<p>Rapporten finns arkiverad i fulltext (pdf) i DiVA och kan hämtas av administratör</p>

Boundaries and Matter - The intangible and the corporeal A space dedicated to contemplation in a public realm With a philosophical approach to the topics I aim to absorb the dynamics in the meeting between the intangible and the physical. In the urban contemporary environment that we live in I see a need for a physical context that contrasts the flow of information and inputs that we are exposed to.From this point of view I have created a concept of a space for contemplation, as a reply for both visual as well as mental boundaries that connects both the abstraction of the mind to the corporeal. The perception of our surroundings is an acknowledgment and a consciousness of our senses. In our everyday life we are constantly surrounded by a flow of impressions. To contrast this I have created a space where you can calmly travel inward &amp; outwards without being disturbed by the constant flow of information. This project departs as a statement towards the intense frequency of information inputs in our contemporary surrounding, the stressful act to manage our mental boundaries for what we let in and what we leave out. Through this project I wanted to define the abstract spectra of inspirations in the design-process of how I relate to form and the surroundings. Mapping it, formulate and gestalt it. Defining the boundaries to what I see as the scenery of the project. Taking the broad turns of the process leading me to collect bits and pieces from various sources and apply these thoughts in a secondary phase to the actually form-giving. Turning the abstract ideas to a space and an object, interpret in two different manners to a pavilion for contemplation and an idea of seating furniture. Throughout the process I balance the two poles through reflection from a philosophical angle that I follow up with the sensibility for the tactile sensors in how one perceive a physical object. Leading through historical values and ideas tied towards the spatial dimensions and the various scales in handling space and object. Using the materiality to create a connection to the body and wrapping up to embrace as a protective shield around the body. With the gestalt of a boundless space within given dimensions that are not obvious or sharply defined, to instead become an extension of your mind and body. As you become the centre of the space, your thoughts are the boundaries and the spatial dimensions are framing the action.

This thesis is a study of Thai consumer behavior that affects the purchasing and servicing in the furniture retail industry. A market survey was conducted in Thailand to support this study. The target group of this study is people residing in Bangkok aged 25 year old and above. In order to find a suitable strategy for the new IKEA in Thailand, the data gathered was analyzed and discussed by applying the type of Kano’s model with IKEA’s strategies. It was also analyzed in terms of conceptual level between Kano’s model and research strategy. The study reveals that consumer behavior and characteristics of consumer requirements in Thailand are different from others counties. IKEA has to adapt suitable strategies that are consistent with Thai consumer behavior to achieve consumer satisfaction. This thesis also discussed that Kano model can inform strategy making process in term of quality and customer satisfaction as the results from Kano model quantitative analysis provide understanding of customer requirements and their attributes.

Gungstolen är en möbel med en säregen relation till sin brukare. Känsloladdad, lite opraktisk men omtyckt. Jag önskar att fler ska få uppleva glädjen och stoltheten i att bidra till skapandet av en möbel. En träram som fylls med personligheten av sin brukare. Kan detta också göra relationen till möbeln starkare? / A rocking-chair is an item of furniture with a peculiar relationship to its user. Emotive, slightly impractical but popular. My wish is that more people will be able to experience the joy and pride of contributing to the creation of an item of furniture. A wooden frame that is filled with the personality of its user. Might this also make the relationship to the rocking-chair even stronger?

The manipulation of space, materials and issues about shape, color, texture and gravity are common to architecture and furniture. For my degree project, I examine the three-dimensional territories of architecture and furniture. I investigate how the notion of architecture can influence furniture design, or the other way around. Many times, architects cross the boundary from building to furniture design to try and challenge themselves with different scale as same as designer. With my project, I don’t want to cross the border between them, but rather seek the space in-between the two territories, where design and architecture are blended. I’m intrigued by particular spaces and things when they can’t be classified exactly; something in-between. It leaves me with curiosity, inspiration and space for imagination. My project can be seen as something in-between because it is hard to define. Whether it is extra small architecture or an extra large piece of furniture, it is somewhere in-between these aspects of scale and function. / Master / InSpace 2009

I have been inspired by the Do It Yourself movement. DIY builds on the creativity of the individual, one’s capacity for initiative and one’s desire to realise one’s ideas. I have been inspired by sheets of pattern paper used in the manufacture of clothing, and my line of furniture is based on two-dimensional patterns of furniture. The sections of the pieces of furniture are printed on and relate to a standard sheet of plywood. In my project I provide tools for luring forth people’s ability to create and take their own initiatives. The project is aimed at those who are experienced in making furniture themselves and also those who have no experience at all. My intention is to encourage individual creativity and to communicate the idea that it is easy to create furniture. / Mitt möbelprojekt grundar sig i att försöka locka till att bygga själv. Jag vill förmedla ett redskap och en ingång till att på egen hand skapa möbler. Jag har alltid fascinerats av autodidakt design. Under min uppväxt var större delen av möblerna hemmasnickrade eller omgjorda av mina släktingar. Ett gammalt bord ifrån Dalarna, en tung furusäng snickrat av regelvirke, köksbord av spånskiva täckt med vitt kakel. Soffa ombyggd och omklädd med mönstrade tyger. Mitt kandidatarbete tar sig uttryck i mönsterark tryckta på plywoodskivor, anpassat efter plywoodskivornas standardmått 2440x1220mm. Det ger köparen inblick i processen att skapa en möbel. Att anpassa delarna efter skivans standardmått ger också minimalt med resursslöseri. Det påminner om den industriella tillverkningen av en möbel. Möbelns delar kommer att screentryckas i färger och skivans uttryck går mot det textila, både arbetssättet och förhållningssättet kommer mönsterkonstruktion av kläder. / Kandidatexamen 2010

Globalization and associated economic changes have led to a lot of opportunities and hazards that companies are facing. Especially the increased role of customer demands and the interconnected shift from seller markets to buyer markets were the driving factors and incentives for the research work of this Master Thesis. One quite new strategy that companies tend to apply in order to meet the occurring challenges is supplier development. By reason of the actuality of this topic, it was of high worth to investigate, especially when it comes to the lack of theoretical findings about challenges, difficulties and problems. Therefore, the main objective of this thesis was to find out which problems can occur in the process of supplier development, and how they can be solved. Hereby, the focus was laid on the furniture retail industry, as it is one of the fastest growing sectors in Sweden. For the empirical research the retailers Ikea and Mio were selected, because they play a very important role within the Swedish furniture retail industry due to the fact that they are the two biggest when it comes to market shares. Furthermore, the suppliers Bitc Möbel AB, Lundbergs Möbler and AB Wilo were chosen in order to examine their dyadic relationship with Mio. For the purpose of investigating the supplier development within the dyadic relationship of Ikea and its supplier, Bodilsen a/s was interviewed. Almost during the whole research of this thesis a lack of knowledge occurred. It was noticed that only few references exist regarding this topic, therefore the objective of this thesis was to attach importance to this issue, illustrate further problem areas and possible solutions. Hereby, a conceptual model was created that served as a basis for the empirical part. After collecting empirical data, a close analysis was accomplished. In the end, suggestions for companies to improve their supplier development were made and a final model was generated in order to illustrate the results of the study. The Swedish furniture retail industry is exposed to a strong price pressure and stress of competition, which makes it necessary to improve companies’ performance in order to withstand the competition and to succeed in the end. Its proximity to end customers makes a continuous product development necessary, which can only be successful when working closely together with manufacturers. Therefore, deploying supplier development is a recommendable strategy, but one should be aware of challenges that can occur. The results of this thesis provide support for the improvement of supplier development, especially when it comes to problem areas and correspondent solutions within dyadic relationships. Supplier development is an up-to-date topic and plays a crucial role within the fast changing business environment. It was chosen to raise the reader’s interest and to give an insight into current economic developments. The Swedish furniture retail industry turned out to be very interesting for the topic of this Master Thesis. Finally, there is nothing more to say than: ‘Enjoy the trip through the Swedish furniture industry!’ / Research questions: Which are the potential problem areas of Supplier Development within dyadic relationships in the Swedish furniture retail industry? Which possible solutions for these problem areas can be found in order to improve Supplier Development?

No description available.

<p>Globalization and associated economic changes have led to a lot of opportunities and hazards that companies are facing. Especially the increased role of customer demands and the interconnected shift from seller markets to buyer markets were the driving factors and incentives for the research work of this Master Thesis. One quite new strategy that companies tend to apply in order to meet the occurring challenges is supplier development. By reason of the actuality of this topic, it was of high worth to investigate, especially when it comes to the lack of theoretical findings about challenges, difficulties and problems. Therefore, the main objective of this thesis was to find out which problems can occur in the process of supplier development, and how they can be solved. Hereby, the focus was laid on the furniture retail industry, as it is one of the fastest growing sectors in Sweden. For the empirical research the retailers Ikea and Mio were selected, because they play a very important role within the Swedish furniture retail industry due to the fact that they are the two biggest when it comes to market shares. Furthermore, the suppliers Bitc Möbel AB, Lundbergs Möbler and AB Wilo were chosen in order to examine their dyadic relationship with Mio. For the purpose of investigating the supplier development within the dyadic relationship of Ikea and its supplier, Bodilsen a/s was interviewed.</p><p>Almost during the whole research of this thesis a lack of knowledge occurred. It was noticed that only few references exist regarding this topic, therefore the objective of this thesis was to attach importance to this issue, illustrate further problem areas and possible solutions. Hereby, a conceptual model was created that served as a basis for the empirical part. After collecting empirical data, a close analysis was accomplished. In the end, suggestions for companies to improve their supplier development were made and a final model was generated in order to illustrate the results of the study.</p><p>The Swedish furniture retail industry is exposed to a strong price pressure and stress of competition, which makes it necessary to improve companies’ performance in order to withstand the competition and to succeed in the end. Its proximity to end customers makes a continuous product development necessary, which can only be successful when working closely together with manufacturers. Therefore, deploying supplier development is a recommendable strategy, but one should be aware of challenges that can occur. The results of this thesis provide support for the improvement of supplier development, especially when it comes to problem areas and correspondent solutions within dyadic relationships.</p><p>Supplier development is an up-to-date topic and plays a crucial role within the fast changing business environment. It was chosen to raise the reader’s interest and to give an insight into current economic developments. The Swedish furniture retail industry turned out to be very interesting for the topic of this Master Thesis. Finally, there is nothing more to say than: ‘Enjoy the trip through the Swedish furniture industry!’</p> / <p>Research questions:</p><p>Which are the potential problem areas of Supplier Development within dyadic relationships in the Swedish furniture retail industry?</p><p>Which possible solutions for these problem areas can be found in order to improve Supplier Development?</p>

It is estimated ten thousand hours of experience are required to master any given process (Sennett 20). Whether it is wood joinery, music, culinary arts or weaving, it is about making something that can be seen, heard, touched, and/or used. Society seems to be losing an appreciation for craft as an idea. Especially in the US, materialism has reduced quality and craftsmanship to merely a luxury to those that can afford a $10,000 Maloof chair or an $8000 Amish table. Developers build for maximum profit while buyers seek maximum square footage. Yet it seems while mainstream society continues to "progress", the craftsmen see their clients loss comprehension and appreciation of true quality in their workmanship. While many schools and guilds around the country aim to keep "the crafts", i.e. material-based mediums alive, each craft brings potential processes and applications to the architectural realm. While the architect's general role is to be the conductor of these mediums, he should also study them as a source for potential material and building processes. The art of boatbuilding, glassblowing, ceramics and others each hold something unique to be implemented into architecture. While it is not yet clear what this thesis will turn out to be, as far as program or building type, the goal is the study of craftsmanship of all the different arts and how it can be translated into an architect's design process as well as his product.