Browsing by Author "Rosensten-Berg, Cecilia"

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    Management Control Systems in Innovative, Technology-Based Start-Ups and Small Businesses -A Study of Seven of the Most Promising Swedish Start-Ups of 2011, from a Business and Venture Capitalist's Perspective
    (2012-06-18) Axelsson, Charlotte; Johansson, Linn; Rosensten-Berg, Cecilia; University of Gothenburg/Department of Business Administration; Göteborgs universitet/Företagsekonomiska institutionen
    Background and problem: During the last decades, know-how and innovations have become critical factors, enhancing the interest for entrepreneurial activities. Nevertheless, it is hard to survive as a recently started business, making it crucial to adopt a well-functioning MCS. There is, however, a paradox that hardly goes unremarked. MCSs are described as hampering creativity and harming the process of innovation, creating a complex situation for innovative businesses. This thesis will explore MCSs in the context of innovation with the following research question: To what extent and in what form are management control systems applied in innovative, technology-based start-ups and small businesses? Purpose: The purpose of this thesis is to analyze to what extent and in what form MCSs are applied in innovative, technology-based start-ups and small businesses that have been recognized for their potential on the Swedish market and to explore their implementation of control. Method: This study was conducted using a qualitative approach consisting of semi-structured interviews in order to obtain in-depth information from a business and venture capitalist’s perspective. The method was considered suitable since the study is of a descriptive and explanatory character. Results and conclusions: The visions, strategies, and a creative environment are of high importance in innovative, technology-based start-ups and small businesses. Therefore, results control is advocated, and the employees are expected to perform at their best, motivated by the devotion to the companies’ innovations. Budgets, cash flows and contribution- and profit margins are commonly used as control elements. Furthermore, the implementation of MCSs appears to be primarily related to growth or organizational imbalances. The study also shows that the implementation of MCSs depends on the CEOs’ perception of control and the influence by the venture capitalists.
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    Towards Understanding Strategic innovation in Small & Entrepreneurial Clean Technology firms. Exploring capacity, arenas and outcomes
    (2014-12-15) Rosensten-Berg, Cecilia; University of Gothenburg/Graduate School; Göteborgs universitet/Graduate School
    Background and problem: The realities of our knowledge-based society have dramatically changed the prerequisites for business strategy and competition. Today, Strategic Innovation (SI), i.e. the ability to radically change the rules of the game, is required in order to cope with the new economic landscape. Small and entrepreneurial Clean Technology (CleanTech) firms are of central interest to study in this context, due to their ability to advance our future green economy. Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to investigate how small and entrepreneurial CleanTech firms manage SI, by answering four research questions: 1) what model could describe a holistic approach to SI in a CleanTech context, 2) what is the capacity for SI among small and entrepreneurial CleanTech firms, 3) how has SI been attained by small and entrepreneurial CleanTech firms, and 4) what SI outcomes have small and entrepreneurial CleanTech firms achieved to date. Method: This exploratory study applies a qualitative research strategy, based on ten semi-structured interviews with small and entrepreneurial CleanTech firms, as well as one unstructured interview with a subject matter expert from the Technical Research Institute of Sweden (SP). The sample includes Gothenburg-based CleanTech firms that were selected from a list published by the Swedish Agency for Economic and Regional Growth (Tillväxtverket). Research implications: This study presents an adjusted model for SI in a CleanTech context, where the new contributions incorporate an increased attention to learning, additional arenas for SI, access to large-scale development projects and a new type of SI output. In addition, several conclusions are presented regarding the companies’ capacity for and outcomes of SI. Practical implications: First, companies are recommended to establish a questioning attitude and challenge both corporate and industry boundaries. This can be achieved by a shift from the current inside-out approach to an outside-in approach, where external actors are utilized to a greater extent. Second, this paper proposes a more exploratory approach to strategy. Third, companies are encouraged to follow non-customers more closely. Last, companies are recommended to develop ‘loaded expressions’ in order to communicate the value of their products/services more efficiently.