Due to socioeconomic disparities and geographic isolation, rural Kentucky residents bear a greater burden of poor health compared to national averages. Specifically, rural Kentucky residents are at greater risk of becoming obese and suffering from comorbidities of obesity such as type 2 diabetes, hypertension and cardiovascular disease. The purpose of the present study was two-fold. First, we the barriers to nutrition and physical activity unique to rural Kentucky counties which high proportions of obese adults (< 40%) were examined and extrapolated. Second, this information was used to develop a health and wellness app tailored to rural Kentucky counties. The objective was met via a formative assessment regarding causes for obesity in three rural Kentucky counties using focus groups. From these discussions, two major themes arose: barriers to good nutrition and physical activity, and desired web‐app features. From this assessment, FitFaceoff was developed and released into the same counties. Usage and user interaction were assessed using GoogleAnalytics™ software. Analysis revealed poor user liking and unsuccessful implementation of FitFaceoff, however further qualitative research is needed to evaluate poor user reception of FitFaceoff and possible future directions.

Thesis (Ph.D. (Computer Science))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2008.

Technological advances have created unlimited opportunities in education. Training and technology have merged to create new methods referred to as technology-based training. Technology-based training, for the purpose of this study, was defined as training that is delivered via the Internet, CD-ROM, or video conferencing either at a distance or in a local setting. A variety of forms of technology-based training were found throughout educational and workforce settings. The purpose of this study was to identify organizations that hire agriculture and life sciences students for positions involving technology-based training and identify competencies required for these positions from the perspective of the identified organizations. This study described the technologies that the identified organizations were using to design and deliver technology-based training, the audience to which the organizations were providing training, and the competencies that the identified organizations were seeking in potential employees. Findings from this study revealed a need for individuals with specialization in creating and providing technology-based training. Data suggested seven key skills and competencies needed to work in technology-based training: 1) instructional design, 2) technology/computer skills, 3) the ability to conduct a needs assessment, 4) interpersonal skills, 5) writing skills, 6) planning and organizational skills, and 7) evaluation skills. The identified skills and competencies related to technology-based training mirror those reported in previous research. Based on analysis of the data, it was concluded that students with expertise in these skill and competency areas are more marketable in organizations that hire agriculture and life sciences students.

Thesis (Ph.D. (Computer Science))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2008.

Thesis (Ph.D. (Computer Science))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2008.

The increasingly significant role played by small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) and entrepreneurship in national economies has attracted growing attention. Recent trends have increasingly emphasised the value of knowledge. The challenge within the 21st century is the importance of the productivity of service and knowledgeable workers, as well as strategic flexibility and innovation. It is suggested that high level of innovation, R&D and productivity are positively related. Technology-based SMEs are specifically selected as the object of this thesis since they exhibit most of the characteristics of the three terms, “SMEs”, “innovation” and “entrepreneurship”. SMEs may come across significant constraints because of their own limitations, such as financial constraints, human capital shortages, and weak market power. These constraints are even more serious for technology-based SMEs due to their industrial nature. As a consequence, technology-based SMEs tend to have a higher failure rate than non-tech SMEs and large firms. However, the benefits brought by them cannot be neglected. For example, the return of R&D on a social level is higher than the private level, which highlights the importance of technology-based SMEs for national development. Therefore, it motivates governments to increase support for technology-based SMEs. This thesis aims to examine the effectiveness of government policies on technology-based SMEs and entrepreneurship in Beijing, China. Some researchers have studied and examined the policies, but mainly focussed on the description of policy frameworks and policy dynamics. There is a lack of studies examining the effectiveness of policies from the perspective of entrepreneurs in this context. This thesis fills this gap. This thesis makes both a theoretical and methodological contribution to the entrepreneurship studies literature through the holistic case study approach. A mixed-method approach of document analysis, interview and a questionnaire are used to understand the interaction between policies and technology entrepreneurs. The key findings of this thesis are that policies have strong positive effects on the promotion of entrepreneurship and SMEs. But there are still some negative points when implementing policies, such as uneven filter criteria and supervision system between new and established firms.

This thesis investigates knowledge and learning in new technology-based firms (NTBFs) in an early-stage entrepreneurial ecosystem. Previous work on entrepreneurial learning suggests that experiential learning, vicarious learning and exploration are the learning types that entrepreneurs use to manage knowledge, and that this leads to the creation of entrepreneurial knowledge. While the majority of previous research involves entrepreneurial learning that is based on absorptive capacity (ACAP) to generate competitive advantage, this study examines how new venture teams (NVTs) manage new and prior knowledge when developing and commercialising software. The knowledge-based view (KBV) regards knowledge as the most important resource to allocate. This research adopts this approach in exploring how NVTs acquire, assimilate and use new knowledge. Based on a framework encompassing networks, prior knowledge and knowledge management the study explores, examines and analyses: i. Entrepreneurial networks; ii. Early-stage entrepreneurial ecosystems; iii. NVTs’ prior knowledge; and iv. Knowledge integration activities. The research adopts a qualitative approach and methodology comprising two stages. The first one captures the perceptions of multiple agents involved in the entrepreneurial networks in Colombia, from government, academia and support institutions (private and public). In the second stage eight NVTs from Medellín were asked to describe the resources and source of resources used when developing and commercialising the first innovative product while creating and establishing the NTBF; their answers were validated in a second interview using a mind map to illustrate key events and key sources of new knowledge. Analysis of the data reveals that even in early-stage entrepreneurial ecosystems, NVTs acquire knowledge from external sources, such as mentors, intermediaries and customers. This finding echoes the importance of ACAP in NTBF creation and survival. Moreover, NVTs acquire knowledge from internal sources of knowledge, such as new members, experience and formal education. In general, regardless of how related, specific and complementary the prior knowledge of the NVT is, all cases use external and internal knowledge integration activities. This study provides new insights into the nature of knowledge integration and has clarified distinctions between two key substantive capabilities in NTBFs: developing a technology and commercialising a new product. As regard to the KBV, the thesis also shows how entrepreneurial and innovative networks helped with the acquisition of new knowledge in an early-stage entrepreneurial ecosystem. This new knowledge can be market-related but also technical-related, and can also be acquired by outsourcing when the NVT’s knowledge base is not specialised in the technology that the firm offers. NVTs manage prior and new knowledge when developing and commercialising new technologies while they create and establish the NTBF, for by doing so they also focus on sales to maintain cash flow. The study suggests that members of NVTs work together, make decisions together and are both reflective and selective when choosing their sources of new knowledge in NTBFs. This study has important implications for policymakers and practitioners. While current policies and entrepreneurs recognise networks as the most important source of knowledge, findings of this research suggests that internal sources of knowledge are equally important, therefore NVTs must also develop internal knowledge integration abilities.

Submitted by Alison Vanceto (alison-vanceto@hotmail.com) on 2017-01-24T10:21:06Z No. of bitstreams: 1 DissCDF.pdf: 1541095 bytes, checksum: f2f471c86b0fd705309d2869e9a582b6 (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Camila Passos (camilapassos@ufscar.br) on 2017-02-08T10:50:23Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 1 DissCDF.pdf: 1541095 bytes, checksum: f2f471c86b0fd705309d2869e9a582b6 (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Camila Passos (camilapassos@ufscar.br) on 2017-02-08T10:50:52Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 1 DissCDF.pdf: 1541095 bytes, checksum: f2f471c86b0fd705309d2869e9a582b6 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2017-02-08T10:51:03Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 DissCDF.pdf: 1541095 bytes, checksum: f2f471c86b0fd705309d2869e9a582b6 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2016-08-17 / Não recebi financiamento / This research aimed to identify and analyze what are the features supported by the incubators of technology-based companies for the incubated companies and analyze what is the importance of these resources for the operation and the incubators and TBCs. As theoretical guidelines were adopted prospects of Resource Based View, which addresses the survival of businesses based on their internal resources and Resource Dependence, which aims to understand the organizational interdependence considering the external environment of organizations. To this end, the triangulation of methods was adopted, with quantitative and qualitative approach, with the use of survey and multi case study. The case study was made with the implementation of semi structured interviews with Supera incubators, Softex and Cinet / Softnet, all in the state of São Paulo and the survey was made the basis of a questionnaire based on the Likert Scale applied to a sample 30 technology-based companies, drawn from a universe of 120 companies that are incubated by the interviewed incubators. For the processing of data were used the descriptive statistics and regression analysis based perspective of total factor productivity, which aims to identify which affects the income of a business and that is not directly related to production factors, with proposing two options, the first being that the resources do not affect the revenue of TBCs and the second is that affect revenue. Even for the case study was made the content analysis. From the survey data it was possible to identify five categories of resources, physical, financial, technological, organizational and human, and further confirm the hypothesis that resources affect the performance of TBCs, and the most representative are the physical resources. It was also observed that the incubators seek ways to provide the resources required for TBCs, are the improvement of its internal resources, as evaluates the resource-based view, are the relationships with other organizations, through the inter-organizational relationships, as recommended by the dependence resources. And TBCs seek in the incubation program a way to deal with the adversities of the environment and the market as well as additional resources. / Esta pesquisa teve como objetivo identificar e analisar quais são os recursos suportados pelas incubadoras de empresas de base tecnológica para as empresas incubadas bem como analisar qual a importância desses recursos para o funcionamento e das incubadoras e das EBTs. Como diretriz teórica foram adotadas as perspectivas da Visão Baseada em Recursos, que aborda a sobrevivência das empresas com base em seus recursos internos e da Dependência de Recursos, que tem como objetivo compreender a interdependência organizacional considerando o ambiente externo das organizações. Para tal, foi adotado a triangulação de métodos, com abordagem quantitativa e qualitativa, com a utilização de survey e multi estudo de caso. O estudo de caso foi feito com a realização de entrevista semi estruturada com as incubadoras Supera, Softex e Cinet/Softnet, todas no interior do Estado de São Paulo e o survey foi feito à partir de um questionário baseado na Escala Likert aplicado em um amostra de 30 empresas de base tecnológica, extraídas de um universo de 120 empresas que estão incubadas pelas incubadoras entrevistadas. Para o tratamento dos dados foram utilizadas as técnicas de estatística descritiva bem com análise de regressão baseada perspectiva da Produtividade Total dos Fatores, que visa identificar o que afeta a receita de uma empresa e que não está relacionado diretamente com os fatores de produção, com a proposição de duas hipóteses. Ainda para o estudo de caso foi feita a análise de conteúdo. À partir do levantamento dos dados foi possível identificar cinco categorias de recursos, físicos, financeiros, tecnológicos, organizacionais e humanos, e ainda confirmar a hipótese de que os recursos afetam no desempenho das EBTs, sendo que os mais representativos são os recursos físicos. Observou-se ainda que as incubadoras buscam formas de oferecer os recursos demandados pelas EBTs, sejam pela melhoria dos seus recursos internos, como avalia a visão baseada em recursos, sejam pelas relações com outras organizações, através das relações interorganizacionais, como preconiza a dependência de recursos. E as EBTs buscam no programa de incubação uma forma de lidar com as adversidades do ambiente e do mercado bem como complementar seus recursos.

Submitted by Morgana Silva (morgana_linhares@yahoo.com.br) on 2016-06-16T18:08:14Z No. of bitstreams: 1 arquivototal.pdf: 1654506 bytes, checksum: 3e896b568c97fdfc3ca418f1cda75fee (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Viviane Lima da Cunha (viviane@biblioteca.ufpb.br) on 2016-06-20T11:37:25Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 1 arquivototal.pdf: 1654506 bytes, checksum: 3e896b568c97fdfc3ca418f1cda75fee (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Viviane Lima da Cunha (viviane@biblioteca.ufpb.br) on 2016-06-20T11:38:00Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 1 arquivototal.pdf: 1654506 bytes, checksum: 3e896b568c97fdfc3ca418f1cda75fee (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2016-06-20T11:38:31Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 arquivototal.pdf: 1654506 bytes, checksum: 3e896b568c97fdfc3ca418f1cda75fee (MD5) Previous issue date: 2016-02-24 / Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior - CAPES / This study aimed to understand the perception of managers of technology-based companies (TBCs) about creativity and its implications for the development of managerial competencies. To this end, the following specific objectives have been defined: a) characterize the meaning of creativity in the perception of the TBCs managers; b) identify the role of creativity in the context of professional performance of TBCs managers; c) identify managerial competencies of TBCs linked to creativity and; d) verify the implications of creative thinking and technological environment in the development of managerial competencies in TBCs. The Literature review was structured by creativity, which involves the creative environment, creative work and creative management; managerial competencies, technology-based companies and their characterization. The research qualifies as a qualitative approach and was held with managers of companies of technological basis, participants of technology incubator of Campina Grande-PB, in a total of 9 (nine) respondents linked to 8 companies. The interviews were transcribed, categorized and interpreted through content analysis. The categorization of the data process enabled the delimitation of the following dimensions: creativity in the perception of TBCs managers, the role of creativity in the context of managerial TBCs, the link between managerial competencies and creativity in TBCs and implications of creative thinking and technological environment in the development of managerial compettencies. The survey results revealed that managers perceive a significant link between creativity and innovation, being nearly inseparable. In this perspective, creative actions are associated with both the product development as the changes in organizational processes. The findings still indicate some factors that foster creativity through internal and external stimulus and that demand of managers to have an open mind to obtain insights and being able to generate ideas and promote company creative solutions. In addition, the results point to creativity as essential in the context of managerial action, as it allows the managers to develop innovative actions to enhance the company's competitiveness, facilitating both the interpersonal relationship, conflict management and expectations among stakeholders as to its ability to take advantage of new business opportunities and open up new horizons for the company. All these aspects associated with managerial resilience that the managers develop through the dynamic environment in which its companies operate and require of their managers the notion of constant learning, essential to develop managerial competencies aligned to creativity to cope with the hardships inherent in the tech industry. Some creative experiments were also mentioned carried out within the participating companies, which enabled the practical visualization of actions considered simple, but that can be the difference wich the market and customers were waiting to see value in the company. Besides, it is believed that this work can to broaden the discussion about a relatively new phenomenon in the study of management - creativity - and their implications in dynamic work environments. The reflections still suggest raising the optimisation of human capital in these contexts, which can be result of a generation that prioritizes flexibility, recognition and quality of life. / Este estudo buscou compreender a percepção dos gestores de empresas de base tecnológica (EBTs) sobre a criatividade e suas implicações no desenvolvimento de competências gerenciais. Para tanto, foram definidos os seguintes objetivos específicos: a) caracterizar o significado da criatividade na percepção dos gerentes de EBTs; b) identificar o papel da criatividade no contexto de atuação profissional dos gerentes de EBTs; c) identificar as competências gerenciais de EBTs vinculadas à criatividade e; d) verificar as implicações do pensamento criativo e do ambiente tecnológico no desenvolvimento de competências gerenciais em EBTs. A fundamentação teórica debruçou-se sobre o fenômeno da criatividade, o qual envolve o ambiente criativo, o trabalho criativo e a gestão criativa; bem como as competências gerenciais, as empresas de base tecnológica e sua caracterização. A pesquisa se enquadra como de abordagem qualitativa e foi realizada com gestores de empresas de base tecnológica participantes da Incubadora Tecnológica de Campina Grande-PB, em um total de 9 (nove) entrevistados vinculados a 8 (oito) empresas. As entrevistas foram transcritas, categorizadas e interpretadas por meio da análise de conteúdo. O processo de categorização dos dados possibilitou a delimitação das seguintes dimensões: a criatividade na percepção de gerentes de EBTs, o papel da criatividade no contexto gerencial de EBTs, o vínculo entre competências gerenciais e criatividade em EBTs e implicações do pensamento criativo e do ambiente tecnológico no desenvolvimento de competências gerenciais. Os resultados da pesquisa revelaram que os gestores percebem um vínculo significativo entre criatividade e inovação, sendo quase indissociáveis. Nessa perspectiva, as ações criativas estão associadas tanto ao desenvolvimento de produtos quanto a mudanças nos processos organizacionais. Os achados ainda indicam alguns fatores que fomentam a criatividade por meio de estímulos internos e externos, e que demandam dos gestores ter mente aberta para obter insights e serem capazes de gerar ideias e promover soluções criativas para a empresa. Além disso, os resultados apontam a criatividade como fundamental no contexto da ação gerencial, pois permite aos gestores desenvolverem ações inovadoras para potencializar a competitividade da empresa, facilitando tanto o relacionamento interpessoal, o gerenciamento de conflitos e as expectativas entre as partes interessadas quanto a sua capacidade de aproveitar novas oportunidades de negócio e abrir novos horizontes para empresa. Todos esses aspectos estão associados à resiliência gerencial que os gestores desenvolvem mediante o ambiente dinâmico em que suas empresas atuam e que exige de seus gerentes a noção de constante aprendizado, aspecto essencial para desenvolver competências gerenciais alinhadas à criatividade para lidarem com as adversidades inerentes ao setor tecnológico. Também foram mencionadas algumas experiências criativas realizadas dentro das empresas participantes, as quais possibilitaram a visualização na prática de ações consideradas simples, mas que podem ser o diferencial que o mercado e os clientes esperavam para enxergar valor na empresa. No mais, acredita-se que este trabalho amplia a discussão acerca de um fenômeno relativamente novo nos estudos sobre gestão – criatividade - e de suas implicações em ambientes de trabalho dinâmicos. As reflexões ainda suscitam a valorização do capital humano nestes contextos, o que pode ser reflexos de uma geração que prioriza flexibilidade, reconhecimento e qualidade de vida.

Este trabalho teve como propósito verificar como as incubadoras tecnológicas brasileiras contribuem para a internacionalização das empresas incubadas na percepção dos gestores das incubadoras. Para tanto, foi realizada uma pesquisa descritiva com 40 incubadoras tecnológicas brasileiras (50% da população) e que atenderam aos seguintes critérios: estar em efetiva operação há um tempo superior a dois anos e com pelo menos uma empresa graduada. . A partir das entrevistas, identificou-se que 40% das incubadoras da amostra possuem programa formal voltado para a internacionalização das incubadas e 60% das têm empresas que iniciaram processo de internacionalização. A pesquisa forneceu indicações de ações e serviços que são efetivos na internacionalização das empresas. As ações e serviços que se mostraram mais relevantes à internacionalização das empresas foram: utilização de critérios de seleção como orientação internacional dos empreendedores; tolerância dos empreendedores ao risco; pró-atividade dos empreendedores; experiência dos empreendedores no setor; produtos e serviços inovadores; diferenciais e recursos únicos; proporcionar capacitação em gestão de tecnologia e inovação, gestão mercadológica, gestão da qualidade, gestão de distribuição e logística, e sobre o mercado externo; proporcionar às empresas incubadas participação em programas formais de internacionalização; consultorias, assessorias ou serviços de importação e exportação; de transferência internacional de tecnologia; divulgação dos projetos e produtos das empresas incubadas no exterior; identificação e prospecção de negócios e parceiros no mercado externo; acesso das empresas incubadas a recursos para exportação, investimentos estrangeiros e capital de risco; proporcionar às empresas incubadas fortalecimento e ampliação das redes internacionais com outras empresas, parceiros, associações e redes de incubação, instituições de ensino e centros de pesquisa internacionais; participação da incubadora em redes nacionais e internacionais e possuir equipe, assessores e consultores com redes internacionais de relacionamentos de negócios. / This study aimed to see how, in the perception of their managers, technology incubators in Brazil contribute to the internationalization of incubated firms. To this end, we performed a descriptive study of 40 technology incubators in Brazil (50% of the population) who met the following criteria: being in effective operation for a period longer than two years with at least one graduated company. The interviews showed that 40% of the incubators in the sample have formal programs focused on the internationalization of the companies within the incubator and 60% have companies that have begun the process of internationalization. The survey provided indications of what actions and services are effective in the internationalization of enterprises. The actions and services that were found to be most relevant to the internationalization of enterprises were: internally; the use of a selection criteria by entrepreneurs as an international guide, the entrepreneurs’ risk tolerance, the proactivity of entrepreneurs, the experience of the entrepreneurs in the industry, innovative products and services, unique differentials and features, to provide training in technology management and innovation, marketing management, quality management, distribution and logistics management; and regarding the external market; to provide incubated companies the opportunity to participate in formal internationalization programs, import and export consultancy or advisory services, international technology transfer, dissemination of projects and products of the incubated companies abroad, identification and prospecting of business and partners in foreign markets, access of the incubated companies to resources such as export financing, foreign investment and venture capital, to provide incubated companies expansion through international networks with other business partners, associations and incubation networks, educational institutions and international research centers, participation of the incubated company in national and international networks and having staff, advisors and consultants with international business network relationships.