The word innovation has existed ever since humanity started, and that word has had different meanings throughout history. It has gone through many changes when at times it was considered a sin or...Show moreThe word innovation has existed ever since humanity started, and that word has had different meanings throughout history. It has gone through many changes when at times it was considered a sin or heresy to a definition that embodies prosperity and growth, it rather continuously shifts from having a negative connotation to a positive meaning. The aim of this research is to discover what innovation means to Egyptian workers in the technology industry through qualitative discourse analysis, trying to tap into their concept of innovation by conducting in-depth interviews using both inductive and deductive approaches.Show less
This thesis investigates the the importance of multiple technological advances in the American Civil War, and applies them to the contemporary revolution in military affairs in order to disprove...Show moreThis thesis investigates the the importance of multiple technological advances in the American Civil War, and applies them to the contemporary revolution in military affairs in order to disprove Biddle who discredits the importance of the revolution in military affairs.Show less
China desires to gain knowledge that is required to sophisticate its economy. This primarily involves investments in strategic sectors in Europe, which is increasingly received with anxiety and...Show moreChina desires to gain knowledge that is required to sophisticate its economy. This primarily involves investments in strategic sectors in Europe, which is increasingly received with anxiety and scepticism by European leaders. Therefore, an alternative for China to attain significant technological insights is open innovation. This research argues that this is a useful way of obtaining mutually profitable research and development. However, such a partnership requires confidence that is currently lacking. Therefore, this research answers the question: To what extent does the EU’s perception of China impede the Sino-EU cooperation on innovation? This dissertation examines this issue by analysing how the EU view on China influences trust towards this partner, and what this entails for open innovation. It is found that present preconceived negative notions on China lead to distrust. On certain issues, control mechanisms compensate for this lack of trust. However, more trust or control remains to be needed in order for future open innovation in this bilateral relationship to blossom.Show less
This thesis is about shanzhai 山寨 as an innovation system. Shanzhai innovation is a phenomenon that takes place in the informal telecommunications sector in China. The production process of shanzhai...Show moreThis thesis is about shanzhai 山寨 as an innovation system. Shanzhai innovation is a phenomenon that takes place in the informal telecommunications sector in China. The production process of shanzhai mobile phones is embedded in a dynamic system of different actors that each take over a specific role in the production process. Through the network, actors acquire knowledge and information from each other and technology is shared openly. This interactive learning process accelerates the innovation process of new products and designs. The shanzhai network creates a wealth of knowledge and resources for mobile phone producers. This approach may enable businesses to grow and become innovative firms. The rapid growth of the internet company Xiaomi can be attributed to the characteristics of shanzhai innovation in their business model. To what extent shanzhai innovation can become a model for innovation will be analyzed.Show less
The Chinese aspiration to accumulate modern technology has great consequences for industrialised nations. In the ‘Made in China 2025’ initiative, the Middle Kingdom aims to become the leader in...Show moreThe Chinese aspiration to accumulate modern technology has great consequences for industrialised nations. In the ‘Made in China 2025’ initiative, the Middle Kingdom aims to become the leader in technological advancement before the half of the 21st century. It is essential to perceive the Chinese economic actions motivated by this development initiative, and how this influences global competition on innovation. This study consists of a qualitative approach investigating how the Chinese economic actions motivated by ‘Made in China 2025’ influence Sino-German competition. This is investigated trough an analysis of Chinese economic actions and is supplemented by perceptions of professionals in the field through two interviews. It is found that the new competitor is welcomed by Germany, which is also reflected by substantial cooperation. However, the influence of the Chinese government negatively affects the fairness of competition on innovation with Germany. A practical implication that derives from this is that screening of acquisitions by the German government is a solution to tackle Chinese government influence aimed at attaining knowledge. Further research can focus on which approaches are efficient for screening acquisitions. Show less
This thesis answers the question why there was a cluster of innovation in the English textile industry between 1760 and 1820. In order to answer this question, this thesis uses records concerning...Show moreThis thesis answers the question why there was a cluster of innovation in the English textile industry between 1760 and 1820. In order to answer this question, this thesis uses records concerning eight important textile inventors: Samuel Crompton, Richard Arkwright, James Hargreaves, Matthew Murray, Edmund Cartwright, William Radcliffe, Jedediah Strutt and John Kennedy. Crucial for clusters of innovative activity in general is that the existing stock of knowledge and techniques is constantly recombined into new technical knowledge, leading to innovation. It is pivotal for constant recombination that individual access costs to new technical knowledge are low. This, in turn, is achieved when new knowledge rapidly circulates, allowing inventors to constantly build on innovations done before them. A thorough study of eight important textile inventors will show that the cluster of innovative activity in the British textile industry existed because groups of inventors, manufacturers, financiers and workmen in the North West of England closely cooperated in a number of ways and because new technical knowledge rapidly circulated within and between these groups. These processes took place within a cultural context favourable to innovation, a political context in which elites supported innovation and an economic context in which large amounts of human capital were available. The cooperation took place both inside and outside of the inventive process. Within the inventive process, workmen and financiers provided the inventor with the technical and financial aid necessary to continue inventing. Outside of the inventive process, they helped some inventors to be properly rewarded for their efforts and collectively opposed inventors with overtly monopolistic tendencies. Rapid circulation of knowledge within and between these groups was realised in several ways. First, the successful collective action taken against monopolistic inventors insured the quick diffusion of their inventions. Second, most inventors at times freely shared their inventions with fellow inventors, manufacturers, and the public at large. Third, inventions were massively stolen. One of the ways in which new technical knowledge was stolen, was through the patent system. Contrary to popular belief, the English patent system, in most cases, did not allow individuals a sufficient return on the money, time and effort they had put into their innovative process. The specification of their invention, included in the patent application, was widely copied. Most inventors were unable to successfully fight these infringements. However, many inventors kept taking out patents, hoping to be successfully remunerated. In this way, the system contributed to the free circulation of new technical knowledge. These findings contribute to several debates within the field of social and economic history, economics and organisational science.Show less
