Cis-cyclooctene was polymerized via ring-opening metathesis polymerization using a well-defined ruthenium catalyst (Grubbs' type) under varying reaction conditions. Control over molecular weight was achieved by the inclusion of a chain transfer agent and its influence on the behavior of the obtained polymers was evaluated. The resulting polymers were characterized by means of differential scanning calorimetry, thermogravimetric analysis, and dynamic mechanical thermal analysis. Taking into account their thermal behavior, samples of appropriate molecular weight were subjected to a suitable treatment by chemical crosslinking to obtain a material showing thermally induced shape memory effect. The material recovers its original shape after several cycles of deformation into different shapes. (C) 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 115:2440-2447, 2010