Dynamics of effectuation and causation in technology-based new ventures (INTERACTIVE PAPER)

The creation of new ventures is a process characterized by the need to decide and take action in the face of uncertainty, and this is particularly so in the case of technology-based ventures. Effectuation theory (Sarasvathy, 2001) has advanced two possible approaches for making decisions while facing uncertainty in the entrepreneurial process. Causation logic is based on prediction and aims at lowering uncertainty, whereas effectuation logic is based on non-predictive action and aims at working with uncertainty. This study aims to generate more fine-grained insight in the dynamics of effectuation and causation over time. We address the following questions: (1) What patterns can be found in effectual and causal behaviour of technology-based new ventures over time? And (2) How may patterns in the dynamics of effectuation and causation be explained?

Diffusion of technology in flour milling and the emergence of the modern British milling industry

DUE TO COPYRIGHT RESTRICTIONS ONLY AVAILABLE FOR CONSULTATION AT ASTON UNIVERSITY LIBRARY AND INFORMATION SERVICES WITH PRIOR ARRANGEMENT

The incidence, causes and prevention of defects in the constructiuon of new houses

DUE TO COPYRIGHT RESTRICTIONS ONLY AVAILABLE FOR CONSULTATION AT ASTON UNIVERSITY LIBRARY AND INFORMATION SERVICES WITH PRIOR ARRANGEMENT

The political discourse and material practice of technology enhanced learning

Technology discloses man’s mode of dealing with Nature, the process of production by which he sustains his life, and thereby also lays bare the mode of formation of his social relations, and of the mental conceptions that flow from them (Marx, 1990: 372) My thesis is a Sociological analysis of UK policy discourse for educational technology during the last 15 years. My framework is a dialogue between the Marxist-based critical social theory of Lieras and a corpus-based Critical Discourse Analysis (CDA) of UK policy for Technology Enhanced Learning (TEL) in higher education. Embedded in TEL is a presupposition: a deterministic assumption that technology has enhanced learning. This conceals a necessary debate that reminds us it is humans that design learning, not technology. By omitting people, TEL provides a vehicle for strong hierarchical or neoliberal, agendas to make simplified claims politically, in the name of technology. My research has two main aims: firstly, I share a replicable, mixed methodological approach for linguistic analysis of the political discourse of TEL. Quantitatively, I examine patterns in my corpus to question forms of ‘use’ around technology that structure a rigid basic argument which ‘enframes’ educational technology (Heidegger, 1977: 38). In a qualitative analysis of findings, I ask to what extent policy discourse evaluates technology in one way, to support a Knowledge Based Economy (KBE) in a political economy of neoliberalism (Jessop 2004, Fairclough 2006). If technology is commodified as an external enhancement, it is expected to provide an ‘exchange value’ for learners (Marx, 1867). I therefore examine more closely what is prioritised and devalued in these texts. Secondly, I disclose a form of austerity in the discourse where technology, as an abstract force, undertakes tasks usually ascribed to humans (Lieras, 1996, Brey, 2003:2). This risks desubjectivisation, loss of power and limits people’s relationships with technology and with each other. A view of technology in political discourse as complete without people closes possibilities for broader dialectical (Fairclough, 2001, 2007) and ‘convivial’ (Illich, 1973) understandings of the intimate, material practice of engaging with technology in education. In opening the ‘black box’ of TEL via CDA I reveal talking points that are otherwise concealed. This allows me as to be reflexive and self-critical through praxis, to confront my own assumptions about what the discourse conceals and what forms of resistance might be required. In so doing, I contribute to ongoing debates about networked learning, providing a context to explore educational technology as a technology, language and learning nexus.

The adoption and use of diagnostic and prognostic technology within UK-based manufacturers

Manufacturers are seeking increasingly innovative ways to achieve competitive advantage. An emerging trend is to exploit diagnostic and prognostic technology to support service-led competitive strategies where the emphasis is put on the 'sale of use' rather than the 'sale of product'. However, little is known about the extent to which this technology is being exploited, the drivers and inhibitors, and the sectors where adoption is most prolific. This paper introduces the results of a survey conducted across the UK manufacturing sector to explore the extent, motivations, benefits, and challenges of deploying diagnostic and prognostic technology as an element of competitive strategy.

Investigation and modelling of tremor reducer with the technology of targeted energy transfer

This thesis presents the study of a two-degree-of-freedom (2 DOF) nonlinear system consisting of two grounded linear oscillators coupled to two separate light weight nonlinear energy sinks of an essentially nonlinear stiffness. In this thesis, Targeted Energy Transfer (TET) and NES concept are introduced. Previous studies and research of Energy pumping and NES are presented. The characters in nonlinear energy pumping have been introduced at the start of the thesis. For the aim to design the application of a tremor reduction assessment device, the knowledge of tremor reduction has also been mentioned. Two main parties have been presented in the research: dynamical theoretic method of nonlinear energy pumping study and experiments of nonlinear vibration reduction model. In this thesis, nonlinear energy sink (NES) has been studied and used as a core attachment for the research. A new theoretic method of nonlinear vibration reduction which with two NESs has been attached to a primary system has been designed and tested with the technology of targeted energy transfer. Series connection and parallel connection structure systems have been designed to run the tests. Genetic algorithm has been used and presented in the thesis for searching the fit components. One more experiment has been tested with the final components. The results have been compared to find out most efficiency structure and components for the theoretic model. A tremor reduction experiment has been designed and presented in the thesis. The experiment is for designing an application for reducing human body tremor. By using the theoretic method earlier, the experiment has been designed and tested with a tremor reduction model. The experiment includes several tests, one single NES attached system and two NESs attached systems with different structures. The results of theoretic models and experiment models have been compared. The discussion has been made in the end. At the end of the thesis, some further work has been considered to designing the device of the tremor reduction.