Offshoring concerns the relocation or a transfer of a company’s business activities to another country. When a company decides to offshore their business to another location it involves the transfer of products and knowledge which are both key activities in transfer projects. In today’s globalization it is difficult for companies to stay competitive in the marketplace. For this reason it is becoming more common that companies offshore parts of their business and opening affiliates abroad for the production of goods or services. It is challenging to transfer a product from one site to one other since the receiving site might not have been involved in the product development process from the beginning and therefore have limited associations to the product. The transfer of competence and knowledge but also different ways of working are some of the factors that needs to be successfully managed. This makes it especially challenging when considering cultural and geographical together with the temporal distance between the sites. It is difficult for companies to maintain a sourcing strategy that is cohesive and many companies therefor fails to manage a successful relationship with their offshore partners. The purpose with this study was to present a framework that would support the transfer process when aiming for parallel production. This was to include the features needed to be developed in order to manage the most important factors in the transfer process. In order to answer the research questions a case study with a qualitative research method was performed. Interviews in Sweden and China including 34 respondents were performed in order to identify the transfer process. The approach was a qualitative interview with a guided conversation with the emphasis on the authors asking questions and listening, and the respondent answering. The respondents was seen as meaning makers rather than passive channels for retrieving the data needed. The purpose was to derive interpretations rather than facts or laws. Each interview was conducted between three people including the two authors and one respondent. The findings indicate that the organization needs to improve their knowledge transfer process. The organization also needs to develop similar processes for the activities involved in the transfer process in order to perceive the same quality. The analysis of the qualitative findings resulted in a framework including six important factors for a successful transfer project. Following factors should be taken in consideration by the company to achieve a successful transfer project: identification of knowledge carriers, set up a transfer core-team, empowering knowledge sharing, the use of a personalized strategy, the development of similar processes and improve the common perception of quality.

Transnational knowledge transfer projects (TKTP) has become a strategic way for organizations to transfer knowledge across national boundaries in order to maintain their competitive position. However, the complex and unique nature of TKTPs makes these difficult for project managers (PMs) to handle and the lack of a solid foundation among scholars thus required further insight into what affects these types of projects and how they can be managed. The purpose of this research was to gain a deeper understanding of which critical factors appear and how PMs can facilitate the execution of TKTPs. The research purpose was addressed through an abductive approach, using a multiple case study of projects at a selected case company, able to provide great insights regarding TKTPs and the management of such projects. In total, three different projects were chosen, whereby a total of 18 interviews were performed with participants from each project. The results showed that certain critical factors must be taken in consideration and dealt with by PMs at a certain point in time, i.e. during the different phases of the TKTP. As such, PMs are able to facilitate the execution of TKTPs. The results are further presented in a framework, illustrating a process presenting each phase in detail with the corresponding critical factors and how PMs can deal with them. Prior literature regarding knowledge transfer projects (KTP) in general is not sufficient to receive a comprehensive understanding of the transnational perspective, i.e. the added complexity in transferring across national boundaries. The results provided in this research hence extend the previous literature by viewing in detail which critical factors appear and how managers can facilitate the execution of TKTP by presenting a framework illustrating the additional critical factors, and how managers can deal with them. The managerial implications entail that as TKTPs and organizations are so unique, the framework must be adapted to the specific situation at hand. In addition, the framework further helps PMs to overcome the complexity of TKTPs, as it guides PMs through the project phase by phase. The results provide PMs with directives to facilitate the execution of TKTPs and a foundation for new global business opportunities.

Made available in DSpace on 2016-03-08T13:58:54Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 2 1.pdf: 1747040 bytes, checksum: e721dae3e75eaa9c1d71c34e1e09b92b (MD5) license.txt: 1748 bytes, checksum: 8a4605be74aa9ea9d79846c1fba20a33 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2015 / Fundação Oswaldo Cruz. Instituto de Tecnologia em Fármacos/Farmanguinhos. Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brasil. / O desenvolvimento tecnológico tem se mostrado um elemento fundamental para a estratégia de inovação das organizações e dos países. A geração de inovações permite o sustento de vantagem competitiva no mercado, entretanto exige um alto nível de capacidade tecnológica. Neste contexto algumas empresas e instituições têm adotado o Projeto de Transferência de Tecnologia (PTT) como principal estratégia para oferecer produtos tecnologicamente mais avançados. Este fenômeno tem sido observado no Brasil nos últimos anos, por meio da política das Parcerias para o Desenvolvimento Produtivo (PDP), implementadas pelo Ministério da Saúde. Assim, objetivo do presente trabalho visa analisar os requisitos da qualidade aplicados na transferência de tecnologia em uma empresa de produtos imunobiológicos, com foco na gestão da qualidade e com base na aplicação de uma abordagem qualitativa, a fim de identificar os pontos de melhoria entre a empresa emissora e a receptora. Como objetivos específicos destacamos a identificação das possíveis barreiras durante o andamento do PTT, a realização de pesquisa qualitativa com colaboradores que possuam alinhamento com o PTT, o desenvolvimento de diagrama de afinidades com agrupamento de resultados e o cruzamento dos resultados com os requisitos da qualidade identificando os pontos de melhoria. O trabalho identificou que a empresa possui expertise e rotina nos assuntos relacionados à qualidade. No entanto, buscando a excelência para os assuntos relacionados aos requisitos da qualidade em projetos faz-se necessário a busca pela melhoria continua na rotina de novos projetos que envolva a participação mais efetiva do Departamento da Garantia da Qualidade, por meio da elaboração de um Plano de Gerenciamento da Qualidade em PTT. / Technological development has been shown to be an essential element in the innovation strategy of organizations and countries. The generation of innovations enables the sustenance of competitive advantage in the marketplace, however requires a high level of technological capability. In this context some companies and institutions have adopted the Technology Transfer Project (TTP) as its main strategy to offer more technologically advanced products. This phenomenon has been observed in Brazil in recent years, through the policy of Partnerships for the Productive Development (PDP), implemented by the Ministry of Health. Thus, objective of the present work aims at analyzing the quality requirements applied to the transfer of technology in an enterprise of biologicals products, with a focus on quality management and based on application of a qualitative approach in order to identify the points of improvement between the issuing firm and the receiver. Specific objectives include the identification of possible barriers during the progress of the PTT, carrying out qualitative research with employees that have alignment with the PTT, the development of affinity diagram with result grouping and a cross-check of the outcome with the quality requirements identifying the points of improvement. The work identified that the company has expertise and routine in matters related to quality. However, seeking excellence for matters related to project quality requirements it is necessary to search for continuous improvement in the routine of new projects involving the more effective participation of the quality assurance Department, through the elaboration of a plan of quality management at PTT.

Many organizations have been attempting to build a conceptual framework for managing technology, with varying degrees of success. Most begin by consulting leading technology authorities, borrowing elements of their thinking, and adapting these elements to their organizational and personal situations. This dissertation extends this process by using the formal research methodology of multiple perspectives (technical, organizational, personal, and cross-cuing) to build a case-based model of the technology integration process. The research and the model construction benefits from a solid foundation established through a review of technology management and knowledge systems literature. The significant aspects of the research are tied to its objectives which can be divided into academic and industrial classifications: Academic Objectives: 1. Use multiple perspectives in real-time (for input to decisions as events unfold) 2. Focus on a multiple perspectives view of technology integration into an organization Industrial Objectives: 1. Improve project effectiveness by increasing understanding of the technology integration process 2. Establish a model for the integration of a new technology into an organization The development of the case-based model was the primary objective, with the other objectives providing the methodology and subject-matter content to support model development. These four objectives are of interest to three parties: scholars who are interested in the theoretical and methodological aspects of technology integration and inquiring systems, technology developers in general who can benefit from improved means to integrate technology and analyze success/failure, and technology developers in information systems organizations who can obtain specific insight as well as utilize the general industrial results. From the multiple perspectives investigation, thirteen conclusions were reached about the process of integrating knowledge systems into an information systems organization. These conclusions are specific to the case study, but may have general applicability. The multiple perspectives methodology is then presented as the foundation for a technology integration model, on which the technology usage phases of awareness, motivation, and functioning capability can be completed. The model is described and then illustrated with two knowledge systems development project cases. With regards to the research objectives, it is concluded that: 1. The use of multiple perspectives in real-time are difficult and requires practice 2. Because technology integration is dependent upon technical, organization, and personal factors, the use of multiple perspectives are appropriate and useful. Eight of 13 conclusions were dependent upon the cross-cuing process 3. Multiple perspective analysis improved the understanding of the technology integration process. This understanding was sometimes helpful and sometimes harmful to the effectiveness of the integration process 4. The proposed technology integration model, using the awareness, motivation, and functioning capability phases, was developed and exercised. This model proved useful in limited application Finally, a method for organizing and navigating the perspectives, cross-cuing, and conclusions is presented and used.

Submitted by Nadir Basilio (nadirsb@uninove.br) on 2017-08-04T21:37:42Z No. of bitstreams: 1 Majida Farid Barakat.pdf: 1578082 bytes, checksum: 0ce4d1fce799ec5caafefd77e0d78c25 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2017-08-04T21:37:42Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Majida Farid Barakat.pdf: 1578082 bytes, checksum: 0ce4d1fce799ec5caafefd77e0d78c25 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2017-03-07 / This research deals with a quantitative and qualitative case study aimed at the critical analysis of the contribution of risk management in projects of pharmaceutical intracompany technology transfer. It was considered a project to change the location of manufacturing, packaging and quality control of a solid oral medicine performed at a regional level, between sites located in different municipalities of the state of São Paulo to meet the commercial strategy of a multinational pharmaceutical company. This project began in 2013, including planning, organization and execution with completion expected in 2015. A qualitative assessment of the risks related to the scope and quality requirements of the project was performed, as well as a quantitative assessment of the risks related to compliance with the project deadline. In order to confirm or refute the six research propositions presented, it was conducted semi-structured interviews and direct observation in the unit of analysis, bibliographic review and data analysis. The results show that after qualitative analysis of the project risks related to the scope and quality requirements using the Failure Mode and Effect Analysis - FMEA tool, 39 failure modes were identified, with Priority Risk Number - PRN values varying from 70 to 288, the failure modes of greater severity and therefore, priority, it was the quality requirement for health regulations. They also indicate that from the Monte Carlo Simulation the maximum expected time for the project is 1841 days and the minimum of 1473 days. The conclusion of the research shows that the propositions are not fully confirmed. An action plan was proposed to mitigate the risks analyzed. / Este trabalho trata de um estudo de caso quantitativo e qualitativo dirigido para a análise crítica da contribuição do gerenciamento de riscos em projetos de transferência de tecnologia intracompanhia farmacêutica. Foi considerado um projeto de alteração do local de fabricação, embalagem e controle de qualidade de um medicamento sólido oral realizado em nível regional, entre plantas localizadas em diferentes municípios do estado de São Paulo para atender a estratégia comercial de uma companhia multinacional farmacêutica. Este projeto teve início em 2013, incluindo planejamento, organização e execução com previsão de conclusão em 2015. Foi realizada análise qualitativa dos riscos relacionados aos atendimentos de escopo e requisitos da qualidade do projeto e também análise quantitativa dos riscos relacionados ao cumprimento do prazo do projeto. Para confirmar ou refutar as seis proposições de pesquisa apresentadas, foram realizadas entrevistas semiestruturadas e observação direta na unidade de análise, revisão bibliográfica e análise de dados. Os resultados mostram que após análise qualitativa dos riscos do projeto relacionados aos atendimentos de escopo e requisitos da qualidade utilizando a ferramenta Análise de Modo de Falha e seus Efeitos - FMEA, foram identificados 39 modos de falha, com valores de Número de Prioridade de Risco - NPR variando de 70 a 288, sendo os de maior severidade e, portanto, prioridade os referentes aos requisitos da qualidade quanto a regulamentação sanitária. Indicam, também, que a partir da Simulação de Monte Carlo o prazo máximo esperado para o projeto é de 1841 dias e o mínimo de 1473 dias. A conclusão da pesquisa mostra que as proposições não se confirmam de forma plena. Foi proposto um plano de ação objetivando a mitigação dos riscos analisados.

China has undertaken a vast engineering project: the large-scale transfer of water from the south of the country to the north, the intention being to alleviate flooding in the south and water shortages in the north. It may take up to fifty years to complete. This thesis examines the broad outline of the scheme, the planning that has gone into it, its historical and political background, and the political, social, and ecological problems that it has encountered and may be likely to cause in the future. The political context of a 'pro-technology' policy amongst today's Chinese leaders is highlighted. The Chinese study is made in the light of water-transfer schemes that have been implemented, or proposed, in other countries; and also ideas about sustainable development, policy processes, and natural resource management. Five case studies are considered: the Aral Sea (Central Asia), the Snowy Mountain Scheme (Australia), the National Hydrological Plan (Spain), the Central Arizona Project (the United States) and the South-to-North Water Transfer Project (China). They are examined as a basis for understanding policy problems and processes in water resource management, and also to make some suggestions for their resolution in the Chinese case―though finding a permanent or definitive solution lies beyond the scope of the present inquiry. The difficulties for traditional policy processes to manage uncertainty and complexity are particularly acute in the area of natural resource management. For example, climate change issues challenge present water management systems and diversion projects. Therefore, uncertainty and complexity issues, beyond the 'ideal' policy cycle, are considered, particularly in relation to climate change, but also the water diversion schemes themselves. Climate change presents a particularly important challenge to the Chinese Project.

China has undertaken a vast engineering project: the large-scale transfer of water from the south of the country to the north, the intention being to alleviate flooding in the south and water shortages in the north. It may take up to fifty years to complete. This thesis examines the broad outline of the scheme, the planning that has gone into it, its historical and political background, and the political, social, and ecological problems that it has encountered and may be likely to cause in the future. The political context of a 'pro-technology' policy amongst today's Chinese leaders is highlighted. The Chinese study is made in the light of water-transfer schemes that have been implemented, or proposed, in other countries; and also ideas about sustainable development, policy processes, and natural resource management. Five case studies are considered: the Aral Sea (Central Asia), the Snowy Mountain Scheme (Australia), the National Hydrological Plan (Spain), the Central Arizona Project (the United States) and the South-to-North Water Transfer Project (China). They are examined as a basis for understanding policy problems and processes in water resource management, and also to make some suggestions for their resolution in the Chinese case―though finding a permanent or definitive solution lies beyond the scope of the present inquiry. The difficulties for traditional policy processes to manage uncertainty and complexity are particularly acute in the area of natural resource management. For example, climate change issues challenge present water management systems and diversion projects. Therefore, uncertainty and complexity issues, beyond the 'ideal' policy cycle, are considered, particularly in relation to climate change, but also the water diversion schemes themselves. Climate change presents a particularly important challenge to the Chinese Project.