Thesis advisor: Michael G. Pratt / The psychology of ownership literature suggests that creation is one of the most powerful processes through which people may come to feel a sense of possession over ideas. Yet, because the task of making a new product is often too large for one individual, ideas are often transferred between, as well as discussed and shaped by, many different people across a range of departments during creative work. Thus, in organizations, shifts in responsibility over ideas are inevitable and the ability for ideas to be shaped by multiple people and successfully move from person to person is critical for organizations. However, we know relatively little about how people, particularly creative workers, respond to changes in responsibility over their ideas. To understand this phenomenon, I conducted an inductive, qualitative study of two teams at a video game design studio, using interviews, weekly diaries, and observations as my data sources. Through grounded theory analysis, I developed theory around how creative workers experience psychological ownership and how this experience is impacted when ideas are handed off between creative workers. Specifically, I describe task characteristics and individuals differences that impact ownership scope (exclusive or shared ownership) and strength. I also delimit outcomes associated with adopting a particular ownership scope for individual creative workers and the collective product. Then, I describe the key psychological conditions that impact how handoffs occur by describing 4 handoff scenarios and the ownership outcomes for both creative workers involved in each scenario. Together these scenarios demonstrate how ownership can be formed, maintained, and changed through social interactions via handoffs. I build on these findings to develop a relational model of ownership which highlights how psychological ownership impacts and is impacted by social interactions and interpersonal relationships. Practically, this research provides insights on how creative workers can experience and manage ownership over ideas in ways that facilitates engagement in creative work, as well as an organization's ability to benefit from the results of creative workers' labor. / Thesis (PhD) — Boston College, 2013. / Submitted to: Boston College. Carroll School of Management. / Discipline: Management and Organization.

Ce travail doctoral s’intéresse au développement de trois types de PP - la propriété psychologique organisationnelle (PPO), la propriété psychologique organisationnelle collective (PPOC) et la propriété psychologique vis-à-vis du groupe (PPGR) - ainsi que leur fluctuation dans le temps dans une organisation publique – l’armée de l’air. Un modèle conceptuel est testé à l’aide de modélisation d’équations structurelles. Les fluctuations des niveaux de la PP sont testées au moyen de tests statistiques de comparaison des variances. Les données quantitatives ont été collectées à trois périodes différentes de la formation militaire auprès de trois cohortes de 100 élèves sous-officiers chacune. Les résultats de la recherche montrent une variabilité des antécédents des trois types de PP selon les étapes de la formation. Ainsi, même si les antécédents de la PPO et la PPOC sont similaires, ils n’évoluent pas de la même manière. Par ailleurs, le sentiment de PPGR est le plus développé et dépend fortement de la cohésion du groupe. Enfin, il existe des fluctuations à la baisse importantes des niveaux de la PP dans le temps. / This work investigates the development of three types of PO - Organizational Psychological Ownership (OPO), the Collective Organizational Psychological Ownership (PPOC) and Psychological Ownership towards the group (POGR) and their fluctuation over time in a public organization - the French Air Force. We test a model using structural equation modeling. The fluctuations in PO levels are tested using analysis of variances. The quantitative data were collected from three cohorts of 100 non-commissioned officers each, at three different phases of the military training process. The results of the study show a variability of the antecedents of the three types of PO that depend on the training phases. Even though the OPO and COPO have similar antecedents, they do not evolve in the same way. The feelings of POGR are most developed and depend on the group cohesion. There are significant downward fluctuations in PO levels over time.

Problem: There is a significant lack of research within the family business area which focuses on the micro-processes of strategy. Johnson, Melin and Whittington (2003) stated that while the field of strategy has traditionally concentrated on the macro-level of organizations, it needs now to attend to much more micro-level phenomenon. Furthermore, there is a general lack of research within the family business area in regards to strategy processes due to "the family business definition dilemma" (Lumpkin, Martin & Vaughn, 2008, p. 127). This dilemma is suggested to be lessened by a better understanding of the impact of the individuals on the strategic process. Purpose: This thesis examines influences on the micro-processes of strategy formation in the family firm in order to contribute to the family business research area. The specific influences that are in focus we labeled as 'components of identity'. These components of identity focus on the 'who' of the micro-process. Components of identity include identity, psychological ownership and attachment. Main research question: How and why do the components of identity influence the micro-process of strategy in a family firm? Method: This is an exploratory study which is based on a qualitative study of 14 individuals in six family-owned companies in the Småland area of Sweden. Semi-structured interviews were carried out with both family members and non-family members in an attempt to create case studies and contribute inductively. The case studies are presented in a storytelling format and were then used as a starting point for our analysis. Each case was analyzed from the perspective of the different components of identity as well as studying the influence that the dyadic relationship has on the family members. The names of the companies and the people involved have been changed in order to protect their privacy since this topic is personal in nature. Main findings: Gaining a better understanding within our area of study has allowed us to make some conclusions about the "how and why" of micro-processes of strategy in the family firm. One of the main findings, which makes a vast difference in this area of research, is the fact that the power-base within each company must be identified in order to enable a correct understanding of the micro-processes within the firm. Further, our results show that history, both in terms of historical decisions regarding the family business as well as the individual's past, play a significant role on strategy formation today. Moreover, the circumstances and emotions surrounding the individuals' entry into the family business impacts not only on succession process but also the direction of the firm, risk taking behaviour and asset retention. We were also able to make some conclusions with regards to family business strategy process. As well as provide a starting point for further research into the micro-process and the family business definition, we provide a basis for a possible new direction of governance research.

<p><strong>Problem:</strong> There is a significant lack of research within the family business area which focuses on the micro-processes of strategy. Johnson, Melin and Whittington (2003) stated that while the field of strategy has traditionally concentrated on the macro-level of organizations, it needs now to attend to much more micro-level phenomenon. Furthermore, there is a general lack of research within the family business area in regards to strategy processes due to "the family business definition dilemma" (Lumpkin, Martin & Vaughn, 2008, p. 127). This dilemma is suggested to be lessened by a better understanding of the impact of the individuals on the strategic process.</p><p><strong>Purpose:</strong> This thesis examines influences on the micro-processes of strategy formation in the family firm in order to contribute to the family business research area. The specific influences that are in focus we labeled as 'components of identity'. These components of identity focus on the 'who' of the micro-process. Components of identity include identity, psychological ownership and attachment.</p><p><strong>Main research question:</strong></p><p>How and why do the components of identity influence the micro-process of strategy in a family firm?</p><p><strong>Method:</strong> This is an exploratory study which is based on a qualitative study of 14 individuals in six family-owned companies in the Småland area of Sweden. Semi-structured interviews were carried out with both family members and non-family members in an attempt to create case studies and contribute inductively. The case studies are presented in a storytelling format and were then used as a starting point for our analysis. Each case was analyzed from the perspective of the different components of identity as well as studying the influence that the dyadic relationship has on the family members. The names of the companies and the people involved have been changed in order to protect their privacy since this topic is personal in nature.</p><p><strong>Main findings:</strong> Gaining a better understanding within our area of study has allowed us to make some conclusions about the "how and why" of micro-processes of strategy in the family firm. One of the main findings, which makes a vast difference in this area of research, is the fact that the power-base within each company must be identified in order to enable a correct understanding of the micro-processes within the firm. Further, our results show that history, both in terms of historical decisions regarding the family business as well as the individual's past, play a significant role on strategy formation today. Moreover, the circumstances and emotions surrounding the individuals' entry into the family business impacts not only on succession process but also the direction of the firm, risk taking behaviour and asset retention. We were also able to make some conclusions with regards to family business strategy process. As well as provide a starting point for further research into the micro-process and the family business definition, we provide a basis for a possible new direction of governance research.</p>

This study represents a quest to find answers to the complex problem of rural land degradation in Australia. Despite significant investment in environmental improvement programs and community based natural resource management interventions, the problem of land and water degradation continues. A key intervention in Australia has been the Landcare program, which has experienced much success in engaging a large sector of the rural population in addressing the problem. Additionally, the Australian Government has and continues to make significant investment in the Landcare program as well as directly to rural land managers through a range of extension and incentive mechanisms and increasingly through market-based instruments. Whilst financial, human and knowledge capital investment in such interventions appear to have an influence on their success, it is the social and cultural factors that seem to be a downfall. This study investigated this problem through a case study conducted in Gippsland, in the state of Victoria. Through a multi-methods approach guided by foundations of critical realism and influenced by grounded theory, this primarily qualitative study yielded rich insights into the inner workings of Landcare and the values, drivers and motivators of rural landholders and the institutional staff who work with them. Through five research cycles the study explored the health and function of 16 Landcare Groups; three examples of community-based projects which sought to improve Landcare group capacity and the views of 46 landholders and 31 institutional staff on values, drivers and intervention design. A sixth research cycle provided a synthesis of the findings of the first five cycles to develop a conceptual model of community intervention and change which was tested with a sample of the study’s informants. Emerging as key insights was the role that ownership, social capital and empowerment play in the success of group based community projects. On an individual level, values of landholders, including strong land ownership values and motivations are a key to practice change. This is also mediated by an individual’s access to various forms of capital to undertake farm management activities including altering practices towards environmental sustainability. The outcome of the study, the model of community intervention and change provide a series of critical ‘states’, ‘stages’ and ‘transitions’ to the process of individual and/or group change and empowerment. The study conclusions point out the complexities of the problem of land degradation when it is realised that the role of people is critical to its solution. The study provides insight into the essential components of interventions which are required to attain success.

This study represents a quest to find answers to the complex problem of rural land degradation in Australia. Despite significant investment in environmental improvement programs and community based natural resource management interventions, the problem of land and water degradation continues. A key intervention in Australia has been the Landcare program, which has experienced much success in engaging a large sector of the rural population in addressing the problem. Additionally, the Australian Government has and continues to make significant investment in the Landcare program as well as directly to rural land managers through a range of extension and incentive mechanisms and increasingly through market-based instruments. Whilst financial, human and knowledge capital investment in such interventions appear to have an influence on their success, it is the social and cultural factors that seem to be a downfall. This study investigated this problem through a case study conducted in Gippsland, in the state of Victoria. Through a multi-methods approach guided by foundations of critical realism and influenced by grounded theory, this primarily qualitative study yielded rich insights into the inner workings of Landcare and the values, drivers and motivators of rural landholders and the institutional staff who work with them. Through five research cycles the study explored the health and function of 16 Landcare Groups; three examples of community-based projects which sought to improve Landcare group capacity and the views of 46 landholders and 31 institutional staff on values, drivers and intervention design. A sixth research cycle provided a synthesis of the findings of the first five cycles to develop a conceptual model of community intervention and change which was tested with a sample of the study’s informants. Emerging as key insights was the role that ownership, social capital and empowerment play in the success of group based community projects. On an individual level, values of landholders, including strong land ownership values and motivations are a key to practice change. This is also mediated by an individual’s access to various forms of capital to undertake farm management activities including altering practices towards environmental sustainability. The outcome of the study, the model of community intervention and change provide a series of critical ‘states’, ‘stages’ and ‘transitions’ to the process of individual and/or group change and empowerment. The study conclusions point out the complexities of the problem of land degradation when it is realised that the role of people is critical to its solution. The study provides insight into the essential components of interventions which are required to attain success.

Many start-ups fail or never achieve their full potential due to founder’s resistance to delegate. Yet our understanding of delegation in entrepreneurship is limited to research on later events in the organizational life cycle with a key focus on succession and exit. Moreover, the existing research focuses on single entrepreneurs; however, many new ventures are created by teams and decisions around delegation of authority are critical, even amongst the founding entrepreneurs within the venture team. Accordingly, the purpose of this dissertation research was to understand when and how delegation occurs in modern new ventures, and how it enhances or undermines new venture survival and growth, with a particular interest in exploring the role of psychological ownership in delegation practice. To understand the phenomenon of interest, I conducted a qualitative study, involving in-depth interviews and non-participative observation, in five growing technology start-ups. In doing so, I utilized the existing literatures on new venture growth, founder delegation, psychological ownership/territoriality and management control systems that more or less address delegation in entrepreneurship. As well, I incorporated other literatures based upon the emerging findings, namely entrepreneurial leadership and agency/stewardship theory. To my knowledge, this work is one of the first of its kind to examine early delegation activities in new ventures. It has the potential to make a number of significant and multi-disciplinary contributions. First, it fills in the gap of knowledge in new venture growth literature, the school of dynamic growth models in particular, where empirical evidence that addresses people management challenges at critical transition points is rare and needed (Phelps et al., 2007), by elucidating the occurrence of new venture delegation. Second, it contributes to psychological ownership and territoriality research being among the first to empirically explore psychological ownership over dynamic objects like business ideas and new ventures, as well as the impact of psychological ownership and the territorial behavior associated with it on delegation in entrepreneurship. This study extends our understanding of psychological ownership and territoriality and facilitates future research on many important organizational phenomena related to psychological issues in entrepreneurial contexts. Third, it enriches founder delegation research by expanding its focus onto the critical delegation events before entrepreneurial succession/exit, since the experience that founders gain through early delegation activities significantly influences their departure decisions, which is recognized as the most critical event in most firms (Hofer & Charan, 1984; Carroll, 1984). In addition, I identify the application of the theories regarding management control systems and agency/stewardship theory in early delegation in the context of entrepreneurship. / Graduate / 2019-07-31

Analysts, investors and entrepreneurs have recognized the value of personal data for Internet economics. Personal data is viewed as the "oil" of the digital economy. Yet, ordinary people are barely aware of this. Marketers collect personal data at minimal cost in exchange for free services. But will this be possible in the long term, especially in the face of privacy concerns? Little is known about how users really value their personal data. In this paper, we build a user-centered value theory for personal data. On the basis of a survey experiment with 1269 Facebook users, we identify core constructs that drive the value of volunteered personal data. We find that privacy concerns are less influential than expected and influence data value mainly when people become aware of data markets. In fact, the consciousness of data being a tradable asset is the single most influential factor driving willingness-to-pay for data. Furthermore, we find that people build a sense of psychological ownership for their data and hence value it more. Finally, our value theory helps to unveil market design mechanisms that will influence how personal data markets thrive: First, we observe a majority of users become reactant if they are consciously deprived of control over their personal data; many drop out of the market. We therefore advice companies to consider user-centered data control tools to have them participate in personal data markets. Second, we find that in order to create scarcity in the market, centralized IT architectures (reducing multiple data copies) may be beneficial.

Psychological ownership is the state in which a person feels that the target of ownership – whether material or immaterial – is theirs (Pierce et al. 2001, p.299). In the workplace, having staff take psychological ownership of their work is desirable as they are more likely to work towards a successful outcome if they feel accountable as the owners of their work. At the North-West University (NWU) library most staff work on the library system which is adaptable to workflows and offers staff a range of customisation options; a distinction was therefore made in this study between taking ownership of the system on which staff work, and taking ownership of the work they do (the processes). The aim of this study was therefore to test whether staff perceive themselves to be the owners of not only their processes, but also of the system on which they do their work. The study population was 28 library staff members working on the library system at the Potchefstroom campus of the NWU. A questionnaire consisting of the standardised Psychological Ownership Questionnaire (Avey et al. 2007) along with questions which focus on system and process ownership which was developed for this study was administered to participants and responses were captured using Google Forms. Data analysis was done by the Statistical Consultation Services of the NWU. The following constructs were discussed based on the data analysis: preventative and promotive ownership, system and process ownership, the Information Systems (IS) section of the NWU library and their perceived role in system ownership, and the technical behaviour of staff. It was found that library staff take more promotive than preventative ownership measures in their respective departments, and that they perceive themselves to be both system and process owners. System ownership is not perceived to be the sole responsibility of the IS section, but is rather perceived to be shared between that section and the library staff. Generally, library staff report exhibiting positive technical behaviour, and rate their technical abilities above average which was found to have a positive relationship with their perceived system ownership. / Mini Dissertation (MIT)--University of Pretoria, 2014. / Information Science / MIT / Unrestricted

I denna kvalitativ fallstudie studeras individuella och kollektiva estetiska skapandeprocesseroch upplevelsen av ägande i relation till dem. Med ägande menas känslan av att ett verk duhar skapat tillhör dig, i likhet med termen psychological ownership. Syftet medundersökningen är att synliggöra och problematisera detta ägande och att se vilketförhållningssätt en grupp på tio personer, specifikt ihopsatt för denna undersökning, har tillkollektivt och individuellt skapande i samband med det.Detta har undersökts genom att dessa tio personer tillsammans skapat en bilderbok där varjeperson skrivit en text som sedan illustreras av någon annan i gruppen, i en sluten cirkel.Parallellt har jag skapat en bilderbok på egen hand för att ur ett förstahandsperspektivreflektera kring det gemensamma och enskilda skapandet. För att få svar på undersökningensfrågeställningar rörande skapandeprocesser och ägande har gruppen i enkät och samtaldiskuterat ämnet. Resultatet blev att vissa ord utkristalliserade sig som särskilt viktiga inomgruppens diskurs.I den gestaltande delen har de två bilderböckerna omskapats och förstärkts för att synliggöramina egna och gruppens föreställningar om kollektivt och individuellt skapande. De bådaböckerna ställdes ut på Konstfacks vårutställning 2017.