<p>The purpose of this thesis is to present and analyze the innovations in the home video game industry and their impact on the competitive strategies of the companies in the indus-try. The existing literature about business cycles and business dynamics is scarce from busi-ness administrative perspective. This thesis contributes to fill the gap in the academic literature. The choice of the home video game industry has been done, due to its fast growing economic nature and the rapid changes that can be noticed, especially for the last decade. A qualitative research method with secondary qualitative and quantitative data and primary qualitative data through interviews has been used for this thesis. The home video game industry is highly driven by technological product innovations. Incremental innovations do not affect in a significant way the dynamics within the industry. Radical innovations create a competitive advantage through differentiation and they increase market share for the company which followed this strategy. Disruptive innovations open new markets, change the business environment for every firm and generate a shift in consumer preferences. Hence, the company which implements a disruptive innovation gains extensive market share. Innovations are possible due to the strategic orientation a company aims to pursue. If a company pursues a high market orientation and a low inno-vation orientation it manufactures an upgraded product to keep customers satisfied. When the firm pursues a high market and innovation orientation, the final product includes cha-racteristics that the customers desire. While at the same time the product created offers services and features hard to be matched by the competition. Finally, if a firm pursues a high innovation orientation and a low market orientation strategy, it creates an easier and more convenient alternative on the existing products while being cheaper. At the same time this strategic orientation disregards the established customers' desires.The purpose of this thesis is to present and analyze the innovations in the home video game industry and their impact on the competitive strategies of the companies in the indus-try. The existing literature about business cycles and business dynamics is scarce from busi-ness administrative perspective. This thesis contributes to fill the gap in the academic litera-ture. The choice of the home video game industry has been done, due to its fast growing economic nature and the rapid changes that can be noticed, especially for the last decade. A qualitative research method with secondary qualitative and quantitative data and primary qualitative data through interviews has been used for this thesis.The home video game industry is highly driven by technological product innovations. Incremental innovations do not affect in a significant way the dynamics within the industry. Radical innovations create a competitive advantage through differentiation and they increase market share for the company which followed this strategy. Disruptive innovations open new markets, change the business environment for every firm and generate a shift in consumer preferences. Hence, the company which implements a disruptive innovation gains extensive market share. Innovations are possible due to the strategic orientation a company aims to pursue. If a company pursues a high market orientation and a low inno-vation orientation it manufactures an upgraded product to keep customers satisfied. When the firm pursues a high market and innovation orientation, the final product includes cha-racteristics that the customers desire. While at the same time the product created offers services and features hard to be matched by the competition. Finally, if a firm pursues a high innovation orientation and a low market orientation strategy, it creates an easier and more convenient alternative on the existing products while being cheaper. At the same time this strategic orientation disregards the established customers' desires.</p>

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Risks are an inevitable consequence of human action, as well as of technology. Even everyday routines and familiar technologies are not without risk, but they are accepted. Innovative technology, however, is viewed as risky. This is often only an expression of a lack of confidence arising from a corresponding lack of experience in dealing with technology. Estimations of potential use become the subject of scientific-technological, internal (quantifying) discussion, as well as of an external ethical-sociological debate including also consideration of the affected parties, i.e. customers, consumers and (professional) users. Alongside the internal (professional) evaluation, an external evaluation (acceptability and acceptance) is becoming ever more important. The necessity for reflection on modern technology leads to the establishment of a &amp;quot;technology reflection culture&amp;quot;. / Risiken sind eine unvermeidliche Folge von menschlichem Handeln, auch von Technik. Alltagsroutine und vertraute Technik sind zwar auch nicht ohne Risiko, aber akzeptiert. Innovative Technik wird als riskant eingeschätzt. Dies ist oft nur fehlendes Vertrauen aufgrung mangelnder Erfahrung im Umgang mit Technik. Die Abschätzung potentiellen Gebrauchs wird Gegenstand der wissenschaftlich-technisch internen (quantifizierenden) Diskussion wie der externen ethisch-sozialwissenschaftlichen Diskussion inklusive der Berücksichtigung von Betroffenen, d.h. Kunden, Konsumenten und (professionellen) Anwendern. Neben der internen (standesmäßigen und berufsmäßigen Bewertung) wird die externe Bewertung (Akzeptabilität und Akzeptanz) immer wichtiger. Die Notwendigkeit einer Reflexion auf moderne Technologie führt zur Etablierung einer „Technologie-Abwägungs-Kultur“.

<p>The idea that the private sector can play an important partin the financing and creation of built assets and thesubsequent operation of public services has gained ground overthe last decade. This development has contributed to the risein public-private partnership (PPP) projects in many countriesand within many areas in the public sector. From theconstruction perspective, these projects are usually creditedas providing real incentives for the actors involved, as wellas creating a business environment that is conducive toinnovation and improved practices, especially in theconstruction phase. This thesis examines the validity of thesestatements in the context of the PPP procurement route and theextent to which the actors involved in the design andconstruction phases are presented with, and able to exploit,opportunities for technological innovation. A multiple- casestudy approach was adopted for the empirical part of theresearch. Four major projects, containing significantconstruction work and completed between 1997 and 2002, werestudied: three in the UK and one in Sweden. Project personnel–the principal actors in the design and constructionphases–were interviewed at length. Within the findingsthere is evidence that the existence of certain conditions onprojects, and particular actions arising in relation thereto,can lead to a marked propensity towards innovative behaviour.The conclusion is reached that it is possible to implementtechnological innovations successfully on PPP projects, butthat there is reason to be cautious in promoting thisprocurement route as a prescription for success in theconstruction sector. There are inhibitors in the process thathave the potential to limit the amount of innovation achievedon a project. The thesis discusses this matter and identifiesthree key areas–communication and information, achievingtransparency in the applied framework and risk management–in which actions could be taken in order to improve theprospects for realising technological innovation on PPPprojects.</p><p><b>Keywords:</b>Public-private partnerships, technologicalinnovation, construction procurement, project management,risk</p>

Univ., Diss.--Utrecht, 2007.

Thesis (doctoral)--Helsingin kauppakorkeakoulu, 1991. / Extra t.p. with thesis statement inserted. Includes bibliographical references (p. 244-274).

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Missouri-Columbia, 2001. / Typescript. Vita. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 201-203). Also available on the Internet.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--Michigan Technological University, 2004. / Includes bibliographical references. Available on the World Wide Web.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--Michigan Technological University, 2004. / Includes bibliographical references. Also available on the World Wide Web.

Thesis (M.A.)--University of North Carolina at Wilmington, 2003. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves : [46]-52).