The use of information technology (IT) is becoming an essential component within the commercial sector. While large number of companies have adopted IT applications to achieve competitive advantage, and number of studies have been done on competitive advantage through an IT application, it is not clear what the impact of an IT application on competitive advantage is. The purpose of this study was to examine the impact of an IT application on competitive advantage and how to create and sustain competitive advantage through an IT application. For that purpose, this study adopted Sethi and King's (1994) instrumental tool, while the theory of resource based view of the firm (RBV) was the theoretical underpinning for the investigation of how to create and sustain competitive advantage through an IT application. In other words, this study examined how an IT application impacts the seven dimensions which are attributes of competitive advantage through an IT application, and how a firm's resources and capabilities, which are measured in three dimensions. moderate the impact of an IT application on competitive advantage. The three dimensions were identified from the review of literature concerning on the theory of RBV. / Ph. D.

No / According to annual reports of European and North American ski resort corporations, winter sports destinations are facing stagnating markets and at the same time challenges in the management of environmentally sensitive mountainous areas and villages. The survival and development of winter sports destinations are to a large extent centred around strategies for creating competitive advantage and at the same time meeting the criteria of sustainable tourism laid down by the WTO. In this paper, performance on these two dimensions is combined into the concept of strategic performance. Sustained value creation is suggested as a goal of strategic performance in winter sports destinations.Two new models related to the strategic analysis of winter sports destinations are developed. The first is a suggested configuration of value creation in winter sports destinations¿the ¿value fan¿¿and the second is a conceptual organisational model providing a framework for analysis at strategic level of such destinations. The models have emerged from examining the central body of literature in the field of strategic management. Development of the models is part of ongoing research into what kind of organisational structure of winter sports destinations will lead to superior performance in terms of strategic success. Here the concepts of the ¿community model¿ and the ¿corporate model¿ of destination management are introduced.

Background: A common assumption in business research is that first-movers in new markets often tends to have competitive advantages that sequent companies find difficult to compete with. Recently the formal research usability has begun to be questioned. The empirical basis there search of this area rests on, is criticized of being too homogenous. The research that’s been done have often focused on specific industries with certain types of entry barriers. Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to study if there are benefits to being a first-mover in the industry for grocery bags online. The study will use a methodological triangulation in an effort to make a methodological contribution in this research field. Theory: The theoretical framework used in the study is First-mover advantage and Later-entrant advantage. Delimitations: The quantitative part of the study will analyze 15 companies dealing with grocery bags online in Sweden. In the qualitative part of the study a delineation of the population will be made. Five companies were chosen for this part of the study. Methodology: A methodological triangulation was used to increase coherence in the study. Information about the 15 companies consisted of different types of documents such as annual reports and press releases. In the qualitative part of the study semi-structured interviews with different respondents at the different companies was done. / Bakgrund: Ett vanligt förekommande antagande inom företagsekonomin är att företag som är först in på en marknad ofta har långtgående konkurrensfördelar som efterföljande företag har svårt att konkurrera med. På senare tid har forskningens användbarhet börjat bli ifrågasatt. Det empiriska underlaget som forskningsfältet vilar på kritiseras för att vara för homogent. Forskningen är ofta gjord på industriella företag med specifika inträdesbarriärer. Syfte: Syftet med studien är att undersöka faktorerna som avgör en first-movers fördelar samt resultatet av fördelarna. Studien undersöker företag som levererar färdiga matkassar på internet i Sverige. Med hjälp av en metodologisk triangulering kommer ett bidrag att göras till forskningsfältet. Teoretiskt perspektiv: Det teoretiska ramverk som använts i undersökningen är first-mover advantage och Later-entrant advantage. Avgränsning: Undersökningen är avgränsad till att undersöka registrerade bolag i Sverige som levererar färdigplanerade matkassar på internet. Urvalet för den kvantitativa undersökningen består av 15 företag. I den kvalitativa undersökningen, består urvalet av 5 företag. Metod: Undersökningen är uppdelad i två delar där två olika metoder användes. Dels en kvantitativ undersökning och en kvalitativ undersökning. En metodtriangulering genomfördes för att öka samstämmigheten i undersökningen. Information om de 15 företagen hämtades från olika typer av dokument, som årsredovisningar och pressmeddelanden. I den kvalitativa undersökningen genomfördes semistrukturerade intervjuer med olika nyckelpersoner på företagen.

The tourism industry is an extremely competitive industry which is mainly caused by the ever changing needs of tourists. However, despite the constant change in tourist behaviour, violent terrorist attacks on countries across the globe and the weakening of the world economies, the tourism industry showed significant growth over the last few decades. The fast growth rate of tourism has also lead to the tourist being more aware of ecotourism destinations and the key role these destinations play in conserving the natural and cultural environments in the midst of globalisation and urbanisation. The pressure on ecotourism destinations such as national parks is increasing as more and more natural land are being taken up for urban development. In the case of South African National Parks (SANParks), the decrease in government funding pressurizes the resources and national parks have to identify ways to generate their own income through tourism activities. SANParks manages 22 national parks across South Africa with the aim to conserve South Africa’s biodiversity, provide recreational activities for tourists and build long-term relationships with the local communities to enhance the communities’ quality of life. Hence, in order to remain competitive it is important to determine the parks' competitive advantages. Therefore the aim of this study was to develop a competitiveness model for SANParks by using the Kruger National Park as case study. The Kruger National Park is not only one of the largest and most recognised national parks in the world, but also boasts with a large variety of fauna and flora, variety of accommodation facilities such as bush lodges, chalets and camping facilities as well as various tourist activities. The literature review indicated that destinations differ from each other and therefore ecotourism destinations such as national parks would have a distinct set of competitive advantage factors. However, these factors can only be determined if the needs of tourists are anticipated and park specific products and services are developed to satisfy the needs of visitors to the park and ultimately lead to tourist loyalty. Once a competitive position has been established, a national park can obtain benefits such as an increase in tourist numbers and revenue delivery of high quality products and services at the park as well as trigger a higher quality of life for the local community. If managed accordingly, the park might experience sustainable growth as well as increased profit margins. The data for the study was collected by means of a questionnaire survey at four of the Kruger National Park's rest camps during the period 26 December 2013 and 4 January 2014 which is the festive season in South Africa. The rest camps that were included in this survey were Olifants (74 questionnaires); Skukuza (213 questionnaires); Lower Sabie (98 questionnaires) and Berg-&-Dal (51 questionnaires). A total of 436 completed questionnaires were administered and further analysed. Descriptive statistics were used to profile the respondents while two factor analyses were done on the competitive advantage factors and tourist motives for travelling to the Park. The factor analyses identified five competitive advantage factors of which Wildlife Experiences and Marketing and Branding were regarded as the most important factors. The other three competitive advantage factors were Accommodation and Retail, Visitor Management and Suprastructure and Amenities. Four motivational factors were identified namely Experience and Relaxation, Lifestyle, All-Inclusive Destination and Value. The identified factors were further used in an ANOVA analysis and the results showed that socio-demographic characteristics such as home language, province of residence, level of education and marital status have all significant differences based on the five competitive advantage factors as well as the four motivational factors The t-test analysis presented a few statistical significant differences between the independent variables or group of individuals. These differences were based on the respondents’ demographic and behaviour characteristics with regards to the competitive advantage and motivational factors. However, the strongest statistically significant differences were based on the behavioural characteristics of tourists travelling with children to the Park, Wild card holders, tourist reading magazines, previous visits to the Park and differences between tourists making use of chalets and camping facilities. A Structural Equation Model was applied to confirm the results that were obtained from the analyses. The SEM indicated that tourists’ motivations have a significant influence on the factors that tourists identified as competitive advantage factors for the Kruger National Park. This research made three distinct new contributions. Firstly, competitive advantage factors were specifically identified for ecotourism based destinations such as national parks from a demand side. Also, the tourists motivation for travelling proved to hugely influence these competitive advantage factors. Secondly, a competitiveness model was developed specifically for national parks within South Africa. The proposed model could assist national parks across South Africa to obtain a competitive advantage among its competitors based on park specific factors. Lastly, the concept of competitiveness has not yet been applied within the ecotourism and nature-based tourism destinations context. This study described the concept of competitiveness with the focus on national parks as ecotourism destinations and the aspects that need to be taken into consideration when analysing the concept in such a context. / PhD (Tourism Management), North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2015

The tourism industry is an extremely competitive industry which is mainly caused by the ever changing needs of tourists. However, despite the constant change in tourist behaviour, violent terrorist attacks on countries across the globe and the weakening of the world economies, the tourism industry showed significant growth over the last few decades. The fast growth rate of tourism has also lead to the tourist being more aware of ecotourism destinations and the key role these destinations play in conserving the natural and cultural environments in the midst of globalisation and urbanisation. The pressure on ecotourism destinations such as national parks is increasing as more and more natural land are being taken up for urban development. In the case of South African National Parks (SANParks), the decrease in government funding pressurizes the resources and national parks have to identify ways to generate their own income through tourism activities. SANParks manages 22 national parks across South Africa with the aim to conserve South Africa’s biodiversity, provide recreational activities for tourists and build long-term relationships with the local communities to enhance the communities’ quality of life. Hence, in order to remain competitive it is important to determine the parks' competitive advantages. Therefore the aim of this study was to develop a competitiveness model for SANParks by using the Kruger National Park as case study. The Kruger National Park is not only one of the largest and most recognised national parks in the world, but also boasts with a large variety of fauna and flora, variety of accommodation facilities such as bush lodges, chalets and camping facilities as well as various tourist activities. The literature review indicated that destinations differ from each other and therefore ecotourism destinations such as national parks would have a distinct set of competitive advantage factors. However, these factors can only be determined if the needs of tourists are anticipated and park specific products and services are developed to satisfy the needs of visitors to the park and ultimately lead to tourist loyalty. Once a competitive position has been established, a national park can obtain benefits such as an increase in tourist numbers and revenue delivery of high quality products and services at the park as well as trigger a higher quality of life for the local community. If managed accordingly, the park might experience sustainable growth as well as increased profit margins. The data for the study was collected by means of a questionnaire survey at four of the Kruger National Park's rest camps during the period 26 December 2013 and 4 January 2014 which is the festive season in South Africa. The rest camps that were included in this survey were Olifants (74 questionnaires); Skukuza (213 questionnaires); Lower Sabie (98 questionnaires) and Berg-&-Dal (51 questionnaires). A total of 436 completed questionnaires were administered and further analysed. Descriptive statistics were used to profile the respondents while two factor analyses were done on the competitive advantage factors and tourist motives for travelling to the Park. The factor analyses identified five competitive advantage factors of which Wildlife Experiences and Marketing and Branding were regarded as the most important factors. The other three competitive advantage factors were Accommodation and Retail, Visitor Management and Suprastructure and Amenities. Four motivational factors were identified namely Experience and Relaxation, Lifestyle, All-Inclusive Destination and Value. The identified factors were further used in an ANOVA analysis and the results showed that socio-demographic characteristics such as home language, province of residence, level of education and marital status have all significant differences based on the five competitive advantage factors as well as the four motivational factors The t-test analysis presented a few statistical significant differences between the independent variables or group of individuals. These differences were based on the respondents’ demographic and behaviour characteristics with regards to the competitive advantage and motivational factors. However, the strongest statistically significant differences were based on the behavioural characteristics of tourists travelling with children to the Park, Wild card holders, tourist reading magazines, previous visits to the Park and differences between tourists making use of chalets and camping facilities. A Structural Equation Model was applied to confirm the results that were obtained from the analyses. The SEM indicated that tourists’ motivations have a significant influence on the factors that tourists identified as competitive advantage factors for the Kruger National Park. This research made three distinct new contributions. Firstly, competitive advantage factors were specifically identified for ecotourism based destinations such as national parks from a demand side. Also, the tourists motivation for travelling proved to hugely influence these competitive advantage factors. Secondly, a competitiveness model was developed specifically for national parks within South Africa. The proposed model could assist national parks across South Africa to obtain a competitive advantage among its competitors based on park specific factors. Lastly, the concept of competitiveness has not yet been applied within the ecotourism and nature-based tourism destinations context. This study described the concept of competitiveness with the focus on national parks as ecotourism destinations and the aspects that need to be taken into consideration when analysing the concept in such a context. / PhD (Tourism Management), North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2015

The study is a retrospective and summarized the related subjected and jounals of corelations.The accumulated materials and subjects let us understanding the present trend of the bussiness,the strategy,tendency and point of profit that attracts.This study also let us have a view of how International Bussiness Machine(IBM) becomes a leading star in the field of electronic technology bussiness.This study including the analysis of organizatin,porduct,diferent of market,the strategy of market,the service and inventive value.In essentials,the 5 points of successful elements is(1)the high value of bussiness culture,(2)attrative salary and benefits,(3)efficient leadership,(4)invention,(5)decrease the fixed consumtions and costs.The author also want to present the difference between the past and present change in this area of competitions and maturation of the markets.Either the red ocean strategy of market percentage increase or the mainly inventive leading of blue ocean strategy,the leading man should have a view of complete understanding of the changing markets and opportunity at the changing moments.We all know even excellent company will lose to 2nd on time by other competitor.Ultimately,the one who invented the strategy of blue ocean that make up a strong profitable revenue is in commonplace that need our further study.The author of this article want to make dicussions on the competitive invention and new strategy that make the electronic technology a pace ahead the others and make it the out-standing business of the others.

This research had the objective to analyze the performance in Resources, Market and Financial explaining the competitive advantage of companies according to the Resource Advantage Theory, of Textile companies sector listed at BM&FBovespa. It analyzed 21 companies in the textile sector divided into four segments. For measuring performance have been adopted the Multiple Criteria Decision Making based on ideal scenarios, TOPSIS and VIKOR. It was analyzed the performances based on four indicators for resources, three for market and four for the financial dimension. The results point to the non-verification of RA Theory in textile companies, considering what it recommends that a business advantage in resources and market tends to be higher in the financial dimension. In this way, the only company that observed this factor was the Arezzo. Likewise for verification of such a theory would be consistent that there was correlation between the rankings of different dimensions, which was not the case. It was concluded that competitive advantage in resources and in market of companies, Brazil’s textile sector does not contribute to high performance in financial dimension. / Esta investigación tuvo como objetivo analizar los recursos de rendimiento, de mercado y financiera explicar la ventaja competitiva del negocio de acuerdo con la teoría de las ventajas de recursos (RA Teoría) de las empresas textiles enumerados en la BM&FBovespa. Ellos analizaron un total de 21 empresas del sector textil se divide en cuatro segmentos. Para la medición de los métodos de rendimiento fueron adoptadas para apoyar la toma multicriterio basado en ideal yescenarios, Topsis y Vikor. Se analizaron las actuaciones sobre la base de cuatro indicadores de recursos, tres para el mercado y cuatro para la dimensión financiera. Los resultados de la encuesta apuntan a la no verificación de la RA Teoría en las empresas textiles, teniendo en cuenta lo que se recomienda que una ventaja de negocio en recursos y el mercado tiende a ser mayor en la dimensión financiera. Por lo tanto la única compañía encontró que este factor fue el Arezzo. Del mismo modo para la verificación de tal teoría sería coherente que no había correlación entre la clasificación de diferentes dimensiones, que no era el caso. Por lo tanto, se concluye que la ventaja competitiva de los recursos y de Brasil, las empresas del sector textil de mercado no contribuye al desempeño financiero superior de las empresas. / Esta pesquisa teve por objetivo analisar o desempenho em recursos, mercado e financeiro que explicam a vantagem competitiva empresarial de acordo com a Resource Advantage Theory (RA Theory), de empresas do setor têxtil listadas na BM&FBovespa. Foram analisadas um total de 21 empresas do setor têxtil divididas em quatro segmentos. Para a mensuração do desempenho foram adotados os métodos de apoio a decisão multicritério baseados em cenários ideais TOPSIS e VIKOR. Foram analisados os desempenhos com base em quatro indicadores para recursos, três para mercado e quatro para a dimensão financeira. Os resultados da pesquisa apontam para a não verificação da RA Theory em empresas têxteis, considerando o que se preconiza de que uma empresa em vantagem em recursos e mercado tende a ser superior na dimensão financeira. Desta forma a única empresa que verificou este fator foi a Arezzo. De mesmo modo para verificação da referida teoria seria coerente que existisse correlação entre os rankings das diferentes dimensões, o que não se verificou. Assim conclui-se que a vantagem competitiva em recursos e em mercado de empresas do setor têxtil do Brasil não contribui para superioridade no desempenho financeiro das empresas.

Att vara lönsam är en förutsättning för företags långsiktiga överlevnad. Samtidigt blir det generellt sett allt hårdare konkurrens och antalet konkurrenter ökar ständigt. Företag behöver således hitta sätt för att kunna fortsätta vara konkurrenskraftiga på marknaden. Enligt resursbaserad teori kan företag inneha eller skapa resurser inom sin verksamhet som kan leda till varaktiga konkurrensfördelar, och som följaktligen är viktiga att identifiera och utnyttja på bästa sätt. En tillfällig konkurrensfördel anses vara värdefull, ovanlig samt icke utbytbar. För att resursen ska kunna anses vara varaktig ska den inte heller gå att imitera av konkurrenter. I denna rapport ligger fokus på hur företag inom dagligvaruhandeln försöker skapa varaktiga konkurrensfördelar genom arbetet med miljövänliga förpackningar. Miljövänliga förpackningar utgör en betydande del av branschens miljöpåverkan då dessa kännetecknas av hög omsättning och snabb förbrukning. Idag utgör egna varumärken allt större del av omsättningen bland företagen. Dessa varumärken har företagen självklart en betydande möjlighet att påverka, bland annat produktens egenskaper och inte minst dess förpackning. Denna studie bygger på intervjuer med respondenter från tre företag inom dagligvaruhandeln med varierande marknadsandelar. Studien visar att företagen arbetar med miljövänlig förpackningsutveckling på många sätt. Rapporten redogör för hur företagen arbetar för att effektivisera förpackningskedjan, utveckla förpackningar som minskar matsvinn samt hur samarbeten mellan förpackningskedjans användare ser ut och dess betydelse. Det diskuteras även huruvida åtgärderna syftar till att utveckla varaktiga konkurrensfördelar eller ej. Det beskrivs även hur företagen kommunicerar sitt arbete med miljövänliga förpackningar samt hur de strävar efter att utveckla förpackningsinnovationer.

This thesis is situated in the academic sphere of human geography. The overall aim is to identify the current challenges and possibilities Icelandic farmers face in terms of changes in importation laws. This research is exemplary in its field as it uses the narratives of the stakeholders, farmers in this case, as the main data source. The research questions were as following: Is there an agricultural cluster in the region and if so, how does it work; what challenges and possibilities do farmers in the municipality of Hrunamannahreppur face in terms of the recent import law and lastly; according to the farmers, how do policies and laws in Icelandic agriculture ensure long-term farming practices in Iceland. The thesis uses theories of agricultural localization theory, cluster theory and the concepts of competitive and comparative advantages along with the concept of food self-sufficiency. The methods used are semi-structured qualitative interviews during a field study in southern Iceland. Data sources include seven qualitative interviews with farmers in the selected area, a review of agricultural policies and frameworks, and other sources such as articles and media. The main findings are that there is an unexplained disconnect within agriculture and its actors, indicating that policies give preferentiality to economic gain rather than preserving long-term farming in Iceland.

Background: Provide insights on the potential drivers of service loyalty in access-based services, especially when the consumers have the option to switch between owning a product or accessing a product through a service. By examining service loyalty in access-based services in the context of e-scooter sharing services, the researchers contribute to the service research field. Aim: Conceptualize service loyalty by considering the ownership dilemma in access-based services in micromobility. More specifically, the study aims to find what are potential drivers of service loyalty, what effects does ownership advantage have on service loyalty and what variables mediate the customer satisfaction – service loyalty relationship in said services. Methodology: A quantitative study, in which a survey method is chosen to gather empirical data. The survey was distributed as an online questionnaire via online platforms. In addition, an e-scooter sharing service company, Helbiz, shared the survey on their official Twitter and Facebook handles. A total of 249 responses was received. Findings: PLS-SEM was used as a statistical analysis tool to analyse the gathered data. Data suggests that customer satisfaction, service image, affective commitment and relative advantage are drivers of service loyalty in access-based services in micromobility. Furthermore, the effect of ownership advantage on service loyalty proved to be inconclusive as the result was not statistically significant. Finally, data indicates that service image, affective commitment and relative advantage mediate the customer satisfaction – service loyalty relationship.