicasse estratégias tecnológicas que tenham emergido nas subsidiárias; na verdade, elas atuam como vetores na implantação das estratégias definidas pelas matrizes. Há uma derivação muito forte da vertical tecnológica Combustão Interna, os bi - combustíveis, em particular o flex - fuel brasileiro, com a dupla gasolina - etanol e o flex - fuel americano, com gás natural comprimido e gasolina ou diesel, apostas de Chrysler e General Motors. O desenvolvimento de combustíveis fósseis gasosos e renováveis líquidos como substitutos da gasolina e do diesel é mais robusto que os HEVs e acabam por se comportar como barreiras de entrada contra as formas alternativas de motorização. O design dominante atual continua \'dando as cartas\' e não demonstra que deixará de ser o paradigma em motorização. / The alternative forms of motorization and the current dominant design, the internal combustion engine (ICE), compete for the most attentions from the global automakers. Many technological strategies in motorization emerge all the time, whether to preserve the ICE, or to create alternatives to the current technological paradigm. During the years 2011 and 2012 25 global automakers were studied, representing 87% of global sales, through its strategic movements around the motorization. Using an exploratory multiple case research and a \"grounded research\" as the method, one collected close to 1,200 data and information related with technological strategies of automakers and other stakeholders of the automotive industry around the motorization. Hereafter, these data were classified according to the phases of dominance of the Suarez\' framework (2004). One built up a trio of constructs to support theoretical research: technological strategies, institutional theory and dominant design. Technological strategies in motorization develop into 4 technological verticals: Internal Combustion, Electrification, Electrified Hybridization and Non - Electrified Hybridization. There is more effort being undertaken in the post - dominance, which shows the desire of the automobile industry in extending ICE\'s life, exhausting it to the fullest. At this stage, there is relative homogeneity among automakers; they come to be isomorphic and to have mimetic behaviors. In the pre - dominance phases, however, there is great heterogeneity in the stages of research and development, technical feasibility and market creation of alternative powertrain; in seeking to create alternatives to ICE, all automakers are testing everything, but there are clearly more specific technological choices being made by each. One did not prove the \'bandwagon effect\' expected, so inferring that there are different interpretations among automakers about their institutional environment. Most automakers reveals more work with the electric hybrid vehicles at the stage of market creation phase, signaling that, after two decades of investment in alternatives to ICE, it would be time to make a decision around a single alternative technology; i.e., the Electrified Hybridization technological vertical technology is that who have approached a more forceful challenge to ICE. Some automakers stand out in electric vehicles (EVs), cases of Nissan - Renault and General Motors, others in electric hybrids vehicles (HEVs) and electric hybrid plug - in vehicles (PHEVs) like Toyota, Volkswagen - Audi and PSA Peugeot Citroën. Honda and Hyundai are confident in electric hybrid vehicles powered by hydrogen cells (FCEVs). Non - electrified hybridization is a bet of Tata and Ford. Global automakers adopt global strategies, but the stages for experiments are USA, Germany, Japan, United Kingdom and China. Although there are experiments of start - ups in the pre - dominance phases, it seems unlikely that a new entrant will compete with incumbent companies. There was no evidence to indicate any movement related with technological strategies that have emerged in the subsidiaries of the automakers; in fact, they act as vectors in the implementation of strategies defined by their headquarters. There is a very strong derivation from the Internal Combustion technological vertical, the bi - fuels, particularly flex - fuel in Brazil, based on the duo gasoline - ethanol and the north - american flex - fuel, with the duo compressed natural gas (CNG) and gasoline or diesel, actual bets of Chrysler and General Motors. The development of fossil fuels and renewable gaseous liquids as substitutes for gasoline and diesel is more robust than HEVs and eventually behave as entry barriers against alternative powertrains. The current powertrain dominant design continues \'distributing the cards\' and do not demonstrate that will stop being the paradigm in motorization.

As formas alternativas de motorização e o atual design dominante, o motor de combustão interna (ICE), disputam as maiores atenções das montadoras globais. Muitas estratégias tecnológicas em motorização emergem a todo o momento, seja para preservar o ICE, seja para criar alternativas a ele. Durante os anos de 2011 e 2012, foram estudadas 25 montadoras globais, que representam 87% das vendas globais, por meio de seus movimentos estratégicos em torno da motorização. Utilizando-se um estudo exploratório múltiplo de casos e como método de pesquisa a \"grounded research\", coletou-se cerca de 1.200 dados e informações relacionadas a estratégias tecnológicas das montadoras e demais stakeholders da indústria automobilística em torno da motorização. A seguir, esses dados foram classificados de acordo com as fases de dominância do arcabouço de Suarez (2004). Construiu-se um trio de construtos para suportar teoricamente a pesquisa: estratégias tecnológicas, teoria institucional e design dominante. As estratégias tecnológicas em motorização se desenvolvem em 4 verticais tecnológicas: Combustão Interna, Eletrificação, Hibridização Eletrificada e Hibridização Não Eletrificada. Há mais esforço sendo empreendido na fase de pós - dominância, o que denota o desejo da indústria automobilística em estender a vida do ICE, exaurindo-o ao máximo. Nesta fase, existe relativa homogeneidade entre as montadoras; chegam a ser isomórficas e ter comportamentos miméticos. Nas fases de pré - dominância, no entanto, há grande heterogeneidade nas fases de pesquisa e desenvolvimento, viabilidade técnica e criação de mercado de formas alternativas de motorização; na busca de criar alternativas ao ICE, todas as montadoras estão testando de tudo, mas há claramente opções tecnológicas mais específicas sendo feitas por cada uma. Não se comprovou o \'efeito manada\' esperado, inferindo-se que há entre as montadoras interpretações distintas do ambiente institucional. A maioria das montadoras revela trabalhar mais com os híbridos elétricos na fase da criação de mercado, sinalizando que, depois de duas décadas de investimentos nas alternativas ao ICE, seria hora de tomar uma decisão em torno de uma única tecnologia alternativa; ou seja, a vertical tecnológica Hibridização Eletrificada é a que mais tem se aproximado de um desafio mais contundente ao ICE. Algumas montadoras se destacam em veículos elétricos (EVs), casos da Nissan - Renault e General Motors; outras se destacam em híbridos elétricos (HEVs) e híbridos elétricos plug - in (PHEVs), como Toyota, Volkswagen - Audi e PSA Peugeot Citroën. Já a Honda e a Hyundai se mostram confiantes nos híbridos movidos a células de hidrogênio (FCEVs). A hibridização não eletrificada é uma aposta da Tata e da Ford. As montadoras globais adotam estratégias globais, mas o palco das experimentações são EUA, Alemanha, Japão, Reino Unido e China. Apesar de haver experimentos das start - ups nas fases de pré - dominância, parece pouco provável que uma nova entrante venha a competir com as montadoras veteranas. Não se evidenciou qualquer movimento que indicasse estratégias tecnológicas que tenham emergido nas subsidiárias; na verdade, elas atuam como vetores na implantação das estratégias definidas pelas matrizes. Há uma derivação muito forte da vertical tecnológica Combustão Interna, os bi - combustíveis, em particular o flex - fuel brasileiro, com a dupla gasolina - etanol e o flex - fuel americano, com gás natural comprimido e gasolina ou diesel, apostas de Chrysler e General Motors. O desenvolvimento de combustíveis fósseis gasosos e renováveis líquidos como substitutos da gasolina e do diesel é mais robusto que os HEVs e acabam por se comportar como barreiras de entrada contra as formas alternativas de motorização. O design dominante atual continua \'dando as cartas\' e não demonstra que deixará de ser o paradigma em motorização. / The alternative forms of motorization and the current dominant design, the internal combustion engine (ICE), compete for the most attentions from the global automakers. Many technological strategies in motorization emerge all the time, whether to preserve the ICE, or to create alternatives to the current technological paradigm. During the years 2011 and 2012 25 global automakers were studied, representing 87% of global sales, through its strategic movements around the motorization. Using an exploratory multiple case research and a \"grounded research\" as the method, one collected close to 1,200 data and information related with technological strategies of automakers and other stakeholders of the automotive industry around the motorization. Hereafter, these data were classified according to the phases of dominance of the Suarez\' framework (2004). One built up a trio of constructs to support theoretical research: technological strategies, institutional theory and dominant design. Technological strategies in motorization develop into 4 technological verticals: Internal Combustion, Electrification, Electrified Hybridization and Non - Electrified Hybridization. There is more effort being undertaken in the post - dominance, which shows the desire of the automobile industry in extending ICE\'s life, exhausting it to the fullest. At this stage, there is relative homogeneity among automakers; they come to be isomorphic and to have mimetic behaviors. In the pre - dominance phases, however, there is great heterogeneity in the stages of research and development, technical feasibility and market creation of alternative powertrain; in seeking to create alternatives to ICE, all automakers are testing everything, but there are clearly more specific technological choices being made by each. One did not prove the \'bandwagon effect\' expected, so inferring that there are different interpretations among automakers about their institutional environment. Most automakers reveals more work with the electric hybrid vehicles at the stage of market creation phase, signaling that, after two decades of investment in alternatives to ICE, it would be time to make a decision around a single alternative technology; i.e., the Electrified Hybridization technological vertical technology is that who have approached a more forceful challenge to ICE. Some automakers stand out in electric vehicles (EVs), cases of Nissan - Renault and General Motors, others in electric hybrids vehicles (HEVs) and electric hybrid plug - in vehicles (PHEVs) like Toyota, Volkswagen - Audi and PSA Peugeot Citroën. Honda and Hyundai are confident in electric hybrid vehicles powered by hydrogen cells (FCEVs). Non - electrified hybridization is a bet of Tata and Ford. Global automakers adopt global strategies, but the stages for experiments are USA, Germany, Japan, United Kingdom and China. Although there are experiments of start - ups in the pre - dominance phases, it seems unlikely that a new entrant will compete with incumbent companies. There was no evidence to indicate any movement related with technological strategies that have emerged in the subsidiaries of the automakers; in fact, they act as vectors in the implementation of strategies defined by their headquarters. There is a very strong derivation from the Internal Combustion technological vertical, the bi - fuels, particularly flex - fuel in Brazil, based on the duo gasoline - ethanol and the north - american flex - fuel, with the duo compressed natural gas (CNG) and gasoline or diesel, actual bets of Chrysler and General Motors. The development of fossil fuels and renewable gaseous liquids as substitutes for gasoline and diesel is more robust than HEVs and eventually behave as entry barriers against alternative powertrains. The current powertrain dominant design continues \'distributing the cards\' and do not demonstrate that will stop being the paradigm in motorization.

宏碁在 2005 到2010 創造了爆發性營業額成長，這個高度成長已超過一般公司的表現；也引起 Dell 和 HP 研究 Acer 的威脅分析。每個公司都有它們的核心競爭能耐，去贏得在PC業界傑出表現的方程式。此論文動機是去發覺出真正Acer內部贏的方程式，看看這個公司在過去五年來；如何得到手提電腦中最高成長的市佔率。 有三個研究目的，此論文將研究: (1) 是什麼全球策略帶領新產品開發能力與技術創新? (2) 有什麼主要的新產品開發流程與系統，導致最低開發成本及最快的開發時程? (3) 客戶的評論與回饋如何影響產品計畫與管理方式。總之，本研究將找出Acer核心競爭力，在2005 到2010快速成長的五年。 此研究架構包含三的項目: (1) 全球策略: 全球，事業，和產品層次。(2) NPD 新產品開發流程的組織、流程、與系統。(3) 技術創新和其管理能力。我們用Acer這個擁有16%全球PC市佔公司來探究與其質量研究 。首要資料得到、收集、消化 ，都是從各個相關部門來增加資料正確性；如業務、行銷、產品管理、研發、與品質服務。但有些資料及表格式內容則由許多資深內部同仁的問卷調查和他們各別的想法。同時，研討最高階管理者，為何深刻影響全球資源整頓與分配? 看到內部NPD組織與不斷研發改善流程結合?最後，也看出什麼專案應包含那種NPD 系統的優化? 這本論文共發現了十個研究發現如下: （１）Acer的全球事業開發策略目標已經清楚定義事業團隊與NPD 新產品研發團隊相關工作職責（２）Acer 的全球外包策略也幫助公司的營運效率，也加強產品設計品質；藉由結合外部優勢資源與其管理能力。(3) Acer 管理層不斷推動的成本領導策略，來保持全球產品競爭力。(4) 四次在 2006-2009 M&A 事件，產生快速市佔提昇，但也付出相當整合資源投入。(5) 專案矩陣組織是最通用的，也讓最高管理者，快速安排適當開發資源，來控制時間、成本、和規格。(6) 在NPD開發中，簡化系統模組共同設計，來節省開發成本，也能創造市場中更有彈性產品。(7) 一個簡化的公司，藉由不斷流程精化與專案效能管理來達到最佳NPD境地。(8) 在不同的管理和功能團隊，都有導入NPD跨平台快速新技術能力。(9) 整合全球法務系統與資源，加強法務專利管理能力，並高度結合研發團隊與NPD 設計工程。(10) 聽取客戶端價值聲音，以改善產品規劃和品質，提昇其競爭力。 最後，有些實際有效建議，將會給在PC產業界事業和產品管理團隊思考策略管理計劃；並如果最佳化內部NPD系統去調整其各個不同層級研發流程、專案與組織的管理能耐和技術創新。這些建議將促使公司具有高度國際PC競爭力。 關鍵字: 宏碁 戴爾 惠普 新產品開發 核心競爭力 全球策略 技術創新 成本領導 研發 企業倂購 專案矩陣組織 出貨單元 / Acer has made rampaging business growth during 2005 – 2010. The outstanding and surpassing performance was an unusual case that induced Dell and HP to conduct Acer analysis projects how to react to the Acer’s threatens. Each company would have its core competence or competitive capability to make it a winning formula to attain breakthroughs in the PC industry. The motivation of this study is to figure out what real winning formula inside to keep Acer obtaining the highest market share and growth in laptop sales for the continuous five years till 2010 Q3. Three objectives will be studied in this thesis: (1) what are the global strategies that lead to new product development capability and technology innovation? (2) What are the key process and systems of new product development (NPD) that result in the lowest development cost and fastest development lead time? (3) How do customers’ comments and feedbacks impact product planning and management? In summary, this study is to explore Acer’s core competence that results in business rampaging growth during the years 2005 to 2010. Research framework of this study consists of three constructs: (1) Global strategies: global, business and product level, (2) NPD organizations, processes and systems, (3) Technology innovation and management capabilities. As an exploratory study, qualitative research is adopted to conduct case study on the firm – Acer, which has attained 16% global PC market share in 2010. For data collection and digestion, primary data were obtained through multiple sources of evidence and findings in order to increase its validity. Some data came from internal business and product development documents especially on sales, marketing, product management, R&D and quality service. There are other data sources such as articles’ tabular content, case study database, and senior colleagues’ notes and opinions to the above-mentioned questions. Why do top-management strategies of a corporate deeply influence allocation and integration of global resources? What does internal NPD organizational adaption should be engaged with continuous improving design process? Which projects could attain optimization of the NPD systems will be analyzed as well. Findings of this study are as below: 1. Acer business goal develops varies of global strategies that clearly define task ownerships between business teams and NPD teams. 2. Acer’s global outsourcing strategy may assist with company’s operational efficiency and enhance product design quality by leveraging talented resources with their capable management skill. 3. Acer cost leadership strategy driven by top management stays the sustainability of global competitiveness. 4. The four times M&A events increased market share significantly but took heavy resources to the companies being acquired during the years of 2006-2009. 5. Project matrix organization is most common one that allows top management to allocate capable development resources to control projects in schedule, cost, and specification. 6. Simplification with modularity of system design during NPD is to save development cost and create flexibility of product SKU to the market. 7. A learning company like Acer may improve internal NPD design defects by continuously taking process refinement and project management to achieve the best NPD practice. 8. A fast adaptability of new technology design in platform during NPD for different managerial and function teams to perform technology innovation. 9. To leverage global legal experienced resource and system to enhance legal management capability to closely engaged with R&D during NPD design works. 10. Listen to the value voices of customers for product planning and quality improvement may play a key refinement process to sustain product in competitiveness. At the end, practical suggestions will be given for companies in PC industry on business and product strategies management plan and how to optimize internal NPD system to refine process, project and organization by different level of management capabilities and technology innovation. That could render a company highly competitive in a global PC market place. Keywords: Acer, Dell, HP, NPD, core competence, global strategies, technology innovation, cost leadership, R&D, M&A, project matrix organization, SKU