Although Costco operates over 580 warehouse stores throughout North America, their location strategy remains relatively unexamined in the economic geography literature. A cursory examination of Costco’s network makes it clear that the firm chooses to locate primarily in the suburbs of major cities, where income levels are somewhat higher than the national average. However, what is not clear is the extent to which other demographic and geographic factors adequately account for Costco’s store locations, and what strategy underlies the geography of the firm’s warehouse stores, especially in relation to its distribution network. This research studies Costco in order to decode the location strategies that have guided the company’s North American and international expansions. The investigation attempts to identify key elements of Costco’s multinational retail network, including this network’s evolution over time. This paper seeks to benefit both retail business and public policymakers by highlighting elements of Costco’s location strategy that have contributed to the firm’s success.

Syfte: Studien syftar till att undersöka om CSR är en differentieringsfaktor för konsumenter inom möbelindustrin, samt öka förståelsen för hur CSR-kommunikation i fysiska möbelbutiker uppfattas av konsumenterna. Teoretisk bakgrund: I takt med att samhället digitaliseras ställs företagen inför krav att differentiera sig på marknaden. Miljömedvetna konsumenter ger företagens sociala ansvar, CSR, ett nytt liv på en differentierad marknad. En balansgång av risker och möjligheter med CSR-kommunikation möbelindustrin står inför framkommer i bakgrunden leder till frågan huruvida CSR-kommunikation kan användas som differentieringsfaktor bland möbelindustrins konsumenter.  Metod: Denna studie använder en interpretivistisk filosofi med en induktiv forskningsansats och kvalitativ metod. Genom djupgående intervjuer undersöks hur CSR-kommunikation kan fungera som differentieringsfaktior inom möbelindustrin och hur konsumenter uppfattar CSR-kommunikation i fysiska möbelbutiker. Valet av en induktiv ansats och kvalitativ metod möjliggör en djup förståelse för ämnet samt konsumenternas perspektiv och beteende. Resultat och analys: Resultaten visar att CSR-kommunikation i fysiska möbelbutiker är positivt hos konsumenter och det fastställs att CSR kan användas som en differentieringsfaktor inom möbelinudstrin. Konsumenternas begränsade kunskap kring CSR  minskar dock CSR-kommunikationens effektivitet, men ökad kunskap kan förbättra effekten. CSR-kommunikation upplevs positivt, och genom storytelling kan ökad medvetenhet och engagemang uppstå. Dock måste företag vara försiktiga för att undvika greenwashing och att uppfattas som icke genuina.

This dissertation research explores the benefit of the presence of a physical store on consumers' willingness to select a retailer in an online shopping context. As digital commerce continues to evolve, understanding the complex relationships between physical stores and online shopping behavior is becoming increasingly important. However, the role of physical store presence in shaping online purchasing decisions remains largely unexplored. This research project builds a conceptual framework based on the mere exposure effect and propinquity theory, which hypothesizes that physical store presence benefits consumers’ online purchase intentions through its effects on several intermediate constructs: retailer familiarity, retailer awareness, retailer loyalty proneness, retailer communication, retailer trust, and consumers' confidence in the retailer. Through three studies, this dissertation finds that having a physical store can significantly improve consumers' favorable attitudes toward a retailer and eventually increase the likelihood that they would select the retailer when making online purchases.The implications of the dissertation research lie in its potential to provide retailers with valuable insights into how strategically maintaining physical stores can positively influence online purchase intentions. The research also aims to contribute to the current literature in the hybrid retail field by providing a comprehensive understanding of the multiple pathways through which physical store presence could affect consumers’ online purchasing behavior. Empirical evidence from this research elucidates the vital role of physical store presence in the era of digital commerce.

This master thesis deals with possibilities for addressing customers at point of sale. Its objective is to apply current theoretical approaches to the field of research in order to design a concrete solution for increase of communication effectiveness of dermo-cosmetics products at pharmacies.

La question de l’assortiment des produits dans les magasins est devenue un enjeu stratégique majeur pour pénétrer les nouveaux marchés et fidéliser les clients. La forte progression des marques de distributeur (MDD) face aux marques nationales (MN) et l’internationalisation croissante des enseignes de distribution sont deux bouleversements qui ont particulièrement retenu l’attention des chercheurs et des praticiens ces dernières années.Dans ce contexte, la problématique centrale de cette thèse est de comprendre les facteurs explicatifs du comportement d’achat envers les produits MDD. Dans le cadre d’une posture épistémologique hypothético-déductive, nous adoptons une approche psycho-cognitive tout en prenant en compte les travaux issus de l’achat impulsif. Dans ce sens, une revue des travaux antérieurs combinée à une étude qualitative exploratoire multi-méthodes (étude documentaire, entretiens avec 24 consommateurs et entretiens 8 managers) a été effectuée au Brésil. Nous avons par la suite conçu un modèle conceptuel intégrateur des déterminants du choix de la MDD, formulé des hypothèses de recherche et effectué les tests de validation avec un échantillon de 600 consommateurs brésiliens. Les résultats ont permis de valider une nouvelle échelle de mesure bidimensionnelle de l’image prix perçue des MDD. Ils montrent aussi que les facteurs explicatifs du choix de la MDD sont multiples et de nature diverse (perception de la valeur des MDD, attitude générale envers les MDD, perception de l’image du magasin, image prix perçue des MDD, familiarité avec le magasin, etc.). Ils indiquent également que l’importance des relations structurelles du modèle varie en fonction du caractère international ou local de l’enseigne.La discussion des résultats aboutit à la formulation de recommandations managériales (variables qui affectent le plus le comportement d’achat envers les MDD des enseignes étudiées et la perception de l’image du magasin) et méthodologiques (orthogonalisation pour tester la modération des variables latentes de second ordre). La conclusion synthétise les apports, limites et voies de recherche futures. / The question of product and brand assortment within the stores has become a major strategic challenge to penetrate new markets and retain customers. Two changes that have particularly caught the attention of researchers and practitioners are the strong growth of store brands (SBs) compared to national brands (NB) and the increasing internationalization of retail chains.In this context, the central issue of this thesis is to understand factors explaining purchase behavior toward SB products. In this sense, a review of previous work combined with a qualitative multi-method study (desk research, interviews with 24 consumers and 8 managers) was conducted in Brazil. We then developed an integrated conceptual model of the determinants of SB choice, proposed research hypotheses and performed the validation tests with a sample of 600 Brazilian consumers.The results allow us to validate a new two-dimensional scale of SB perceived price-image. They also show that factors explaining SB choice are numerous and diverse in nature (SB perceived value, general attitude towards SBs, store image perceptions, perceived SB price-image, etc.). They also indicate that the importance of the structural paths in the model depends on the retailer as local or international.The discussion of the results leads to managerial recommendations (variables that most affect purchase behavior toward SBs and store image perceptions) and methodological ones (orthogonalization to test the moderation of second order latent variables). The conclusion summarizes the contributions, limitations and future research avenues.

The subject of this thesis is to compare the most widely used mobile operating systems from the perspective of the development, distribution and monetization of applications developed for these systems. Compared systems are Android, iOS, Symbian OS, Windows Phone and BlackBerry OS. The thesis defines a total of 16 criteria against which systems are compared. These criteria are further divided into three categories, namely SDK features, functionality and distribution and monetization. All criteria have assigned weights which are determined by the paired comparison method using the Fuller's triangle, which is part of the Annexes of this work. Practical part of this thesis is focused on determining the values of defined criteria. Each criterion is evaluated separately, including an analysis of results. The overall evaluation is performed in a separate part of the thesis and is composed by categories evaluation and overall evaluation.

This study is an in-depth investigation of the factors that affect store brand purchases. It aims to help both retailers and manufacturers predict store brand purchases through an improved understanding of the effects of three latent variables: customer satisfaction and loyalty with the store; which is expressed through word-of-mouth; and trust in store brands. An additional aim is to explore variations in the level of store brand adoption and the inter-relationships between the selected constructs. Data was collected through a telephone survey of those responsible for household grocery shopping, and who shop at the nine leading grocery retailers in Greece. A total of 904 respondents completed the questionnaire based upon a quota of 100 respondents for each of the nine retailers. Data were analyzed through chi-square, analysis of variance and partial least square. The proposed model was tested by partial least square path modeling, which related the latent variables to the dependent manifest variable: store brand purchases. The findings provide empirical support that store brand purchases are positively influenced by the consumers’ perceived level of trust in store brands. The consumer decision-making process for store brands is complex and establishing customer satisfaction and loyalty with the store does not appear to influence store brand purchases or the level of trust in the retailer’s store brands in the specific context under study. Consequently the most appropriate way to influence store brand purchases in the Greek market is through increasing in the level of trust in the retailer’s store brands. It is suggested that retailers should therefore invest in trust building strategies for their own store brands and try to capitalize on their brand equity by using a family brand policy. Theoretical and managerial implications of the findings are discussed and opportunities for further research are suggested.

由於科技快速進步，企業經營也隨著科技的進步而產生重大變化，不但需求變化快速，企業還要即時快速反應外在環境，於是企業對於資訊系統整合的議題越來越重視，希望將功能導向的系統轉變為流程導向的系統，將資訊有效的整合及標準化，讓企業能快速地與外在環境連結，進而提升整體營運績效。 整合的方法非常的多，大致上可分為四類。目前對於哪一種整合方法是最有效率、效益也無一定論。最主要的原因是不同的整合個案會有不同的整合需求，若只從理論方面來探討資訊系統整合所帶來的效用並無法具體地呈現其價值。 有鑑於此，本研究之目的是希望透過個案單位的作業模型，分析、建構出整合的資料模型。因此，本研究以階段性的方法設計資料整合模型及其運作方法。在第一、二階段當中，先針對個案單位的流程進行系統資料流程塑模及業務流程塑模，再從業務面及系統面找出資訊中斷的地方及因素，並將問題具體地描述出來。在第三階段中，本研究挑選了最適合此個案單位的整合方法，也就是使用資料層級（Data-Level）整合的方法，設計整合的資料模型將資訊流完整的串接起來以支援企業的決策需求。最後一階段則要利用ETL說明整合的系統運作模式，並說明此個案單位使用ETL時，可能會遇到的問題及初步的解決方法。 / Owing to rapid advances in technology, enterprises have a major change of the progress of science and technology. The enterprises not only change rapidly in demand, but also have to response to the external environment rapidly. Hence, enterprise information system integration issues get more attentions. Enterprises hope to improve their systems from function-oriented to process-oriented because the effective integration of information and standardization allows enterprises to quickly link with the external environment and to enhance the overall operating performance. However, there are many kinds of integrated approaches. At present, there is no substantive conclusion in approaches to integrate efficiently all systems in business. The main reason is that the integration of different cases has different integration requirements. Therefore, it cannot concretely show the value of system integration through the discussion of the theoretical aspects. In this thesis, this study aims to enhance the operation of a case to model, analyze, and construct an integrated data model. This research has 4 phases to construct integrated data model. In phase 1 and 2, this study builds the case data flow modeling and business process modeling and discovers information gap. In phase 3, the study selects the most suitable method for this case, that is, to use the data level integrated approach to design integrated data model. Finally, using ETL illustrates system operation mode and describes the case which may encounter problems and initial solutions follow in phase 4.

Nowadays, increasingly large amounts of data are being collected in numerous areas ranging from science to industry. To gain valueable insights from these data, the importance of Online Analytical Processing (OLAP) workloads is constantly growing. At the same time, the hardware landscape is continuously evolving. On the one hand, the increasing capacities of DRAM allow database systems to store their entire data in main memory. Furthermore, the performance of microprocessors has improved tremendously in recent years through the use of sophisticated hardware techniques, such as Single Instruction Multiple Data (SIMD) extensions promising hitherto unknown processing speeds. On the other hand, the main memory bandwidth has not increased proportionately, such that the data access is now the main bottleneck for an efficient data processing. To face these developments, in-memory column-stores have emerged as a new database architecture. These systems store each attribute of a relation separately in memory as a contiguous sequence of values. It is state-of-the-art to encode all values as integers and apply lossless lightweight integer compression to reduce the data size. This offers several advantages ranging from lower transfer times between RAM and CPU over a better utilization of the cache hierarchy to fast direct processing of compressed data. However, compression also incurs a certain computational overhead. State-of-the-art systems focus on the compression of base data. However, intermediate results generated during the execution of complex analytical queries can exceed the base data in number and total size. Since in in-memory systems, accessing intermediates is as expensive as accessing base data, intermediates should be handled as efficiently as possible, too. While there are approaches trying to avoid intermediates whenever it is possible, we envision the orthogonal approach of efficiently representing intermediates using lightweight integer compression algorithms to reduce memory accesses. More precisely, our vision is a balanced query processing based on lightweight compression of intermediate results in in-memory column-stores. That means, all intermediates shall be represented using a suitable lightweight integer compression algorithm and processed by compression-enabled query operators to avoid a full decompression, whereby compression shall be used in a balanced way to ensure that its benefits outweigh its costs. In this thesis, we address all important aspects of this vision. We provide an extensive overview of existing lightweight integer compression algorithms and conduct a systematical experimental survey of several of these algorithms to gain a deep understanding of their behavior. We propose a novel compression-enabled processing model for in-memory column-stores allowing a continuous compression of intermediates. Additionally, we develop novel cost-based strategies for a compression-aware secondary query optimization to make effective use of our processing model. Our end-to-end evaluation using the famous Star Schema Benchmark shows that our envisioned compression of intermediates can improve both the memory footprint and the runtime of complex analytical queries significantly.:1 Introduction 1.1 Contributions 1.2 Outline 2 Lightweight Integer Compression 2.1 Foundations 2.1.1 Disambiguation of Lightweight Integer Compression 2.1.2 Overview of Lightweight Integer Compression 2.1.3 State-of-the-Art in Lightweight Integer Compression 2.2 Experimental Survey 2.2.1 Related Work 2.2.2 Experimental Setup and Methodology 2.2.3 Evaluation of the Impact of the Data Characteristics 2.2.4 Evaluation of the Impact of the Hardware Characteristics 2.2.5 Evaluation of the Impact of the SIMD Extension 2.3 Summary and Discussion 3 Processing Compressed Intermediates 3.1 Processing Model for Compressed Intermediates 3.1.1 Related Work 3.1.2 Description of the Underlying Processing Model 3.1.3 Integration of Compression into Query Operators 3.1.4 Integration of Compression into the Overall Query Execution 3.1.5 Efficient Implementation 3.1.6 Evaluation 3.2 Direct Integer Morphing Algorithms 3.2.1 Related Work 3.2.2 Integer Morphing Algorithms 3.2.3 Example Algorithms 3.2.4 Evaluation 3.3 Summary and Discussion 4 Compression-Aware Query Optimization Strategies 4.1 Related Work 4.2 Compression-Aware Secondary Query Optimization 4.2.1 Compression-Level: Selecting a Suitable Algorithm 4.2.2 Operator-Level: Selecting Suitable Input/Output Formats 4.2.3 QEP-Level: Selecting Suitable Formats for All Involved Columns 4.3 Evaluation 4.3.1 Compression-Level: Selecting a Suitable Algorithm 4.3.2 Operator-Level: Selecting Suitable Input/Output Formats 4.3.3 Lessons Learned 4.4 Summary and Discussion 5 End-to-End Evaluation 5.1 Experimental Setup and Methodology 5.2 A Simple OLAP Query 5.3 Complex OLAP Queries: The Star Schema Benchmark 5.4 Summary and Discussion 6 Conclusion 6.1 Summary of this Thesis 6.2 Directions for Future Work Bibliography List of Figures List of Tables

The architectural design of the reconstruction of Centrum department store is trying to establish a link to Tomáš Baťa by the phenomenon of high-rise buildings, and architectural design. The renovated part is trying to re-establish the original appearance and dispositions. New high-rise portion of the building are leveraging current architectural trends continue the functionalist Karfíks ideas. The aim was to carefully distinguish between the new and the original part of the building for the present pleasant correspondence with the surrounding historicist facades. This was mostly achieved through inclined and curved shapes with which functionalism rarely worked. Operation in new part is provided by a vertical communication tube, whose facade is composed of a vertical garden, which should contribute to the improvement of living conditions in densely built-up city center. The building is located in the center of city there are high demands for its multipurpose use. Shops, services and catering operations are situated in the lower part of the building. In successive floors is office space, and then on the top floor there are duplex apartments. Automatic stacker parking for residents is placed under the communication tube.