In today’s fast-changing business climate, the priority on digital transformation demands organizations to develop innovation competencies to survive (Nambisan et al., 2017). To gain knowledge and know-how and stay innovative, organizations could work together with an Innovation Lab (IL) to remain competitive. To reach the best outcome from an IL, the dynamic between lab environment, resources, participants, and facilitation must be considered. Since SMEs typically have fewer resources, having an in-house IL is impossible. In addition, they require the guidance of experts to cope with the challenges of the digital era, to uncover solutions and continuous advancements, as innovation is critical for established companies to stay relevant in the phase of disruption and change (Berglund, 2007). This study aims to deepen the understanding of the phenomenon of ILs in the context of SMEs. More precisely, we are scrutinizing the integration of acquired knowledge, inventions, competencies, and innovations to see what both ILs and SMEs could do to achieve a better outcome. This study aims to originate valuable insights on integration patterns and key issues SMEs face during the IL, to fill literature gaps and build on existing theories of ILs (Fecher et al., 2020) and absorptive capacity (Zahra & George, 2002). Our goal is to contribute with managerial implications for SMEs who wish to participate in ILs and achieve a favorable outcome. Additionally, to give IL facilitators suggestions on making the process more suitable for SMEs. Our research aimed to answer the question of how SMEs integrate competencies and inventions developed during their IL participation in ILs. We established a multiple case study (Eisenhardt, 1989) to investigate the phenomenon. Together with existing literature and qualitative data, we set a model on: ‘SMEs’ Absorptive Capacity in the Context of Innovation Labs’. Our model describes how ACAP is present in the three lab phases and its effect on integrating competencies and inventions. First, our results show the relevance of preparation and participants in the pre- lab phase. Second, PACAP, including acquisition and assimilation, correlated with resources and the IL process in the lab phase. Third, in the post-lab phase or integration phase, RACAP with the capabilities of transformation and exploitation were significant for the business practice, IL process, IC, and resources. Concluding, each of the phases and SMEs’ capabilities during the IL process affects the integration and commercialization of the outcome.

Problem Mergers and acquisitions are a common way for organisations to extend their operations. By merging two or more organisations into one, the newly formed constellation can access new markets and increase the market presence or control of the supply chain. Previous research has demonstrated that mergers and acquisitions generally need to improve in creating added value. There appears to be a gap in existing research regarding the extent managers utilise and execute knowledge integration. The relationship between operational managers and organisational members is yet to be explored in the context of M&As, which has derived the problem statement of this thesis.   Purpose This thesis aims to gain insights into how organisational members and operational managers contribute to knowledge integration. The thesis also aims to reveal what essential aspects influence the outcome of mergers and acquisitions processes, partially with consideration to organisational members and operational managers, but also to other variables that are of significance during mergers and acquisitions.   Methodology The thesis is conducted through the qualitative research method. The thesis is mainly based on semi-structured interviews with professionals with broad experience in mergers and acquisitions processes and their integration phases. Aside from the interviews, data from secondary cases on mergers and acquisitions have been condensed to view additional perspectives and complement the primary data.   Findings The thesis finds that operational managers are in control of the overhauling structure of mergers and acquisitions processes. Although, despite the control of the operational manager, they are to be considered an enabler, leaving the organisational member as the executer, which implies that one cannot operate without the other. It appears in the thesis that mergers and acquisitions are complex constructs and that there are numerous varying variables. Therefore, one of the thesis’ main findings highlights the importance of understanding the interrelationship between operational management and organisational members, especially in the context of mergers and acquisitions.

This dissertation examines the free-rider problem of entry deterrence, the profitability of a horizontal merger, and the effects of a horizontal merger on the outsiders’ profits and industry prices, in the markets where firms' capacity costs are sunk. We investigate the free-rider problem of entry deterrence in the subgame perfect Nash equilibria of a three-stage game in which in the first stage multiple incumbent firms choose their capacities simultaneously and independently, in the second stage a potential entrant, after observing the incumbent firms’ capacity vector, chooses its capacity, and in the third stage the firms engage in capacity-constrained Cournot competition. We show that the free-rider problem may occur: there are situations where both entry prevention and allowing entry are equilibria but entry prevention is Pareto superior for the incumbent firms. We also show that increasing the number of incumbent firms may cause the equilibrium price to increase and thus consumer welfare to decrease. The free-rider problem is still manifested in a modified model in which multiple potential entrants choose their capacities sequentially after the first stage incumbents’ capacity decisions. Several recent papers which theoretically analyze the profitability of a horizontal merger and its effects on the outsiders’ profits and industry prices, all observe that a merger never decreases industry prices, a merger to a monopoly is always profitable, and a merger never hurts the outsiders. However, we demonstrate, in a market for a homogeneous product where firms with sunk capacities compete in quantities and there are potential entrants, that a merger can decrease industry price and a merger of incumbent firms to a monopoly may not be profitable. We also show, in a market for a homogeneous product where firms with sunk capacities engage in capacity-constrained price competition, that a merger can hurt the outsiders. / Ph. D.

Submitted by Ronaldo Gomes Dultra de Lima (ronaldo.lima@gvmail.br) on 2015-04-14T14:52:06Z No. of bitstreams: 1 Tese_Ronaldo_Dultra-de-Lima_(Versao_Final).pdf: 3656263 bytes, checksum: 7c89f0263113ebef5aa6650ec3026603 (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Pamela Beltran Tonsa (pamela.tonsa@fgv.br) on 2015-04-14T16:07:07Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 1 Tese_Ronaldo_Dultra-de-Lima_(Versao_Final).pdf: 3656263 bytes, checksum: 7c89f0263113ebef5aa6650ec3026603 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2015-04-14T18:06:20Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Tese_Ronaldo_Dultra-de-Lima_(Versao_Final).pdf: 3656263 bytes, checksum: 7c89f0263113ebef5aa6650ec3026603 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2015-03-11 / The literature has emphasized that absorptive capacity (AC) leads to performance, but in projects its influences still unclear. Additionally, the project success is not well understood by the literature, and AC can be an important mechanism to explain it. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to investigate the effect of absorptive capacity on project performance in the construction industry of São Paulo State. We study this influence through potential and realized absorptive capacity proposed by Zahra and George (2002). For achieving this goal, we use a combination of qualitative and quantitative research. The qualitative research is based on 15 interviews with project managers in different sectors to understand the main constructs and support the next quantitative phase. The content analysis was the technique used to analyze those interviews. In quantitative phase through a survey questionnaire, we collected 157 responses in the construction sector with project managers. The confirmatory factor analysis and hierarchical linear regression were the techniques used to assess the data. Our findings suggest that the realized absorptive capacity has a positive influence on performance, but potential absorptive capacity and the interactions effect have no influence on performance. Moreover, the planning and monitoring have a positive impact on budget and schedule, and customer satisfaction while risk coping capacity has a positive impact on business success. In academics terms, this research enables a better understanding of the importance of absorptive capacity in the construction industry and it confirms that knowledge application in processes and routines enhances performance. For management, the absorptive capacity enables the improvements of internal capabilities reflected in the increased project management efficiency. Indeed, when a company manages project practices efficiently it enhances business and project performance; however, it needs initially to improve its internal abilities to enrich processes and routines through relevant knowledge. / A literatura tem enfatizado que a capacidade de absorção (AC) leva ao desempenho, porém, na área de projetos sua influência ainda não está claramente estabelecida. Além disso, o sucesso de projeto também não é bem entendido pela literatura, e AC pode ser um dos mecanismos para explicá-lo. Portanto, o objetivo deste estudo é investigar o efeito da capacidade de absorção no desempenho do projeto na indústria de construção civil do Estado de São Paulo. Estudamos essa influência por meio das capacidades de absorção potencial e realizada propostas por Zahra and George (2002). Para atingir esse objetivo, usamos uma combinação de pesquisa qualitativa e quantitativa. A pesquisa qualitativa está baseada em 15 entrevistas com gerentes de projeto em diferentes setores visando entender os principais construtos e apoiar a fase quantitativa. A análise de conteúdo foi a técnica utilizada para analisar essas entrevistas. Já na fase quantitativa, realizada através de questionário eletrônico, foram coletadas 157 respostas junto aos gerentes de projeto no setor de construção civil. As técnicas utilizadas para analisar os dados foram a análise fatorial confirmatória e regressão linear hierárquica. Nossos resultados sugerem que a capacidade de absorção realizada tem relacionamento positivo com desempenho, porém, a capacidade de absorção potencial e o efeito de suas interações não têm qualquer influência sobre o mesmo. Além disso, o planejamento e monitoramento têm impacto positivo no orçamento e cronograma, e satisfação do cliente, enquanto que a capacidade de ação sobre riscos tem influência positiva sobre o sucesso do negócio. Em termos acadêmicos, esta pesquisa permite melhorar a compreensão da importância da capacidade de absorção na indústria da construção civil e confirma que a aplicação de conhecimentos em rotinas e processos melhoram o desempenho. Para a gestão, a capacidade de absorção possibilita que melhorias das capacidades internas reflitam no aumento da eficiência de gerenciamento de projetos. Realmente, quando a empresa gerencia suas práticas de projeto eficientemente melhora o desempenho do negócio e dos projetos. No entanto, ela precisa inicialmente melhorar suas capacidades internas visando purificar as rotinas e processos através de conhecimentos que são relevantes.

An aging population is becoming an increasingly growing global phenomenon, and 2050 is said to be a historical breaking point where 65+ will outnumber those between 0-5 years old. However, previous research has failed to provide sufficient explanations for consumer behavior for this particular segment, and a large incidence have been found to share the belief that technology fails to be adapted to meet their needs properly. An overlooked aspect of knowledge management was found and a research gap was thus identified addressing the role of cognition when assessing and interpreting customer needs. The purpose has been to develop a deeper understanding of certain aspects of how companies within this industry acquire and assimilate knowledge, and how product developers perceive the role of cognition in these processes. In order to shed light on these dimensions of knowledge management, a research question has been formulated as follows: "How does psychological distance affect knowledge acquisition, absorptive capacity and relationship quality?" A quantitative study was carried out involving 45 companies operating in a variety of industries ranging from robotics, hygiene and special nutrition, to eldercare and mobility products. Altogether, 51 responses were collected and analyzed using simple- and multiple regression, and were subsequently discussed based on a developed theoretical framework. The results found in this study have been used to identify combinations of cognitive dimensions and relationship quality for the purpose of developing a better understanding of its respective impact on knowledge acquisition and absorptive capacity. The findings culminated in a model through which to explain for these combinations of psychological distance, level of construal and relationship quality and their effect on the ability to acquire and disseminate new knowledge from elderly.High-level information was found easier to acquire among the respondent companies, and low-level contrarily easier to absorb. Greater psychological distance in combination with low relationship quality had a positive impact of high-level construal individuals to acquire knowledge from external sources. In contrast to these findings, perceived proximity in the psychological distances and high relationship quality were jointly found to assist in knowledge dissemination processes for low-level construal individuals.

This study uses the concept of absorptive capacity to provide a framework for exploring benefit realization in the post-implementation phase of ERP systems. Success factors of ERP adoption such as: training, communication, process change, and integration extension are organized into two types of knowledge absorptive capacity: potential capacity and realization capacity. This study proposes that absorptive capacity is one of the key determinants of benefits realization from ERP implementation. Although the frequently mentioned factors training and communication are important activities for organizations to assimilate the knowledge of the system processes, these represent potential capacity that requires realization through refinement and execution of what has been absorbed. ERP adopting organizations wishing to continuously generate benefits need to both build potential absorptive capacity by investing in training and education and leverage realized capacity through extension of integration of the system processes. Through in-depth case study of four firms in Taiwan, this study verified the propositions about absorptive capacity in post- implementation of ERP systems. The results further revealed some findings： 1) More iterations of the cycle of absorptive capacity leads to greater benefits of ERP systems. 2) Knowledge retention is important for accumulating potential resources. 3) Provide some guidance of educational program planning. 4) Environment provided by companies can encourage assimilation of knowledge and full use of the ERP system. 5) Business training is necessary for IT professionals. These findings are helpful for managers to well assimilate and exploit knowledge. And furthermore, this study suggests that companies need to acquire, assimilate, transform and exploit knowledge in a dynamic cyclical path to adapt to the changing business environment and sustain competitive advantage over the long term.

This study investigates the heterogeneity of European NUTS-2 regions with regard to their ability to take advantage of European Union (EU) structural funds aimed at convergence. It considers a concept of absorptive capacity based on regional policy design, and additionally accounts for the programming period 2007-2013 in the empirical analysis. A fuzzy regression discontinuity design allowing for heterogeneous treatment effects is applied to evaluate convergence funds in 250 NUTS-2 regions from 2000 (and 1989) to 2013. The main results suggest a positive conditional impact of funds payments on regional GDP per capita growth. However, based on a time-varying treatment effects model, we are able to identify a deterioration in the effectiveness of convergence funds during the programming period 2007-2013. Furthermore, the analysis reveals an inverted U-shaped relationship between the share of committed funds paid out and GDP per capita growth. The latter finding indicates that the marginal benefits from EU convergence funds might be decreasing. (author's abstract) / Series: Department of Economics Working Paper Series

Biopolymers are becoming more attractive as advanced wound dressings because of their naturally derived origin, abundance, low cost and high compatibility with the wound environment. Arabinoxylan (AX) is a class of polysaccharide polymers derived from cereal grains that are primarily used in food products and cosmetic additives. Its application as a wound dressing material has yet to be realized. In this two-pronged project, arabinoxylan ferulate (AXF) was fabricated into electrospun fibers and gel foams to be evaluated as platforms for wound dressing materials. In the first study, AXF was electrospun with varying amounts of gelatin. In the second study, AXF was dissolved in water, enzymatically crosslinked and lyophilized to form gel foams. The morphology, mechanical properties, porosity, drug release kinetics, fibroblast cell response and anti-microbial properties were examined for both platforms. Carbohydrate assay was conducted to validate the presence of arabinoxylan ferulate in the electrospun GEL-AXF fibers. Swelling and endotoxin quantification studies were done to evaluate the absorptive capacity and sterilization agent efficacy respectively in AXF foams. The results indicated successful fabrication of both platforms which validated the porous, absorptive, biocompatibility and drug release properties. The results also exhibited that silver impregnated AXF scaffolds inhibited growth of Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus aureus and Enterococcus faecalis bacteria species, anti-microbial properties necessary to function as advanced wound dressing materials. Future work will be done to improve the stability of both platforms as well as evaluate its applications in vivo.

As empresas podem responder por mudanças significativas em prol da sustentabilidade por meio de inovações, através do desenvolvimento de novas tecnologias, serviços ou produtos que se destinam a reduzir os problemas ambientais e climáticos - nomeadamente inovações verdes. Estas são conduzidas por recursos internos, bem como forças institucionais e algumas capacidades organizacionais, tais como a capacidade de absorção, podem ser relevantes em melhorar o desempenho em inovações verdes. Portanto, este estudo teve como objetivo avaliar empiricamente a relação entre as forças institucionais e capacidades internas na condução de inovações verdes no setor de energia elétrica brasileiro. A técnica de equações estruturais (PLS) foi aplicada aos dados coletados por meio de uma survey realizada entre dezembro de 2015 e maio de 2016. A validade do modelo estrutural foi assegurada através de vários testes e os resultados permitiram concluir que os condutores internos são positivamente relacionados com as forças institucionais e a capacidade de absorção. Ainda, estes mediam a relação entre estes construtos. Além disso, os condutores internos estão positivamente relacionados com o desempenho da inovação verde em produtos e processos. Portanto, o estudo tem várias implicações teóricas para área de gestão, especialmente em capacidades dinâmicas, VBR e teoria da inovação verde. Além disso, as implicações políticas do estudo estão relacionadas com a composição de políticas de um país, a fim de desenvolver regulamentações ambientais que favoreçam a inovação. / Green innovations can be an answer that companies develop as ways to mitigate climate change. These are driven by internal resources as well as institutional forces, and some organizational capabilities such as absorptive capacity can be relevant in spurring green innovations performance. Therefore, this study aimed at assessing empirically the relationship among institutional forces and internal capabilities in driving green innovations in the Brazilian electricity power sector. Partial Least Square Structural Modelling Equation was applied to the data collected through the survey conducted between December 2015 and May 2016. The structural model validity was validated through several tests and the results have indicated that Internal Drivers are positively related to the Institutional Forces and Absorptive Capacity, and mediate the relationship among those constructs. Also, the Internal Drivers are positively related with Green Innovation Performance in products and processes. Therefore, the study has several theoretical implications for management area, especially on dynamic capabilities, RBV and green innovation theory. Also, policy implications of the study are related to the composition of a country\'s policy mix in order to develop environmental regulations which favour innovation.

Capacidade de absorção é um tipo de capacidade dinâmica da firma, presente na literatura de gestão estratégica e que demonstra a aprendizagem organizacional, a partilha de conhecimentos, a inovação e o desempenho da empresa. Estudos anteriores indicam que é importante se concentrar nas rotinas e processos que as organizações usam para adquirir, assimilar, transformar e explorar o conhecimento, dentro do conceito de capacidade de absorção. Entretanto, é ainda um tema recente e pouco estudado na academia e, por isso, alguns autores chamam a atenção para a falta de estudos dos processos relacionados a efetiva implementação e realização da capacidade de absorção nas empresas. Nesse contexto, o objetivo deste trabalho é fornecer uma compreensão de como a capacidade de absorção ocorre nas startups, que mantém relacionamentos interorganizacionais com grandes empresas, para obtenção de vantagem competitiva, sob a perspectiva do gerenciamento de processos de negócio. Para atender aos objetivos propostos, foi utilizado o estudo de caso como método de pesquisa, permitindo identificar os gatilhos que iniciam e terminam os processos de absorção de conhecimento nas startups, bem como as atividades estruturadas e sistematizadas que operacionalizam o conceito. Foi construído um diagrama de atividades que representa o modelo de processos para o desenvolvimento da capacidade de absorção, indicando que os processos de negócio estão relacionados aos fluxos de informações que são processados pelas startups nos programas de aceleração corporativa. As vantagens competitivas decorrentes da capacidade de absorção concretizam-se nas startups por meio da flexibilidade estratégica, inovação do tipo organizacional e no desempenho organizacional, avaliado na perspectiva de seus processos internos. O estudo contribui para o avanço no estado da arte ao descrever os processos de negócio relacionados à operacionalização do conceito de capacidade de absorção em startups, por meio dos relacionamentos interorganizacionais com as grandes empresas. / Absorptive capacity is a type of dynamic capabilities of the firm, present in the strategic management literature, that demonstrates the organizational learning, the knowledge sharing, the innovation and the performance of the company. Previous studies indicate that it is important to focus on the routines and processes that organizations use to acquire, assimilate, transform and exploit knowledge within the concept of absorptive capacity. However, it is still a recent and little-studied topic at the academy and therefore some authors draw attention to the lack of studies of the processes related to the effective implementation and realization of the absorptive capacity in the companies. In this context, the aim of this work is to provide an understanding of how absorptive capacity occurs in startups, which maintains interorganizational relationships with large companies, to gain competitive advantage, from the perspective of Business Process Management. To meet the proposed objectives, the research method was the case study, that is allowing the identification of triggers that initiate and end the processes of absorptive of knowledge in the startups, as well as structured and systematized activities that operationalize the concept. An activity diagram was made that represents the process model for the development of absorptive capacity, indicating that the business processes are related to the information flows that are processed by the startups in the corporate accelerator programs. The competitive advantages arising from the absorptive capacity are achieved in the startups through strategic flexibility, organizational-type innovation and organizational performance, evaluated from the perspective of their internal processes. The study contributes to the advancement in the state of the art by describing the business processes related to the operationalization of the concept of absorptive capacity in startups, through the interorganizational relationships with the large companies.