| 1. |
- Bergquist, Bjarne, et al.
(författare)
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Networking to boost lean six sigma potential
- 2008
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Ingår i: Third international Conference on Sex Sigma. - Glasgow : University of Strathclyde. - 9780947649326 ; , s. 488-500
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Konferensbidrag (refereegranskat)abstract
- At the beginning of 2008 three SMEs in a small town in Sweden started a network project inspired by the Six Sigma programme, and hired a full-time Black Belt to lead the improvement activities. Three months into the project, we interviewed the top management of the participating companies and the Black Belt, to pinpoint success factors as well as risks of the cooperation project. Results show that statistical methods were unused in favour of methods associated with lean manufacturing such as 5S. Accordingly, the expectations of the CEOs were related to production improvements and flow rather than quality. Both the Black Belt and the CEOs stated that management commitment was vital for the success of the partnership, but also that the visibility of this commitment could be improved. Despite this, all interviewees agreed that the project had gotten a good start and the managers had high expectations for its progress.
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| 2. |
- Bergquist, Bjarne, et al.
(författare)
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Networking to make improvements sustainable : an SME success factor?
- 2009
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Ingår i: Proceedings 7th ANQ Congress Tokyo 2009. ; , s. 522-531
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Konferensbidrag (refereegranskat)abstract
- I mars 2008 beslutade tre svenska mindre företag att öka takten i sitt förbättringsarbete och anställde gemensamt en förbättringskonsult på heltid. Detta dokument beskriver företagens arbete och presenterar resultat från en undersökning baserad på Ajzen's teori om planerat beteende, riktad till samtliga anställda och genomförd efter nio månader. Resultaten visar att arbetstagarnas avsikt att genomföra förbättringsarbete var korrelerade med tron på den egna förmågan att utföra förbättringsarbete, och med ledningens normer. Således kan nyckeln till ett framgångsrikt förbättringsarbete för dessa företag ses ligga i att ha en engagerad ledning och erbjuda anställda utbildning och handledning.
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| 3. |
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| 4. |
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| 5. |
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| 6. |
- Hedlund, E., et al.
(författare)
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A new test stand for heavy ion induced gas desorption measurements at TSL
- 2008
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Ingår i: Nuclear Instruments and Methods in Physics Research Section A. - : Elsevier BV. - 0168-9002 .- 1872-9576. ; 586:3, s. 377-381
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- In several experiments at CERN, GSI and BNL it has been found that the lifetime of highly energetic heavy ions in synchrotrons decreases with increasing number of injected ions. This phenomenon occurs due to the collisions of beam ions and residual gas molecules leading to the change of charge of the ions and their loss on the vacuum chamber walls, which in turn cause ion-induced gas desorption and further pressure increase. To gain a deeper understanding of the ion-induced desorption process in the energy range 5-45 MeV/u, a dedicated test stand was built at the end of the K beamline at The Svedberg Laboratory (TSL) in Uppsala, Sweden. The energy range was chosen due to the fact that the injection energy of the heavy ion synchrotron SIS18 at GSI will be 10 MeV/u, and that there are insufficient data in this energy range. A Test Particle Monte-Carlo model of the experimental set-up was build-up, run and analysed for different sample configurations. An important result is that for the same sample material the desorption yield from a flat sample causes a 1.58 times larger pressure increase than that of a tubular sample. A detailed explanation of the set-up is presented.
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| 7. |
- Hedlund, E., et al.
(författare)
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Ar ion induced desorption yields at the energies 5-17.7 MeV/u
- 2009
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Ingår i: Nuclear Instruments and Methods in Physics Research Section A. - : Elsevier BV. - 0168-9002 .- 1872-9576. ; 599:1, s. 1-8
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Particle accelerators have, during Operation with heavy ion beams, shown a significant pressure rise when the intensity of the beam is increased. This pressure rise is due to ion induced desorption, which is the result of beam ions colliding with residual gas atoms in the beam pipe, where they undergo charge exchange. This causes them to hit the vacuum chamber after the next dipole magnet and gas to be released. For the upgrade of the SIS18 synchrotron at GSI the intensity has to be a few orders of magnitude higher than it is today at the injection energy of 10 MeV/u. The aim of this experiment is to measure desorption yields, n, (released Molecules per incident ion) from materials commonly used in accelerators: 316LN stainless steel, Cu, etched Cu, gold coated Cu and Ta, using an Ar beam at impact energies in the range of 5-17.7 MeV/u for perpendicular incidence. The measured initial desorption yields vary for the same material from sample to sample: up to 4.5 times for stainless steel and Lip to 3 times for etched Cu. Therefore more samples should be Studied to have better statistics. Beam conditioning at lower energy does not significantly reduce the desorption yield at higher energy. There is a significant difference Of Lip to a few times in desorption yield between flat and tubular samples. The desorption yield from a Cu sample at grazing incident angle of 125 mrad was an order of magnitude larger than at normal incident angle. It Was found that the total number of positively and negatively charged secondary particles, emitted from the Surface bombarded with heavy ions, does not exceed -40 secondary particles per impact heavy ion. The current of negatively charged particles was about 2.3 times larger than the current for positively charged particles. The impact from secondary particles on dynamic gas pressure was not possible to investigate.
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| 8. |
- Hedlund, E., et al.
(författare)
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Heavy-ion induced desorption of a TiZrV coated vacuum chamber bombarded with 5 MeV/u Ar8+ beam at grazing incidence
- 2009
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Ingår i: Journal of Vacuum Science & Technology. A. Vacuum, Surfaces, and Films. - : American Vacuum Society. - 0734-2101 .- 1520-8559. ; 27:1, s. 139-144
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- TiZrV nonevaporable getter (NEG) coated vacuum chambers is a new vacuum technology which is already used in many particle accelerators worldwide. This coating is also of interest for heavy-ion accelerator vacuum chambers. Heavy-ion desorption yields from an activated as well as a CO saturated NEG coated tube have been measured with 5 MeV/u Ar8+ beam. The sticking probability of the NEG film was obtained by using the partial pressure ratios on two sides of the NEG coated tube. These ratios were compared to results of modeling of the experimental setup with test particle Monte Carlo and angular coefficient methods. The partial pressures inside the saturated NEG coated tube bombarded with heavy ions were up to 20 times larger than those inside the activated one. However, the partial pressure of methane remained the same. The value of the total desorption yield from the activated NEG coated tube is 2600 molecules/ion. The desorption yields after saturation for CH4, H-2, and CO2 were found to be very close to the yields measured after the activation, while CO increased by up to a factor of 5. The total desorption yield for the saturated tube is up to 7000 molecules/ion. The large value of the desorption yield of the activated NEG coated tube, an order of magnitude higher than the desorption yield from a stainless steel tube at normal incident angle, could be explained by the grazing incident angle.
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| 9. |
- Holmgren, Karin, et al.
(författare)
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The vulnerable continent (PLATINA) : Historical perspectives on Africa´s climate, environment and societies
- 2009
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Ingår i: Meeting global challenges in research cooperation. - Uppsala : Uppsala University. - 9789197574198 ; , s. 585-596
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Konferensbidrag (refereegranskat)abstract
- Our research, based on studies of different climate archives from Tanzania, Mozambique and South Africa, contributes information on changes in climate and vegetation over the past 24000 years. This time perspective, reaching beyond the information available from instrumental records is needed for a better understanding of regional global climate dynamics and issues surrounding environmental change, throughout Africa, and is a prerequisite for increasing climate forecasting capabilities for the region. We argue that African people have vast experience from living in a variable climate and research on past interactions between climate and societies demonstrate the significance of lessons learnt for present situations. Our findings, underline the complex interactions between climate/environment and societies that may lead to different developments in time and space. Considering the so called vulnerable continent, extended investigations of how African communities cope with and adapt to climatically driven changes is needed to increase the capability to realise the potential as well as the limitations, of modern African communities to adapt to future climate change.
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| 10. |
- Jacobsson, Lars, et al.
(författare)
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Demographics, injury characteristics and outcome of traumatic brain injuries in northern Sweden
- 2007
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Ingår i: Acta Neurologica Scandinavica. - : Hindawi Limited. - 1600-0404 .- 0001-6314. ; 116:5, s. 300-306
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Objectives - To describe demographics, injury characteristics and outcome of traumatic brain injury (TBI) in northern Sweden over 10 years. Materials and methods - Data were retrospectively collected on those individuals (n = 332) in Norrbotten, northern Sweden, with a TBI who had been transferred for neurosurgical care from 1992 to 2001. Results - A majority were older men with a mild TBI and an acute or chronic subdural hematoma following a fall. Younger individuals were fewer but had more often a severe TBI from a traffic accident. Most individuals received post-acute care and brain injury rehabilitation. A majority had a moderate or severe disability, but many were discharged back home with no major changes in their physical or social environment. Conclusions - Our data confirm the relationship between age, cause of injury, injury severity and outcome in relation to TBI and underscore the need for prevention as well as the importance of TBI as a cause of long-term disability.
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| 11. |
- Jacobsson, Lars, et al.
(författare)
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Functioning and disability 6-15 years after traumatic brain injuries in northern Sweden
- 2009
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Ingår i: Acta Neurologica Scandinavica. - : Hindawi Limited. - 1600-0404 .- 0001-6314. ; 120:6, s. 389-395
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Objectives - To assess long-term functioning and disability after traumatic brain injury (TBI). Material and methods - Individuals (n = 88) in Norrbotten, northern Sweden, who had been transferred for neurosurgical care were assessed with internationally established TBI outcome measures 6-15 years post-injury. Results - There was an improvement in overall outcome from discharge from inpatient rehabilitation to follow-up. Many individuals had a high degree of motor and cognitive functioning, which enabled them to live independently in their own home without assistance, but there remained a disability related to community reintegration and social participation. This affected their productivity and to some degree their marital stability. The remaining disability and reduced productivity were related to the age at injury and the injury severity. Conclusions Our data showed that individuals with a TBI can achieve and maintain a high degree of functioning many years after the injury. Increasing age and a greater injury severity contributed to their long-term disability.
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| 12. |
- Klingberg, Torkel, et al.
(författare)
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Computerized training of working memory in children with ADHD--a randomized, controlled trial.
- 2005
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Ingår i: Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry. - : Elsevier BV. - 0890-8567 .- 1527-5418. ; 44:2, s. 177-186
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- OBJECTIVE: Deficits in executive functioning, including working memory (WM) deficits, have been suggested to be important in attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). During 2002 to 2003, the authors conducted a multicenter, randomized, controlled, double-blind trial to investigate the effect of improving WM by computerized, systematic practice of WM tasks. METHOD: Included in the trial were 53 children with ADHD (9 girls; 15 of 53 inattentive subtype), aged 7 to 12 years, without stimulant medication. The compliance criterion (>20 days of training) was met by 44 subjects, 42 of whom were also evaluated at follow-up 3 months later. Participants were randomly assigned to use either the treatment computer program for training WM or a comparison program. The main outcome measure was the span-board task, a visuospatial WM task that was not part of the training program. RESULTS: For the span-board task, there was a significant treatment effect both post-intervention and at follow-up. In addition, there were significant effects for secondary outcome tasks measuring verbal WM, response inhibition, and complex reasoning. Parent ratings showed significant reduction in symptoms of inattention and hyperactivity/impulsivity, both post-intervention and at follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: This study shows that WM can be improved by training in children with ADHD. This training also improved response inhibition and reasoning and resulted in a reduction of the parent-rated inattentive symptoms of ADHD.
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| 13. |
- Kollmus, H., et al.
(författare)
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Energy scaling of the ion-induced desorption yield for perpendicular collisions of Ar and U with stainless steel in the energy range of 5 and 100 MeV/u
- 2009
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Ingår i: Journal of Vacuum Science & Technology. A. Vacuum, Surfaces, and Films. - : American Vacuum Society. - 0734-2101 .- 1520-8559. ; 27:2, s. 245-247
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- For the GSI future project Facility for Antiproton and Ion Research a beam intensity of 10(12)U(28+)ions/s is planned to be extracted from the GSI heavy ion synchrotron SIS18. Measurements performed in 2001 showed that the beam lifetime of the ions in the synchrotron is decreasing with increasing number of injected particles due to vacuum instabilities caused by ion-induced desorption. The injection energy for the SIS18 is about 10 MeV/u and U28+ ions are accelerated to 200 MeV/u limited by the magnetic rigidity for the low charge state. The aim of this work was to measure the desorption yield as a function of the impact energy from injection to extraction of SIS18 at GSI. Low energy yields at 5.0, 9.7, and 17.7 MeV/u were measured at the Cyclotron of The Svedberg Laboratory in Uppsala. High energy yields at 40, 80, and 100 MeV/u were measured at SIS18 of GSI in a different setup. It was found that the desorption yield scales with the electronic energy loss (dE/dx)(el)(n), with n between 2 and 3, decreasing for increasing impact energy above the Bragg maximum.
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| 14. |
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| 15. |
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| 16. |
- Nilsson, Kent, et al.
(författare)
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Ascribed functions of the balanced scorecard: a study of politicians, managers and accountants in Swedish local governments
- 2009
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Ingår i: Performance Measurement Association Conference.
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Konferensbidrag (refereegranskat)abstract
- This paper takes a novel approach to investigate functions ascribed to the Balanced Scorecard in local governments. First, we develop a measurement scale of balanced scorecard functions based on a literature review. Then, by combining qualitative interviews and quantitative data (based on 101 respondents) from four local governments in Sweden, we examine the measurement scale and put it to use. The results show that politicians, managers and accountants in local government recognize multiple functions, instrumental as well as symbolic. Based on the results, we generate propositions to be tested in future research.
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| 17. |
- Palmér, Sandra, et al.
(författare)
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Branding in a university: creating value or problems
- 2009
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Konferensbidrag (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- Business related aspects of branding have long been a subject both in businesses and amongst researchers. In Europe the Bologna process has pushed universities to become unique and to attract staff and students in a more deregulated market. To handle this, several universities have started to work with branding. The phenomenon of branding in a university setting has not previously been extensively researched and we need more studies on what branding may result in. Is it a risky and expensive venture or is it a road to success? This article studies the relationship between how an agreement of brand identity and brand image affects outcomes (commitment, retention, satisfaction and performance) for students and staff. The study was conducted at a university in northern Sweden which has worked intensely with its brand for the past few years. The results, using multiple hierarchical regression, indicate that branding has been successful to a certain extent. Identification with the universities communicated identity is linked to lower propensity to leave and higher commitment as well as higher job satisfaction. This also means that non-identification is linked to the opposite. Thus, this study shows that branding in a university setting works as a magnet and attracts those who concur with the brand and repels those who disagree with the brand. This underlines that the content of the identity is crucial. The people whom are in agreement with this identity must be individuals that the university wants to attract and retain. If this is not the case, branding is counter-productive.
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| 18. |
- Parida, Vinit, et al.
(författare)
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How do small firms use ICT for business purposes? A study of Swedish technology-based firms
- 2009
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Ingår i: International Journal of Electronic Business. - 1470-6067 .- 1741-5063. ; 7:5, s. 536-550
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- This study examines the extent to which Information and Communication Technology (ICT) capability is possessed and utilised by technology-based small firms and investigates the contingent effect of firm size and age on ICT capability. The empirical base is a survey with data from 291 technology-based small Swedish firms. The result suggests that technology-based small firms are high users of ICT in several areas. Regarding contingency effects, firm size was related to significant differences in the utilisation of ICT. Although the smallest firms as a whole use ICT less, a substantial part of them are high users.
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| 19. |
- Parida, Vinit, et al.
(författare)
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ICT-related small firms with different collaborative network structures : different species or variations on a theme?
- 2009
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Ingår i: Entrepreneurship and Growth in Local, Regional and National Economics. - Cheltenham : Edward Elgar Publishing. - 9781848445925 - 9781849802369
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Bokkapitel (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- The aim of this study is to differentiate small firms based on their network structure and observe differences in terms of absolute levels and relationship between ICT capability, networking capability and entrepreneurial orientation. The study's main contribution is towards the "inter-organizational networking research" and entrepreneurship literature. The analysis is based on 291 ICT related Swedish small firms. The results show that small ICT related small firms can be divided into four different clusters, namely; (1) low collaboration with low networking capability, (2) low collaboration with high networking capability, (3) high collaboration with low networking capability, and (4) high collaboration with high networking capability. Small firms with low collaboration and low networking capability were less entrepreneurial compared to the other three groups of firms. However, since networking capability and ICT capability were linked to entrepreneurial orientation it is possible for these firms to improve their situation by developing these two capabilities.
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| 20. |
- Parida, Vinit, et al.
(författare)
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ICT related small firms with different collaborative network structures : different species or variations on a theme
- 2007
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Rapport (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- The aim of this study is to differentiate small firms based on their network structure and observe differences in terms of absolute levels and relationship between ICT capability, networking capability and entrepreneurial orientation. The study's main contribution is towards the "inter-organizational networking research" and entrepreneurship literature. The analysis is based on 291 ICT related Swedish small firms. The results show that small ICT related small firms can be divided into four different clusters, namely; (1) low collaboration with low networking capability, (2) low collaboration with high networking capability, (3) high collaboration with low networking capability, and (4) high collaboration with high networking capability. Small firms with low collaboration and low networking capability were less entrepreneurial compared to the other three groups of firms. However, since networking capability and ICT capability were linked to entrepreneurial orientation it is possible for these firms to improve their situation by developing these two capabilities.
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| 21. |
- Parida, Vinit, et al.
(författare)
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ICT use for innovation in Swedish industrial service SMEs
- 2007
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Ingår i: The first Nordic innovation research conference - Finnkampen. - Oulu : University of Oulu. - 9789514283536 ; , s. 167-180
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Konferensbidrag (refereegranskat)abstract
- In the era of technology, SMEs are operating in a dynamic and turbulent business environment. In this era, innovation is the main driver for competitiveness, and use of ICT is the basic requirement to conduct business. Therefore, better understanding of the relationship between use of ICT and innovation has emerged as an important research topic. In this qualitative study, we therefore investigate how SMEs from the industrial service sector can use ICT for innovation. The results suggest that ICT is used in very different ways. While some uses clearly are linked to increased innovation, other uses do not affect innovation much. The link between ICT and innovation seem to vary between firms. While some firms see ICT as a major tool for innovation, others see it just as a (poor) tool for communication.
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| 22. |
- Parida, Vinit, et al.
(författare)
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Importance of ICT for technology-based small firm's networking
- 2008
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Ingår i: Collaboration and the Knowledge Economy. - : IOS Press. - 9781586039240
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Konferensbidrag (refereegranskat)abstract
- Modern ICT is widely understood as important for enabling a more effective communication, collaboration and internal operational efficiency in today's businesses. For small firms with limited in-house resources, and especially for technology-based small firms, ICT is expected to play a vital role. The empirical evidence supporting such an understanding are however rare. This paper elaborates on the extent to which ICT capability is employed by technology-based small firms and investigates the influence of ICT capability on network configuration and networking capability. The results provide some new evidence on how ICT may enable more effective networking in this specific category of small firms, and indicates e.g. that technology-based small firms are high users of ICT for gaining flexibility in working hours, accessing vital information, maintaining collaboration with existing business partners, enable a better handling communication within the firm and providing superior customer service. ICT capability was also found to influence small firms networking configuration. Particularly, there is a clear link between higher ICT use for collaboration and more extensive partnership networking, and a higher ICT use for communication and more extensive customer networking. Furthermore, we also found support for a strong relation between ICT capability and networking capability.
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| 23. |
- Parida, Vinit, et al.
(författare)
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Linking firm capabilities to entrepreneurial orientation and firm performance : evidence from small Swedish technological firms
- 2008
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Konferensbidrag (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- Numerous small technological firms are today operating in an uncertain and challenging environment. It can be argued that in such environment, the firm's capability to better utilizing their limited resources can be a source of better performance. This study focuses on two such firm capabilities, namely dynamic capability (DC) and ICT (Information and Communication Technology) capability. However, as Wang and Ahmed (2007) suggest, this link might not be direct but instead mediated through the firm's strategy. We will therefore also include entrepreneurial orientation (EO) as a possible mediator in our study.DC is seen as firm's ability to achieve competitive advantage especially in a turbulent environment (Teece et al., 1997). The research on DC has indicated a number of challenges. First, it has been difficult for scholars to clearly conceptualize DC and relate it to competitive advantage (Eisenhardt & Martin, 2000) and secondly, the research on DC has resulted in inconsistent and unrelated results (Zahra et al., 2006). During the literature review of DC, we identified three sub-parts of DC, namely absorptive capability, adaptive capability, and networking capability. Firms with higher degrees of absorptive capability are better able to identify and utilize external knowledge for commercial purpose (Cohen & Levinthal, 1990), firms with adaptive capability are able to quickly "identify and capitalize on emerging market opportunity" (Oktemgil & Greenley, 1996) and finally, firms with high degrees of networking capability are able to utilize inter-organizational relationships for own competitiveness. Using sub-facets (or specific constructs) to capture dynamic capabilities is consistent with prior research. For example, a recent study by Ahmed & Wang (2007), reviewed DC and suggested that it consists two or our three concepts as part of dynamic capability similar as those defined above. For technological firms ICT capability also seems indispensable and it may also produce competitive advantage (Venkatraman, 1994; Johannessen, 1999). We define ICT capability as a firm's ability to use a wide array of technology ranging from e-mails to local area networks for business purposes (Matlay & Addis, 2003). As both these concepts are a possible source for a firm's competitive advantage, we expect them to influence firm performance. However, as stated above, the influence from capabilities on performance may not be direct, but rather work through the firm's strategy and therefore EO can be a crucial link between capabilities and performance. EO is considered the small firm's strategic orientation and the relations between EO and performance is well established in the literature (Wiklund, 1999). So, if capabilities have a positive influence on EO, it could lead to better performance. The overall purpose for this paper is thus to investigate the effects dynamic capabilities and ICT capabilities have on EO and firm performance.Method:This study is mainly exploratory and to reach our purpose, we conducted a survey on 1471 small technological firms in Sweden. Technological firms are the frontrunners for global economy, and are likely to need the capabilities we discuss above. The firms we targeted were to have less then 50 employees (i.e. be small firms according to EU definition), have more then 1 million SEK in sales (to ensure an active firm) and doing business with IT related products or services. The questionnaire was sent out in Swedish during summer 2007 and resulted in 277 usable replies (20% response rate). Our key measurements were based on well established scales in literature and the questionnaire was pre-tested using small firm managers in similar industries as the targeted. Firm performance is multi-dimensional and includes three aspects (customer, sales and innovation). We control for environment factors (dynamism, hostility and heterogeneity.) and firms size (number of employees). During exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis, we did not observe any unexpected cross-loading or irregularity and the alpha value were satisfactory (between 0.67 - 0.88). Structural equation modeling (SEM) was used for the analysis.Results and Implications:Preliminary results from the SEM analysis show interesting results. If we look at ICT capability first, we find a strong link to dynamic capability for both the collaboration and communication facet. This supports thoughts of scholars that use of ICT influences firm capabilities (DC) by enhancing the firm's communication and information flow (Venkatraman, 1994). ICT capability is also weakly linked to EO (communication facet), but not at all to firm performance. Thus, ICT capability is not directly linked to better performance, but it enhances other capabilities (DC) which can be used for better performance (Porter, 2001; Mata et al., 1995). However, when looking at dynamic capabilities there are strong significant results both to EO and directly to firm performance. When looking closer at the results it becomes clear that all three aspects of DC show strong significance. Absorptive and adaptive capability is linked to EO and adaptive and networking capability is linked directly to firm performance (which also is the case for EO). Based on this, it seems dynamic capabilities is key to achieve completive advantage both in terms of EO and firm performance. Building and maintaining these capabilities should therefore be a priority for small firms, especially in a technological context, where constant change is likely to be a factor.Finally, since we tested the link between EO and performance with rather strong rival constructs (i.e. DC), we add strong further evidence for the EO - performance link (Wiklund, 1999).
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| 24. |
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| 25. |
- Roininen, Sari, et al.
(författare)
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Network structure and networking capability among new ventures : tools for competitive advantage or a waste of resources?
- 2008
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Konferensbidrag (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- Network relationships are significant for new firms' competitive advantages and success since new and entrepreneurial opportunities are favored by diversity (Burt, 2004; Ireland et al., 2002; Cooper, 2002; Granovetter, 1973). However, to gain access to various resources held by other actors the firms would have to have an ability to develop and utilize inter-organizational relationships (Walter et al., 2006), called network capability (NC). Additionally, new ventures would increase their performance by using an entrepreneurial strategy (cf. Wiklund & Shepherd, 2003; Lumpkin & Dess, 2001). Firms using an entrepreneurial orientation (EO) have an ability to find or discover new opportunities creating different and competitive advantages (Wiklund & Shepherd, 2005). This is particularly true among start-ups having external ties providing scarce and valuable resources (Lee et al., 2001). However, we believe these associations are moderated by the venture's complexity. The more complex the venture is internally (i.e. having low level of routines and analyzability) and externally (i.e. having immature markets) the stronger the relationship between NC, networks and EO, and performance will be. This study will hence combine these three dimensions to investigate how start-ups can obtain competitive advantages improving their performance by the use of an entrepreneurial strategy and participation in networks, a combination that has not previously been studied.MethodWe test the framework on 171 new Swedish ventures. The research instrument consisted of a mailed questionnaire to the owner and/or manager having taking part in the start-up of the company examining firm level factors affecting the start-ups' competitive performance. For the analysis structural equation modeling is used.Results and implicationThe results show a positive link between a new venture's NC and its EO, as well as between its network structure and EO, and EO in turn is the only dimension linked to increased firm performance. We did not find any moderating effects of venture complexity, but a strong direct effect on EO. Consequently, regardless of complexity, new ventures benefit from their networks and the ability to utilize external contacts in order to act entrepreneurially and in turn create competitive advantages.
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| 26. |
- Roininen, Sari, et al.
(författare)
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The relation between network competence, network structure, strategy and new venture performance
- 2007
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Ingår i: The first Nordic innovation research conference - Finnkampen. - Oulu : University of Oulu. - 9789514283536 ; , s. 187-201
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Konferensbidrag (refereegranskat)abstract
- This paper develops a model to explain new venture performance using network theory. The model suggests that a new venture's performance - both directly and indirectly through strategy - can be explained by its network competence and network structure. Further, venture complexity is hypothesized to moderate the relationship where those ventures having higher task complexity will benefit more from their network competence and structure. In the paper, we also briefly outline how this model can be put to test.
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| 27. |
- Sandberg, Mats, et al.
(författare)
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Air flow pattern and pressure distribution within a street network in an urban area with a high building area density
- 2006
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Ingår i: The 6th International Conference on Urban Climate. - 9163190001 ; , s. 188-191
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Konferensbidrag (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- We report on the effect of the overall shape of a city on the flow within the street network. We start with a solid round block, aspect ratio, diameter/ height = 6. The block is subdivided into smaller blocks and step by step an increasing number of streets are introduced. In the wind tunnel visualization with helium filled soap bubbled was carried out for obtaining qualitative information about the flow pattern. The pressure distribution on the ground within the street network was recorded in 400 points. CFD predictions provided the overall flow balance; flow entering through the street portals, leaving through the exit street portals and the updraft.
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| 28. |
- Skote, M., et al.
(författare)
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Numerical and experimental studies of wind environment in an urban morphology
- 2005
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Ingår i: Atmospheric Environment. - : Elsevier BV. - 1352-2310 .- 1873-2844. ; 39:33, s. 6147-6158
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- The purpose of the paper is to examine the relation between urban morphology (three-dimensional structure) and windiness. We regard a city as a porous obstacle, which is open at the top. We consider the interaction between the atmospheric boundary layer and a city to be both a function of the overall shape (silhouette or skyline) and the internal resistance to the flow caused by the friction when the wind flows over the urban surfaces. We regard the street pattern as an interconnected flow network with the crossings as nodes. Flow, along the streets is generated by pressure differences. We here use a highly idealized city model consisting of a circular block divided into two or four equally large sectors. Two types of cases are studied, the first with only one street through the city model with different angles between the street and the oncoming wind. The second case also contains a perpendicularly crossing street (through the center). Both wind tunnel experiments and numerical flow computations (computational fluid dynamics, CFD) are used and compared. The general agreement between the two is good and the CFD method offers new possibilities for quantifying the urban wind environment.
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| 29. |
- Ullerås, Erik, et al.
(författare)
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NFAT but not NF-kappaB is critical for transcriptional induction of the prosurvival gene A1 after IgE receptor activation in mast cells.
- 2008
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Ingår i: Blood. - : American Society of Hematology. - 0006-4971 .- 1528-0020. ; 111:6, s. 3081-9
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- FcepsilonRI-activation-induced survival of mast cells is dependent on the expression and function of the prosurvival protein A1. The expression of A1 in lymphocytes and monocytes has previously been described to be transcriptionally regulated by NF-kappaB. Here we demonstrate that the expression of A1 in mast cells is not dependent on NF-kappaB but that NFAT plays a crucial role. FcepsilonRI-induced A1 expression was not affected in mast cells overexpressing an IkappaB-alpha super-repressor or cells lacking NF-kappaB subunits RelA, c-Rel, or c-Rel plus NF-kappaB1 p50. In contrast, inhibition of calcineurin and NFAT by cyclosporin A abrogated the expression of A1 in mast cells on FcepsilonRI-activation but had no effect on lipopolysaccharide-induced expression of A1 in J774A.1 monocytic cells. Cyclosporin A also inhibited luciferase expression in an A1 promoter reporter assay. A putative NFAT binding site in the A1 promoter showed inducible protein binding after FcepsilonRI crosslinking or treatment with ionomycin as detected in a band shift assay or chromatin immunoprecipitation. The binding protein was identified as NFAT1. Finally, mast cells expressing constitutively active NFAT1 exhibit increased expression of A1 after FcepsilonRI-stimulation. These results indicate that, in FcepsilonRI stimulated mast cells, A1 is transcriptionally regulated by NFAT1 but not by NF-kappaB.
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| 30. |
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| 31. |
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| 32. |
- Westerberg, Mats, et al.
(författare)
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CEO characteristics and management control : contingency influences on small-business performance
- 2008
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Ingår i: Journal of Business & Entrepreneurship. - 1042-6337. ; 20:1, s. 37-60
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Past research does not reveal much about whether and how entrepreneur characteristics (experience, level of tolerance for ambiguity, and self-efficacy) and management control (planning, internal and customer orientation) influence the entrepreneur's honing and enterprising actions, and ultimately a firm's performance. In a study of 162 firms, we found these factors important; however, the contingent influence of environmental uncertainty, task complexity, and strategic competence determine, to a large degree, which factors are relevant to consider. We elaborate upon this complexity and note a need for further research in this area.
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| 33. |
- Westerberg, Mats, et al.
(författare)
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CEO succession, honing, and enterprising : a promising way to achieve small business performance?
- 2008
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Ingår i: Journal of Developmental Entrepreneurship. - 1084-9467. ; 13:2, s. 117-132
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- This study examines CEO succession in small firms and the impact of CEO honing and enterprising competence on firm performance within a contingency framework. In a study of 162 small firms, we hypothesize that a newly appointed CEO will bring entrepreneurship to its small firms, but the results do not support this. Instead, the results indicate that a new CEO tends to introduce honing in the firm. Only CEO market enterprising had a direct relation to better performance. However, we find several instances of moderation effects attributable to strategic competence, environmental uncertainty, and the nature of tasks in the company.
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| 34. |
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| 35. |
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| 36. |
- Westerberg, Mats, et al.
(författare)
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Network capability and entrepreneurship : refinement of a scale and test of a framework
- 2008
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Ingår i: Proceedings of the 5th AGSE International Entrepreneurship Research Exchange. - : AGSE, Swinburne University of Technology. - 9780980332834
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Konferensbidrag (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- Principal Topic Small firms are widely recognized as being in need of managing social and professional networks with other actors and are therefore no longer considered as individual and self-fulfilling units that do not require other actors to be competitive. Rather the individual firm can be seen as an ''organizer'' that interacts with other actors in order to be able to carry out a strategy and build competitive advantage that is far beyond the limitations of the single firm. All collaborating partners can focus on their core activities and by interlinking these, competitive advantage can occur. Having a capability to know about and tap into other firm's resources seems to be a valuable asset in the harsh competitive landscape of today's business environment. Unfortunately, although prior research much emphasizes the value of such a network capability, there are not much scales or approaches integrating such scales in models of small firm entrepreneurship and performance. As a response, our study develops and tests an operationalization of network capability, and examines the significance of this concept in order to understand small firm performance and entrepreneurial behavior. Based on scholars such as Walter et al. (2006) we define network capability as the firm's ability to develop and use inter-firm relationships which includes the following components: a) the firm's coordination activities between collaborating firms, b) the firm's relational skills due to their ability of inter-personal exchange, c) partner knowledge, i.e. possessing organized and structured information about their collaborating firms and competitors, and, d) the firm's internal communication to attain organizational learning within partnerships. However, we also add a dynamic aspect, that is, network capabilities in locating and building up new relations rather than merely sustaining old ones. For small firms in today's dynamic business environment, such a capability may be very valuable for both pursuing entrepreneurship and ultimately performing well. Consequently, we also see and research the relevance of e) skills in locating and building up new relations with future partners, as a potential part of network capability. In this study we will therefore investigate whether network capability has any effect on small firm outcomes in terms of entrepreneurial behavior and firm performance. Methodology/Key Propositions We use two independent samples of small firms (less than 50 employees) in Sweden to be able to reach our aim. The samples are selected based on their relevance for the study at hand. The first survey is a stratified sample of small IT-related firms, which represent businesses that is operating under fairly turbulent conditions. The other survey is a random sample of firms that started their business 2003, representing firms that are fairly young. We believe that both these conditions (turbulence and newness) constitute cases where networking is important and are worthy candidates in a study of network capability. Both surveys are currently being undertaken and the analysis in this abstract is based on 294 cases. Another 100 cases is expected before our data collection is closed. The response rate will be around 20 %. A preliminary non-response analysis shows little difference between respondents and non-respondents. The operationalization of network capability is based on the research of Walter et al. (2006). Three items measure each of the four dimensions (coordination activities, relationship skills, partner knowledge and internal communication). We have added the component network building and measure it by three items. Our scale has been pretested and refined by being put to test to both scholars and practitioners before sending the surveys. Entrepreneurial orientation (EO) is measured based on the scale developed by Lumpkin and Dess (2001), where we consider the ''classics'' innovativeness, proactiveness, and risk taking. Consistent with prior small firm research, we used a perceived measurement of firm performance. The statistical analysis is based upon various forms of factor analysis (exploratory and confirmatory) and regression analysis. Results and Implications The analysis shows that network capability has good measurement properties. Each of the five dimensions form a factor with only minor crossloadings between factors (using oblique rotation). Cronbach's alpha is between 0.70 and 0.85 and correlations between the five factors vary between 0.2 and 0.4 which indicates that these five aspects form an overall scale for network capability. In support of accuracy, a confirmatory factor analysis also report acceptable model fit measures. When performing regressions with firm performance and entrepreneurial orientation as dependent variables (and controlling for size and environmental conditions), we get interesting results. For the turbulent sample, the two coordination dimensions are significant (together with EO) when looking at performance, while internal coordination and building capability is significant to explain EO. For the other sample consisting of young firms, relationship skills are the only significant dimension (together with EO) when looking at performance, while only the building capability is significant to for EO. Our results suggest a valid measurement of network capability and that network capability seems to be important to understand entrepreneurial behavior and small firm performance. Aspects of network capability explain significant parts of EO and moreover help to explain firm performance over ad beyond what EO does. It is especially interesting to note that the most influential aspect of network capability when it comes to explain EO is the aspect we developed for this study. The capability to find and build a new relation thus seems vital to use in future studies on a firm's network capability and its associations to entrepreneurship and performance.
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| 37. |
- Westerberg, Mats, et al.
(författare)
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Samverkan i mindre företag i Sverige
- 2006
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Ingår i: Ledning i småföretag. - Lund : Studentlitteratur AB. - 9144045301 ; , s. 273-297
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Bokkapitel (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)
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| 38. |
- Westerberg, Mats, et al.
(författare)
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Samverkan mellan samhälle och universitet i småföretag : mönster och effekter
- 2009
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Konferensbidrag (refereegranskat)abstract
- Småföretag, d v s företag med mindre än 50 anställda, har av tradition inte setts som någon naturlig partner då samhälle och akademi skall samverka med näringslivet. Småföretagens ökande betydelse för sysselsättning och välfärd har dock under senare år delvis förändrat denna bild. En intressant fråga är hur pass vanlig olika former av samverkan med samhälle och universitet/högskolor är bland dagens svenska småföretag. Den här studien presenterar resultat och analyser baserade på data om hur svenska småföretag samverkar med andra aktörer, och vilken betydelse samverkan i olika former kan ha för innovativitet och framtidstro. Resultaten baseras i huvudsak på en större enkätstudie som Tilläxtverket/NUTEK tillsammans med SCB genomförde i småföretag i Sverige hösten/vintern 2007-2008. I denna studie ingår data från 6 758 företag med mellan 5 och 49 anställda fördelade på olika branscher/verksamheter. Av studiens resultat framgår bl a att samverkan med samhälle och akademi inte är ovanligt bland svenska småföretag. Mer än vart annat småföretag har utvecklad samverkan med minst en aktör i denna grupp. När det gäller effekterna av samverkan finns det positiva kopplingar till samverkan med universitet och nationella myndigheter, medan en negativ koppling finns till samverkan med gymnasieskolan.
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| 39. |
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| 40. |
- Westerberg, Per-Anton, et al.
(författare)
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Regulation of fibroblast growth factor-23 in chronic kidney disease
- 2007
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Ingår i: Nephrology, Dialysis and Transplantation. - : Oxford University Press (OUP). - 0931-0509 .- 1460-2385. ; 22:11, s. 3202-3207
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- BackgroundFibroblast growth factor-23 (FGF23) is a circulatingfactor that regulates the renal reabsorption of inorganic phosphate(Pi) and is increased in chronic kidney disease (CKD). The aimof the current investigation was to study the regulation ofFGF23 in CKD subjects with various degree of renal function.As such, we analysed the relationship between FGF23, Pi, calcium,parathyriod hormone (PTH), 25(OH) vitamin D3(25(OH)D3), 1,25(OH)2vitamin D3(1,25(OH)2D3) and estimated glomerular filtrationrate (eGFR).MethodsIntact FGF23 and other biochemical variables were analysedin 72 consecutive adult out-patients with various stages ofCKD (eGFR ranging from 4–96 ml/min.) Association studieswere performed using linear univariate and multivariate analysis.ResultsFGF23 was significantly elevated at CKD stage 4 (266± 315 pg/ml, P < 0.001) and 5 (702 ± 489 pg/ml,P < 0.001) compared with CKD 1–2 (46 ± 43 pg/ml).In CKD 4–5 an independent association between log FGF23and Pi (P < 0.001), 25(OH)D3 (P < 0.05) as well as eGFR(P < 0.01) was observed. In contrast, in CKD 1–3 logPTH (P < 0.05) was the only independent predictor of logFGF23 in multivariate analysis. In CKD 1–5, Pi (P <0.00001) and log PTH (P < 0.01) were explanatory variablesfor log FGF23 in multivariate analysis.ConclusionsWe conclude that serum FGF23 increases in CKD 4–5,in parallel with the emerging hyperphosphataemia. Serum Pi isthe most important predictor of FGF23 when GFR is less than30 ml/min. In contrast, our data suggest that Pi may not bean important determinant of FGF23 in normophosphataemic CKDsubjects. Finally, the association between FGF23 and PTH inCKD may suggest a co-regulation that remains to be further elucidated.
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| 41. |
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| 42. |
- Wincent, Joakim, et al.
(författare)
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Personal traits of CEOs, inter-firm networking and entrepreneurship in their firms : investigating strategic SME network participants
- 2005
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Ingår i: Journal of Developmental Entrepreneurship. - 1084-9467. ; 10:3, s. 271-284
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- This research tests a model including direct and indirect effects of CEO's personal traits (i.e., tolerance for ambiguity and self-efficacy) on entrepreneurial behavior for firms in a specific context, namely strategic SME networks. Findings indicate no direct relationship between personal traits and entrepreneurial behavior on the firm level but reports positive relationship between CEO's traits and levels of inter-firm networking with other strategic SME network participants. Inter-firm networking, in turn, is positively related to entrepreneurial behavior on the firm level. Our results thus indicate that personal traits of the CEO can be important to study in order to understand small firm behavior and performance. The absence of direct links may hide interesting indirect and mediating influences. Based on this, we argue that it is important for future research in the entrepreneurship domain to consider inclusion of context-specific action-based factors that may link CEO traits to entrepreneurship.
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| 43. |
- Wincent, Joakim, et al.
(författare)
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Resource contributions from entrepreneurial firms in strategic SME networks
- 2006
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Ingår i: International Journal of Entrepreneurship and Innovation. - : SAGE Publications. - 1465-7503 .- 2043-6882. ; 7:1, s. 23-32
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- This research uses social exchange theory to explore direct and contingent relationships between a firm's degree of entrepreneurship and its resource contributions to the strategic network in which it operates. The empirical study is based on two strategic multi-partner SME networks in which all 54 firms participated. The results show a higher level of entrepreneurship to be associated with a higher degree of resource contributions to other firms in the strategic SME network, regardless of firm size. However, higher resource contributions to the strategic SME network entity were only supplied when the entrepreneurial firm was large. Suggestions for further research are developed in detail.
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| 44. |
- Ylinenpää, Håkan, et al.
(författare)
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Open approaches and methods to enable Functional Product Development
- 2007
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Konferensbidrag (refereegranskat)abstract
- There is a need to develop approaches and methods for accessing necessary information early into the process of developing innovative (functional) products. Such information is normally located outside the focal company, and thus requires communication and tools/methods that enable decoding weak signals from different sources, not least from end users, i.e., human beings. Information based on human criterions, e.g., perceptions, experiences, activities and goals, is recognised as vital to communicate into the development process of innovative products. In this context, concepts such as Business Intelligence, Bench Learning, Lead-User Innovation, and Needfinding have been developed. In general, the logic behind such approaches is to avoid tunnel-vision and the Not-Invented-Here syndrome by widening the space for input into the product development process, and thereby identify more (and more potential) routes for further product and service development.
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| 45. |
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| 46. |
- Ylinenpää, Håkan, et al.
(författare)
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Triple Helix och utvecklingen av innovationssystem
- 2007. - 1
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Ingår i: Regional växtkraft i en global ekonomi. - Stockholm : Santéreus Academic Press Sweden. - 9789173350082 ; , s. 237-260
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Bokkapitel (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)
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