This thesis studies the role of learning as a mechanism of economic change. Two areas are considered where this would seem to be important. First, how firms learn about new technology; and secondly, how agents learn to behave in interactive situations. A model of research and development is presented which models the process by which firms solve specific design problems. This may be by individual experimental search or by partial imitation. In the latter case, a close parallel is drawn between biological evolution, based on genetic reproduction, and technological evolution, based on firms blending existing technologies. Some economic implications of these processes are explored, including their application to stochastic learning curves, patent design and the transfer of technology to developing countries. The thesis continues by critically assessing the analogy between biological and cultural evolution often used to model how agents learn to behave in interactive situations. It is argued that the methods used by economists exploiting this analogy are often ill-suited to an economic context. Models are presented which deal with specific issues in the transition from a biological context to an economic context, including models of partnership formation, models of imperfect imitation, and models without payoff-monotonic dynamics. The issue of imperfect imitation is expanded upon in an evolutionary model of the infinitely repeated prisoners' dilemma, where it is shown that the problem of inter-generational copying fidelity may allow one to restrict attention to strategies with a very simple stochastic structure.

This research examines how companies adapt to more unpredictable environments by developing dynamic capabilities that help sustain innovation and change. The key explanatory construct is modular architecture - the intentional decomposition of systems (products or processes) into relatively independent sub-units with standard interfaces. The dissertation is structured as three semi-independent papers plus an introduction and a literature review. The literature review describes current theories of modular systems and discusses the similarities and differences to related concepts such as nearly decomposable systems, loose coupling, and vertical decomposition. The literature review identifies three gaps in the current literature. First, there has been a limited degree of theorising on the concept outside the field of technology management. Second, the current literature is based largely on anecdotal case studies and there is little quantitative evidence of the strategic value of modularity. Finally, there is a lack of understanding concerning the implementation of modular architectures. The first paper generalises from product to organisation design and derives five principles for modular organisational architectures. A hypothetical example is developed to illustrate how a large home appliances company might apply these principles to create a process platform consisting of reconfigurable building blocks. The chapter also proposes some extensions of current theory to more realistically adopt modularity concepts in organisation design. The second paper is based on a study that explores the current product and process architectures at three leading manufacturers of vacuum cleaners. It identifies some of the key barriers to increased flexibility among companies in mature industries. It also considers the relative value of modularity for established companies pursuing incremental innovation versus entrepreneurial companies introducing more radical innovations. The third paper presents the results from a survey questionnaire study of companies in the home appliances industry in the UK. and US. The relationship between market context, product and process architecture, strategic flexibility and firm performance is examined by means of structural equations modelling. The results show a positive relationship between modular product architectures and performance, with product model variety as a mediating variable. The thesis makes the following contributions to the existing literature: It complements extant theorising by generalising modular principles to organisation design. It contributes to methodology by developing a questionnaire for assessing modularity in product and process design. Finally, it provides one of the first empirical studies of the effects of modularity on strategic flexibility and firm performance.

Thesis (M.S.)--University of Hawaii at Manoa, 2006. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 56-58). / xiii, 58 leaves, bound ill. 29 cm

Thesis (M.S.)--University of Hawaii at Manoa, 207. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 82-84). / x, 84 leaves, bound ill. 29 cm

The resource-based view (RBV) approach bases the strengths of firms on two concepts; resources and capabilities. / Thesis (PhD)--University of South Australia, 2008.

The use of 'ethnographic research' to solve problems in the relationship between technology and culture has resulted in a simplification of the role of 'design' in product development, especially in the design and diffusion of technological innovations. Norman (1990, 1998, 2004) decries the popular 'focus group' design research method as misleading and inappropriate, preferring instead a model for 'rapid ethnography' which may lead designers to understand product uses within their social environment. In the same vein, the 'product semantics' of Krippendorff and Butter (1984), and the 'high design' approach of various industry professionals, aim to enhance the designer's understanding of the consumer's individual 'needs' and 'desires.' / However, these approaches often result in an oversimplification of the relationship between design, production and consumption. In many cases this is an interactive and reflexive relationship, as can be seen by examining the consumption practices of certain subcultures. In contrast to the 'rapid ethnography' of Norman, Miller (1988) suggests a view of consumption in which 'design' is not the only means through which artefacts acquire cultural 'relevance' (a view supported by Forty [1986], Julier [2000], and Clark [1999]. Whilst the intent of this thesis is not to formulate a universal model for 'design research' that may be applied to all categories of product design (and it is acknowledged that in many product categories 'reflexive' design is neither feasible nor required), this thesis provides insights for designers in the often - difficult area of the diffusion of technological innovations. In the 'leisure' community of Local-Area Network (LAN) gaming culture, for example, technological innovations (both hardware and software) form a platform upon which the 'group values' of the culture are formed. This is evidenced by the modification, customisation and improvement of computer equipment within a community setting. Furthermore, these subcultural 'signifying practices' are not in essence opposed to systems of design and production for the 'mainstream.' On the contrary, such practices may be effectively utilised in the 'pre-critical mass' development and validation of new technologies and their social contexts. As this suggests, design, production and consumption continuously inform and influence one other in a continual and interactive process. / Thesis (MDes(Architecture))--University of South Australia, 2005.

This thesis examines how raw materials manufacturers can meet the needs of the Semiconductor Industry for immediate support and continuing innovation, while maintaining service to their customers in other industries like petrol-chemical, steel and other non-high tech industries. It documents research on the possibility of leveraging E-business to help these industrial organizations. Based on the challenge briefly alluded to, the core research questions are whether raw material companies in the semiconductor industry use E-business as leverage for corporate strategy and to what extent this is successful. / The industrial raw (core) materials production companies traditionally have been serving mainly the petrochemical, steel, wood, and other base material industries. With the proliferation of technologies, the semiconductor industry prospers and requires more sophisticated materials from these raw materials producers. As semiconductor devices become more sophisticated, the manufacturing process consumes huge amounts of specialty gases, other chemicals and many other core materials. And this Semiconductor Industry applies technologies that are in many ways the most advanced of any sector. Semiconductor Industry product requirements and service expectations are completely different from those of the conventional customers these raw materials producing companies used largely to serve. The areas emphasized are quality, speed, innovation, culture, follow-up procedures and style of business approaches and processes. / The primary nature of knowledge within this research paradigm rests on the subjective, perceptions, experiences and reflections of a large number of people intimately involved in the global Semiconductor Industry as leaders and managers, all of whom have considerable inside knowledge. The work of theoretical researches like Michael E. Porter (on corporate and competitive strategy) and Jay R. Galbraith (on organizational structure) were also reviewed to help obtain research objectivity and form a basis for the research process. / An important finding of the research from the sixty-three industry professionals surveyed is that only those with entrepreneurial strategy and controlled decentralized structured organizations adopted E-business strategies. And most multinational organizations producing raw materials do not use such strategies and structure, being more traditional in their thought process - they are more likely to practice a well-planned strategy and are usually centralized controlled. There are synergies between corporate strategy and structure on the one hand and E-business strategies on the other. A business model paradigm leveraging E-business is developed for multinational industrial organization and recommendation is provided to incorporate this paradigm so that they can serve the semiconductor industry more effectively. / The thesis argues that mapping strategy and structure should be a continuous process and that to incorporate E-business strategies would help the raw materials manufacturers serving the Semiconductor Industry. It considers the future of many established businesses: non-traditional competitors, armed with new technology and skills, traverse industry, geographical and cultural borders to solicit their customers with alternative products and service offerings. Such is the phenomenon that is beginning to occur as a result of innovations in technology, greater accessibility to information and more sophisticated consumers. Thus, for companies to gain competitiveness, a new approach of encompassing E-business is needed to plan strategically in rapidly changing environments. / Thesis (PhD)--University of South Australia, 2004.

In recent years, industrial finance has experienced and is continuing to experience significant changes brought about by the development of venture or risk capital. Venture capital is now well-known as a means of providing good financial backup for innovative enterprises, in particular for information technology and communications technology. The technology-based venture capital enterprise, focusing on communication technology and the cellular market in China, is the primary focus of this research. / PhD Doctorate

The Theory of Disruptive Technologies put forward by Clayton Christensen in 1997 has attracted significant attention. This case study tests the hypothesis that the theory is generalisable to new situations. It uses datasource triangulation by using document, statistical and interview analyses (including investigator triangulation) to apply the Theory to Australian Digital Theses Program (ADT) and finds that the Program may indeed be a disruptive technology in relation to academic libraries, universities and to the publishing industry. However, it has greater potential to be disruptive in the latter, and to be a sustaining technology, as defined by the Theory, in relation to libraries and universities.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Washington, 2007. / Vita. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 136-148).