This thesis investigates the relevance of currently used firm-level innovation concepts in a developing country context. I draw on the results of a comprehensive survey of manufacturing and service firms instrumented to assess the knowledge- capabilities of the economic sectors in Malaysia. The thesis presents a discussion of the extant literature on firm-level innovation and tests hypotheses regarding the impact of firms organizational structure, strategies, resources and environment as determinants of product, process and organizational innovations. These are examined from the classifying framework provided by Keith Pavitts model of technology trajectories to better understand the nature of innovation and its production determinants. I find that Malaysian firms -- across all sectors -- show a greater propensity to make process and organizational innovations as against product innovations. Soft factors like training, knowledge management practices and collaboration with market actors are used as significant inputs in their innovation process.

The literature on the financing of innovative projects follows two trends: one contemplates that either the prospective fundees or the potential funders use their preferences to choose the other party out of a range of theoretical possibilities; the other refers to project owners or investors that actively look for an “opportunity” and try to talk the other party into entering the funding relationship. These views, however, cannot explain several facts such as: why projects rejected by some funders are accepted by others, why IPOs and markets are not attractive to all players or why that changes over time and across settings, how can State funds support a sector across regions, or how players’ and setting features and time affect funding criteria. A critique of these explanations sees three main shortcomings: lack of balance (i.e.,one party’s initiative prevails), bias (i.e., criteria of the domineering party prevail), and disembeddedness (i.e., milieu factors and changes over time are ignored). We think that an analysis supported by a sectoral approach may contribute to build a more articulate, integral insight about the funding of innovation. The bio-pharmaceutical sector was chosen because it exhibits amazing complexity related to the heterogeneity embodied by a multifaceted network of players (e.g., universities, companies, potential financiers, regulation bodies), to the nature and development path of innovative projects, and to the competitive/collaborative interactions framed in a particular setting. Hence, a qualitative approach based on the case study of the sector is the choice for this study. Case data are collected through semi-structured interviews with thirty participants that have played different roles in organisations of the bio-pharmaceutical sector or are highly experienced VC practitioners. Our findings allow us to propose an enhanced characterisation of innovation financing by showing that: i) Investors’ understanding of a sector is essential for funding decisions and can be updated through networking; ii) Networks facilitate firms-funders contact, coordination among funders, enhancement of financiers’ knowledge about the sector, and venture owners’ knowledge of track record and potential benefits of investors; iii) Interactions involve other actors in different roles and support network-based learning; iv) Funding decisions are impacted by the geographic availability of sources/mechanisms of finance and by their readiness to fund specific venture stages; v) Investors’ specificities matter; vi) Trends of change impact the availability of funding sources/mechanisms since they imply a reorganisation of the relations and interactions among players in the sector. Therefore, we propose a systemic analytic explanation where the strategy of funders (generalist or dedicated), therefore their role in a particular setting, is essentially defined in relation to the structure and dynamics of their knowledge consolidation system; then, we derive a number of implications for firm managers, investors, and policy-makers. Finally, the main limitations of this work and some further questions for future research are stated.

This thesis aims to explore the challenges of Medical Devices sector in their innovative activities with the use of qualitative and quantitative methods. The specific subject of analysis is the Turkish Medical Device industry. Throughout the thesis the convergence of Medical Devices with pharmacy and its role in healthcare is mentioned in addition to the institutional regulations of the sector due to their effect on the firms innovative activities. The main focus of this thesis is the innovation in medical devices as vital components of healthcare supply with an important share in health expenditures. Even though Medical Devices are considered to be heterogeneous and classified in many other sectors such as chemicals, textiles and electronics, they have common features sufficient to be considered as a special product group and being an important part of the healthcare system, they are subject to common regulations. Sectoral Systems of Innovation approach is used to investigate Medical Devices Sector in Turkey. Medical devices sector also suffer from regulations that put cost on innovative activities, reimbursement policies that aim at cost containment, lower degrees of consumer support (in terms of user-producer relationship), high marketing costs due to the specific market they act in, in addition to the general obstacles such as scarce finance and human resources. Nonetheless, the ambiguity in entrance and allowance to reimbursement lists is also found to be a blocking factor on innovation.The studies on this aspect of the medical devices sector are limited and this thesis aims to fulfil the gap in this respect.

Made available in DSpace on 2016-12-23T14:00:40Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Sergio Antonio Ribeiro Campos.pdf: 493154 bytes, checksum: 160d673adcd3031be8fd4b5cdb2acaaa (MD5) Previous issue date: 2010-06-28 / O presente trabalho dedica-se à avaliação de como um projeto de cooperação para a produção de conhecimentos (o projeto Genolyptus) representa uma articulação entre os elementos do sistema de inovação do setor de papel e celulose brasileiro. Buscou-se o entendimento do projeto sob a perspectiva de um de seus participantes, a Aracruz Celulose, analisando como a empresa se insere no sistema setorial e verificando o impacto gerado pela inserção da empresa no SSI na evolução da Aracruz. Para isso, estabeleceu-se um entendimento dos principais determinantes da inovação, segundo a tradição Freeman-Aalborg da abordagem dos sistemas de inovação. Tal tradição fundamenta-se em três pilares básicos: o conhecimento, os processos de aprendizado e as interações entre os diversos atores dos SI. O foco principal de análise desta tradição refere-se ao âmbito espacial, mais especificamente ao nível nacional, com interesse no confronto de estratégias de política econômica e padrões econômicos. Porém, outros níveis de análise derivam da referida tradição a exemplo do caso aqui analisado. A abordagem dos SI utilizada neste trabalho é aquela que se dedica especificamente ao nível setorial. Nessa, o interesse está em entender como tecnologias e produtos se desenvolvem em setores específicos, quais são seus elementos básicos e qual a influência de cada um dos elementos na evolução destas tecnologias e produtos. Esta dissertação ressalta que a articulação dos elementos dos sistemas setoriais de inovação, tanto no projeto Genolyptus quanto na evolução da Aracruz, tem grande impacto no desenvolvimento de inovações. Ressalta-se, também, o importante papel desempenhado pelo Estado e a importância da base de conhecimento acumulada, dos processos de aprendizado e dos relacionamentos e interações entre diferentes atores do sistema no desenvolvimento de inovações / Twitter is a online microblogging, launched in 2006, with updates (tweets) limited to 140 characters, allowing its use also on mobile devices like phones. The objective of this study was to characterize the relationships present in Twitter, including interpersonal relationships between individuals and groups and between the individual and society, from the contents of the updates posted and interviews with users of the platform. We used as reference the work of Robert Hinde, which emphasizes the study of basic descriptive relationships, considering its internal aspects and different levels of complexity, namely, interactions, relationships, groups and society. Also referenced theories from the analysis of social networks, such as the theory of small worlds, of weak ties and networks without scale. A qualitative research study consisted of two phases, the first documentary in nature, in which the posts were analyzed (n = 2000) of 200 users taking as criteria capixabas dialogue, theme and functionality in order to establish categories of relationship. The second phase consisted of interviews of users (n = 10) dealing with topics concerning the use of Twitter and its role in social relations of the participants, including their interpersonal relationships with groups and with society more broadly seeking to identify changes brought by Twitter for relationships. Data analysis led to the conclusion that settle on the platform two types of relationship. A first, in which Twitter is used as a device of external relationships social media reproducing its aspects and demands. A second, where relationships are based on the information exchange, in which the traded value in relationships is the quality of the content of the messages from subjective criteria of interest, preference and characteristics. In this relationship, the attraction is linked to users who have power over certain type of information that is valued by its influence leading to the notion of social capital. This value is user perceived second personal qualities, your network location and type of interactions that produces it must be capable of producing transfer actions and responses. Furthermore, it was found that the desired values in the network influence the production of interaction

Submitted by Felipe Gomes (ffaffg@gmail.com) on 2017-12-18T19:52:26Z No. of bitstreams: 1 Felipe Gomes - MEX 2016 - FINAL-2_Completo.pdf: 1295396 bytes, checksum: 3da133e451de05e15275b0770b2d702b (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Janete de Oliveira Feitosa (janete.feitosa@fgv.br) on 2017-12-19T15:39:38Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 1 Felipe Gomes - MEX 2016 - FINAL-2_Completo.pdf: 1295396 bytes, checksum: 3da133e451de05e15275b0770b2d702b (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2017-12-26T16:46:28Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Felipe Gomes - MEX 2016 - FINAL-2_Completo.pdf: 1295396 bytes, checksum: 3da133e451de05e15275b0770b2d702b (MD5) Previous issue date: 2017-12-04 / This research addresses the theme of innovation management, seeking to identify the main obstacles to the generation of innovations in the electricity sector companies operating in Brazil, studying its intrinsic market and regulatory characteristics, employing the Sectoral Systems of Innovation approach.A qualitative research strategy and an exploratory methodology were adopted through multiple case studies in five electric sector companies, including a documental survey and interviewing of multiple agents.It was verified that the regulatory pressure prevails over the desire to innovate, leading companies to develop ineffective strategies for generating innovations. On the other hand, in an evolutionary process, , it was possible to observe that some companies are starting to differentiate themselves from others by seeking a more active role in the generation of innovations. Also in a process of evolution, it was possible to observe the strengthening of the Sectoral Systems of Innovation, potentially promoting research and development and the consequent generation of innovations.A lack of objective indicators capable of measuring the impact of innovations on the competitive performance of companies present in the Brazilian electricity sector, was a limitation for analyzing them comparatively.The results of this research point to the need of more effective management of innovation for it to induct real competitive advantages for these companies.A more effective management of innovation, and the consequential rise in the generation of innovations, will be a relevant factor in achieving a more diversified energy matrix, with lower environmental impacts and, mainly, lower electricity costs for consumers, thus increasing the country's competitiveness. / A pesquisa aborda a gestão da inovação, buscando identificar os principais entraves à geração de inovações nas empresas do setor elétrico atuantes no Brasil, estudando as características intrínsecas a este setor, tanto mercadológicas quanto regulatórias, por meio da abordagem do sistema setorial de inovação.Adotou-se uma estratégia de pesquisa qualitativa e uma metodologia exploratória por meio de estudos de casos múltiplos em cinco empresas do setor, incluindo levantamento documental e entrevistas a múltiplos agentes.Verificou-se que a pressão regulatória se sobrepõe ao desejo de inovar, fazendo com que as empresas desenvolvam estratégias pouco efetivas para a geração de inovações. Por outro lado, em um processo evolutivo, constatou-se que algumas empresas começam a se diferenciar das demais, ao buscar um papel mais ativo na geração de inovações. Também em um processo de evolução, se constatou o fortalecimento do sistema setorial de inovação, podendo favorecer a pesquisa e desenvolvimento e a consequente geração de inovações.A falta de indicadores objetivos que meçam o impacto de inovações sobre o desempenho competitivo das empresas atuantes no setor, tornou-se uma limitação para a avaliação comparativa entre as empresas. Os resultados encontrados indicam a necessidade de uma gestão mais efetiva da inovação para que ela venha a ser indutora de vantagem competitiva para as empresas. A melhoria da gestão da inovação no setor, e o consequente aumento na geração de inovações, pode ser um fator relevante para se alcançar uma matriz energética mais diversificada, com menor impacto ambiental e, especialmente, com custos de eletricidade mais baixos para os consumidores, aumentando assim a competitividade do país.