The purpose of this thesis was firstly, to investigate if the current selection system mirrors the task of international deployment and voluntariness. Secondly, to investigate if and how non-cognitive assessments of personality and resilience, individual aspects that seem underrepresented in the current selection system, may increment validity to the current selection system. Since 2012 the Swedish Armed Forces is an All-volunteer Force where young men and women voluntarily can apply for a military service. In contrast to conscription, military service today includes compulsory international deployments with different demands on the personnel’s range of possible abilities and skills as well as selection process—yet the current selection system may not sufficiently correspond to the changes. The thesis comprises four studies (Study I-IV) with relevant military samples, and aside from Study I, a validation of a short version personality questionnaire (PQ) being used in two of the subsequent studies, Study II-IV had a longitudinal design. Study II shows that the former selection system lacked prognostic value of soldiers’ performance during international deployment, and their ability to readjust at homecoming. Additionally, Study II shows that non-cognitive assessments can be used as predictors for readjustment. Study III indicates that international deployment does not need to be harmful for the psychological well-being and that good health seems to be a stable factor across time and situations. Thus, selection of “good health” and resilience may prove fruitful. Study IV suggests that high motivation to serve may have serious consequences for selection decisions and, in the long run, the recruits’ psychological well-being. In sum, this thesis suggests that the current selection system needs adaption to the task of repeated international deployments and to the voluntary applicant pool, and that non-cognitive assessment may increment validity. / Since the end of the Cold War the Swedish Armed Forces has undergone several changes regarding both task and personnel system. The task of national security does not only entail territorial defense but also international operations worldwide. In addition, the soldiers are no longer conscripts but young men and women who have volunteered to secure and uphold peace and democratic values. The purpose of this thesis was twofold: firstly, to investigate if the current selection system mirrors the recent refocus on international operations and voluntariness; secondly, to see if and how non-cognitive assessments of personality, health, and resilience increment validity to the current selection system in identifying individuals suitable for repeated international deployments. This work was guided by a series of tentative questions regarding both the selection system in particular, but also international deployments in general. The four papers in this thesis suggest that the current selection system need to be adapted to better correspond to repeated international deployments as well as to a voluntary applicant pool; and that non-cognitive assessments of personality, health, and resilience increment validity to the selection system.

Made available in DSpace on 2015-03-05T18:39:03Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 19 / Nenhuma / Diante do atual cenário de concorrência internacional, o sucesso de uma empresa multinacional está cada vez mais atrelado à forma como ela gerencia suas operações internacionais. Para tanto, as empresas devem tirar o máximo de proveito diante das oportunidades e desafios que o mercado internacional apresenta. Porém, ainda são poucos os estudos sobre a estratégia de atuação internacional das empresas multinacionais brasileiras, principalmente quanto à forma como estas configuram e coordenam sua rede de fábricas no exterior para garantirem vantagem competitiva frente aos seus concorrentes. Sendo assim, este estudo aplica modelos e tipologias da área de operações internacionais num estudo de caso descritivo da WEG Motores S.A., com foco na rede de fábricas formada pelas subsidiárias produtoras de motores elétricos na Argentina, México, Portugal e China. Os resultados apontam que as principais vantagens estratégicas conquistadas pela empresa diante da atual configuração de sua rede de fábricas destacam-se a cap / In international competition, the success of a multinational is related to the way they manage its international operations are managed. Also, the factories located overseas must try to take advantages in the presence of opportunities and challenges in international markets. Although, there are few studies about how Brazilian multinationals companies operates internationally, mainly on configuration and co-ordination of their international network abroad in order to sustain competitive advantage. This study reviews theoretical models and typologies, where international operations of the company WEG Motors S.A are analyzed in a descriptive case of study. The focus is the international factories of electrical motors, located in Argentina, Mexico, Portugal and China. The results point out that the main strategic advantage conquered from the actual configuration from their international factories network are better comprehend the local and regional market demand where the plants are located and transferring th

Research into the location decision of Australian international firms was primarily directed toward investigating motivations of Australian investors for setting up their foreign direct investments (FDI) in specific foreign countries. Nevertheless, the strategic decision-making process concerning the selection of a beneficial foreign country for either Australian or Western Australian international operations has been neglected in the existing literature; hence, an evident and significant gap was identified. Therefore, the current exploratory investigation used an interpretive paradigm to examine ‘how do Western Australian internationalising firms arrive at a beneficial foreign location choice for their international operations and hence attain successful international expansion. As an attempt to provide rich and deep insights into managerial actions and procedures, as well as critical success factors, that should be considered in effective international location decision-making process to attain a beneficial foreign location choice, five empirical comparative in-depth case studies excluding a pilot case study were purposefully selected from among sixteen potential Western Australian firms which established manufacturing and service operations abroad. Furthermore, seven international location decision-making processes were examined within these five cases through relying on several data sources: in-depth face to face interviews, short telephone and follow-up interviews and questionnaire instrument as primary data sources besides field notes, documents review when available and internet sources as secondary data sources. Two main stages of analysis were undertaken in the current research, namely, within and cross-case analyses. / The empirical findings of the extant research show that a thorough consultative and international experience-based strategic decision process should be considered to attain effective foreign country selection decisions. The consultative decision process encompasses five crucial managerial phases; that is, (1) strategic analysis of internationalisation drivers, (2) strategic searching and development of location factors and alternatives, (3) acquiring of adequate and relevant information about the prospective locations and, hence, strategic assessment for these alternatives, (4) strategic selection of final beneficial foreign location choice, and finally, (5) effective implementation of the selected location choice. Results reveal that the decision process cannot separately lead to the selection of a beneficial foreign location choice in the absence of four critical success factors, i.e., (1) international business experience of the selected location team, (2) the country knowledge about the potential foreign locations, (3) in-house and external consultations with international business experts and (4) identification of a trustworthy and internationally experienced manager or local partner for the international operation. The findings also illustrate that the comprehensive foreign country selection decision process is a multi-stage decision process which incorporates three separate location selection processes, namely, (1) country selection, (2) city selection and (3) site selection process. The current research extends the satisficing or bounded rational decision theory by confirming the appropriateness and the effectiveness of the theory in foreign country selection decisions. / In addition, the earlier critical success factors are adding new and important aspects of knowledge to the existing research on location decision-making process in international business, as well as foreign direct investment decisions. Accordingly, the former management phases and critical success factors were integrated into a conceptual model. The major and the unique contribution of the current thesis to existing theory is the development of a decision model which combines two fields of management research; that is, strategic decision-making and location decision-making in international business. The research provides important methodological contributions to international business research in relation to an effective multiple case study approach to capture elements of the comprehensive and complex international location decision-making process. Finally, the research findings and decision model have practical managerial implications for both international and internationalising firms by assisting them to improve the effectiveness of their foreign country selection decision processes. Further, the findings provide benefits for foreign investment policy-makers as well as local development officials in both home and host countries by assisting them to increase their outward FDI and attract more inward FDI and, consequently, boost the economic development movement in their countries.

<p>Due to the increasing international operations for the Swedish Armed Forces these new types of opponents needs new tools to cope with these commitments. A couple of years ago the Swedish Armed Forces had no non-lethal weapons, but today the Swedish soldier has a number of tools to choose from.</p><p>The purpose of this paper is for the reader to get a presentation of which non-lethal weapons are used today by the Swedish Armed Forces and a sample of what non-lethal weapons are out on the market today. My main question is <em>which non-lethal weapons do the Swedish Armed Forces’ miss in their non-lethal capabilities set.</em></p><p>I have collected information from a wide selections of sources like reports from the Swedish Defence Research Agency, the Swedish Armed Forces’ own regulations and the Internet. The information is then processed and divided into five chapters: The development of non-lethal weapons, description of technologies, non-lethal weapons in the Swedish Armed Forces, Non-lethal weapons on the market and Results.</p><p>This paper is limited to handheld, portable and man to man non-lethal weapons, all non-lethal weapons in the Swedish Armed Forces or on the international market are not covered.</p><p>My conclusion is that the Swedish Armed Forces should acquire three 40 mm projectiles, one 12-gauge projectile and one TASER®.</p>

Due to the increasing international operations for the Swedish Armed Forces these new types of opponents needs new tools to cope with these commitments. A couple of years ago the Swedish Armed Forces had no non-lethal weapons, but today the Swedish soldier has a number of tools to choose from. The purpose of this paper is for the reader to get a presentation of which non-lethal weapons are used today by the Swedish Armed Forces and a sample of what non-lethal weapons are out on the market today. My main question is which non-lethal weapons do the Swedish Armed Forces’ miss in their non-lethal capabilities set. I have collected information from a wide selections of sources like reports from the Swedish Defence Research Agency, the Swedish Armed Forces’ own regulations and the Internet. The information is then processed and divided into five chapters: The development of non-lethal weapons, description of technologies, non-lethal weapons in the Swedish Armed Forces, Non-lethal weapons on the market and Results. This paper is limited to handheld, portable and man to man non-lethal weapons, all non-lethal weapons in the Swedish Armed Forces or on the international market are not covered. My conclusion is that the Swedish Armed Forces should acquire three 40 mm projectiles, one 12-gauge projectile and one TASER®.

O cenário de negócios atual se caracteriza pela competição feroz em mercados globais, pela introdução de produtos com ciclos de vida cada vez mais curtos e por uma expectativa elevada por parte dos clientes e consumidores. Estas demandas vêm forçando as empresas a investirem seu foco e atenção em suas cadeias de suprimentos. Para reduzir custos e melhorar os níveis de serviço, as estratégias de fornecimento, de manufatura e de distribuição de produtos são elaboradas levando em consideração os vários elos e interações existentes na cadeia de suprimentos. As grandes empresas multinacionais manufatureiras do setor de bens de consumo não-duráveis entenderam rapidamente esta mensagem e alavancadas por suas escalas globais, passaram a tratar a gestão estratégica dos custos de matérias-primas como importante vantagem competitiva, utilizando seu imenso poder de negociação junto à sua base de fornecedores para obter descontos significativos na compra de grandes volumes de matérias-primas, reduzindo o número de fornecedores, através de processos de seleção estratégicas. Com altos volumes de produção (milhões de unidades por mês) e baixo preço unitário de venda, estas multinacionais (como Nestle, P&G, Unilever, e L.Oreal) se consolidaram como a parte mais forte de suas cadeias de suprimentos, através de seu poder de barganha sobre uma base dispersa de fornecedores e usando o poder de suas marcas sobre um comércio fragmentado e em bases locais. A internacionalização do varejo e o crescimento do poder de compra dos clientes (como Wal Mart, Carrefour e Tesco) trouxeram à tona um novo cenário, no qual existe uma disputa estratégica pela liderança da cadeia global de valor, entre varejistas poderosos, uma nova e concentrada base de fornecedores e as empresas manufatureiras de bens de consumo não-duráveis. A governança nestas cadeias globais de valor torna-se um tema para ser entendido e gerenciado. A importância da liderança nestas cadeias está relacionada às definições dos parâmetros chave que caracterizarão os processos da cadeia produtiva: o que e onde produzir, quanto e quando produzir e a que preço. Gereffi et al. desenvolveram um framework para explicar os padrões de governança em cadeias globais de valor, considerando que existe uma variedade de relações de governança que vão desde relações de mercado até operações integradas verticalmente. Foram definidas variáveischave que estabelecem o tipo de governança em uma dada cadeia global: complexidade de transações, habilidade de codificar as transações e competências da base fornecedora. Esta pesquisa propõe um processo para quantificar estas três variáveis-chave, através de oito dimensões operacionais e uma série de KPIs mensuráveis (indicadores chave de performance) a fim de suportar o completo entendimento e a análise do tipo de governança em uma cadeia global de valor, complementando o trabalho de Gereffi et al., com base em um estudo de caso no setor de higiene e limpeza doméstica no Brasil. Esta pesquisa também avalia como as empresas de bens de consumo não.duráveis selecionam e segmentam sua base de fornecedores, e se as ferramentas utilizadas atualmente ainda são validas neste novo ambiente de disputa pela governança. / The current business environment presents a strong competition in global markets, with cost pressures, focus on new products development with shorter lifetimes than ever and a high customer and clients expectations to have their needs and requirements satisfied. The big fast moving consumer goods companies have already understood these messages, and leveraged by their global scales, started to manage their raw and packaging materials costs in a more strategic and competitive way, using their bargain power over the supplier base to get significant cost savings through big volumes discounts concentrating their supplier base, with the reduction of the number of suppliers by the implementation of strategic sourcing tools. With high production volumes (million of units per month) and low unit price, the multinationals (as Nestle, P&G, Unilever, and L.Oreal) were the strongest part of their supply chains, through their purchase bargain power over the still not concentrated supplier base and using their powerful brands over a fragmented and local trade base. The internationalisation of trade and the growing of clients bargain power (as Wal Mart, Carrefour and Tesco) brought a new scenario, starting a strategic fight to have the leadership of the global value chain, among a powerful trade, a new concentrated supplier base and the manufacturing package consumer goods companies. Governance of these new global chains became than an issue to be understood and managed. The importance of the leadership in the global value chain is related to the definition of the key parameters that will characterise the chain productive process: what to produce, where to produce, how much to produce, when to produce and with what price. Gereffi et al. have developed a theoretical framework to explain governance patterns in global value chain, considering that there is a variety of governance relationships in the global chains, from arm.s length to vertical integrated operations. Key variables were defined to establish the type of governance in a given global chain: complexity of transactions, ability to codify transactions and capabilities in the supplier base. This research proposes a process to quantify these three key variables, presenting eight operational dimensions and a series of measurable KPIs (key performance indicators) in order to support the fully understanding and the analysis of the governance type in a global value chain, building on the framework defined by Gereffi et al., based on a case study in the household care business in Brazil. The second outcome of this research evaluates how fast moving consumer goods companies select and segment their supplier base, and if the current tools used are still valid in this new governance environment.

Submitted by Maicon Juliano Schmidt (maicons) on 2015-07-10T17:56:31Z No. of bitstreams: 1 Ronald Tavares Pires da Silva.pdf: 1883129 bytes, checksum: 0768f9e3b1ed6c8014d5ad465c843ec8 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2015-07-10T17:56:31Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Ronald Tavares Pires da Silva.pdf: 1883129 bytes, checksum: 0768f9e3b1ed6c8014d5ad465c843ec8 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2013-01-31 / Nenhuma / Os trabalhos sobre estratégias de internacionalização e operações internacionais em cadeias de commodities são necessários e oportunos no momento em que as economias consolidadas e emergentes buscam por alternativas para expandir seus negócios em diferentes regiões do mundo. O presente trabalho teve como foco de análise avaliar as relações existentes entre as estratégias de internacionalização e decisões de estratégias de operações de empresas multinacionais, na cadeia de commodities, especificamente na soja do Brasil, no Estado de Mato Grosso. Buscou-se, em termos específicos, descrever as estratégias de internacionalização adotadas pelas multinacionais em países emergentes como o Brasil, analisar as características dos tipos das categorias de decisão das estratégias de operações internacionais, praticadas por essas corporações globais e verificar as relações existentes entre estratégias de internacionalização e operações internacionais na cadeia da soja brasileira. Entrevistaram-se dois CEO das duas maiores multinacionais do segmento do agronegócio mundial, em suas unidades localizadas na região do Centro-Oeste, no Estado de Mato Grosso e nos escritórios centrais em São Paulo (SP). Ainda se visitaram in loco três unidades de operações dessas empresas, para a compreensão das atividades desenvolvidas na cadeia da soja. Neste estudo desenvolve-se modelo de análise de conteúdo, com uso do software N-vivo como apoio para dados qualitativos. Como principais resultados apontam para uma grande similaridade em estratégias de internacionalização e de operações pelas empresas investigadas, a marcante presença das mesmas na coordenação e configuração da cadeia de commodities (soja). / The papers about strategies of internationalization and international operations in commodities chains are necessary and timely at the time the emerging and consolidated economies search for alternatives to expand their businesses in different regions of the world. This paper had as an analysis focus evaluating the existing relations between the strategies of internationalization and decisions of operation strategies of international companies, in the commodity chain, specifically in the soybean from Brazil, in the state of Mato Grosso. It was aimed in specific terms, describe the strategies of internationalization adopted by the multinational companies in emerging countries as Brazil, analyze the characteristics of the decision categories of the international operations strategies, practiced by these global corporations and verify the existing relations between the strategies of internationalization and international operations in the Brazilian soybean chain. Two CEOs from the biggest multinational companies of the global agribusiness segment in their units located in the Midwest, in the state of Mato Grosso and at the central offices in São Paulo (SP) were interviewed. Three units of this company were visited in loco for the comprehension of the activities developed in the soybean chain. In this study the model of content analysis is developed, using the software N-vivo as a support to qualitative data. As the main results link to a great similarity in strategies of internationalization and of operations by the investigated companies, the striking presence of those in the coordination and configuration of the commodity (soybean) chain.

Este é um estudo no campo teórico da Gestão de Operações Internacionais - IOM (International Operations Management), visto que a globalização dos negócios enseja e justifica pesquisas na gestão de seus sistemas produtivos crescentemente globalizados. Interesse especial recai sobre a teoria das Redes Internacionais de Manufatura - IMN (International Manufacturing Network). Uma IMN é um sistema coordenado de fábricas interdependentes, dispersas pelo mundo, interno a empresas multinacionais e sob controle direto de seus gestores. Seus elementos organizacionais são a Configuração, composta da dispersão geográfica e do papel estratégico de cada fábrica; e a Coordenação, composta da governança e dos processos operacionais da IMN. Uma das lacunas de pesquisa em IMNs trata do constructo \"avaliação de desempenho\". Apesar de ela ser um processo de feedback que é central à coordenação e ao gerenciamento estratégico de IMNs, pouco tem sido investigado sobre suas características, propósitos e efeitos. Isto é, as pesquisas têm investigado apenas o desempenho (resultado) em si, e não como ele é apurado e avaliado. Ademais, IMNs evoluem, na sua missão e características organizacionais, para cumprir estratégias que são dinâmicas por natureza. Logo, supõe-se que mecanismos de coordenação, como a avaliação de desempenho, por alinhamento interno, devam evoluir junto. A maior contribuição e deliverable desta tese foi propor um modelo que descreva e explique como avaliar o desempenho de IMNs. Baseado nos campos de IOM e Desempenho Organizacional, sua montagem combinou os elementos organizacionais de IMNs com as condições necessárias e suficientes à existência da avaliação de desempenho em uma organização. Desse modo, o modelo do processo de avaliação de desempenho de IMNs buscou incluir e lidar com complexos aspectos das organizações, que advêm tanto da sua busca por soluções gerenciais transnacionais quanto das suas condições competitivas. O modelo do processo foi então verificado empiricamente quanto a sua congruência e utilidade. Dada a prevalência de análises contextuais, o método de pesquisa escolhido foi o estudo de caso. O trabalho de campo ocorreu em três multinacionais brasileiras, escolhidas para maior riqueza de dados, entre outros critérios, por terem diferentes tipos de IMN e serem de diferentes indústrias. Os dados, tanto qualitativos quanto quantitativos, foram coletados por levantamento documental e entrevistas em cada empresa-caso, sendo então analisados longitudinal e transversalmente. Como resultado, as evidências sugerem que o modelo do processo aqui proposto é uma ferramenta congruente e útil para descrever e explicar como ocorre a avaliação de desempenho de uma IMN. Ademais, a avaliação de desempenho parece ser mais importante e estruturada em multinacionais cuja IMN tem coordenação de viés global (gerenciamento centralizado) bem como a estratégia de manufatura tende a produção \"enraizada\" (interna), trazendo assim mais contribuição à coordenação e ao gerenciamento estratégico da IMN. O modelo do processo e os descriptive insights gerados nesta tese ensejam pesquisas futuras tais como um survey amplo para levantar como as multinacionais de diversos setores e países têm avaliado o desempenho de suas IMNs, ou uma pesquisa-ação que prescreva a implantação de completa avaliação de desempenho, alinhada a um tipo particular de IMN. Para a prática, os resultados podem encorajar gestores a revisar e incrementar a avaliação de desempenho de suas IMNs, para tirar maior proveito desse processo gerencial. / The main objective of this doctoral thesis is to propose a performance assessment process model for International Manufacturing Networks (IMN). Despite performance assessment being a feedback process that feeds IMN coordination and strategic management, little research has been done regarding its purposes, features and effects. Based on the fields of International Operations Management and Organisational Performance, the process model development combined the constituent elements of IMNs with the necessary and sufficient conditions for the existence of performance assessment in an organisation. A multiple case research, in three multinational companies from Brazil, verified empirically the process model\'s fitness and usefulness. Data collected from company reports and interviews with two corporate managers in each case were examined with within-case analyses and then cross-case analysis. Evidence suggests the process model is a valuable tool for describing how IMN performance assessment unfolds. Additionally, IMN performance assessment seems to have higher importance and structure in multinationals whose manufacture tends to be rooted (in-house) and globally coordinated (centralized management), thus contributing more to IMN coordination and strategic management. Future research includes a large sample survey in multinationals from diverse industries and countries, and a workbook-based research action to implement a full-fledged performance assessment, aligned to a specific type of IMN. Furthermore, this study\'s process model and descriptive insights may encourage managers to improve the performance assessment of their and therefore optimize its utilization.

<p>Denna uppsats har som syfte att undersöka huruvida det i Militärstrategisk doktrin respektive Doktrin för marina operationer beskrivna manövertänkandet tillämpas vid internationella insatser med fartygsförband. Bakgrunden till detta är att det sedan doktrinerna skrevs har genomförts sådana, vilket innebär ett underlag som inte fanns under framtagandet av doktrinerna.</p><p>Studien genomförs som en fallstudie av insatsen ME01 inom ramen för EUNAVFOR Operation Atalanta utanför Somalia mellan maj och september 2009. Data samlas in i huvudsak genom intervjuer med ett urval av deltagande officerare.</p><p>Resultaten av studien visar att inom förbandet ME01 förekom manövertänkande, men det kan inte konstateras vara som ett resultat av något medvetet val eller av att det var en internationell insats. Avseende hela operationen konstateras snarare en avsaknad av manövertänkande som huvudmetod, vilket framförallt hänförs till egenskaper som återfinns i multinationella operationer.</p> / <p>This essay aims to investigate whether the concept of manoeuvre theory, as described in the Swedish doctrine, is adopted by Swedish naval units during international naval operations. Before the development of Swedish doctrine in its current form, no Swedish naval units had been participating in international operations, henceforth the need for the essay.</p><p>The study was carried out as a case study of the operation ME01 within EUNAVFOR Operation Atalanta off Somalia between May and September 2009. Data are collected mainly through interviews with a selection of participating officers. The results of the study show that within the unit ME01, aspects of manoeuvre theory could be identified, but the cause of this could not be identified as neither the international context nor as a result of a deliberate choice. This also applies regarding the operation as such, where the absence of manoeuvre theory as a concept in use, mainly caused by the multinational context, is shown.</p>

Denna uppsats har som syfte att undersöka huruvida det i Militärstrategisk doktrin respektive Doktrin för marina operationer beskrivna manövertänkandet tillämpas vid internationella insatser med fartygsförband. Bakgrunden till detta är att det sedan doktrinerna skrevs har genomförts sådana, vilket innebär ett underlag som inte fanns under framtagandet av doktrinerna. Studien genomförs som en fallstudie av insatsen ME01 inom ramen för EUNAVFOR Operation Atalanta utanför Somalia mellan maj och september 2009. Data samlas in i huvudsak genom intervjuer med ett urval av deltagande officerare. Resultaten av studien visar att inom förbandet ME01 förekom manövertänkande, men det kan inte konstateras vara som ett resultat av något medvetet val eller av att det var en internationell insats. Avseende hela operationen konstateras snarare en avsaknad av manövertänkande som huvudmetod, vilket framförallt hänförs till egenskaper som återfinns i multinationella operationer. / This essay aims to investigate whether the concept of manoeuvre theory, as described in the Swedish doctrine, is adopted by Swedish naval units during international naval operations. Before the development of Swedish doctrine in its current form, no Swedish naval units had been participating in international operations, henceforth the need for the essay. The study was carried out as a case study of the operation ME01 within EUNAVFOR Operation Atalanta off Somalia between May and September 2009. Data are collected mainly through interviews with a selection of participating officers. The results of the study show that within the unit ME01, aspects of manoeuvre theory could be identified, but the cause of this could not be identified as neither the international context nor as a result of a deliberate choice. This also applies regarding the operation as such, where the absence of manoeuvre theory as a concept in use, mainly caused by the multinational context, is shown.