title: Absorptive capacity and internationalization of New Zealand high-tech SMEs in the agro-technology sector

authors: Sedoglavich, Vesna

subjects: absorptive capacity

abstract: This study investigates the relationships between firm's technology, absorptive capacity and the internationalization process in the high-tech SMEs. The research identifies the most influential factors that affect the international activities and expansion decisions of New Zealand high-tech SMEs with core capabilities in agro-technology.

Mixed methods, qualitative and quantitative elements in the data collection and analysis, were employed in this research for a reason that a deeper understanding of the research subject and the analysis of complex issues such as the internationalization process and absorptive capacity required methodological variety. The use of qualitative and quantitative methods took place in parallel. Both methods were used to study the same subject but they had specific objective related purposes and they offered the possibility of developing rich empirical data as well as a more comprehensive understanding of the subject under the study. 

The findings show that it is absorptive capacity that explains internationalization process, not internationalization process that explains absorptive capacity. The practice of internationalizing is as much a reflection of a firm's absorptive capacity as it is its determinant. The research identifies that high-tech SMEs possess technological and non-core absorptive capacity which in a different way influence firms' strategies. The research suggests that firm's technological capabilities and the advantage of specialized knowledge along with their limited non-core absorptive capacity act as constraints to the development of the future international strategy in high-tech SMEs.

The study expands the existing literature on internationalization by developing variables for evaluating absorptive capacity in firms. This helped develop an absorptive capacity model which can be used as a valuable tool for self-assessment by firms to facilitate gaining insight towards further growth and development. The research suggested that if firms were able to measure its absorptive capacity this may result in improved business activities and enhanced presence in the world market. 

The results of this study should encourage firms to identify, capture and articulate knowledge achieved by their ventures. Managers must develop and nurture skills that ensure effective integration of learning as their firms expand, particularly internationally. These findings and absorptive capacity model offered as a tool should encourage managers to explore when, where, and how to best use firm's resources in the business operations. This is particularly important in regards to the research context (high-tech SMEs) where scientists are managers as well.

text: Absorptive capacity and internationalization of New Zealand high-tech SMEs in the agro-technology sector This study investigates the relationships between firm's technology, absorptive capacity and the internationalization process in the high-tech SMEs. The research identifies the most influential factors that affect the international activities and expansion decisions of New Zealand high-tech SMEs with core capabilities in agro-technology.

Mixed methods, qualitative and quantitative elements in the data collection and analysis, were employed in this research for a reason that a deeper understanding of the research subject and the analysis of complex issues such as the internationalization process and absorptive capacity required methodological variety. The use of qualitative and quantitative methods took place in parallel. Both methods were used to study the same subject but they had specific objective related purposes and they offered the possibility of developing rich empirical data as well as a more comprehensive understanding of the subject under the study. 

The findings show that it is absorptive capacity that explains internationalization process, not internationalization process that explains absorptive capacity. The practice of internationalizing is as much a reflection of a firm's absorptive capacity as it is its determinant. The research identifies that high-tech SMEs possess technological and non-core absorptive capacity which in a different way influence firms' strategies. The research suggests that firm's technological capabilities and the advantage of specialized knowledge along with their limited non-core absorptive capacity act as constraints to the development of the future international strategy in high-tech SMEs.

The study expands the existing literature on internationalization by developing variables for evaluating absorptive capacity in firms. This helped develop an absorptive capacity model which can be used as a valuable tool for self-assessment by firms to facilitate gaining insight towards further growth and development. The research suggested that if firms were able to measure its absorptive capacity this may result in improved business activities and enhanced presence in the world market. 

The results of this study should encourage firms to identify, capture and articulate knowledge achieved by their ventures. Managers must develop and nurture skills that ensure effective integration of learning as their firms expand, particularly internationally. These findings and absorptive capacity model offered as a tool should encourage managers to explore when, where, and how to best use firm's resources in the business operations. This is particularly important in regards to the research context (high-tech SMEs) where scientists are managers as well.

year: 2008

title: Isomerism of Complexes Containing Thiourea Dianion Ligands

authors: Spenceley, Jane Estelle

subjects: Thiourea

abstract: This thesis reports the synthesis and characterisation of eight new platinum thiourea complexes. Thiourea dianion complexes of the type (Ph₃P)₂PtSC(=NR)NPh, R=Me, Et, Prⁿ, Prⁱ, Buⁿ and (Ph₃P)₂PtSC(=NPh)NR R=Buͭ , p-tol, and the thiourea monoanion complex of the type [(Ph₃P)₂PtSC(=NEtH)NPh]⁺ were synthesised. This research confirms the prediction made by Henderson et al that asymmetrically substituted thiourea dianion complexes could form isomers. NMR studies show that the kinetically favoured isomer is formed initially, and then undergoes a solution phase isomerisation process to form the thermodynamically favoured isomer. Evidence that this isomerisation is affected by difference in substituent size and the energy difference between the two structures was obtained both experimentally, by use of NMR spectroscopy techniques, and theoretically using DFT calculations. Theoretically optimised geometries of each isomer allowed the calculation of ΔG(GPtrem-GPtadj) for each pair. NMR techniques were used to monitor the isomerisation process, which was clearly visible in both ¹H and ³¹P spectra. The relative substituent size, difference in energy between the two structures and rate of isomerisation appear to be proportional to each other. The greater the substituent size difference, the greater the difference in energy and faster the rate of isomerisation from the kinetically favoured isomer to the thermodynamically favoured isomer.

text: Isomerism of Complexes Containing Thiourea Dianion Ligands This thesis reports the synthesis and characterisation of eight new platinum thiourea complexes. Thiourea dianion complexes of the type (Ph₃P)₂PtSC(=NR)NPh, R=Me, Et, Prⁿ, Prⁱ, Buⁿ and (Ph₃P)₂PtSC(=NPh)NR R=Buͭ , p-tol, and the thiourea monoanion complex of the type [(Ph₃P)₂PtSC(=NEtH)NPh]⁺ were synthesised. This research confirms the prediction made by Henderson et al that asymmetrically substituted thiourea dianion complexes could form isomers. NMR studies show that the kinetically favoured isomer is formed initially, and then undergoes a solution phase isomerisation process to form the thermodynamically favoured isomer. Evidence that this isomerisation is affected by difference in substituent size and the energy difference between the two structures was obtained both experimentally, by use of NMR spectroscopy techniques, and theoretically using DFT calculations. Theoretically optimised geometries of each isomer allowed the calculation of ΔG(GPtrem-GPtadj) for each pair. NMR techniques were used to monitor the isomerisation process, which was clearly visible in both ¹H and ³¹P spectra. The relative substituent size, difference in energy between the two structures and rate of isomerisation appear to be proportional to each other. The greater the substituent size difference, the greater the difference in energy and faster the rate of isomerisation from the kinetically favoured isomer to the thermodynamically favoured isomer.

year: 2014

title: Kōkō Kehe

authors: Maxwell, Te Kahautu

abstract: This composition placed first in the Poi Composition section. Kōkō Kehe; this composition is about a fish species namely the Kehe. This composition talks about the appearance of this fish it has grennstone pounamu like colour and a moko tattoo pattern like that of a Māori male. It can only be caught on certain nights by a scoop net of kōkō. March is when the kehe is in its best condition to eat. The best relish for the kehe when eaten is a kūmara. This composition was performed by Ōpōtiki Mai Tawhiti at the Te Matatini World Championship Kapa Haka 2015.

text: Kōkō Kehe This composition placed first in the Poi Composition section. Kōkō Kehe; this composition is about a fish species namely the Kehe. This composition talks about the appearance of this fish it has grennstone pounamu like colour and a moko tattoo pattern like that of a Māori male. It can only be caught on certain nights by a scoop net of kōkō. March is when the kehe is in its best condition to eat. The best relish for the kehe when eaten is a kūmara. This composition was performed by Ōpōtiki Mai Tawhiti at the Te Matatini World Championship Kapa Haka 2015.

year: 2013-11-11