This thesis presents two essays that explore firms’ incentive to share information in a multi-period decentralized supply chain and between competing firms. In the first essay, we consider a two-period supply chain in which one manufacturer supplies to a retailer. The retailer possesses some private demand information about the uncertain demand and decides whether to share the information with manufacturer. If an information sharing agreement is achieved, the retailer will share the observed demand information truthfully to the manufacturer. Then the selling season with two periods starts. In each period, the manufacturer decides on a wholesale price, which the retailer considers when deciding on the retail price. The manufacturer can observe the retailer's period-1 decision and the realized period-1 demand, and use this information when making the period-2 wholesale price decision. Thus, without information sharing, the two firms play a two-period signaling game. We find that voluntary information sharing is not possible because it benefits the manufacturer but hurts the retailer. However, different from one-period model, in which no information sharing can be achieved even with side payment, the manufacturer can make a side payment to the retailer to induce information sharing when the demand range is small. Both firms benefit from more accurate information regardless whether the retailer shares information. We also extend the two-period model to three-period model and infinite-period model, we find that the above results are robust. The second essay studies the incentives for information sharing between two competing firms with different production timing strategies. Each firm is planning to produce a new (upgraded) product. One firm adopts routine timing, whereby her production time is fixed according to her tradition of similar or previous models of the product. The other firm uses strategic timing, whereby his production time can be strategically chosen: be it before, simultaneously with, and after the routine firm. The two firms simultaneously choose whether or not to disclose their private demand information, make their quantity decisions based on any demand information available, and then compete in the market. We find that when the demand uncertainty is not high, both firms sharing information is the unique equilibrium outcome. Exactly one firm (the routine firm) sharing information can arise in equilibrium when the demand uncertainty is intermediate. These results are in stark contrast to extant literature which has shown that, for Cournot competitors with substitutable goods, no firm is willing to share demand information. Production timing is thus identified as a key driving force for horizontal information sharing, which might have been overlooked before. Surprisingly, when the competition becomes more intense, firms are more willing to share information. It is the information asymmetry that fundamentally change the strategic firm’s timing. We highlight the impact of signaling demand information for an early-production firm on the timing strategies, under different information sharing arrangements.

<p>Background</p><p>Today, collaboration between actors in a supply chain is often a necessity if a business wants to remain competitive. Moreover, efficient sharing of information is vital for success in this collaboration. One way of sharing demand and inventory information between the customer and supplier in a supply chain is by utilizing vendor managed inventory, VMI. The recent focus on VMI has produced a great number of articles on this subject, however, few of them give the whole picture of the VMI relationship. The VMI literature tends to have its focal point on the large customers in a supply chain, failing to cover the effects of VMI for the small and medium-sized (SME) supplier.</p><p>Purpose</p><p>The purpose of this thesis is to study VMI and its effects on the small and medium-sized supplier. The thesis will look at VMI from an electronic information sharing perspective.</p><p>Realisation</p><p>The study has a qualitative approach and is based on qualitative interviews conducted with representatives from three SME suppliers and one of their largest customers. In addition, interviews were conducted with VMI experts.</p><p>Results</p><p>The study shows that the prime motive for SME suppliers to enter into a VMI partnership is the demands of the customer. The fact that the SME supplier gains competitive advantage and gets access to information when joining a VMI collaboration are further reasons. For a successful implementation, the SME supplier must know his prerequisites, understand the goal and vision of the collaboration, participate in the design phase of the collaboration, and use the VMI information efficiently. In the long run, VMI normally leads to reductions in inventory, production, transportation and administrative costs for the SME supplier. Any absence of benefits can be due to the logistical knowledge being isolated to a few individuals. The VMI collaboration must bee seen as a strategic matter and a long term investment.</p>

Humanitarian logistics is a young science and complex discipline compared to business logistics because not only are actors in that arena compelled to work with outmost speed in interrupted environments having undetermined demand, they are also forced to work closely with other unknown players. Even more complex are civil-military relations because as studies show, the differences between these two humanitarian actors run deep to include contrasting missions, humanitarian principles, organizational and cultural differences. The purpose of this work is to examine civil-military relations during the preparedness and response phases of humanitarian crises. We developed a frame of reference, set forth some operational and theoretical definitions, examined overlapping supply chains, modeled organizational structures and coordination mechanisms, established civil-military cooperation framework, disaster cycle studies and proposed a working model. Our methodology included primary data collection through an empirical study of two NGOs and the military force through a series of interviews. Data culled was then analyzed in conjunction with the models and literature outlined in the frame of reference. Based on our analysis, a number of observations were made in the conclusion. To begin with a number of strategies are employed during the preparedness and response phase where speed and agility are crucial. Also, overlapping roles between the military and NGOs have both positive and negative impact. Different organizational structures and funding outlay mean differences abound in how actors coordinate activities and share information. Cooperation, trust, information sharing and coordination are closely linked when finding a strategic fit among actors. In spite of the attempt at seeking a right formula for civil-military relations, it would be erroneous to ‘standardize’ relations as no two cases are ever the same.

Authors: Sjöberg, Amelie 880410 Wallgren, Christopher 890131   Background: Due to the current competitive climate, it is of major importance for firms to distinguish and differentiate their products compared to the competitors. To achieve that, the firms need to offer a product that the customers want. Firms can integrate with external sources and receive valuable information regarding references and needs. Customer relationship management (CRM) have become a tool firm commonly use in order to receive this information. CRM is a much discussed topic among researchers, and the researchers argue that it is of major importance to identify CRM activities that generates profitability and successful performance to the firm   Purpose: The purpose of the study is to investigate the impact of customer relationship management (CRM) on product innovation in Scandinavian firms.   Method: The survey generated 61 responses from service and manufacturing firms operating on the Scandinavian market (Sweden, Norway and Denmark). The surveys were accessible through Keysruvey.com in April 2013 and generated a response rate of 14% Conclusion: The major conclusion of this research is that all Hypotheses were supported, which indicates that customer involvement, information sharing and long-term partnership has a positive impact on product innovation.

Background: This paper considers two levels of supply chain integration as manufacture ( Haleeb foods) and distributors. In the last decade, the advancement in technology and collaboration in the business becoming more commonly used. Firms need to be working closely with their supply chain partner upstream and downstream. However, supply chain integration is a process to join together as business partners and optimize the collective performance of the supply chain.   Purpose: The purpose of this study is to identify the existing  levels of supply chain integration between Haleeb foods and its distributors in Pakistan. Theory defines that developing countries have a lack of integration between supply chain partners due to some barriers to supply chain integration. Furthermore, this study found the barriers to supply chain integration between the Haleeb foods and its distributors as well as identifying the most common barriers to SCI.   Methodology: This study is to identify different levels and barriers to SCI between Haleeb foods and its distributors. Subsequently, research supported the supply chain integration in the food industry of Pakistan. Furthermore, relevant literature is reviewed to design the questionnaire and sent it to all the distributors of Haleeb foods across the Pakistan through a company representative . 178 responses were received out of 200 distributors in order to complete this survey based study. Pearson correlation was performed out of empirical data to find out the significant relationship. Moreover, the authors used descriptive statistic to identify the levels and barriers to supply chain integration.   Conclusion: The current level of supply chain integration in Haleeb foods and its distributors is low due to less supply chain integration practice and unstable industrial condition in Pakistan. However, the basic dimensions (II, CRS, ORL) of supply chain integration are very important to identifying the levels of SCI. On the other hand, there are some barriers to supply chain integration between Haleeb foods and its distributors. These barriers are strongly influencing on SCI. Originality/value: This is the first empirical work, measuring the existing levels and barriers to supply chain integration in the dairy industry of Pakistan specifically, Haleeb foods and its distributors. This research has given a clear idea about the supply chain integration and collaborative efforts in the food industry of Pakistan.

Background:  Supply risk becomes a crucial risk that manufacturing companies are facing while supplier information integration is one of the most important parts of supply chain management and supplier integration. The research based on the relationship between them is rarely found. Purpose: To find, describe, and compare the significant relationship of supplier information integration and supply risk and identify whether supplier information integration can help to mitigate supply risk in Chinese and Thai manufacturing industries. Methods: In order to answer the research questions, the search of the relevant literatures were carried out. The theoretical frame was made of basic concepts, approaches of supplier information integration, and sources of supply risk. The questionnaire was designed based on the theoretical framework and sent out among Chinese and Thai listed manufacturing companies. The correlation analysis was carried out as the main approach to check the significant relationships while the   descriptive statistics were used to described, compared, and analyzed in order to indentify the level of SII and perception of supply risk. Conclusion: The level of supplier information integration and the perception of supply risk showed differences in Chinese and Thai manufacturers. Chinese manufacturing industry was at medium level of IT and share tactical and strategic information with suppliers with a concern on suppliers’ suppliers while the Thai manufacturing industry was at low level of IT and shared only tactical information with suppliers with very less concern on suppliers’ suppliers. Chinese manufacturers showed an obvious lower perception of getting affected by terrorist incidents and natural disasters while Thai manufacturers showed the same perception of all sources of supply risk. The results indicated that most of relationships between the sub items of supplier information integration and supply risk were not significant with some special cases that showed small and medium relationships. The contribution and suggestion were concluded at the end.

In the competitive environment that companies not only target on the improvement the efficiency in their delivery system but also redefine how supply chain should function in order to operate more effective from original supply to final consumption. A lot of firms have now cooperated together in the supply chain instead of fighting alone to deal with the competition in this global environment market place. Therefore, in the supply chain management, information sharing is important to effective coordination between partners. This research aims to develop an Architecture-Oriented model for the Supply Chain Information Sharing management. In this model, the interaction between organizations, structure elements, systems, and information sharing for the Supply chain management are well defined. Adopting this model, management can understand and control the entire supply chain more easily. Also, this model can help management make the better decision so management can more effective to collect the important information of organizational structures and behaviors for what are needed. Architecture-Oriented Supply Chain Information Sharing Management Model (AOSCISMM) is based on the enterprise architecture theory and method. Using the structure-behavior coalescence (SBC) approach to simulate the Supply Chain Information Sharing Management Model, we are able to fully express the situation of organizational structure, business processes, and information systems clearly to reduce business reengineering risks. The major achievement of this research is to advise a new model for better supply chain information sharing management and also bring the new vision for the supply chain management of information sharing.

To set ¡§Electronic Government¡¨ into action becomes common practice all over the world. The aims of ¡§Electronic Government¡¨ are to link all government agencies, citizens and information through networking and to establish real time and interaction system services. It improves government operational procedures, promotes service efficiency and quality. There are ¡§Government to Government¡¨, ¡§Government to Business¡¨ & ¡§Government to Citizens¡¨ according to the applications of electronic business. To implement the Government to Government program, The government has deployed a¡§Electronic Gateway Information System¡¨and an E-government Common Platform Guideline to integrate interdepartmental information and simplify related operating processes. There are many important influences to lessen the need for redundant copies of official documents and to improve the efficiency of administrative procedures. The study takes Bureau of National Health Insurance Kao-ping Branch, which practice National Health Insurance in Taiwan as an example to research interdepartmental information sharing and services. That includes its performance, benefits, influential factors, and difficulties of implementation to try to seek the key problems and propose some suggestions for implementation of ¡§Electronic Gateway Information System¡¨. For examples establishing the interdepartmental integrated association, improving the system quality, protection personal detail security, etc.

In this thesis, a market is assumed with n competing buyers where price is an inverse linear function of the quantity supplied to the market. The buyers get engaged in Cournot competition, but may also collaborate on purchasing decisions from a supplier. The supplier offers a quantity discount, as the quantity purchased increases unit price decreases. Furthermore, the demand base in the market is uncertain, but the buyers may get a signal of the demand. In this setting, the value of collaboration, information sharing and non-linear pricing is analyzed.

With rapid development of information technology, the company can find and communicate with new partners easily, which makes the relation more complex and unstable. How to improve the performance of the supply chain is an important issue. In this study, we try to discuss the problem from the three factors including switching cost, trust and information sharing. First, we propose a conceptual model of switching cost, trust, information sharing and supply chain performance. The performance indexes include the average fulfillment rate, average stock cost, and average cycle time. Second, in order to verify the model, we construct a simulation environment of supply chain and construct a decision mechanism based on the conceptual model. Final, we observe the effect and variation of the different order demand environment, the different information sharing threshold, different propensity of switching cost and trust, and different product price and different producing technology.