This research focuses on understanding the defense industry of Sweden and the Republic of Korea (ROK), two middle powers renowned for advanced technology and weapon self-sufficiency. Previous studies have not explained why Sweden and Korea are competitive in the defense industry. This research aims to answer the question: What determinant factors have made ROK and Sweden to develop competitive defense industries on their own with sophisticated technology? The study seeks to enrich our understanding of the defense industry in Sweden and the ROK. Utilizing a case study approach, this research closely examines the specific contexts influencing the defense industries of these countries. The key findings are that Sweden needs to strike a balance by expanding government-led arms production facilities. In contrast, ROK needs to cooperate more actively with its allies, including the U.S. This thesis contributes by presenting future development directions based on the results.

The purpose of this degree project was to find and investigate how global cooperation works in the construction industry. The goal of this work is to evaluate whether this type of solution remains profitable in the future and includes four perspectives consisting of communication, resource seeking, costs and quality. A final goal of this degree project was to present concrete conclusions that make it easier for companies which are interested in initiating a collaboration with a foreign company. The work is based on a literature study that describes previous research in the field as well as a case study that includes document analysis and interviews. The document analysis was carried out at the client to contribute knowledge about how a quality system is structured. Interviews have been conducted with four companies who are active in the design industry to obtain responses related to communication, quality, costs and resources. The interviews have been conducted with Skype and with one of the companies the interview was held on-site. All interviews have been recorded to reproduce the correct results. The result of this work shows the importance of a long-term relationship between the Swedish and the foreign company to make the collaboration successful. Before the cooperation starts it is important to keep in mind the differences in cultures, find people with required educational background and to search for a company that understands what is requested. If the collaboration intends to make a profit, the total cost of the project needs to be minded and not just the lower engineering costs. The results of this work also show that to find the required competence in Swedish projects, it can be successful to find that competence in a foreign country. The right quality is achieved by the foreign engineers based on the Swedish standards due to clear guidelines and system for overlooking. The technical quality has not been affected by language and communication difficulties, this because of well-structured communication methods including video meetings and patience to understand each other. Cooperation with foreign companies can be successful, the Swedish company must however be prepared for the consequences that may occur and understand that it can require more planning than initially was predicted. If the co-operation is planned in a long-term perspective and exchange of knowledge takes place on an ongoing basis, the cooperation will hopefully be efficient and successful over time.

El presente trabajo manifiesta la situación actual de la economía peruana y cómo ha sido su evolución durante la última década. Asimismo, se detalla que las MYPES representan un gran porcentaje de empresas en el Perú, lo cual tiene impacto en el crecimiento económico, puesto que contribuyen con la generación de empleos, incremento de exportaciones, crecimiento de inversiones; por ende se obtiene un producto bruto interno más alto y un menor índice de pobreza. Sin embargo, gran porcentaje de las micro y pequeñas empresas no cuentan con las condiciones necesarias para su desarrollo empresarial, impidiendo que se mantengan de forma competitiva en el mercado a largo plazo. Del mismo modo, la actividad económica que presenta el mayor índice de pobreza es la agricultura, así como también representan un gran número de MYPES en este sector, siendo el café el producto tradicional con mayor índice de exportación Por esta razón, se propone un proceso de Planeamiento y Control de la Producción enfocado en el sector cafetalero de la provincia de Chanchamayo, con el objetivo de mejorar su competitividad y sostenibilidad en el tiempo. Mediante la aplicación del proceso se desarrollará la caracterización de cada subproceso por medios herramientas básicas de gestión: diagramas de flujos, diagramas de SIPOC, indicadores, procedimientos y formatos, los cuales ayudarán a tener un mayor control y programación de sus insumos, materiales, mano de obra, entre otros. / In the present investigation work, we explain the current situation of the Peruvian economy and how its evolution has been during the last decade. Likewise, it is detailed that the MYPES represent a large percentage of companies in Peru, which has an impact on economic growth, since they contribute to the generation of jobs, increased exports, growth of investments; therefore, we have a higher PIB and a lower poverty rate. However, a large percentage of micro and small companies do not have the necessary conditions for their business development, so they aren’t able to stay in the market for a long term. Similarly, the economic activity that has the highest poverty rate and a great number of micro and small companies is agriculture, where coffee is the traditional product with the highest export rate For this reason, is propose a Production Planning and Control process focused on the coffee sector in the province of Chanchamayo, with the aim of improving its competitiveness and sustainability over time. Through the application of the process, the characterization of each sub-process will be developed by means of basic management tools: flow diagrams, SIPOC diagrams, indicators, procedures and formats, which will help to have greater control and programming of its inputs, materials, hand of work, among others. / Tesis

No description available.

This study aims to identify and examine the key success factors for companies in the financial sector that seek to use artificial intelligence (AI) to enhance their operations. Through a quantitative survey conducted among companies already utilizing or planning to use AI technology, the study seeks to gain a deeper understanding of the challenges and requirements that companies face in effectively implementing and harnessing AI.    The findings from the study will be utilized to develop advice and recommendations that can support companies in their endeavors to leverage AI technology. By providing insights and strategic guidance, the study can assist companies in planning and executing their own AI initiatives more successfully within the financial sector.    A central research question addressed by the study is: What are the key success factors for companies seeking to use AI to enhance their operations in financial services? Through analyzing the survey responses, the study will contribute to the knowledge of how companies in the financial sector can benefit from AI and overcome potential obstacles. The overarching goal is to promote more efficient utilization of AI technology within financial services while ensuring companies' success and competitiveness in today's fast-paced and technology-driven business environment.    The results indicate that companies in the financial sector recognize the significance of data accessibility and quality as critical success factors, according to the respondents. Furthermore, the findings reveal that ethical, social, and political considerations related to AI are of importance, but there exists a degree of disagreement among respondents regarding the importance of these issues. These conclusions, together with prior research in the field, can inform the development of strategies and actions that foster responsible and successful use of AI in financial services.

M. Tech. (Department of Logistics, Faculty of Management Sciences), Vaal University of Technology. / This study examines the influence of lean supply chain management (LSCM) on supply chain competitiveness in the steel industry in Gauteng, South Africa. The industry suffered a huge blow when imported steel took over the market and collapsed big players within the industry in South Africa.A range of problems hit the market hard, leaving companies applying for section 189 of the labour law to reduce overheads and restructure their organisations. It is evident that organisations need to change their way of thinking,heighten their supply chain strategies and adopt international standards like lean supply chain management practices to become competitive in a broader spectrum. Using a data set of 265 supply chain professionals drawn from the steel manufacturing industry in Gauteng, results showed the importance of proper implementation of LSCM woulddirectly influence SCC, leading to improved organisational performance. The collected quantitative data were analysed using the Statistical Packages for Social Sciences (SPSS version 27.0) statistical software.Techniques such as correlations and regressions were used to test the hypotheses.The results of the study showed that four lean practices, namely Just in Time, Total Quality Management, Strategic Partnership and Waste Elimination all predictthe establishment of a lean culture. However, Human Resource Management was statistically insignificant. The results further showed that Lean culture predicts the competitiveness of the steel supply chain. Thererefore, an emphasis on lean supply chain management in the steel industry is anessential contributor to its success.

PhD. (Department of Business Administration, Faculty of Management Sciences), Vaal University of Technology. / State owned enterprises (SOEs) form one of the largest sectors within the economy in many countries and are important contributors to national development. They globally make up a greater part of the national gross domestic product (GDP). However, the performance of most SOEs in developing countries, such as South Africa, is substandard, prompting practitioners and researchers to continue searching for lasting solutions. The aim of this study was to investigate the contribution of innovation capabilities to market and business performance in SOEs in South Africa. The study followed a quantitative survey research method. A self-completion questionnaire was distributed to a purposive sample of 278 professional employees and managers in a selected South African SOE who were based in three provinces, namely, Gauteng, North-West and the Free State provinces. The collected data were analysed using the Statistical Packages for the Social Sciences (SPSS version 25.0) and Analysis of Moment Structures (AMOS version 25.0). The techniques used to analyse the data include descriptive statistics, exploratory factor analysis, and structural equation modelling to test the hypotheses. Out of the seven hypotheses tested in this study, six were accepted. Innovative strategy, market innovation and technological innovation all significantly predicted market competitiveness. Market competitiveness significantly predicted three business performance dimensions, namely, environmental, financial, and operational. The study proposes a unique model for managing the contribution of innovation capabilities to business performance in SOEs in South Africa. Theoretically, the study contributes to the existing body of knowledge since it is an addition to the available literature on innovation capabilities and performance of SOEs. Practically, in the study for the optimisation of market competitiveness and business performance, in SOEs, emphasis should be placed on understanding and considering the appropriate innovation capabilities as input factors.

Medical tourism is a relatively recent global economic and political phenomenon which has assumed increasing importance for developing countries, particularly in Asia. It has been slower to develop within the context of the tourism industry in English-speaking Caribbean countries but there is evidence that the tourism policy makers in the region perceive medical tourism as a potentially lucrative niche market. However, while the potential of medical tourism has seemingly been embraced by the region's political directorate, there has been limited discussion of the extent to which this market niche can realistically provide competitive advantage for the region. The argument of this conceptual paper is that the English-speaking Caribbean cannot hope to compete successfully in the global medical tourism market with many developing world destinations in Asia, or even with other Caribbean countries such as Cuba, on factors such as low cost, staff expertise, medical technological capability, investment in healthcare facilities or even in terms of the natural resources of sun, sea and sand. Rather, in order to achieve competitive advantage the countries of the region should, on the one hand, identify and develop their unique resources and competences as they relate to medical tourism, while, on the other hand, they should exploit the demand of the postmodern tourist for authentic experiences. Both these supply and demand side issues, it is argued, can be addressed through the development of a medical tourism product that utilises the region's indigenous herbal remedies. [PUBLICATION ABSTRACT]; Medical tourism is a relatively recent global economic and political phenomenon which has assumed increasing importance for developing countries, particularly in Asia. It has been slower to develop within the context of the tourism industry in English-speaking Caribbean countries but there is evidence that the tourism policy makers in the region perceive medical tourism as a potentially lucrative niche market. However, while the potential of medical tourism has seemingly been embraced by the region's political directorate, there has been limited discussion of the extent to which this market niche can realistically provide competitive advantage for the region. The argument of this conceptual paper is that the English-speaking Caribbean cannot hope to compete successfully in the global medical tourism market with many developing world destinations in Asia, or even with other Caribbean countries such as Cuba, on factors such as low cost, staff expertise, medical technological capability, investment in healthcare facilities or even in terms of the natural resources of sun, sea and sand. Rather, in order to achieve competitive advantage the countries of the region should, on the one hand, identify and develop their unique resources and competences as they relate to medical tourism, while, on the other hand, they should exploit the demand of the postmodern tourist for authentic experiences. Both these supply and demand side issues, it is argued, can be addressed through the development of a medical tourism product that utilises the region's indigenous herbal remedies. Reprinted by permission of Carfax Publishing, Taylor & Francis Ltd.

Диссертация посвящена проблеме повышения конкурентоспособности компании путем использования новых управленческих технологий. Речь идет, в первую очередь, о внедрении в деятельность предприятия, работающего в сфере услуг, концепции бережливого производства. Данная концепция представляет собой набор конкретных методов и технологий, направленных на повышение конкурентоспособности предприятия за счет сокращения различного рода потерь как в системе производства, так и в системе потребления. Для повышения конкурентоспособности предлагается использовать неценовые методы конкуренции, а именно: повышение потребительской ценности в процессе обслуживания клиентов. Таким образом, завоевание конкурентного преимущества будет достигаться путем сервисной дифференциации. Для оптимизации деятельности предприятия были определены основные процессы, происходящие при обслуживании, и выбраны наиболее значимые с точки зрения конкурентных позиций, которые необходимо оптимизировать в первую очередь. Для каждого процесса был сформирован поток создания ценности, определены потери и их виды, а также разработаны мероприятия по снижению или исключению этих потерь. / The thesis is devoted to the problem of increasing the competitiveness of the company by using new management technologies. It is, first of all, the introduction of the concept of lean production in the activities of the enterprise operating in the service sector. This concept is a set of specific methods and technologies aimed at increasing the competitiveness of an enterprise by reducing various kinds of losses, both in the production system and in the consumption system. To increase competitiveness, it is proposed to use non-price methods of competition, namely, increase of consumer value in the process of customer service. Thus, the achievement of a competitive advantage will be achieved through service differentiation. To optimize the activities of the company, the main processes that took place during maintenance were identified, and the most significant ones were selected from the point of view of competitive positions, which should be optimized in the first place. For each process, a value stream was generated, losses and their types were identified, and measures were developed to reduce or eliminate these losses.

В диссертации анализируются проблемы формирования репутации как фактора повышения конкурентоспособности дошкольного образовательного учреждения в современных условиях. Раскрываются этапы процесса формирования репутации дошкольной образовательной организации. Разработан проект и практические рекомендации по управлению репутацией дошкольного учреждения для повышения его конкурентоспособности. / The dissertation analyzes the problems of forming a reputation as a factor in increasing the competitiveness of a preschool educational institution in modern conditions. The stages of the process of forming the reputation of a preschool educational organization are revealed. A project and practical recommendations have been developed for managing the reputation of a preschool institution to increase its competitiveness.