Made available in DSpace on 2016-03-15T19:26:51Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Jony Lan.pdf: 515179 bytes, checksum: 9d1259905152a232aef78e9b64e49266 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2010-02-11 / Fundo Mackenzie de Pesquisa / This dissertation aims at understanding trade channel diversification as a possible source of competitive advantage for supermarket chains. Little research in the literature has been addressed for this theme in a specific sector, the supermarket chains. The main objective was to identify the driving forces in trade channel diversification of supermarket chains in Brazil, which can generate a source of competitive advantage, according to executives' perspective. The theoretical references approaches business strategy, strategic resources and competitive advantage of diversification of trade channels perspective. An exploratory and descriptive field research was conducted by using in-depth interviews with executives at two major supermarket chains which lead the ranking of sales in Brazilian Association of Supermarkets (ABRAS). Interviews were analyzed by observing the qualitative research with content analysis technique applied to interviewers' verbatim transcripts. Analysis was complemented by a secondary data based on the performance reports of both supermarket chains. Results demonstrated an alignment in the growth strategies of supermarket chains in relation to trade channel diversification. They aim the growth through organic expansion and acquisitions. The most characteristic elements mentioned by respondents about channel diversification inside business strategies of companies were: business diversification, trade operations in multi-channel and customer adequacy. Trade channel diversificaton can also constitute a strategic resource in which location, financial resources and trademark figure as the most stressed tangible and intangible assets. It was noticed that the search for a higher performance on the market, cost and price managing were the driving forces for commercial channel diversification. The most highlighted competitive advantages, resulting from trade channel diversification were the service to new and different customers and the trademark strengthening. As a conclusion, trade channel diversification can conceive a source of competitive advantage for supermarket chains. / Com esta dissertação, visa-se entender a diversificação de canais comerciais como uma fonte de vantagem competitiva para as redes de supermercados. Tema ainda pouco tratado na literatura dentro de um setor específico, o de redes de supermercados. O objetivo principal foi o de identificar os elementos mais determinantes na diversificação de canais comerciais das redes de supermercados no Brasil que podem gerar uma fonte de vantagem competitiva, segundo o ponto de vista dos executivos. Para isso o referencial teórico aborda as estratégias de negócios, os recursos estratégicos e a vantagem competitiva na perspectiva da diversificação de canais comerciais. Foi realizada uma pesquisa de campo exploratória e descritiva, utilizando entrevistas em profundidades com os executivos de duas das principais redes de supermercados que lideram o ranking em faturamento da Associação Brasileira de Supermercados. As entrevistas foram analisadas respeitando-se a natureza qualitativa da pesquisa com a técnica de análise de conteúdo aplicadas nas transcrições ipsis literis dos entrevistados. Complementou-se a análise com dados secundários baseados nos relatórios de desempenho das duas redes de supermercados. Os resultados demonstraram um alinhamento nas estratégias de crescimento das redes de supermercados em relação à diversificação de canais comerciais. Elas buscam o crescimento por meio da expansão orgânica e aquisições. Os elementos mais característicos evidenciados pelos entrevistados sobre a diversificação de canais dentro das estratégias de negócios da empresa foram: diversificação de negócios, atuação em multicanais e a adequação ao cliente. A diversificação de canais comerciais também pode-se constituir em recurso estratégico, no qual a localização, os recursos também pode-se constituir em recurso estartégico, no qual a localização, os recursos financeiros e a marca formam os ativos tangíveis e intangíveis mais ressaltados. Constatou-se que a busca por um desempenho superior no mercado, e a gestão de custo e preço foram os elementos mais determinantes para a diversificação de canais comerciais. Os tipos de vantagens competitivas mais evidenciadas resultantes da diversificação de canais comerciais foram o atendimento a novos e diferentes clientes, bem como o reforço da marca. Conclui-se que a diversificação de canais comerciais pode gerar fonte de vantagem competitiva para as redes de supermercados consideradas na pesquisa.

In relation to the development of IT-products it is very important that the software supplier is aware not only of the target group but also the field of application. Usability should characterize the whole IT-design process as, in relation to this context, design includes more than merely those aspects which are visible to and thus can be interpreted by the naked eye. The study examines the specific qualities and properties that substantiate the usability and the demands that a customer rightfully expects from an IT-product. The user and the customer are highlighted in the same context in order to demonstrate that it is through the customer that an IT-product is defined as being useful. Thus, from this perspective, the user and customer can be considered as being the same person. The empirical survey was based on those factors that were considered to constitute usability and each interview was conducted using these usability factors together with the intended IT-product. The survey has been carried out using analysis models in order to enable the assertions to be both validated and tested and to ensure the appropriateness of the model’s system and also the independence of the method. This qualitative study has been carried out using randomly chosen respondents and IT-products and the perceptions of these respondents in relation to what they felt were the properties that represented a usable IT-product have been noted. The analysis section deals with the usability properties which have been assumed to further substantiate the five usability factors utilized in the survey.  It is apparent from the analysis that is it quite possible to determine a minimum level of what constitutes usability and that this can be applied regardless of what IT-product is being described. The conclusion to be drawn from this is that the opinions and experiences of both user and customer should be considered in order to provide guidance in relation to satisfying the requirements with regards to the design of IT-products.

Purpose – This study aims to explore, and suggest solutions to, the gap between the supply of information from organic meat producers and the demand of information from consumers regarding traceable characteristics (attributes) of meat in a limited geographical area in order to maximize the utilization and value of collected data. Design/methodology/approach – A mixed methods research design is applied to collect both quantitative data from consumers and qualitative data from suppliers to produce empirical results of the supply and demand of information. A theoretical framework of organic food purchase intent is used for the quantitative study as well as the correlation between consumers’ perceived importance of attributes and their willingness-to-pay for meat. The results of the empirical studies are compared to each other in an effort to expose a possible gap using a gap analysis. Findings – Meat is shifting from a price based commodity to a product based on characteristics. This study reveals that there is now a gap between the information made available by organic meat producers and the demand of information from consumers that needs to be recognized in order to maximize the value of collected data. Information regarding environmental impact of raising and transporting the animals is not extensively collected. A substantial amount of data about attributes of perceived importance, such as safety and handling, animal welfare and medication or other treatments is collected but not extensively shared with consumers. Research limitations/implications – The small sample size in a unique area and the scope of the survey data does not provide a result that can be truly generalized. It is therefore suggested that future studies produce results from a larger sample that incorporates the perceived accessibility of important information for consumers. Practical implications – This contributes to the emerging literature of organic food production by comparing both the supply and the demand of information regarding attributes of meat. This information is valuable to organic meat producers and marketers as well as developers of agricultural systems and databases that should shift their focus to consumer oriented traceability systems. Originality/value – This study goes beyond the substantial body of literature regarding attributes of organic food and consumers preferences by comparing these factors to the available supply of information by meat producers and by suggesting solutions to bridge the gap between them. Keywords – Organic meat, Organic agriculture, e-Agriculture, Traceability, Traceability systems, Consumer oriented, Consumer behavior, Willingness-to-pay, Supply and demand, Information gap, Gap analysis, Business development, United States of America, Sense-making theory, Mixed methods Paper type – Research paper, Bachelor’s thesis

The thesis focuses on development strategy in a family business operating in the IT market and analyses both external and internal factors of the monitored company. The development strategy is based on the company current position in the market and on set objectives. The development strategy emphasizes marketing and financial aspects and also treats the time horizon of its implementation.

Issues related to research methodology increasingly occupy a central role in the field of International Positioning Process. It is becoming clear that greater attention to methodological issues is essential for the development of this field into a management discipline. Many efforts have been made to distinguish the disciplines/practices in international business. However, the field is still criticized for lack of theories and absence of paradigm. A recent survey of literature noted that the field has made more progress in finding research questions than in answering them, one of them being Identifying Dimensions for the International Positioning Process (IPP) for defence goods. This is largely because of lack of a theoretical foundation continued to plague international business research. Research in International Business is at critical crossroad today, with increased emphasis on developing theoretical concepts and testing empirical relationships rooted in such concepts. Such a transformation critically depends on conceptualizing and operationalizing the derivative constructs in an international business environment. This is motivated by management’s desire to gain profits and competitive advantage through appropriate market selection, right market entry mode decision and competitive positioning techniques. The combination of these three aspects of international business, leads to the development of the concept, called International positioning process (IPP). While researchers have made significant efforts on new techniques and approaches of international positioning processes, certain important issues remain largely unexplored. First, it is not challenging to find methodologies and approaches for market selection, entry mode choice and global competitive advantage, but in understanding how to blend them together for tailoring IPP. There is a need for developing holistic model for customized IPP that aims on translating positioning process into global competitive advantage. Another observable omission in the past literature is the missing link among three components of positioning process: market selection, entry mode choice and competitive positioning. To address this neglect, the present study attempts to develop a model for global positioning process. Development of a significant bond among three components of global positioning process, not only creates harmony among them, but aims to make IPP more effective. The study aims to develop set of dimensions for the construct, international positioning process (IPP). Specifically the objectives of this study are as under, • To conceptualize a multi- variable construct IPP. • To develop information framework for IPP. • To evaluate/analyze the dimensions developed for IPP, such that they satisfactorily fulfill reliability properties. • To differentiate IPP across industries and develop generic and industry- specific model. • To operationalise the model for defence industry. • To evolve comprehensive set of conclusions for IPP. In an attempt to achieve these objectives, this study attempts to integrate three aspects of international business: market selection, entry mode decision and competitive positioning of goods/services, and evolved the concept of International Positioning Process. The study identifies 91 variables for IPP through exhaustive literature review and develops an information framework that comprises four cardinal dimensions, twelve adjuvant dimensions and 35 decision variables. The information mentioned in the framework, is evaluated using statistical tool package – R, and refined using factor analysis. The primary data was collected using structured questionnaire by eliciting response from 329 International Business Companies (IBCs) which are involved in international business. The data of 329 IBCs explored that all the four cardinal dimensions, mentioned in the framework, are the reliable steps for IPP. The outcome of analysis develops the generic model for IPP that comprises 19 highly influencing decision variables in contrast to 91 variables available in the literature, which are finally summarized into 4 statistically significant steps for effective IPP. To tailor the customised and industry specific model for IPP, it was imperative to study how IPP differs across the industries. The difference in international positioning paradigm across the industries, analysed with multivariate discriminant analysis, one way ANOVA and factor analysis, indicates defence industry as most sensitive for making international business decisions. It evolves that defence industry seeks more safe, focused and efficient international positioning strategy for the international positioning of its products. This study attempts to customize the IPP model for defence goods which has not been addressed in the literature yet. The study explores set of highly influencing decision variables for international positioning of defence products, which are finally summarized into 4 statistically significant steps. The model is operationalised for Defence Research and Development Organization (DRDO) of India. It assesses international marketing capability of DRDO, identifies suitable markets, and makes decision for appropriate market entry modes and competitive positioning of selected defence goods. The study evolved five most suitable international markets for selected DRDO systems. Risk analysis is performed for all the identified markets to evaluate suitability of the market and to decide entry modes. The IPP model for defence industry is successfully implemented in one of the identified markets i.e. Malaysia, for the target DRDO systems. The study evolves that defence organizations attain more effectiveness in international positioning process through holistic mode as compared to extended & traditional modes. However, like any other study this does provide scope for further research and IPP can be a candidate for further extensions and refinements.

The main focus of this diploma thesis is the characteristics of key aspects, which are important when designing, implementing and maintaining web application, whereas these aspects differ according to business model of the web application. The thesis reflects modern trends in the areas of web project management, UX, web design, E-Commerce process management etc. The thesis consists of the introduction, theoretical part, practical part and conclusion. In the introduction I present the reason for picking this topic, the more in-depth targets of the thesis, preconditions, restrictions, in-depth structure, sum-up the expected contribution and present research of the field. The theoretical part consists of the information about online business and introduction of the web applications. Furthermore, the key domains are presented with the new trends in different areas of web applications. In the practical part, at the beginning, there are categories of web applications defined, which are based on different business models introduced earlier. This part is followed by the comprehensive analysis in the field of web E-Commerce applications for each category of the web application, with the output of trends and best practices in the field according to each domain of the web application. It is then followed by the analysis of situation around web applications in general, because here were also some trends and best practice noticed. In conclusion I sum up the acquired results, introduce the contribution of the thesis and think about the situation around the web applications.

This diploma thesis – Development of business activities of company ES. – analyzes current position of the selected company. Furthermore, it explores inside and outside environment that influences business activities. Based on the inside and outside analysis of environment there are formulated Opportunities and Threats as well as Strengths and Weaknesses. As a result, SWOT Analysis is presented. The analysis provides proposals of development of business activities of company.

The thesis is focused on elaborating a business plan of business development. The first part of my thesis includes theoretical knowledge, which I use in next part for analyze the current situation of the company. The main objective of the thesis is developing an investment plan for development of the company.

This thesis deals with business development of company KRÁLOVOPOLSKÁ, a.s. First part of the thesis is focused on theory, basic terms and methods used in business. Based on the theoretical basis, current status of the company and market environment will be analyzed. The major goal of the thesis is a proposal part including recommendations in order to gain new customers, strengthen relationships with the existing ones and maintain the current company’s market position.

The aim of the thesis is to prepare a draft plan for expanding business activities for the company BS vinařské potřeby, s.r.o.. This precedes a part describing theoretical foundations in accordance with the defined problem and a part dealing with the analysis of internal and external environment in which the selected company is located.