Many sustainability concerns have led to a push for more sustainable electricity systems. Governments and utilities have responded to these pressures by making changes ranging from minor incremental adjustments to sweeping transformations. This dissertation is focused on determining how we can best understand such transitions of electricity systems and what possibilities exist for First Nations to participate in them. This dissertation involves case studies of three Canadian provinces – Nova Scotia, Ontario and Saskatchewan – based on a review of relevant documents and semi-structured interviews. The theoretical basis of this dissertation is derived from the sustainability transitions field and discourse coalition theory. The conclusion of this research is a helpful and robust integrated sustainability transition framework, which is developed by combining elements of the multi-level perspective (MLP) and technological innovation system (TIS) frameworks from the sustainability transitions field, and supplementing those elements with features from discourse coalition theory. This integrated sustainability transition framework can usefully explain the complex dynamics involved in transitions of electricity systems. The typology of transition pathways – distinguishing between the possibilities of reproduction, transformation, technological substitution, reconfiguration, and de-alignment/re-alignment – provides insights into the direction of the transition. The various TIS functions add a needed element of agency and provide insights into the rate of progress along the particular transition pathway. Discourse coalition theory adds a greater degree of agency by uncovering the political dynamics involved. By considering factors for successful First Nations participation as important TIS functions, the integrated sustainability transition framework presented in this dissertation helps explain the possibilities for First Nations participation. Successful First Nations participation is more likely to occur where governments are proudly engaging in reconciliation efforts and resurgence support and where they embrace distributed, clean energy projects and deliberately open up space for new actors to participate in the electricity sector. In order to achieve the momentum needed to take advantage of a window of opportunity to participate, First Nations need a project champion, stable governance, access to cash, partnerships with the private sector, and must ensure that the focus remains on sustainable development and delivery of benefits to the entire community.

This thesis was motivated by the importance of technological capability for economic growth process in developing countries. The main objective of this study is to analyze the creation of technological capability in the Turkish manufacturing industry / and to set out opportunities and impediments for technological development by ascribing special emphasis to MNCs in this process within the framework of national innovation system. The technology policy advice relying on attracting foreign firms is also questioned. In order to shed light on how technological capability is accumulated in the Turkish manufacturing industry / and to understand the role that MNCs play in this process, the thesis investigates static and dynamic spillover effects of MNCs in the Turkish manufacturing industry. The study also focuses on the factors that determine innovativeness of, and the technology transfer by the firms in Turkey, and the role of MNCs in this context. The probable effects of firm and technology specific characteristics such as size and technology level are taken into consideration in the analyses. Our results suggest that foreign firms are superior to domestic firms in many respects. There are no horizontal or vertical spillovers from MNCs in Turkey for the 1983-2000 period. We found lagged positive horizontal spillovers, though. However, these spillovers are far beyond to register a net dynamic benefit for the whole Turkish manufacturing industry to be felt in the current period. This lagged spillover is found for large firms / and one can mention net dynamic positive spillovers for the large firms. We also found positive spillovers from labor transfer from MNCs to domestic firms for the 1995 and 2000 period. We conclude that technological capability is limited in domestic firms / and it can be improved by on-the-job training and general education policies as well as increasing domestic R&amp / D. The technology policies relying attracting more FDI should be reviewed given the insights provided by the analysis conducted in this thesis.

abstract: Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common abnormal heart rhythm, affecting nearly 2% of the world’s population at a cost of $26 Billion in the United States annually, and incalculable costs worldwide. AF causes no symptoms for some people. However, others with AF experience uncomfortable symptoms including palpitations, breathlessness, dizziness, and fatigue. AF can severely diminish quality of life for both AF sufferers and their loved ones. Beyond uncomfortable symptoms, AF is also linked to congestive heart failure and stroke, both of which can cause premature death. Medications often fail to control AF, leading patients and healthcare providers to seek other cures, including catheter ablation. To date, catheter ablation has yielded uneven results, but garners much attention in research and innovation in pursuit of a cure for AF. This dissertation examines the historical development and contemporary practices of AF ablation to identify opportunities to improve the innovation system for the disease. First, I trace the history of AF and AF ablation knowledge from the 2nd century B.C.E. through the present. This historical look identifies patterns of knowledge co-development between science, technology, and technique, as well as publication patterns impacting knowledge dissemination. Second, I examine the current practices of AF ablation knowledge translation from the perspective of clinical practitioners to characterize the demand-side of knowledge translation in real-world practice. Demand-side knowledge translation occurs in nested patterns, and requires data, experience, and trust in order to incorporate knowledge into a practice paradigm. Third, I use social network mapping and analysis to represent the full AF ablation knowledge-practice system and identify opportunities to modify research and innovation practice in AF ablation based on i measures of centrality and power. Finally, I outline six linked recommendations using raw data capture during ablation procedures and open big data analytics, coupled with multi-stakeholder social networking approaches, to maximize innovation potential in AF ablation research and practice. / Dissertation/Thesis / Doctoral Dissertation Human and Social Dimensions of Science and Technology 2016

Made available in DSpace on 2014-06-11T19:24:17Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2011-08-15Bitstream added on 2014-06-13T20:07:46Z : No. of bitstreams: 1 faria_lgd_me_arafcl.pdf: 1018667 bytes, checksum: 6b395a6b747d3a624422d5af21bcb98d (MD5) / Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES) / O objetivo do presente trabalho é identificar e analisar as principais evoluções simultâneas nos elementos – demanda, regime tecnológico, atores e instituições - que compõem o Sistema Setorial de Inovação do Setor Automotivo, através de uma metodologia baseada no trabalho de Malerba (2002). Desta forma, utiliza-se uma abordagem que trata a inovação como um processo sistêmico, contínuo e evolucionário. O trabalho conclui que, nos últimos dez anos, o Sistema Setorial de Inovação do setor automotivo passou – e ainda passa - por profundas transformações - fruto da co-evolução dos seus elementos - que alteram continuamente sua estrutura e o tornam mais dinâmico e complexo / This research work aims to identify and analyze the main simultaneous evolutions in the elements – demand, technological regime, actors and institutions – that compose the Sectoral Innovation System of Automotive Sector, through a methodology based on Malerba’s (2002) work. Thereby, we use an approach that treats innovation as a systemic, continuous and evolutionary process. The work concludes that, in the past ten years, the Sectoral Innovation System of automotive sector has undergone deep transformations - result of co-evolution of its elements - that continually change its structure and make it more dynamic and complex

Made available in DSpace on 2016-06-02T19:51:23Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 DissRMO.pdf: 3888558 bytes, checksum: 07b71b2d6e7fdd9cee4de4f6c5f99784 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2002-02-28 / Financiadora de Estudos e Projetos / The current context of the world economy heading for the globalization of markets leads to new approaches of the discussion on the role of the university as an essential agent to the progress of Science and Technology. The discussions have been pointing to the latent potential in the relationship between universities and industries as responsible, in great part, for the technological development of several knowledge areas on behalf of the society and, recently, the public universities are implementing actions that draw more attention to its social role. The objective of this study is to contribute for a better understanding of the matter involving the relationship between the university and the industry in Brazil, through a research accomplished in the Federal University of São Carlos (UFSCar). The choice of this university is justified by the important role that it has been carrying out in the regional context, consolidating, together with the University of São Paulo campus São Carlos, the local Pole of High Technology. Taking as study object the universe of 700 contracts managed by the Foundation of Institutional Support to the Scientific and Technological Development (FAI-UFSCar), it was possible to trace a prospect of the cooperation of UFSCar with its external partners for the period 1992-2000. / O contexto atual da economia mundial rumo à globalização de mercados leva a novas abordagens da discussão sobre o papel da universidade como agente essencial ao progresso da Ciência e Tecnologia. As discussões têm apontado para o potencial latente no relacionamento entre universidades e empresas como responsável, em grande parte, pelo desenvolvimento tecnológico de várias áreas do conhecimento em nome da sociedade e, recentemente, as universidades públicas estão implementando ações com maior atenção ao seu papel social. O objetivo deste trabalho é o de contribuir para um melhor entendimento da problemática envolvendo as relações entre a universidade e o setor empresarial no Brasil, através de uma pesquisa realizada na Universidade Federal de São Carlos (UFSCar). A escolha de tal universidade justificase pelo importante papel que tem desempenhado no contexto regional, consolidando, juntamente com a Universidade de São Paulo campus São Carlos, o Pólo de Alta Tecnologia local. Tomando como objeto de estudo o universo de 700 contratos gerenciados pela Fundação de Apoio Institucional ao Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (FAI-UFSCar), foi possível traçar um panorama da cooperação da UFSCar com seus parceiros externos para o período 1992-2000.

Submitted by Fabio Sobreira Campos da Costa (fabio.sobreira@ufpe.br) on 2016-09-01T15:53:02Z No. of bitstreams: 2 license_rdf: 1232 bytes, checksum: 66e71c371cc565284e70f40736c94386 (MD5) MGP - Dissertação FERNANDA LAURA M J L DOS SANTOS CD ata original.pdf: 1169828 bytes, checksum: b963ca867af022a3861e5587a0540dea (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2016-09-01T15:53:02Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 2 license_rdf: 1232 bytes, checksum: 66e71c371cc565284e70f40736c94386 (MD5) MGP - Dissertação FERNANDA LAURA M J L DOS SANTOS CD ata original.pdf: 1169828 bytes, checksum: b963ca867af022a3861e5587a0540dea (MD5) Previous issue date: 2016-01-29 / Após os trabalhos de Schumpeter, o fenômeno da inovação ganhou bastante destaque, uma vez que passou a ser percebido como essencial para o desenvolvimento econômico e social no sistema capitalista. A necessidade de compreender os aspectos da inovação é fortalecida à medida em que as atividades baseadas em conhecimento integram parte significativa da economia global. Sendo assim, o tema é explorado com frequência dentro e fora da academia, a partir de diferentes perspectivas. A presente discussão tem o intuito de abordar a percepção de gestores de Ciência, Tecnologia e Inovação (CT&I) de uma universidade federal sobre o processo de inovação e a política de CT&I estabelecidos na instituição, uma vez que foi detectada a necessidade de compreender o ponto de vista desses atores formuladores de política. Para tanto, a abordagem teórica adotada tomou como base os conceitos do processo de inovação e seus modelos, com maior ênfase no sistema de inovação, bem como a manifestação das políticas públicas que atuam sobre esse campo, suas características, e como elas se subdividem e se relacionam. A metodologia aplicada teve uma pesquisa qualitativa, por meio do método de análise de conteúdo e com a técnica de análise categorial. A pesquisa de campo teve como locus a Universidade Federal de Pernambuco (UFPE) e investigou, por meio de entrevistas semi-estruturadas, gestores de alto nível na área de CT&I. Para a análise desta pesquisa, os dados foram estruturados em quatro eixos temáticos, os quais trataram sobre o entendimento sobre CT&I; os atores na produção do conhecimento; a lógica e o foco da política institucional e os instrumentos de avaliação e análise. Esses eixos guiaram a busca pelo atendimento aos objetivos da pesquisa, na qual foi possível observar uma considerável proximidade da percepção dos gestores entrevistados com os princípios da perspectiva sistêmica no tocante ao processo de inovação, enquanto, na abordagem da política de CT&I, houve a identificação de apenas alguns aspectos dessa teoria, evidenciando áreas que sofrem com algum tipo de deficiência institucional. / After Schumpeter’s works, the phenomenon of innovation has gained much attention as it came to be perceived as essential for economic and social development in the capitalist system. The need to understand the aspects of innovation is strengthened to the extent that the activities based on knowledge integrate significant part of the global economy. Thus, currently, the subject is explored often in and out of academia, from different perspectives. This discussion aims to address the perception of Science, Technology and Innovation (ST&I) managers of a federal university on the innovation process and ST&I policy established in the institution, since the need to comprehend the point of view of these policy-makers actors was detected. Therefore, the adopted theoretical approach was based on the concepts of the innovation process and its models, with greater emphasis on innovation systems and the manifestation of public policies that act on this field, its characteristics, and how they are divided and related. The methodology applied obtained a qualitative research, through the method of content analysis and the technique of categorical analysis. The field research had as locus the Federal University of Pernambuco (UFPE) and investigated, through semi-structured interviews, senior managers in the STI area. For this research’s analysis, data were structured into four themes, which treated on the understanding of STI; actors in the production of knowledge; the logic and focus of institutional policy and instruments of evaluation and analysis. These themes guided the search for meeting the research objectives, in which it was observed a considerable proximity to the perception of the managers interviewed with the principles of the systemic perspective with regard to the innovation process, while on the approach of the ST&I policy, there was an identification of only some aspects of this theory, evidencing areas that suffer from some kind of institutional deficiency.

The cooperation between names and network installation industry has marked the innovation process worldwide. Founded on the ideas of Schumpeter, neoschumpeterianos contributed to the formation of an instrumental inspired evolutionary Innovation Systems (IS). In this system the universities play a key role in the innovation process and the process of regional and local development, making it necessary for these institutions, the establishment of links with the market and society in general. This research aimed to examine the role of the Federal University of Sergipe (UFS) as part of the Innovation System of the State of Sergipe. The research strategy adopted was case study, having used the following data sources: the Directory of Research Groups CNPq; GeoCapes base; System Control Covenants of Program Coordination, Projects and Covenants (Copec) of Federal University of Sergipe, in addition to interviews with various agencies that make up the innovation system state. As a result, it is concluded that the UFS has a low interaction with the organs members of local innovation system. In cases where there is interaction with the productive sector, research, mostly refer to large area of knowledge of agricultural sciences and engineering. / A cooperação entre firmas e instalação de redes de indústrias tem marcado o processo de inovação em todo o mundo. Alicerçada nas ideias de Schumpeter, os neoschumpeterianos contribuíram para a formação de um instrumental de inspiração evolucionista, os Sistemas de Inovação (SI). Neste sistema as universidades desempenham um papel fundamental no processo de inovação e no processo de desenvolvimento regional e local, tornando necessário, para essas instituições, o estabelecimento de vínculos com o mercado e a sociedade em geral. Esta pesquisa teve como objetivo geral o de analisar o papel da Universidade Federal de Sergipe (UFS) como parte integrante do Sistema de Inovação do estado de Sergipe. A estratégia de pesquisa adotada foi estudo de caso, tendo sido utilizadas as seguintes fontes de dados: o Diretório dos Grupos de Pesquisa do CNPq; a base GeoCapes; o Sistema de Controle de Convênios da Coordenação de Programas, Projetos e Convênios (Copec) da Universidade Federal de Sergipe; além de entrevistas a diversos órgãos que compõem o sistema de inovação estadual. Como resultado, conclui-se que a UFS possui baixa interação com os órgãos integrantes do sistema local de inovação. Nos casos em que há interação com o setor produtivo, as pesquisas, em sua maioria, referem-se a grande área do conhecimento das ciências agrárias e engenharias.

Orientador: Wilson Suzigan / Dissertação (mestrado) - Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Instituto de Geociências / Made available in DSpace on 2018-08-25T04:41:01Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 SilvaNeto_FabioChavesdoCoutoe_M.pdf: 1608319 bytes, checksum: 02d5a34870145eb179094b63b069fcab (MD5) Previous issue date: 2014 / Resumo: A influência da pesquisa das instituições públicas na inovação tecnológica das empresas acontece por mecanismos indiretos nos diferentes sistemas nacionais de inovação do mundo. Em vários países, há políticas públicas destinadas a incrementar a capacidade tecnológica das empresas de setores estratégicos para esses países por meio do aumento dessa influência. Baseados na literatura sobre a interação universidade-empresa em países de sistema de inovação maduros, em catching-up e imaturos, esta dissertação analisou os padrões da interação universidade-empresa no Brasil, por meio do método de análise de correspondência múltipla. Esta análise utilizou os resultados de dois surveys conduzidos junto a grupos de pesquisa de universidades e institutos públicos de pesquisa (IPPs) em 2008, e junto às empresas de diversos setores econômicos em 2009 em todo o país. Os resultados sugerem que há maior disposição dos pesquisadores de universidades e IPPs no país em interagir com o objetivo de contribuir para a inovação nas empresas, do que publicar e divulgar os resultados dessa interação. Para as empresas, as características do setor ajudam a determinar em maior medida os padrões de interação com as universidades. O fato de atribuir maior ou menor importância à pesquisa das universidades e IPPs não significa que essas empresas interajam com as universidades por canais comumente acessados quando se atribui grande importância à pesquisa das universidades, como por exemplo, suas publicações acadêmicas e a pesquisa colaborativa. Dados esses resultados, esta dissertação discute as opções de políticas públicas adotadas pelo Brasil para estreitar os laços entre seu sistema científico e tecnológico e sugere medidas que podem contribuir para aumentar a capacidade tecnológica das empresas por meio da interação universidade-empresa / Abstract: The influence of the research developed in public institutions on technological innovation of firms occurs by indirect mechanisms in different national innovation systems all over the world. In several countries, there are public policies aimed to increase technological capacity of firms whose sectors are strategic to these countries, through the increase of such influence. Based on the literature of university-industry linkages in countries of mature, catching-up and immature innovation systems, this work analyzed the patterns of university-industry linkages in Brazil, through the multiple correspondence analysis method. This analysis used the results of two surveys that collected the responses of research group leaders in 2008 and representatives of companies from several industries in 2009, for the entire country. The results suggest the existence of a greater willingness of universities and public research institutes' researchers to cooperate and contribute to innovative activities in the companies, than to publish and diffuse these interaction results. To the firms, the industry characteristics determine a greater degree of these linkage patterns with universities. The greater or lower importance given to university research does not mean that such firms reach the universities through channels commonly accessed when one firm attributes greater importance to university research, such as academic publications and collaborative research. Given such results, this work discusses the public policies options adopted by Brazil to closer the ties between its scientific and technological systems and suggests some measures that can contribute to increase technology capacity of Brazilian firms, through university-industry linkages / Mestrado / Politica Cientifica e Tecnologica / Mestre em Política Científica e Tecnológica

With the transition from closed to open innovation in recent years, the next trend for companies has been to bring in new ideas from external stakeholders using innovation tools, known as Open Innovation Software (OIS). The most common type of OIS, called idea management systems, allows participants to submit, evaluate, and engage in discussions around ideas. However, implementing software to support innovation is not a sure success and potential problems may arise. The purpose of this thesis is to research problems within features in current idea management systems, and to provide guidelines that suggest ways that may eliminate or reduce the impact of the particular problems. Interviews were conducted with representatives from five different idea management systems. The respondents demonstrated their systems, which made it possible to gather features and to learn about problems that exist in these systems. Five problems within features were found; these were related to engagement, duplicates, idea evaluation, complexity, and bias. Numerous recommendations regarding how the impact of these problems may be reduced have been identified. The findings of this thesis show that Problems with engagement is best dealt with using features that delivers better feedback in order to give more motivation to the participants. As for managing duplicates, it is recommended to implement a feature that suggests similar ideas during the idea submission phase. It was found that allowing users to have an unlimited amount of votes should be avoided. To prevent bias, managers should be careful of having features that displays idea ratings before users have casted their vote, features that allow users to edit their casted vote unless an idea has been edited,  and  for instance features that show ideas in order of popularity.

The subject of this thesis is entrepreneurship policy and the focus is on public support programmes directed to early stages technology-based ventures. It advocates that a broad view should be taken with regard to the type of policies for entrepreneurship that aim at supporting the facilitation of the supported ventures’ ability to link to their surrounding innovation system, in which they can secure their access to crucial external resources. Taking the departure in the perspective that early stages technology-based ventures are vulnerable, this thesis shows that publicly financed entrepreneurship supporting programmes can be motivated because small and newly started ventures have got limited resources, and because the risks, with which they are associated, generally make them unattractive in the eyes of private actors. Among the practical implications of this thesis, the following findings are emphasised: Public support, directed to the very earliest stages of venture development benefits from broadness, for the latter stages, specialisation and a higher degree of selectiveness could be an advantage. Moreover, it is important that the support provided take into account the whole process of business development, i.e. both the issues concerned with product/service and the issues connected to the market. A long-term commitment, cooperation between different actors and information about what support is available, are other aspects that are important for policymakers to consider in their design of public policies to support entrepreneurship. Finally, the importance of evaluative awareness must be emphasised from the very start. / Den här avhandlingen är en sammanläggning av 7 studier kring vilka en kappa med titeln ”Entreprenörskapspolicy: offentligt stöd för teknikbaserade företag” har skrivits. De inkluderade studierna beskrivs kortfattat i slutet av den här sammanfattningen. Syftet med avhandlingen är att analysera skälen till varför statliga interventioner kan vara berättigade, vidare att analysera målsättningar, design och resultat av offentliga program för stöd av nya teknikbaserade företag/projekt och slutligen att identifiera såväl praktiska som forskningsintressanta implikationer för utformningen av framtida stödaktiviteter. Avhandlingen baseras till största delen på olika typer av kvantitativa analyser av Stiftelsen Innovationscentrum (SIC) (studie 2-6). Förutom detta ingår en konceptuell studie där ett ramverk för att utvärdera inkubatorer, främst ur ett ”best practice” perspektiv, har tagits fram (studie 1). Slutligen har jag inkluderat en pågående uppföljningsstudie av Vinnovas program Vinn Nu (studie 7). Avhandlingen förespråkar en bred syn på begreppet entreprenörskapspolicy, där syftet med stödet är att underlätta för företag/projekt att koppla upp sig mot relevanta innovationssystem där de kan säkra sin tillgång på externa resurser. Med utgångspunkt i ett sårbarhetsperspektiv visar avhandlingen att offentligt finansierade program som stödjer entreprenörskap kan motiveras genom att de små och nystartade företagens resurser är begränsade och eftersom riskerna ofta gör att intresset från privata aktörer att gå in i dessa företag är lågt. Avhandlingens praktiska implikationer är bland annat att det stöd som riktas till de allra tidigaste utvecklingsfaserna i syfte att kvalificera idéer bör vara brett. Däremot kan ett mer selektivt urval vara fördelaktigt i något senare utvecklingsskeden och för mer specialiserade stöd. Vidare visar de inkluderade studierna på behovet av att se till hela företagets utvecklingsprocess. Det innebär bland annat att det är nödvändigt att kombinera hårt och mjukt stöd och att lika vikt läggs vid produkt- och marknadsutveckling. Offentligt stöd bör också vara långsiktigt, och samarbete mellan olika stödprogram är viktigt, inte minst med avseende på information om vilka stöd som finns och hur, var, när och av vem dessa kan sökas. Slutligen understryks vikten av att stödprogram redan från början bör ta hänsyn till utvärderingsaspekter.