<p><strong>Problem:</strong> There has been a limited amount of study in procurement within SMEs (Quayle, 2002). In general, for all sizes of organizations, the procurement function has often been regarded as a transactional based function and plays a supporting department to the value-adding process. These organizations view procurement as a simple function of the entire firm (Hutchins, 1992). It is more commonly found that procurement in SMEs tend to be fragmented and non-strategic (Zheng et al., 2007).</p><p><strong>Purpose:</strong> The purpose of this thesis is to investigate innovation in procurement in small and medium-sized enterprises</p><p><strong>Method:</strong> A qualitative research method with an abductive approach was used to conduct this research. A primary and secondary material was gathered from Sensys Traffic AB which was used as a case study in investigating into the innovation in procurement within small and medium-sized enterprises.</p><p><strong>Theories: </strong>The theoretical framework that was utilized in this investigation consisted of procurement processes, strategies, roles, and innovation.</p><p><strong>Conclusion:</strong> An organization can compete for the present and the future by placing more emphasis and priority within procurement in SMEs, developing the procurement department and employment skills, coordinating and collaborating within both internal and external members, forming 'win-win' relationships with suppliers, and proactively looking for ways to innovate. Furthermore, by specifically looking to innovate within these areas the procurement function can leverage itself and its firm to be able to achieve reduced total cost of ownership and higher quality products/services. These special areas which were outlined by Spray (2009) are new sourcing ideas, new insights, new partnerships and new technologies.</p>

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This thesis describes the development of a synthetic route that encodes a library of compounds containing medium-sized ring systems, with particular emphasis on the use of oxidative fragmentation and rearrangement strategies. Chapter 1 introduces diversity oriented synthesis (DOS) with particular emphasis on medium-sized ring synthesis and fragmentation/rearrangement protocols to achieve diversity. A more detailed discussion of oxidative fragmentation and rearrangement methods is also presented. Chapter 2 describes strategies for the synthesis of a collection of heterocyclic compounds known as diazabenz[e]aceanthrylenes. The scope of the reaction was explored as a function of a range of substituents and of the ring size of the N-aryl lactam that was used. Spectroscopic observations associated with this set of compounds are also discussed. Chapter 3 describes the development of an m-CPBA-mediated oxidative fragmentation of the diazabenz[e]aceanthrylenes. Analysis of the products from these reactions revealed the presence of atropisomerism due to restricted rotation about the N sp²-C(aryl) sp² bond. Chapter 4 focuses on a related example of oxidative fragmentation from the literature. A previously overlooked stereogenic axis is explored in this system using X-ray crystallographic analysis and variable temperature ¹H NMR spectroscopy. Reinterpretation of the reported mechanism-probing experiment led to the isolation of an alternative isomeric product and an improved interpretation for the reaction outcome is presented. Variable temperature ¹H NMR spectroscopic experiments revealed the energy barrier to racemisation in the medium-sized ring-containing analogues and based on this data the mode of ring inversion is discussed. Chapter 5 describes three rearrangements of the medium-sized ring system created in Chapter 3 including the formation of an azepinoindole ring structure, a Favorskii reaction and spiro-oxindole synthesis. A rationalisation for these reaction outcomes is included along with experimental support of mechanistic proposals. The generality and scope of the reactions are demonstrated including a nucleophile screen. Chapter 6 describes the synthesis of a library of 69 compounds consisting of examples of the core structures described in Chapters 2, 3 and 5. A discussion of the selection process and adaption of the protocol to parallel synthesis is presented. This chapter concludes with preliminary screening of the library against a variety of strains of yeasts and bacteria.

The research is focusing on small and mid-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the German Medical Technology (MedTech) industry and investigates the antecedents and the effects of organizational capabilities on their strategy regarding international ventures. Although there is various research in the field of strategy, internationalisation and SMEs, the impact of existing research in the specific field of German Medtech SMEs is relatively poor while theoretical and empirical findings obtained in another particular institutional context are not yet applicable in other countries or industries. As a consequence, a systematic review of the literature has been conducted. An initial conceptual model was developed, in which significant findings regards country, industry and firm-specific aspects could be identified. The philosophical stand of the researcher and his ontological view as a post-positivist allows both, a qualitative and a quantitative approach. By applying a mixed method approach a focus group discussion provided in depth-knowledge in order to sharpen the initial model. Antecedents, as well as the most important factors related to strategy, were emphasized and further important aspects that focus on capabilities were revealed. With these results, constructs and relationships were modeled and quantitative data from a survey with more than 60 German MedTech SMEs were collected and assessed. This approach led to the finding that factors such as ́market potential ́, ́physical capital ́, ́medical regulations ́ and ́product competitive-ness ́ have the highest influence on the firm ́s strategic approach. ́Organizational learning ́ and ́coordination mechanism ́ have particularly an impact on strategy development, whereas relationship capabilities mediating effect on the strategy-competitive advantage relationship. Firm size and firm ́s experience in international ventures influence a firm ́s internationalisation. The results will serve as a strategic input for SME’s in the German MedTech industry. This research provided a contribution to knowledge that is relevant from an academic as well as from an economic point of view. The findings should help academics, MedTech SMEs, and governmental institutions to understand the decisive factors for internationalisation and the importance to develop specific organizational capabilities in this context. This understanding contributes towards a sound development of German MedTech SMEs in their future internationalisation.

This thesis assesses the role of the Government (in Mexico) and the Foreign Trade Council of Mexico (BANCOMEXT) in the internationalization of Mexican small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in low- and medium-technology industries (LMT), which is the main group of firms serviced by BANCOMEXT-Europe. It also sheds light on the internal and external barriers this organization has identified as affecting the internationalization of these SMEs from developing countries (Mexico) in developed and distant markets (the European Union). To achieve this, a case study was undertaken in the six offices of BANCOMEXT (now PROMEXICO) in Europe: Italy, the UK, Germany, Spain, the Netherlands and France. BANCOMEXT is the most specialized governmental organization dealing with the internationalization of SMEs. The story told by the BANCOMEXT officers is analysed from the international business (the Uppsala model and the role of government intermediaries in the internationalization of SMEs), innovation and policy perspectives (the national system of innovation (NSI) approach) and the economic perspective. After the inductive analysis of the interviews undertaken with government officers from BANCOMEXT-Europe, 220 concepts that span the policy, macro, micro and meso levels were identified. The findings suggest that BANCOMEXT-Europe has mainly contributed to the internationalization of LMT-SMEs by the provision of information and by putting these firms in contact with potential clients abroad, but there are some unattended areas in which BANCOMEXT-Europe could expand its activities to contribute to the internationalization of LMT-SMEs. This thesis also uncovered that the SMEs' performance and the scope of BANCOMEXT's activities have been negatively affected by problems of different origins. Some of them are internal to Mexican SMEs, and there are also external barriers of both domestic and foreign origin inhibiting the SMEs' internationalization and explaining their very limited participation in foreign markets. These problems are enhanced by the environmental differences (differences in institutional set-ups) between Mexico and the EU and the geographical distance. In addition, this research provides empirical evidence from a developing country (Mexico) about the pervasive consequences of the lack of governmental support and policies for the internationalization of LMT-SMEs. This research calls for more active participation from the Government and policy makers to contribute to long-term economic growth from the supply side by improving SMEs' competitiveness through interactive learning, knowledge access and knowledge creation, innovation (incremental innovation) and the provision of favourable conditions for the internationalization of LMT-SMEs. Accordingly, a series of suggestions aimed at improving the competitiveness and internationalization of Mexican LMT-SMEs in the EU is also presented.

Le Programme National de Rénovation Urbaine (PNRU), initié au titre de la loi Borloo du 1er août 2003, a été explicitement conçu pour s’attaquer à des questions urbaines et sociales lourdes : obsolescence du parc de logements des organismes HLM, concentration de populations paupérisées dans des espaces qualifiés d’espaces de relégation, discriminations liées à la nationalité ou à l’origine géographique. Calibrée pour répondre aux problématiques des quartiers difficiles des grandes villes, sa diffusion à l’ensemble des territoires prioritaires et en direction de villes petites et moyennes témoigne du succès de la formule et, suis generis, d’une appétence particulière de ces dernières pour le changement, pour l’action et la communication autour de ces « maxi-projets urbains », parfois hors d’échelle.En inscrivant notre réflexion dans une relecture des théories de la transaction, nous avons interrogé les récits et les discours des acteurs décisionnaires engagés dans les opérations de rénovation urbaine d’envergure des villes moyennes à l’échelle de la région Bretagne. En somme, quand, comment et sur quoi se fonde l’engagement de la puissance publique dans le choix de la démolition et comment comprendre l’adhésion massive des villes moyennes à ce dispositif ? Il s’agit donc de s’intéresser, d’une part, aux conceptions de l’espace portées par ces opérations et, d’autre part, d’interroger les logiques de l’action sur lesquelles elles reposent. / The National Urban Renewal Programme (NERP), launched by the Borloo law passed on 1 August 2003, was explicitly designed as an answer to strong social and urban issues: housing obsolescence of the HLM, concentration of population in space which are considered as impoverished areas, relegation and discrimination according to nationality or geographical origin. Calibrated to address problems of the difficult areas of large cities, its diffusion to all priority areas and towards small and medium-sized towns reflects the success of the formula, and, by the way, a special appetite for action and communication about these "maxi urban projects" sometimes oversized.Mobilising a proofreading of transaction theories, we have analysed the stories and speeches of local actors and policy maker involved in large-scale operations of urban renewal in mid-sized cities across Brittany. In sum, we ask when, how and on what basis repose the commitment of the public authorities in the choice of demolition and how to understand the massive support of medium-sized cities in this device? This includes developing interest, on the one hand, about the concepts of space including in these operations and, secondly, to evalue and ask the logic of the action of the programme.

<p>For youths leisure activity the organized sport is vital. Young people become increasingly sedentary</p><p>and the healths of young people are the various municipalities responsibility. In Eskilstuna, the</p><p>handball is very popular but there are only three grounds that meet the standards of the dimensions of</p><p>a handball pitch, 40x20 meters. The same dimensions are used by floorball. Eskilstuna municipality</p><p>owns one of these, the other two is privately built and owned and the municipality rents time in the</p><p>halls.</p><p>IF Guif and HK Eskil are two handballclubs in the central part of Eskilstuna. They have access to only</p><p>one 40x20 meters pitch that they have to share between their 45 teams. Hence forth the handball</p><p>player’s in Eskilstuna rarely has the opportunity to practise at full-size pitches before they reach junior</p><p>age. In the part of Eskilstuna called Torshälla, the situations for another handballclubb is much better.</p><p>Gökstens BK uses the full-sized Ellfolkarenan together with Torshälla IBK, a floorballclub. The new</p><p>built Ellfolkarenan has been a big boast for Gökstens BK and they are now pleased white their access</p><p>to practice areas.</p><p>Floorballclubs in Eskilstuna have, due to private construction, access to two full-sized halls. In</p><p>addition, they are practising in halls which are just below the authorized dimensions. Despite this, they</p><p>have difficulties to get access to the new hall times to expand their club by starting up new teams with</p><p>practise at attractive times of the day.</p><p>With only three full-sized halls, Eskilstuna is among the big-sized municipalities in Sweden with most</p><p>people per full-sized hall. If a new multipurposearena with three pitches would be built in Eskilstuna,</p><p>the municipality would count themselves by those of the big-seized municipalities that are below</p><p>average of people per full-sized hall.</p>

<p>This study aims to understand and explain how small sized</p><p>entrepreneurship currently uses social networking sites</p><p>through out the process of launching and marketing</p><p>their products. This also includes the use of word of mouth,</p><p>which features social networking technology. Lastly, we</p><p>intended to give recommendations to problems that small</p><p>sized entrepreneurship is facing in order to make the best</p><p>use of social networking channels and to ensure that these</p><p>channels are used in the most effective way.</p>

<p>Small and medium-sized enterprises play much more important roles in both domestic and international markets nowadays. The issue that factors influence their export performance (mainly the export sales and profits) also becomes much more attractive these years. The purpose of this thesis is to investigate the factors which influence the SMEs’ export performance and how each factor influences the SMEs’ export performance. This study is built on a modified model of the factors influencing the SMEs’ export performance. The authors use case study to conduct this research, and one company’s (Company B’s) data is collected through the semi-structured interview. Some findings are obtained: the important factors which influence Company B’s export performance contain the trade shows, the expenses on getting the authentication, capital sources, export rebate, firm network, firm previous experience, firm competencies, personal network, international orientation and personal previous experience. In addition, the authors also find the effect of firm size is indirect. However, customs duty, transportation, as well as building up the brand do not play important impacts on export performance. Take the trade shows as an example, personal cards and product samples are sent to the customers, then the customers who are interested in the products will contact Company B. In this way, the customers are accumulated and the export sales increase. Thus, the export performance is enhanced.</p>

Small and medium-sized enterprises play much more important roles in both domestic and international markets nowadays. The issue that factors influence their export performance (mainly the export sales and profits) also becomes much more attractive these years. The purpose of this thesis is to investigate the factors which influence the SMEs’ export performance and how each factor influences the SMEs’ export performance. This study is built on a modified model of the factors influencing the SMEs’ export performance. The authors use case study to conduct this research, and one company’s (Company B’s) data is collected through the semi-structured interview. Some findings are obtained: the important factors which influence Company B’s export performance contain the trade shows, the expenses on getting the authentication, capital sources, export rebate, firm network, firm previous experience, firm competencies, personal network, international orientation and personal previous experience. In addition, the authors also find the effect of firm size is indirect. However, customs duty, transportation, as well as building up the brand do not play important impacts on export performance. Take the trade shows as an example, personal cards and product samples are sent to the customers, then the customers who are interested in the products will contact Company B. In this way, the customers are accumulated and the export sales increase. Thus, the export performance is enhanced.