Vale, a Brazilian-based, multinational mining company is used as a case study to investigate the impact of institutions on company strategy in dynamic markets. The research focuses on Vale’s exploration and development of the coal deposits of Mozambique, a country in which the institutional environment was decimated by war between 1964 and 1992.The objective of the research is to investigate how using the theory of institutions, as articulated in international business and corporate strategy literature, could be useful in understanding how firms make strategic choices and seek to gain competitive advantage in dynamic markets. In addition, the research provides a case study based in an African market, which will add to the material available for teaching general management principles in dynamic markets.The research demonstrates the importance of the link between Brazil’s foreign policy between 2000 and 2010, and Vale’s expansion strategies in Africa at that time. It highlights the institutional deficiencies in Mozambique at the time of Vale’s entrance, such as the limited rail infrastructure and weakly developed mineral rights legislation; and shows how Vale has been able to turn these deficiencies into competitive advantage, and has developed a dominant position in an internationally significant coalfield.In this way, the research supports the “institutional-view” of strategy, as articulated by Peng, Wang and Jiang (2008) and positions the role of institutions as being at least as important as industry and company resource factors in determining company strategy in dynamic markets.The challenge presented to readers of the case is to describe the institutional landscape in Mozambique and assess Vale’s response to it, using Khanna, Palepu and Sinha’s (2005) framework; to assess the merit of Peng et al.’s (2008) “strategy-tripod” when considering dynamic market strategy; and to consider the economic, political and social context facing Vale in trying to maintain and grow their competitive position. / Dissertation (MBA)--University of Pretoria, 2012. / Gordon Institute of Business Science (GIBS) / unrestricted

Aim of this thesis are analysing of contemporary state of company Dolly lingerie and setting new direction of development on this basis. Detailed analysis uses 5C ands SWOT analysis method. In the theoretical part thesis deals with substantial requisits of business plan.

This thesis deals with the evaluation of the competitiveness in the construction company HOCHTIEF CZ a.s. on the basis of strategical methods and processes.

Analysis of the company using internal and external analysis, integrated management model. Description of the competitive environment, market size and existing marketing activities. Outline the trends and developments in the industrial sector. Result of this work is optimize the financial issues, analysis of the internal state of the company and the possibility of change, proposal of company strategy.

The dissertation is focused on evaluating the efficiency and performance of Tesco Franchise Stores ČR, s. r. o. using benchmarking. First part introduces theoretical concepts of financial performance and benchmarking. The second part includes information about the company Tesco Franchise Stores ČR, s. r. o., which will then be compared with its competitors and industry bests using a specific method. The last part concludes the analysis and recommends how the company could improve (its practices).

This thesis is focused on information and communication technologies (ICT) and their applications in terms of contribution to improvement of competitive advantage and fulfillment of company's targets. The goal of this work is to analyze a manufacturing company with focus on IT and to design such an ICT strategy which will match the selected company's strategy.

Empowerment é uma abordagem de projeto que objetiva a delegação de poder de decisão, autonomia e participação dos funcionários do empowerment através dos estágios evolutivos das áreas de gestão. Estudam-se as especificidades do empowerment em termos de suas dimensões, ciclo de implementação e tipologia. Analisa-se o desenvolvimento de empowerment através dos estágios evolutivos das áreas de gestão, configurações organizacionais, estratégias competitivas, gestão de recursos humanos e qualidade. Apresenta-se um estudo de casos em duas empresas manufatureiras do interior de São Paulo, a fim de analisar o grau de participação dos funcionários de acordo com o estágio evolutivo de suas áreas de gestão, configuração organizacional, estratégia competitiva, gestão de recursos humanos e gestão da qualidade da empresa. Nas conclusões, discutem-se os fatores favoráveis, as particularidades e limitações do empowerment com base nos estudos de casos. / Empowerment is an approach of work design which aims at delegating decision power, autonomy and employees\' participation in managing the company. This paper aims at analyzing the development of the empowerment through the evolution stages of management areas. The peculiarities of empowerment in terms of its dimensions, implementation cycle and typology are studied. The development of the empowerment is analyzed through the evolution stage of management area, organizational configurations, managerial strategy, human resource management and quality management. A case study in two industrial companies in the interior of São Paulo is presented in order to analyze the degree of the employees\' participation in agreement with the evolution stages of management areas, organizational configuration, competitive strategy, human resource management and quality management of each company. In the section of conclusions, the favorable aspects, peculiarities and limitations of empowerment which were found on the case study are discussed.

Even with advanced technology and new project management methodologies, construction company leaders continue to face challenges to improve labor productivity. This multiple case study was an exploration of the strategies that construction company leaders use to improve labor productivity in Doha, Qatar. The case population consisted of 6 construction company leaders operating in Doha, Qatar, who successfully identified and implemented strategies to improve labor productivity. The conceptual framework for this study was the expectancy theory. The data collection process included semistructured interviews and company documentation. Data were compiled and organized, disassembled into fragments, reassembled into a sequence of groups, and interpreted for meaning. Methodological triangulation and member checking bolstered the trustworthiness of those interpretations. Five themes emerged from these 6 construction company leaders: exploring, identifying, and evaluating issues affecting labor productivity; applying an appropriate leadership style; motivating the workforce; providing training and development; and implementing effective project management processes. By improving labor productivity, similar construction companies can complete construction projects faster and with lower construction costs. The implications for positive social change include the potential to lower construction costs and enable individuals with lower incomes in Doha, Qatar, to afford houses that they could not previously afford.

Empowerment é uma abordagem de projeto que objetiva a delegação de poder de decisão, autonomia e participação dos funcionários do empowerment através dos estágios evolutivos das áreas de gestão. Estudam-se as especificidades do empowerment em termos de suas dimensões, ciclo de implementação e tipologia. Analisa-se o desenvolvimento de empowerment através dos estágios evolutivos das áreas de gestão, configurações organizacionais, estratégias competitivas, gestão de recursos humanos e qualidade. Apresenta-se um estudo de casos em duas empresas manufatureiras do interior de São Paulo, a fim de analisar o grau de participação dos funcionários de acordo com o estágio evolutivo de suas áreas de gestão, configuração organizacional, estratégia competitiva, gestão de recursos humanos e gestão da qualidade da empresa. Nas conclusões, discutem-se os fatores favoráveis, as particularidades e limitações do empowerment com base nos estudos de casos. / Empowerment is an approach of work design which aims at delegating decision power, autonomy and employees\' participation in managing the company. This paper aims at analyzing the development of the empowerment through the evolution stages of management areas. The peculiarities of empowerment in terms of its dimensions, implementation cycle and typology are studied. The development of the empowerment is analyzed through the evolution stage of management area, organizational configurations, managerial strategy, human resource management and quality management. A case study in two industrial companies in the interior of São Paulo is presented in order to analyze the degree of the employees\' participation in agreement with the evolution stages of management areas, organizational configuration, competitive strategy, human resource management and quality management of each company. In the section of conclusions, the favorable aspects, peculiarities and limitations of empowerment which were found on the case study are discussed.

The diploma thesis deals with the multicriterial selection of the optimal variant of a appropriate airplane on short and medium haul routes. Here is a preview of airlines' strategies that indirectly enter the optimization tool. Further work describes the division of airlines into categories. The work at the end describes in more detail the optimization tool and the procedure for use.