This study determines the influence of causation versus effectuation on entrepreneurial firm survival in high and low dynamism industries. Causation approaches a problem with the end in mind while effectuation’s point of departure is the means. Causal logic predicts a best case future scenario and then gathers the necessary resources to realize that scenario. This is contrasted by effectual logic that attempts to “control” the future by making use of the resources in hand (and those that can be borrowed) while trying to achieve the best possible result. The study consists of a means analysis testing for firm survival in highly dynamic industries per “pure” causal or effectual approach and of a variance analysis, testing for survival as a function of the mixed use of causation and effectuation in both high and low dynamism industries. The product of the means analysis indicates that only two entrepreneurs out of a cohort of 1771 follow a “pure” causal or “pure” effectual approach. As a result of this finding the incidence of “pure” causal or effectual approaches in either high or low dynamism industries is negligible. The output from the variance analysis indicates that causation is a significantly better predictor of entrepreneurial survival than effectuation in both high and low dynamism industries at a 99% confidence level. Below is a summary of the survival probabilities for both high and low dynamism industries across the causal/effectual decision spectrum.This study determines the influence of causation versus effectuation on entrepreneurial firm survival in high and low dynamism industries. Causation approaches a problem with the end in mind while effectuation’s point of departure is the means. Causal logic predicts a best case future scenario and then gathers the necessary resources to realize that scenario. This is contrasted by effectual logic that attempts to “control” the future by making use of the resources in hand (and those that can be borrowed) while trying to achieve the best possible result. The study consists of a means analysis testing for firm survival in highly dynamic industries per “pure” causal or effectual approach and of a variance analysis, testing for survival as a function of the mixed use of causation and effectuation in both high and low dynamism industries. The product of the means analysis indicates that only two entrepreneurs out of a cohort of 1771 follow a “pure” causal or “pure” effectual approach. As a result of this finding the incidence of “pure” causal or effectual approaches in either high or low dynamism industries is negligible. The output from the variance analysis indicates that causation is a significantly better predictor of entrepreneurial survival than effectuation in both high and low dynamism industries at a 99% confidence level. Below is a summary of the survival probabilities for both high and low dynamism industries across the causal/effectual decision spectrum. Copyright / Dissertation (MBA)--University of Pretoria, 2010 / Gordon Institute of Business Science (GIBS) / unrestricted

Submitted by Marlene Santos (marlene.bc.ufg@gmail.com) on 2016-04-01T19:32:04Z No. of bitstreams: 2 Dissertação - Altair Camargo Filho - 2015.pdf: 2291135 bytes, checksum: 30bd8d5829876467f9220f0128cc9e0e (MD5) license_rdf: 19874 bytes, checksum: 38cb62ef53e6f513db2fb7e337df6485 (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Luciana Ferreira (lucgeral@gmail.com) on 2016-04-04T14:34:29Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 2 Dissertação - Altair Camargo Filho - 2015.pdf: 2291135 bytes, checksum: 30bd8d5829876467f9220f0128cc9e0e (MD5) license_rdf: 19874 bytes, checksum: 38cb62ef53e6f513db2fb7e337df6485 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2016-04-04T14:34:29Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 2 Dissertação - Altair Camargo Filho - 2015.pdf: 2291135 bytes, checksum: 30bd8d5829876467f9220f0128cc9e0e (MD5) license_rdf: 19874 bytes, checksum: 38cb62ef53e6f513db2fb7e337df6485 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2015-12-04 / Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de Goiás - FAPEG / This study aimed to analyze how the moment in which the venture starts using marketing activities in its early stages affects its future performance. In order to achieve this goal the Panel Study of Entrepreneurial Dynamics (PSED), which consisted of application of questionnaires, via telephone, to 1,214 new entrepreneurs from the United States between the years 2005 and 2011. The data analysis was done using descriptive statistics and logistic regression analysis in which the dependent variables considered as performance were the survival and profitability of companies. The independent variables, marketing activities, were “effort to talk with potential clients”; “effort to collect competitors information”, and “execution of promotional efforts”. For the analysis, it was related the beginning of realization of marketing activities in the first and second years with the new venture’s performance in the second, third and fourth years. Results show that the first year is the optimal time for entrepreneurs to start talking to consumers, that is, the moment that takes the company to perform better in subsequent years. The execution of promotional efforts in the first year also leads to positive results for business, but results regarding the optimal moment to develop this action and regarding the collection of information about competitors were inconclusive. / O objetivo deste trabalho foi analisar como o momento do início da realização de atividades de marketing nos primeiros anos de uma empresa impacta no seu desempenho futuro. Para atingir o objetivo foi utilizada a base de dados longitudinal do Panel Study of Entrepreneurial Dynamics (PSED), que consistiu na aplicação de questionários, via telefone, a 1214 empreendedores nascentes dos Estados Unidos entre os anos de 2005 e 2011. A análise de dados se deu por estatística descritiva e análise de regressão logística, em que as variáveis dependentes consideradas como desempenho foram a sobrevivência e a rentabilidade das empresas. Como variáveis independentes – atividades de marketing – foram consideradas o “diálogo com clientes”, “coleta de informações dos concorrentes”, e “execução de esforços promocionais”. Para a análise, foram relacionados o início da realização das atividades de marketing no primeiro e no segundo anos da empresa com o desempenho do negócio no segundo, terceiro e quarto anos. Como resultados, esta pesquisa mostra que ao longo do primeiro ano de funcionamento é o momento ótimo para que o empreendedor inicie diálogos com seus clientes, ou seja, que leva a empresa ao melhor desempenho nos anos subsequentes. Constatou-se que a execução de esforços promocionais logo no primeiro ano também leva a resultados positivos para o negócio, mas não foram encontrados resultados conclusivos sobre o momento ótimo para realizar esta ação, bem como para coletar informações dos concorrentes.

Submitted by Luciana Ferreira (lucgeral@gmail.com) on 2017-12-29T10:16:17Z No. of bitstreams: 2 Dissertação - Daniel do Prado Pagotto - 2017.pdf: 1964990 bytes, checksum: d88c364403f4cf50d13cc3ccb1aba7bc (MD5) license_rdf: 0 bytes, checksum: d41d8cd98f00b204e9800998ecf8427e (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Luciana Ferreira (lucgeral@gmail.com) on 2017-12-29T10:16:52Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 2 Dissertação - Daniel do Prado Pagotto - 2017.pdf: 1964990 bytes, checksum: d88c364403f4cf50d13cc3ccb1aba7bc (MD5) license_rdf: 0 bytes, checksum: d41d8cd98f00b204e9800998ecf8427e (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2017-12-29T10:16:52Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 2 Dissertação - Daniel do Prado Pagotto - 2017.pdf: 1964990 bytes, checksum: d88c364403f4cf50d13cc3ccb1aba7bc (MD5) license_rdf: 0 bytes, checksum: d41d8cd98f00b204e9800998ecf8427e (MD5) Previous issue date: 2017-05-31 / Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de Goiás - FAPEG / This research identifies, along the process of venture creation, the relationship of different forms of capital on innovation capability’s variation and, further, the impact of the latter on innovation. In order to achieve this goal, the Panel Study of Entrepreneurship Dynamics (PSED) was used, considering only solo entrepreneurs. The research design was split in two models. In the first one, different forms of capital – financial, human and social – were used as independent variables while the variation of innovation capability was considered the dependent variable. In the second model, innovation capability’s variation becomes the predictor variable and innovation turn into response variable. Multiple linear regressions were conducted to test both models. Results showed that formal education, physical social capital and personal finances are resources that positively impact innovation capability’s variation. Furthermore, the second model presented a positive and significant relationship between the innovation capability and innovation of nascent entrepreneurs. / Esta pesquisa teve como objetivo identificar, ao longo do processo de criação de empresas, a influência da composição de diferentes formas de capital na variação de capacidade inovadora e, em seguida, desta na inovação. Para cumprir este objetivo, foi utilizada a base de dados em painel Panel Study of Entrepreneurship Dynamics (PSED) com um corte de apenas empreendedores sem equipes. O desenho da pesquisa foi dividido em dois modelos. No primeiro, as variáveis independentes consideradas foram formas de capital enquanto a variável dependente foi a variação da capacidade inovadora. Em seguida, para o segundo modelo, a capacidade inovadora tornou-se a variável preditora enquanto a inovação foi utilizada como variável resposta. A partir disso, foram realizados testes de regressão múltipla. Considerando os resultados, foi possível identificar que o grau de escolaridade, o capital social físico e as finanças pessoais são recursos que impactam na variação positiva da capacidade inovadora. Em seguida, com base no segundo modelo, observou-se que a capacidade inovadora impacta a inovação nas empresas nascentes.

Submitted by Erika Demachki (erikademachki@gmail.com) on 2017-03-02T17:53:06Z No. of bitstreams: 2 Dissertação - Anderson Schneider - 2016.pdf: 2205433 bytes, checksum: 5622a29cebd2d8d3475b58108b9b11fc (MD5) license_rdf: 0 bytes, checksum: d41d8cd98f00b204e9800998ecf8427e (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Luciana Ferreira (lucgeral@gmail.com) on 2017-03-03T11:29:09Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 2 Dissertação - Anderson Schneider - 2016.pdf: 2205433 bytes, checksum: 5622a29cebd2d8d3475b58108b9b11fc (MD5) license_rdf: 0 bytes, checksum: d41d8cd98f00b204e9800998ecf8427e (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2017-03-03T11:29:09Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 2 Dissertação - Anderson Schneider - 2016.pdf: 2205433 bytes, checksum: 5622a29cebd2d8d3475b58108b9b11fc (MD5) license_rdf: 0 bytes, checksum: d41d8cd98f00b204e9800998ecf8427e (MD5) Previous issue date: 2016-04-29 / The aim of this study was to understand the influence of learning history of nascent entrepreneurship about start-up process and the future performance of the companies. To this end, we used the Panel Study of Entrepreneurial Dynamics II (PSED II) as a sample. This is a panel involving 1214 United States entrepreneurs were accompanied during the years of 2005 to 2011 through telephone interviews on various topics involving the business creation process. The study had as theoretical axis organisational learning and learning entrepreneurship and was developed in two stages, the first being with the specific objective of assessing the causal relationship between learning history of entrepreneurs and the activities of start-up process by which we used the method of multiple linear regression. The second involved the assessment of the causal relationship between the realization of activities of the startup process and the future performance of the companies using logistic regression methods. The results demonstrate that the learning history of entrepreneurs favors the activities of business creation process, and these in turn, when carried out, increase the chances of the businesses achieve best performance results, translated in conducting sales and achieving a balance between revenue and expenditure. It was noted also that the learning history by itself does not have significant relations with the performance. / O objetivo desse estudo foi compreender a influência do histórico de aprendizagem dos empreendedores sobre o processo de criação e o desempenho futuro das empresas. Para tanto, utilizou-se o Panel Study of Entrepreneurial Dynamics II (PSED II) como amostra. Trata-se de um painel envolvendo 1.214 empreendedores nascentes dos Estados Unidos que foram acompanhados durante os anos de 2005 a 2011 através de entrevistas por telefone sobre diversos temas que envolvem o processo de criação de empresas. O estudo teve como eixo teórico a aprendizagem organizacional e a aprendizagem do empreendedorismo e foi desenvolvido em duas etapas sendo a primeira com o objetivo específico de avaliar a relação causal entre o histórico de aprendizagem dos empreendedores e a realização de atividades do processo de criação de empresas e pela qual utilizou-se o método de regressão linear múltipla. A segunda envolveu a avaliação da relação causal entre a realização de atividades do processo de criação e o desempenho futuro das empresas, utilizandose para tanto, métodos de regressão logística. Os resultados demonstram que o histórico de aprendizagem dos empreendedores favorece a realização de atividades do processo de criação de empresas,e essas por sua vez, quando realizadas, aumentam as chances das empresas atingirem melhores resultados de desempenho, traduzidos na realização de vendas e o atingimento do equilíbrio entre receitas e despesas. Percebeu-se também, que o histórico de aprendizagem por si só, não possui relações significativas com o desempenho.

Sponges are the descendants of the oldest members of the metazoan phylogenetic lineage and their genome contains animal specific genes but lack true tissues, organ systems, and neurons. Thus, the sponge model system can be used to elucidate origin of developmental processes. The PSED (RDGN) network (Pax/Six/Eya/Dac) is important in development of eyes, muscles, and other structures in Bilaterians. Similarly, sponges contain a precursor Pax-Six gene network. The Ephydatia muelleri (Em) PaxB protein binds to a Pax2/5/8 consensus sequence site and two cis-regulatory elements upstream and one intron sequence of EmSix1/2 (Rivera et al., 2013). This study aimed to determine if transcription factor EmSix1/2 binds upstream of EmPaxB using gel shift mobility assays, identify other downstream targets of EmSix1/2 using DNA immunoprecipitation, and to identify the recognition sequence of Six in sponges through sequencing. In conclusion, purified EmSix binds to DNA specific fragments (1 and 3), which may contain enhancer sequences located in the PaxB promoter region.Possible consensus recognition sequence of Six in sponges were also identified. The host immune response has various mechanisms to protect the organism from infections and invasions of microorganisms and cell damaging chemicals. One such mechanism is the elimination of reactive oxygen species aided by superoxide dismutase (SOD). A study showed that anti-neutrophil chemotactic factor antibodies recognize Tritrichomonas foetus SOD (Granger et al., 1997). During first casualties, SOD is released and triggers a host immune response. The parasites could use SOD to counter oxidative attacks by the leukocytes and damaged cells to protect surrounding parasites. We used the parasite Trichomonas vaginalis that causes trichomoniasis to determine if SOD acts a neutrophil (or other leukocyte) chemotactic factor in this parasite and characterize the expression and secretions of epithelial cells when treated with SOD6. HeLa cells treated with SOD6 showed an increase in the expression of IL-8 chemokine relative to TrxR treated cells. Scratch test assays showed that SOD may act as a macrophage chemoattractant as compared to TrxR but further tests are needed to confirm this.

International Telemetering Conference Proceedings / October 20-23, 2003 / Riviera Hotel and Convention Center, Las Vegas, Nevada / An implementation of a Pseudo Error Detection (PSED) system is presented and its performance in conjunction with smart antenna and smart diversity systems tested and evaluated. Non redundancy, instant response and relative simplicity make the Pseudo Error Detectors excellent real time error monitoring systems in smart antenna and smart diversity systems. Because of the Non-redundant Error Detection mechanism in Pseudo Error Detectors, we can monitor the error quality without any coding or overhead. The output of the pseudo error detector in AWGN, selective fading Doppler shift and other interference environments is directly correlated to the BER and BLER. This direct correlation makes it a great tool for online error monitoring of a system and can have numerous applications In a PSED the Eye diagram from the demodulator is sampled once per symbol. By monitoring and comparison of the eye at sampled intervals at different thresholds, we would know if an error has occurred. By integrating this result over a period of time we can get the averaged error level. The results provided in this paper were obtained and verified by both MatLab simulations using dynamic simulation techniques and hardware measurements over dynamic channels.

International Telemetering Conference Proceedings / October 20-23, 2003 / Riviera Hotel and Convention Center, Las Vegas, Nevada / An improved performance smart diversity was invented to improve the signal performance in a combined selective fading, Additive White Gaussian Noise (AWGN), Co-channel interference (CCI) and Doppler shift environment such as the LEO satellite channel. This system is also applicable to aeronautical and telemetry channels. Smart diversity is defined here as a mechanism that selects at each moment the best branch in a n-branch diversity system based on the error quality with no default branch and no prioritization. The predominant novelty of this discovery is the introduction of multi level analog based Pseudo Error Detectors (PSED) in every branch. One of the advantages of PSED is that it is a non redundant error detection system, with no requirement for overhead and no need for additional valuable spectrum. This research was motivated by problems in LEO satellite systems due to low orbit and high relative speed with respect to the ground stations. The system is independent of the modulation techniques and is applicable to both coherent and non-coherent detections. The results from simulations using dynamic simulation techniques and hardware measurements over dynamic channels show significant improvement of both the Bit Error Rate (BER) and the Block Error Rate (BLER).

This study investigates the reasons for apparent differences in entrepreneurship rates in rural and urban areas using a Survey of Rural Kentucky Residents (SRKR) and the Panel Study of Entrepreneurial Dynamics (PSED) data. We estimate the determinants of dissimilar characteristics for rural and urban areas in two aspects: one is individual and contextual resources; the other is cultural tendencies of resources. The results of the analysis suggest that the difference in available individual, economic, and social support resources does not explain the observed difference in entrepreneurship rate. The results also indicate that gender, ethnicity, income, and number of children in the family have different effects on entrepreneurial intentions in rural and urban settings. The results suggest that policy makers need to account for cultural or geographical differences when designing entrepreneurial educational and support programs in order to enhance the establishment of new business between rural and urban areas.