FIDIC Conditions of Contract and their Application in the Czech Republic Resume in English The goal of this thesis is, mainly by the mutual comparison, to describe the differences between each kinds of contractual forms of FIDIC and also to put the main forms into the context of their application in Czech Republic, especially by enumeration of examples of some modifications which are made through the Particular Conditions by various public employers, including the general assessment of such modifications. The basic structure of the thesis consists of two main sections, which are split into the four chapters. The content of the thesis goes from the general description of the contractual forms of FIDIC, including the brief description of organization's history, thru the international contextualization of its forms and general introduction to their application in Czech Republic, to the comparison and description of the application of each chapters of FIDIC forms in Czech and partially also in the Central Eastern European context. The first main section forms the general introduction into the issue of FIDIC forms by their basic description and by putting them into the context of similar contractual forms around the globe. This first section is split into three chapters, which describe the context of contractual...

Procurement of sawlogs to purchasing sawmills represents a basic strategic business process. The properties of inbound sawlogs are decisive for the output of sawn products and the cost of raw material contributes substantially to the cost of the final product. Increasing customer orientation and new demands from powerful customers in the building and retail sectors entail new or accentuated demands on management of procurement. Managing raw material procurement and communicating needs to suppliers and logging machine operators are vital issues for sawmills in order to be competitive. The purpose of the thesis is to explore how purchasing sawmills manage procurement of sawlogs. The results are based on 46 in-depth interviews with people involved in the procurement process at seven softwood sawmills in Denmark, Finland and Sweden. The thesis identifies various types of supply uncertainties as well as process improvement and buffer activities that reduce uncertainties. However, the major obstacle in the procurement process is the power/dependence balance in the relationships with suppliers. Beyond doubt, it restricts the manageability of procurement and particularly bucking. The results suggest that there are a number of ways to improve management of procurement, which are currently not fully employed. The thesis provides four key strategic dimensions of the procurement process and suggests a general conceptual model of wood procurement to purchasing sawmills. Further research within the subject can usefully explore the link between procurement management and procurement strategy as well as the relation to other functions' strategies and the corporate strategy. The importance of the identified strategic dimensions of the procurement process needs to be quantified in order to provide normative suggestions.