This master's thesis is focused on evaluation of product innovation of Johnson & Johnson company. Main objective of this thesis is to analyse new product launch campaign of COMPEED brand. Furthermore, based on outputs from own marketing research and analyses of data provided, evaluate suitability of chosen marketing strategy, find reasons why innovation was not successful and propose recommendations to achieve set goals.

Syfte: Syftet med detta arbete är att öka förståelsen för hur företag arbetar med strategi och taktik för att skapa förväntan på marknader innan en produkts premiär. Hur det går till när förväntan skapas innan produktpremiär, utan att det slår över och får negativa konsekvenser för produkten eller tjänsten, är ett område som kan anses vara outforskat. Området är en viktig källa till framgång eller fall för marknadsföring och lansering av nya produkter, vilket gör det relevant och intressant, både teoretiskt och praktiskt. Metod: I denna studie har vi använt oss av en kvalitativ forskningsmetod, semistrukturerade intervjuer. Respondenterna är marknadsförare och produktansvariga med en bred bakgrund från olika typer av företag. De var hälften kvinnor, hälften män i olika åldrar. Vid analyseringen användes tematisk analys, då vi kodade intervjuerna för att sedan bilda teman. Resultat & slutsats: Resultatet som har framkommit i denna studie är att företagen lägger stor vikt vid att skapa och förankra planer internt och hos samarbetspartners innan en produktlansering. Samtidigt måste företaget arbeta med förståelse för och val av målgrupp, för att med dessa bitar på plats kunna leverera information till konsumenterna som skapar förväntan på marknader. Om någon del inte är välgjord ökar riskerna till att det blir komplikationer för lanseringen och uppbyggd förväntan riskerar att sänkas. Är grundarbetet välgjort har företagen goda förutsättningar att skapa förväntan. Sedermera är arbetet med att skapa förväntan en process som startar långt innan premiär. Examensarbetets bidrag: Kunskapsbidraget för denna studie är en unik insikt och översikt över hur företag arbetar med strategi och taktik för att skapa förväntan på marknader innan en produkts premiär. Förslag till fortsatt forskning: Ytterligare undersöka konsumenternas perspektiv om detta ämne och deras vilja att använda deras röst. Undersöka hur negativ buzz i slutändan kan bidra till produktframgång. Undersöka skillnaderna mellan tillverkare, grossister och butik när det kommer till kompetens och förståelse för strategier för att skapa förväntan genom sociala medier. / Aim: The purpose of this paper is to increase understanding of how companies work with strategy and tactics to create anticipation in markets. The way in which anticipation is created before the product premiere, without it having a negative impact on the product or service success, is an area that can be considered unexplored. The area is an important source of success or failure for marketing and launching new products, which makes it relevant and interesting, both theoretically and practically. Method: In this study we have used a qualitative research method, semi-structured interviews. The respondents are marketers and product managers with a broad background from different types of companies. They were an equal proportion of women and men of different ages. Thematic analysis was used for coding the interviews and then forming themes. Result & Conclusions: The result that has emerged in this study is that the companies put great emphasis on creating and establish plans internally and with partners before a product launch. At the same time, the organization must work to create an understanding of and choose a target group, in order to be able to supply information to consumers who create anticipations in markets. If any part is not well done, the risk increases that there will be complications for the launch and built-up anticipation risks being lowered. If the groundwork is well done, the companies have good opportunities to create anticipations. Later on, the work of creating anticipation is a process that starts long before the premiere. Contribution of the thesis: The contribution for this study is a unique insight and overview of how companies work with strategy and tactics to create anticipation in markets before a product's premiere. Suggestions for future research: Further explore consumer perspective on this topic and their willingness to use their voice. Examine how negative buzz can ultimately contribute to product success. Examine the differences between manufacturers, wholesalers and retailers when it comes to skills and understanding of strategies to create anticipation.

O sistema de controle por alocação dos pólos com filtro foi utilizado para controlar a atitude de um modelo de veículo lançador de satélites. Com este intuito, foram confeccionados um modelo e uma base de fixação que permite a movimentação nos três graus de liberdade. Utilizando a resposta à entrada degrau em conjunto com um sistema de controle PID obtido de forma empírica para estabilizar o sistema, as características da planta foram identificadas e então o sistema de controle por alocação de pólos foi projetado. Este sistema apresentou uma oscilação em torno da referência com amplitude menor do que 0,5° e tempo de pico para a entrada degrau na ordem de 2,17 segundos. Um segundo controlador PID foi projetado de forma analítica para se obter uma referência, porém apresentou resposta com características inferiores ao controlador por alocação de pólos. Os dois sistemas de controle projetados conseguem manter o modelo estável mesmo quando um dos motores é desligado. / Pole placement control system with filter was implemented to control the attitude of a satellite launch vehicle model. With this purpose, a model and a fixing base with three degrees of freedom was made. Utilizing the system response to step input with PID controller empirically designed to stabilize the system, the model characteristics were identified and the pole placement control system was designed. This system oscillated around the reference with amplitude smaller than 0.5° and peak time around 2.17 seconds. Another PID controller was designed analytically for reference, however the pole placement controller had better response characteristics than the PID controller. Both controllers can stabilize the system even when one engine is shut off.

Background:Fristads has noticed needs and necessity of high visibility work wear in the market, particular for the high risk working industries. In addition to it, new international standards for work wear will be introduced in year 2013 which may put higher requirements on visibility of the work wear. Fristads aims to be the first company to develop the new product and pricing is one of the major problems they encounter. After studying different relevant literatures, we have decided to approach the pricing problem using customer value based pricing as the starting-point.Purpose:To identify and analyse the pricing with focus on customer values and product launch. Methodology:My research methodology has a qualitative approach with a certain quantitative feature, and it follows the inductive reasoning. Uncontrolled studies of preferences and intentions have been used when three dealers and one end-customer were interviewed. Secondary sources have been reviewed and the critical pricing issues are identified. The primary data obtained from the interviews is made as foundation for the creation of the price strategy.Result:The interviews have shown that the customers like Fristads’ product idea and the design of the work wear with enhanced visibility. A probably accepted price on the new work wear has been defined according to the customer survey. Pricing strategies for the product launch focusing on the customer value have been recommended. The final decision on the price strategy shall however be made in concurrence with the other strategies at Fristads in order to cover all the aspects. / Program: Master Programme in Fashion Management

Title:Price Strategy for Product Launch – from the Customer Value Perspective Seminar date:29th August 2011Course:Master thesis in Fashion ManagementCredits:15 ECTSAuthor:Sandra Yin-Kwan KoTutor: Lisbeth Svengren HolmBackground:Fristads has noticed needs and necessity of high visibility work wear in the market, particular for the high risk working industries. In addition to it, new international standards for work wear will be introduced in year 2013 which may put higher requirements on visibility of the work wear. Fristads aims to be the first company to develop the new product and pricing is one of the major problems they encounter. After studying different relevant literatures, we have decided to approach the pricing problem using customer value based pricing as the starting-point.Purpose:To identify and analyse the pricing with focus on customer values and product launch. Methodology:My research methodology has a qualitative approach with a certain quantitative feature, and it follows the inductive reasoning. Uncontrolled studies of preferences and intentions have been used when three dealers and one end-customer were interviewed. Secondary sources have been reviewed and the critical pricing issues are identified. The primary data obtained from the interviews is made as foundation for the creation of the price strategy.Result:The interviews have shown that the customers like Fristads’ product idea and the design of the work wear with enhanced visibility. A probably accepted price on the new work wear has been defined according to the customer survey. Pricing strategies for the product launch focusing on the customer value have been recommended. The final decision on the price strategy shall however be made in concurrence with the other strategies at Fristads in order to cover all the aspects. / Program: Magisterutbildning i Fashion Management

The diploma thesis focuses on the distribution strategy, marketing mix and their relation to an optimal product launch on a new international market. This complex web of forces is set to a current market environment, where customer is "the king". The complexity of relations is examined closely with regards to the often underestimated decision on whether to distribute new products through an own store chain or as a wholesaler.

<p><strong>Abstract</strong></p><p><strong> </strong></p><p><strong>Date: </strong>May 15, 2009<strong> </strong></p><p><strong>Course: </strong>Master thesis,<strong> </strong>EFO705<strong> </strong></p><p><strong>Authors: </strong>Hanna Jokiperä 800218-T108, hja08001@student.mdh.se</p><p>Ruusa Mustonen 830711-P263, rmn08001@student.mdh.se</p><p><strong>Tutor: </strong>Tobias Eltebrandt</p><p><strong>Title: </strong>CAN Europe – Market Research of Sweden</p><p><strong>Strategic question: </strong>How can CAN Europe launch the internationally standardised vocational skills assessment tests successfully to Sweden? The purpose of this master thesis is to provide the company with comprehensive information about the Swedish market and to suggest ways to implement the launching process.</p><p><strong>Research questions: </strong></p><ul><li>What are the characteristics of the Swedish labour and recruitment market? </li><li>Are the Swedish companies interested in using CAN Europe’s tests? </li><li>What would be the suitable marketing mix when entering the Swedish market?</li></ul><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Besides the comprehensive collection of secondary data, the primary data was collected by the means of an open-ended questionnaire among large companies and recruitment agencies in Sweden. The research was conducted in order to gather in-depth information about the recruitment field in Sweden.</p><p><strong>Conceptual Framework: </strong>Theories of<strong> ‘</strong>The<strong> </strong>International Marketing Task’, ‘The Country Notebook’ and ‘The Market entry plan’ were used.  Theories and concepts were chosen for the purpose that they would support each other and could be used by combining them when making the analysis of the findings.<strong></strong></p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>According to the study, Sweden seems to be highly potential country for CAN Europe to enter since the relevant aspects for successful launch exist in the market i.e. in terms of companies’ interest and needs, and the characteristics of the skills assessment and recruitment market in Sweden.</p><p><strong>Key Words: </strong>Market entry plan, marketing mix, international launch, market research, skills assessment, recruitment, blue-collar<strong></strong></p>

Abstract   Date: May 15, 2009 Course: Master thesis, EFO705 Authors: Hanna Jokiperä 800218-T108, hja08001@student.mdh.se Ruusa Mustonen 830711-P263, rmn08001@student.mdh.se Tutor: Tobias Eltebrandt Title: CAN Europe – Market Research of Sweden Strategic question: How can CAN Europe launch the internationally standardised vocational skills assessment tests successfully to Sweden? The purpose of this master thesis is to provide the company with comprehensive information about the Swedish market and to suggest ways to implement the launching process. Research questions: What are the characteristics of the Swedish labour and recruitment market? Are the Swedish companies interested in using CAN Europe’s tests? What would be the suitable marketing mix when entering the Swedish market? Methods: Besides the comprehensive collection of secondary data, the primary data was collected by the means of an open-ended questionnaire among large companies and recruitment agencies in Sweden. The research was conducted in order to gather in-depth information about the recruitment field in Sweden. Conceptual Framework: Theories of ‘The International Marketing Task’, ‘The Country Notebook’ and ‘The Market entry plan’ were used.  Theories and concepts were chosen for the purpose that they would support each other and could be used by combining them when making the analysis of the findings. Conclusion: According to the study, Sweden seems to be highly potential country for CAN Europe to enter since the relevant aspects for successful launch exist in the market i.e. in terms of companies’ interest and needs, and the characteristics of the skills assessment and recruitment market in Sweden. Key Words: Market entry plan, marketing mix, international launch, market research, skills assessment, recruitment, blue-collar

During development of a complex system, feasibility initially overshadows other concerns, in some cases leading to a design which may not be viable long-term. In particular for the case of Reusable Launch Vehicles, Operations&Maintenance comprises the majority of the vehicle's LCC, whose stochastic nature precludes direct analysis. Through the use of simulation, probabilistic methods can however provide estimates on the economic behavior of such a system as it evolves over time. Here the problem of operations optimization is examined through the use of discrete event simulation. The resulting tool built from the lessons learned in the literature review simulates a RLV or fleet of vehicles undergoing maintenance and the maintenance sites it/they visit as the campaign evolves over a period of time. The goal of this work is to develop a method for uncovering an optimal operations scheme by investigating the effect of maintenance technician skillset distributions on important metrics such as the achievable annual flight rate and maintenance man hours spent on each vehicle per flight. Using these metrics, the availability of technicians for each subsystem is optimized to levels which produce the greatest revenue from flights and minimum expenditure from maintenance.

This dissertation presents the development of a new concept and technology exploration methodology for aerospace architectures. The methodology is based on modeling the design space by a graph, and optimizing the graph using Ant Colony Optimization. The results show that the proposed design methodology can explore more efficiently the concept and technology space of a launch vehicle architecture than traditional optimization approaches such as Genetic Algorithm and Simulated Annealing. The purpose of the method is to introduce quantitative and simultaneous exploration of concept and technology alternatives during the early phases of conceptual design. To achieve this goal, technical challenges such as expanding the size of the design space, exploring more efficiently the design options, and simultaneously considering technologies and concepts are overcome. The total number of design alternatives grows factorially with the number of concepts in the design space. Under these circumstances, the design space is difficult to explore in its totality. Considering more alternatives has been the focus of several researchers, using Genetic Algorithms and Simulated Annealing. The large number of incompatibilities between alternatives, however, limits these optimization algorithms and reduces the number of concepts or technologies that can be considered. To address these problems, a concept and technology selection methodology is developed. The methodology proposes a way to automatically generate aerospace architectures, and to model concept and technology incompatibilities by means of a graph. In conjunction with this new modeling approach, a graph-based stochastic optimization algorithm is used to efficiently explore the design space. This design methodology is applied to the simultaneous concept and technology exploration of an expendable launch vehicle architecture. This study demonstrates that the consideration of more design alternatives can help design engineers to make more informed decisions during the concept and technology selection process. Moreover, the simultaneous exploration of concepts and technologies has the potential to identify a different set of solutions than the standard approach where the technologies are explored after the concepts have initially been selected.