Digitalization has given rise to new opportunities for small and medium-sized video game development studios. No longer bound by physical products and creative restrains, the de-veloper has been empowered with independency. This qualitative study is aimed to under-stand how a development studio develops their business model and how underlying strate-gy is formulated. Additionally we evaluate the degree of innovativeness of the business model in terms of radical and incremental innovation according to Damanpour (1991). To achieve this we present a comprehensive literature review as to gain a more theoretical un-derstanding of industry mechanics and to be able to comprehend reasoning behind existing business models. We structure the dynamics of the business model by analyzing nine busi-ness model aspects as suggested by Osterwalder, Pigneur and Clark (2010). Following our theoretical framework we gain practical input from four separate case studies. An interpret-ative research method is used to gain better understanding of reasoning and choices made. We interpret our findings following a narrative approach which shows that the digitaliza-tion has preluded a paradigm shift in the sense that development studios have started to adopt activities otherwise performed by key partners. As barriers dissipate small and me-dium-sized development studios try to make sense of the current industry, but struggle in doing so. Having to reinvent themselves we conclude that a focus towards creating thicker customer relationships is considered and the idea of seeing games as a service is acknowl-edged to depict the future of the industry. The conclusions of this study contribute to both academic science and industry practice.

Les recherches que nous avons menées dans cette thèse répondent à plusieurs problématiques concernant les groupes d’entreprises. Les deux premiers chapitres présentent le cadre d’analyse des groupes d’entreprises et la littérature théorique et empirique relative aux groupes d’entreprises et à leur performance financière. Les trois derniers chapitres s’interrogent sur la performance financière des entreprises appartenant à un groupe. Le premier concerne les déterminants de la performance financière des entreprises selon le contrôle du capital à partir de leurs caractéristiques. Le deuxième est relatif à la probabilité de rachat d’une entreprise indépendante selon ses caractéristiques. Le troisième teste comment l’appartenance à un groupe pourrait modifier la performance financière d’une entreprise indépendante. Les travaux abordés dans cette thèse ont donné lieu à des études économétriques qui se sont appuyées sur un échantillon qui offre un panorama économique représentatif de l’économie française en 2012. / This dissertation addresses several issues facing business groups. The first two chapters are focusing on business group analysis framework and the theoretical and empirical literature on business groups and their financial performance. The last three chapters question the financial performance of companies belonging to a group. The first concerns the determinants of the financial performance of companies according to the control of capital from data on their characteristics. The second relates to the probability of buying back an independent business according to its characteristics. The third tests how membership in a group could change the financial performance of an independent company. The work in this thesis has given rise to econometric studies that have been based on a sample that offers a representative economic panorama of the French economy in 2012.

The three branches of government rely on public engagement for the prosperity of the nation. Moreover, informed public opinion is a fundamental tenant of democracy. With that in mind, this paper aims to explore the relationship between the Judicial Branch and the public. Specifically, this paper examines and questions the Supreme Court’s efficacy communicating with the public. American constituents are inundated on a daily basis by the clamor of D.C. politics. The twenty four hour news cycle has given way to politicized headlines and exaggerated pundit commentary on contentious national issues. In a technological age where information is instant and the public has become accustomed to soundbites for education, the Supreme Court is left out of place. Both the Executive Branch and Legislative Branch converse directly with the public when necessary. Politicians frequently address their constituents or discuss complicated issues with voters first hand. However, the Supreme Court has rejected this strategy and instead relies almost exclusively on the press to relay their decisions. The judicial branch is the only third of our government without constant communication to the American people. As a result, the judiciary is relatively ignored by its citizens. By discussing a number of landmark cases since the turn of the century, this paper aims to analyze how those decisions were both announced to the public by the media and how the public received them. The Court has certainly adopted the press as an agent of communication. But is the media truly the proper outlet for the Court’s rulings?