The main focus of this thesis is a proposal of business development strategy for small company providing accomodation services in Slovakia. The first part is theoretical and defines basic concepts as strategy, strategic management, development and growth of small and medium-sized enterprises, as well as its characteristics. It also describes selected analytical-research methods which goal is to reveal the key factors influencing the current situation. These methods are then applied in the second part, the analytical, where the external and internal environment of the company is mapped and analyzed, together with the influencing factors. The third part, the proposing, interprets possible solutions and recommendations based on the results of selected analyzes, which aim to ensure the future development of the company.

Face à un environnement métier très dynamique, les entreprises expriment un grand besoin de gestion de leurs processus métiers de point de vue métier. Il existe trois types d’approche de gestion sensible aux changements de l’environnement métier : à savoir les approches impératives, déclaratives et hybrides. Les approches déclaratives sont très flexibles. Cependant, elles sont très couteuses en termes de temps. En contre partie, les approches impératives sont très efficaces mais trop rigide. Les approches hybrides, à leur tour, essaient de concilier entre les approches impératives et déclaratives afin d’augmenter le niveau concurrentiel des entreprises. Néanmoins, elles nécessitent un effort d’alignement entre la logique métier et la logique du processus. En outre, nous constatons que certaines approches ne sont pas faisables en pratique puisqu’ils n’utilisent pas les standards des processus.De plus, l’efficacité et la flexibilité sont antagonistes. Par conséquent, dans cette thèse, nous nous intéressons à la gestion sensible au métier visant à : (1) concilier les techniques déclaratives et les techniques impératives en une approche hybride pour tirer profit de leurs avantages, (2) préserver les standards des processus, et (3) minimiser l'effort des concepteurs. Nous avons ainsi proposé une nouvelle approche hybride pour la gestion des processus métiers. Nous avons modélisé la gestion d’un processus métier par un processus de gestion connecté au premier qui permet de le superviser et le configurer. Ce processus de gestion est généré grâce à une modélisation sémantique des relations entre les processus métiers, les services et l’environnement métier. Nous avons également implémenté cette approche et l'évaluer en comparaison avec les approches existantes de gestion sensible aux changements de l'environnement métier / Continuous business environment changes urge companies to adapt their processes from a business environment point of view. Indeed, companies struggle to find a balance between adapting their processes and keeping competitiveness. While the imperative nature of business processes is too rigid to adapt them at run-time, the declarative one of the purely rule based business processes is, however, very time consuming. Hybrid approaches in turn try to reconcile between these approaches aiming to reach the market requirements. Nevertheless, they also need an effort for aligning business logic and process logic. Therefore, in this thesis, we focus on business environment-aware management of service-based business processes aiming at conciliating imperative and declarative approaches. Our challenge is to develop a hybrid management approach that preserves industry standards to describe and to manage SBPs as well as minimizes designers’ efforts. Based on a semantic modeling of business environment, business processes as well as their relationships, and a control dependency analysis of business processes, we are able to synthesize a controller, itself modeled as a process, connected to the business process to be monitored and configured at run-time. We also validated the feasibility of our management approach by implementing the framework Business Environment-Aware Management for Service-based Business processes (BEAM4SBP). Experimentations show the efficiency of our approach with respect to other BEAM approaches

The purpose of this study is to investigate how scenario analysis can be used to strategically prepare for the future during uncertain times. The purpose is also to identify uncertainties and trends that could shape the future European financial markets and to develop projections of alternative futures on which a stock exchange could base their strategic decisions. A literature review was conducted which provides insights and tools in order to perform a scenario analysis. This study then investigates how scenario analysis can be applied to European financial markets with a time horizon of 10 years, from the perspective of the case company Nasdaq. The investigation is conducted as an instrumental case study where 12 respondents within Europe’s financial markets have been interviewed. Five of the respondents are case company employees and seven of the respondents are external that cover a wide range of specialties within financial markets. The results show that there are eight key drivers that were considered important and uncertain for the development of European financial markets by year 2030. Four interpretations of these drivers that the case company considered the most interesting were combined into six scenario matrices which resulted in 24 unique scenarios. Three of these were described in detail where future business environments were evaluated through the use of the theoretical framework Porter’s five forces. The scenarios presented in this study are: • Scenario 1: Further globalization and increased competition from alternative marketplaces. • Scenario 2: There has been a further consolidation of stock exchanges and exchanges have remained the dominant marketplace for financial products. • Scenario 3: Brexit will have a major impact on financial markets and more regional economies. The scenarios show how some of the identified drivers could shape the future business environment. These projections of alternative futures can be used by a stock exchange in their strategic decision making and enables the multi-level strategic conversation within the organization to develop and continue. Such a conversation helps establish a shared mental model of the external environment and the organization itself. Since the business environment is ever changing, the aim is to continuously use scenario analysis to evaluate and improve strategic discussions. It also allows organizations to learn and change from its own experiences to identify new opportunities. And since there can be no learning without action, the ultimate aim of scenario analysis is to make an impact on strategic decisions by taking reflection-based action. / Syftet med denna studie är att undersöka hur scenarioanalys kan tillämpas för att på ett strategiskt sätt förbereda sig på en möjligen osäker framtid. Syftet är också att identifiera osäkerheter och trender som skulle kunna forma finansiella marknader i Europa och utifrån dessa, utveckla projektioner av alternativa framtider som en börs kan använda sig av för att basera strategiska beslut på. En litteraturstudie genomfördes vilket gav insikter och verktyg för utförandet av en scenario analys. Denna studie undersökte sedan hur scenario analys kan appliceras på de europeiska finansiella marknaderna från ett börs-perspektiv med en tidshorisont på 10 år. Undersökningen genomfördes genom en instrumental fallstudie där 12 respondenter inom Europas finansiella marknader intervjuades. Fem av respondenterna var från fallföretaget och sju respondenter var externa som tillsammans täcker ett brett spektrum av specialistkunskaper inom finansiella marknader. Resultatet av studien visar att det finns åtta nyckelfaktorer som ansågs vara både viktiga och osäkra för utvecklingen av Europas finansiella marknader till år 2030. Fyra tolkningar av dessa faktorer som fallföretaget ansåg vara de mest intressanta kombinerades och bildade sex scenariomatriser som resulterade i 24 unika scenarion. Tre av dessa är beskrivna i detalj där det framtida affärsmiljöerna är utvärderade utifrån det teoretiska ramverket Porter’s five forces. De scenarion som presenteras i studien är: • Scenario 1: Ökad konkurrens från alternativa marknadsplatser och fortsatt globalisering. • Scenario 2: Börser är fortsatt den dominanta marknadsplatsen för finansiella produkter och det har varit en fortsatt konsolidering av börser. • Scenario 3: Mer regionala ekonomier och Brexit har haft en stor påverkan på finansiella marknader. Scenariona visar hur några av de identifierade nyckelfaktorerna kan komma att forma den framtida affärsmiljön. Dessa projektioner av alternativa framtider kan fungera som underlag för börser i strategiskt beslutsfattande och de möjliggör den strategiska konversationen inom organisationen att utvecklas och fortsätta. Sådan typ av konversation hjälper till att skapa en delad mental modell av den externa miljön och organisationen i sig. Eftersom affärsmiljön är i ständig förändring är målet att kontinuerligt använda scenarioanalys för att utvärdera och förbättra strategiska beslut. Det tillåter också organisationer att lära sig och genomföra förändringar baserat på egna erfarenheter för att identifiera nya möjligheter. Eftersom det inte kan finnas något lärande utan åtgärder, är det ultimata målet med scenarioanalys att påverka strategiska beslut genom att vidta reflektionsbaserade åtgärder.

Yes / This paper examines the feasibility of using a holistic approach to sustainability in a business context. The aim is to help organisations from a healthcare perspective increase their adaptability to volatile business environments, by aligning external and internal elements with success, based on internal validation of output. A literature review on existing sustainability theory was conducted and the results divided into versions of sustainability from an initial idea (1.0), to a situation where sustainably will become the nature of business rather than one of its objectives (4.0). In order to align business health and strengthen self-healing powers of businesses, eight pillars of relevance were identified as post conditional. The method adopted to interpret the approaches was informed by a structured process of healthcare perspectiveness healing using figurational dynamics as an analytical lens. Findings indicate that for implementation of an improvement structure based on holistic governance to be successful, acceptance of changes in economic, political and social spheres towards holistic business development need to exist. Secondly, figurational dynamics has to evolve as an overarching or inclusive system to include influences and inspiration from various specialist arenas.

The purpose of this study was to examine the impact of environmental factors on business strategies for U.S. apparel manufacturing companies. Three research objectives were established to achieve this study purpose: (a) to explore the business environment of the U.S. apparel manufacturing industry from 1970 to 2005, (b) to investigate the business strategies for selected major U.S. apparel manufacturing companies in response to the environment from 1970 to 2005, and (c) to determine if patterns or themes are found in changes of the business strategies for the selected U.S. apparel manufacturing companies. Two theories were used as a framework for this study: organizational interpretation process (e.g., Daft & Weick, 1984; Milliken, 1990) and organizational adaptation theory (e.g., Miles & Snow, 1978; Zeithaml & Zeithaml, 1984). Qualitative analysis was conducted for data analysis. Part 1 of data analysis was the in-depth exploration of the business environment for the apparel manufacturing industry in terms of globalization, technology, and consumer; and apparel firms' business strategies that have been implemented in response to these environments, from 1970 to 2005. Part 2 of data analysis was the case studies of two sample apparel companies (i.e., Nike, Inc., VF Corporation). The business strategies of the two companies in response to their business environments from 1970 to 2005 were investigated. The in-depth exploration of general business strategies of the U.S. apparel industry and the case studies of two sample companies' specific business strategies revealed that U.S. apparel manufacturing companies have gone through the process that was proposed in the model of the study; they have been significantly affected by the environmental changes and have made changes to their business strategies in order to survive. These changes did vary between the two companies in the case study and were related to the original organization of the companies showing a variation in interpretation of the information. / Master of Science

Baigiamajame magistro darbe nagrinėjama verslo sąlygų palankumo vertinimo objektyvumo problema, verslo sąlygų vertinimo tikslai ir būdai. Išnagrinėtas esamas metodinis verslo sąlygų palankumo vertinimo potencialas ir atlikta verslo sąlygų palankumo vertinimo modelių ir metodikų tinkamumo analizė. Tarpusavyje palyginti dažniausiai vertinami verslo sąlygų palankumo veiksniai ir atlikta pagrindinių analizuojamų veiksnių įtakos galutiniam rezultatui pagal skirtingus modelius ir metodikas analizė. Nustatyta ir palyginta pagrindinių verslo sąlygų palankumo veiksnių koncentracija pagal esamus vertinimo modelius ir metodikas. Remiantis atliktomis analizėmis ir palyginimais, nustatytos verslo sąlygų vertinimo tobulinimo krypties alternatyvos. Remiantis atlikta alternatyvų analize, pasirinkta tinkamiausia tobulinimo kryptis, pateikti pasiūlymai verslo sąlygų palankumo vertinimo tobulinimui. Patobulinus verslo sąlygų palankumo vertinimo modelį, atliktas empirinis tyrimas. Gauti tyrimo rezultatai palyginti su tyrimo rezultatais pagal bazinį modelį. Baigiamojo darbo pabaigoje pateikiamos darbo išvados ir siūlymai. Darbą sudaro 6 dalys: įvadas, teorinė dalis, analitinė dalis, empirinis tyrimas, išvados ir siūlymai, literatūros sąrašas. Darbo apimtis – 68 p. teksto be priedų, 13 iliustr., 11 lent., 64 bibliografiniai šaltiniai. Atskirai pridedami darbo priedai. / Final paper analysis the problem of assessing ease of doing business and methods to assess ease of doing business. Part of available models and methodologies evaluating ease of doing business level are overrwieved and compared in this paper. After comparison current methods of assessing ease of doing business are evaluated. Most ofently used indicators from different models that are used in assessment process of ease of doing business are compared. Concentration of most ofently used indicators is stated afterwards in a comparison way. Concentration in this work is the term used to describe influence of indicators, that are included into list of most ofently used indicators to final score of ease of doing business. Alternatives to improve current methodological potential of assessing ease of doing business are stated. After alternative analysis decision of improving current World Bank‘s ease of doing business assessment model is made. Author‘s proposals in improving the model are stated and research is carried. Results are compared with World Bank‘s „Doing Business“ results. Conclusions and suggestions for further are stated at the end of the paper.

Le présent travail se penche sur le concept de la conscience de l’environnement d’affaires. Ce concept fait référence à l’importance de la prise en compte par l’employé non-cadre d’un ensemble varié d’éléments d’information composant l’environnement d’affaires. La prise en considération de ces éléments d’information par l’employé aiderait ce dernier non seulement à prendre de meilleures décisions d’affaires, mais aussi à résoudre des problèmes dans un milieu de travail prônant la gestion participative. Seulement deux mémoires et un article scientifique se sont penchés sur la conscience de l’environnement d’affaires. Le mémoire d’Ève St-Onge (2007) a justifié l’existence du concept et a établi une première liste d’indicateurs reflétant les éléments d’information de l’environnement d’affaires. Pour sa part le mémoire de Véronique Gauvreau-Jean (2008) s’est plutôt attardé à la validation initiale d’une échelle de mesure de la conscience de l’environnement d’affaires. À ces deux mémoires s’ajoute l’article scientifique de Haines, Rousseau, Brotheridge et St-Onge (2012) lequel a permis de définir un ensemble d’indicateurs et de dimensions de la conscience de l’environnement d’affaires. Le présent mémoire a pour objectif de vérifier le caractère adéquat du contenu de l’échelle de Véronique Gauvreau-Jean (2008), ce type de vérification «consiste essentiellement à examiner le contenu du test pour s’assurer de sa représentativité en tant qu’échantillon du domaine de comportements à évaluer» (Anastasi, 1982, p.132). Considérant la complexité de la conscience de l’environnement d’affaires, cette vérification s’impose pour mettre au point une échelle de mesure qui peut être généralement applicable dans des milieux de travail ayant recours à une gestion participative. Pour vérifier le caractère adéquat du contenu de l’échelle de mesure de Véronique Gauvreau-Jean (2008), il y a eu l’animation de deux panels de discussion avec une entreprise œuvrant dans le placement de personnel ainsi qu’une autre dans la distribution de produits de papier. Avec les propos des participants des panels, une analyse des données a été effectué pour produire une échelle de mesure reformulée. Cette dernière a ensuite eu un avis favorable par deux professeurs, de différentes facultés d’administration québécoises, concernant la facilité de compréhension et sa capacité de refléter les éléments de l’environnement d’affaires. Il y a finalement eu la comparaison du contenu de l’échelle reformulée et du contenu de l’échelle de Gauvreau-Jean (2008) pour déterminer le caractère adéquat de l’échelle existante. / This paper’s main subject focuses on employee business awareness. The concept refers to the importance of considering various elements of the business environment, by the non-managerial employee, in order to make better business decisions or improve problem-solving in an environment using a participative approach to management. There are only two theses and one published article dedicated to the concept of employee business awareness. Ève St-Onge’s thesis (2007) tried to establish the concept’s legitimacy and to produce a first list of indicators related to elements of the business environment. Véronique Gauvreau-Jean’s thesis (2008) seeked to validate a first version of the employee business awareness scale. Haines, Rousseau, Brotheridge and St-Onge (2012) provided a list of indicators and dimensions related to the scale. This thesis is interested in verifying the content adequacy of the initial scale. Content adequacy «essentially consists in verifying the content of the test so that it can be representative and a sample of the behaviours that have to be measured» (Anastasi, 1982, p.132). Given the complexity of the concept of employee business awareness, this type of verification is needed to bring the right adjustments to the current scale so that it can later be applied to all business environments using a participative approach. In order to verify the content adequacy of the initial scale, two focus groups were held; one within a personnel placement agency and another in a paper product distributor. With the contents of both focus groups transcribed, data analysis was performed and a reformulated scale was created. The new scale received favourable assessments from two professors concerning its capacity to be easily understood and with regards to the adequate reflection of the elements related to the business environment. This finally led to the comparison of the reformulated scale’s content with the initial scale, in order to determiner the content adequacy of the existing scale’s content.

This thesis deals with the issue of sustainable development and its relation to information and communicaton technologies in the business background. The whole concept is called Green ICT. The main aim of the thesis is to provide an insight into the legislative and contentual aspects of Green ICT and its relation to business informatics, suggesting several practices for use in small business. The first part defines all important legislative aspects and summarizes the view of Green ICT according to several authors and describes and compares the certificates of physical ICT. Next part is aimed to business environment and deals with the most frequently occuring barriers and motivation factors. The small and medium business is specified and the requirements of managing and monitoring the impact on the envirnoment is analyzed. Next part of the thesis analyzes defined areas of potential implementation of Green ICT and creates relevant practices to improve the power consumption and the impact on the environment, on the basis of available case studies and research findings For every practice, its potential technical solution, effects and risks are considered. These practices are then analyzed and appraised in terms of MMDIS methodics. The added value of the thesis is comprehensive description and analysis of individual practices of Green ICT from different points of view and analysis and comparison of available certifications of ICT devices.

<p>Date: 6/16/2008</p><p>Institution: School of Sustainable Development of Society and Technology, Mälardalen University, Västerås (Sweden)</p><p>Authors:</p><p>Brüning, Andrea</p><p>830111</p><p>Västerås</p><p>Curtolo,Anna</p><p>820517</p><p>Västerås</p><p>Tutor: Tobias Eltebrandt</p><p>Title: A Study of Switch Pac: what would be the efficient ways for Switch Pac to increase potential demand and capitalize on green attitudes and behavior in the Swedish market?</p><p>Problem: What would be the efficient ways for Switch Pac to increase potential demand and capitalize on green attitudes and behavior in the Swedish market?</p><p>Purpose: The aim of our project is to see the potential of Switch Pac’s oxo-biodegradable plastic bags on the Swedish market by capitalize on green attitudes and behaviour.</p><p>Method: The report is based on primary data collected through questionnaires (end consumer/ B2B customers). For the investigation of Switch Pac’s macro- and microenvironment secondary data was used (books, journals, newspaper and the Internet)</p><p>Conceptual Framework: The conceptual framework consists of certain models to investigate the following topics:</p><p>Consumer behavior</p><p>AIDA-Model</p><p>STP-Model</p><p>Switch Pac´s business environment</p><p>PESTEL</p><p>Conclusion/ Recommendations: In our conclusion based on our frameworks PESTEL, AIDA and STP we concluded that peoples’ awareness regarding environmental friendly plastic bags are not very high based on our questionnaire. The efficient ways for Switch Pac to increase potential demand is to target the customer in the age range from 20 – 49 years and cooperate with supermarkets and (department) stores. Furthermore, Switch Pac needs to position its products in the consumers mind through create brand awareness by using certain elements of the marketing mix model.</p>

<p><p>Gradually, Swedish SMEs are expanding into emerging markets in order to seize superior opportunities of growth. Within these internationalization efforts, identifying and selecting the most promising foreign target markets is regarded to be a critical success factor. The external business environment, the attractiveness of the targeted market segment in terms of the competitive situation, and the match between the customers’ needs and a company’s resources and capabilities are major factors which determine the prospects of success of establishing business in an emerging market. By applying an abductive research approach, the authors conducted a holistic single-case study of a typical case for Swedish SMEs internationalizing into emerging markets. Through that, the authors were able to answer the research questions of the paper. A theoretical framework was synthesized, combining latest research on emerging country markets with classical models. The framework guided the authors through the entire research process. Several propelling, as well as hampering factors for the case company’s prospects of success in the targeted market segment were identified. Based on the analysis of the empirical findings, the authors found that there are clear opportunities for the case company to increase its business. This conclusion is due to a weak threat of competitors in a broader context, which were regarded to not being able to satisfy the customers’ needs of key importance sufficiently. Competitors in a narrower context were regarded to not have a significant competitive advantage compared with the case company.</p></p>