Bakgrund: Vikten av mer bundna business-to-business-relationer från leverantörsidan är vida erkänd. Det är dock inte självklart att kunden i en B2B-relation strävar efter samma mål som leverantören i detta anseende. Kunden påverkas av faktorer i mer bundna och mer obundna relationer och måste förhålla sig till dessa samtidigt som de navigerar i sina leverantörsrelationer för att försöka åtnjuta fördelarna med både lång- och kortsiktighet. Syfte: Att förstå hur B2B-kunder hanterar och navigerar i B2B-relationer för att åtnjuta fördelar med både mer bundna och mer obundna B2B-relationer. Metod: Studien har använt en kvalitativ ansats och en deduktiv metod där en teoribas lagts fram. Sedan har tre ostrukturerade intervjuer genomförts med personer som på företag ansvarar för, hanterar eller beslutar om företagets leverantörsrelationer. Slutsats: Studien visar bland annat att: (1) Kunder kan erhålla mer frihet genom att vara mer bundna med sina leverantörer. (2) Kunder har flera relationer med samma leverantör där det inte är möjligt att uppnå bundna och obundna fördelar med enbart en relation till leverantören. (3) Kunder inte eftersträvar fullständig organisatorisk bundenhet eller obundenhet utan att istället åtnjuta fördelarna med att positionera sig däremellan. Kunder önskar ramarna av en mer bunden relation och samtidigt vara i stånd att inom dessa ramar röra sig mer fritt, likt en mer obunden relation; en slags gyllene medelväg.

The manufacturing industry has experienced a change in the business environment during the last decade and has started to explore the possibilities of integrating products and services into new bundled offerings. A great deal has been published about this new phenomenon and it is often referred to as integrated solutions. When implementing an integrated solution it requires changes in the organizational structure, resulting in a need to develop further capabilities. Capabilities are explained as complex bundles of skills and accumulated knowledge possessed by organizations that enables them to coordinate their activities and make use of their assets. Previous literature has focused on the capabilities needed for suppliers that develop integrated solutions, leaving uncertainties regarding the needed capabilities for the customer. This research intends to investigate the capabilities needed from both the supplier’s and customer’s perspective and how they affect the development of integrated solutions. To investigate this, a thorough literature review was conducted to create a foundation of knowledge regarding the research area and resulted in a theoretical framework. The research follows a qualitative case study approach where empirical data was collected primarily through interviews but also by analyzing documents that resulted in needed capabilities for both actors. Furthermore, economic models were developed to provide a holistic view of the integrated solution and enable comparison with the current trading situation. The research resulted in five dimensions including capabilities needed for the supplier and four dimensions including capabilities needed for the customer when developing the integrated solution. The dimensions are: Control capability, Economic capability, Organizational capability, Production capability, and Relational capability. In this specific case study, the production capability dimension was considered unique for the supplier and did not iterate from the perspective of the customer. Apart from this, the dimensions were considered important for both actors. The findings indicate that the capabilities possessed by both the supplier and the customer affect the integrated solution and that it is important to investigate the needed capabilities form the perspective of both actors before developing the integrated solution. However, there were differences since some capabilities were required by only one actor and some were considered more or less essential depending on the actor. Furthermore, the findings imply that the uniqueness of the business relationship and the industry may affect the needed capabilities. / Under det senaste årtiondet har det skett en förändring i tillverkningsindustrin då flera företag har börjat undersöka möjligheterna att integrera produkter och tjänster till kombinerade erbjudanden. Denna förändring har förekommit frekvent i litteraturen och benämns ofta som integrerade lösningar. När man implementerar en integrerad lösning krävs förändringar i den organisatoriska strukturen vilket har resulterat i ett behov av att utveckla ytterligare förmågor. Förmågor definieras som komplexa kombinationer av kompetenser och den kunskap som finns hos organisationen som möjliggör att kunna koordinera sina möjligheter och utnyttja sina tillgångar optimalt. Tidigare litteratur har fokuserat på de förmågor som leverantörer behöver för att utveckla integrerade lösningar vilket skapar en osäkerhet gällande de förmågor som krävs av kunden. Studien avser att undersöka de förmågor som krävs både ur ett leverantörs- och kundperspektiv när man utvecklar integrerade lösningar. En noggrann litteraturundersökning gjordes för att skapa en grund av kunskap gällande forskningsområdet och resulterade i ett teoretiskt ramverk. En kvalitativ fallstudie utfördes där empirisk data samlades in genom huvudsakligen intervjuer men också genom att analysera dokument. Således resulterade fallstudien i de förmågor som krävdes av båda aktörerna för att utveckla den integrerade lösningen. För att skapa en helhetssyn över den integrerade lösningen utvecklades en ekonomisk modell vilket möjliggjorde för en jämförelse av den nuvarande handelssituationen. Undersökningen resulterade i fem dimensioner innehållande förmågor för leverantören respektive fyra dimensioner innehållande förmågor för kunden vid utveckling av den integrerade lösningen. Följande dimensioner identifierades: kontrollförmåga, ekonomisk förmåga, organisatorisk förmåga, produktionsförmåga och relationsförmåga. I denna specifika fallstudie ansågs produktionsförmågorna endast beröra leverantören och därav itererade dem inte ur ett kundperspektiv. Utöver denna förmåga ansågs alla dimensioner viktiga för båda aktörerna. Resultatet indikerar att det är viktigt att undersöka vilka förmågor som behövs både för leverantören och kunden vid utvecklingen av en integrerad lösning. Trots att många av de förmågor som identifierades i studien ansågs viktiga för båda aktörerna fanns det olikheter då vissa förmågor endast behövdes för en av aktörerna och vissa ansågs mer eller mindre viktiga beroende på aktör. Resultatet indikerar även att den unika affärsrelationen och den specifika industrin kan ha en påverkan på vilka förmågor som anses viktiga för aktörerna.

This thesis has its point of departure in the identified knowledge gap, which includes the importance of the information systems (IS) outsourcing relationship for studying the success of IS outsourcing. This research study, therefore, is structured with the belief that the disregard of the client-IS supplier relationship when studying IS outsourcing is paradoxical. Paradoxical since the impact of the relationship on the overall IS outsourcing can make the difference between success, less success and even failure. In contrast to the majority of prior research, which has focused IS outsourcing in its entirety, this research study percieves IS outsourcing as a process. Because prior research shows that the success or failure of IS outsourcing is connected to its implementation, this thesis focuses the post-contract stage of the IS outsourcing. The purpose chosen and addressed is to develop a conceptual framework for describing and explaining the degree of successful outcome of the IS outsourcing process using a relationship perspective. To approach this purpose, a literature review study is conducted. The literature review study includes the integration of three theoretical fields: IS, interorganisational business relationships and IS outsourcing. The knowledge domains of particular interest are 'strategies, approaches and frameworks for the IS life cycle', 'the interaction approach' and 'IS outsourcing success'. The purpose is focused through the identification of key conditions, dimensions and interrelations among dimensions. These identified elements, constituting the core elements of the conceptual framework, are a result of the conducted literature review study. The key conditions are identified according to their influence on the degree of successful outcome of the IS outsourcing process from a relationship perspective. Due to the large amount of key conditions identified, they are categorised into nine dimensions: Atmosphere, Behaviour, Contract, Environment, Interatction, IS, Management, Organisation and Outcome. The identified interrelations among these dimensions are fruitful since they provide insights and a favourable point of departure for studying the degree of successful outcome of IS outsourcing processes. The main contribution of this thesis is the conceptual framework for the IS outsourcing process. The key conditions, dimensions and interrelations constitute the conceptual framework as a result of their potential for describing and explaining the degree of successful outcome of the IS outsourcing process from a relationship perspective. The application of the conceptual framework provides managers with core elements to be considered during IS outsourcing decision-making and subsequent design of IS outsourcing. Its usage, moreover, is believed to support managers during the operationalisation of the post-contract stage of IS outsourcing processes. Finally, the conceptual framework is a fruitful 'tool' for future empirical research. Fruitful in the sense that it can provide useful and important insights into how different key conditions infuence the degree of successful outcome of IS outsourcing processes and how these key conditions are interrelated.

No description available.

Purpose - The purpose of this study was to examine three main components of the business model,revenue model, value proposition and customer relationships. These three main components wouldbe investigated for a newly formed actor on the Swedish real estate market named access operator. Method - A literature study was conducted to compile the previous research that has been done inthe subject. The results obtained in the literature study were later compiled into a theoretical frameof reference that formed the basis for the design of the interview guide. The study has beenconducted in the form of a simple case study on a Swedish software company that has identified agap in the Swedish real estate market. The study's data collection has been conducted usingqualitative semi-structured interviews with respondents from Swedish real estate companies andtechnology companies. All collected data has been analysed using a thematic analysis. Therespondents can also be viewed as potential customers for the anticipated new service that will belaunched on the Swedish real estate market. Results - The study's findings indicate that the value proposition of the new service consists of twodistinct key elements: "ease of integration and use" and "availability." Overall, the valueproposition for this type of access service is the ease with which the actors can use it. The resultsalso revealed that subscription is the best type of revenue model for the new service. Finally, thefindings revealed that respondents had a favourable attitude toward bringing a new player into theSwedish real estate market. Theoretical contribution - According to the study's findings, respondents who belonged to group A "property owners" or group B "technology suppliers" faced similar challenges. Their answerswere unaffected by their disparate backgrounds. As a result, the respondents similarly perceivedthe value proposition of the new service. Previous studies suggest that different backgrounds canaffect how the service's value is perceived. Furthermore, the results indicated that subscription asa revenue model is best suited for the new access service, which was consistent with the findingsof previous studies. Finally, the study's findings indicated that there are no long-term relationshipsestablished between existing actors today because most of it is done through contracts and rapidchanges between organizations occur. Previous studies suggest instead that long-term relationshipsare the type of relationship most organizations strive for. However, the outcome indicated afavourable view of establishing a new player in the industry. Existing actors believe that the newaccess operator will contribute to positive change. Practical contribution- The practical contributions are primarily directed at the company wherethe study was conducted. However, this study can benefit other real estate companies as well ascompanies in other markets looking to establish a new service. According to the study's findings,potential customers value the ease of use that the new service will provide. This is also evident intheir selection of the revenue model they deemed most appropriate for the new service. They canthus gain a better understanding of their costs and future budgeting by using subscription as arevenue model. The findings also show that organizations should have open communication aboutthe value proposition to ensure that all actors are on the same page. Clear communication alsocontributes to increased trust and commitment among the actors, as well as increased marketwillingness to use the new service. This is in line with previous studies which claim that trustbetween several actors increases commitment.

The diploma thesis is focused on alternative dispute resolution (ADR) in business relationships. The goal of thesis is to determine the term of alternative dispute resolution and to compare different approaches to regulation of mini-trial and mediation. The first part of thesis presents the term ADR and identifies its key characteristics. It points out the advantages and disadvantages of ADR and introduces institutions which concern with ADR. The attention is also aimed on arbitration and its relation to ADR. The second part of thesis deals with mini-trial. The description of its features is based on comparison of model rules provided by institutions which concern with ADR. The third part of thesis is focused on the most expanded method of ADR -- mediation. The attention is aimed at regulation trend within the European Union, legislation in the Czech Republic and Mediation Act Proposal. Closing part compares regulation of mini-trial and mediation and points out some of the debatable provisions of the Mediation Act Proposal.

Le futur d'une entreprise est garanti par sa capacité à créer de nouvelles relations commerciales. Le développement de son patrimoine de clients lui assure autonomie, pérennité et visibilité. Cette action de conquête est souvent confiée à la force de vente. Le vendeur semble le levier le plus efficace pour accroître la valeur et le nombre des nouveaux clients. Notre recherche a pour objet de définir et de comprendre le processus de la première relation commerciale entre un client et un vendeur. Ce mécanisme de la vente initiale est éclairé par la formalisation d'un modèle et la formulation d'hypothèses qui sont testées quantitativement sur un échantillon de 81 acheteurs professionnels et de 323 commerciaux. Une vente initiale performante satisfait des motivations économiques et sociales pour le client et pour le vendeur. Elle assure le transfert d'un bien mais aussi la réalisation d'un lien social. L'efficacité d'une première relation commerciale s'illustre par la combinaison de dimensions transactionnelles et relationnelles. Notre travail porte sur l'influence positive d'antécédents transactionnels et de préalables relationnels sur la performance d'une vente initiale pour la dyade client-vendeur. La confiance, la qualité de la relation et l'humour médiatisent les liens entre ces antécédents et la performance de la vente initiale. Ce processus est dynamique car marqué par l'influence positive des étapes de la vente initiale. Nos contributions enrichissent le corps théorique de la vente et la démarche méthodologique de recherche en vente. Pour le manager, notre recherche offre de multiples applications permettant d'accroître l'efficacité de la prospection commerciale des forces de vente. / The future of a company is guaranteed by its ability to create new business relationships. The development of a repeating customer base assures autonomy, sustainability and visibility. This action of conquest often relies on the sales force. The salesman appears to be the key element to increase the value and number of new customers. Our research aims at defining and understanding the process of the first commercial relationship between a customer and a salesman. The mechanism of the initial sale is illustrated by the formalization of a model and assumptions are tested quantitatively on a sample of 81 buyers and 323 salesmen. A successful initial sale meets the economic and social expectations of the customer and the salesman. It ensures the transfer of property but also the creation of a social bond. The success of an initial business relationship is illustrated by the combination of transactional and relational dimensions. Our research focuses on the positive effects of transactional and relationship factors for both customers and salesmen on the rate of success of an initial sale. The trust, the quality of the relationship, humor, enhance the relationship between these antecedents and the success rate of the initial sale. This is a dynamic process influenced by each positive step of the initial sale. Our contributions give value to the theoretical structure of the sale and methodological approach to research sales. For the manager, our work offers multiple solutions to increase the efficiency of business development sales force.