The objective of this research is to find the electronic commerce business model suitable for traditional stationers which focus on enterprise customers. Summarized from different researchers¡¦ opinions for the definition of business model, we grouped them into 4 components: object, parties, mechanism, and distribution. Besides, according to the evolution of B2B electronic commerce, we classify two typical B2B web models. They are Basic electronic commerce and E-marketplace. The results of this research shows that current B2B web models widely used are not suitable for the attributes of domestic stationery industry and also can not meet the needs of traditional stationers. This study suggests a new B2B web model named Localized E-marketplace and provides concrete proposals which can be taken as an example for traditional stationers or dot.com companies which are interested in MRO market.

With the advent of Internet, On-line intermediaries have put tremendous pressures on traditional intermediaries which might be disintermediated without resort to information technology. The IDR model was thus to bring about the interpretation how traditional intermediaries could regain their competitive advantage by utilizing co-specialized assets and information technology. Office supply is the domain of this research. Through observation of on-line office stationary suppliers and interviews with domain experts, the factors for constructing reintermediation strategies of traditional channel are as follows: 1. The business model of office supply. 2. The characteristics of office stationery procurement. 3. The co-specialized assets of traditional office supplies. These three factors lead to development of questionnaire in the Delphi method implemented in this research. Based upon the expert opinions from the Delphi method and the review of business model implemented by the domestic on-line stationary suppliers, this research proposed a business model with feature of domestic industry characteristics. The reintermediation strategies proposed in this research have addressed the development of e-commerce solution and the support of customer service. The traditional office stationary distributors might team up with other suppliers and information technology companies to develop a B2B e-commerce solution. As for the customer service, they could provide inventory management for enterprise users based upon their distinctive co-specialized assets. Furthermore, a development of procurement software for office supplies is necessary because it automates the procurement process and facilitates the vender managed inventory service.

This master thesis has the purpose to analyse and identify smart efficient future solutions within the Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) process for aircraft. The efficiency solutions, in form of new technologies and tools, should present a foundation that MRO suppliers can continue to develop to enhance and streamline their maintenance processes. The project was performed as a case study at the aerospace and defense company Saab AB in Linköping, where the company's MRO process was investigated. Through identifying possibilities and alternative technologies available today and in the near future, one continues to have a competitive and future-proof position in the market.  Through an own constructed course of action influenced from established methods, the thesis' purpose and aim was attained. The method was based on authentic approaches for case studies but also inspired by the so-called "Requirement Engineering". The combination of the methods resulted in a precise focus on the relevant subjects, together with a clear structure of the requirements on the technologies to reach a successful implementation. Through a detailed data collection comprised of study visits, interviews, literature studies, market analyses, and document reviews, multiple relevant technologies and requirement-lists for utilization were identified.  To concretize the use and potential improvements with the technologies, the project had the objective to develop a demonstrator with one of the technologies presented. The demonstrator should focus on minimizing the use of paper, which is a common problem among many market actors today. The most promising technology was considered to be a tablet application with an accommodated application. The selection of the tablet solution was based on the motivation that it is a well-established technology and a favorable first step from paperwork.  To conclude this master thesis, a tablet application was developed in Novacura Flow Studio, where the majority of the identified requirements were fulfilled. Beyond the demonstrator, an introduction and analysis of technologies, such as AR-glasses, voice guidance, additive manufacturing, and a digital twin, was presented.

No description available.

A survey of 25 industrial manufacturing organizations in the U. S. indicated that 70% of respondents experienced dissatisfaction with their outsourcing programs due to unfulfilled expectations, which caused negative continuance intentions. The purpose of this descriptive case study was to explore the experiences of customers who currently use 3PMRO outsourcing programs to determine what factors affect satisfaction levels in the Southern United States. The conceptual framework for this study was the expectancy disconfirmation paradigm, which connects consumer satisfaction level to the fulfillment of consumer expectations. Data were collected from interviews of 22 procurement professionals of maintenance, repair, and operating supplies; observations of 3PMRO supplier performance meetings; and the analysis of performance scorecard documents. Data were analyzed using pattern matching followed by thematic analysis. Three themes were identified through the data analysis that affected consumer satisfaction: inventory management services, utilization of outsourced labor resources, and total cost value of the 3PMRO program. According to results, satisfaction of 3PMRO consumers are based on the proper utilization of a 3PMRO program for the intended limitations of the organization, reduced MRO supply costs, improved inventory management strategies, and improved competitive advantage from the realignment of resources to focus on core competencies. Implications for positive social change include increased awareness of cradle-to-grave inventory management to prevent improper disposal of non-biodegradable materials into our environment.

Os centros de manutenção de aeronaves da América Latina possuem portfólios de serviços limitados e esse é um fator que restringe o crescimento do transporte aéreo na região. Faz-se necessário, portanto, o desenvolvimento de novos serviços de reparo de aeronaves e seus componentes nesses centros. Apesar de o Desenvolvimento de Produtos ter recebido uma atenção substancial na ultima década, há pouca literatura sobre o Desenvolvimento de Serviços e trabalhos que tratam de gestão de portfólio de serviços são ainda mais escassos. A pouca literatura existente não é suficientemente abrangente para tratar da gestão de portfólio de serviços de manutenção complexa. O objetivo deste trabalho é, portanto, desenvolver um processo de gestão de portfólio de serviços para empresas de manutenção aeronáutica, chamado de modelo específico. O desenvolvimento do modelo será feito utilizando a pesquisa-ação, abordagem que objetiva tanto a tomada de ação quanto a criação de conhecimento com ciclos contínuos. Durante a criação do modelo específico foram usados como base de conhecimento modelos de referência de PDP e PDS, posteriormente adaptados para a realidade de serviços, para a região e tipologia da indústria. A pesquisa ação se iniciou numa pré-fase de contextualização, seguida por quatro ciclos, sendo que em cada ciclo uma etapa do modelo foi desenvolvida e avaliada, resultando em um modelo especifico de gestão de portfólio para indústria de MRO aeronáutico brasileiro. Ao final dos ciclos foi feita uma avaliação do processo criada por meio de um questionário. Os participantes da pesquisa avaliaram o método de desenvolvimento do modelo como adequado e avaliaram também o próprio modelo como adequado. / The aircraft maintenance centers in Latin America have limited portfolios of services; this is a factor that restricts the growth of air transport in the region. Therefore is necessary to develop new maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) services for aircraft and their components in those centers. New Product Development (NPD) process theory has received substantial attention in the last decade but there is little literature on the New Services Development (NSD), and papers dealing directly with services portfolio management are even scarcer. The existing literature is not holistic enough to deal with maintenance services portfolio management. Therefore this paper aims to develop a services portfolio management (SPM) for aircraft components maintenance. The SPM model development will be done using the action research approach trough the creation of knowledge in continuous PDCA cycles. During the creation of the specific model, were used as knowledge base reference models of PDP and PDS, later adapted to the reality of services to the region and type of industry. The action research began in pre contextualization phase, followed by four cycles, and each cycle a stage of the model was developed and evaluated, resulting in a specific model of portfolio management for MRO Brazilian aeronautics industry. At the end of cycles an evaluation process created by means of a questionnaire. Survey participants rated the method as proper development of the model, the model itself also rated as adequate.

Os centros de manutenção de aeronaves da América Latina possuem portfólios de serviços limitados e esse é um fator que restringe o crescimento do transporte aéreo na região. Faz-se necessário, portanto, o desenvolvimento de novos serviços de reparo de aeronaves e seus componentes nesses centros. Apesar de o Desenvolvimento de Produtos ter recebido uma atenção substancial na ultima década, há pouca literatura sobre o Desenvolvimento de Serviços e trabalhos que tratam de gestão de portfólio de serviços são ainda mais escassos. A pouca literatura existente não é suficientemente abrangente para tratar da gestão de portfólio de serviços de manutenção complexa. O objetivo deste trabalho é, portanto, desenvolver um processo de gestão de portfólio de serviços para empresas de manutenção aeronáutica, chamado de modelo específico. O desenvolvimento do modelo será feito utilizando a pesquisa-ação, abordagem que objetiva tanto a tomada de ação quanto a criação de conhecimento com ciclos contínuos. Durante a criação do modelo específico foram usados como base de conhecimento modelos de referência de PDP e PDS, posteriormente adaptados para a realidade de serviços, para a região e tipologia da indústria. A pesquisa ação se iniciou numa pré-fase de contextualização, seguida por quatro ciclos, sendo que em cada ciclo uma etapa do modelo foi desenvolvida e avaliada, resultando em um modelo especifico de gestão de portfólio para indústria de MRO aeronáutico brasileiro. Ao final dos ciclos foi feita uma avaliação do processo criada por meio de um questionário. Os participantes da pesquisa avaliaram o método de desenvolvimento do modelo como adequado e avaliaram também o próprio modelo como adequado. / The aircraft maintenance centers in Latin America have limited portfolios of services; this is a factor that restricts the growth of air transport in the region. Therefore is necessary to develop new maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) services for aircraft and their components in those centers. New Product Development (NPD) process theory has received substantial attention in the last decade but there is little literature on the New Services Development (NSD), and papers dealing directly with services portfolio management are even scarcer. The existing literature is not holistic enough to deal with maintenance services portfolio management. Therefore this paper aims to develop a services portfolio management (SPM) for aircraft components maintenance. The SPM model development will be done using the action research approach trough the creation of knowledge in continuous PDCA cycles. During the creation of the specific model, were used as knowledge base reference models of PDP and PDS, later adapted to the reality of services to the region and type of industry. The action research began in pre contextualization phase, followed by four cycles, and each cycle a stage of the model was developed and evaluated, resulting in a specific model of portfolio management for MRO Brazilian aeronautics industry. At the end of cycles an evaluation process created by means of a questionnaire. Survey participants rated the method as proper development of the model, the model itself also rated as adequate.

The number of subscribers and use cases of mobile communication networks are expanding expeditiously with the evolution of technology. The available spectrum in lower frequency ranges does not meet the unprecedented increase in demand for user data throughput in mobile networks. Facing the problem of limited spectrum in traditional cellular bands that are below 6 GHz, Millimeter Wave (mmWave) frequency bands are being standardized for the 5th Generation (5G) mobile networks as a promising means for handling the unprecedented data traffic surge. Enabling higher carrier frequencies introduces new channel conditions. Propagating signals are exposed to higher diffraction loss and are highly susceptible to blockage caused by surrounding objects, which leads to rapid signal degradation and challenges user mobility. On the other hand, higher carrier frequencies enable the deployment of many small-sized antennas that are used for directional signal transmission, resulting in beamforming gain. In recent studies, a conditional handover procedure has been adopted for 5G networks to enhance user mobility robustness. Besides, contention-free random access procedure has been defined for beamformed systems aiming at minimizing the signaling and service interruption time caused by the random access procedure. An improper configuration of the mobility parameters, e.g., handover preparation and execution offsets, access beam selection threshold of random access procedure, leads User Equipments (UEs) to experience Handover Failures (HOFs) and Radio Link Failures (RLFs), and causes unnecessary signaling and inefficient resource utilization in the network. Each cell border has unique propagation characteristics and user mobility pattern, and, therefore, mobility parameters should be configured for each cell border individually. Moreover, mobility parameters should be updated for dynamic propagation environment (e.g., construction of buildings, seasonal changes in the vegetation) and for temporal mobility patterns. Considering the individual cell border configuration, temporal adaptation of the mobility parameters, and ultra-dense deployment, optimization of the conditional handover and random access parameters is a complex task that cannot be carried by human interaction. Therefore, an automatic optimization of the parameters is needed where the network collects statistics of the mobility events and adjusts the parameters autonomously. To investigate user mobility under these new propagation conditions, a proper model is needed that captures spatial and temporal characteristics of the channel in beamformed networks. Current channel models that have been developed for 5G networks are too detailed for the purpose of mobility simulations and lead to infeasible simulation time for most user mobility simulations. In this work, a simplified channel model is presented that captures the spatial and temporal characteristics of the 5G propagation channel and runs in feasible simulation time. To this end, the coherence time and path diversity originating from a fully fledged Geometry-based Stochastic Channel Model (GSCM) are analyzed and adopted in Jake’s channel model with reduced computational complexity. Furthermore, the deviation of multipath beamforming gain from single ray beamforming gain is analyzed and a regression curve is obtained to be used in the system-level simulations. In a typical system-level mobility simulator, the average downlink signal-to-interference and noise ratio (SINR) is used for RLF detection and throughput calculation. In addition to the channel model, models of desired and interfering signals are formulated first, by considering the impact of antenna beamforming, and a closed-form expression of average downlink SINR is derived by taking into account the user and beam scheduling probabilities. Then, an accurate approximation of the average downlink SINR with low computational complexity is presented, for 5G networks where the base station forms multiple beams. In addition, an SINR model is derived for both strict and opportunistic resource-fair scheduler, where the latter targets a higher utilization of radio resources when multiple beams are scheduled simultaneously. The mobility performance of conditional handover and contention-free random access are investigated by using the proposed channel and SINR models. Besides, a resource efficient random access procedure is proposed that aims at maximizing the utilization of contention-free random access resources. Moreover, simple, yet, effective decision tree-based supervised learning method is proposed to minimize the HOFs that are caused by the beam preparation phase of the random access procedure. Similarly, a decision-tree-based supervised learning method is proposed for automatic optimization of the conditional handover parameters. In addition, enhanced logging and emergency reporting methods are introduced first time in this study to mitigate the cell detection problems that are caused by rapid signal degradation. Results show that the optimum operation point of random access (in terms of minimizing the HOFs and maximizing the random access resource utilization) is achievable with the proposed learning algorithm for random access procedure in conditional handover. Results also show that the mobility performance of conditional handover is improved by automatic optimization of the handover parameters. In addition, the proposed enhanced logging and emergency reporting methods mitigate the mobility problems related with cell detection and further improve the mobility performance in combination with the decision-tree-based supervised learning methods.

Tidigare forskning visar att inköpsprocessen på företag fått en allt större och mer strategisk betydelse, med en avgörande roll för dess lönsamhet och framtida konkurrenskraft. Samtidigt visar forskningen att det trots detta spenderas för lite tid på strategiskt inköpsarbete, där en av orsakerna förklaras bero på att operativa och administrativa inköpsuppgifter tar upp för mycket av arbetstiden. Med denna utgångspunkt undersöker uppsatsen kvalitativt, genom en fallstudie på en inköpsavdelning i kombination med en litteraturstudie, vilka motsvarande arbetsmoment i inköpsprocessen som kan effektiviseras för att förbättra situationen. Utöver ämnets relevans stärks uppsatsens betydelse av att det endast återfunnits begränsat med litteratur som undersöker ämnet i praktiken och i det material som hittats ges inga förslag på vilka specifika arbetsmoment som bör effektiviseras. I huvudsak fokuserar uppsatsen på tillverkande företag och från fallstudien och tillhörande litteraturstudie presenteras två förbättringsområden i relation till ovanstående. Det första handlar om inköp av material till projekt för tillverkning av nya produkter, här dras slutsatsen att materialbehovsplaneringen för dessa bör kommuniceras till inköpsavdelningar genom ett företags reguljära materialplaneringssystem. Det andra området berör inköp av MRO-material och här dras slutsatsen att det många gånger kan vara effektivare om den interna användaren ansvarar för delar av inköpsprocessen. Sammantaget konkluderas att dessa förfaranden inte enbart kan effektivisera inköpsarbetet och frigöra mer tid åt strategiskt inköpsarbete, utan också effektivisera arbetet för övriga avdelningar som är inblandade i ett företags materialanskaffningsprocess. Slutligen, uppsatsen diskuterar även att mer tid åt strategiskt inköpsarbete inte enbart påverkar ett företags lönsamhet och ekonomiska aspekter, utan att det också spelar en viktig roll när det kommer till de miljömässiga och sociala aspekterna av hållbar utveckling. / Prior research shows that the purchasing process for corporations has gained a greater and more strategic importance, with a crucial role for its profitability and future competitiveness. At the same time, research shows that despite its growing strategic importance not enough time is spent on strategic purchasing activities, where one of the reasons addressed is that operational and administrative purchasing tasks are too time consuming. Accordingly, this thesis is through a qualitative approach based on a single case study combined with a literature study, evaluating which corresponding tasks in the purchasing process that can be made more efficient. In addition to the relevancy of the subject, the value of the thesis is by the authors viewed to be enhanced as only limited literature has been found that explores the subject in practice, and the material found does not provide any suggestions on which specific activities that can be made more efficient. The thesis mainly focuses on manufacturing corporations and from the case study and associated literature study, two areas of improvement are presented in relation to the above stated. The first area of improvement concerns purchasing of materials intended for projects to manufacture new products, here the conclusion is drawn that the materials requirements planning for projects should be communicated to purchasing departments through a corporation’s regular material planning system. The second area of improvement concerns purchasing of MRO materials, where the conclusion is drawn that in many cases it is more effective if the internal user of the material is responsible for a share of the purchasing process. Overall, it is concluded that these procedures not only can increase the efficiency of the purchasing department and enable more time to be spent on strategic purchasing activities, but also increase the efficiency of other departments involved in a corporation’s procurement process. Lastly, the thesis also discusses that more time spent on strategic purchasing activities not only affects a corporation’s profitability and economical aspects, but that it also plays an important role when it comes to the environmental and social aspects of sustainable development.

<p><strong>Title:</strong> Implementing an IBX e-procurement solution – are there any success factors?</p><p><strong>Subject: </strong>FE02E bachelor thesis, logistics</p><p><strong>Authors:</strong> Linus Jönsson, Emma Oscarsson, David Skoglund & Max Stafström</p><p><strong>Tutor:</strong> Roger Stokkedal</p><p><strong>Keywords:</strong> E-procurement, implementing, critical success factors, benefits, problems, MRO-products</p><p><strong>Background:</strong> One of the major problems that organizations face today is how to bring home savings. E-procurement solutions can be a tool to reach efficiency and reduce costs within organization. One of the biggest spend issues companies wrestle with are indirect material, also defined as MRO products (maintenance, repair, operations).</p><p><strong>Purpose:</strong> The thesis will examine why companies decide to implement an e-procurement solution and what their expectations are. The purpose of the research was to identify which the success factors are when implementing this type of solution. Eventual problems that may emerge during the implementation and benefits that the implementation might lead to, will also be presented.</p><p><strong>Methodology:</strong> The thesis has a survey design which studies variables in an e-procurement implementation. The scientific perspective is positivistic and has a deductive approach. The sample contains customers to IBX which use the entire solution, from planning to follow-up. The data has been gathered through a post-questionnaire.</p><p><strong>Result /Conclusion:</strong> When deciding to implement an e-procurement solution companies base this decision on a number of reasons. The most common reasons are to increase the internal efficiency and reduce the supplier base. There are also other encouraging reasons to the implementation which all concerns saving time and money. Once the decision has been made, expectations on the solution arise and companies expect the solution to bring benefits. Most common expectations are much alike the reasons concerning saving time and money on purchases of MRO-products. Besides the reasons and expectation companies must consider the critical success factors, both before, during and after the implementation. These factors will determine whether or not the implementation will be a success and they can be divided into factors that affect all companies and factors that just affect some. The key factors, affect all, are defining an e-procurement strategy, change management and training and education. Secondary factors will affect some companies, and depending on the situation organizations must take them into their perspective. These factors are i.e. well defined steering group and communication. If companies don´t consider the success factors problems may emerge, where change management is one of the most common problem. This is an organizationalproblem just like lack of information from external parts and lack in project management skills internally. Besides the organizational problems companies can also experience technical problems, which are directly associated to the solution that‟s implemented. Some of these problems are complex usability, complicated to communicate and integrate. By avoiding the problems companies can expect to see more benefits from the solution, the most experienced benefits are compliance savings, reduced supplier base and lowered administrative costs. These benefits mainly considers time saving and are all associated with the reasons to the implementation and expectations on the solutionResult /Conclusion: When deciding to implement an e-procurement solution companies base this decision on a number of reasons. The most common reasons are to increase the internal efficiency and reduce the supplier base. There are also other encouraging reasons to the implementation which all concerns saving time and money. Once the decision has been made, expectations on the solution arise and companies expect the solution to bring benefits. Most common expectations are much alike the reasons concerning saving time and money on purchases of MRO-products. Besides the reasons and expectation companies must consider the critical success factors, both before, during and after the implementation. These factors will determine whether or not the implementation will be a success and they can be divided into factors that affect all companies and factors that just affect some. The key factors, affect all, are defining an e-procurement strategy, change management and training and education. Secondary factors will affect some companies, and depending on the situation organizations must take them into their perspective. These factors are i.e. well defined steering group and communication. If companies don´t consider the success factors problems may emerge, where change management is one of the most common problem. This is an organizationalproblem just like lack of information from external parts and lack in project management skills internally. Besides the organizational problems companies can also experience technical problems, which are directly associated to the solution that‟s implemented. Some of these problems are complex usability, complicated to communicate and integrate. By avoiding the problems companies can expect to see more benefits from the solution, the most experienced benefits are compliance savings, reduced supplier base and lowered administrative costs. These benefits mainly considers time saving and are all associated with the reasons to the implementation and expectations on the solution.</p>