<p>A prefabricated timber frame house previously built by Villafabriken AB has been modeled in Autodesk Revit Architectural, a 3D-program based on BIM-technology. This has been done tosee if it’s possible to produce the publications that Villafabriken demands from the designengineer’s work, and examine which possible extra values that may arise compared to traditional 2D-CAD drawing.BIM is short for Building Information Modeling. Everything is stored in a single database and a change in the project file is automatically updated across the project. BIM provides more than just drawings since information from the model can be retrieved in various ways such as lists and quantity schedules.It was possible to produce the publications that Villafabriken demanded using Revit, but BIM doesn’t only mean a new way of drawing, it also require a change in the company’s process were the information from the model is being used.</p>

This research studies the relationship between car manufacturers (CM) and third party logistics providers (TPLP), also known as the logistics partnership, in the outbound delivery channel in the Malaysian automotive industry. It focuses specifically on the dyad perspective, and demonstrates that several critical success factors are required for a successful relationship between these two parties. Five such factors emanate from the operational dimension and eight from the relational dimension. The five operational factors are: logistics service performance, investment, information sharing, information technology and communication, and price of the logistics service; and the eight relational factors are: trust, commitment, power, conflict, dependency, co-operation, informal activity, and understanding. The study also reveals that five outcomes are identified that benefit both the CM and the TPLP as a result of the win-win situation accruing to both parties. These are: renewal of the contract, company profitability, improved logistics service performance, knowledge transfer, and company branding. Such benefits enhance the supply chain relationship, and knowledge of these advantages improves current TPLP theory by deepening the understanding of how logistics partnership can succeed. In order to obtain rich data concerning the CM-TPLP relationship, the researcher adopted a different methodology from that used by previous scholars, who have concentrated on quantitative techniques. In this study, multiple case studies (seven in total) in one industry, the automotive industry, in the non-western context of Malaysia, were conducted. Three main steps in the case study protocol were followed. The first involved a review of the literature pertaining to the themes that required further exploration, together with the development of the interview questions. In the second step, data were collected using semi-structured interviews, observations, document reviews, photographs and also archival records. Qualitative content analysis was used to analyse the qualitative data. The third stage involved exploring the data until it was found that nothing new was emerging from the interviews, and hence theoretical saturation had occurred. At this point the factors in question were confirmed, and the initial model revised. Additionally, confidentiality was maintained in all respects to protect the participating organisations and individuals. The findings contribute to the understanding of the CM-TPLP relationship which enhance supply chain relationship and TPLP theory, since they shed light on the operational and relational factors in one specific industry, from a dyadic perspective, and in a non-Western context, thereby adding new dimensions to the existing body of knowledge in this field. The findings benefit practitioners via the novel LPS (logistics partnership success) model generated by the researcher. This indicates the key contributory factors to the CM-TPLP relationship success. Moreover, the study may have the capacity to generalise to other culturally-similar environments.

Pagrindinis darbo tikslas yra išanalizuoti privačių ženklų keliamas grėsmes gamintojų ženklams ir atlikus tyrimą aprašyti galimus grėsmių sušvelninimo metodus. Darbas yra sudarytas iš trijų dalių: teorinė analizė, situacijos analizė ir projektinių sprendimų. Privačių prekių ženklų produktai, tai produktai, kurie parduodami tik tuose prekybos tinkluose, kuriems šie prekių ženklai priklauso. Juos kontroliuoja mažmenininkai, kurie turi išskirtines teises į šiuos prekių ženklus. Ilgą laiką privatūs ženklai buvo asocijuojami su maža kaina ir prasta kokybe, bet šiame darbe atliktas tyrimas parodė, kad privačių ženklų produkcija ir jų kokybė yra gana teigiamai vertinama . Šio reiškinio pasekmė yra nauja ir daug sudėtingesnė bei kelianti vis didesnes grėsmes gamintojų ženklams. Trečioje dalyje bus pateikti metodai , kaip būtų galima sušvelninti keliamas privačių ženklų grėsmes. / The main aim of the work is analyzing threats that private labels pose to manufacturer brands and, upon the completion of a research, describing methods of mitigating these threats. The work consists of three parts i.e. theoretical analysis, situational analysis and project solutions. Private label products are the products which are sold in stores of retail networks which own these private labels. They are controlled by retailers which have executive rights for these private labels. For a significant period of time private labels were associated with low price and low quality, but the research carried out in this work demonstrates that private label products and their quality are evaluated quite positively. The outcome of this phenomenon is new and more complex as well as posing growing threats to manufacturer brands. The third part presents methods of mitigating the threats which private labels pose.

Este estudo abordou os esforços dos fabricantes para influenciar o comportamento dos vendedores do canal de distribuição e revelou uma ferramenta de influência motivadora: a identificação. A partir de uma survey com 147 vendedores, este estudo explora o alinhamento dos sistemas de controle de vendas do canal de distribuição com o fabricante e a identificação, e os seus impactos na performance de vendas do fabricante. Este estudo também analisa os comportamentos positivos como consequência da identificação. A partir de análise de equações estruturais, os resultados demonstram que tanto a adesão do canal a sistemas de controle do fabricante e a identificação influenciam positivamente os resultados de vendas do fabricante, como também demonstram que a identificação gera comportamentos positivos do canal de distribuição, a favor da marca do fabricante, e com isso uma maior promoção da mesma. No entanto, os resultados não foram conclusivos em relação ao impacto destes comportamentos positivos nos resultados de vendas do fabricante. Adicionalmente, a identificação gera maior performance de vendas para o fabricante quando há um maior alinhamento dos sistemas de controle de vendas. Estes resultados sugerem que os fornecedores podem exercer influência sobre a força de vendas de canal de distribuição através do reforço da ligação psicológica entre as suas marcas e os vendedores do canal de distribuição. / This study addressed the efforts of manufacturers to influence the behavior of the sales makers of the distribution channel and revealed a motivating influence: identification. From a survey with 147 distribution channel sales makers, this study analyses the impact of manufacturer-channel member control systems alignment and identification, on manufacturer’s performance. This study also examines the positive behaviors as a consequence of identification. From analysis of structural equations, the results demonstrate that both the adherence to manufacturer control systems and identification positively influence the manufacturer sales performance, and also demonstrate that identification generates positive behaviors of the distribution channel in support of the manufacturer's brand. However, the results were inconclusive regarding the impact of these positive behaviors on manufacturer’s sales performance. In addition, identification generates greater sales performance for the manufacturer when there is a greater alignment of manufacturer-channel sales control systems. This results suggests that suppliers can exercise influence over the channel sales force by strengthening the psychological connection between its brands and channel sales personnel.

The problem of this investigation was to make an exploratory examination of the distribution practices of apparel manufacturers as perceived by apparel retailers. Specifically, the purposes of this study were to identify those areas of perceived conflict between women's apparel retailers and apparel manufacturers from the viewpoint of the retailer, determine if there was a relationship between select retailer variables and the quality of service that retailers perceived apparel manufacturers were giving, determine whether some merchandise classifications were perceived by retailers to be greater problem areas than other merchandise classifications, to determine factors contributing to the enhancement of perceived conflict within apparel marketing channels, and to suggest remedies that would improve apparel channel relationships. The report concluded with the presentation of an apparel retailer expectation model and suggestions for additional research.

Este estudo abordou os esforços dos fabricantes para influenciar o comportamento dos vendedores do canal de distribuição e revelou uma ferramenta de influência motivadora: a identificação. A partir de uma survey com 147 vendedores, este estudo explora o alinhamento dos sistemas de controle de vendas do canal de distribuição com o fabricante e a identificação, e os seus impactos na performance de vendas do fabricante. Este estudo também analisa os comportamentos positivos como consequência da identificação. A partir de análise de equações estruturais, os resultados demonstram que tanto a adesão do canal a sistemas de controle do fabricante e a identificação influenciam positivamente os resultados de vendas do fabricante, como também demonstram que a identificação gera comportamentos positivos do canal de distribuição, a favor da marca do fabricante, e com isso uma maior promoção da mesma. No entanto, os resultados não foram conclusivos em relação ao impacto destes comportamentos positivos nos resultados de vendas do fabricante. Adicionalmente, a identificação gera maior performance de vendas para o fabricante quando há um maior alinhamento dos sistemas de controle de vendas. Estes resultados sugerem que os fornecedores podem exercer influência sobre a força de vendas de canal de distribuição através do reforço da ligação psicológica entre as suas marcas e os vendedores do canal de distribuição. / This study addressed the efforts of manufacturers to influence the behavior of the sales makers of the distribution channel and revealed a motivating influence: identification. From a survey with 147 distribution channel sales makers, this study analyses the impact of manufacturer-channel member control systems alignment and identification, on manufacturer’s performance. This study also examines the positive behaviors as a consequence of identification. From analysis of structural equations, the results demonstrate that both the adherence to manufacturer control systems and identification positively influence the manufacturer sales performance, and also demonstrate that identification generates positive behaviors of the distribution channel in support of the manufacturer's brand. However, the results were inconclusive regarding the impact of these positive behaviors on manufacturer’s sales performance. In addition, identification generates greater sales performance for the manufacturer when there is a greater alignment of manufacturer-channel sales control systems. This results suggests that suppliers can exercise influence over the channel sales force by strengthening the psychological connection between its brands and channel sales personnel.

Este estudo abordou os esforços dos fabricantes para influenciar o comportamento dos vendedores do canal de distribuição e revelou uma ferramenta de influência motivadora: a identificação. A partir de uma survey com 147 vendedores, este estudo explora o alinhamento dos sistemas de controle de vendas do canal de distribuição com o fabricante e a identificação, e os seus impactos na performance de vendas do fabricante. Este estudo também analisa os comportamentos positivos como consequência da identificação. A partir de análise de equações estruturais, os resultados demonstram que tanto a adesão do canal a sistemas de controle do fabricante e a identificação influenciam positivamente os resultados de vendas do fabricante, como também demonstram que a identificação gera comportamentos positivos do canal de distribuição, a favor da marca do fabricante, e com isso uma maior promoção da mesma. No entanto, os resultados não foram conclusivos em relação ao impacto destes comportamentos positivos nos resultados de vendas do fabricante. Adicionalmente, a identificação gera maior performance de vendas para o fabricante quando há um maior alinhamento dos sistemas de controle de vendas. Estes resultados sugerem que os fornecedores podem exercer influência sobre a força de vendas de canal de distribuição através do reforço da ligação psicológica entre as suas marcas e os vendedores do canal de distribuição. / This study addressed the efforts of manufacturers to influence the behavior of the sales makers of the distribution channel and revealed a motivating influence: identification. From a survey with 147 distribution channel sales makers, this study analyses the impact of manufacturer-channel member control systems alignment and identification, on manufacturer’s performance. This study also examines the positive behaviors as a consequence of identification. From analysis of structural equations, the results demonstrate that both the adherence to manufacturer control systems and identification positively influence the manufacturer sales performance, and also demonstrate that identification generates positive behaviors of the distribution channel in support of the manufacturer's brand. However, the results were inconclusive regarding the impact of these positive behaviors on manufacturer’s sales performance. In addition, identification generates greater sales performance for the manufacturer when there is a greater alignment of manufacturer-channel sales control systems. This results suggests that suppliers can exercise influence over the channel sales force by strengthening the psychological connection between its brands and channel sales personnel.

Abstract China is becoming a powerhouse of the world economy nowadays. Its high economic growth and large domestic market attract many Western companies to invest there. Partnering with local companies is a common way for most Western companies to enter the Chinese market and learn about the new business environment for the first time while implementing their international expansion strategy. However, finding the right impetus for the partnership strategy to achieve the business goals is not easy as, quite commonly and for various reasons, many partnerships are dissolved before they achieve the expected goals. The aim of this study is to identify the key activities of partnership development in the context of Sino-Finnish partnerships. Two types of partnerships appear in this study, i.e. joint ventures and manufacturer-distributor partnerships. A multiple case study methodology is adopted in the empirical study. A framework for partnership development is used to examine the partnership process in China. The key activities are identified in the formation and management stages. In the formation stage of the partnership, three key activities are identified for partnership development: learning and assessing the motives of the partners, partner selection, and choice of type of partnership. In the management stage, four key activities are identified: human resource management, knowledge transfer, risk management, and cultural differences. The framework for partnership analysis is adapted in line with the case study results. The results of the case study are as follows. The motives of partnerships stem from the partners' own needs and their strategies of development. In addition to the motives suiting both partners, the strategies of the Finnish or incoming partners should also suit the contemporary business environment in China. Task and partner-related dimensions feature in the criteria of partner selection. Human resource management is perceived as a fundamental activity in partnership management and happens either by localization or hybridization in the case partnerships. The central issues of human resource management are the recruitment and retention of both management level, and technical, personnel. Complementary knowledge transfer between partners contributes to supporting the operations and joint activities of the partnerships. The risks to partnerships are sourced as twofold by the case partners – from inside the partnerships and the business environment – and are dealt with as they arise. Cultural differences in the partnerships require inter-organizational and interpersonal adaptation. Trust and open communication are two facilitators in the management process of partnerships.

In the introduction, doctoral thesis as a complex technological project uses the summary title Stability of production. Stability of production is defined as a maintaining the required properties of the system over a given time period. Stability of production, based on the literature study included: – generally known systems and concepts, for example Process Stability, System Stability, Toyota Production System, Lean Manufacturing, etc. – less-known systems and concepts, for example Maintaining the fidelity of the production program, Stable order-sequence concept. The practical part of the doctoral thesis is focused on the less-known concept: Stable order-sequence. The task of the Stable order-sequence is to follow the sequence of orders given by the planned production program in the course of the production and at the end of production. Maintaining the sequence of the orders has a positive experience in the logistics activities between the final producer and its suppliers. As it was found by the planned experiment for a full factory plan, the sequence of orders in the material flow of original equipment manufacturer is influenced mainly by: – the cause of the removing orders from material flow, – the effect of the causes LIFO stack vs. branched material flow, – the effect of the causes LIFO stack vs. branched material flow vs. the removing from the material flow. By the analysis of Stable order-sequence, it was found that the methodology of the concept contains deficiencies. It does not state how to choose for example the size of the time period, time interval, data editing etc. By this lack, the subject can skew the results in the evaluation of the indicator PFT0 up to 4 %. Or by using of suitable adjustment, the value of the indicator PFT0 can be improved more than 50 %. To test the concept of a Stable order-sequence in practice has been designed technological project with the support of discrete-event simulation. It was about the implementation of new management logic to the stack behind the welding of original equipment manufacturer. The new logic of management was designed with an emphasis on Stable order-sequence concept, to arrange the orders in process according to the planned sequence. On the base of the functionality verification of the new stack logic, it was found that the logic affects the sequence of the orders, but not fundamentally. In tracking the hourly intervals for 25th calendar week 2013, the value of PFT0 was not improved in 37 cases, the value remains in 30 cases and the value was improved by the value of the median 18,68 % in 30 cases orders.

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