During the last decades, it has been brought to light that well organized logistics processes have contributed to competitive advantages for companies. Mio AB, a chain store warehouse and the second largest furniture company in Sweden, is operating in the middle of an expansion phase with growing revenue. As a consequence, larger volumes of goods are handled, space utilization become more scarce and the everyday operations within the internal logistics are affected. Therefore, the processes within the warehouse department were measured by performing a frequency study, registering how time was distributed between the different work tasks. In order to fully understand the processes, interviews were held with management and personnel. After analyzing previous research that could help guide to ease the impositions and analyzing the result of the frequency study, wastes were identified and new ways of working were suggested. The result firstly presents how to organize internal logistics operations in chain store warehouses to gain competitive advantage. Secondly, keeping in mind that firefighting stressed situations usually is not sustainable and only eases loads temporarily, long-term sustainability and ethics were addressed. Concluding that in order to optimize internal logistics operations in chain store warehouses and gain a long-term competitive advantage in a sustainable way, are achieved through standardizing work tasks, ensuring commitment of management and personnel and applying systems to serve the people and processes. Lastly it is advised to keep in mind the impact a company have on its surroundings and the importance of engaging in sustainable and ethically friendly operations, in order to achieve long-term competitive logistics.

Two conflicting findings characterize cognitive processing accompanying bilingualism. The “bilingual advantage” refers to improved cognitive performance for bilingual compared to monolingual participants. Most bilingual advantages fall under the umbrella of cognitive control mechanisms, most frequently demonstrated using the Stroop task and the Simon task (e.g., Bialystok, 2008; Coderre, Van Heuven, & Conklin, 2013). The “bilingual disadvantage,” on the other hand, refers to bilinguals’ diminished performance on tasks that require word retrieval or switching between languages. This study examined the intersection of the bilingual advantage and the bilingual disadvantage to investigate whether they stem from a single cognitive control process. The bilingual advantage was measured as speech onset time differences between monolingual and bilingual participants in the Stroop task after being primed in the same language (i.e., English prime and English Stroop for monolinguals, and either English prime and English Stroop or Spanish prime and Spanish Stroop for bilinguals). The bilingual disadvantage was measured as differences in bilingual participants’ speech onset times between the same-language conditions described above and cross-language conditions (i.e., either English prime and Spanish Stroop or Spanish prime and English Stroop). Monolinguals performed better than bilinguals did on the same-language Stroop [F(3,1) = 83.5, p < 0.001, MSE = 15415], so a bilingual advantage was not demonstrated. However, bilinguals did perform better in same-language blocks than cross-language blocks [F(7,3) = 24.6, p < 0.001, MSE = 22648]. This suggests that the current protocol successfully elicits the bilingual disadvantage. Further research is needed to evaluate whether the same cognitive control processes are responsible for the two effects. Possible extensions of this work include observing a larger number of participants to rule out between-subjects effects and using a button press rather than spoken response during the Stroop task.

Thesis (MScAgric)--Stellenbosch University, 2000. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The deregulation and the following restructuring of the South African fruit industry in 1996 had a significant influence on the decision-making environment that participants in the industry were used to. As new exporters entered the industry many new market opportunities arose. However at this same period in time export-earnings from the most important traditional markets came under pressure. A drastic increase in the supply of fresh apples from other Southern Hemisphere countries like Chile as well as a highly fragmented South African marketing structure are believed to be the most important reasons for the decline in exportearnings. The aim of this study is to focus on the international competitiveness of the South African apple industry in comparison to the competitiveness of the Chilean industry, with specific reference to the competition between the two countries on the European market for fresh apples. The study is introduced by a historical view as well as a glance at recent realities within the South African as well as the Chilean apple industry. Aspects that have lead to the growth and development regarding production as well as exports within both industries will be indicated. Historical international trade performance of both industries is discussed as international trade performance is a prerequisite for international competitiveness. Theoretical principles of competitiveness and competitive advantage is given with specific focus on the most recent theoretical viewpoints concerning competitive advantage and the reaching thereof The work of Michael Porter (1990) is used as a starting point in order to construct a framework with which the national competitive advantage of a specific industry, with a specific nation, can be explained. According to Porter ( 1990) national competitive advantage can be defined as the specific characteristics of a nation's national circumstances that enables a specific industry within that nation to create and maintain competitive advantages. National competitive advantage a measured according to four so-called broad determinants of national competitive advantage, namely industry structure, strategy and competition (first determinant), factor conditions, related and supporting industries and demand conditions as the forth determinant. A number of more recent definitions and describing literature on competitive advantage is used in order to expand Porter's so-called "diamond-analyses" for specific use to analyze an industry that produces a perishable product. An important prerequisite concerning the analyzing of competitiveness, is the presence of a relative or comparative component. Industry specific technical literature is used in order to make comparative descriptions within the above mentioned framework. This framework (expanded Porter-model) is used in order to compare the Chilean apple industry with the South African industry on the basis ofthe four broad determinants of national competitive advantage. In this way a complex description of the varied national and international industry environments within which the two industries operate, is done. It is very clear that international exposure on production as well as on marketing level together with excellent natural resources is the most important contributors to the national competitive advantage of the Chilean apple industry. The exceptional natural resources and very good weather conditions for growing apples together with growers' exposure to consumer demands are important contributors to the production of high quality fruit. Marketers and exporters show valuable market-discipline and they have easy access to relevant market information. These aspects strengthen the competitiveness of the Chilean apple industry. If the South African apple industry want to be competitive in future, it is absolutely essential that scarce resources such as soil and water is well-managed and conserved. International exposure and technological innovation on production level is also very important. Market information will have to be more easily accessible and exporters will have to show significant market discipline. It is also important that there will not be any uncertainties as far as property rights is concerned, as this will scare investors. It is of utmost importance that the South African government will work towards creating a home base that will have a positive effect on the obtaining and the maintaining of national competitive advantage. This study give participants within the South African apple industry a thorough description of the varied decision-making environments to which the Chilean and the South African apple producer is subjected to. Differences within this decision-making environments is emphasized and there is an indication of what the direct influence of this differences have on the South African industry. Possible future changes concerning the various macroenvironments of the two industries is analyzed and an indication is given on how these changes will influence the obtaining and maintaining of national competitive advantage in future. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die deregulering en die gevolglike herstrukturering van die Suid-Afrikaanse vrugtebedryf in 1996 het die besluitnemingsomgewing vir alle deelhouers binne die Suid-Afrikaanse vrugtebedryf drasties verander. Die toetrede van verskeie nuwe uitvoerders het beteken dat nuwe bemarkings-geleenthede benut kon word, maar ongelukkig het uitvoerverdienste op die tradisioneel belangrike markte op dieselfde tydstip onder groot druk gekom. 'n Dramatiese toename in die voorsiening van vars appels vanuit ander Suidelike-Halfrond-lande, soos Chili, tesame met 'n gefragmenteerde Suid-Afrikaanse bemarkings-opset word as die belangrikste redes vir die dating in uitvoerverdienste aangevoer. In hierdie ondersoek word daar gefokus op die internasionale mededingendheid van die Suid-Afrikaanse appelbedryf relatief tot die mededingendheid van die Chileense bedryf, met spesifieke verwysing na die mededinging tussen die twee lande in die Europese mark vir vars appels. Die studie word ingelei deur 'n geskiedkundige oorsig sowel as 'n blik op huidige realiteite binne die Suid-Afrikaanse- sowel as die Chileense appelbedrywe. Die verloop van gebeure wat tot die groei en ontwikkeling ten opsigte van produksie sowel as uitvoere binne beide bedrywe gelei het, word aangedui. Die bereiking van intemasionale handelsukses word as voorvereiste vir intemasionale mededingendheid aangevoer. Geskiedkundige intemasionale handelsprestasie van beide bedrywe word dus ook uiteengesit. 'n Uiteensetting van teoretiese grondbeginsels van mededingendheid en mededingende voordele word aangebied met die fokus op die jongste teoretiese sienings betreffende mededingende voordeel en die bereiking daarvan. Die werk van Micheal Porter (1990) word as vertrekpunt gebruik ten einde 'n raamwerk te konstrueer waarmee die nasionale mededingende voordeel van 'n bepaalde bedryf, gesetel binne 'n bepaalde nasie, omskryf kan word. Volgens Porter (1990) word nasionale mededingende voordeel omskryf as die bepaalde karaktertrekke van 'n nasie se nasionale omstandighede wat spesifieke bedrywe binne daardie nasie in staat stel om mededingende voordele te skep en te behou. Nasionale mededingende voordeel word gemeet aan die hand van vier sogenaamde bree determinante van nasionale mededingende voordeel, naamlik bedryfstruktuur, bedryfstrategie en bedryfskompetisie (wat gesamentlik die eerste determinant vorm), faktorkondisies, verwante en ondersteunende industriee asook vraagtoestande. Hierdie vier determinante omskryf die totale omgewing (home base) waarbinne 'n bepaalde bedryf opereer. Verskeie meer onlangse definisies en beskrywende literatuur betreffende mededingende voordeel is aangewend om Porter (1990) se sogenaamde "diamant-analise" uit te brei en meer toepaslik te maak op 'n bedryf wat 'n bederfbare kommoditeit produseer. 'n Belangrike voorvereiste betreffende die analisering van mededingendheid, is die teenwoordigheid van 'n relatiewe of vergelykende komponent. Bedryfspesifieke tegniese literatuur is dus verder aangewend ten einde vergelykende beskrywings binne die genoemde raamwerk te doen. Die raamwerk (uitgebreide Portermodel) is gebruik ten einde die Chileense appelbedryf met die Suid-Mrikaanse appelbedryf te vergelyk aan die hand van elk van die genoemde determinante van nasionale mededingende voordeel. Op hierdie wyse is 'n komplekse beskrywing van die onderskeie nasionale en internasionale bedryfsomgewings (home bases) waarbinne die twee bedrywe opereer, verkry. Omvattende internasionale blootstelling op produksie- maar veral op bemarkingsvlak tesame met uiters gunstige klimatologiese toestande en baie goeie natuurlike hulpbronne, blyk die belangrikste aspekte te wees wat hydra tot nasionale mededingende voordeel van die Chileense appelbedryf. Die gunstige klimatologiese toestande en die kwaliteit van die natuurlike hulpbronne tesame met die feit dat produsente die verbruikersbehoeftes van die verskillende wereldmarkte ken, dra by tot die produksie van goeie kwaliteit vrugte. Die vaardigheid en hoe vlak van intemasionale blootstelling waaroor bemarkers/uitvoerders beskik, tesame met die toepassing van markdissipline, is verdere aspekte wat die mededingendheid van die Chileense bedryf versterk. Indien die Suid-Afrikaanse appelbedryf in die toekoms steeds mededingend wil wees en nuwe nasionale mededingende voordeel wil skep en handhaaf, is dit van kardinale belang dat beskikbare, skaars hulpbronne soos water en grond oordeelkundig bestuur en aangewend moet word. Intemasionale blootstelling en tegnologiese innovasie met betrekking tot produksie is van kardinale belang. Dit is verder belangrik dat mark-inligting meer toeganklik sal word en dat uitvoerders die nodige markdissipline sal toepas en handhaaf. Dit is belangrik dat onsekerheid betreffende eiendomsreg vermy sal word omdat dit kan lei tot beleggerswantroue. Dit is van kardinale belang dat die Suid-Afrikaanse regering sal streef daarna om 'n home base te skep wat positiefbydra tot die bereiking en handhawing van nasionale mededingende voordeel. Die studie bied dus aan deelhouers binne die Suid-Amerikaanse appelbedryf 'n omvattende beskrywing van die onderskeie besluitnemingsomgewings waaraan die Chileense sowel as die Suid-Mrikaanse appelprodusent blootgestel ts. Verskille binne hierdie besluitnemingsomgewings word uitgelig en daar word aangetoon wat die direkte invloed van hierdie verskille op die mededingendheid van die Suid-Mrikaanse bedryf mag wees. Moontlike toekomstige veranderinge betreffende die onderskeie makro-omgewings van die twee bedrywe word ondersoek en daar word aangedui hoe hierdie veranderinge die bereiking en handhawing van nasionale mededingende voordeel in die toekoms sal belnvloed.

Thesis (MBA (Business Management))--University of Stellenbosch, 2004. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The purpose of this study project is to investigate how organisations operating in the European Union (EU) can sustain a competitive advantage amidst the changing European business environment. Due to stiff global competition, organisations are searching for new markets to gain access to lower cost or higher quality inputs and pre-empt competitors that may seek similar advantages. No global competitor can afford not to operate in the EU. The EU is the largest trade bloc in the world with 463,7 million inhabitants as opposed to 282 million inhabitants in the United States of America (USA). The strategic management model described by Thompson and Strickland is adapted and used as a framework for the analysis of the external European business environment. A PESTE analysis reveals that European integration has resulted in momentous political, economic, societal, technological and environmental developments. These have in turn dramatically altered the competitive dynamics on the external European environment. In a competitive analysis of the impact of the major driving forces on Porter's Five Forces the profit making attractiveness of the European environment will be identified. Generic key success factors are identified from the PESTE analysis, driving forces and Porter's Five Forces. Operational effectiveness, the ability to innovate and the European management skill in the management of diversity will provide a sustainable competitive advantage in the European environment. The management of international diversity is an essential element of the European management model. The ability of the European manager in the successful management of a diverse range of consumers, business environments, communications and behavioural styles across different states, is considered Europe's strong suit. A sustainable competitive advantage for organisations in the complex European environment lies in the ability to integrate the inherent diversity. Firstly, the ability to integrate diversity inherent in the fragmented operating structures throughout the various countries will maximize the key success factor of operational effectiveness. Secondly, the ability to integrate the workforce diversity by capturing the inherent value of diverse pockets of knowledge and experiences will achieve synergies. It will also improve the ability to innovate. The latter is the second generic key success factor. The standardized USA approach in managing of international diversity appears to be detrimental to the USA MNCs' competitiveness in developing countries with consumer bases of millions of people. They will have to develop a new mindset and adopt new business models to achieve global competitiveness. It would further appear that the lack of experience in management of international diversity in USA organisations has minimized the ability to innovate. Multinational organisations in the USA are therefore starting to outsource components of their innovative value chain to tap ideas from external sources. European organisations exercise a global strategy approach that reflects the aspirations of a global approach, while the necessity for local adaptations of business activities is at the same time acknowledged. A literature review clearly indicates that the experience of EU organisations in international markets creates a competitive advantage. European integration opens up unexploited opportunities for EU organisations to streamline value chain efficiencies and increase operational effectiveness. The practical research project performed at the Henkel Group in Dusseldorf, Germany, has revealed a strategic fit of the Henkel Group with the changing external environment. Recommendations have been made to align the fragmented Henkel Travel Management processes with the strategic Henkel goal. Increasing operational efficiencies in line with best practices shall contribute significantly to improved operating margins. USA organisations have on average already achieved optimal levels of efficiencies through their global approach in streamlining their value chain activities. They are now focused on increasing innovation to sustain their growth. Organisations in Europe should invest in improving their innovation ability. This major opportunity to obtain a competitive advantage is highly unexploited. Market leadership can be achieved when managers stimulate innovation by accessing diverse pockets of workforce knowledge from different cultural contexts within the EU. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die doel van hierdie werkstuk is om ondersoek in te stel op welke wyse organisasies wat in die Europese Unie opereer 'n kompeterende voordeel kan behou te midde van die veranderende Europese besigheidomgewing. Weens stewige globale kompetisie soek organisasies na nuwe markte vir toegang tot laer koste of hoër kwaliteit insette en die voorspring van kompetisie wat soortgelyke voordele inhou. Geen globale mededinger kan bekostig om nie in die Europese Unie te kompeteer nie. Die Europese Unie is die grootste handelsblok ter wêreld met 463,7 miljoen inwoners teenoor 282 miljoen inwoners in die Verenigde State van Amerika (VSA). Die strategiese bestuursmodel soos beskryf deur Thompson en Strickland is gewysig om as 'n raamwerk vir die analisering van die eksteme Europese besigheidsomgewing te dien. 'n PESTE analise openbaar dat Europese integrasie drastiese politieke, ekonomiese, sosiale, tegnologiese en omgewingsveranderinge teweegbring. Dit het op sy beurt weer gelei tot n dramatiese impak op die kompeterende faktore in die eksteme Europese omgewing. In 'n mededingingsontleding van die impak van die belangrikste dryfkragte op Porter se Vyf Kragte sal die winsgewindheid van die Europese omgewing ook hieruit aangedui word. Generiese sleutelsuksesfaktore word afgelei uit die PESTE analise, dryfkragte en Porter se Vyf Kragte. Operasionele doeltreffendheid, die vermoë om te innoveer en die Europese vaardigheid in die bestuur van internasionale diversiteit sal 'n volgehoue mededingingsvoordeel in die Europese omgewing verseker. Die bestuur van internasionale diversiteit is 'n kern element van die Europese bestuursmodel. Die vermoë van die Europese bestuurder om 'n diverse groep van verbruikers, besigheidsomgewings, kommunikasie en gedragstyle oor verskillende lande heen suksesvol te hanteer, word beskou as Europa se sterkpunt. Die volgehoue kompeterende voordeel van organisasies in die komplekse Europese omgewing is opgesluit in die vermoë om diversiteit inherent daarin te kan integreer. Eerstens sal die vermoë om die diversiteit inherent in die gefragmenteerde operasionele strukture regoor die verskillende lande heen te integreer, lei lot optimisering van operasionele doeltreffendheid as 'n generiese sleutelsuksesfaktor. Tweedens sal die vermoë om die diversiteit van die werkers te integreer deur die inherente waarde van diverse kennis en ondervindinge vas te vang, sinergiee bewerkstellig. Dit sal ook die vermoë om te innoveer bevorder. Laasgenoemde is die tweede sleutelsuksesfaktor. Hul standaard benadering in die hantering van internasionale diversiteit blyk nadelig te wees vir die VSA se multinasionale organisasies wat in ontwikkelende lande meeding om verbruikersmarkte van miljoene. 'n Paradigmaskuif word benodig om 'n wêreldwye mededingingsvoordeel te bereik. Dit blyk voorts dat die gebrek aan ondervinding in die hantering van internasionale diversiteit ook die innoverende vermoë benadeel het. Multinasionale organisasies in die VSA het begin om komponente van die innoverende waardeketting uit te kontrakteer om innovasie van eksterne bronne af te verkry. Europese multinasionale organisasies pas 'n globale benadering toe wat die aspirasies van 'n globale strategie kombineer met die aanpassing van besigheidsaktiwiteite uniek tot die plaaslike omstandighede. 'n Literatuurstudie wys duidelik uit dat die ondervinding van Europese Unie organisasies in internasonale markte tot 'n mededingingsvoordeel lei. Europese integrasie skep geleenthede vir organisasles in die Europese Unie om waardekettings regoor Europa te kannoniseer en om operasionele doeltreffendheid te veseker. Die praktiese navorsingsprojek wat by die Henkel Groep in Dusseldorf, Duitsland afgelê is, het 'n strategiese passing met die eksterne omgewing aangetoon. Aanbevelings is gemaak om die gefragmenteerde prosesse van Henkel Travel Management met die strategiese doelwit van die Henkel Groep te vereenselwig. Verbetering van operasionele doeltreffendheid ooreenkomstig beste standaarde sal bedryfswins aansienlik verbeter. Organisasies in die VSA het gemiddeld reeds optimale doeltreffendheid bereik deur die globale benadering in die rasionalisering van waardeketting aktiwiteite. Hulle fokus nou op die verbetering van innovasie om groei te verseker. Organisasies in Europa behoort te investeer in die verbetering van hul innoverende bevoegdheid. Hierdie kritiese geleentheid om 'n mededingingsvoordeel te verkry is hoogs onbenut. Markleierskap kan verkry word deur stimulasie van innovering met die inkorporering van diverse kundigheid uit die verskillende kulturele agtergronde van werknemers in die Europese omgewing.

<p><strong>Master’s thesis in International Logistics and Supply Chain Management</strong></p><p><strong> </strong></p><p><strong>Title:  Logistics Management in Retail Industry: a case study 7-Eleven in</strong><strong> Thailand</strong></p><p><strong>Author:  Latika Supasansanee and Patthaveekarn Kasiphongphaisan</strong></p><p><strong>Tutor:     Susanne Hertz</strong><strong> and Benedikte Borgström</strong></p><p><strong>Date:      June 1, 2009</strong></p><p><strong>Keywords: 7-Eleven Thailand, Logistics, Retail     Convenience, Distribution Center and Warehouse, IT-Apply in retail store, and Competitive advantage</strong></p><p><strong> </strong></p><p><strong> </strong></p><p><strong>Introduction: </strong>In today’s challenging competition in the consumer goods, the manufacturers strive for their products to reach final customers before they turn their heads to the rival’s ones. This research attempts to understand and investigate how 7-Eleven company manages its logistics activities, distribution and applying information technology to achieve competitive advantages.<strong> </strong></p><p><strong> </strong></p><p><strong>Purpose: </strong>The purpose of thesis is, in retailing industry and retailing convenience store’s perspective, to identify and describe the way 7-Eleven manages and operates its retail convenience business focusing on several aspects; strategic fits, distribution and IT, which support 7-Eleven’s activities and how they contribute to competitive advantages for the firm.<strong> </strong></p><p><strong> </strong></p><p><strong>Frame of reference: </strong>Based on various sources of literature concerning competitive advantage and strategic fits, distribution related to marketing and retail, distribution centers and warehousing, and information system apply in retail store.<strong> </strong></p><p> </p><p><strong>Method: </strong>The study is considered as qualitative single-case study. Data is collected from the interviews with several parties involve with retail convenience industry in Thailand. Secondary data is retrieved from the information system, research and reports, publication sources as well as internet sources.  Lastly, data analysis is followed by the literature chapter.<strong> </strong></p><p> </p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>By applying the synchronized strategies between supply chain members to adjust and modify the capabilities of firms, leads to supply chain benefits and competitive advantage for retail firm. The applications of IT and Distribution Centers enhance supply chain capabilities, reliability, and dependability which result in better service and market performance. They are also the keys that facilitate the operations of supply chain and retail store.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p>

綠色供應鏈管理為近年來熱度非常高的議題，對於某些公司來說，採行綠色供應鏈管理可以表現公司永續經營的決心（Bacallan，2000），例如聯華電子不久前才宣佈，領先全球半導體製造商，完成有害物質管理 (Hazardous Substance Process Management, HSPM)系統稽核，並獲推薦登錄，顯示聯電符合RoHS指令及客戶對有害物質管理要求，也取得通往歐洲市場的環保通行證，而致伸科技也領先其他競爭者，完成綠色供應鏈的佈署，廠商的這些行動可以解讀為綠色供應鏈管理已經成為未來的趨勢，然而，本研究想要進一步的探討，綠色供應鏈管理究竟是廠商不得不為的措施，抑或是可以憑藉以提升本身競爭優勢的積極作為。 本研究採問卷調查的研究方式，針對我國製造業廠商進行實證研究，研究範圍設定為工商快訊所出版的「2005台灣廠商名錄」中，所登錄的我國公司，產業不予以設限，但必要條件為公司必須涉足生產製造業務。 本研究針對回收後的問卷，以 LISREL進行分析，獲得了下列研究結果： 1. 綠色設計與公司競爭優勢有正向關係 2. 綠色採購與公司競爭優勢有正向關係 3. 綠色生產與公司競爭優勢有正向關係 4. 企業在競爭優勢上的表現與其財務數字上的成績有正向的關係 關鍵字：綠色供應鏈、競爭優勢、財務績效 / Green Supply Chain Management has been a very popular subject recently. For some companies, implementing Green Supply Chain Management can show their determination for sustainable development（Bacallan，2000）. For example, UMC just announced their audition of Hazardous Substance Process Management system, and therefore is qualified to export to European market. Primax Electronics has also executed Green Supply Chain Management. All these actions indicate Green Supply Chain Management has become the trend. However, the study wants to investigate if the implementation of Green Supply Chain Management can give a lift of the companies’ competences. In the end of the study, the author can reach the following conclusions: 1. There is a positive correlation between Green Design and company’s competitive advantage 2. There is a positive correlation between Green Purchase and company’s competitive advantage 3. There is a positive correlation between Green Production and company’s competitive advantage 4. There is a positive correlation between company’s competitive and its financial performance Key Word: Green Supply Chain, competitive advantage, financial performance

台灣於民國90年7月間通過「金融控股公司法」，有鑑於此，已有多家商業銀行申請轉型成立金融控股公司，在金融控股經營模式下，運用共同行銷方式跨業銷售保險商品，以滿足顧客一次購足（one stop shopping）之金融保險需求，惟銀行、保險之產業環境、企業文化、薪資結構、及對企業忠誠度差異頗大，因此，本研究旨在探討以金融控股公司運用行銷的交互關係所產生的綜效synergy）效果，冀望能提供業者在競爭激烈的金融環境中取得競爭優勢。 本研究係依MICHAELE. PORTER 於「競爭優勢」一書中所提之「價值鏈」模型，藉由經營單位間之交互關係，可減低差異化成本，或彌補較高的差異化成本。金控公司價值鏈之關鍵活動主要體現在基本設施、技術和行銷三個層面，而透過其價值鏈關鍵活動發掘金控公司的競爭優勢集中于差異化、成本降低和目標集聚。對新光金控公司的問卷調查也集中于基本設施、技術和行銷三個層面。結合問卷調查結果及相關理論，本研究還得出個案公司之競爭優勢主要體現于金融產品創新、業務綜效充分發揮、經營成本降低和經營風險有效控制四個層面。 個案公司競爭優勢之關鍵決定因素主要來源於經營理念與經營策略的轉變、傳統組織結構和流程的變革、適應新產業的高級人才、對資源進行整合的軟件平臺和良好的經營風險管控能力。 本研究針對研究結果，業者欲達成金控公司業務之綜效，必須衡酌外在環境與本身的核心競爭能力，並據以擬定業務整合、資訊整合及市場區隔的策略，以形成競爭對手短期內無法達成的競爭優勢。 / Our country passed “Law of Financial Holding Company” in July, 2001. Therefore, several commercial banks have applied for changing and establishing the financial holding companies. Under the business model of financial holding companies, cross-selling is adopted to meet customers’ demand of one stop shopping in financial insurance. As there are the great differences between banking and insurance in business environment, business cultures, salary structure and employee loyalty, the purpose of the research is to study the synergy resulted from various marketing strategies of marketing of the financial holding companies. Moreover, it is expected to help the financial holding companies to win competitive advantages fromthe fierce financial competition. The study is based on the model of “Value Chain” from the book of “Competitive Advantages” written by Michael E. Porter. Therefore, a questionnaire is designed in accordance with the infrastructure, technology and marketing. The interviewers are the holding company. The contents of the interview include: (1) possible sharing resources in infrastructure (2) possible sharing resources in technology (3) possible sharing resources in marketing and (4) business synergy of Bancassurance. The report suggests that to win synergy in bacassurance financial holding companies should first examine the external environment and its own core competency and then to form strategies of business integration, information integration and market segmentation.

本研究探討之個案公司正面臨臺灣證券業高度競爭，業務高度同質性、經營無差異化，獲利不佳、薪資福利低於整體金融業，產業前景黯淡不明，無法吸引年輕人投入及引進優質創新金融人才，此外，既有證券從業人員邁入老化、對於新種業務與創新產品學習不佳，整體證券業之經營競爭力出現下滑之嚴峻的挑戰。 本研究針對臺灣證券市場與證券業發展概況，及以麥可•波特五力分析瞭解證券產業之競爭情形，與證券業之經營困境及問題所在。另外因證券商之設置及經營範圍受法令的規範，大型證券商之經營業務項目及策略定位，趨近一致，本研究認為應探討個案公司之核心能耐及競爭優勢，結合政府對證券業開放業務現況及主要推動政策，以此有系統架構之分析，試圖找尋，主要仰賴經紀業務創造營收之經營模式，如何藉由多年累積之核心能耐及競爭優勢，以不同的執行方式之差異化發展策略，創造成長契機優勢，並且延伸及建構個案公司之長期競爭優勢。

The theme of my diploma thesis is "Lease versus credit." The first part deals with relatively independent terms of the lease and credit of their definition and methods of accounting. It also deals with the tax and legislative changes which in the area of leases and credits in recent years occurred. Main section is devoted to comparing the differences between themselves, leasing and credits. There are advantages and disadvantages of both forms of financing, while the main attention is focused on business deciding between leasing and credit for making investments. Two methods will be introduced: net advantage of leasing and discounted costs of leasing and credit. The use of these methods is demonstrated on a practical example.

Competitive advantage has been an important aspect of strategy ever since Porter introduced the term in 1985. Today, small and medium enterprises (SME) make up a large part of the world´s economy. SMEs often operate in fast changing markets where innovation and growth are essential for success. To be able to survive they must ensure their competitiveness towards both SMEs and also larger competitors. Since many SMEs face limitations in their resources it is necessary for them to know how to use them efficiently. All this puts pressure on many SMEs to ensure their success and they need knowledge about how to create a competitive advantage while still managing their business limitations. Therefore, the purpose of this thesis is to create a better understanding for what existing resources SMEs can use to gain a competitive advantage on the market. To create a deeper understanding of what resources that Swedish SMEs can use to gain a competitive advantage a qualitative research approach was used. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with three different Swedish SMEs. The gathered data was then analyzed with a thematic approach to easier compare it with previous literature. The findings of this analysis showed that factors such as knowledge, relations, niche strategy and internationalization were considered important for SMEs to gain a competitive advantage. / Att inneha en konkurrensfördel har varit en viktig aspekt av företagsstrategi enda sedan Porter introducerade termen 1985. I dag utgör små och medelstora företag (SME) en stor del av världens ekonomi. Små och medelstora företag verkar ofta på snabbväxande marknader där innovation och tillväxt är avgörande för framgång. För att kunna överleva måste de säkerställa sin konkurrenskraft gentemot både SMEs och större konkurrenter. Eftersom många små och medelstora företag står inför begränsningar med sina resurser är det nödvändigt för dem att veta hur man använder dem effektivt. Allt detta sätter press på många små och medelstora företag för att säkerställa deras framgång och därför behöver de kunskap om hur man skapar konkurrensfördelar medan de fortfarande är medvetna om sina begränsningar. Syftet med denna kandidatuppsats är därför att skapa en bättre förståelse för vilka befintliga resurser som små och medelstora företag kan använda för att skapa en konkurrensfördel på marknaden. För att skapa en djupare förståelse för vilka resurser som små och medelstora svenska företag kan använda för att skapa en konkurrensfördel användes en kvalitativ forskningsansats. Halvstrukturerade intervjuer genomfördes med tre olika små och medelstora svenska företag. Den insamlade datan analyserades sedan med en tematisk metod för att lättare jämföra den med tidigare litteratur. Resultaten av denna analys visade att faktorer som kunskap, relationer, nischstrategi och internationalisering ansågs vara viktiga för små och medelstora företag för att skapa en konkurrensfördel.