With the development of multinational corporations, the United Kingdom has experienced increasing penetration of its economy by foreign affiliates. This is particularly noticeable in high technology industries such as Electrical and Instrument Engineering. The thesis identifies the mechanism by which direct foreign investment can influence industrial structure in such an industry; charts the effects within the UK Electrical and Instrument Engineering Industry; and identifies the extent to which this impact varies with the nationality of the investor. The study begins with a synthesis of the comprehensive and complex material available upon industrial/market structure and direct foreign investment. Chapters 2 and 3 demonstrate that the structure of Electrical and Instrument Engineering has changed significantly since the inter-war years. Productive capacity has expanded faster than that of any other UK industry. Throughout the minimum-list-headings of the industry market power has become more concentrated in the hands of the largest companies. Individual affiliates now display greater product specialisation and vertical integration, whilst the level of entry barriers has risen steadily. The model presented in chapter-3 hypothesises that direct foreign investment can be related to industrial structure in three distinct ways. Firstly, that a relationship exists between the distribution of foreign affiliates 11 25 I and the structural characteristics of the industries in which they operate. Secondly, that a similar relationship exists across the minimum-list-headings of each individual industry. Thirdly, that the operating characteristics of foreign affiliates in any individual minimum-list-heading differ from those of domestic companies. The first two of these are termed the Destination impact, and the third the Behavioural impact of direct foreign investment. The results of a survey of over 500 British and foreign owned companies, sub-divided by origin and size, suggest that foreign affiliates have contributed significantly to the changing structure of Electrical and Instrument Engineering both in their destination and behaviour. The destination of foreign investors was significantly related to areas displaying the fastest growth of productive capacity; imperfection of competition; technologically specialised and vertically integrated operations; and high barriers to entry. The behaviour of individual foreign affiliates was found to differ significantly from that of their UK counterparts (including affiliates of UK multinationals). Foreign owned companies exhibited high levels of sales. growth and efficiency; a disproportionate impact upon the distribution of market power; greater product specialisation and levels of vertical integration; and a significant contribution to the level of entry barriers. This influence was compounded by a greater productivity and profitability in the foreign affiliate; a differing pattern of geographical location to that of UK owned establishments; and a domestic reaction by UK companies and the government to foreign penetration. Variations within the foreign group were related to geographical origin. The total operations of US affiliates were most significant, but investors from EEC countries displayed characteristics which varied most from those of UK companies. The study concludes by relating changes in industrial structure to the presence of foreign affiliates, and outlining the implications of further foreign involvement

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This thesis addresses two questions to understand the current situation of technology in Atlanta: Is Atlanta an ideal location for a technology cluster to form? Does a true technology cluster exist in Atlanta? According to cluster literature, there are seven characteristics required for emerging clusters: a high-quality, powerful research university; a skilled labor pool; funding (R&D, venture capital, etc.); favorable policies; linkages; certain city characteristics; and luck. There also are several somewhat-vague characteristics that show success in a cluster. Among these are agglomeration, innovation (where funding and employment are two measures of innovation), and growth. In order to provide a comprehensive assessment of the answers to the two questions, a mixture of summary statistics, shallow case studies, previous analysis, and comparisons of Atlanta with other clusters are blended together to assess Atlanta's performance on each of the characteristics outlined in theory. Where possible, more than one of these measures are used. Of the seven necessary characteristics of cluster creation set out by theory, Atlanta seems to have achieved a passing grade regarding research university, labor pool, and city characteristics, but has a failing grade on policy and linkages. One interesting finding is that Atlanta receives a strong amount of venture capital investment in start-ups but is lacking in later stage companies. Atlanta's success as a cluster is dubious. It has proven somewhat successful in start-ups and in the so-called "Level II" technology companies that have lower levels of technology-oriented jobs and that tend to be more manufacturing focused. It is also possible that a technology cluster is forming in Atlanta, but that it is still in its infancy. With regard to policy, it is recommended that Atlanta gain certain policies that will allow for the characteristics of cluster formation (particularly investment and linkages--since those are the areas where Atlanta is or possibly is lacking) and replace policies that will hinder the growth of technology and investment in the technology industries.

Thesis (MBA)--Stellenbosch University, 2013. / South African companies, as well as international companies using South Africa as a base, that have reached an appropriate size, track record and capacity to consider expanding abroad often look at business opportunities in their neighbouring countries, specifically those that are members of the Southern African Development Corporation (SADC). The markets and business environment of the 15 members in the Community differ substantially amongst themselves, but each has some characteristics and business potential to recommend it to the expansion seeking SA corporation. This paper provides an exhaustive analysis of the SADC's economic environment and characteristics. As such, it makes sense for a South African company that produces high-technology products or services and sells in the business-to-business market space to explore markets in geographical proximity to itself. The existence of the SADC region as a trade block, its associated objectives to improve regional inter-trade and regional socio-economic stability and established infrastructure motivates the focus of this study. It is envisaged that further study could be suggested to identify and develop methods to ascertain market feasibility that could be applied to other countries in Africa and in the world market. According to Thompson (2006b: 1), a business feasibility study can be defined as “a controlled process for identifying problems and opportunities, determining objectives, describing situations, defining successful outcomes and asssesing the range of costs and benefits associated with several alternatives for solving a problem.” The identification, extraction, presentation and consolidation of lessons learnt could benefit new market entrants by identifying possible pitfalls before they embark on a market entry campaign. The study delves into the intricacies of doing business in emerging economies, doing business in Africa and doing business in SADC countries. The external and internal forces that could prove instrumental and decisive in the success of an organisation that seeks to measure market feasibility is examined, thus identifying key warning signs or hazards that would hamper feasibility before embarking on costly business plans and marketing campaigns. The study develops a proposed decision support matrix to determine market feasibility. This matrix could prove useful as a preliminary investigation tool for companies active in the sector and exploring the different geographical markets in question to base an initial business decision on, prior to investing in a business plan or more focused business intelligence.

本論文旨在探討由傳統產業至高科技產業之間，不同的技術密集度之下，企業主持人 的管理風格應如何調適，以提昇企業績效。全文計四萬餘字，分為五章，各章內容為 ： 第一章為緒論，含研究動機，研究目的，研究架構等。 第二章為文獻探討，討論有關技術密集度之定義，管理風格之理論等。 第三章為研究方法，含研究過程，統計方法等。 第四章為結果分析與假設驗證，探討企業主持人獨立變項與技術密集度及企業績效的 關係，並驗證若干原先所作的假設。 第五章為研究結論，包括研究限制與建議，並提出適於不同技術密集度產業的管理風 格。

This study addresses itself to several issues in relation to public education in the United States. First, it examines the basic social philosophies underlying the development of mass education in the United States. Secondly, it asks the question: what is the purpose of public education? Thirdly, it relates the development of public education to a dominant source of social change--industrialization, and examines the relationship between the structure and function of education in the 1800's and early 1900's, and the needs of the marketplace. Fourthly, it examines the relationship between the curricula of education in the 1980's and the needs of high technology in the marketplace.

Purpose - A research gap was identified in relation to the production related factors during ramp-up. Therefore, the purpose of the study was to “simplify production ramp-up by defining how measures could be prioritised in high technology company.” Method – The study used a single-case study method with a qualitative and explorative approach. This method was used to gain in-depth knowledge of the case. The study was conducted at Saab, a high technology company within the aerospace industry. Findings – The findings included a list of critical factors for ramp-up control and two additional critical factors that are relevant to high technology companies, along with five additional measures. From the case the main critical factors were related to personnel, education and experience. Implications – The study has contributed with a simplified ramp-up control method with implications for high technology industries. The new method will contribute to a more effective time to volume phase relevant for both practitioners and researchers. Limitations - As the study uses a new ramp-up control method it has only been applied to one case. The complete data from the case cannot be showcased due to secrecy.

A Customização em Massa é uma estratégia de negócios relativamente recente que foi idealizada em meados dos anos oitenta, emergiu no meio empresarial em meados dos anos noventa, e, desde então tem sido adotada por muitas empresas devido ao diferencial competitivo que propicia. O objetivo desta estratégia é atender os desejos individuais dos clientes em grande escala e com maior lucratividade para a empresa. A adoção bem sucedida da Customização em Massa exige profundas alterações em áreas críticas das empresas. O objetivo do presente trabalho é, num primeiro momento, avaliar quais são essas áreas críticas que necessitam mudanças, e num segundo momento, quais são os elementos capacitadores necessários. O trabalho apresenta um modelo conceitual de definições sobre capacitação organizacional, competência funcional, técnicas operacionais e recursos organizacionais. Posteriormente verificou-se a influência destes elementos nos processos e como se dá a aplicação dos mesmos em diferentes setores industriais. A realização deste estudo baseou-se em cleta de dados por meio de questionários e na aplicação do método de estudo de caso em empresas de dois setores industriais, o automobilístico e o de alta tecnologia. A escolha destes setores justifica-se pelo fato deles se encontrarem, historicamente, na vanguarda da adoção das melhores práticas empresariais. Como resultado constatou-se que determinados elementos capacitam a empresa para a Customização em Massa em um setor mas não para outro, ou seja, não existe uma solução genérica para a capacitação organizacional em Customização em Massa. Observou-se também que a simples adoção dos elementos capacitadores não gera a competência funcional requerida em determinada área crítica para a geração desta capacitação organizacional; é também necessário que haja sinergia na aplicação destes elementos. / The customization is a recent strategy that appeared in the middle of 80\'s and currently it emerged in the enterprise environment. Such strategy has been adopted for many companies due to the competitive differential that it supplies. The objective of this strategy is to fulfill the most specific customers\' desires in large-scale and with increasing profitability to the company. The successful adoption of Mass Customization demand deep changes in many critical areas of the enterprise. The purpose of this paper is to analyses which are the critical areas that need to be changed, and which are the Mass Customization enablers. This research presents a conceptual definitions for resources, operational techniques, competences, and organizational capabilities required for Mass Customization. The paper presents a literature review on the issue of planning and deploying Mass Customization initiatives pointing out important resources and techniques that have been adopted by the adherents of this new strategy. It was perceived the influence of these enablers in its respective processes and its different applications in different industrial sectors. To this was adopted the method of case survey in two differents sectors, the automobile and high technology. This choice was proposital because this sector are in the vanguard of the best practices adoption. To have a valid classification of the enablers was elaborated two models. As a result was perceived that some enablers could be applied to one sector and not applied in others to reach the Mass Customization capacity. It does not exist a generic solution for a Mass Customization strategy adoption, because different sectors demands different enablers. It was also observed that the simple adoption of this enablers does not generate the enterprise competence demanded, being necessary the existence of a synergy between and focus of these enablers.

The purpose of this descriptive quantitative and basic qualitative study was to examine fifth and eighth grade science teachers' responses, perceptions of the role of technology in the classroom, and how they felt that computer applications, tools, and the Internet influence student understanding. The purposeful sample included survey and interview responses from fifth grade and eighth grade general and physical science teachers. Even though they may not be generalizable to other teachers or classrooms due to a low response rate, findings from this study indicated teachers with fewer years of teaching science had a higher level of computer use but less computer access, especially for students, in the classroom. Furthermore, teachers' choice of professional development moderated the relationship between the level of school performance and teachers' knowledge/skills, with the most positive relationship being with workshops that occurred outside of the school. Eighteen interviews revealed that teachers perceived the role of technology in classroom instruction mainly as teacher-centered and supplemental, rather than student-centered activities. / by Rebecca Kerr. / Thesis (Ph.D.)--Florida Atlantic University, 2013. / Includes bibliography. / Mode of access: World Wide Web. / System requirements: Adobe Reader.

Submitted by Mariana Dornelles Vargas (marianadv) on 2015-06-01T17:08:40Z No. of bitstreams: 1 processo_prestacao.pdf: 3293008 bytes, checksum: a8fb43174d74dd2be5eb011e9b9e48d7 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2015-06-01T17:08:40Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 processo_prestacao.pdf: 3293008 bytes, checksum: a8fb43174d74dd2be5eb011e9b9e48d7 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2014-03-21 / Nenhuma / As empresas prestadoras de serviços têm um grande destaque na economia brasileira, apresentando uma participação no Produto Interno Bruto (PIB) em torno de 70%, algo muito parecido com a maioria dos países desenvolvidos. Muitos destas empresas prestam serviço para outras organizações e, com isso, contam com características que lhes são particulares. Dentro deste contexto, os serviços empresariais intensivos em conhecimento atuam com grande relevância. Estes provedores utilizam-se do conhecimento que detém internamente para construir soluções customizadas a cada comprador, disseminando esse conhecimento em forma de aplicações práticas úteis ao dia-a-dia organizacional de seus clientes. Alguns destes provedores está envolto em ambientes de alta tecnologia, diferenciados por exigir altos investimentos financeiros e um nível ótimo de monitoria de mercado. Esta dissertação analisou a díade provedor-comprador neste contexto de prestação de serviços empresariais intensivos em conhecimento e envoltos em um ambiente de alta tecnologia a fim de desenhar um modelo de gestão capaz de auxiliar administradores e pesquisadores da área de operações em suas atividades profissionais. Para tal, utilizou-se primeiramente de um conjunto de estudos para compor um modelo conceitual inicial. Na sequência, efetuou uma revisão sistemática da literatura que contou com 106 artigos científicos como forma de detalhamento do modelo delineado previamente. Logo mais, realizou um estudo de caso da díade provedor-cliente para o levantamento de dados empíricos que fossem capazes de levar a uma discussão prática do modelo refinado. Nesta etapa foram entrevistados oito clientes empresariais e quatro representantes de um provedor de serviços metrológicos, ambiente caracterizado por utilização de alta tecnologia e alto conhecimento. Após a análise de conteúdo das entrevistas semiestruturadas realizadas foi levantada uma série de evidências empíricas que sugeriram a real aplicabilidade do modelo conceitual delineado. A pesquisa se encerrou discutindo possíveis implicações gerenciais e acadêmicas e sugerindo temas para continuidade dos estudos. / The service providers have a major highlight in the Brazilian economy, with a share of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of around 70%, something very similar to most developed countries. Many of these companies provide service to other organizations and, therefore, have characteristics that are peculiar to them. Within this context, knowledge intensive business services act with great relevance. These providers are used internally holds that knowledge to build customized solutions to every buyer, disseminating this knowledge in the form of useful practical applications to organizational day-to-day buyers. Some of these providers are encased in high-tech environments, distinguished by high capital investment and require a great level of monitoring market. This dissertation analyzed the buyer - provider dyad in this context to provide knowledge intensive business services and wrapped in a high tech environment in order to design a management model able to assist administrators and researchers operating in their professional activities. For this purpose, we used a first set of studies to compose an initial conceptual model. Following, conducted a systematic literature review that included 106 scientific articles as a way of detailing the model previously outlined. Soon, conducted a case study of provider - customer dyad to survey empirical data they were able to lead to a practical discussion of the refined model. At this stage, we interviewed eight business customers and four representatives of a provider metrological services environment characterized by use of high technology and high knowledge. After content analysis of semistructured interviews was raised one set of empirical evidence that suggested the actual applicability of the outlined conceptual model. The search ended with a discussion about managerial and academic implications and suggesting topics for continuing studies.