Den outsourcingtrend som varit gällande sedan 1990-talet tycks nu vara på väg att brytas och företag väljer i allt större utsträckning alternativ till att förlägga aktiviteter utanför den egna verksamheten. Ofta benämns insourcing som detta alternativ, men det finns en stor varians i uppfattningar av begreppets betydelse. Till skillnad från om outsourcing, som är ett väl behandlat begrepp, har insourcing ännu ej bearbetats i någon större utsträckning inom den teoretiska litteraturen och empiriska källor visar på en viss begreppsförvirring gällande användandet av termen. Syftet med denna uppsats är att presentera en definition av begreppet insourcing med utgångspunkt från transaktionskostnadsteorin. Som hjälp används en bred bas av empiriska källor av olika slag som antingen själva definierar eller nyttjar begreppet insourcing.

Background: Research results show that the potential of corporate social responsibility (CSR) has increased. That means there is a growing pressure on Swedish companies to act with responsibility: general public has a positive attitude towards companies that communicate their CSR. Advertising agencies have been criticized by their way to manage the question of social responsibility. One of the characteristics of an advertising agency is their anonymity; even though their products are extremely visible, it is rarely clear who gave rise to an advertising production. If this is put in relation to CSR in general, we find ourselves in a contradictory situation when CSR in many cases is about exposure of the responsible corporation. Purpose: The purpose of this thesis is to explain whether CSR can be applied to advertising agencies, by describing in which way their conditions limit respectively make possible to run business in terms of CSR. Research Method: The thesis has a qualitative approach, and the empirical data is in large parts based on personal interviews, where the interviewees represent Swedish advertising agencies. Result: We have identified a number of limitations and possibilities related to advertising agencies concerning CSR. Principally limits are that the advertising industry by tradition does not sanction responsibility in this matter, that professionals belittle the social effect by their own business but recognize the impact of advertising productions taken all together. Finally, efficient advertising and customer satisfaction are top priority concerns: ethics may have to step aside due to these matters. On the other hand, there are several aspects to suggest that CSR is to be applied on agencies: the surrounding world is an important matter to agency activities. Our results show that the attention given an agency in factual can be used in characteristics of CSR: the professionals have the opportunity to choose how and what to produce.

<p>There is much literature covering strategic change under different circumstances but very little concerning how companies act strategically under sudden and radical changes to market conditions. Based on three different events (the terrorist attack in the USA September 11th 2001, the Tjernobyl accident April 26th 1986 and the Islamic revolution in Iran 1979) with such radical changes as a result we chose three companies that were affected (SAS, Asea Atom and Atlas Copco). The result of the events that were studied in this thesis is extremely unusual to their character. The events themselves were sudden and of a temporary nature but the results were long term changes of market conditions. Through personal interviews the authors have tried to establish how the companies have perceived the events and how the top management has strategically handled the situation. It seems like the interpretation of the importance the event will have on the company's future has been the basis for what measures that where taken. Furthermore, the authors have, after having compared the actions of the companies with some already established theories concerning strategic change, been able to see that the existing theories cannotcompletely explain the actions of the companies and reactions under such extreme conditions. The time aspect and the resistance to change are factors that are affected by the radical changes of market conditions, since the planning of the changes takes place under a very compressed period of time, and the resistance to change that becomes unusually low within the company.</p>

<p>Background: For companies operating globally, expatriates represent a knowledge resource. When different ways of thinking, different experiences and ideas meet, new ideas and knowledge are created. Managers who have lived and worked abroad make an essential addition to the range of ideas and experiences that a company can make use of. While going on an international assignment offers the opportunity to acquire knowledge, finishing one, and moving on, offers the opportunity to transfer this knowledge and utilize it in the organization. </p><p>Purpose: The purpose of this study is to examine how a global corporation utilizes the knowledge its expatriates gain during international assignments. </p><p>Realization: We have looked at utilization of expatriates’ knowledge at Tetra Pak from both the HR managers’ and the expatriates’ point of view. We conducted five interviews with HR managers and sent out questionnaires to 60 expatriates, of which 21 replied. </p><p>Conclusion: Knowledge management is highly topical at Tetra Pak right now. To open up for learning and to spread knowledge are priorities. Utilization of expatriates’ knowledge can be looked at on two levels, the individual- and the organizational level. On the individual level, it is very much a question of career management. On the organizational level, it is a matter of knowledge transfer and sharing. Transfer of knowledge in general is very much intended at Tetra Pak, but there is no focus on expatriates’ knowledge. Knowledge sharing on the other hand, seems to more or less “just happen”, it is a matter of learning by accident rather than intent.</p>

<p>Background: To be better able to meet the new competition, companies are seeking new competitive advantages, wich is forcing them to review and, in time, change both working methods and corporate structures. This has led to an increased interest in the development of strategies within the field of Knowledge Management. Objective: The objective of this thesis is to improve understanding of how learning in a company occurs over internal boundaries and to investigate whether individuals need to be motivated in this regard. We also aim to give recommendations as to how this can be developed. Furthermore, we will work out a model that explains the learning process. Definitions: Our study is based solely on the divisions at the marketing department of the company investigated. We have not included external parties, nor the aspect of Knowledge Management that focuses on IT. Method and results: This study has been carried out with the help of interviews and surveys. The thesis has resulted in a model that illustrates how learning in an organisation occurs over internal boundaries. Since individuals are driven to share their knowledge to varying degrees and for different reasons, we believe that companies ought to model their systems in such a way that motivates and rewards knowledge sharing. Knowledge can then be spread through different working methods, such as projects, meetings, cross-functional working pairs, and mentorship.</p>

<p>When a crisis hits a company, it is very important that the company communicate with its customers. Communication is important for a company in crisis because this is a way for the company to tell their side of the story and thereby try to get the customers to see things their way. Because mass media reaches a lot of people, it is a simple and fast way for companies in crisis to get their message out to the world. Mass media can be very useful for a company, but it can also be a problem. Mass media and companies in crisis may or may not have the same purpose with the communication. It is important for companies to be aware of this as well as the importance of the timing. To be successful in crisis communication companies need to know what, when and why to say it. For this thesis we have studied SJ and SL, which are two companies that has been having media exposed crisis recently. We also have chosen to study mass media through articles in two major Swedish newspapers, Dagens Nyheter and Expressen. We have made interviews with four persons at the companies that works with communication and with four journalists that wrote about the crisis in these newspapers. During this study we have found that both mass media and companies in crisis find communication to be very important for the outcome of the companies in crisis. It is hard to say exactly what information that is the most important in what stage of the crisis. Though, it can be said that some information seems to be more important in the beginning of a crisis and some information seems to be more important at the end of a crisis. Companies need to be aware of this before the crisis hits, to make sure that the communication is being handled in a way that is the best for the companies out coming of the crisis.</p>

<p>Background: Today small business firms represent a considerable part of swedish economy, and the number of small firms has steadily increased the last ten years in relation to the total employment. The fact that there are firms willing to grow, it ought to be interesting observing their motives of growth, and what kind of strategies that can be identifiable in these firms. </p><p>Purpose: To examine the motives of growth in small business firms, and to study which growth strategies the firms use when expanding their business. </p><p>Realization: The study is accomplished through telephone interviews with six small business firms in the province of Jönköping. The firms contain between 10-49 employees. </p><p>Result: The motives of growth in small business firms are in great extension derived from self-realization. Considering the growth strategies, the firms claim that the influence of executives is what affects the most concerning growth. As well market- and product development are of great importance, even though these strategies are ofteninseparables.</p>

<p>Background: The Uppsala model is the most accepted paradigm regarding the internationalisation process of the firm. This thesis tries to complement the Uppsala model with Porter's theories regarding internationalisation. </p><p>Purpose: The purpose of this thesis is to study to what extent the Uppsala model is applicable to a small manufacturing firm, and to see if the theory, combined with the Porterian framework, can provide a more solid framework for the description of the internationalisation process of the firm. </p><p>Method: The master thesis is based on one personal interview with the CEO of the study object, Bukowski design. </p><p>Results: The internationalisation process of the firm can to some extent be explained using the Uppsala model. It is, however, valuable to complete the picture with, for example, Porter’s theories, that permit a deeper understanding.</p>

<p>Technology based self-service (TBSS) used in supermarket self-scanning checkouts is a relatively new phenomenon in Sweden. Studies on TBSS as a self- checkout device have been formerly carried out but with focus on the customer perspective. The authors therefore saw a challenge in covering the self-scan checkout concept, from a company perspective. The purpose of this research paper is to investigate, through a management perspective, the changes brought about by implementing an innovative TBSS system in Swedish supermarkets, and its effect on the competitiveness of the company. This is done by presenting and linking the theoretical framework and empirical study in the research. The theoretical framework of the paper includes the following topics: role and importance of innovation in a business context and TBSS as innovation as well as product life cycle connected to innovation; competitive advantage theory and complementary concepts, value chain theory, and finally the importance of customer relationship management in the ‘new’ self-service economy. The empirical study consists of two Swedish supermarkets in the city of Linköping, Coop Forum and ICA Maxi. Results of the research paper mainly include the following: Changes brought about by implementing technology-based self-service systems in supermarkets must be discussed in the view of short-term and long- term perspectives separately. Changes involve the value creating activities of supermarkets and include increased quality of services to customers. It has been further found that TBSS can add to the competitiveness of supermarkets. However, positive financial results can only be expected in the long-term which in the case of Swedish supermarkets offering TBSS services is not yet apparent. The empirical findings have shown that Coop Forum and ICA Maxi had to carry out changes and make adjustments to their value activities and customer relationship management in order to operate TBSS checkouts successfully. Competitiveness between them has been also affected due to the TBSS service offering.</p>

Background: Today small business firms represent a considerable part of swedish economy, and the number of small firms has steadily increased the last ten years in relation to the total employment. The fact that there are firms willing to grow, it ought to be interesting observing their motives of growth, and what kind of strategies that can be identifiable in these firms. Purpose: To examine the motives of growth in small business firms, and to study which growth strategies the firms use when expanding their business. Realization: The study is accomplished through telephone interviews with six small business firms in the province of Jönköping. The firms contain between 10-49 employees. Result: The motives of growth in small business firms are in great extension derived from self-realization. Considering the growth strategies, the firms claim that the influence of executives is what affects the most concerning growth. As well market- and product development are of great importance, even though these strategies are ofteninseparables.