Bakgrund: Efter utbrottet av covid-19 har många branscher upplevt ökat behov av distansarbete. I synnerhet hos IT-konsultbolag efterfrågas distansarbete ännu mer bland IT-konsulterna. Vid distansarbete har formella styrmedel, det vill säga resultat- och beteendekontroll, visat sig användas i en större utsträckning eftersom att distansarbete försvårar kontroll över de anställda. Teknisk innovation, som är kritiskt för IT-konsultbolags överlevnad efter pandemins utbrott, riskerar däremot att bli hämmat av formella styrmedel. Dock finns det inte många undersökningar om hur formella styrmedel vidare påverkar teknisk innovation när IT-konsultbolag inför mer distansarbete. Därmed blir detta intressant att undersöka.  Syfte: Studien syftar till att skapa förståelse för hur pandemin har påverkat användning av styrmedel och styrmedlens påverkan på innovation när distansarbete har införts.  Metod: Studien genomförs med en kvalitativ forskningsstrategi och utgår ifrån ett hermeneutiskt perspektiv. Därtill används en abduktiv forskningsansats. En flerfallsstudie har utförts där empirisk data samlats in via semistrukturerade intervjuer från tre IT-konsultbolag. Däribland intervjuades nio respondenter med positionerna IT-konsult, projektledare och chef och dessa har förståelse för företagets formella styrmedel och teknisk innovation.  Slutsats: Uppsatsen kommer fram till att pandemin delvis påverkat formella styrmedel via de tre studerade faktorerna produktivitet, förtroende och kommunikation. Produktivitet har ökat vid distansarbete, förtroende har bibehållits på samma nivå och kommunikationen fungerar generellt sett lika bra. Det leder till att resultatkontroll används på samma sätt och beteendekontroll används i något högre utsträckning. Vidare påverkas teknisk innovation av formella styrmedel via de tre faktorerna motivation, kortsiktigt tänkande och flexibilitet efter utbrottet av pandemin. För att uppnå ökad motivation och större flexibilitet bör företagen sträva efter att införa tight resultatkontroll och lös beteendekontroll. Vidare har inte tight resultatkontroll lett till något hot för teknisk innovation via varken kortsiktigt tänkande eller minskad motivation. Dessutom verkar den fortsatt lösa beteendekontrollen ha bidragit till goda möjligheter till teknisk innovation eftersom det möjliggjort stor flexibilitet och ökad motivation. / Background: Following the outbreak of covid-19, many industries have experienced an increased need for telework. Particularly with IT consulting companies, teleworking is even more in demand among IT consultants. When working remotely, formal control systems, i.e result and action control, have been shown to be used to a greater extent because teleworking makes it difficult to control employees. Technological innovation, which is critical for the survival of IT consulting companies after the outbreak of the pandemic, risks being hampered by formal control systems. However, there are not many studies on how the formal control systems affect technological innovation when more teleworking is introduced in IT consulting companies. Thus, this becomes interesting to investigate. Purpose: The study aims to create an understanding of how the pandemic has affected the use of formal control systems and the control systems' impact on innovation when teleworking has been introduced.  Methodology: The study is carried out with a qualitative research strategy and is based on a hermeneutic perspective. In addition, an abductive research approach is used. A multiple case study has been performed where empirical data was collected by semi-structured interviews from three IT consulting companies. Among them, nine respondents were interviewed with the positions IT consultant, project manager and manager and they had an understanding of the company's formal control systems and technological innovation. Conclusion: The pandemic has partly affected formal control systems through the three factors studied: productivity, trust and communication. Productivity has increased, trust has stayed the same and communication generally works just as well. This leads to result control being used similarly and action control being used to a somewhat greater extent. Further, technological innovation is influenced by formal control systems by three factors: motivation, short-term thinking and flexibility after the outbreak of the pandemic. To achieve increased motivation and greater flexibility, companies should strive to introduce tight result and loose action control. Tight result control has not led to any threat to technological innovation through either short-term thinking or reduced motivation. The continued loose action control seems to have contributed to good opportunities for technological innovation as it has enabled great flexibility and increased motivation.

[pt] O presente trabalho é um estudo de caso realizado a partir da análise da indústria fonográfica brasileira, entre o período de 1990 até 2010. Com base no que foi observado na revisão da literatura, a natureza da pesquisa é qualitativa. Foram realizadas 6 entrevistas com executivos das principais firmas multinacionais e nacionais da indústria (Som Livre, WEA, EMI, Universal, Sony, RCA, etc.). Por objetivo, busca-se identificar como as principais firmas da indústria fonográfica brasileira perceberam as turbulências do ambiente decorrentes da inovação tecnológica, como desenvolveram respostas a partir de suas capacidades dinâmicas e quais aprendizados e transformações ocorreram em um novo cenário da indústria. Foram considerados três momentos pelos quais a indústria fonográfica passou no recorte de tempo da pesquisa: mudança dos suportes de mídia, adoção de novos hardwares para reprodução e consumo de fonogramas e desintermediação dos processos, rotinas, produções, distribuições e consumo de fonogramas. Os resultados do estudo mostram que as mudanças tecnológicas apresentaram dois cenários distintos para a indústria fonográfica brasileira: os atores obtiveram grandes receitas com a nova tecnologia digital, ao mesmo tempo, em que as transformações, não previstas pela indústria, ocasionaram mudanças radicais, tanto no ambiente de negócio quanto, no ambiente tecnológico das firmas. Fato que gerou sérias consequências ao tradicional modelo de negócio de comercialização de fonogramas. Nesse sentido, o que pode ser destacado é uma inércia dos atores em relação às turbulências do ambiente. Com base nos achados foram elaboradas contribuições acadêmicas e sugestões para pesquisas futuras. / [en] The present work is a case study based on the analysis of the brazilian phonographic industry, between the period from 1990 to 2010. Based on what was observed in the literature review, the nature of the research is qualitative. Six interviews were carried out with executives from the multinational and national majors in the industry (Som Livre, WEA, EMI, Universal, Sony, RCA, etc.). By objective, this research seek to understand how the main companies of the Brazilian music industry perceived the turbulence of the environment resulting from technological innovation, how they developed responses from their dynamic capabilities and what learnings and transformations took place in a new industry scenario. Three moments were taken into account that the phonographic industry passed through in this period: change of media supports, adoption of new hardwares for reproduction and consumption of phonograms and disintermediation of processes, routines, productions, distributions and consumption of phonograms. The results of the study show that technological changes presented two different scenarios for the brazilian music industry: the actors obtained large revenues from the new digital technology, at the same time that the transformations, not foreseen by the industry, caused radical changes, both in the business and in the technological environment of firms. This fact has had serious consequences for the traditional business model of commercialization of phonograms. In this sense, what can be highlighted is an inertia of the actors in relation to the turbulence of the environment. Based on the findings, academic contributions and suggestions for future research were made.

Traditional retail with personal service is becoming scarce. The personal interaction is replaced with self service alternatives, and the consumer is now seen as a co-service producer. What is the general attitude towards the service provided within these automated experiences? Is the automated experience of service comparable to the traditional service that is expected from the customer, or is the industry moving too fast, risking the exclusion of certain consumer groups in the quest for automation? This study conducted semi-structured interviews with a broad range of consumers and used thematic analysis in an effort to discover consumers' unique motivations in regards to self service alternatives in physical stores. The result showed that most consumers are satisfied as long as the service works as intended. But when problems arise, many of the respondents point out the lack of standardization, human support, long waiting times, and control within the user interface. Findings in this study contribute to the industry by identifying traits within the technology viewed by the consumer as enablers or disablers.

<p>This research demonstrates the strong link between successful leadership and the development of creative company models. The study's findings show that many leadership aspects are critical for obtaining success in small and medium-sized businesses.</p> <p><br></p> <p>Providing staff with the proper tools, resources, and training opportunities is critical for enhancing productivity and morale. Furthermore, providing competitive salaries, benefits, and a happy work atmosphere assists in attracting and retaining great employees, which is crucial for</p> <p>small company success.</p> <p><br></p> <p>The success of Computer Village Lagos serves as a model for aspiring entrepreneurs and countries seeking to replicate it. This dissertation introduces the Otigba Business Model (OBM), which was created by capitalizing on the success of the Computer Village. Entrepreneurs and</p> <p>countries can use the OBM to develop innovative business models that emphasize a diverse range of products and services, strong partnerships, competitive pricing, a centralized location, excellent marketing, and an entrepreneurial culture. Businesses in the technology industry can achieve</p> <p>success and thrive by leveraging these factors and embracing effective leadership.</p>

This study examines the integration of urban agriculture into smart cities in the Netherlands, with an emphasis on stakeholder roles and the institutional environment. The study investigates the complex interaction between local governments, businesses, academic institutions, community groups, and residents using the theoretical frameworks of Scott's institutional theory, stakeholder salience theory, and Moore's business ecosystem theory. The study uses semi-structured interviews with important stakeholders to identify each group's power, legitimacy, and urgency, as well as to investigate their relationships and collaboration. Key findings show that local governments play an important role in regulatory support, land use facilitation, and financial incentives, whereas businesses promote technological innovation and economic viability. Academic institutions make significant contributions to research and technological developments, while community groups promote social sustainability and local participation. Residents, as end users, affect urban agriculture by their engagement and demand. Institutional barriers such as regulatory hurdles, financial constraints, and cultural resistance hinder the integration of urban agriculture. Supportive policies, financial incentives, community engagement, and educational initiatives have been stated as crucial facilitators. To address these barriers, the study underlines the importance of streamlining regulatory processes, developing comprehensive food strategies, and increasing public awareness. Urban agriculture can be successfully integrated into smart city frameworks by leveraging the collaborative potential of varying stakeholders and building a supportive institutional environment. This integration fosters sustainable urban development, improves community well-being, and addresses food security, environmental management, and social cohesion issues. The study offers practical recommendations for policymakers and practitioners to build resilient, innovative, and inclusive urban ecosystems, adding valuable insights to the field of sustainable urban development.

Abstracts in English and Xhosa / Given the need for prompt responses to today’s dynamic market, maintenance and maintenance management functions are becoming increasingly fundamental for industrial companies. Reduction of waste and bottlenecks, particularly the reduction of overproduction and work in process, accentuates the impact of malfunctions or failures of equipment on production. As such, it has become ever more urgent for proactive world-class maintenance to turn to computer-based support for efficacious management. To successfully manage activities such as the scheduling of activities, the planning of preventive maintenance actions, the analysis of data (to reduce the occurrence of malfunction and failures), and augment the absolute performance of the maintenance function, industrial companies implement information systems enabled by computerised maintenance management systems (CMMS) to deliver timely and accurate information. However, while various CMMS are available on the market, not all meet the exactitudes of each industrial company. The overall objective of this thesis is threefold: to explore major barriers and obstacles that have a negative impact on implementing CMMS; to identify the most common critical success factors (CSFs) that have a positive impact on implementing CMMS; and to develop an optimised CMMS model suitable to the context of Ethiopian manufacturing industries. To achieve this, an exploratory descriptive research design was employed, utilising both quantitative and qualitative data-gathering techniques, including structured interviews and questionnaires. Both qualitative and quantitative findings Suggest that the most important CSFs for CMMS implementation were work planning and scheduling and work identification and responsibilities, while the Ethiopian manufacturing firms lagged behind in the case of information technology and appraisal. Overall, key isues in maintenance management range from several maintenance techniques, information systems, scheduling, and optimisation models. This thesis is projected to be a useful source of information for both maintenance managers and stakeholders in CMMS decision making. It also creates opportunities for future research in this area of study. / Ngenxa yesidingo seempendulo ezikhawulezileyo kwimarike yanamhlanje eguqukayo, ukulondoloza kunye nololondolozo lwemisebenzi yolowulo ziya zisanda ngokubaluleka kwiinkampani zoshishino. Ukuncitshiswa kwenkcitho kunye nokuxinana kwindawo eziphezulu , ngakumbi ukucuthwa kwemveliso egqithisileyo kunye nokusebenza kwinkqubo, kunyusa ifuthe lokungasebenzi kakuhle okanye ukusilela kwezixhobo kwimveliso. Kananjalo, kuye kwangxamiseka nangakumbi kulondolozo lwenqanaba lehlabathi ukuba liphendukele kwinkxaso esekwe kwikhompyutha ukwenzela ulawulo olusebenzayo. Ukulawula ngempumelelo imisebenzi efana nokucwangciswa kwemisebenzi, ukucwangciswa kwezenzo zolondolozo zokukhuselo, ucalulo lwedatha (ukunciphisa ukwenzeka kokungasebenzi kakuhle kunye nokusilela), kunye nokwandisa ukusebenza ngokupheleleyo komsebenzi wolondolozo, iinkampani zamashishini zisebenzisa iinkqubo zolwazi ezenziwa ziinkqubo zolawulo lokulondoloza ngekhompyutha (i-CMMS) ukuhambisa ulwazi oluchanekileyo kwangexesha. Nangona kunjalo, ngelixa ii-CMMS ezahlukeneyo zifumaneka kwimarike, ayizizo zonke ezihlangabezana ngqo nemilinganiselo yenkampani nganye yemizimveliso. Eyona njongo yale ngcingane ebhaliweyo engqinelwa ziingxoxo, ithisisi ihlulwe kathathu: ukuphonononga imiqobo engundoqo kunye nezithintelo ezinefuthe elibi ekuphumezeni iiCMMS; Ukuchonga ezona zinto zibalulekileyo zempumelelo (CSFs) ezinefuthe elihle ekuphumezeni iCMMS; kunye nokuvelisa imodeli ye-CMMS elungele imeko yemizimveliso yase-Ethiopia. Ukufezekisa oku, uyilo lophando oluchazayo lwasetyenziswa, kusetyenziswa ubuchule bokuqokelela idatha eninzi kunye nesemgangathweni, kubandakanya udliwanondlebe olulungiselelweyo kunye nephepha lemibuzo.Zozibini iziphumo ezedatha esengangathweni kunye nedatha ngokobungakanani zibonisa ukuba ezona CSFs zibalulekileyo ekuphunyezweni kweCMMS yayikukucwangciswa komsebenzi nokucwangciswa nokwenza uludwe lweenkqubo kunye nokuchongwa komsebenzi kunye noxanduva, ngelixa iifemu zemveliso zase-Ethiopia zisasele ngasemva kwimeko yolwazi lwetekhnoloji kunye novavanyo. Kukonke, imiba ephambili kulawulo lolondolozo isukela kwiindlela ezahlukeneyo zobuchule zolondolozo, kwiinkqubo zolwazi, kuludwe lokwenziwa kweenkqubo zolwazi, kunye neemodeli ezigqibeleleyo. Le thisisi kuqikelelwa ukuba ingumthombo wolwazi oluluncedo kubo bobabini abaphathi bezolondolozo kunye nabachaphazelekayo ekuthathweni kwezigqibo kwiCMMS. Ikwadala amathuba ophando lwexesha elizayo kulo mmandla wokufunda. / Business Management / DBL (Business Leadership)

This master thesis studies alternative energy sources for maritime shipping in Sweden. With current climate goals, and a need for change, the maritime sector currently undergoes intense transitions. For shipping companies to lower their carbon footprint, the need to replace non decarbonised fuels is hence critical. With numerous alternatives, currently being developed, actors are phasing obstacles regarding which energy source that is most mature in terms of technical readiness as well as how adequate it will fulfil current climate goals. This study will analyse four different energy sources, liquid hydrogen (LH2), electro-methanol (emethanol), electro-ammonia (e-ammonia) and wind (sails), and answer which out of these energy sources will be most suitable for actors to adapt. To answer this question, the Technological Innovation System framework has been utilised, and the results has been applied to some chosen climate target actions developed by Swedish authorities. The findings proved that e-methanol currently is most mature and has reached most alignment with current climate goals, followed by LH2/wind and lastly e-ammonia. / Detta examensarbete studerar alternativa energikällor för fraktfartyg i Sverige. Med nuvarande klimatmål, och ett behov av förändring, genomgår den maritima sektorn intensiva omställningar. För att rederier ska kunna sänka sitt koldioxidavtryck är behovet att ersätta icke koldioxidneutrala bränslen därför stort. Med ett flertal alternativ, som för närvarande är under utveckling, står aktörer inför hinder angående vilken energikälla som är mest redo gällande teknikmognadsgrad samt hur adekvat den kommer att uppfylla nuvarande klimatmål. Denna studie kommer att analysera fyra olika energikällor, flytande väte (LH2), elektro-metanol (e-metanol), elektro-ammoniak (e-ammoniak) och vind (segel), och ta reda på vilka av dessa energikällor som är mest lämpad för aktörer att använda sig av. För att svara på denna fråga har ramverket Technological Innovation Systems använts och resultaten har tillämpats på några utvalda klimatmålsåtgärder som tagits fram av svenska myndigheter. Resultaten visade att e-metanol för närvarande är mest mogen och har nått mest anpassning till nuvarande klimatmål, följt av LH2/vind och slutligen e-ammoniak.

組織面對整體科技水準快速進步以及產業環境競爭日益激烈之衝擊，不僅必須持續突破既有技術侷限性，同時也要因應顧客多樣化產品服務需求而積極朝向差異化與創新化途徑發展，然而組織缺乏創新知識與能力勢必需要透過導入創新技術方式，將外部技術價值整合至內部創價流程系統，並且擬定整合結構以及管理機制組合設計來落實與擴散創新技術之創價利益，進而帶動本身產品服務創價能力升級以及提升組織競爭力。專業服務型組織面對外部顧客服務需求高度多樣化與異質性，同時內部多重產品線創價流程彼此銜接與連結模式錯綜複雜，使得組織必須需要因應外在環境變化以及內部創價策略目標，積極調整創新策略導向以及產品流程與資源組合之創價模式，進而運用各種整合結構與管理模型設計來發揮專業分工與彈性互補之創新整合能力，方能創造出更符合顧客需求以及更具市場競爭力之高品質專業服務。 本研究主要探討中型醫療機構導入創新技術之情境脈絡因素、創價模式以及整合模型設計特性之複雜關係。本研究採取個案研究法先針對一家先導個案機構進行探索性研究，同時參酌重要理論觀點來引導說明觀念性架構中的重要關係命題，後續再選取兩家合適個案機構來進行驗證性研究；綜觀三家個案醫院導入創新技術來實踐擴散性創價利益歷程所進行探索性與驗證性研究結果，主要結論如下：首先，醫療機構主要基於符合該醫院高層經營者追求創價轉型目標而導入創新技術，該醫院亦提供醫療團隊成員追求自我實現之創新發展空間，同時因應外部醫療技術發展趨勢以及內部不同創新技術創價整合能力條件因素，進而採取不同差異化策略取向來攫取導入醫療技術之創新價值。其次，醫療機構所擬定創新導入創價模式採取不同創價策略取向，將會引導產品流程設計特色展現出不同設計特徵，同時創價策略取向所具備之價值創造動因組合乃塑造出不同價值構形特性，進而促使管理者必須在不同價值構形中，因應不同整合內涵來設計適當之整合結構與管理機制組合，方能實踐出導入創新技術之創價利益。再者，不同價值構形之整合模型設計特性亦有所差異，亦即三種價值構形主要整合標的內容不同，因而該醫院所擬定整合結構特性以及採取整合機制組合亦展現出不一樣設計形貌。 本研究探究觀念性架構所展現之重要概念意涵如下：一、不同創新導入創價動機發起方式受到商業機會因素之影響程度也有所差異；二、創新導入面臨價值目標、外部技術趨勢以及內部能力條件三者交互作用愈強，則創新導入速度愈快；三、創價模式主張不同差異化策略搭配產品流程設計將展現出不一樣之產品服務特性；四、組織調整創價導向組合方式將促使本身價值構形特性隨之改變；五、各種價值構形所著重知識整合類型有所不同，使其管理機制組合特性也有所差異。

A invenção da energia elétrica pode ser considerada como um dos eventos mais marcantes da história moderna. As fortes influências sociais e econômicas que o sistema elétrico exerce sobre a sociedade, atreladas a suas características próprias, fazem com que o sistema elétrico enfrente desafios que extrapolam sua própria dinâmica. Essa característica faz com que o Estado assuma uma grande responsabilidade pela gestão e planejamento dos sistemas elétricos, o que envolve questões de natureza não meramente econômicas que impulsionam e dão forma à dinâmica dos sistemas atualmente existentes, tanto no Brasil quanto no mundo. Dentre tais ações de intervenção do Estado, que alteram as condições de competitividade do sistema e toda sua dinâmica, estão políticas tecnológicas para induzir a inovação no setor. No Brasil, a lei 9.991/2000 que institui a obrigatoriedade de investimento de parte da receita operacional líquida (ROL) das empresas do setor em Pesquisa e Desenvolvimento (P&D), representa a política tecnológica específica para abordar tal questão. Tal lei visa induzir o desenvolvimento tecnológico no sistema para contribuir com o aumento de sua eficiência e na decorrente modicidade tarifária. Esta pesquisa teve como objetivo investigar a eficácia da política tecnológica aplicada ao sistema elétrico brasileiro em induzir a dinâmica do desenvolvimento tecnológico no setor. Tal investigação foi feita com base na teoria evolucionária do desenvolvimento tecnológico, através de estudos de caso para se testar a hipótese desenvolvida de que somente a obrigatoriedade de investimento em projetos de P&D não tem sido suficiente para induzir a dinâmica do desenvolvimento tecnológico no sistema elétrico brasileiro. Os resultados da pesquisa demonstram que a se confirma. É possível argumentar que a proposição apresentada, de que tal hipótese se relaciona ao baixo comprometimento das empresas com o tema, que não são induzidas a assumirem um comportamento condizente com a dinâmica de inovação no setor, dadas suas percepções de oportunidades e suas condições de apropriabilidade, é uma importante variável explicativa para a avaliação da política tecnológica no setor. / The invention of electricity can be considered as one of the most important events in modern history. The strong social and economic influences that the electrical system has on society, linked to its own characteristics, make the electrical system faces challenges that go beyond its own dynamics. This feature makes the state to assume a great responsibility for the management and planning of electrical systems, which involve issues not merely economic in nature that drive and shape the dynamics of systems currently exist, both in Brazil and worldwide. Among such actions of state intervention, which alter the competitive conditions of the system and all its dynamics, are policies to induce technological innovation in the industry. In Brazil, the law 9.991/2000 establishing the mandatory investment of part of the net operating income (NOI) of companies in the industry in research and development (R & D) represents the specific technology policy to address this issue. This law aims to lead the technological development in the system to contribute to the increase of its efficiency and the resulting low tariffs. This research aimed to investigate the effectiveness of technology policy applied to the Brazilian electric system to induce the dynamics of technological development in the sector. This research was based on the evolutionary theory of technological development, through case studies to test the hypothesis developed that only the obligation of investment projects in R & D has not been sufficient to induce the dynamics of technological development in the Brazilian electric system. The results show that the hypothesis is confirmed. It can be argued that the proposition presented, that this hypothesis relates to the low commitment of the companies with the theme, which are not induced to take a behavior consistent with the dynamics of innovation in the industry, given their perceptions of their opportunities and appropriability conditions, is an important explanatory variable for the evaluation of technology policy in the sector.

Made available in DSpace on 2016-04-26T20:52:37Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Fernando dos Santos Lima.pdf: 2138394 bytes, checksum: c6115ce77580968d577f6fee48f9388f (MD5) Previous issue date: 2015-03-04 / National innovative capacity (NIC) is the ability of a country to create and trade a flow of technological innovation for a long period of time given the strength of the internal infrastructure of innovation, the environment for innovation in key industrial clusters and the interaction between these two areas. The objective of this dissertation is to validate conclusions about convergence obtained by Stern, Porter and Furman (2000), taking into account the changes occurred in the last 20 years. In order to reach our goal, based on the NIC theory, we developed an empiric exploration of the R&D productivity determinants and international patents production and a group of observables characteristics associated to NIC. The results we found direct us to conclude that a convergence process has intensified in the last 20 years, however there are relevant differences in the growth patent production between developed and emerging countries / Capacidade nacional de inovação (CNI) é a habilidade de um país de produzir e comercializar um fluxo de inovação tecnológica por um longo período dado a força da infraestrutura de inovação interna, o ambiente para inovação nos principais clusters industriais e a interligação entre essas duas áreas. O objetivo deste trabalho de pesquisa é revalidar conclusões sobre convergência obtidas por Stern, Porter e Furman (2000), levando em consideração as mudanças ocorridas nos últimos 20 anos. Para atingir esse objetivo, com base no arcabouço teórico da CNI, desenvolvemos uma exploração empírica dos determinantes de nível de produtividade nacional de P&D e da relação entre a produção de patentes internacionais e um conjunto de características observáveis associadas à CNI. Os resultados que encontramos apontam que um processo de convergência se intensificou nos últimos 20 anos, existindo diferenças marcantes nos determinantes para o crescimento da produção de patentes entre países desenvolvidos e em crescimento