A growing body of research is drawing attention to the importance of open innovation and the reasons firms should progressively switch to this paradigm. However, there is still some reluctance to embrace such approach to innovation. This study investigates the main factors impacting the selection of internal and external new product development in a US multinational company belonging to the semiconductor industry. The main factor found to impact the choice of internal and external innovation is the degree of radicalness of NPD projects. Hence, this is used as additional variable to the internal and external nature of projects to build a matrix, capable of describing the main factors managers take into account when deciding on the projects to undertake. Combining the internal or external and incremental or radical nature of NPD projects, for each category, it was possible to highlight the main dimensions determining the projects selection, namely the expected output and profitability, the purpose of the NPD process, the attention received by managers and the risk involved.

Ambiguities have long intrigued design and new product development (NPD) researchers: The fascination seems rooted in an endeavor to understand how design outcomes may be created despite the ambiguous nature of such work. There are several classic contributions on how to categorize, avoid and approach ambiguities. Some of the newer theories have also pointed to benefits arising from temporarily sustaining ambiguity. Little research has considered how ambiguities emerge, how ambiguities are sensed by practitioners, and the actions the practitioners take, either to harness or to reduce the generative and transformative power of ambiguity, however. This is unfortunate, since ambiguities are at the heart of such knowing-work. If one does not know how to sense the emergence of ambiguities and act to reduce or harness their generative and transformative power, i.e. negotiate ambiguity, the work might become unproductive, confused, uncreative, and might require more energy and attention. The purpose of this research is to portray how ambiguities emerge and are negotiated in knowing-work. This is achieved by drawing on two cases of design and NPD work, from practice epistemology. The results indicated that the emerging ambiguities changed in the ongoing work, some being reduced, others becoming obsolete or persisting. The results also included five generalized actions to negotiate ambiguity: (1) constructing points of references, (2) mediating between perspectives, (3) anchoring in expertise, (4) disarming future resistance, and (5) creating shared visions. This research has concluded that the very essence of design work concerns the emergence and fading away of ambiguity. The actions taken to negotiate ambiguity mediates the emergence of the design outcome. This research makes two contributions: first, it illustrates how ambiguities open up design work by creating a space for action; second, it illustrates how actions to negotiate ambiguity maneuver in this space for action. / Den typ av arbete som tar sig an utvecklandet av nya produkter och tjänster omges ofta av oklarhet kring vad som skall skapas, hur den framtida marknaden ser ut samt vilka utmaningar som kommer att framträda under arbetets gång. Sådana oklarheter har studerats i design- och produktutvecklingsforskning, ofta under antagandet att oklarheterna bör undvikas och minimeras. Dock finns det även nyare forskning som pekar mot att oklarheter kan vara fördelaktiga i arbetet. Forskningen är dock begränsad vad gäller hur oklarheterna framträder i arbetet, hur praktiker förnimmer dessa oklarheter, samt hur en kan ta sig an dessa oklara situationer för att söka reducera eller dra nytta av potentialen i oklara situationer. Detta är olyckligt, då oklarhet ligger i skapandearbetets kärna. En sådan begränsad kunskapsbildning leder till förenklade antaganden kring oklarhetens roll i design- och produktutvecklingsarbete. Därtill får det rent praktiska konsekvenser då designkonsulternas praktik och yrkeskunnande delvis är höljd i dunkel, genom att deras förmåga att förnimma och förhandla oklarhet tidigare förbisetts. Syftet med denna forskning är således att studera hur oklarheter framträder samt förhandlas i skapandearbete, genom att stödja sig på empiriska studier av arbetet i två designkonsultföretag, utifrån ett praktikperspektiv. Resultaten visar både att oklarheter uppkommer och försvinner kontinuerligt i arbetet, samt beskriver fem förhandlingsaktiviteter: (1) skapa referenspunkter; (2) medla mellan perspektiv; (3) förankra i expertis; (4) avväpna framtida motstånd; och (5) skapa gemensamma visioner. Slutsatserna visar på att oklarheter skapar tolkningsutrymme i arbetet: i tvetydighetens många tolkningar öppnas ett utrymme för skapande och möjlighet till omtolkning. Därtill framkommer att förhandlingsaktiviteterna manövrerar i detta tolkningsutrymme, genom att nyttja eller minska oklarhetens många tolkningar. / <p>QC 20170508</p>

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Bakgrundsdelen avhandlar den ständigt pågående debatten om neuropsykiatriska diagnoser. Vi lyfter kritiska forskares åsikter om neuropsykiatriska diagnoser och konsekvenser av diagnostisering, likväl som förespråkande forskares syn på detsamma. Även diagnosens betydelse i skolan avhandlas. Syftet med studien var att skapa en bred bild av neuropsykiatriska diagnoser och vilka följder de får i praktiken, sett ur många olika perspektiv. Genom att sammanställa olika berörda aktörers bilder var syftet att sammanbinda deras erfarenheter med den funktion/betydelse som diagnosen för med sig. Undersökningen är en kvalitativ studie som berör olika aktörers erfarenheter kring neuropsykiatriska diagnoser. Vår datainsamling bygger på kvalitativa intervjuer och tolkande analyser. De medverkande aktörerna är 7 pedagoger, 8 föräldrar, 1 rektor, 3 specialpedagoger, 1 psykolog samt 3 unga vuxna (sammanlagt 23 medverkande). Intervjuerna har gjorts både som fysiska och datorstödda. Genom våra olika aktörers erfarenheter har vi fått fram olika aspekter kring ordet diagnos och diagnostisering. Samtliga aktörer pekar på en större förståelse i samband med en neuropsykiatrisk diagnos, dels för barnet själv men också för dess omgivning. Vidare visade undersökningen på att merparten av aktörerna menar att det krävs en diagnos för att få extra resurser som i skolan. Undersökningen visar också på att det finns en upplevd kunskapsbrist gällande neuropsykiatriska diagnoser, både bland pedagoger i förskolan och samhället i stort.

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In the scope of this diploma thesis the optical properties of organic multilayers and mixed layers were investigated by means of spectroscopic ellipsometry und infrared spectroscopy. The samples were prepared by organic molecular beam deposition in high vacuum on hydrogen passivated Silicon(111) substrates. The structures consist either of N,N-Di(naphthalene-1-yl)-N,N`-diphenyl-benzidine (a-NPD) and tris(8-hydroxyquinoline) aluminium (Alq3) or 3,4,9,10-perylene-tetracarboxylic dianhydride (PTCDA) and copper phthalocyanine (CuPc). The optical response of the multilayers consisting of Alq3 and a-NPD could be modelled using the isotropic dielectric functions of single layers assuming sharp interfaces. The planar structure of PTCDA and the CuPc molecules and their orientation in the stack lead to an overlapping of the p-orbitals strongly influencing the optical properties and the orientation of the molecules. It was found that in multilayers as well as in mixed layers the CuPc molecules adopt the orientation of PTCDA molecules with the molecular plane parallel to the substrate. The multilayers were described using the anisotropic dielectric functions of the constituents including intermixing and roughness at the interfaces. The deviation between the simulation and the experiment suggests an electronic interaction due to coupling between the p-orbitals of CuPc and PTCDA at the interfaces. The simulation of the mixed layers reveals a change in line shape of the Q-band of CuPc. Beside ellipsometry and infrared spectroscopy techniques like x-ray reflectometry and AFM were used for investigations. Additionally in this diploma thesis a special sample holder and manipulator was designed with which in-situ-ellipsometry measurements in ultra high vacuum can be performed. / Im Rahmen dieser Diplomarbeit wurden die optischen Eigenschaften von organischen Multilayern und Mischschichten untersucht. Die Schichtstrukturen wurden im Hochvakuum nach dem Verfahren der organischen Molekularstrahldeposition (OMBD) auf H-passivierten Silizium(111)-Substraten hergestellt. Die optische Charakterisierung erfolgte mit dem Verfahren der spektroskopischen Ellipsometrie und der Infrarotspektroskopie. Dabei wurden zwei verschiedene Materialienpaarungen untersucht, die zum einen aus den organischen Substanzen Aluminium 8-Hydroxichinolat (Alq3) und N,N'-Di(1-naphthyl)-N,N'-diphenylbenzidin (a-NPD) und zum anderen aus Perylentetracarbonsäuredianhydrid (PTCDA) und Kupferphthalocyanin (CuPc) bestanden. Das optische Verhalten der Multilayer und der Mischschichten bestehend aus Alq3 und a-NPD konnte mit den isotropen dielektrischen Funktionen der Einzelschichten simuliert werden. In den PTCDA/CuPc-Schichtsystemen führt die planare Struktur der Moleküle zu einer starken Überlappung der p-Orbitale, was einen großen Einfluss auf die optischen Eigenschaften und die Orientierung der Moleküle hat. Es wurde festgestellt, dass sowohl in den Multilayern als auch in den Mischschichten die CuPc-Moleküle die Anordnung der PTCDA-Moleküle annehmen. Die Multilayer wurden unter Verwendung der anisotropen dielektrischen Funktionen der beteiligten Materialien und unter Berücksichtigung von Grenzflächenrauhigkeit simuliert. Die Unterschiede zwischen Experiment und Modell sind auf eine Kopplung zwischen den p-Orbitalen zurückzuführen. Die Simulationen der Mischschichten zeigten eine Veränderung der Linienform des Q-Bandes von CuPc. Als Untersuchungsmethoden kamen neben der Ellipsometrie und der Infrarotspektroskopie auch die Röntgen-Reflektometrie und das AFM zum Einsatz. Darüber hinaus wurde in dieser Arbeit eine Messeinrichtung aufgebaut, mit der in-situ-Ellipsometriecharakterisierung von Proben im Ultrahochvakuum möglich ist.

Purpose – Evaluate the four popular communication methods to involve customers in the NPD process from customers’ perspective (In this thesis, the four chosen communication methods are: Quality Function Deployment, Prototype, Idea Generation Activities and Lead-user Involvement). Design/Methodology/Approach – This is a quantitative research which used questionnaire to collect data. The questionnaire form is distributed online to respondents. Findings – The findings show the comparison between the four communication methods. The differences are measured and analyzed using measurement system from Zaichkowsky (1985) including: Interests, Needs and Values. Research Limitations – This thesis face limitation regarding the chosen sample. In addition to that language is also one of the major obstacles. Managerial Implications – The findings provide companies with evaluation regarding option for communication method to increase customer involvement degree. Originality/Value – This research is unique in a way that the author filtered the four most popular communication methods based on reviewed articles then conducted an evaluation on these methods. The evaluation is performed based on customers’ perspective which has not been done before. This thesis provides a new perspective on how firms should look at customers’ involvement.

The broad objective of this thesis is to extend our understanding of radical new product development (NPD) beyond degree of customer orientation (CO) by assessing the role and influence of both customers and other external influencers (OEIs). While a number of studies have investigated the relationship between CO and NPD outcomes, such studies typically focus on incremental NPD. The role of customers is also typically investigated using numerical scales to understand degree of CO, and fails to consider the important implementation issues of which, when and how customers are involved through the NPD process. In addition to customers, other external influencers (OEIs) such as investors, suppliers, distributors, competitors, universities and advisors are also increasingly involved in radical NPD, but the roles and actual influence of these different groups is unclear. To address these gaps in the literature this thesis adopts a network approach to investigate the role of customers and OEIs in the development of six radical new products. Six retrospective case studies are conducted, all involving the development of radical ICT products targeted at industrial markets. To provide further insight, three of these cases involve successful new products while the remaining three involve unsuccessful products. Analysis of case data involves qualitative and quantitative network analysis as well as thematic analysis of interview transcripts. Clear differences are found between the ways in which the successful and unsuccessful cases involve customers and OEIs. For example, firms developing successful products focus on existing customers with whom they have strong previous relationships, while developers of unsuccessful products do not. Furthermore, the successful cases all involve customers actively as co-developers of the product, while none of the unsuccessful cases take this approach. These findings are presented in detail and discussed in relation to the existing literature. A set of empirically-based propositions are outlined as a foundation for future research.

The broad objective of this thesis is to extend our understanding of radical new product development (NPD) beyond degree of customer orientation (CO) by assessing the role and influence of both customers and other external influencers (OEIs). While a number of studies have investigated the relationship between CO and NPD outcomes, such studies typically focus on incremental NPD. The role of customers is also typically investigated using numerical scales to understand degree of CO, and fails to consider the important implementation issues of which, when and how customers are involved through the NPD process. In addition to customers, other external influencers (OEIs) such as investors, suppliers, distributors, competitors, universities and advisors are also increasingly involved in radical NPD, but the roles and actual influence of these different groups is unclear. To address these gaps in the literature this thesis adopts a network approach to investigate the role of customers and OEIs in the development of six radical new products. Six retrospective case studies are conducted, all involving the development of radical ICT products targeted at industrial markets. To provide further insight, three of these cases involve successful new products while the remaining three involve unsuccessful products. Analysis of case data involves qualitative and quantitative network analysis as well as thematic analysis of interview transcripts. Clear differences are found between the ways in which the successful and unsuccessful cases involve customers and OEIs. For example, firms developing successful products focus on existing customers with whom they have strong previous relationships, while developers of unsuccessful products do not. Furthermore, the successful cases all involve customers actively as co-developers of the product, while none of the unsuccessful cases take this approach. These findings are presented in detail and discussed in relation to the existing literature. A set of empirically-based propositions are outlined as a foundation for future research.

The broad objective of this thesis is to extend our understanding of radical new product development (NPD) beyond degree of customer orientation (CO) by assessing the role and influence of both customers and other external influencers (OEIs). While a number of studies have investigated the relationship between CO and NPD outcomes, such studies typically focus on incremental NPD. The role of customers is also typically investigated using numerical scales to understand degree of CO, and fails to consider the important implementation issues of which, when and how customers are involved through the NPD process. In addition to customers, other external influencers (OEIs) such as investors, suppliers, distributors, competitors, universities and advisors are also increasingly involved in radical NPD, but the roles and actual influence of these different groups is unclear. To address these gaps in the literature this thesis adopts a network approach to investigate the role of customers and OEIs in the development of six radical new products. Six retrospective case studies are conducted, all involving the development of radical ICT products targeted at industrial markets. To provide further insight, three of these cases involve successful new products while the remaining three involve unsuccessful products. Analysis of case data involves qualitative and quantitative network analysis as well as thematic analysis of interview transcripts. Clear differences are found between the ways in which the successful and unsuccessful cases involve customers and OEIs. For example, firms developing successful products focus on existing customers with whom they have strong previous relationships, while developers of unsuccessful products do not. Furthermore, the successful cases all involve customers actively as co-developers of the product, while none of the unsuccessful cases take this approach. These findings are presented in detail and discussed in relation to the existing literature. A set of empirically-based propositions are outlined as a foundation for future research.