No description available.

A presente investigação científica discorre acerca da economia da inovação tendo como pano de fundo a moderna economia da empresa, explorando aspectos empíricos da Europa e um estudo de caso sobre a inovação nas micro e pequenas empresas de calçados dos vales do Sinos e do Paranhana. As bases deste estudo estão calcadas na teroria da inovação sob a ótica da teoria da firma. Para alcance dos objetivos foi realizada uma pesquisa bibliográfica buscando identificar o atual estágio das empresas europeias em comparação com as empresas brasileiras. Já o estudo de campo buscou identificar como se dá o processo de inovação nas micro e pequenas indústrias calçadistas dos Vales do Sinos e do Paranhana. Como instrumento de análise se utilizou a ferramenta do radar da inovação, objetivando identificar diferenças e similaridades entre a realidade europeia e a realidade das micro e pequenas empresas. A base deste estudo de campo surgiu da oportunidade de utilizar a pesquisa desenvolvida pela FAPERGS em conjunto com o SEBRAE, em que o autor autou como pesquisador. As evidências mostram que, para se destacar, em inovação seria necessário um equilíbrio entre todos os indicadores e que este seria um dos pontos fracos dos líderes em inovação do Cluster formado pelos Vales do Sinos e do Paranhana. / This scientific research discusses about the innovation economics, having as background the company’s modern economy, exploring empirical aspects of Europe and a case study about the innovation in micro and small footwear enterprises of Vale do Sinos and Vale do Paranhana. The basis of this study is grounded on the theory of innovation from the perspective of the theory of the firm. In order to reach the objectives, a bibliographical research was conducted, seeking to identify the current stage of European companies in comparison to Brazilian companies. On the other hand, the field work sought to identify how the process of innovation takes place in micro and small enterprises footwear of Vale do Sinos and Vale do Paranhana. As an analysis tool, the innovation radar was used, aiming at identifying similarities and differences between the European reality and the reality of micro and small enterprises. The basis of this field work arose from de opportunity to use the research developed by FAPERGS together with SEBRAE, in which the author acted as a researcher. The evidences show that, in order to excel in innovation, it would be necessary to have a balance between all indicators and that this would be one of the weaknesses of the leaders in innovation cluster formed by Vale do Sinos and Vale do Paranhana.

A presente investigação científica discorre acerca da economia da inovação tendo como pano de fundo a moderna economia da empresa, explorando aspectos empíricos da Europa e um estudo de caso sobre a inovação nas micro e pequenas empresas de calçados dos vales do Sinos e do Paranhana. As bases deste estudo estão calcadas na teroria da inovação sob a ótica da teoria da firma. Para alcance dos objetivos foi realizada uma pesquisa bibliográfica buscando identificar o atual estágio das empresas europeias em comparação com as empresas brasileiras. Já o estudo de campo buscou identificar como se dá o processo de inovação nas micro e pequenas indústrias calçadistas dos Vales do Sinos e do Paranhana. Como instrumento de análise se utilizou a ferramenta do radar da inovação, objetivando identificar diferenças e similaridades entre a realidade europeia e a realidade das micro e pequenas empresas. A base deste estudo de campo surgiu da oportunidade de utilizar a pesquisa desenvolvida pela FAPERGS em conjunto com o SEBRAE, em que o autor autou como pesquisador. As evidências mostram que, para se destacar, em inovação seria necessário um equilíbrio entre todos os indicadores e que este seria um dos pontos fracos dos líderes em inovação do Cluster formado pelos Vales do Sinos e do Paranhana. / This scientific research discusses about the innovation economics, having as background the company’s modern economy, exploring empirical aspects of Europe and a case study about the innovation in micro and small footwear enterprises of Vale do Sinos and Vale do Paranhana. The basis of this study is grounded on the theory of innovation from the perspective of the theory of the firm. In order to reach the objectives, a bibliographical research was conducted, seeking to identify the current stage of European companies in comparison to Brazilian companies. On the other hand, the field work sought to identify how the process of innovation takes place in micro and small enterprises footwear of Vale do Sinos and Vale do Paranhana. As an analysis tool, the innovation radar was used, aiming at identifying similarities and differences between the European reality and the reality of micro and small enterprises. The basis of this field work arose from de opportunity to use the research developed by FAPERGS together with SEBRAE, in which the author acted as a researcher. The evidences show that, in order to excel in innovation, it would be necessary to have a balance between all indicators and that this would be one of the weaknesses of the leaders in innovation cluster formed by Vale do Sinos and Vale do Paranhana.

A sucessão na empresa familiar tem sido considerada por seus estudiosos como o mais importante desafio a ser enfrentado por aquelas companhias na luta por sua perpetuação. Os processos de transição do controle da família enfrentam várias dificuldades típicas de qualquer transição gerencial ou de propriedade na firma, mas são complicados por fatores subjetivos presentes na interação das dinâmicas empresarial e familiar. Nas sucessões familiares os conflitos emergem, frequentemente, da indiscriminação entre os papéis sociais na família e na empresa. Tais conflitos envolvem questões ligadas à propriedade do negócio, à sua administração e aos interesses da família. A Nova Economia das Instituições adicionou ao corpo teórico das finanças corporativas uma série de variáveis comportamentais desconsideradas pela Economia Neoclássica com o objetivo de imprimir maior realismo às análises teóricas. O presente trabalho investiga as proposições da Teoria Econômica de Finanças para o comportamento dos administradores quanto à escolha da Estrutura de Capital na firma e sua utilidade para os Processos Sucessórios como elemento atenuante de conflitos. As conclusões apontam para uma interdependência entre decisões de Estrutura de Capital e Processo Sucessório, e para uma grande importância da forma de financiamento no longo prazo para o sucesso da Sucessão na Empresa Familiar, além de sugerirem pesquisas mais avançadas no sentido de compreender melhor esse contexto. / Experts consider the process of succession in the family business as the most important challenge in their fight for perpetuation. The transition processes encounter various difficulties common to managerial transitions, yet they are made more complicated due to subjective factors present in both the family and management arenas. During succession processes, conflicts often arise out of a difficulty to differentiate between social and business roles in the family. Such conflicts involve issues such as ownership, management styles and family interests. The New Institutional Economics added a series of behavior variables to the theoretical body of corporate finance. Such variables, previously not considered by the Neoclassic Economics, were added so as to bring a higher level of realism to the theoretical analysis. This dissertation investigates the propositions put forward by the Economic Theory of Finance regarding the behavior of managers as far as their choice of Capital Structure for the business and its validity as conflict attenuation in the process of Succession. The conclusions put forward here point toward an interdependency between decisions regarding Capital Structure and Succession in the Family Business. In addition to that, they highlight the importance of long term financing for a successful process, and suggest further investigation that could support and illustrate the conclusions.

This thesis is focused on project planning and management optimalization in the department of technical evaluation FEM (TKF/1), Škoda Auto, a. s. Its theoretical part specifies the framework of project management, including the methodology of project leadership and software instruments. Afterwards it mentions various types of organisational structure, stressing the matrix structure. The practical part starts with the description of the company, of its organisational structure and of activities explaining processes in TKF/1. Then follows an analyse of the current situation in the project leadership of the observed department, that is summarised in a well-arranged SWOT. Based on these outlines, a new organisational structure is proposed, as well as a new process of the development projects' planning. The thesis contains a proposal of setting of sources out from the corporate fund of sources that facilitates an effective capacity planning of whole department, and it also contains a template of development activity in MS Project.

La question de la nature de la firme n’a jamais suscité de consensus parmi les économistes, ce qui signifie que loin d’être épuisé, ce champ de recherche mérite de faire l’objet de nouveaux développements théoriques. Quelles sont les propriétés constitutives et quels sont les mécanismes de gouvernement – interne et externe – des firmes ? Partant d’une analyse critique des théories économiques, cette thèse propose de poser les jalons d’une théorisation de la firme en tant qu’entité réelle émergente fondée sur le pouvoir. Pour ce faire, nous développons une démarche méthodologique originale reposant sur une approche pluridisciplinaire (économie, théorie des organisations et droit) et expliquons que la firme crée des mécanismes génératifs intrinsèques. Pour comprendre les règles constitutives de la firme, nous analysons les relations de pouvoir, lesquelles sont, par nature, plurielles et « cohésives ». Avec l’évolution récente de l’environnement institutionnel, les relations de pouvoir se sont substantiellement modifiées. Que ce soit dans l’entité firme (gouvernement interne) ou dans l’entité firme-réseau (gouvernement externe), nous montrons théoriquement et empiriquement – à partir des enquêtes REPONSE 2004-2005 et ERIE – une relation positive entre le pouvoir et la coopération dans l’activité de production. De nombreuses implications politico-légales et normatives émanent de notre travail de recherche. / The question of the nature of the firm has not lead to a consensus among economists, which means that this research field is not obsolete and makes way for new theoretical investigations. What are the constitutive properties and the internal and external governance mechanisms of firms? Starting from a critical analysis of economic theories, this dissertation proposes some building blocks for a new approach to the firm as a power-based emergent real entity. To do so, an original methodological reasoning based on an interdisciplinary framework (economy, organization theory and law) is proposed and it is shown that the firm produces intrinsic generative mechanisms. In order to understand the constitutive rules of the firm, we analyze power relationships, which are in essence plural and cohesive. With the recent evolution of the institutional environment, power relationships have been substantially modified. Whether in the real entity called “firm” (intra-firm level) or in the real entity called “network-firm” (inter-firm level), we show both theoretically and empirically – from the 2004-2005 REPONSE and ERIE surveys – a positive relationship between power and cooperation in productive activity. Several politico-legal and normative implications result from this dissertation.

This doctoral thesis presents the basic and the main developments of the theories of the firm rooted in Transaction Cost Theory (TCT). Since the article of Coase on the nature of the firm, this question has been elaborated by number of economists. In my point of view, I would like to introduce the last theory developed by the representative of the school called New Institutional Economics. The theory concentrates on the role of institutions. We distinguish institutions formal and informal. The formal are laws, constitution, regulations, contracts and other written rules. The informal don't require a written form and they represent informal restrictions such as rules of behaviour, conventions, traditions and habits. The main purpose of the institutions in their various forms is mainly to protect property rights, enforce voluntary contracts and establish the physical and regulatory infrastructure to facilitate economic activity. Generally, we can call them the rules of the game. They inform us about possible economic behaviour and give us basic restrictions in this sense. First -- the theoretical part of this thesis, we can find a simple model with human asset specificity based on TCT. The main proposition is that transactions with a high level of asset specificity are more probably internalised because the firm handles better such transactions compared to the market, even if asset specificity increases the cost of coordination in the firm. If the hierarchy, for example through the formation of routines, may enhance the efficiency compared to the market, we can modify the previous model. The model developed according to a Knowledge-based view assumes that asset specificity reduces transaction costs inside the firm and increases transaction costs on the market. In the conclusion of the theoretical part is discussed the reply on first formulate hypothesis if the TCT is still compatible with a newer Capability and Knowledge based view. In my opinion based on the presented arguments and views, both theories are compatible, they can answer more questions and explain more issues. The last step links the aforementioned theories into one Theory of firm boundaries. In the practical part of the thesis, I bring basic arguments about the institutional framework quality in the Czech Republic. These arguments rely on the latest studies of the international institutions such The Transparency International, The Heritage Foundation, The Kurtzman Group and mainly The World Bank. Studies reveal certain weak arrangements concerning for example the number of procedures when starting a business, complicated construction permits, rigidity of working hours, time-consuming and administrative demanding tax system, duration of judicial process which results in ineffective contract enforcement and mainly poor protection of property rights. Taking these disclosures into account we have to say that emergent transaction costs are enormous. These transaction costs influence negatively the competitiveness of the firms and the whole Czech economy. Therefore a negative response to the second hypothesis relating to the quality of the institutional framework in the Czech Republic.

The scarcity of financial resources often poses challenges for organisations in both the private and the public sector, which require productive (tangible) resources, in order to thrive. Organisations are developing innovative and cost-effective methods to secure productive resources that are needed to drive performance. Special libraries in the public sector face the same pressures that resulted in some of them being overwhelmed by poor resources. The purpose of the study is to determine the levels of resources available to the libraries in the Gauteng Provincial Government (GPG) and the extent to which tangible resources can predict information service provision in GPG libraries. The theory of the firm and the resource-based view (RBV) theory were used as theoretical framework to support the study. The study addresses the identified gap of resource adequacy in special libraries by measuring adequacy from the perspective of those responsible for exploiting the resources, instead of the library services (the output) and library users. This approach differs from those in similar studies, which measured adequacy from the perspective of consumers. The study adopted a positivist philosophical assumption, using a quantitative research approach, with questionnaires and interviews as the data collection tools. The population of the study involves all the library officials of the libraries in Gauteng Provincial Government departments, including management. Due to the nature and size of the target population, there was no need for sampling. A total of 30 respondents for both quantitative and qualitative data, participated in the study. In order to achieve acceptable levels of validity of collected and analysed data, the face validity method was used, whereas the representative reliability method was used to ensure reliability and consistency of the measuring instruments. Mean and standard deviation, multiple regression and Pearson’s product moment correlation coefficient analyses on quantitative data was conducted by using the data analysis tool Statistical Software for Social Sciences (SPSS). Atlas Ti was used to analyse the qualitative data collected. No major limitations were identified. The study found the level of physical, financial, ICT-based resources and staff development and training in the GPG libraries to be low, similarly the level of information services provided was found to be low. The resources were found to have predictive value on one another, but not on information services. Furthermore, the study did find a positive and strong relationship between resources and services at GPG libraries. The study recommended a resourcing model that is based on the collaborative consumption/sharing economy concept and principles. / Information Science / D. Phil (Information Science)