This study investigates the relationships between firm's technology, absorptive capacity and the internationalization process in the high-tech SMEs. The research identifies the most influential factors that affect the international activities and expansion decisions of New Zealand high-tech SMEs with core capabilities in agro-technology. Mixed methods, qualitative and quantitative elements in the data collection and analysis, were employed in this research for a reason that a deeper understanding of the research subject and the analysis of complex issues such as the internationalization process and absorptive capacity required methodological variety. The use of qualitative and quantitative methods took place in parallel. Both methods were used to study the same subject but they had specific objective related purposes and they offered the possibility of developing rich empirical data as well as a more comprehensive understanding of the subject under the study. The findings show that it is absorptive capacity that explains internationalization process, not internationalization process that explains absorptive capacity. The practice of internationalizing is as much a reflection of a firm's absorptive capacity as it is its determinant. The research identifies that high-tech SMEs possess technological and non-core absorptive capacity which in a different way influence firms' strategies. The research suggests that firm's technological capabilities and the advantage of specialized knowledge along with their limited non-core absorptive capacity act as constraints to the development of the future international strategy in high-tech SMEs. The study expands the existing literature on internationalization by developing variables for evaluating absorptive capacity in firms. This helped develop an absorptive capacity model which can be used as a valuable tool for self-assessment by firms to facilitate gaining insight towards further growth and development. The research suggested that if firms were able to measure its absorptive capacity this may result in improved business activities and enhanced presence in the world market. The results of this study should encourage firms to identify, capture and articulate knowledge achieved by their ventures. Managers must develop and nurture skills that ensure effective integration of learning as their firms expand, particularly internationally. These findings and absorptive capacity model offered as a tool should encourage managers to explore when, where, and how to best use firm's resources in the business operations. This is particularly important in regards to the research context (high-tech SMEs) where scientists are managers as well.

Thesis (doctoral)--Universiẗat Frankfurt (Main), 2005. / Includes bibliographical references (p. ix-xxv).

This thesis investigates, describes and understands the extensive process of technology commercialization. What stages there are, important aspects and implications. It is structured as a case analysis of project CHRISGAS development. CHRISGAS is a Swedish project, based in Värnamo, developing the technique of direct gasification of biomass to fuels. The work has its origin in the debate of the imminent climate changes, where society needs to reduce its reliance on fossil fuels. The automotive sector (particularly transport) is significantly reliant. However, current attempts to transition to biofuels have not completely succeeded. New, efficient technologies must be commercialized, and the technology of wood gasification is said to be particularly promising for launching the next generation of biofuels.

Why China emphasize on the development of electronics industry? Does it work? This paper analyzes the FDI policy of China¡¦s strategic industry, especially electronics industry. To maintain high economic growth, China treats electronics industry as strategic industry to upgrade other industries by its information and communication technology. Electronics industry, however, is weak on key technologies and components itself, not to mention technology upgrading. The result of this research is helpful on understanding the advantages and disadvantages China brings to foreign-invested companies in the near future. Besides, the result can be used as a China investment manual.

This dissertation aims to answer the main question of "How does regional ecology (few or many small innovative firms in a region) enhance or limit innovation?" Put differently, how vital is the mix of small and large firms for regional innovation performance? From the policy perspective, the results of this study shed some light for policy maker to assess the "knowledge searching" strategies of firms when choosing locations. The research design combines a unique survey of patent inventors in the United States and archival data. Georgia Tech inventor survey data contains commercialization measures for patented inventions and information on firm characteristics. Using this archival data, data has been collected on regional innovation measures, regional-level attributes and project-level measures. The results indicate that the agglomeration of specialized firms is positively associated with regional innovation activities, as the Marshall-Arrow-Romer model proposed. In addition to traditional regional measures, small firm dominated ecology is a strong factor explaining regional commercialization activities, even though the role is not very significant when explaining the regional patenting activities. It is suggested that the organizational ecological perspective is complementary to understand information flow mechanisms in innovative regions. One mechanism of SME dominated ecologies is partially through the increase of skilled labor mobility. Furthermore, when the regional ecology moves towards being dominated by small firms, large firms benefit more from the presence of many innovative small firms than SMEs. By contrast, the concentration of innovative small firms does not add much value for SMEs. I suggest the focus of policies should be on understanding the heterogeneous ability of accessing localized knowledge resources between large and small firms. Deriving from the findings, policy implications and future research are discussed.

A major goal for Mongolia is to eliminate rural poverty through sustainable rural development. To accomplish this, the agricultural sector must become more profitable and sustainable. Declining crop yields can be addressed by the adoption of new technology. Barriers to introduction of new agricultural technologies were evaluated using an inter-disciplinary perspective.<p> Field research was carried out to understand the factors affecting Mongolian farmers decisions to adopt conservation farming practices. A semi-structured survey questionnaire was completed by 42 farmers and 30 extension agents and in-depth interviews were conducted with ten adopter-farmers in Mongolia. The introduction of conservation tillage was used to illustrate a technology transfer system and the challenges it poses.<p> To most of the farmers, the main advantages of this technology were reduced soil erosion, increased cost efficiency, and higher crop yields. The main disadvantages found were high investment costs, unreliable input supply, and a lack of knowledge of the technology. Factors that encourage adoption of new technologies include government financial incentives, reduced labor requirements, and increased production due to better soil and water conservation. A lack of investment capital, required inputs, and relevant knowledge were all identified as barriers for the utilization of such new technologies. In general, early adopters and non-adopters of conservation tillage differed in that the early adopters tended to have more farmland, livestock, and equipment. The field studies in Mongolia were complemented by field research trials in Canada that evaluated new technologies for weed control in conservation tillage systems.<p> One key to the successful adoption of new agriculture technologies is an effective and responsive research and extension system. Currently, for Mongolian farmers and extension agents, international projects are the main source of information with respect to new agricultural technologies. The capacity of local research and extension institutions is fairly limited. It will be important to establish better linkages among 3 researchers, extension agents, farmers, and policy makers through reorganization and strengthening of Mongolias top-down research and extension system. Meaningful farmer participation must take place at all stages of any technology transfer process.<p> Based on these principles, an interdisciplinary, inclusive, and responsive national agricultural research and extension model is proposed.

Knowledge creation processes and the innovation systems through which it is transferred for the benefit of society are the economic driver of industrial economies in the globalized era, yet developing countries seeking to move through the transition from developing to developed status are struggling . A variety of theories and a range of speculations have been offered as to why some nations are more innovative than others, however little of this literature examines the theoretical and practical applicability of innovation models based on industrial societies for developing nations. This thesis examines a selection of theoretical innovation system models, analyzes their roots and assesses their applicability to transition economies where various pieces of the system present structural differences relative to developed nations. This thesis uses Mexico as a case study.<p> In the fifteen years since the 1994-95 collapse of Mexicos financial sector and the resulting economic crisis, the Mexican economy has made impressive progress towards macro-economic consolidation and stability. The OECD (2004) observes that the inflation rate has fallen from around 50% during the economic collapse of 1995 to about 4% in 2006. GDP growth has averaged 3.2% in the period from 1994 to 2008 (compared to the OECD average of 2.7%). As a partner in the North American Free Trade Agreement, trade liberalization has allowed Mexico to consolidate its export base and to specialize in medium- and high-technology manufacturing. However, the industrial sector in Mexico still shows a slow pace in developing, adopting and investing in technology. The Mexican industrial sector is lead by multinational firms that have located in Mexico due to the cheap costs of labour, while most of the research and development performed by these firms takes place outside of Mexico. Mexicos policy for S&T seems to show a disconnect between the discourse and practice.<p> Indicators show that Mexico considerably lags in S&T development. S&T development has not contributed to facilitating the country's positioning as one of the top ten most competitive nations in the world. Rather, technology transfer outcomes in the country, relative to other transitional economies, manifest an increasing deceleration in Mexico's S&T competitiveness. This thesis contrasts the innovation system in which technology transfer processes navigate in Mexico to the leading literature on theoretical models of innovation. This process facilitates identifying crucial barriers and challenges of the Mexican system of innovation that need to be addressed in order to achieve a level of S&T development that would contribute to facilitating Mexico's transition to a developed economy.

In this thesis an aid financed attempt to transfer technical training know- how in the form of consultancy support is described and analysed. Between 1992 and 1996 Swedish consultants acted as advisers during the establishment phase of the Aswan training centre. The primary aim of the centre was to supply the hydro power plants on the Nile with skilled staff. The general aim of the study was to describe, analyse and explain issues shaping the training at the centre and the influence of the consultants. The organisation of work at plants in Sweden and Egypt was investigated, as was the Swedish training centre where the consult­ants worked. Theories about development, aid and technology transfer are used to explore the theoretical base underpinning decisions to use aid resources in the form of consultancy services. Data was collected through participatory research during eight months. The empirical ana­lysis is inspired by Basil Bernstein's conceptual framework on the reconstruction of society, while the wider perspective relies on a world system theory. The findings reveal that a gap theory with a presumed trickle down effect justified the use of aid-resources. The use of con­sultants is explained by a market oriented approach, both in the Swe­dish aid authority and the Swedish training centre. In Sweden, the work was earned out by autonomous groups under market conditions with explicit time control. In Egypt, work was hierarchically organised with a plan economy system and strict control of material. In both countries the focus was on reliable production and optimal maintenance of equip­ment. In Egypt, creation of employment opportunities and staff social security was emphasised. Courtesy rules, the local staff's view of the consultants presence as a gift, the consultants view of themselves as salesmen and the contractual stipulation positioning them as advisers contributed to disguising inherent conflicts. Although the operational goals were reached, the training developed into a system where the local order of work was recreated. The findings indicate that dependency decreased regarding planning and implementation of training while it increased with respect to training equipment and learning material. / digitalisering@umu

A major goal for Mongolia is to eliminate rural poverty through sustainable rural development. To accomplish this, the agricultural sector must become more profitable and sustainable. Declining crop yields can be addressed by the adoption of new technology. Barriers to introduction of new agricultural technologies were evaluated using an inter-disciplinary perspective.<p> Field research was carried out to understand the factors affecting Mongolian farmers decisions to adopt conservation farming practices. A semi-structured survey questionnaire was completed by 42 farmers and 30 extension agents and in-depth interviews were conducted with ten adopter-farmers in Mongolia. The introduction of conservation tillage was used to illustrate a technology transfer system and the challenges it poses.<p> To most of the farmers, the main advantages of this technology were reduced soil erosion, increased cost efficiency, and higher crop yields. The main disadvantages found were high investment costs, unreliable input supply, and a lack of knowledge of the technology. Factors that encourage adoption of new technologies include government financial incentives, reduced labor requirements, and increased production due to better soil and water conservation. A lack of investment capital, required inputs, and relevant knowledge were all identified as barriers for the utilization of such new technologies. In general, early adopters and non-adopters of conservation tillage differed in that the early adopters tended to have more farmland, livestock, and equipment. The field studies in Mongolia were complemented by field research trials in Canada that evaluated new technologies for weed control in conservation tillage systems.<p> One key to the successful adoption of new agriculture technologies is an effective and responsive research and extension system. Currently, for Mongolian farmers and extension agents, international projects are the main source of information with respect to new agricultural technologies. The capacity of local research and extension institutions is fairly limited. It will be important to establish better linkages among 3 researchers, extension agents, farmers, and policy makers through reorganization and strengthening of Mongolias top-down research and extension system. Meaningful farmer participation must take place at all stages of any technology transfer process.<p> Based on these principles, an interdisciplinary, inclusive, and responsive national agricultural research and extension model is proposed.

This research investigates the strategic governance choices made in commercializing new technologies arising from university research. <br /><br /> Departing from the traditional licensing vs. start-up approach, it is proposed that there are three primary methods of commercializing these technologies: 1) Build ? creating a new business based on the technology, 2) Rent ? ongoing development and marketing of the technology to established firms that use the technology in their businesses and 3) Sell ? disposition of the technology to an established firm. <br /><br /> Using economic theories of the firm, particularly transaction cost economics, it is hypothesized that: <ul> <li>the build option is positively associated with firms deriving revenue primarily from product market activity (H1a) and expending resources on both technology development activities and production activities (H2a); </li> <li>the rent and sell options are positively associated with firms deriving revenue primarily from technology market activity (H1b) and expending resources on technology development activities but not on production activities (H2b). </li> <li>the greater the patent or other legal protection (H3), the risk of substitutes (H5) or the dynamism associated with the technology (H8), the greater the likelihood that the technology will be commercialized using the rent option;</li> <li>the greater the tacitness and complexity (H4) or the greater the volatility associated with the technology, the greater the likelihood that the technology will be commercialized using the build or sell options; and</li> <li>the greater the importance of specialized complementary assets, the greater the likelihood that the technology will be commercialized using the sell option (H6). </li> </ul> Three studies were conducted providing differing perspectives on the research question. Study #1 examines three start-ups based on new technologies arising from research conducted at the University of Waterloo. Study #2 analyzes the business activities of a number of Canadian and U. S. public start-up firms using archival data. Study #3 is a survey of university faculty members who have had new technologies arising from their academic research put into commercial use. <br /><br /> Hypotheses H1a/b, H2a/b and H3 are supported and Hypothesis H7 received more limited support. Evidence for Hypothesis H5 is in the predicted direction but failed to achieve statistical significance. Hypotheses H4, H5, H6 and H8 are not supported.