[ES] Las Startups de Base Tecnológica (SBT) son nuevas empresas emprendedoras lanzadas típicamente por un equipo con el propósito de llevar productos o servicios innovadores al mercado y lograr la escalabilidad de sus modelos de negocios. Hoy en día, se reconoce ampliamente que las SBT desempeñan un papel muy importante en la economía como fuente de innovaciones disruptivas y radicales y en la creación de nuevos empleos. Sin embargo, la mayoría de las TBS se enfrentan a retos significativos asociados con conflictos que surgen entre los miembros del equipo y con cambios en el entorno, aspectos que afectan a su rendimiento de innovación y supervivencia. De hecho, a pesar de la potencial novedad de sus productos y servicios, muchas SBT fracasan e incluso desaparecen y con ellas también sus innovaciones. En esta tesis proponemos el concepto de "Capacidades de Colaboración en Equipo" (CCE) referido a la interacción entre los miembros del equipo de una SBT como una condición organizativa esencial que permite la construcción de nuevas capacidades dinámicas estratégicas. En concreto, la tesis se centra en la relación entre CCE, capacidades operativas y resultados en innovación. Consideramos cuatro elementos como las dimensiones principales de las CCE, que comprenden: la confianza, la comunicación, la resolución de problemas y la eficacia del equipo. En primer lugar, la confianza del equipo, que les permite estar abiertos a compartir sus ideas, tener confianza y expresar sus sentimientos y comentarios constructivos. En segundo lugar, la comunicación, que consiste en fomentar el intercambio abierto de ideas e información que beneficien a los proyectos y a la organización. En tercer lugar, la resolución de problemas, que fomenta el establecimiento de protocolos para dar solución a los desacuerdos que puedan surgir a diario. En cuarto lugar, la eficacia del equipo para lograr los objetivos, resolver tareas difíciles a través del esfuerzo conjunto, gestionar problemas inesperados, ser competente y aumentar la autoeficacia para realizar las tareas y la gestión eficiente de los recursos. El estudio empírico se basa en una encuesta con el objetivo de identificar las CCE y sus relaciones con las capacidades operativas y los resultados en innovación de las SBT. Se obtuvieron 45 respuestas válidas de SBT, en su mayoría empresas que han participado en programas de aceleradoras como STARTUPV, EIT Climate KIC Valencia Accelerator Program y Fundación Repsol Entrepreneurs Fund, Social NEST y el Parque Científico de Madrid. La muestra incluye SBT con actividades centradas en el desarrollo de productos y servicios en una amplia gama de sectores, incluyendo medio ambiente, energías renovables, tecnologías limpias, transporte, consultoría, servicios de gestión industrial, arte, ocio y entretenimiento. Dadas las condiciones particulares de nuestra muestra y el tipo de datos recopilados a través de la encuesta, utilizamos la técnica de modelos de ecuaciones estructurales (SEM). Este método permite una estimación basada en componentes para el modelado de causa-efecto con variables latentes. El modelo ha sido estimado utilizando el software Smart PLS 3. Los hallazgos sugieren que el desarrollo de CCE en las SBT contribuye a la creación de nuevas capacidades operativas que resultan en mayores resultados en innovación. Asimismo, proponemos futuras líneas de investigación sobre el papel de las CCE en las colaboraciones externas. Por ejemplo, se podría estudiar la existencia de iniciativas públicas que tengan en cuenta las fases críticas del desarrollo de las SBT, como por ejemplo la promoción de la atracción de talento y el fomento de esquemas de compensación que lo retengan. Finalmente, se plantea estudiar la colaboración entre las SBT y otros agentes externos en proyectos de innovación abierta. Consideramos que estas colaboraciones favorecerían su supervivencia y competitividad. / [CAT] Les Startups de Base Tecnològica (SBT) són noves empreses emprenedores llançades típicament per un equip amb el propòsit de portar productes o serveis innovadors al mercat i aconseguir l'escalabilitat dels seus models de negocis. Hui dia, es reconeix àmpliament que les *SBT exerceixen un paper molt important en l'economia com a font d'innovacions disruptivas i radicals i en la creació de noves ocupacions. No obstant això, la majoria de les *TBS s'enfronten a reptes significatius associats amb conflictes que sorgeixen entre els membres de l'equip i amb canvis en l'entorn, aspectes que afecten el seu rendiment d'innovació i supervivència. De fet, malgrat la potencial novetat dels seus productes i serveis, moltes SBT fracassen i fins i tot desapareixen i amb elles també les seues innovacions. En aquesta tesi proposem el concepte de "Capacitats de Col·laboració en Equip" (CCE) referit a la interacció entre els membres de l'equip d'una SBT com una condició organitzativa essencial que permet la construcció de noves capacitats dinàmiques estratègiques. En concret, la tesi se centra en la relació entre CCE, capacitats operatives i resultats en innovació. Considerem quatre elements com les dimensions principals de les CCE, que comprenen: la confiança, la comunicació, la resolució de problemes i l'eficàcia de l'equip. En primer lloc, la confiança de l'equip, que els permet estar oberts a compartir les seues idees, tindre confiança i expressar els seus sentiments i comentaris constructius. En segon lloc, la comunicació, que consisteix a fomentar l'intercanvi obert d'idees i informació que beneficien als projectes i a l'organització. En tercer lloc, la resolució de problemes, que fomenta l'establiment de protocols per a donar solució als desacords que puguen sorgir diàriament. En quart lloc, l'eficàcia de l'equip per a aconseguir els objectius, resoldre tasques difícils a través de l'esforç conjunt, gestionar problemes inesperats, ser competent i augmentar la autoeficacia per a fer les tasques i la gestió eficient dels recursos. L'estudi empíric es basa en una enquesta amb l'objectiu d'identificar les CCE i les seues relacions amb les capacitats operatives i els resultats en innovació de les SBT. Es van obtindre 45 respostes vàlides de SBT, en la seua majoria empreses que han participat en programes d'acceleradores com STARTUPV, EIT Climate KIC València Accelerator Program i Fundació Repsol Entrepreneurs Fund, Social NEST i el Parc Científic de Madrid. La mostra inclou SBT amb activitats centrades en el desenvolupament de productes i serveis en una àmplia gamma de sectors, incloent medi ambient, energies renovables, tecnologies netes, transport, consultoria, serveis de gestió industrial, art, oci i entreteniment. Donades les condicions particulars de la nostra mostra i el tipus de dades recopilades a través de l'enquesta, utilitzem la tècnica de models d'equacions estructurals (SEM). Aquest mètode permet una estimació basada en components per al modelatge de causa-efecte amb variables latents. El model ha sigut estimat utilitzant el programari Smart PLS 3. Les troballes suggereixen que el desenvolupament de CCE en les SBT contribueix a la creació de noves capacitats operatives que resulten en majors resultats en innovació. Així mateix, proposem futures línies d'investigació sobre el paper de les CCE en les col·laboracions externes. Per exemple, es podria estudiar l'existència d'iniciatives públiques que tinguen en compte les fases crítiques del desenvolupament de les SBT, com per exemple la promoció de l'atracció de talent i el foment d'esquemes de compensació que el retinguen. Finalment, es planteja estudiar la col·laboració entre les SBT i altres agents externs en projectes d'innovació oberta. Considerem que aquestes col·laboracions afavoririen la seua supervivència i competitivitat. / [EN] Technology-Based Startups (TBSs) are newly emerged entrepreneurial ventures typically launched by a team with the purpose of bringing innovative products or services to market and achieving the scalability of their business models. Today, it is widely recognized that TBSs play a very important role in the economy as a source of disruptive and radical innovations and creation of new jobs. However, most TBSs face significant challenges associated with conflicts among team members and with changes in the environment, which affect their innovation performance and survival. In fact, despite the potential novelty of their products and services, many TBSs fail and even disappear together with their innovations. In this thesis we propose the concept "Team Collaboration Capabilities" (TCCs) referred to the interaction among TBS team members as an essential organizational condition to allow the construction of new strategic dynamic capabilities. In particular, the thesis focuses on the relationships between TCCs, operational capabilities and innovation performance. We consider four elements as the main dimensions of TCCs: trust, communication, problem solving and team efficacy. Firstly, team trust, which allow team members to be open to sharing their ideas, be confident and expressing their feelings and constructive feed-back. Secondly, team communication that encourages open sharing of ideas about information that favors the commitment between members and benefit the projects and the organization. Thirdly, team problem-solving encouraging the establishment of protocols that give solutions to the disagreements that may arise in the daily basis. Fourthly, team efficacy in achieving teams' goals, solving difficult tasks through joint efforts, manage together unexpected problems, be competent and increase the self-efficacy to perform the tasks and the efficient management of resources. The empirical study is based on a survey of TBSs based in Spain, aimed to the analysis of TCCs and their relationships with the operational capabilities and the TBS innovation performance. We draw on 45 valid responses of TBSs. Most of the companies in our sample were participants in accelerator programs such as STARTUPV, EIT Climate KIC Valencia Accelerator Program, Fundación Repsol Entrepreneurs Fund, Social NEST and Scientific Park of Madrid. The sample covers TBSs with activities focused on the development of products and services in a wide range of sectors, including environment, renewable energies, clean technologies, transport, consulting, industrial management services, art, leisure and entertainment. Given the particular conditions of our sample and the type of data collected through the survey, we use structural equation modeling (SEM). This method allows a component-based estimation for cause-effect modeling with latent variables. The model has been estimated using Smart PLS 3 software. The findings suggest that the development of TCCs in TBSs contribute to building new operational capabilities that result in greater innovation performance. We also propose future lines of research for the role of TCCs in external collaborations. For example, to assess public initiatives that take into account the critical phases of TBSs development, the promotion of talent attraction and the furtherance of compensation schemes that retain it. Finally, it would be interesting to study the collaboration between the TBSs and other external agents in open innovation projects. We believe that these collaborations would favor their survival and competitiveness. / La investigación que condujo a los resultados de esta tesis doctoral fue financiada en su totalidad por mi beca para estudios en el extranjero otorgada en México por el Consejo Nacional de Ciencia y Tecnología (CONACyT). / Lopez Hernandez, AK. (2019). Team collaboration capabilities as drivers for innovation performance: The case of Spanish technology-based startups [Tesis doctoral no publicada]. Universitat Politècnica de València. https://doi.org/10.4995/Thesis/10251/121143 / TESIS

Abstract By the advantage of technology innovation, the New Technology-Based Firms can not only win the competitive advantage but also make a great contribution to the national economic growth. (Rickne & Jacobsson,1996¡FAutio & Yli-Renko,1998¡FAcs,1999¡FFontes & Coombs,2001)¡C The technology of touch screens originated in military use, but it has been extensively applied to consumer, commercial, and public products. Among the touch screens, the capacitive touch screens are the best and the most expensive product. There used to be a single producer in the industry. But now, there is another company with the key manufacture technology and this company is also our study case. This study used the descriptive case-study method to analyze the strategic positioning of the New Technology-Based Firm in the industry. This study suggests the ¡§Focus Strategy¡¨ to be the strategic positioning of the new technology-based Firm in the capacitive touch screens industry, including the ¡§Cost Focus Strategy¡¨ for the cost advantage of customizing sizes and the ¡§Focus Differentiation Strategy¡¨ for the customization policy.

Course/Level: Master thesis, Strategic Marketing Management Authors: Daniel Andersson, Pontus Hjertqvist Thesis advisor: Jukka Hohenthal Title: Customer Involvement in New Service Development: Organizational Implications and Challenges Background: The nature of services is becoming technology-based, which implies that customers are becoming increasingly autonomous from the service firm. Understanding how to involve customers in the development process of such services as well as to recognize the challenges brought by customer involvement in this context should be seen as key issues for developing successful new services. Research questions: RQ1: How are customers involved in the development process of technology-based services? RQ2: How do challenges brought by customer involvement impede new service development? Purpose: The purpose of this thesis was to explore how an organization within the banking industry in Sweden involves its customers in the new service development process Methodology: A qualitative single embedded case study strategy, combining inductive and deductive reasoning. The empirical investigation was conducted using a triangulation of secondary data and primary data collected from semi-structured interviews. Conclusion: Customers are involved in three out of four of the fundamental phases in the development process. The findings acknowledged that a lack of formal routines and process of managing customer involvement impeded the organization to successfully involve customers in their new service development programs. As such, the findings suggests that organizations need to employ a new organizational design optimized for customer involvement in their NSD-programs, where current structures, processes, and mindsets need to be adjusted accordingly. Keywords: New service development, customer involvement, technology-based services, organizational challenges.

[Abstract]:Firms undertaking new product development are faced with an environment which ischaracterised by long lead times from basic research to industrial application, acommercialisation phase with short lead times and an increasingly accelerated rate ofobsolescence under the global competition of the new product development process.While this is true for all firms, STBFs face further complications from the inherentlyhigher risks associated with such firms. In examining how STBFs undertake their newproduct development (NPD), the relationship between corporate strategy, NPD processfeatures and new product success factors specifically need to be considered. Anadditional consideration is the role that business incubators play in assisting tenantSTBFs to undertake their new product development. As such, the theory of how newproduct development is undertaken by STBFs lies across several disciplines includingcorporate strategy theory, new product development theory, entrepreneurial theory,technology management theory, economic development theory and business incubatortheory. Specifically, the research problem for this research is: what are the origins andnature of new product development processes within STBFs and how do they contributeto STBF success?In undertaking a review of the literature some insights were obtained to specificallyexplain how STBFs undertake their new product development, the relationship betweenNPD process activity and new product and firm success and the role of businessincubators. As a result, a theoretical framework was developed which in turn, resulted inthree research questions:RQ 1: What elements of NPD are adopted by STBFs when developing new products?RQ 2: How does the lack of adoption of the elements of NPD contribute to new productand firm failure in STBFs?RQ 3: How and in what ways do business incubators influence the performance of theelements of NPD adopted by STBFs?A three-stage qualitative research design within the realism paradigm was used for thisresearch. It combined exploratory interviews with a case study methodology in order tobuild theory through induction. This was then followed up with a series of interviews todiscover which firms had experienced product failure, had discontinued their NPDprocess and/or had suffered firm failure over the duration of the study. As a result,meaningful insights were able to be obtained into the relationships between the adoptionof elements of NPD, new product failure and firm failure in the context of STBFs.The findings revealed that there were several aspects of the ways in which STBFsundertake their new product development activities which were not identified in theliterature. In this respect, it was evident that unlike larger and established firms in whichnew product development activity is derived out of corporate strategy, STBFs undertakecorporate strategy development as a component of new product development. It was alsofound that the corporate strategy – product development nexus was not linear but rathercomprised a number of close inter-relationships between elements of corporate strategy,NPD process features and new product success factors requiring parallel activity.Furthermore, the majority of STBFs adopted only 15 of the 22 best practice elements ofNPD proposed as part of the theoretical framework of new product development inSTBFs. In addition, it was found that the STBFs that suffered failure over the course ofthe study adopted comparatively fewer elements of NPD than did their continuing STBFcounterparts.Importantly, it was also found that business incubators provided only a modest positiveinfluence on the performance of NPD activities by their tenant STBFs. Moreover, asSTBFs are commonly single product centric, that is their overall new productdevelopment effort is focused on a single product or a narrow product line, therelationships between new product development effectiveness, new product success andfirm success are closely aligned. More specifically, ineffective support for NPD activitiescan lead to a potential lack of effectiveness of business incubators in reducing the risk of failure of their tenant STBFs. This is despite the more general focus of businessincubators in assisting tenant STBFs with corporate strategy development.The main contribution of this theory building research was the development of anempirically confirmed, theoretical and practical model for the development andmanagement of new product development by start-up technology based firms.

Recent literature suggests that communicative language tasks widely used by English as a Foreign Language (EFL) teachers to try and improve Japanese students’ learning have had little effect on improving their language ability and their intrinsic motivation to improve. Consequently, a number of teachers are now using interactive technology in the classroom although it has not been systematically implemented or widely studied. Understanding the approaches of successful EFL teachers—specifically, how teachers using an andragogic approach through experiential learning might affect student engagement—was the purpose of this qualitative study. The conceptual framework focused on student-centered learning and included Knowles’s theory of andragogy and Kolb’s experiential learning. The perceptions of 10 EFL teachers chosen through purposeful sampling and who regularly used technology in the classroom were gauged through structured interviews, direct observations, and document analysis. Emergent themes were extracted from the data through interpretive analysis. Results supported the fact that andragogic-based tasks with technology increased student engagement in the Japanese EFL university classroom by directly improving interaction between students and by stimulating communication and autonomous learning. The outcome of the study was a professional development program that was designed to provide better teacher training on facilitating technology-based lessons that engage learners and improve their language skills. Positive social change will result from providing better teacher training that focuses on facilitating technology-based lessons that engage Japanese university learners’ full potential and improve their language skills in more meaningful ways.

Increased technology reliance along with today’s global fast paced society has produced increasingly complex, dynamic operating environments in disciplines as diverse as the military, healthcare, and transportation. These complex human machine systems often place additional cognitive and metacognitive demands on the operator. Thus, there is a crucial need to develop training tools for all levels of operators in these dynamic systems. The current study was designed to empirically test the effects of four training methods on performance and mental model accuracy in a microworld simulation game. It was hypothesized that process-focused guidance targeting metacognitive level processes as well as combined process and problem focused guidance would result in better performance and mental model accuracy than problemfocused guidance alone or unguided training approaches. Additionally, it was expected that individual differences in prior decision making ability, metacognitive awareness, working memory span, and fluid intelligence would moderate the relationship between the type of instructional guidance and outcomes. Results supported the development of decision-making skills through process-focused instructional guidance, particularly for initially low performing or more novice individuals. Results highlight the importance of individual learner experience prior to training. Similarly, this research aims to expand the literature by providing support for process-focused training as a method to support non-expert decision making skills. While further research needs are outlined, the current research represents an important step forward in both the theoretical literature providing support for instruction designed to support domain general decision making skills in non-experts. iv Practical implications regarding improved guidance for future instructional and training systems design, personnel selection, operator and system performance evaluation, and safety are also discussed.

Submitted by Nadir Basilio (nadirsb@uninove.br) on 2017-06-21T15:10:24Z No. of bitstreams: 1 Edson Rezende de Souza.pdf: 1819365 bytes, checksum: e1e75dbdc74b0846754c75e3b6815b11 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2017-06-21T15:10:24Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Edson Rezende de Souza.pdf: 1819365 bytes, checksum: e1e75dbdc74b0846754c75e3b6815b11 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2017-02-24 / The number of technology-based incubators and science parks is continuously growing every year in Brazil and in other countries and, therefore, it is important to analyze how these entities manage the companies that they house and that can be considered as their projects. Studies indicate that many incubated companies and residents leave the incubators and parks because of management failures of the entities as managers and of the incubated resident companies. Project Management (PM) is considered a strategic tool and, according to studies conducted on the subject, can provide considerable support to the Incubators on the management of the incubated companies since your admission until your graduation, and for the technological parks that will house many of the technology companies that have left the incubators and will solidify its operations for further entry into domestic and international markets. Thus, this study proposed to analyze how IBTs and technology parks manage their projects in a point of view of traditional and agile Project Management methodologies. To this end, this study has adopted a qualitative research design with exploratory and descriptive approach using the methodology of a multiple case study. The data collection was performed through semi-structured interviews with project managers in technology incubators and science parks located in the São Paulo State, Brazil. Among the findings, it was found adherence to use of more flexible GP methodologies on technology-based incubators, and more structured methods in the science parks. The main theoretical contribution of this study was opening new horizons for new researches related to GP used in incubators and science parks. In a practical context, it was possible to submit to incubators structured arguments about the importance of adopting, and applying the PM practices in the selection and conduction of incubated firms towards your graduation. In the case of science parks, the practice is dedicated to the use of structured selection methods of PM and to the monitoring of the firms that they house, as well as to disseminate such practices with technology-based firms that they support. / O número de incubadoras de base tecnológica e parques tecnológicos vêm crescendo a cada ano no Brasil e em outros países e, portanto, torna-se importante analisar como essas entidades gerenciam as empresas que abrigam e que podem ser consideradas como seus projetos. Estudos indicam que muitas empresas incubadas e residentes deixam as incubadoras e os parques por falhas de gestão tanto das entidades quanto dos gestores das empresas incubadas e residentes. O gerenciamento de projetos (GP) é considerado uma ferramenta estratégica e, de acordo com estudos realizados sobre a temática, pode oferecer um considerável apoio às Incubadoras na gestão das empresas incubadas, desde seu ingresso até sua graduação, e aos parques tecnológicos que irão abrigar muitas das empresas de tecnologia que deixaram as incubadoras e irão solidificar suas operações para posterior ingresso no mercado nacional e internacional. Dessa forma, o presente estudo propôs analisar como as IBTs e parques tecnológicos gerenciam seus projetos à luz das metodologias tradicional e ágil de Gestão de Projetos. Para tal, foi adotado um delineamento de pesquisa qualitativa com abordagem exploratória e descritiva, utilizando a metodologia de estudo de casos múltiplos. A coleta de dados foi realizada através de entrevistas semiestruturadas com os gestores de projeto em incubadoras de tecnologia e parques localizados no Estado de São Paulo. Entre os resultados apresentados, observou-se a aderência ao uso de metodologias mais flexíveis de GP nas incubadoras de tecnologia e métodos mais estruturados nos parques tecnológicos. A principal contribuição teórica deste estudo foi a abertura de novos horizontes para novas pesquisas relacionadas ao uso do GP em incubadoras e parques tecnológicos. No contexto prático, foi possível apresentar às incubadoras argumentos estruturados sobre a importância de adotarem e aplicarem as práticas de GP na seleção e condução das empresas incubadas rumo a sua graduação. No caso dos parques tecnológicos, a contribuição prática está voltada ao uso de métodos de GP estruturados na seleção e no acompanhamento das empresas que abrigam, assim como a disseminação de tais práticas junto às empresas de tecnologia que apoiam.

Informação e conhecimento têm sido citados por duas décadas como ferramentas de vantagem competitiva. Recentemente, discute-se a utilização destas na promoção da inovação. A premissa indica que a interação de indivíduos, o compartilhamento de informação e a criação do conhecimento são vitais para o sucesso das organizações que precisam aprender e inovar a todo o momento. O estudo tem como propósito apontar contribuições de um ambiente de aquisição, disseminação e utilização da informação para a subseqüente criação do conhecimento, verificando como esses dois processos ocorrem em empresas de base tecnológica. Optou-se pelo emprego do método comparativo de casos e pela pesquisa qualitativa, realizada em nove empresas de base tecnológica, as quais se encontravam incubadas ou que passaram recentemente pela fase de incubação no Parque Tecnológico da cidade de São Carlos. Entre os principais resultados, constatou-se que nas empresas graduadas a gestão da informação e seus procedimentos foi identificada como mais consciente e estruturada. Em contrapartida, percebeu-se que as empresas incubadas possuíam um ambiente com maiores condições de criação de conhecimento. / Information and knowledge have been cited for two decades as competitive advantage tools. Recently, the use of them is discussed in promotion of the innovation. The premise indicates that human interaction, information sharing and knowledge creation are vital for the success of organizations that need to learn and innovate all the time. This study has the intention to point contributions from an environment of acquisition, dissemination and the use of information to the subsequent knowledge creation, verifying how these two processes happen in technology-based companies. The comparative method of cases and qualitative research was used, conducted in nine technology-based companies, which were incubated or which passed recently by the incubating process in Technologic Park of São Carlos. Among the main results, it was found that in graduated companies the information management and its procedures was identified as more conscious and structured. However, it was also noticed that the incubated companies had an environment with better conditions for knowledge creation.

Esta pesquisa apresenta os resultados obtidos do estudo sobre a sobrevivência de empresas de base tecnológica (EBTs) pós-incubadas, a partir da ação empreendedora. A hipótese nula formulada, segundo a qual as ações do empreendedor para mobilização e uso dos recursos não influenciam a sobrevivência das empresas de base tecnológica pós-incubadas foi testada e rejeitada. Dessa forma, foi observado que tais ações influenciam positivamente a sobrevivência de EBTs. A diretriz teórica que orientou este estudo foi a da teoria da visão baseada em recursos, que aborda a função dos recursos na sobrevivência de empresas. Utilizaram-se dois enfoques de pesquisa, de natureza quantitativa e qualitativa, a partir do uso dos métodos survey e estudo de caso. O survey foi realizado com uma amostra não probabilística de 92 empresas, extraídas de um universo de 1025 EBTs pós-incubadas. As técnicas utilizadas para tratamento e análise dos dados foram de estatística descritiva e Modelagem em Equações Estruturais com estimação por mínimos quadrados parciais (PLS-PM). O estudo qualitativo foi realizado a partir do método de estudo de caso e investigou três unidades de pesquisa a partir de critérios pré-estabelecidos. Os achados da pesquisa demonstraram que há uma relação entre recursos e sobrevivência de empresas, confirmando conhecimentos anteriores da teoria da visão baseada em recursos. Achados mais específicos revelaram que o conjunto de ações dos empreendedores, e não ações isoladas, realizadas para mobilizar e usar os recursos foram determinantes para sustentar a sobrevivência das EBTs estudadas. As ações realizadas foram para contratação de técnicos e gerentes, obtenção de recursos financeiros por meio de capital próprio ou de capitalistas de risco, obtenção de recursos por meio financiamentos ou subvenções, aquisição de equipamentos, softwares e demais infraestrutura física de pesquisa, realização de patenteamento e aquisição de licenças. Resultados relacionados aos recursos de conhecimento também demonstraram que as empresas pesquisadas não são geradoras de inovações radicais. Na sua maioria, essas empresas aperfeiçoam tecnologias já existentes, gerando, portanto, inovações incrementais. / This research presents the results obtained from the study about the survival of technology-based firms (TBFs) post-incubated, from the entrepreneurial action. The null hypothesis formulated, according to which the actions of the entrepreneur for mobilization and use of resources does not influence the survival of technology-based companies post-incubated was tested and rejected. Thus, it was observed that such actions positively influence the survival of TBFs. The theoretical guideline that oriented this study was the theory of the resource-based view, which addresses the role of resources in the survival of companies. We used two approaches to research, quantitative and qualitative, from the use of survey and case study methods. The survey was conducted with a non-probabilistic sample of 92 companies, drawn from a universe of 1025 post-incubated TBFs. The techniques used for processing and data analysis were descriptive statistics and Structural Equation Modeling with estimation by partial least squares (SEM-PLS). The qualitative study was performed using the case study method and investigated three research units from preestablished criteria. The research findings showed that there is a relationship between resources and survival of businesses, confirming previous knowledge of the theory of resource-based view. More specific findings revealed that the set of entrepreneurial actions, not isolated actions, undertaken to mobilize and use resources were crucial to sustain the survival of TBFs studied. The actions were taken to hiring managers and technicians, obtaining funds through equity or venture capitalists, obtaining funds through financing or grants, purchase of equipment, software and other physical infrastructure for research, patenting and acquisition of licenses. Results related to knowledge resources also showed that the surveyed companies are not generating radical innovations. Most of these companies improve existing technologies, generating, therefore, incremental innovations.

Thesis advisor: Michael Russell / Large-scale assessments are often used for statewide accountability and for instructional and institutional planning. It is essential that the instruments used are valid and reliable for all test takers included in the testing population. However, these tests have often fallen short in the area of accessibility, which can impact validity for students with special needs. This dissertation examines two strategies to addressing accessibility: the use of technology to implement principles of universal design to assessment and the provision of accommodations. This study analyzed test data for students attending high schools in New Hampshire, Vermont and Rhode Island who participated in the 2009 11th grade New England Common Assessment Program (NECAP) science assessment. Three test conditions were of interest: (1) no accommodations with a paper-based form (2) accommodated test administration with a paper-based form and (3) accommodated test administration using a universally designed computer-based test delivery system with embedded accommodations and accessibility features. Results from two analyses are presented: differential item functioning (DIF) and confirmatory factor analysis (CFA). DIF was used to explore item functioning, comparing item difficulty and discrimination under accommodated and non-accommodated conditions. Similarly, CFA was used to examine the consistency of underlying factor structure as evidence that constructs measured were stable across test conditions. Results from this study offered evidence that overall item functioning and underlying factor structure was consistent across accommodated and unaccommodated conditions, regardless of whether accommodations were provided with a paper form or a universally designed computer-based test delivery system. These results support the viability of using technology-based assessments as a valid means of assessing students and offering embedded, standardized supports to address access needs.