This thesis investigates knowledge and learning in new technology-based firms (NTBFs) in an early-stage entrepreneurial ecosystem. Previous work on entrepreneurial learning suggests that experiential learning, vicarious learning and exploration are the learning types that entrepreneurs use to manage knowledge, and that this leads to the creation of entrepreneurial knowledge. While the majority of previous research involves entrepreneurial learning that is based on absorptive capacity (ACAP) to generate competitive advantage, this study examines how new venture teams (NVTs) manage new and prior knowledge when developing and commercialising software. The knowledge-based view (KBV) regards knowledge as the most important resource to allocate. This research adopts this approach in exploring how NVTs acquire, assimilate and use new knowledge. Based on a framework encompassing networks, prior knowledge and knowledge management the study explores, examines and analyses: i. Entrepreneurial networks; ii. Early-stage entrepreneurial ecosystems; iii. NVTs’ prior knowledge; and iv. Knowledge integration activities. The research adopts a qualitative approach and methodology comprising two stages. The first one captures the perceptions of multiple agents involved in the entrepreneurial networks in Colombia, from government, academia and support institutions (private and public). In the second stage eight NVTs from Medellín were asked to describe the resources and source of resources used when developing and commercialising the first innovative product while creating and establishing the NTBF; their answers were validated in a second interview using a mind map to illustrate key events and key sources of new knowledge. Analysis of the data reveals that even in early-stage entrepreneurial ecosystems, NVTs acquire knowledge from external sources, such as mentors, intermediaries and customers. This finding echoes the importance of ACAP in NTBF creation and survival. Moreover, NVTs acquire knowledge from internal sources of knowledge, such as new members, experience and formal education. In general, regardless of how related, specific and complementary the prior knowledge of the NVT is, all cases use external and internal knowledge integration activities. This study provides new insights into the nature of knowledge integration and has clarified distinctions between two key substantive capabilities in NTBFs: developing a technology and commercialising a new product. As regard to the KBV, the thesis also shows how entrepreneurial and innovative networks helped with the acquisition of new knowledge in an early-stage entrepreneurial ecosystem. This new knowledge can be market-related but also technical-related, and can also be acquired by outsourcing when the NVT’s knowledge base is not specialised in the technology that the firm offers. NVTs manage prior and new knowledge when developing and commercialising new technologies while they create and establish the NTBF, for by doing so they also focus on sales to maintain cash flow. The study suggests that members of NVTs work together, make decisions together and are both reflective and selective when choosing their sources of new knowledge in NTBFs. This study has important implications for policymakers and practitioners. While current policies and entrepreneurs recognise networks as the most important source of knowledge, findings of this research suggests that internal sources of knowledge are equally important, therefore NVTs must also develop internal knowledge integration abilities.

Empresas de base tecnológica (EBT\'s) necessitam criar produtos inovadores para sobreviver e competir no mercado. A criação de produtos que sustentem a competitividade das empresas depende diretamente do seu processo de desenvolvimento de produtos (PDP). Para superar as limitações inerentes de uma pequena empresa que precisa investir em pesquisa e desenvolvimento (P&D), as EBT\'s podem optar por instalar-se em parques tecnológicos. Esses ambientes são conhecidos por reunir diversos atores como universidades, institutos e laboratórios de pesquisa, empresas, incubadora, capitalistas de risco, agências de inovação, dentre outros, que buscam criar um ambiente propício à inovação. O objetivo desta pesquisa foi investigar como foi realizado o PDP em EBT\'s instaladas em parques tecnológicos. Além disso, foi investigado como os atores vinculados aos parques tecnológicos contribuíram para o PDP das empresas instaladas. A natureza da pesquisa é de cunho qualitativo, baseada no estudo de múltiplos casos, foram investigadas três empresas instaladas em parques tecnológicos das regiões Sul e Sudeste do Brasil. Nestas empresas foram estudados três PDP\'s, que resultaram nos seguintes produtos: monitor multiparamétrico, ondaleta e sistema de microfiltração. Os dados dos casos foram apresentados em duas matrizes de análise cruzada, sendo a primeira sobre como foi feito o PDP, e a segunda sobre como ocorreu as contribuições dos atores dos parques tecnológicos para o PDP das empresas estudadas. Dentre os achados desta pesquisa, destaca-se que o PDP dessas empresas e suas atividades de pesquisa tecnológica não são formalmente planejados. Na fase inicial do processo de desenvolvimento, as empresas utilizam sua própria equipe e buscam nas etapas seguintes a contribuição dos outros atores do parque. Verificou-se que a universidade foi um ator relevante em todos os casos estudados, contribuindo com as empresas por meio dos seus laboratórios de pesquisa e da relação informal de professores/pesquisadores com os colaboradores das empresas. Os produtos resultantes do PDP\'s das empresas foram identificados como inovações incrementais, inéditos para o mercado nacional, mas com tecnologias já conhecidas no mercado internacional. Uma das limitações desta pesquisa é inerente aos estudos de múltiplos casos cujos achados e conclusões não podem ser generalizadas para o universo das EBT\'s instaladas em parques. Por fim, sugere-se que sejam estudados o PDP de empresas instaladas em parque tecnológicos, que não estejam vinculados a universidades. / Technology-based firms (NTBF) need to create innovative products to survive and compete on the market. The creation of products that support the competitiveness of enterprises depends directly of your product development process (PDP). To overcome the inherent limitations of a small firm which need to invest in research and development (R&D), the NTBF can choose to install in technology parks. These environments are known for bringing together diverse actors such as universities, institutes and research laboratories, companies, incubators, venture capitalists, innovation agencies, among others, who seek to create an environment conducive to innovation. The objective of this research was to investigate how the PDP was held in NTBF installed in technological parks. Furthermore, we investigated how the actors linked to technological parks contributed to the PDP established firms. The nature of research is a qualitative study, based on a multiple case study of three firms installed in a technology parks in South and Southeast regions of Brazil. These firms were studied three PDPs, which resulted in the following products: multiparameter monitor, ondaleta and microfiltration system. The case data were presented in two arrays of cross-examination, the first was done on the PDP, and the second on the contributions of actors involved on the technological parks for the PDP of the firms studied. Among the findings of this study, it is emphasized that the PDP of these companies and their technological research activities are not formally planned. In the initial phase of the development process, companies use their own staff and seek in the following steps the contribution of the other actors in the park. It was found that the university was a major player in all the cases studied, contributing the companies through its research labs and informal contacts of professors/researchers with employees of the companies. Products made by PDP\'s enterprises were identified as inedited for the domestic market, but non inedited in the international market. One limitation of this research is inherent to multiple case studies, whose findings and conclusions can not be generalized to the universe of NTBF installed in parks. Finally, it is suggested that the PDP are studied installed in technological park companies that are not affiliated with universities.

Dialogical communication is considered to be the most ethical way of practicing public relations. Especially social medias’ potential for engaging in dialogue is mostly not exploited to its full potential. This study aims to shed light on new technology-based firms’ use of dialogical communication on Twitter. The focus hereby is on the formal side of dialogue and not on its content. Moreover possible explanations for the presence or absence of dialogue are taken into consideration. To be able to classify the results they are discussed in the context of the Fortune 500 companies’ use of Twitter. In order to do so a content analysis of both the Twitter profiles and tweets of 89 new technology-based firms was undertaken. The results showed that the Fortune 500 companies were communicating more dialogically than the new technology-based firms did. Bigger companies engaged in dialogue more often. The performance was furthermore improved by listening rather than posting. An implication is that a profound knowledge of communication is necessary in order to use the social medium successfully. A pure knowledge of technology was not found to be beneficial for this public relations practice.

Empresas de base tecnológica (EBT\'s) necessitam criar produtos inovadores para sobreviver e competir no mercado. A criação de produtos que sustentem a competitividade das empresas depende diretamente do seu processo de desenvolvimento de produtos (PDP). Para superar as limitações inerentes de uma pequena empresa que precisa investir em pesquisa e desenvolvimento (P&D), as EBT\'s podem optar por instalar-se em parques tecnológicos. Esses ambientes são conhecidos por reunir diversos atores como universidades, institutos e laboratórios de pesquisa, empresas, incubadora, capitalistas de risco, agências de inovação, dentre outros, que buscam criar um ambiente propício à inovação. O objetivo desta pesquisa foi investigar como foi realizado o PDP em EBT\'s instaladas em parques tecnológicos. Além disso, foi investigado como os atores vinculados aos parques tecnológicos contribuíram para o PDP das empresas instaladas. A natureza da pesquisa é de cunho qualitativo, baseada no estudo de múltiplos casos, foram investigadas três empresas instaladas em parques tecnológicos das regiões Sul e Sudeste do Brasil. Nestas empresas foram estudados três PDP\'s, que resultaram nos seguintes produtos: monitor multiparamétrico, ondaleta e sistema de microfiltração. Os dados dos casos foram apresentados em duas matrizes de análise cruzada, sendo a primeira sobre como foi feito o PDP, e a segunda sobre como ocorreu as contribuições dos atores dos parques tecnológicos para o PDP das empresas estudadas. Dentre os achados desta pesquisa, destaca-se que o PDP dessas empresas e suas atividades de pesquisa tecnológica não são formalmente planejados. Na fase inicial do processo de desenvolvimento, as empresas utilizam sua própria equipe e buscam nas etapas seguintes a contribuição dos outros atores do parque. Verificou-se que a universidade foi um ator relevante em todos os casos estudados, contribuindo com as empresas por meio dos seus laboratórios de pesquisa e da relação informal de professores/pesquisadores com os colaboradores das empresas. Os produtos resultantes do PDP\'s das empresas foram identificados como inovações incrementais, inéditos para o mercado nacional, mas com tecnologias já conhecidas no mercado internacional. Uma das limitações desta pesquisa é inerente aos estudos de múltiplos casos cujos achados e conclusões não podem ser generalizadas para o universo das EBT\'s instaladas em parques. Por fim, sugere-se que sejam estudados o PDP de empresas instaladas em parque tecnológicos, que não estejam vinculados a universidades. / Technology-based firms (NTBF) need to create innovative products to survive and compete on the market. The creation of products that support the competitiveness of enterprises depends directly of your product development process (PDP). To overcome the inherent limitations of a small firm which need to invest in research and development (R&D), the NTBF can choose to install in technology parks. These environments are known for bringing together diverse actors such as universities, institutes and research laboratories, companies, incubators, venture capitalists, innovation agencies, among others, who seek to create an environment conducive to innovation. The objective of this research was to investigate how the PDP was held in NTBF installed in technological parks. Furthermore, we investigated how the actors linked to technological parks contributed to the PDP established firms. The nature of research is a qualitative study, based on a multiple case study of three firms installed in a technology parks in South and Southeast regions of Brazil. These firms were studied three PDPs, which resulted in the following products: multiparameter monitor, ondaleta and microfiltration system. The case data were presented in two arrays of cross-examination, the first was done on the PDP, and the second on the contributions of actors involved on the technological parks for the PDP of the firms studied. Among the findings of this study, it is emphasized that the PDP of these companies and their technological research activities are not formally planned. In the initial phase of the development process, companies use their own staff and seek in the following steps the contribution of the other actors in the park. It was found that the university was a major player in all the cases studied, contributing the companies through its research labs and informal contacts of professors/researchers with employees of the companies. Products made by PDP\'s enterprises were identified as inedited for the domestic market, but non inedited in the international market. One limitation of this research is inherent to multiple case studies, whose findings and conclusions can not be generalized to the universe of NTBF installed in parks. Finally, it is suggested that the PDP are studied installed in technological park companies that are not affiliated with universities.

The author analyzed three different perspectives of the development of new technology-based firms (NTBFs) from the resource-based view. The first article discusses how the resource base impacts the internationalization behavior of German NTBFs. Some companies go international early, some internationalize only after a few years. We argued that the resource base is a substantial factor determining if a NTBF will internationalize or not. In the second article, we analyze how the resource base impacts the survival of German NTBFs. We argued that a lack of sufficient resources can lead to early business failure. We further state that the different resources are necessary to fulfill the requirements within the development phases of the NTBF. To broaden our perspective we combined the resource-based view with the market view. In the third article, we analyzed how the resource base impacts the business model innovation of NTBFs. The business model for NTBFs must often be tailored to fulfill the requirements of potential customers or to further grow the business. A sufficient resource base is necessary to be able to change the business model and buffer the transition phase.

The author analyzed three different perspectives of the development of new technology-based firms (NTBFs) from the resource-based view. The first article discusses how the resource base impacts the internationalization behavior of German NTBFs. Some companies go international early, some internationalize only after a few years. We argued that the resource base is a substantial factor determining if a NTBF will internationalize or not. In the second article, we analyze how the resource base impacts the survival of German NTBFs. We argued that a lack of sufficient resources can lead to early business failure. We further state that the different resources are necessary to fulfill the requirements within the development phases of the NTBF. To broaden our perspective we combined the resource-based view with the market view. In the third article, we analyzed how the resource base impacts the business model innovation of NTBFs. The business model for NTBFs must often be tailored to fulfill the requirements of potential customers or to further grow the business. A sufficient resource base is necessary to be able to change the business model and buffer the transition phase.:1 Introduction 2 Research gap 3 Different themes on NTBF research 4 The resource-based perspective 5 Corresponding research project 6 Scientific contribution for the doctoral thesis 7 Further academic and practical contributions 8 Acknowledgement 9 Literature 10 Declaration of authorship 11 Appendix

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No. of bitstreams: 1 71070100694.pdf: 3087524 bytes, checksum: 28f7797fdc05a8da457608ae7810dcff (MD5) Previous issue date: 2011-02-10 / This thesis aims at analysing the influence of incubator’s marketing support and entrepreneurial orientation of the firms on the new product development process of incubated technologically-based firms. In order to analyse this process, a model of product development for technologically-based firms was developed from a base model, which was improved regarding the definition and measurement of some of its constructs and to which the influence of the two factors above were included. The developed model was operationalized by a structural equation model. The research methodology is a survey where pretested scales were applied to measure the constructs. The target population is technologically-based firms developed in technological incubators in Brazil, the response rate was 63%, respondents represent incubators in all regions of Brazil and 22 high-tech sectors. This research presents academic and managerial contributions. Among the academic contributions, it was found empirical evidence about the relationship between incubators’ marketing support and firms’ marketing synergy, however, this support does not change accordingly to the uncertainty of the business environment of the firms, which should happen because the entrepreneurs need more support to make decisions in a high uncertainty environment. Another contribution was the empirical evidence that the way entrepreneurs align their business according to the turbulence of environment contradicts to some previous studies, specifically in relation to the degree of product innovation and marketing synergy. In relation to the degree of product innovation, the results show that in a low uncertainty environment there is a higher correlation between entrepreneurial orientation and the degree of product innovation, according to previous studies this should happen in high uncertainty environment where the clients are not able to specify precisely product’s requirements, so there are more opportunities for the firms to develop innovative products. In relation to the marketing synergy, the results show that in a high uncertainty environment there is a higher correlation between entrepreneurial orientation and marketing synergy, according to previous studies this should happen in low uncertainty environment where the clients are able to define clearly product’s requirements, which are often incremental innovations. Among the managerial contributions, the research provides a comprehensive view of the number of technology-based firms per geographical region and per sector, which enables the identification of high-tech sectors where there are not so many firms, so such sectors can be good opportunities to develop new firms. Besides, the research allows entrepreneurs to assess their positioning in relation to other firms in the same sector about the product development time and sales growth rate. The research will also provide to incubator managers an assessment of their marketing support in relation to that of other incubators in Brazil. / Esta tese visa analisar a influência do suporte de marketing da incubadora e da orientação empreendedora das empresas no processo de desenvolvimento de novos produtos de empresas de base tecnológica incubadas. A fim de se analisar tal processo, elaborou-se um modelo de desenvolvimento de produtos de empresas de base tecnológica a partir de um modelo base, que foi melhorado quanto à definição e mensuração de alguns construtos e ao qual foram acrescentadas as influências dos dois fatores acima mencionados. O modelo elaborado foi operacionalizado por intermédio de um modelo de equações estruturais. A metodologia de pesquisa é um survey em que se utilizou de escalas pré-testadas a fim de se mensurar os construtos. A população-alvo é composta por empresas de base tecnológica desenvolvidas em incubadoras do tipo tecnológica situadas no Brasil, a taxa de resposta foi de 63% e os respondentes representam incubadoras em todas as regiões do Brasil e 22 setores de alta tecnologia. Esta pesquisa apresenta contribuições acadêmicas e gerenciais. Dentre as contribuições acadêmicas, encontrou-se evidências empíricas da relação entre o suporte de marketing da incubadora e a sinergia de marketing das empresas, no entanto, tal suporte não se altera em função da incerteza do ambiente de negócios da empresa, o que deveria ocorrer pois os empreendedores necessitam de maior suporte para tomar decisões em ambientes com alta incerteza. Outra contribuição acadêmica foi a evidência empírica de que a forma como os empreendedores orientam seu negócio em função da turbulência do ambiente contradiz alguns estudos anteriores, especificamente em relação ao grau de inovação do produto e a sinergia de marketing. A respeito do grau de inovação do produto, os resultados indicam que em um ambiente de baixa incerteza há uma maior correlação entre a orientação empreendedora e o grau de inovação do produto, segundo estudos anteriores tal fato deveria ocorrer em ambiente de alta incerteza em que os clientes não conseguem especificar precisamente os requisitos do produto, assim, haveria maior oportunidade para as empresas desenvolverem produtos inovadores. A respeito da sinergia de marketing, os resultados indicam que em um ambiente de alta incerteza há uma maior correlação entre a orientação empreendedora e a sinergia de marketing, segundo estudos anteriores tal fato deveria ocorrer em ambiente de baixa incerteza em que os clientes conseguem definir claramente os requisitos de produto, que em geral são inovações incrementais. Dentre as contribuições gerenciais, a pesquisa fornece um panorama do número de empresas de base tecnológica por estado e por setor, o que favorece a identificação de setores de alta tecnologia onde não existem muitas empresas, e portanto, tais setores podem se constituir em boas oportunidades para desenvolver novas empresas. Além disso, a pesquisa possibilita aos empreendedores avaliar seu posicionamento em relação a outras empresas do mesmo setor em função do tempo de desenvolvimento de produtos e da taxa de crescimento de vendas. A pesquisa também fornecerá aos gerentes de incubadoras uma avaliação do seu suporte de marketing em relação ao de outras incubadoras no Brasil.

In recent decades, numerous prominent scholars have highlighted the fact that small and medium sized firms in general, and new technology-based firms in particular, represent an important source of innovation and economic growth. The success of new technology-based firms is further argued to be closely linked to innovation capacity and performance, which in turn depends on the context in which the company is located. This study investigates how contextual factors affect the performance of new technology-based firms in Sweden. This was done through a multiple case study, where a data set of 48 new technology-based firms were analysed both quantitatively and qualitatively. The quantitative analysis outlined correlations between the firms’ context and their respective change in market value over time. The qualitative analysis examined these correlations in more detail by evaluating how firms were affected by specific contextual factors. This analysis was based on semi-structured interviews conducted with a sample of 11 firms from the data set. The result indicates that firms located in metropolitan cities and university cities, on average, have a higher proportion of high-performing firms compared to firms from other cities. Stockholm further stands out with the highest proportion of firms among the top performing firms and the lowest proportion of firms among the bottom performing firms. The result further highlights three main contextual factors that were consistently emphasised by interviewees as being particularly important for their firm performance; these factors were local access to 1) skilled and specialisedworkforce followed by 2) risk capital and finally 3) customer proximity. / Under de senaste decennierna har många framstående forskare konstaterat att små och medelstoraföretag i allmänhet, och nya teknikbaserade företag i synnerhet, utgör en viktig källa till innovation och ekonomisk tillväxt. Nya teknikbaserade företags framgång anses vidare vara nära sammankopplat med deras innovationskapacitet och prestation, som i sin tur har visat sig bero på den kontext som företaget befinner sig i. Denna studie undersöker hur kontextuella faktorer påverkar företagsprestationen för nya teknologibaserade företag i Sverige. Detta gjordes genom en flerfallstudie, där en datamängd på 48 nya teknikbaserade företag analyserades både kvantitativt och kvalitativt. Den kvantitativa analysen undersökte samband mellan vilken kontext företagen befunnit sig i och hur deras respektive marknadsvärde förändrats över tid. Den kvalitativa analysen utforskade sedan dessa samband mer ingående genom att utvärdera hur företagen påverkats avspecifika kontextuella faktorer. Denna analys grundades på semi-strukturerade intervjuer med elva företag från datamängden. Resultatet indikerar att företag belägna i storstäder och universitetsstäder i genomsnitt har en högre andel högpresterande företag jämfört med företag från andra stadstyper. Stockholm utmärker sig vidare med den högsta andelen företag bland de bäst presterande företagen i datasetet, och den lägsta andelen företag bland de sämst presterande företagen. Resultatet belyser vidare tre huvudsakliga kontextuella faktorer som konsekvent betonades vara bland de viktigaste för företagets prestation; dessa faktorer motsvarade lokaltillgång till 1) skicklig och specialiserad arbetskraft följt av 2) riskkapital och slutligen 3) kundnärhet.