Background: Blockchain is a technological innovation, and its benefits such as decentralized transactions without a trusted third party, improvements in traceability and efficiency can potentially facilitate complex challenges faced by supply chains (Hughes et al., 2019; Saberi et al., 2019). However, solutions are rather in a demonstration stage, which raises the question of what barriers prevent organizations from adopting blockchain (Kouhizadeh et al., 2021). Especially small and medium-sized enterprises (SME) have been neglected in blockchain adoption studies (Wong et al., 2020). However, research recognizes that they should be considered separately because of their specific needs (Chouki et al., 2020). Moreover, the pre-decision stage of the adoption is of interest, as blockchain applications for the supply chain are still in a pilot phase (Y. Wang, Singgih, et al., 2019). Research Question: What barriers do SMEs face during the pre-decision stage of blockchain adoption for supply chain? Theoretical Framework: A framework developed by Kouhizadeh et al. (2021) containing barriers that impede blockchain adoption for supply chains is contextualized in the pre-decision phase and focused on SMEs. Methodology and Data Collection: This thesis follows a qualitative, deductive approach. An exploratory single case study was conducted to collect data through semi-structured interviews. This sheds light on the blockchain adoption from the perspective of a Swedish SME in the pre-decision stage that intends to use blockchain for sustainable water management in an agricultural supply chain. Complementary to this, blockchain experts are interviewed to enrich companies' responses that cannot fully illuminate the barriers due to their limited knowledge. Findings: Supply chain barriers emerged as the most important, especially 'SC2- Problems in collaboration, communication, and coordination in the supply chain', and 'SC1- Lack of customers' awareness and tendency about sustainability and blockchain technology'. Furthermore, four characteristics were identified that significantly influence the perception of the barriers in the setting studied: The proactive commitment to adopting blockchain, the affinity and attitude toward information technology (IT), trust, and financial support. Conclusions: Several managerial and theoretical implications result from the study, as well as suggestions for further research. These include that SMEs and consultants should consider the characteristics that influence perceptions of barriers in order to prioritize the barriers, and also in research they should be more emphasized to enhance transferability of blockchain adoption research. Limitations include that the case study was conducted on a single SME in Sweden, therefore a validation of the results in other SMEs would be beneficial. In addition, a longitudinal study could shed light on how the barriers change during the adoption process, and further research could reveal the strategies that SMEs use to overcome the barriers.

The purpose of the current dissertation is to explore the contribution of development-oriented farmer groups to the diffusion of innovations in rural communities of Kenya and Ethiopia, to identify the key factors that determine the effectiveness of diffusion, and to derive recommendations that aim at better utilizing the potential of groups for rural extension work. A profound review of four theoretical frameworks served to derive a multiple-pathway model of innovation diffusion that amalgamates major concepts of the social network and functional group theory. By accommodating multiplex social relationships and by facilitating analyses at multiple levels the model alleviates major conceptual shortcomings of previous research. The research employs a multiple case study design. Four peasant communities have been investigated that are largely comparable in respect with bio-physical conditions. The case studies aim to cover the maximum diversity with regard to the role of farmer groups in the prevailing extension approach, as well as the mode of group organization. Data collection tools comprise reconnaissance surveys, standardized household interviews (N=841), qualitative key informant and in-depth interviews, participant observation, and the review of secondary sources. Group and non-group social networks constitute the units of analysis. Inferential statistical analyses mainly used multivariate linear regression techniques. The findings illustrate that farmers, through their group and non-group networks and under group-oriented and individual extension alike, exchange information, knowledge, social pressures and other forms of influence that shape their individual adoption decisions. Yet, innovations tend to disseminate more effectively in farmer groups vis-à-vis non-group networks, and the groups tend to be more effective when addressed by extension agents. Lack of access to extension services represents a crucial limitation to innovation adoption in the study villages. Yet, increased extension intensity has proved to foster innovation diffusion only in situations of group extension, whereas intensified individual extension services do not considerably increase horizontal farmer-to-farmer knowledge exchange. The research reveals that the advantage of farmer groups can be attributed to their dimorphic character combining the bridging and bonding effects of ‘weak’ and ‘strong’ ties. By facilitating the emergence of cohesive relationships among the group members and by simultaneously enhancing the members’ exposure to external information sources group-oriented extension work considerably contributes to foster the diffusion of innovations among farmers. Intermediate absolute levels of group homogeneity best facilitate the diffusion of innovations among the group members. The findings suggest that increased group activity can overcome diffusion barriers that arise from too heterogeneous or too homogeneous configurations alike. Member commitment is the group climate dimension most consistently related to diffusion effectiveness in farmer groups. The results suggest that group-oriented extension services can alleviate obstructions of the diffusion process that result from less favorable group climate. Thus, this research work proposes that the effectiveness of innovation diffusion among farmers is under the managerial control of the extension agencies in group-oriented extension approaches through at least one of the following mechanisms: (a) promoting the emergence of cohesive member relationships, which in turn foster effective innovation spread; (b) stimulating the activity of farmer groups, which in turn compensates for less effective diffusion under unfavorable group composition; and (c) compensating for diffusion barriers that result from a less favorable group climate. Recommendations refer to the improvement of extension practice and directions for future research.

Public rangelands are managed by a mixture of federal, state, and local governments. Often, these groups are charged with managing adjacent lands that are part of the same greater landscape. To do this effectively, communication and collaboration is required. This dissertation examines federal, state, and local agencies’ level of communication through three projects. The first project examined barriers to agencies adopting management tools from each other. I found that individuals within agencies were mainly staying within their own agency when seeking advice, so individuals were not communicating about tools or their findings across agencies. Furthermore, agency policies and fear of being sued restricted individuals’ ability to adopt management tools. The second project studied how land and wildlife managers in Southeastern Utah work together, or not, in managing mule deer populations that migrate to and from land managed by different agencies. I found that managers are working together to manage mule deer populations, but there are only a few individuals that tie everyone together. The third project looked at how federal, state, and local governments work together to rehabilitate lands after a wildfire that burned parts of Southwestern Idaho and Southeastern Oregon. I found that policy decisions at the federal level can heavily impact who works together and when. All three projects revealed that there are still barriers to federal, state, and local governments working together to manage the same landscape. However, the results from this dissertation also highlight opportunities for bridging the gap between agencies and, ultimately, improving management of rangelands.

Governments facilitate cross-border trade to boost economy. Many developed countries have adopted the national Trade Single Window (SW) solution which has a single-entry point for all trade-related papers. However, adoption of such new technology is difficult, especially for less developed countries. Through the example of Pakistan, we shed light on how adopting situation of SW in a developing country is like. Attempts to provide advice for adoption at organizational and individual levels; show appropriate approaches for developing countries; and bridge the SW knowledge gap between the developed and developing worlds. After interviewing ten Pakistani Single Window (PSW) stakeholders, this paper utilizes a thematic analysis to summarize the findings in two theoretical frameworks, the Theory of Acceptance Model with the Theory of Planned Behavior and the Technology-Organization-Environment Framework, from multiple perspectives. Our findings reveal: firstly, that individuals' perceptions of new technology are hampered by a lack of corresponding skill sets and knowledge. Secondly, limited organizational resources and a lack of technological maturity impede adoption. Finally, governmental pressure and support significantly influence stakeholders' adoption in Pakistan. According to the study, people and organizations in Pakistan are involved in corruption during trade; therefore, losing control to old systems has made them resist adoption. We suggest that Blockchain technology potentially enhance PSW adoption alongside with its improvements, but only if the necessary resources and infrastructure would be available, which are missing in Pakistan right now. This study has significant theoretical implications for innovation adoption and practical implications for SW rollout in developing countries, and ultimately, it points to the opportunity for future research.

創新帶來的影響，隨著二十一世紀的全球化潮流，開始衝擊世界各地，各國政府因應各式各樣的創新競爭、民主選舉與全球化潮流，為了政府績效與成果，我國在資通訊政策的發展，更注入諸多資源建置新計畫、新科技與新政策，藉以達成政府的設定願景目標。本研究透過政策創新過程來分析資通訊政策創新在行政體系內部的形成因素，探究我國E台灣到U台灣的資通訊發展之創新過程，透過次級資料分析與深度訪談的方式，從政策創新過程的三個階段：議程設定階段、採納說服階段與採納決策階段，分析各階段的影響因素，藉以探討資通訊政策創新過程，及此過程裡阻礙創新之問題。研究結果顯示我國資通訊政策創新乃透過多種管道得到創新資訊來源，諸如內部智庫幕僚、支援部會與外部專家學者、資通訊龍頭產業與國外顧問公司。議程設定主要來自於相關專業社群，諸如行政院科技顧問組與SRB會議的共識，以及科技政務委員的政治理念，並根據國內產業發展問題而觸發的政策創新議程。在說服階段，體系內部創新倡議者與外部支援管道彼此針對資通訊創新的理念與預算競和，篩選出可行的政策創新方案，決策階段則因資通訊政策的集權化現象，因此決策者本身的領導特質與對創新的支持、風險承擔，會對資通訊政策創新的產生影響。然而此創新過程裡，資通訊官僚組織的運作問題會發生官僚組織文化、創新疊床架屋、溝通協商費時、創新的民意基礎與管道薄弱以及之智庫團隊獨佔性等阻礙問題，甚至外部關鍵人士專業獨大、執政輪替與預算問題都會阻礙政策創新。蓋因創新過程之制度與專家社群對於創新形成的限制，建議政府在政策創新過程上，需有制度化的培育人才與建立創新倡議管道，且決策者需具備支持創新提案的心態。由於本研究屬於初探性研究，未來建議針對外部政策企業家、不同創新類型與各國資通訊創新過程等議題分析比較，加強我國政策創新過程的研究發現與經驗累積。

This study examines the deployment of Wireless E9-1-1 Phase One and Wireless E9-1-1 Phase Two as a diffusion of innovation. The research method used in this study is a cross-sectional study employing secondary data in a discriminant function analysis. The study population is Virginia units of local governments (95 counties and 39 cities) that had not deployed Wireless E9-1-1 Phase One or Wireless E9-1-1 Phase Two as of January 1, 2001. The period of time included in this study is from 2001 to 2006. The purpose of the study is to assess the overall accuracy of the three principle theories of policy innovation adoption: diffusion, internal determinants, and unified theory, which are variations of the fundamental diffusion theory, in predicting the deployment of wireless E9-1-1 by Virginia units of local government. This assessment was conducted by identifying Virginia specific variables from models associated with these policy innovation theories to determine the best performing model for the deployment of Wireless E9-1-1 throughout the Commonwealth of Virginia. The Virginia specific variables utilized in this study are: Wealth, Population, Fiscal Health, Dedicated Funding, Financial Dependency, Urbanization, Regionalism, and Proximity to Interstate. Dedicated Funding and Regionalism had the largest absolute size of correlation among the predictor variables for the deployment of Wireless E9-1-1 Phase One and Wireless E9-1-1 Phase Two, thus generating the best performing model. This information will provide the basis from which to develop a statewide comprehensive policy and plan for Next Generation 9-1-1 and will help provide an answer to the question of when and how governments get involved in designing and implementing a 9-1-1 emergency service network.

Made available in DSpace on 2016-03-15T19:26:04Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Marcia Aparecida Vieira Silva.pdf: 1254359 bytes, checksum: e47a97134e538c23ee396e5369df41b5 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2013-09-26 / This dissertation sought to identify the results from the innovation open process and its contribution to the development of new markets, considering the achievement of competitive advantage. The study reviews the concepts of competitive advantage, business strategies, market development, information technology, innovation and open innovation. The research was qualitative exploratory. The key element information was obtained by semi-structured interviews. Six managers from software producer companies were interviewed and also a consulting firm in the field of information technology that have adopted the model of open innovation. The technique of content analysis was used for the processing and interpretation of the collected data, according to the procedures recommended by Bardin (2007). As a result the survey showed that the benefits, among others, are related to increased productivity, reduced risks, cost sharing, responsiveness, product development, compliance to the deadline. The delta model was utilized to identify the software producer companies and consulting firm that has a focus on relationship customer, that offers differentiated solutions. As the contribution of the open innovation process, the model facilitates the penetration and market development. / Esta dissertação procurou identificar os resultados obtidos pelo processo de inovação aberta e sua contribuição para o desenvolvimento de novos mercados, levando em consideração a obtenção de vantagem competitiva. O estudo faz um resgate sobre os conceitos de vantagem competitiva, estratégias empresariais, desenvolvimento de mercados, tecnologia de informação, inovação e inovação aberta. A pesquisa realizada teve cunho qualitativo exploratório. As informações dos elementos-chave foram extraídas por meio de entrevistas, com roteiro semiestruturado. Foram entrevistados seis gestores de empresas elaboradoras de software e consultoria no setor de tecnologia da informação que adotaram o modelo de inovação de aberta. Para o tratamento e interpretação dos dados coletados, utilizou-se a técnica de análise de conteúdo, seguindo os procedimentos recomendados por Bardin (2007). Como resultado, a pesquisa revelou que os benefícios estão relacionados ao aumento de produtividade, diminuição de riscos, compartilhamento de custos, agilidade no desenvolvimento de produtos e cumprimento no prazo de entrega. Por meio do modelo delta foi identificado que as empresas elaboradoras de software e consultoria focam o relacionamento com o cliente, oferecendo soluções diferenciadas. Quanto à contribuição do processo de inovação aberta, o modelo facilita a penetração e desenvolvimento de mercados.

A centenária indústria automotiva está passando por profundas transformações nos seus modelos de negócio, processos de desenvolvimento em produto e de produção. Inovações tais como veículos autônomos, transporte compartilhado, células de combustível, entre outras, apresentam-se aos estrategistas das montadoras como alternativas para gerar um diferencial competitivo e garantir a sobrevivência das empresas. Assim sendo, o entendimento dos mecanismos e fatores que influenciam na decisão de adoção de inovações em produto pelas montadoras é um tema relevante para a academia. Artigos sobre adoção de inovação em produto pelas organizações da indústria automotiva não são comuns na literatura, e quando realizados concentram-se no estudo de tecnologias de propulsão alternativa. Este estudo propõe, a partir de uma ampla revisão sistemática da literatura disponível sobre adoção de inovações pelas organizações, um modelo teórico contendo dimensões e fatores de influência na adoção de inovações em produto pelas montadoras de veículos, aplicando o modelo a um componente específico do automóvel, os chamados sistemas semiativos de amortecimento ou \'amortecedores inteligentes\'. Um diferencial do modelo conceitual desenvolvido foi a introdução da dimensão \'gestão da inovação\', analisando diversos fatores relacionados à estratégia tecnológica da montadora. A aplicação deste modelo foi realizada utilizando a metodologia de pesquisa qualitativa básica, por meio de entrevistas com funcionários de montadoras e fabricantes de sistemas de suspensão e amortecedores estabelecidos no mercado automotivo brasileiro. Uma pesquisa adicional foi realizada com o objetivo de identificar de que maneira a importância relativa entre os fatores que influem na adoção de inovações em produto pelas montadoras de veículos muda entre um país desenvolvido (EUA) e outro em desenvolvimento (Brasil). Dessa forma, o modelo conceitual desenvolvido foi aplicado por meio de entrevistas realizadas com funcionários de empresas do segmento automotivo estabelecidas no mercado dos EUA. As análises dos resultados permitiram identificar os fatores de maior influência na adoção da inovação em estudo pelas montadoras, bem como os fatores de menor influência. Análises comparativas foram realizadas entre estes fatores, para discutir as razões das semelhanças e diferenças entre eles. Esta tese produziu três artigos correlacionados entre si, o primeiro denominado Adoção de inovações em produto pelas organizações: Uma revisão sistemática de literatura. O segundo artigo foi intitulado como Adoção de inovações em produto na indústria automotiva: Modelo conceitual e aplicação para sistemas semiativos de amortecimento. O artigo Adoção de inovações em produto na indústria automotiva: Um estudo comparativo entre Brasil e EUA é o terceiro e último da tese. Estudos comparando a influência de fatores de adoção de inovação em produto pelas organizações foram realizados em outras áreas da tecnologia, porém artigos com comparações internacionais entre estes fatores não são comuns na literatura. Nenhum estudo sobre adoção de sistemas semiativos de amortecimento ou \'amortecedores inteligentes\' foi identificado na revisão de literatura realizada, o que evidencia o ineditismo deste trabalho de pesquisa. / The centenary automotive industry has gone through significant transformations in its business models, product development and production processes. Innovations like autonomous vehicles, transportation sharing, fuel cells, among others, show themselves as alternatives to create a competitive differential and assure companies survival. Therefore, the understanding of mechanisms and factors that influence automaker\'s decision to adopt product innovations is a relevant issue for the academy. Papers about product innovation adoption by organizations in the automotive industry are not common in the literature. When made, they focus mostly on the study of alternative propulsion technologies. This research proposes a theoretical model comprising dimensions and factors influencing product innovation adoption by automakers based on a broad literature systematic analysis about organizational innovation adoption. This model was applied to a specific automotive component, the so-called semi active damping systems or \"smart shock absorbers.\" The conceptual model presents the unpublished dimension \"innovation management\", which analyses several factors related to the automakers technological strategy. This research used basic qualitative analysis methodology and performed interviews with employees from automakers and suspension system manufacturers settled in the Brazilian automotive market. An extra research aimed to identify the way the relative importance between the factors that influence in the product innovation adoption by the automakers changes from a developed country (USA) and another country in development (Brazil). Interviews with employees from automotive companies settled in the USA market applied the conceptual model. The result of the analysis allowed the identification of the most influencing factors in the adoption of the product innovation by automakers, as well the less influencing factors. Comparative analyses between these factors were made in order to discuss the reasons of similarities and differences between them. This dissertation produced three correlated papers se, the first one is \"Product innovation adoption by organizations: A systematic literature review.\" The second one is \"Product innovation adoption in the automotive industry: Conceptual model and application for semi active damping systems.\" The third and last one of this dissertation is \"Product innovation adoption in the automotive industry: A comparative study between Brazil and USA.\" There are papers comparing the factors influencing product innovation adoption by organizations in other technology fields, but international comparisons between these factors are not common in literature. This research found no paper about semi active damping systems (\"smart shock absorbers\") in the literature review, which evidences the brand new characteristic of this dissertation.

A centenária indústria automotiva está passando por profundas transformações nos seus modelos de negócio, processos de desenvolvimento em produto e de produção. Inovações tais como veículos autônomos, transporte compartilhado, células de combustível, entre outras, apresentam-se aos estrategistas das montadoras como alternativas para gerar um diferencial competitivo e garantir a sobrevivência das empresas. Assim sendo, o entendimento dos mecanismos e fatores que influenciam na decisão de adoção de inovações em produto pelas montadoras é um tema relevante para a academia. Artigos sobre adoção de inovação em produto pelas organizações da indústria automotiva não são comuns na literatura, e quando realizados concentram-se no estudo de tecnologias de propulsão alternativa. Este estudo propõe, a partir de uma ampla revisão sistemática da literatura disponível sobre adoção de inovações pelas organizações, um modelo teórico contendo dimensões e fatores de influência na adoção de inovações em produto pelas montadoras de veículos, aplicando o modelo a um componente específico do automóvel, os chamados sistemas semiativos de amortecimento ou \'amortecedores inteligentes\'. Um diferencial do modelo conceitual desenvolvido foi a introdução da dimensão \'gestão da inovação\', analisando diversos fatores relacionados à estratégia tecnológica da montadora. A aplicação deste modelo foi realizada utilizando a metodologia de pesquisa qualitativa básica, por meio de entrevistas com funcionários de montadoras e fabricantes de sistemas de suspensão e amortecedores estabelecidos no mercado automotivo brasileiro. Uma pesquisa adicional foi realizada com o objetivo de identificar de que maneira a importância relativa entre os fatores que influem na adoção de inovações em produto pelas montadoras de veículos muda entre um país desenvolvido (EUA) e outro em desenvolvimento (Brasil). Dessa forma, o modelo conceitual desenvolvido foi aplicado por meio de entrevistas realizadas com funcionários de empresas do segmento automotivo estabelecidas no mercado dos EUA. As análises dos resultados permitiram identificar os fatores de maior influência na adoção da inovação em estudo pelas montadoras, bem como os fatores de menor influência. Análises comparativas foram realizadas entre estes fatores, para discutir as razões das semelhanças e diferenças entre eles. Esta tese produziu três artigos correlacionados entre si, o primeiro denominado Adoção de inovações em produto pelas organizações: Uma revisão sistemática de literatura. O segundo artigo foi intitulado como Adoção de inovações em produto na indústria automotiva: Modelo conceitual e aplicação para sistemas semiativos de amortecimento. O artigo Adoção de inovações em produto na indústria automotiva: Um estudo comparativo entre Brasil e EUA é o terceiro e último da tese. Estudos comparando a influência de fatores de adoção de inovação em produto pelas organizações foram realizados em outras áreas da tecnologia, porém artigos com comparações internacionais entre estes fatores não são comuns na literatura. Nenhum estudo sobre adoção de sistemas semiativos de amortecimento ou \'amortecedores inteligentes\' foi identificado na revisão de literatura realizada, o que evidencia o ineditismo deste trabalho de pesquisa. / The centenary automotive industry has gone through significant transformations in its business models, product development and production processes. Innovations like autonomous vehicles, transportation sharing, fuel cells, among others, show themselves as alternatives to create a competitive differential and assure companies survival. Therefore, the understanding of mechanisms and factors that influence automaker\'s decision to adopt product innovations is a relevant issue for the academy. Papers about product innovation adoption by organizations in the automotive industry are not common in the literature. When made, they focus mostly on the study of alternative propulsion technologies. This research proposes a theoretical model comprising dimensions and factors influencing product innovation adoption by automakers based on a broad literature systematic analysis about organizational innovation adoption. This model was applied to a specific automotive component, the so-called semi active damping systems or \"smart shock absorbers.\" The conceptual model presents the unpublished dimension \"innovation management\", which analyses several factors related to the automakers technological strategy. This research used basic qualitative analysis methodology and performed interviews with employees from automakers and suspension system manufacturers settled in the Brazilian automotive market. An extra research aimed to identify the way the relative importance between the factors that influence in the product innovation adoption by the automakers changes from a developed country (USA) and another country in development (Brazil). Interviews with employees from automotive companies settled in the USA market applied the conceptual model. The result of the analysis allowed the identification of the most influencing factors in the adoption of the product innovation by automakers, as well the less influencing factors. Comparative analyses between these factors were made in order to discuss the reasons of similarities and differences between them. This dissertation produced three correlated papers se, the first one is \"Product innovation adoption by organizations: A systematic literature review.\" The second one is \"Product innovation adoption in the automotive industry: Conceptual model and application for semi active damping systems.\" The third and last one of this dissertation is \"Product innovation adoption in the automotive industry: A comparative study between Brazil and USA.\" There are papers comparing the factors influencing product innovation adoption by organizations in other technology fields, but international comparisons between these factors are not common in literature. This research found no paper about semi active damping systems (\"smart shock absorbers\") in the literature review, which evidences the brand new characteristic of this dissertation.

<p>Diss. Umeå : Umeå universitet, 1988</p> / digitalisering@umu