La thèse vise à étudier l’impact des réseaux interpersonnels sur la capacité à innover (innovativeness) des inventeurs. Les contributions académiques soulignent qu’il existe une forte relation entre les réseaux interpersonnels et la coopération interindividuelle. Le comportement coopératif apparaît comme le meilleur moyen de mener à bien un projet innovant, un projet complexe. Nous énonçons donc l’hypothèse selon laquelle les collaborations répétées au sein d’un réseau d’inventeurs ont une influence sur leur innovativeness. Nous avons choisi d’étudier plus particulièrement la capacité à innover des inventeurs fortement productifs en mobilisant des données sur les co-inventeurs de brevets. Une étude empirique portant sur 1157 inventeurs prolifiques français qui ont obtenu 30477 brevets sur la période 1975-2002 a donc été menée. Les résultats de la régression logistique corroborent notre hypothèse et montrent un impact significatif des collaborations répétées sur la capacité à innover des inventeurs prolifiques. / This thesis aims at studying the impact of interpersonal networks on the innovativeness of inventors. The academic literature underlined the strong relation between interpersonal networks and interpersonal cooperation. The cooperative behaviour appears as the best way to success in an innovative project, a complex project. We make here the hypothesis according to which repeated collaborations in a network of inventors have an influence on their innovativeness. We chose to study more particularly the capacity to innovate of strongly productive inventors by mobilizing data on the co-inventors of patents. We run an empirical study concerning 1157 French prolific inventors who obtained 30477 patents over the period 1975-2002. The results of the logistic regression confirm our hypothesis and show a significant impact of repeated collaborations on the capacity of prolific inventors to innovate.

The study investigated the role of innovation management modes on organisationorganisational financial performance in South Africa. to examine what the relationship is with organisational financial performance. Although research has been conducted on the innovative strategy in South Africa none has been identified that seeks to establish the link to organisational financial performance. Innovativeness and an adapted innovation management mode questionnaire taken from Bisbe and Malagueno’s (2009), was administered to 73 companies listed on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange. These 73 companies were selected because they were registered and they confirmed to be innovating companies. A poor response rate of 18% was obtained due to changes in the willingness of respondents from when the database was compiled to the date of the actual research. The Cronbach alpha coefficient analysis was conducted to ascertain the reliability of the measurement tool in relation to the small sample size obtained. The innovativeness tool proved to be reliable with a Cronbach alpha coefficient of 0.845. Some of the innovation management mode tool items were coded and reversed and upon applying the Cronbach alpha coefficient, the tool was found not to be reliable when all 25 items were analysed. Reliability was obtained for three out of the six subsections when analysed separately. These subsections were used for Spearman rho correlation analyses, together with descriptive statistics for all items in the tool, in order to test innovativeness in organisations; relationship of innovativeness and IMM; and lastly the relationship between IMM and organisational financial performance; for the sample being observed. Shareholder wealth creation (SWC) was used as a tool for organisational financial performance measurement, together with other more common measures for profitability, leverage, growth and survival. A positive relationship between financial performance and innovativeness in the sample confirmed that innovation is a source of increased financial performance in organisations. No conclusive relationship could be ascertained between organisational financial performance using SWC, leverage, return on assets and survival. However the positive relationship found between growth and IMM in the sample, suggests that IMM may have a role to play in a growing organisation. The prevalence of systematic IMM in the sample and the high organisational financial performance of some of the companies using this mode could be due to the use of the contingency innovation management. Limitations were identified in the study, which included the small sample size obtained and suggestions to improve on the implementation of the empirical research. Areas of further study include improving implementation and opening it up to a wider population group to ascertain whether the results found in this research are representative for South African companies. / MBA, North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2015

The study investigated the role of innovation management modes on organisationorganisational financial performance in South Africa. to examine what the relationship is with organisational financial performance. Although research has been conducted on the innovative strategy in South Africa none has been identified that seeks to establish the link to organisational financial performance. Innovativeness and an adapted innovation management mode questionnaire taken from Bisbe and Malagueno’s (2009), was administered to 73 companies listed on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange. These 73 companies were selected because they were registered and they confirmed to be innovating companies. A poor response rate of 18% was obtained due to changes in the willingness of respondents from when the database was compiled to the date of the actual research. The Cronbach alpha coefficient analysis was conducted to ascertain the reliability of the measurement tool in relation to the small sample size obtained. The innovativeness tool proved to be reliable with a Cronbach alpha coefficient of 0.845. Some of the innovation management mode tool items were coded and reversed and upon applying the Cronbach alpha coefficient, the tool was found not to be reliable when all 25 items were analysed. Reliability was obtained for three out of the six subsections when analysed separately. These subsections were used for Spearman rho correlation analyses, together with descriptive statistics for all items in the tool, in order to test innovativeness in organisations; relationship of innovativeness and IMM; and lastly the relationship between IMM and organisational financial performance; for the sample being observed. Shareholder wealth creation (SWC) was used as a tool for organisational financial performance measurement, together with other more common measures for profitability, leverage, growth and survival. A positive relationship between financial performance and innovativeness in the sample confirmed that innovation is a source of increased financial performance in organisations. No conclusive relationship could be ascertained between organisational financial performance using SWC, leverage, return on assets and survival. However the positive relationship found between growth and IMM in the sample, suggests that IMM may have a role to play in a growing organisation. The prevalence of systematic IMM in the sample and the high organisational financial performance of some of the companies using this mode could be due to the use of the contingency innovation management. Limitations were identified in the study, which included the small sample size obtained and suggestions to improve on the implementation of the empirical research. Areas of further study include improving implementation and opening it up to a wider population group to ascertain whether the results found in this research are representative for South African companies. / MBA, North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2015

Background and Problem: The number of companies aiming at operating in the international markets right after their inception is at constant growth.  According to Knight and Cavusgil (2004), these firms, which are quite often small and technology-oriented, have the tendency to adopt a global market vision from the initial stage of company’s establishment. The vast and rapid technological change is one crucial reason behind the spread of the born global phenomenon. Born globals can reach out much earlier and faster to the international market than traditional firms. The phenomenon has been studied earlier, however with a focus on the firm-level drivers of early and rapid internationalization without giving enough importance to the role of the entrepreneur.    Purpose: The main purpose of this study is to understand the early and rapid internationalization process of born global firms based on the characteristics and the behavior of the entrepreneur managing the firm.  In addition, the research team will contribute to the existing born global literature by applying existing models from the International Business and International Entrepreneurship disciplines.   Methodology: In order to answer the research question presented in this thesis, a qualitative research approach was chosen. The research team included 5 Swedish born global Internet–based companies, namely Klarna, Sqore, the Local, Asket and 46elks.   Analysis and conclusion:  Our findings concluded that the entrepreneurs of born global firms play a significant role in the early and rapid internationalization of the firm. The entrepreneurs tend to subconsciously use effectuation logic at the early stages of the firm establishment by possessing traits of an entrepreneur such as innovativeness, proactivity and risk-taking behavior. Furthermore the educational background and prior work experience were found to be of equal importance, however international experience and entrepreneurial background were observed to be of an utmost importance. Social and business networks were also noticed to play a significant role in the early stages of a firm. Finally, it was spotted that the entrepreneurs tend to change their effectuation logic to a causation one at later stages of firm development including its expansion to international markets.

The general aim of the study was to determine the influence of entrepreneurial orientation on the perceived success of the pipeline gas company. This type of study has not been conducted previously for such a pipeline gas company and as such, a valuable contribution could be made to a more effective entrepreneurial orientation in the business environment. Two questionnaires were administered, which focused on entrepreneurial orientation and perceived success of business respectively. A response rate of 87.63% was obtained from a sample of 97 employees at management level in the pipeline gas company concerned. The results showed a statistically significant positive relationship between entrepreneurial orientation and business development as variable of business success. The data also revealed correlations among the dimensions of entrepreneurial orientation, some with significant differences for various demographic groups and their level of entrepreneurial skills. Limitations within the study were discussed and recommendations were made for future research. / MBA, North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2014

The aim of this research was to determine the role of the school principal in fostering the creativity and innovativeness of educators. This aim was explored by: determining the nature of creativity and innovativeness; determining the role of the principal in fostering the creativity and innovativeness of educators at schools; and investigating how the creativity and innovativeness of educators is currently fostered at schools. The literature survey on the nature of creativity and innovativeness revealed creativity as the generation of novel and useful ideas and the ability to combine them in a unique way, while innovativeness is the ability to be innovative, i.e. to implement creative outcomes to benefit an organisation or the practical application of ideas towards the organisation's objectives. Creativity and innovativeness can thus be fostered by creating a stimulating work environment that advocates enriched jobs and supporting management practices, an organisational culture that supports innovativeness and an environment that provides adequate resources. Therefore, creativity and innovativeness are a function of an organisational climate that promotes nine dimensions, namely, challenge and involvement, freedom, trust and openness, idea time, idea support, debate, risk-taking, conflict management and humour and playfulness. The empirical survey found that school-organisational climates generally foster educators' creativity and innovativeness in terms of the dimension thereof.-How it was found that some dimensions enjoy more prevalence at schools than others. It was also found that some aspects of these dimensions were inconsistent with the general finding that schools portray climates conducive to educators' creativity and innovativeness. For instance, the involvement of educators in vision review as a way of setting standards or as a pace-setter for performance, and educators having to seek permission before implementing their creative ideas were seen as not fostering creativity and innovativeness at schools. Although there were statistical differences in responses between principals and educators on all creativity and innovativeness dimensions, it was found that these were of no practical significance and thus could be attributed to chance or coincidence. This study therefore recommends that principals should adopt a holistic approach to school organisational creativity and innovativeness. In this way, all the dimensions will be fostered, thus creating school organizational climates that engender the creativity and innovativeness of all educators and focusing on all aspects of their work. Principals should also receive capacity building exercises, initiated both at school and at departmental levels. These exercises should focus on staff development that relates creativity and innovativeness to the achievement of teaching and learning outcomes. / Thesis (M.Ed.)--North-West University, Vaal Triangle Campus, 2005.

O objetivo deste trabalho é verificar a existência de uma ligação empírica entre a dimensão ambiental e a dimensão econômica da firma. A revisão da literatura apontou para lacunas nos modelos de relação existentes, com seus resultados não sendo considerados consistentes. Assim, este trabalho busca identificar a relação entre o Desempenho Ambiental – medido pelo Desempenho Ambiental Operacional, pelo Sistema de Gestão Ambiental e pela Regulamentação Ambiental – com a Inovatividade e do Desempenho Financeiro da firma. Uma pesquisa com o setor de terceira geração petroquímica, a industria de transformação de plásticos, foi realizada em Agosto de 2008. Testes estatísticos foram realizados para identificar padrões de resposta, testar as hipóteses do modelo proposto. Ao final, este modelo comprova empiricamente que por meio da dimensão ambientais e da inovatividade se pode explicar aproximadamente 34% da variância do desempenho financeiro das empresas em uma análise de regressão linear. Pontos relevantes foram encontrados na descrição ambiental do setor pesquisado, fornecendo informações aos gerentes para a tomada de decisões ambientais. / The main purpose of this study is to verify a connection between environment dimension and economic dimension in firms. The review of literature show gaps in existing models and their results did not be consistent. Therefore, this study look for a relationship among the Environment Performance – measured by Operational Environment Performance, by Environment Management Systems and by Environmental Regulations – and the Innovativeness and Financial Performance. A research in third generation petrochemical chain sector, the industry of plastics transformation, was done in August 2008. Statistical analysis was performed to identify patters and to verify hypothesis in proposed model. In the final, this model prove empirically 34% of financial performance variation by environment performance and innovativeness in a linear regression. Relevant knowledge was found in sector environment description, being important to managers taking decisions.

This research seeks an answer to the following question: what is the relationship between the structure of researchers' communication network and the structure of their collaborative output networks (e.g. co-authored publications, joint grant proposals, and joint patent applications), and the impact of these structures on their citation performance and the volume of collaborative research outputs? Three complementary studies are performed to answer this main question as discussed below. 1. Study I: A frequently used output to measure scientific (or research) collaboration is co-authorship in scholarly publications. Less frequently used are joint grant proposals and patents. Many scholars believe that co-authorship as the sole measure of research collaboration is insufficient because collaboration between researchers might not result in co-authorship. Collaborations involve informal communication (i.e., conversational exchange) between researchers. Using self-reports from 100 tenured/tenure-track faculty in the College of Engineering at the University of South Florida, researchers' networks are constructed from their communication relations and collaborations in three areas: joint publications, joint grant proposals, and joint patents. The data collection: 1) provides a rich data set of both researchers' in-progress and completed collaborative outputs, 2) yields a rating from the researchers on the importance of a tie to them 3) obtains multiple types of ties between researchers allowing for the comparison of their multiple networks. Exponential Random Graph Model (ERGM) results show that the more communication researchers have the more likely they produce collaborative outputs. Furthermore, the impact of four demographic attributes: gender, race, department affiliation, and spatial proximity on collaborative output relations is tested. The results indicate that grant proposals are submitted with mixed gender teams in the college of engineering. Besides, the same race researchers are more likely to publish together. The demographics do not have an additional leverage on joint patents. 2. Study II: Previous research shows that researchers' social network metrics obtained from a collaborative output network (e.g., joint publications or co-authorship network) impact their performance determined by g-index. This study uses a richer dataset to show that a scholar's performance should be considered with respect to position in multiple networks. Previous research using only the network of researchers' joint publications shows that a researcher's distinct connections to other researchers (i.e., degree centrality), a researcher's number of repeated collaborative outputs (i.e., average tie strength), and a researchers' redundant connections to a group of researchers who are themselves well-connected (i.e., efficiency coefficient) has a positive impact on the researchers' performance, while a researcher's tendency to connect with other researchers who are themselves well-connected (i.e., eigenvector centrality) had a negative impact on the researchers' performance. The findings of this study are similar except that eigenvector centrality has a positive impact on the performance of scholars. Moreover, the results demonstrate that a researcher's tendency towards dense local neighborhoods (as measured by the local clustering coefficient) and the researchers' demographic attributes such as gender should also be considered when investigating the impact of the social network metrics on the performance of researchers. 3. Study III: This study investigates to what extent researchers' interactions in the early stage of their collaborative network activities impact the number of collaborative outputs produced (e.g., joint publications, joint grant proposals, and joint patents). Path models using the Partial Least Squares (PLS) method are run to test the extent to which researchers' individual innovativeness, as determined by the specific indicators obtained from their interactions in the early stage of their collaborative network activities, impacts the number of collaborative outputs they produced taking into account the tie strength of a researcher to other conversational partners (TS). Within a college of engineering, it is found that researchers' individual innovativeness positively impacts the volume of their collaborative outputs. It is observed that TS positively impacts researchers' individual innovativeness, whereas TS negatively impacts researchers' volume of collaborative outputs. Furthermore, TS negatively impacts the relationship between researchers' individual innovativeness and the volume of their collaborative outputs, which is consistent with `Strength of Weak Ties' Theory. The results of this study contribute to the literature regarding the transformation of tacit knowledge into explicit knowledge in a university context.

Thesis (M.Ed.)--North-West University, Vaal Triangle Campus, 2005.

For many organizations, efficiency in product development is a question of accel¬erating project operations and being innovative in products and technical solutions, and this has interesting consequences for project work. This thesis aims to study technical development work in project groups in order to identify factors that support innovativeness. In this thesis, innovativeness is defined as the ability of project groups to arrive at new ideas and solutions for technical problems, and their implementation. It is hoped that the studies in this thesis will contribute new knowledge in the product development research area, using complementary theories. This thesis is based on four case studies of product development projects, representing different types of industry. The cases involve the development of new, complex industrial products and are reported in four appended papers. The research reported in this thesis has primarily, but not exclusively, adopted a qualitative approach. The studies have shown that innovativeness is favored by project work characterized by lower levels of control, the continuous acquisition of knowledge and a sense of responsibility and interest in tasks, as well as a continuous formulation and definition of tasks and problems. In addition, project work characterized by commitment and interaction have also been found to be important for innovativeness. Three factors supporting innovativeness are presented. Interactive product utilization in work is an alternative to detailed planning in solving coordination needs and maintaining a system view within a project. Interactive control mechanisms are important because product specifications often need to be defined as the project progresses. An interactive social environment supports technical problem solving by providing opportunities for spontaneous interaction between project members. / QC 20101001