ABSTRACTTitle: The Effect of Customer Preferences Dynamism on Incumbent Firms:The Case of Nokia in the Mobile Phone industry.Authors: Adnan Kandeel kandeeladnan@gmail.comDinsel Sali dinsel08@yahoo.comFaculty: Department of Management and EngineeringDate: 27th of May 2013Background: The study of the dynamism of customer preferences’ effect onincumbent firms offers in-depth understanding of the active roleof customers in affecting the position of incumbent firmswhich has been neglected in the vast majority of literaturethat examined the declining position of incumbent firms.Aim: The aim of this thesis is to examine the dynamism of customerpreferences’ effect on incumbent firms.Definitions: Incumbent firm: the dominant firm in an industry.Customer preferences: the collection of attributes including explicitand implicit attributes of a certain product.Preference stereotypes: the implicit prejudgement by customers about a certain product that can not be ascribed to an explicit attribute.Methodology: A qualitative approach where online historical data from 1100 NokiaMobile phone user reviews for 11 years were collected, profiled, andthen analyzed.Completion and results: Incumbent firms are affected by the dynamism of explicit andimplicit preferences through their effect on radical and incrementalinnovation. Furthermore, preference stereotypes can affect incumbentfirms’ ability to impact the change of product meanings throughradical innovation and investment in technology.Keywords: Incumbent firms, Customer preferences dynamism, Radical innovation

This study determines the influence of causation versus effectuation on entrepreneurial firm survival in high and low dynamism industries. Causation approaches a problem with the end in mind while effectuation’s point of departure is the means. Causal logic predicts a best case future scenario and then gathers the necessary resources to realize that scenario. This is contrasted by effectual logic that attempts to “control” the future by making use of the resources in hand (and those that can be borrowed) while trying to achieve the best possible result. The study consists of a means analysis testing for firm survival in highly dynamic industries per “pure” causal or effectual approach and of a variance analysis, testing for survival as a function of the mixed use of causation and effectuation in both high and low dynamism industries. The product of the means analysis indicates that only two entrepreneurs out of a cohort of 1771 follow a “pure” causal or “pure” effectual approach. As a result of this finding the incidence of “pure” causal or effectual approaches in either high or low dynamism industries is negligible. The output from the variance analysis indicates that causation is a significantly better predictor of entrepreneurial survival than effectuation in both high and low dynamism industries at a 99% confidence level. Below is a summary of the survival probabilities for both high and low dynamism industries across the causal/effectual decision spectrum.This study determines the influence of causation versus effectuation on entrepreneurial firm survival in high and low dynamism industries. Causation approaches a problem with the end in mind while effectuation’s point of departure is the means. Causal logic predicts a best case future scenario and then gathers the necessary resources to realize that scenario. This is contrasted by effectual logic that attempts to “control” the future by making use of the resources in hand (and those that can be borrowed) while trying to achieve the best possible result. The study consists of a means analysis testing for firm survival in highly dynamic industries per “pure” causal or effectual approach and of a variance analysis, testing for survival as a function of the mixed use of causation and effectuation in both high and low dynamism industries. The product of the means analysis indicates that only two entrepreneurs out of a cohort of 1771 follow a “pure” causal or “pure” effectual approach. As a result of this finding the incidence of “pure” causal or effectual approaches in either high or low dynamism industries is negligible. The output from the variance analysis indicates that causation is a significantly better predictor of entrepreneurial survival than effectuation in both high and low dynamism industries at a 99% confidence level. Below is a summary of the survival probabilities for both high and low dynamism industries across the causal/effectual decision spectrum. Copyright / Dissertation (MBA)--University of Pretoria, 2010 / Gordon Institute of Business Science (GIBS) / unrestricted

Thesis advisor: John Sallis / Henri Bergson’s interpretation of Aristotle has not been adequately considered in scholarship. Bergson was greatly inspired by Aristotle’s method and discoveries in psychology and metaphysics, but Bergson also accused Aristotle of having reduced philosophy to an analysis of language. Beneath the apparent rigid formalism of Aristotelian logic, he had in fact described life in a dynamic and qualitatively rich way that is consonant with Bergson’s “qualitative multiplicity.” I show the commonalities between their philosophies and suggest ways of interpreting Aristotle from a Bergsonian perspective. In tracking all Bergson’s discussions of Aristotle—some very critical and reductive; others quite favorable and generous—it becomes evident that Aristotle’s dynamic sense of being describes qualitative multiplicity. This becomes clear when we examine the interrelated problems of movement, force, life, intuition, the soul, embodiment, time, ethics, and art. The theory of dynamics, or the dynamic sense of being, is the underlying thread which weaves these topics together in both Aristotelianism and Bergsonism. This dissertation demonstrates how effort and energy, constituting a hylomorphic unity of experience, provides phenomenological evidence grounding the theory of dynamics. The work of Bergson’s mentor, Félix Ravaisson, is decisive in this historical reconstruction. Ravaisson’s dynamic interpretation highlights Aristotle’s own critiques of logical formalism and presents an intuitive knowledge of life which is inexpressible in language. Bergson clearly borrows insights from Ravaisson’s interpretation but also discredits the validity of them. The burgeoning field of phenomenological interpretations of Aristotle contribute to the dynamic interpretation. I use this scholarship to refute aspects of Bergson’s logical interpretation. In sum, I show that Aristotle’s theory of dynamics is the central paradigm for his whole philosophy, tying together his physics, biology, psychology, epistemology, aesthetics and ethics. Bergson built further upon dynamics, evolving it endogenously, in order to create his qualitative multiplicity, flowing of duration, and élan vital. After critiquing the logical interpretations of Aristotle for their reliance on a metaphysics of presence, it becomes clear Aristotle had already described intensity, continuity, sympathy, and developmental progression as qualitative multiplicity, along the lines of Bergson. Key Words: Dynamism, Continuity, Virtual, Intensity, Development, Analogy, Integral, Concrete, Presence, Time, Energeia, Entelecheia, Movement, Invention, Intuition, Derivation, Habit, Intelligence, Indivisibility, Number, Qualitative, Multiplicity, Auto Affection, Phenomena, Aesthetics, Life. / Thesis (PhD) — Boston College, 2021. / Submitted to: Boston College. Graduate School of Arts and Sciences. / Discipline: Philosophy.

Light as a catalyst of undefined perceptual opportunitiesA light stimuli research will try to deepen into the relation between perceived spaceand daylight, understanding the importance of daylight compositions and the way that stimulates people. A research on how perception plays an important role in energizing spaces.Experiencing atmospheres (light+space+material) is vital to understand light in the space. Previous researches have put the main focus on the perceived spaciality and enclosure in relation to the distribution of light and to show how can space be shaped. However, daylight changes, together with architecture, are capable of modifying perceptively movement in the interior space, turning the static into dynamic.The study will relate perceptual theory with experiential studies, investigating the possibilities light has when experiencing a transitional space and establishing the common points that induces the user to movement. Will focus on the intangible from a qualitative and personal point of view, presenting the light effects that instinctively stimulate a change of position in space.

The purpose of this study is, first of all, to establish contrast and dynamism as a method to figure out the static and uniform experience through space. Second, through a study of books and an analysis of previous works of other architects, it will give a direction on how the actual design would be used in reality by finding the effects of contrast and dynamism, and finally, based on the analysis above, it will show a gallery design with contrast and dynamism, which will ultimately provide a guide to a better or more vivid spatial composition. This study provides an understanding of how the perceptual contrast and dynamism not only appear on interior, but also on exterior space composition. Works of great contemporary architects, focusing on exhibition buildings were chosen for the analysis. A classification of the effects that generate contrast and dynamism can be different by various standards. Since there have not been any previous studies of a gallery design, this analysis is classified subjectively based on documents. The site is in the Olympic Park, Seoul, South Korea. The park has a total of 291 hectares, which takes a good three hours to walk all around the Olympic Park on foot. There are six stadiums, such as cycling, fencing, weight-lifting, gymnastics, tennis and swimming. The park has also an open-air Sculpture Park with its over 200 modern sculptures in stone, metal, timber and glass, donated in celebration of the Olympics by the artists from the 66 participating countries in the World International Open Air Sculpture Exhibition. Near the sports venues is a lake with water foundation and some lawn areas. / Master of Architecture

This thesis explores how planning for sustainable development can be enhanced in Australia with a particular focus on strategic plans. Today, the concept of sustainable development has not been fully operationalised into plans; market and political forces still play a predominant role in planning practice. Nevertheless, some authors believe that the concept of sustainable development has reinvigorated planning. For example, there is an extensive literature on this topic within planning theory, although in practice, sustainable development has been difficult to implement. This thesis after acknowledging the relevance of economy and politics, provides an alternative approach to operationalise sustainable development in plans through a technical perspective. This perspective is based on the examination, from literature, of several techniques which deal with sustainable development. The central idea is that these techniques can be embraced under one concept,

This study investigated the relationships between business planning and venture growth while also exploring the moderating variables of entrepreneurial pre-entry knowledge and industry dynamism. Scales that allowed for empirical testing were collected and collated from the broader business planning literature. Using a sample of 103 entrepreneurs from three industries, entrepreneurs were surveyed in an attempt to measure entrepreneurial business planning practices in a South African environment. The results of the study indicated that while planning is an important process of an entrepreneurial venture its effectiveness depends on planning combinations and contextual factors. Specifically, it provided evidence for planning’s positive impact on venture growth; when an entrepreneur engaged in prior business planning and then implemented the plan. Furthermore the extent of an entrepreneur’s pre-entry knowledge was shown to have a positive impact on venture growth. While a synergy effect was observed when entrepreneurs had both pre-entry knowledge and engaged in prior planning. In contrast, the findings suggest that when an entrepreneur launches a business and has pre-entry knowledge it is more valuable not to implement these plans. Lastly the results suggested that planning practices were more likely to positively impact venture growth in industries experiencing lower levels of dynamism. Copyright / Dissertation (MBA)--University of Pretoria, 2010. / Gordon Institute of Business Science (GIBS) / unrestricted

Through a personal decision to create and promote psychological states of calm, relaxation, and transcendence, this project was born to study and research light, art, and health to find points in common to create an experience focused on health care spaces, specifically cancer facilities. This exploration aims to improve or enhance the well-being of users in waiting rooms to some extent through light. Based on the literature review, a dynamic and immersive experience with light was developed within a space simulating waiting rooms in hospitals. It was tested with 14 participants exposed to the experience for ten minutes. This thesis concludes that the dynamism in light is necessary to create engagement on the user. This dynamism simultaneously changing rhythmically in time generates a feeling of calmness and relaxation on the participants, perceived as a positive experience within the function of the space and the overall wellbeing of the users.

Yes / Prior studies show the impact of various facets of individual characteristics in driving a firm’s entrepreneurial orientation (EO). The present study complements this line of research by deriving insights from the conservation of resources (COR) theory to examine the effects of resource-induced coping heuristics (acquiring, protecting, and developing resources) on EO. Additionally, it investigates the underlying conditions influencing these relationships. Data were collected from new ventures in two developing countries (Ghana, N=204, and Ethiopia, N=214). Utilizing the moderated hierarchical regression analysis, the results show that the three dimensions of resource-induced coping heuristics positively relate to EO and these relationships are amplified when environmental dynamism is high. These findings provide a nuanced understanding of the relationships among the different types of resource-induced coping heuristics and EO. In this way, the study extends the boundaries of the resource-induced coping heuristics, EO, and broader entrepreneurship literature.

An investigation is conducted into the cognitive effects of using different computer based instructions media in acquisition of specific novel human skills. With recent rapid advances in computing and multimedia instructional delivery, several contemporary research have focussed on the best practices for training and learning delivered via computer based multimedia simulations. More often than not, the aim has been cost minimisation through an optimisation of the instructional delivery process for efficient knowledge acquisition. The outcome of such research effort in general have been largely divergent and inconclusive. The work reported in this thesis utilises a dual prong methodology to provide a novel perspective on the moderating effects of computer based instructional visualisations with a focus on the interaction of interface dynamism with target knowledge domains and trainee cognitive characteristics. The first part of the methodology involves a series of empirical experiments that incrementally measures/compares the cognitive benefits of different levels of instructional interface dynamism for efficient task representation and post-acquisition skilled performance. The first of these experiments utilised a mechanical disassembly task to investigate novel acquisition of procedural motor skills by comparing task comprehension and performance. The other experiments expanded the initial findings to other knowledge domains as well as controlled for potential confounding variables. The integral outcome of these experiments helped to define a novel framework for describing multimodal perception of different computer based instruction types and its moderating effect on post-learning task performance. A parallel computational cognitive modelling effort provided the complementary methodology to investigate cognitive processing associated with different instructional interfaces at a lower level of detail than possible through empirical observations. Novel circumventions of some existing limitations of the selected ACT-R 6.0 cognitive modelling architecture were proposed to achieve the precision required. The ACT-R modifications afforded the representation of human motor movements at an atomic level of detail and with a constant velocity profile as opposed to what is possible with the default manual module. Additional extensions to ACT-R 6.0 also allowed accurate representation of the noise inherent in the recall of spatial locations from declarative memory. The method used for this representation is potentially extendable for application to 3-D spatial representation in ACT-R. These novel propositions are piloted in a proof-of-concept effort followed by application to a more complete, naturally occurring task sequence. The modelling methodology is validated with established human data of skilled task performances. The combination of empirical observations and detailed cognitive modelling afforded novel insights to the hitherto controversial findings on the cognitive benefits of different multimodal instructional presentations. The outcome has implications for training research and development involving computer based simulations.