För att vara konkurrenskraftig på marknaden behöver företag hitta och använda möjliga resurser för förbättringar. En grund för ett kostnadseffektivt och kundtillgängligt logistiksystem är transporter. Det är viktigt att ha fokus på både interna och externa transporter när processer ska optimeras och via detta erhålla lägre kostnader. Den enskilt största logistikkostnaden i många företag är transportkostnaden.   Studien har utförts på ett företag som är verksamma inom industrin. Fallstudieföretaget har ett fokusområde inom transporter, där syftet är att utveckla verksamheten inom specialtransporter. Denna studie ämnar att studera detta fokusområde. Med att effektivisera specialtransporter menas att öka kundservicen och minska kostnaderna. Specialtransporter innebär mestadels interna transporter, men externa transporter förekommer också. Specialtransporterna utför bland annat transporter av maskiner, maskindelar och kemikalier. Dessa är inte direkt kopplade till produktionen. Idag utförs beställningar av specialtransporter via telefon till ett orderkontor.   Syftet med studien är att identifiera faktorer som har betydelse för att erhålla effektiva specialtransporter. Detta ska ligga till grund för att ge rekommendationer till fallstudieföretaget för fortsatt arbete med effektivisering av specialtransporter. För att besvara syftet har litteraturstudier, observationer, dataanalys, intervjuer och benchmarking genomförts. Via litteraturstudierna har betydande faktorer för att erhålla effektiva specialtransporter identifierats. Utifrån övriga metoder har ett nuläge hos fallstudieföretaget kunnat beskrivas och genom detta har slöserier och förbättringsområden identifierats. Några betydande faktorer för att erhålla effektiva specialtransporter som har uppmärksammats i litteraturen är information, effektiv logistik och standardisering. De identifierade slöserierna hos fallstudieföretaget är bland annat bristande kommunikation, information och utnyttjande av resurser. Dessa identifierade slöserier på fallstudieföretaget överensstämmer väl med de betydande faktorerna som framkom från litteraturen. De betydande faktorerna som presenteras i denna studie kan företag ha i åtanke när de vill erhålla effektiva specialtransporter. / To be competitive in the market, companies need to find and use available resources for improvements. Transport is a source to cost-effective and customer accessible logistics system. Both internal and externals transports are important to focus on when processes are optimized in order to obtain lower costs. The main logistics cost in many companies constitutes of transports.   This case study has been conducted in an industrial company. This study intends to make the transports more effective, through better customer service and reduced costs. The transports that have been studied are not directly linked to the production. When a transport is needed an order is made by telephone.   The purpose of the study is to identify significant factors for effective special transports. The factors form a foundation for recommendations to the case company in the future work to have more effective special transports. To answer the purpose literature studies, observations, data analysis, interviews and benchmarking have been carried out. Some significant factors for effective special transports are information, effective logistics and standardization. Some identified waste in the case company is lack of communication and information and the utilization of resources. The significant factors have a correspondence with the identified waste.

The main objectives of this study are to demonstrate the significance of customer service quality in the banking sector of Cyprus in order to enable managers in banking organisations to identify the determinants of customer perceptions of service quality and ultimately to provide a method to measure the levels of service quality offered. Therefore, the objectives of this thesis are: • To evaluate the SERVQUAL model and assess whether it can be applied in the context of the Cypriot banking industry, and consequently establish a reliable and valid service quality measurement instrument for Cypriot banks, and • To identify the level of service from banks in Cyprus and detect ways to improve the service quality offered. This study evaluates SERVQUAL dimensions, and more specifically the perceptions side of the instrument, and modifies it through an extensive and in-depth analysis of the literature review published on the topic of service quality and through interviews with bank experts and quality specialists so as to assess its applicability to the banking industry in Cyprus. As a result of this analysis, a modified version of the perceptions’ side of SERVQUAL was constructed as a measurement scale of service quality in the banking sector of Cyprus. Data were collected through customer surveys conducted outside bank branches. Subsequently, the collected data were analysed through tools such as factor analysis, multiple regression analysis, and internal consistency measurement. This analysis helped to prove the validity and reliability of the modified instrument used to measure service quality and revealed the dimensional structure of the service quality construct in the Cypriot banking sector. The major findings of this study suggest a four-dimensional construct derived from 23 items in the questionnaire. These dimensions are employee proficiency, convenience, professionalism and assurance. All four factors are positive and significant predictors of service quality. This result is different from the SERVQUAL and the SERVPERF models as both indicate five dimensions composed of 22 items. The reliability and validity of the scale(s) in this study were fully supported. These results lead to several implications for both researchers and practitioners. For theorists, the results of this study can be used as foundations for further studies, for questionnaire scale development, to further support the use of a single scale and to raise the issue of the non-existence of the ‘tangibles’ dimension, which is not fully discussed in the literature and should be tested in future studies as well. For managers and practitioners this study offers much support for the importance of employees and for a continuous investment in service quality programmes. It also suggests incorporating service quality measurement into branch performance measurement. Finally, the results obtained in this study pose significant challenges to managers and support the idea that practitioners should have a comprehensive view of service quality in banking organizations to accurately measure customer perceptions of service quality.

Defining and measuring the quality of customer service has been a major challenge for business-to-business marketers. This research addresses the question whether an established instrument for consumer markets (SERVQUAL) can be used for understanding the role of customer service in the European nylon intermediates industry. To accomplish this objective, an in-depth literature review is accomplished followed by several expert panels adopting the instrument slightly. Based on a survey sample of 110 industry members collected with the 'drop and collect technique' the appropriateness of the tool to verify the anticipated structure is examined using reliability tests as well as exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis. The findings suggest that even though various criteria for reliability and validity are met, the five-dimensional structure of the instrument cannot be recovered. The research questions the usefulness of the instrument for the European nylon intermediates industry despite it being originally anticipated to be applicable. However, the research emphasises that the instrument is a useful indicator for understanding the role of customer service based on individual items rather than on the instrument's dimensionality. It is demonstrated how the implementation in the nylon intermediates industry enables an organization to develop a greater awareness of customer service quality and how an enterprise gains an initial instrument to comprehend and improve this element of the offering. The thesis concludes by linking the results of the research with the discussion on service-dominant logic.

The high-tech industry is an extremely fast-paced and highly competitive one with constant changes and with companies entering and exiting the playing field in a matter of months. Within this ruthless environment Dell Inc. emerged as a singular player in January 1984 and rose to be the world’s largest personal computer maker in just seventeen years in 2001. One has to ask what made Dell so special and how did Michael Dell make his fortune from his dormitory room at the University of Texas at Austin. Furthermore, what explains Dell’s decline from its number one position in the world in 2001 to barely number three now as it stands behind Acer and clearly behind the current industry leader Hewlett-Packard? This paper is an attempt to take the reader through the history of the rise and fall of Dell. More importantly, it seeks to identify the weaknesses as well as strengths, and advantages as well disadvantages of the business model of this company. Finally, the paper will outline the necessary steps that Dell must take to reclaim the crown of the largest and most successful computer manufacturer in the world. / text

In a fast moving environment and in a globalized market, companies are searching efficient distribution methods that enable broad product assortment, lower level of inventories, shorter customer order fulfilment, lower transportation costs in order to achieve a more efficient procurement process and a improved customer service. This paper will focus on a new solution in supply chain design to solve these trade-offs between management cost cutting and higher customer level within markets characterized by an increasing globalisation. Merge in transit (MIT) distribution method allows companies to reduce inventory and transportation costs while guaranteeing a high customer perceived service level. It is a new technique in which goods shipped from several supply locations are consolidated into one final customer delivery. The company needs to coordinate shipments so that they arrive simultaneously and goods can be bundled and shipped immediately to the final customer for arrival on due date. Economical benefits and drawbacks will be investigated from a supply chain prospective.

Problema: Kiekvienas klientas nori gauti kokybiškas ir nepriekaištingas paslaugas, svarbu klientui kaip yra pateikiama paslauga, ir ar ji atitinka jų lūkesčius. Norint patenkinti klientų lūkesčius, visų pirma, svarbu juos tinkamai aptarnauti, išsiaiškinti jų poreikius. Tačiau ne visada klientas lieka patenkintas suteiktu aptarnavimu. Kokios yra klientų aptarnavimo kokybės tobulinimo galimybės, kad atitiktų klientų lūkesčius? Darbo tikslas – nustatyti klientų aptarnavimo kokybės tobulinimo galimybes Kauno miesto kelionių agentūrose. Darbo objektas – klientų aptarnavimo kokybės tobulinimo galimybės Kauno miesto kelionių agentūrose. Darbo uždaviniai: 1. Pateikti kokybės sampratos esmę; 2. Išskirti paslaugų kokybės vertinimo parametrus bei metodus ir įvertinti jų privalumus bei trūkumus; 3. Nustatyti klientų pagrindines aptarnavimo klaidas bei jų tobulinimo galimybes turizmo srityje; 4. Sukurti klientų aptarnavimo kokybės tobulinimo galimybių vertinimo modelį; 5. Pagal sukurtą modelį įvertinti klientų aptarnavimo kokybę Kauno miesto kelionių agentūrose bei jų tobulinimo galimybes. Magistro darbe siekiama apibendrinti klientų aptarnavimo kokybę bei jos tobulinimo galimybes Kauno miesto kelionių agentūrose. Išanalizavus kliento aptarnavimo kokybės įvertinimo metodikos mokslinius sprendimus, atliktas klientų aptarnavimo kokybės tobulinimo galimybių tyrimas Kauno miesto kelionių agentūrose. Remiantis įvairių užsienio autorių išanalizuota literatūra galima daryti išvadą, kad... [toliau žr. visą tekstą] / The problem: Every client wants to get high quality and impeccable service, it is important to the customer as the service is provided, and whether it meets their expectations. To meet customers' expectations, in particular, it is important to properly handle them, ascertain their needs. However, it is not always the customer remains satisfied with obtaining a service. So the need to seek answers to the question: what is the customer service quality improvement opportunities? Research aim - to improve the quality of customer service capabilities in Kaunas travel agencies. Research object - customer service quality improvement opportunities in Kaunas travel agencies. Research tasks: 1. The quality of the concept of the essence; 2. To distinguish the quality of service parameters and the assessment methods and assess their strengths and weaknesses; 3. Identify the key customer service mistakes and improvement opportunities in the tourism field; 4. Create customer service quality improvement opportunities for the assessment model; 5. In the developed model to assess the quality of customer service in Kaunas travel agencies and their development potential. Master's work aims to summarize the theory of customer service quality and its development opportunities in Kaunas travel agencies. The analysis of the customer service quality evaluation methodology of scientific decisions, made in customer service quality improvement opportunities for study in Kaunas travel agencies... [to full text]

Darbo tema UAB „Tiketa“ projektų vadovų klientų aptarnavimo proceso tobulinimas Darbo tikslas Įvertinti ir išanalizuoti bei pateikti rekomendacijas projektų vadovų klientų aptarnavimo proceso tobulinimui; Darbo uždaviniai • Nustatyti esamą projektų vadovų klientų aptarnavimo procesų grandinę bei įvertinti jos tobulintinas vietas; • Empiriškai įvertinti klientų aptarnavimo procesų neatitikimo priežastis bei problemos dydį; • Pasiūlyti veiksmus (rekomendacijas) aptarnavimo proceso tobulinimui; Tyrimo metodai • Giluminis interviu; • Stebėjimas; • Dokumentų analizė. Darbo rezultatai Darbo metu problemoms eliminuoti buvo pasiūlyta eilė vadybinių sprendimų, padėsiančių: 1.) Padidinti projektų vadovų naudingumą; 2.) Sumažinti klientų skundų skaičių; 3.) Sutrumpinti klientų aptarnavimo procesą; 4.) Palengvinti dokumentacijos pildymą; 5.) Išlaikyti ar padidinti klientų skaičių. / Work title Processes development of the project managers’ work with customers in JSC Tiketa. Work goal Measure, analyze and give recommendations for the project managers’ work with customers’ development; Work tasks • Identify process chain of the project managers and evaluate possible ways to develop it; • Empirically measure the reasons of inappropriate processes of project managers’ work with customers’ and size of the problem; • Give recommendations for the process development of the customer service. Methods of analysis • Depth interview; • Observation; • Documents analysis. Work outcomes There were recommended some actions to eliminate the problems, which would help to: 1.) Productivity increase of the project managers; 2.) Number decrease of the customer complaints; 3.) Shorten the process of the customer service; 4.) Simplify documentation filling. 5.) Save or increase number of the customers.

Magistro darbo tikslas - išanalizuoti klientų aptarnavimo kokybę viešajame sektoriuje remiantis „Sodros“ Tauragės skyriaus atveju. Darbe analizuojami klientų aptarnavimo kokybę įtakojantys veiksniai: klientų aptarnavimo kokybę gerinantys metodai ir priemonės, efektyvumo kriterijai, paslaugų teikimo ypatumai. Tyrimui atlikti pasirinkta klientų anketinių duomenų bei darbuotojų interviu analizė. Gauti duomenys parodė, kad „Sodros“ Tauragės skyriaus klientai aptarnaujami kokybiškai, o įstaigos darbuotojai vertinami kaip kvalifikuoti bei savo darbą išmanantys specialistai. Nustatyti pagrindiniai veiksniai įtakojantys klientų aptarnavimo kokybę: informatyvumas, konfidencialumas, aptarnavimo greitis bei kultūra. Patvirtinta darbe iškelta hipotezė, kad „Sodros„ klientų aptarnavimo standartai padeda užtikrinti klientų aptarnavimo kokybę. / The aim of the master thesis is to analyze the quality of customer service in National social insurance Taurage‘s department. The paper analyzes the customer service quality influencing factors for improving the quality of customer service techniques and tools, performance criteria, service providing features. The research was based on customer’s questionnaire data and staff interview analysis. The data of analysis showed that the National social insurance Taurage‘s department’s customers have a good quality service and the office staff are recognized as a qualified and knowledgeable specialists. The main factors influencing the quality of customer service are informative, confidentiality, service speed and culture. The hypothesis that National social insurance’s customer service standards help to ensure quality customer service was confirmed.

"Ginger Rogers did everything Fred Astaire did - only going backwards" Citatet används i flera litteraturer om returlogistik, detta för att ge uttryck åt den anspråkslösa betydelse returlogistik haft inom logistikvärlden, men som idag fått allt större betydelse. Uttrycket grundar sig i det rykte Fred Astaire hade, världens främste dansare. Vad som ofta kom i skymundan var prestationen från hans danspartner Ginger Rogers, trots att hon gjorde samma rörelser, fast baklänges och i högklackat. Det är enkelt, det är snabbt och du behöver inte trängas, fördelarna med e-handel är för konsumenten många, men hur påverkar denna utveckling företagen som bedriver butikerna? Handel av modevaror på internet har de senaste åren ökat markant, men det finns en problematik i att bedöma en produkt utifrån en bild, vilket är en bidragande faktor till att returer ökat avsevärt. Det finns många aktörer på marknaden och deras produktutbud är dessutom förhållandevis lika. Kunden kan därmed enkelt navigera mellan de olika e-handelsbutikerna, allt för att optimera sitt köp och göra en affär där det bästa erbjudandet erhålls. Frågan e-handelsbutikerna bör ställa sig är hur de kan differentiera sig på marknaden för att vara kundens första val. Då både konkurrens och rådande lagstiftning gör att e-handelsbutikerna erbjuder mer eller mindre generösa returregler, har de ett konstant flöde av varor som kommer i retur. Syftet med denna studie är att se hur e-handelsföretagen kan hantera dessa returer och framförallt hur de kan effektivisera sina processer för att minska returer, utan att förlora sina kunder och skada sitt varumärke. Genom en webbaserad enkätundersökning kunde författarna utläsa kundernas åsikter gällande e-handel av kläder och skor. Det framkom i undersökningen att kunderna värderar enkelhet högt och att de räknar med returer som en del av servicen, utan någon extra kostnad. För ett bredare perspektiv har även två intervjuer genomförts, en med ett företag verksam i branschen och en med en e-handelskonsult som arbetar strategiskt med olika e-handelsprojekt. Avslutningsvis menar författarna att e-handelsbutikerna är beroende av sina kunder men inte på bekostnad av deras överlevnad. Företagen bör istället möta sina kunder i olika kanaler och arbeta kontinuerligt med förebyggande åtgärder för att minimera antalet returer. E-handelsbutikerna är inte där idag, men de butiker som vågar ta initiativet att göra förändringar, kommer ha en plats på denna marknad i framtiden. / "Ginger Rogers did everything Fred Astaire did - only going backwards" This quote is used in several literatures about reverse logistic; in order to give expression to the modest significance reverse logistic has had in the logistic world, which today has become increasingly important. The quote has its origin in the reputation Fred Astaire had, the world’s greatest dancer. What often got overshadowed was the performance of his dancing partner Ginger Rogers, even though she did the same movements, but in reverse and in high heels. It’s simple, it’s fast and not crowded, the benefits of e-commerce are for the consumer numerous, but what impact does this has on the companies? Trade of fashion products online has, in recent years increased considerably, but assessing a product based on an image is a pronounced problem, which is a contributing aspect to why returns have increased in the same extent. There are many operators on this market and their product range is relatively equal. Due to this the consumers can easily navigate between e-commerce stores, all to optimize purchases that will fulfil their expectations and needs. The question e-commerce stores should be given is how they can differentiate themselves to be the customer’s first choice. The purpose of this study is to see how e-commerce companies can handle these returns, and especially how they can streamline their processes to reduce returns, without losing their customers and damaging their brand. Through a web-based survey the authors could interpret customer’s opinion regarding e-commerce of clothes and shoes. The outcome of the survey showed that customer value simplicity high but also expect returns as a part of the service, without any major expenses. For a broader perspective two interviews were conducted; one with a company operating on this market and one with an e-commerce consultant who is strategically working with various e-commerce projects.  In conclusion the authors argue that e-commerce stores are dependent on their customers, but not at the expense of its survival. They need to meet their customers in different channels and work preventive to minimize the number of returns. E-commerce stores are not yet there, but those stores that take the initiative to make changes will be an operator who will have a place on this market in the future.

AbstractTitle: How Marknadsdata information AB works with relationship marketingLevel: Final Thesis for bachelor degree in Business AdministrationAuthor: Randip ChoudhurySupervisor: Dr. Aihie OsarenkhoePurpose: The purpose of this thesis is to examine how Marknadsdata information AB workswith their relationship marketing, and examine possible gaps between their strategy andimplementation of their relationship marketing. This study aims to provide insights on thecore components of CRM and the implementation of CRM strategy.Methodology: I have used primary data for this study by doing, interviews with ChristerJönsson at Marknadsdata AB to get his insight view of how the company operates to be ableto answer the purpose of this thesis which is to find out if there are any gaps in the way howMarknadsdata AB operates its business and how it resembles or differs with Donaldson’smodel. The secondary data I have used for this research is mainly from the Internet, articlesand literatureFindings: Marknadsdata information AB will not be successful on their market if they don’twork with their relationship marketing strategy. They have to keep in touch with customers,respond to the trends in the market and, in particular, to the changing demands of customers.For Marknadsdata information AB it’s important with relationship marketing both internallyand externally. Internal service quality for the company is about employee satisfaction whichultimately effects externally to customer satisfaction. By creating value to employees they cancreate value to customers.Research conclusions: Companies will not be successful on the market until they developtheir relationship marketing strategy. Companies need to keep in touch with customers,respond to the trends in the market and, in particular, to the changing demands of customers.Practical implications: By working with research and evaluating customers’ needs, which Ifound will reflect their future business. I think it’s also important that the management at thecompany works with employee’s on a regular basis. If the company doesn’t work with marketresearch and other customer generating mechanisms I think that the company is going to havedifficulties with their relationship work and to be able to make business at their market area.Value: The study shows customer relationship marketing strategy as a key to operate businessand implementing it in the organization. This thesis contributes a deeper understanding in thesubject relationship marketing.Keywords: Customer relations, Customer service management, Relationship marketing,Cross-functional integration, Management strategy