This study examines the influence of inward technology transfers and international entrepreneurial orientation (IEO) on the export performance of small and medium-sized firms (SMEs). IEO and innovation are frequently cited as critical antecedents of export activities. Highly entrepreneurial and innovative firms seek to capitalize on their unique intellectual property by penetrating a niche global market quickly. Extant research primarily focuses on technology innovators, in countries well known for their technological advances and support of technology based start-ups. However, SMEs that do not have a technological niche also internationalize. This phenomenon is particularly prevalent in developing economies like Egypt, where horizontal flows of technology (the transfer of technology from one organization to another), especially from overseas companies, are more common than vertical transfers of technology (i.e., from researchers directly to organizations). The literature suggests that many SMEs, especially those in developing economies, rely on the horizontal inflow of technology to enhance their export potential. The hypothesis is that by importing technology, firms also develop an outward internationalization capability (OIC). A second hypothesis is that IEO contributes to creating such capability. The literature postulates that IEO is a dynamic capability that helps firms exploit and reconfigure their resources to pursue international opportunities. Thus, firms with a higher IEO are more likely to develop OIC than are their less entrepreneurially oriented counterparts. Also, firms with a higher IEO are more likely to be involved in inflow of technology processes than are their counterparts. Despite evidence of a link between innovation and export performance, there is a dearth of research examining how inward transfers of technology from other countries influence the development of capabilities and outward internationalization of firms. This research addresses this gap by using resource-based view of the firm, dynamic capabilities view, network theory, and the concept of entrepreneurial orientation, to develop an explanation of how inward transfers of foreign technology may influence the internationalization capability and export performance of firms. Hypotheses are tested in the context of horizontal transfers of foreign technology to SMEs located in Egypt. The research progressed in two stages. In the first stage, interviews with managers of firms having experience importing technology and with substantial export activity helped to identify and confirm relevant factors that comprise OIC. During the second stage, data on inflows of technology (IFT), IEO, OIC, and exports were collected from a sample of 214 SMEs by a survey. Research results identified capabilities that underlie the outward internationalization of SMEs, by developing an OIC scale. There are no measures for OIC in extant literature. Thus, this research contributes to the development of a valid and reliable measure of this construct. Findings support the hypothesis that IEO has a direct positive effect on export performance. The relationships between IEO and export performance is partially mediated by OIC. On the other hand, the relationship between inflows of technology and export performance is fully mediated by OIC, where this research found that IFT does not have a direct effect on export performance. The research results further suggest that the level of OIC development is mainly explained by IEO, but with some contribution from IFT. The research contributes to streams of literature in international business, international entrepreneurship and management of technology. In particular, it expands the understanding of linkages between inward internationalization (inward flow of technology) and outward internationalization (export activities). The linkage between inward and outward internationalization processes received limited attention in the literature, and such research is rarer still in the context of SMEs in developing economies. The research additionally investigates the influence of a 'firm's strategic orientation (IEO) on export performance. While IEO is suggested to have a direct effect on export performance, IEO is also suggested to be an antecedent of OIC, which in turn affects export performance. Studying the mediating effect of OIC contributes to clarifying the conflicting findings of previous studies that examined the impact of entrepreneurial behaviour on international performance. The results provide owners/managers of SMEs with guidance on how to lever technology transfers by building related capabilities. The research also provides SMEs with guidance on how to measure and assess their OIC, and understand how such capability can be built or enhanced. The results additionally clarify the role of a firm's strategic orientation (IEO) in the configuration of resources and the creation of capabilities. Finally, the research helps policy-makers structure export-support polices that explicitly take advantage of opportunities presented by technology imports.

This study examines the influence of inward technology transfers and international entrepreneurial orientation (IEO) on the export performance of small and medium-sized firms (SMEs). IEO and innovation are frequently cited as critical antecedents of export activities. Highly entrepreneurial and innovative firms seek to capitalize on their unique intellectual property by penetrating a niche global market quickly. Extant research primarily focuses on technology innovators, in countries well known for their technological advances and support of technology based start-ups. However, SMEs that do not have a technological niche also internationalize. This phenomenon is particularly prevalent in developing economies like Egypt, where horizontal flows of technology (the transfer of technology from one organization to another), especially from overseas companies, are more common than vertical transfers of technology (i.e., from researchers directly to organizations). The literature suggests that many SMEs, especially those in developing economies, rely on the horizontal inflow of technology to enhance their export potential. The hypothesis is that by importing technology, firms also develop an outward internationalization capability (OIC). A second hypothesis is that IEO contributes to creating such capability. The literature postulates that IEO is a dynamic capability that helps firms exploit and reconfigure their resources to pursue international opportunities. Thus, firms with a higher IEO are more likely to develop OIC than are their less entrepreneurially oriented counterparts. Also, firms with a higher IEO are more likely to be involved in inflow of technology processes than are their counterparts. Despite evidence of a link between innovation and export performance, there is a dearth of research examining how inward transfers of technology from other countries influence the development of capabilities and outward internationalization of firms. This research addresses this gap by using resource-based view of the firm, dynamic capabilities view, network theory, and the concept of entrepreneurial orientation, to develop an explanation of how inward transfers of foreign technology may influence the internationalization capability and export performance of firms. Hypotheses are tested in the context of horizontal transfers of foreign technology to SMEs located in Egypt. The research progressed in two stages. In the first stage, interviews with managers of firms having experience importing technology and with substantial export activity helped to identify and confirm relevant factors that comprise OIC. During the second stage, data on inflows of technology (IFT), IEO, OIC, and exports were collected from a sample of 214 SMEs by a survey. Research results identified capabilities that underlie the outward internationalization of SMEs, by developing an OIC scale. There are no measures for OIC in extant literature. Thus, this research contributes to the development of a valid and reliable measure of this construct. Findings support the hypothesis that IEO has a direct positive effect on export performance. The relationships between IEO and export performance is partially mediated by OIC. On the other hand, the relationship between inflows of technology and export performance is fully mediated by OIC, where this research found that IFT does not have a direct effect on export performance. The research results further suggest that the level of OIC development is mainly explained by IEO, but with some contribution from IFT. The research contributes to streams of literature in international business, international entrepreneurship and management of technology. In particular, it expands the understanding of linkages between inward internationalization (inward flow of technology) and outward internationalization (export activities). The linkage between inward and outward internationalization processes received limited attention in the literature, and such research is rarer still in the context of SMEs in developing economies. The research additionally investigates the influence of a 'firm's strategic orientation (IEO) on export performance. While IEO is suggested to have a direct effect on export performance, IEO is also suggested to be an antecedent of OIC, which in turn affects export performance. Studying the mediating effect of OIC contributes to clarifying the conflicting findings of previous studies that examined the impact of entrepreneurial behaviour on international performance. The results provide owners/managers of SMEs with guidance on how to lever technology transfers by building related capabilities. The research also provides SMEs with guidance on how to measure and assess their OIC, and understand how such capability can be built or enhanced. The results additionally clarify the role of a firm's strategic orientation (IEO) in the configuration of resources and the creation of capabilities. Finally, the research helps policy-makers structure export-support polices that explicitly take advantage of opportunities presented by technology imports.

Cette thèse a pour objectif de définir les effets potentiels, actuels et futurs, des flux d’investissement réalisés dans le cadre de projets du type Mécanisme de Développement propre (MDP) ou tout autre mécanisme successeur. Ainsi, nous proposons une évaluation de ce type d’investissements, perçu par les pays en développement à l’horizon de 2020 et 2050, ainsi que de leurs effets économiques. Nous essayons aussi de définir les caractéristiques (observées jusqu'à présent) de ces flux et de leurs interactions avec les flux financiers «classiquement» perçus par les Pays en Développement (PED) : aide publique au développement (APD) et investissements directs étrangers (IDE). Sont aussi étudiés les facteurs principaux qui pourraient induire de plus conséquentes retombées pour les pays récepteurs, mais aussi les impacts des MDP en termes de développement durable et de transferts technologiques. L’analyse est complétée par une description des principaux obstacles qui existent (en raison des caractéristiques des pays récepteurs mais aussi du mécanisme lui-même), des tentatives de solutions déjà adoptées ainsi que des mécanismes alternatifs qui pourraient être mis en place à l’avenir. Ainsi, l’analyse démontre les effets bénéfiques des projets MDP (ou des potentiels mécanismes successeurs) en termes d'investissements perçus, d’Unités de Réductions Carbone (qui peuvent en résulter), de croissance économique, de transferts technologiques et de développement durable pour les pays non-Annexe I. En outre, l’analyse souligne l'importance des capacités d’absorption de ces pays (notamment présence de main-d'œuvre qualifiée, disponibilité de facilités de crédit et d’infrastructures dans le domaine des énergies renouvelables) afin de bénéficier plus largement des potentielles retombées économiques. Ainsi, la mise en place d'un mécanisme similaire amélioré et accompagné de programmes de développement des capacités installés, devrait être du plus grand intérêt autant pour les pays Annexe I et non-Annexe I dans le cadre de futures négociations du CCNUCC. / The present thesis focuses on the definition of potential Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) (or other successor mechanism) financial flows at the horizon of 2020 and 2050 and on their impact on recipient countries’ economies. The analysis is completed by an overview of the current CDM characteristics, not only through a comparison with other financial flows (Foreign Direct Investments (FDI) and Official development Assistance (ODA)) typical for developing countries, but also through a detailed survey of the conditions that would ease the spread of greater spill-over effects and through an analysis of the current impacts on host countries’ economic growth. At last, the thesis presents an overview of the current CDM impacts in terms of technology transfers and sustainable development and it proposes a detailed overview of the main offset- mechanism limits, the undergone improvements and the alternative solutions. Thus, the thesis shows the positive impact that projects under the CDM or any potential successor mechanisms can have in terms of perceived investments, issued carbon emission reductions, economic growth, technology transfers and, ultimately, sustainable development within non-Annex I host countries. In addition, it demonstrates that larger share of benefits will be earned by those countries that would be able to absorb greater spill-over effects through their more favourable conditions in terms of renewable energies infrastructure, credit facilities and qualified human capital availability. For both Annex I and non-Annex I countries, the generalization of an improved sustainable successor mechanisms, in combination with robust capacity building programs, should be of the highest interest in any future negotiations under the UNFCCC.

Since its inception, Israel has wrestled with attempts by adversaries to keep her politically isolated in the international arena. To garner more friends and expand diplomatic reach, Israeli leaders initiated a strategy of sharing specialized knowledge with other nations. The technologies and knowledge shared were based on the experience gained from Israel’s distinctive security and developmental struggles. The transfer of technology developed into a foreign policy instrument in Israel’s overall international relations. Technical cooperation became part of a broader foreign relations drive that sought to deliver greater diplomatic recognition for Israel. This strategy, which continues to present times, was born mostly out of two major necessities for the young struggling state. The first, to boost Israel’s political stature in international forums. The second, to counterbalance efforts by Israel’s rivals to keep the Jewish State isolated in the Middle East and the rest of the world. In the early years of the initiative, the technology transfers were mostly confined in fields related to agriculture and the military. In more recent years, the rise of Israel’s hi-tech industry has attracted worldwide attention creating new opportunities for Israeli foreign policymakers to widen the scope of technologies to be offered as part of international partnerships. The dissertation examines the interplay of technology/knowledge transfers as a source of soft power for Israel in efforts to advance relationships even with seemingly unlikely partner nations. It explores the usefulness of know-how sharing in the making, growing and maintaining Israel’s relationships with two influential Asian countries. The study considers the multiple factors including the convergence of interests as drivers of Israel’s ties to India and China in both secretive and open relationships. Over the span of five decades, the Jewish State’s international cooperation efforts have grown in scope of expertise in areas like agriculture, defense, anti-terrorist training, and disaster relief. The study explores the weight of Israel’s technology transfers as tools of diplomacy in terms of propping up trade ties, gaining more favorable policies towards Israel in the context of the conflict with Palestinians and boosting bilateral exchanges in the form of official visits and treaties.

L’objet de la présente étude relève d’une approche technologique du domaine ibérique à la fin de l’Âge du Fer. L’orientation donnée à notre étude est celle d’un intérêt porté à l’origine d’une innovation : les pratiques de cuisson de la céramique ibérique. Il s’agit d’identifier les modalités selon lesquelles s’articulent matières disponibles, techniques et matériaux fabriqués et de mettre en évidence les jeux d’actions et de rétroactions qui existent entre ces trois composantes au sein de la vallée de l’Èbre. L’étude du matériel issu d’un centre de production – l’atelier de potiers du Mas de Moreno (Foz-Calanda, Teruel, Espagne ; iiie-ier s. av. J.-C.) – revêt dans ce cadre un intérêt particulier : en s’attachant à ce qui relève du raté, il devient possible d’isoler les causes du refus et, par contraste, de mettre en évidence les choix caractérisant une situation normale de production. L’analyse des matériaux fabriqués au sein de l’atelier permet alors d’illustrer la complexité des mécanismes en jeu. En s’attachant à l’articulation entre la gestion des aspects thermiques liés à la cuisson et la mise en œuvre d’une matière argileuse aux qualités particulières, il est possible de proposer une restitution des modalités de gestion du risque au cours de la production. L’acceptation d’une part de risque apparaît alors comme un des moteurs de l’innovation, autorisant une évolution progressive des pratiques de cuisson et l’adoption de techniques nouvelles. / This work aims to understand the technological history of Iron Age Iberia, particularly by focusing on Iberian ceramic firing practices. By highlighting feedbacks and interconnections, main objectives of this thesis are the investigation of the links between the pathways of row material, knowhow and products evolution in the Ebro valley. Details investigations were conducted on the potter workshop of the Mas de Moreno (Foz-Calanda, Teruel, Spain; 3rd-1st c. BC). Here the examination of the variety of defects and failures during the production process allowed a specification of the ideal process. The overall complexity of the production process was evaluated by chemical and mineralogical material analysis. Thermal details of ceramic firing and peculiar properties of the used clayey material enabled us, for the first time, to propose a hypothesis on the production risk management. It appears that the acceptance of risk was the driving force for innovation, allowing for a gradual and steady evolution of the firing practices and the adoption of new techniques.