An investigation of culture and creativity on negotiation

Even though there is a reliance on applying cultural dimensions and creativity when solving problems related to practices in business and communications, there is a scarcity of research about the influence of culture and creativity on contemporary negotiation practice. As the world becomes increasingly interconnected through globalisation, we need to thoroughly understand how and why integrative solutions and cultural understanding influence bargaining, both local and international in scope. This thesis examines the relationship between individualistic and collectivistic cultural dimensions, individual creativity levels, ethical conduct, and negotiation behaviours. The findings provide business negotiators and conflict resolution professionals with information on how best to prepare for and face the challenges that arise in contemporary bargaining. Three main research questions are identified: (RQ1) how does creativity influence an individual’s facework and ethical behaviours in negotiation? (RQ2) How does culture influence an individual’s facework and ethical behaviours in negotiation? (RQ3) Through the lens of facework negotiation theory, does the relationship differ between creativity and negotiation behaviours across cultures? The conceptual framework of this thesis is based on face negotiation theory. More specifically, a 13-category facework typology was used to assess the negotiation behaviours. A staged negotiation simulation design in three phases was set in place to obtain the data. The two-party negotiation simulation was video-taped and analysed on the basis of the facework categories. Surveys were conducted pre- and post-negotiation and analysed for the purpose of determining cultural dimensions, creativity levels, and perceived ethical behaviours. The unit of analysis in this study was the negotiation pairs. A total of 22 participants, comprising 11 pairs, took part in the study. The participants were recruited on a voluntary basis in a postgraduate negotiation class at the School of Management, Queensland University of Technology. The key results from this analysis show that the highly creative negotiators adopted noticeably more integrative behaviours than the low creative negotiators. However, the analysis also shows that the high creative participants were perceived to be more untrustworthy and unethical than the low creative participants. No significant relationships between cultural dimensions and negotiation behaviours were detected. The findings imply that there should be an increased emphasis on creativity training for negotiators striving to build integrative solutions, and an increased emphasis on understanding how cultural research has evolved from being perceived as a static to a dynamic structure. This thesis further explores the degree to which these behaviours are imperative for developing competencies within contemporary negotiation practice. The limitations of the thesis as a whole are discussed

The management of innovation: An investigation of public business advisory services

The thesis is a step towards understanding how the structure and contextual differences of programmes influence the advisory process interactions in regional innovation systems. Two comparative case studies were undertaken of small business advisory services in Australia and Norway. The findings aid understandings of regional innovation systems theory. More specifically the findings contribute to the emergent literature on public business advisory services and highlight the significant roles public advisories can play in supporting innovative capacities of small and medium enterprises

Strategies and business models to support the transition to low-carbon concrete

Strategies and business models to support the transition to low-carbon concrete This report evaluates business models and market measures for transitioning to low-carbon concrete with carbon capture and storage (CCS) in Norway’s largest cement producer, Norcem. The findings of this report are based on a study conducted as part of the Research Centre on Zero Emission Neighbourhoods in Smart Cities (FME ZEN), of which Norcem is a partner. Findings are analyzed and synthesized using a case study methodology, and the most significant drivers and barriers for implementing CCS technologies in the Norwegian cement context are discussed. Research shows that there is great potential for CCS to influence cost reduction in the long term because of economies of manufacturing scale and enhanced design integration. While high upfront costs are expected, operational cost reduction could be attainable for Norcem, especially given the potential for second- and third-generation capture technologies. One of the main problems that Norcem faces pertains to burden-sharing throughout the value chain, as well as high investment cost. Additionally, compared to renewable technologies, CCS is not suitable for fragmented installation; to be successful, it must be deployed full-scale throughout any given industrial site. Presently, the Norwegian government subsidizes different renewable energy technologies domestically; however, with climate reduction technologies such as CCS, there is an inevitable prerequisite for high initial financial investment. Another prerequisite is a definite income stream based around a steady— and adequately high—carbon price in the near future. Assuming that carbon emissions are perpetually increasing, including in the cement industry, the argument for CCS is strong. Our findings show that storage, safety, and technical matters can be solved; however, the large initial investment costs persist. Burden-sharing between producer and end user is, therefore, a dilemma. To overcome this dilemma, ambitious environmental policies on emissions, coupled with market-driven solutions, are necessary. In creating a pathway for low-carbon cement in the Norwegian market, we recommend the following key measures for government and industry: 1) Invest in and implement full-scale CCS at Norcem’s Brevik plant as a catalyst for the wider market. 2) Enact stable, predictable, and long-term tax deductions for captured CO₂ per ton. 3) Explore a ‘grey’ certificate market as a carbon cost integration mechanism. 4) Focus on accelerating green public procurement and innovation partnerships. All these measures should be adopted in an interdependent manner. Our findings indicate that key barriers to low-carbon cement are both financial and market related. Early pilot and demonstration projects show that CCS is a viable solution in the Norwegian cement context. Nevertheless, for these to be enacted more broadly, barriers pertaining to cost and pricing throughout the value chain would need to be addressed more effectively. Pertinent policies should act as promoters for the cement industry to continue advancing the most promising green products and technologies. Moreover, the decision to finance CCS technologies poses not only a financial or political query, but also an environmental and social responsibility one. For a company such as Norcem, it is additionally imperative to identify a feasible approach to burden-sharing, coupled with realistic, market-driven solutions.publishedVersio

VII. The Paulician Churches

Strategies and business models to support the transition to low-carbon concrete This report evaluates business models and market measures for transitioning to low-carbon concrete with carbon capture and storage (CCS) in Norway’s largest cement producer, Norcem. The findings of this report are based on a study conducted as part of the Research Centre on Zero Emission Neighbourhoods in Smart Cities (FME ZEN), of which Norcem is a partner. Findings are analyzed and synthesized using a case study methodology, and the most significant drivers and barriers for implementing CCS technologies in the Norwegian cement context are discussed. Research shows that there is great potential for CCS to influence cost reduction in the long term because of economies of manufacturing scale and enhanced design integration. While high upfront costs are expected, operational cost reduction could be attainable for Norcem, especially given the potential for second- and third-generation capture technologies. One of the main problems that Norcem faces pertains to burden-sharing throughout the value chain, as well as high investment cost. Additionally, compared to renewable technologies, CCS is not suitable for fragmented installation; to be successful, it must be deployed full-scale throughout any given industrial site. Presently, the Norwegian government subsidizes different renewable energy technologies domestically; however, with climate reduction technologies such as CCS, there is an inevitable prerequisite for high initial financial investment. Another prerequisite is a definite income stream based around a steady— and adequately high—carbon price in the near future. Assuming that carbon emissions are perpetually increasing, including in the cement industry, the argument for CCS is strong. Our findings show that storage, safety, and technical matters can be solved; however, the large initial investment costs persist. Burden-sharing between producer and end user is, therefore, a dilemma. To overcome this dilemma, ambitious environmental policies on emissions, coupled with market-driven solutions, are necessary. In creating a pathway for low-carbon cement in the Norwegian market, we recommend the following key measures for government and industry: 1) Invest in and implement full-scale CCS at Norcem’s Brevik plant as a catalyst for the wider market. 2) Enact stable, predictable, and long-term tax deductions for captured CO₂ per ton. 3) Explore a ‘grey’ certificate market as a carbon cost integration mechanism. 4) Focus on accelerating green public procurement and innovation partnerships. All these measures should be adopted in an interdependent manner. Our findings indicate that key barriers to low-carbon cement are both financial and market related. Early pilot and demonstration projects show that CCS is a viable solution in the Norwegian cement context. Nevertheless, for these to be enacted more broadly, barriers pertaining to cost and pricing throughout the value chain would need to be addressed more effectively. Pertinent policies should act as promoters for the cement industry to continue advancing the most promising green products and technologies. Moreover, the decision to finance CCS technologies poses not only a financial or political query, but also an environmental and social responsibility one. For a company such as Norcem, it is additionally imperative to identify a feasible approach to burden-sharing, coupled with realistic, market-driven solutions.publishedVersio

The role of green public procurement in enabling low-carbon cement with CCS: An innovation ecosystem perspective

As a result of the increase in carbon emissions and climate change, it is imperative to innovate and implement new sustainable solutions across industries, including construction. The current study explores how an early upstream supplier (EUS) can influence actors in its innovation ecosystem and the degree to which the effect of green public procurement (GPP) can be increased. An increased degree of GPP is sought as an enabler for the EUS to succeed with its green business process innovation. Using a holistic case study methodology, comprising literature review, semi-structured interviews, and document analysis, we examined the direct and indirect paths the EUS could utilize to influence public actors' degree of GPP. The case study is based on a Norwegian cement producer currently developing low-carbon cement with carbon capture and storage technology. Our findings show that public buyers actively influence GPP and that it is possible to effect change in the ecosystem from the supplier side. There is a high potential for an EUS in the construction industry to influence (downstream) public purchasers’ current practice. The study demonstrates the opportunities for an EUS to directly and indirectly influence the degree of GPP. It also highlights the challenges related to GPP and innovation in the construction industry

Innovasjonsrapport 2020. Forskningssenteret for nullutslippsområder i smarte byer (FME ZEN)

Forord. Forskning og innovasjon er grunnpilaren i vår visjon om å utvikle bærekraftige områder med null klimagassutslipp. Innovasjonskomiteen skal bistå senterledelsen i dette arbeidet gjennom å etablere gode innovasjonsprosesser i grensesnittet mellom FME ZEN og de offentlige og industrielle partnerne i forskningssenteret. I 2018 ble det utarbeidet og vedtatt en innovasjonsstrategi, der et rammeverk for identifisering, klassifisering og oppfølging av innovasjoner er implementert. Du sitter nå med den første utgaven av FME ZENs innovasjonsrapport som skal gi en lettfattelig oversikt over alle innovasjonene som så langt er registrert. Rapporten beskriver 32 innovasjoner på ulikt TRL-nivå (Technology Readiness Level), og starter med de som er kommet lengst i utviklingen