The study of location has a long and extensive history. As this area of study has evolved, there has been an increased recognition of the challenges and the many significant external factors, driven by the changes of trends and criteria on location decisions. Whether it is the world economy, technology and environment issues, and it has affected the existing models used in production location decision.    The primary aim of this thesis was to review the broad base of literature of production location decision, especially on models and factors concerning the manufacturing and supply chain area. The thesis also uncovers previous research that has examined the current status concerning models and factors used in production localisation decision.   Following a brief quantitative analysis of the research area development, the project applied mainly a qualitative approach to the study. Literature databases, literature reviews and case study reports were used as data sources. Literature reviews were used as base for the description, explanation, exploration and correlation analyses within the study.   Based on existing literature, this thesis presents a framework to categorise the existing location models and factors. The framework presents the used models and factors in production location decisions. Three industrial case study reports (from master thesis projects from Väderstad, Alfdex and IKEA) were gathered and used to examine the researchers’ own synthetic framework and further explore the research questions. The result is summarized in the framework that can lead users to understand the current status and the trend concerning the models and factors used in production location decision.     Keywords: Location decision, Production location, Location models and Location factors, Models and actors categorization.

This report is the result of a master thesis with a focus on risk analysis of production location decisions. The project is a part of “PROLOC-manufacturing footprint during the product’s life cycle”. The main aim of this thesis is to point out how current applicable risk analysis techniques evaluate the risks involved in production location decisions and then underline the most important risks involved in production location decisions and elicit strengths and weaknesses of these methods.A systematic review of literature with a focus on journal papers of risk analysis and production fields is conducted by using the content analysis and coding technique. The current risk analysis techniques identified are failure mode and effects analysis (FMEA), life cycle cost (LCC) analysis, and system based techniques like multiobjective analysis, decision tree analysis, and analytic hierarchy process (AHP). In addition two identified frameworks of foreign direct investment (FDI) and international production are the research fields that have contributed extensively in identifying various risks of production location decisions.Having reviewed the literature, it is realized that majority of companies take a short sighted vision in choosing production location and consider just cost based issues like cheaper raw material and low labour cost in some countries and simply ignore uncertainties that can be sources of political, economic, social, competitive, and seismic risks. Low cost countries are usually situated in politically instable areas that can cause long production halts or expropriation. Political risk is mainly identified in FDI literature and is usually triggered by a political turmoil, coup d’état, or revolution. On the other hand cheap labour does not necessarily mean decrease in costs and might bring about quality issues and damage company prestige among customers which results in time and monetary loss. Currency exchange and inflation in costs often causes the initial forecast and cost analysis go wrong. Supply risks are because of disruption of ties with raw material or part suppliers in home country and might result in risk of misuse by new suppliers or partners. Also the seismic risk is introduced as a separate category of risks of production location decisions which can be considered a matter of more investigation and requires further research.The study also presents a review of strengths and weaknesses of existing risk analysis techniques of production location decisions. The lack of consistency, vagueness of information, unfamiliarity with design to cost concept are among the major weaknesses of risk analysis techniques of production location decisions. The study concludes with the fact that just considering the cost oriented factors like cheap labour and raw material by production companies exposed them to various risk and might make the whole investment in vain. Suggestions for further study on techniques and risks of production location decisions are also proposed.

A indústria de carne de frango no Brasil cresceu e figura, desde 2004, como maior exportadora mundial desta carne, mesmo destinando menos de 30% do volume total produzido no país para o mercado internacional. No Brasil, a carne de frango é a mais consumida, desde 2006, entre as carnes. Neste contexto, é importante o entendimento de como a indústria evoluiu para atingir o patamar atual. Visando analisar a dinâmica da estrutura da indústria de carne de frango no Brasil entre os anos de 2000 e 2010, as Teorias da Organização Industrial e da Localização foram adotadas na pesquisa e utilizou-se o método quantitativo com dados secundários do conjunto de empresas responsáveis pelo abate e industrialização de frangos no Brasil. Para o período entre 2000 e 2010, analisou-se a mobilidade regional das operações de abate; a concentração de mercado foi mensurada, pelos índices Razão de Concentração e Herfindahl-Hirschman; e também se avaliou a mudança de posições das empresas pela análise de turnover. Para os índices de concentração e para o turnover adotou-se como critérios de análise o número de frangos abatidos e o volume de carne de frango exportada de cada empresa anualmente. Os resultados demonstram expansão da indústria de carne de frango e que seu direcionamento está associado à disponibilidade de insumos para alimentação dos frangos. Na região Centro-Oeste, observa-se o maior incremento de participação no abate de frangos no Brasil. Na análise das variáveis estruturais, constata-se que a concentração pelo índice HH é classificada como não concentrada no abate, com exceção de 2009, ano em que as duas maiores empresas responderam por mais de 44% dos frangos abatidos no Brasil. Já as exportações caracterizam-se como moderadamente concentradas. Ao longo do período analisado, ocorre um aumento da concentração no abate e uma moderada redução da concentração nas exportações. Porém, na segunda metade dos anos 2000, registra-se uma intensificação do aumento da concentração no abate de frangos e uma inversão da tendência de queda nas exportações. Como fator, parcial, de explicação para tal fenômeno tem-se os processos de fusões e aquisições, que se intensificaram nessa indústria na segunda metade dos anos 2000. Pela análise de turnover, verifica-se que há mudanças de posições entre as empresas e que estas, também, se intensificaram na segunda metade dos anos 2000. Evidenciam-se mudanças no padrão de consumo domiciliar no Brasil e na pauta das exportações, que indicam decréscimo do frango inteiro e acréscimo desta carne em cortes e de produtos elaborados. Constata-se que a indústria amplia seus mercados internacionais e tem-se a perspectiva de aumento da participação de produtos industrializados na pauta das exportações. Conclui-se que os movimentos ocorridos caracterizam mudanças na estrutura da indústria de carne de frango no Brasil. E nesta trajetória constata-se como importantes direcionadores as fusões e aquisições ocorridas e o aumento do tamanho do mercado. Espera-se, com esta pesquisa, contribuir com informações sobre a evolução recente da indústria, o que pode auxiliar nas proposições de políticas públicas e nas orientações das empresas que atuam, ou venham a entrar nesta indústria. / The Brazilian chicken meat industry has grown and stands out, since 2004, as world’s major exporter of this meat, even allocating less than 30% of the total amount produced in this country to international trade. In Brazil, chicken meat has been the most consumed within the meat types, since 2006. Given this perspective, it is important to understand how the industry has evolved to reach such status. Aiming to analyze the structural dynamics of chicken meat industry in Brazil in 2000 and 2010, Industrial Organization and Location theories were adopted , a quantitative method was used, with secondary data regarding poultry slaughtering and processing companies. Between 2000 and 2010, regional mobility of the slaughtering operations was analyzed; market concentration has been measured through Concentration Ratio and Herfindahl-Hirschman indexes. Changes in the ranking of companies were also assessed, through turnover analysis. In order to undertake the market concentration measurement and the turnover analysis, the number of slaughtered chickens and the volume of chicken meat exported by each company, annually, were adopted as analysis criterion. The results show an expansion of the chicken meat industry, which directioning is related to the availability of inputs for chicken feed. In the Central-West Region, one observes the highest increase in participation in chicken slaughtering in Brazil. When analyzing the structural variables, one notes that market concentration is characterized as not concentrated regarding slaughtering, the exception being 2009, when the two largest companies accounted for more than 44% of chicken slaughtered in Brazil. Concerning exports, they are characterized as moderately concentrated. Throughout the time period that has been analyzed, there is an increase in slaughtering concentration and a moderate reduction in exports concentration. However, in the second half of decade 2000-2010, one records intensification on the concentration increase in chicken slaughtering and an inversion on the decrease trend in exports. As a partial factor of explanation for such phenomenon, there are mergers and acquisition processes, intensified within this industry during the second half of the decade 2000-2010. By means of turnover analysis, one verifies that there are changes in the ranking of the companies, phenomenon that has also been during the second half of the decade 2000-2010. Changes in the domestic consumption patterns in Brazil, as well as in its exports portfolio are observed and indicate a decrease of the whole chicken figures and an increase of cuts and elaborated products. It is found that the industry expands its international markets and there is a perspective of increase in the participation of industrialized products in the exports portfolio. It can be concluded that movements occurred during the observed time period characterize changes in chicken meat industry, in Brazil. And in this evolution it can be seen as important drivers mergers and acquisitions and the increasing of size market. This research is expected to contribute with information on recent developments in the industry, by means of assistance for proposal for public policies, and orientations to companies currently operating in this industry and of those that could possibly enter this market.

A indústria de carne de frango no Brasil cresceu e figura, desde 2004, como maior exportadora mundial desta carne, mesmo destinando menos de 30% do volume total produzido no país para o mercado internacional. No Brasil, a carne de frango é a mais consumida, desde 2006, entre as carnes. Neste contexto, é importante o entendimento de como a indústria evoluiu para atingir o patamar atual. Visando analisar a dinâmica da estrutura da indústria de carne de frango no Brasil entre os anos de 2000 e 2010, as Teorias da Organização Industrial e da Localização foram adotadas na pesquisa e utilizou-se o método quantitativo com dados secundários do conjunto de empresas responsáveis pelo abate e industrialização de frangos no Brasil. Para o período entre 2000 e 2010, analisou-se a mobilidade regional das operações de abate; a concentração de mercado foi mensurada, pelos índices Razão de Concentração e Herfindahl-Hirschman; e também se avaliou a mudança de posições das empresas pela análise de turnover. Para os índices de concentração e para o turnover adotou-se como critérios de análise o número de frangos abatidos e o volume de carne de frango exportada de cada empresa anualmente. Os resultados demonstram expansão da indústria de carne de frango e que seu direcionamento está associado à disponibilidade de insumos para alimentação dos frangos. Na região Centro-Oeste, observa-se o maior incremento de participação no abate de frangos no Brasil. Na análise das variáveis estruturais, constata-se que a concentração pelo índice HH é classificada como não concentrada no abate, com exceção de 2009, ano em que as duas maiores empresas responderam por mais de 44% dos frangos abatidos no Brasil. Já as exportações caracterizam-se como moderadamente concentradas. Ao longo do período analisado, ocorre um aumento da concentração no abate e uma moderada redução da concentração nas exportações. Porém, na segunda metade dos anos 2000, registra-se uma intensificação do aumento da concentração no abate de frangos e uma inversão da tendência de queda nas exportações. Como fator, parcial, de explicação para tal fenômeno tem-se os processos de fusões e aquisições, que se intensificaram nessa indústria na segunda metade dos anos 2000. Pela análise de turnover, verifica-se que há mudanças de posições entre as empresas e que estas, também, se intensificaram na segunda metade dos anos 2000. Evidenciam-se mudanças no padrão de consumo domiciliar no Brasil e na pauta das exportações, que indicam decréscimo do frango inteiro e acréscimo desta carne em cortes e de produtos elaborados. Constata-se que a indústria amplia seus mercados internacionais e tem-se a perspectiva de aumento da participação de produtos industrializados na pauta das exportações. Conclui-se que os movimentos ocorridos caracterizam mudanças na estrutura da indústria de carne de frango no Brasil. E nesta trajetória constata-se como importantes direcionadores as fusões e aquisições ocorridas e o aumento do tamanho do mercado. Espera-se, com esta pesquisa, contribuir com informações sobre a evolução recente da indústria, o que pode auxiliar nas proposições de políticas públicas e nas orientações das empresas que atuam, ou venham a entrar nesta indústria. / The Brazilian chicken meat industry has grown and stands out, since 2004, as world’s major exporter of this meat, even allocating less than 30% of the total amount produced in this country to international trade. In Brazil, chicken meat has been the most consumed within the meat types, since 2006. Given this perspective, it is important to understand how the industry has evolved to reach such status. Aiming to analyze the structural dynamics of chicken meat industry in Brazil in 2000 and 2010, Industrial Organization and Location theories were adopted , a quantitative method was used, with secondary data regarding poultry slaughtering and processing companies. Between 2000 and 2010, regional mobility of the slaughtering operations was analyzed; market concentration has been measured through Concentration Ratio and Herfindahl-Hirschman indexes. Changes in the ranking of companies were also assessed, through turnover analysis. In order to undertake the market concentration measurement and the turnover analysis, the number of slaughtered chickens and the volume of chicken meat exported by each company, annually, were adopted as analysis criterion. The results show an expansion of the chicken meat industry, which directioning is related to the availability of inputs for chicken feed. In the Central-West Region, one observes the highest increase in participation in chicken slaughtering in Brazil. When analyzing the structural variables, one notes that market concentration is characterized as not concentrated regarding slaughtering, the exception being 2009, when the two largest companies accounted for more than 44% of chicken slaughtered in Brazil. Concerning exports, they are characterized as moderately concentrated. Throughout the time period that has been analyzed, there is an increase in slaughtering concentration and a moderate reduction in exports concentration. However, in the second half of decade 2000-2010, one records intensification on the concentration increase in chicken slaughtering and an inversion on the decrease trend in exports. As a partial factor of explanation for such phenomenon, there are mergers and acquisition processes, intensified within this industry during the second half of the decade 2000-2010. By means of turnover analysis, one verifies that there are changes in the ranking of the companies, phenomenon that has also been during the second half of the decade 2000-2010. Changes in the domestic consumption patterns in Brazil, as well as in its exports portfolio are observed and indicate a decrease of the whole chicken figures and an increase of cuts and elaborated products. It is found that the industry expands its international markets and there is a perspective of increase in the participation of industrialized products in the exports portfolio. It can be concluded that movements occurred during the observed time period characterize changes in chicken meat industry, in Brazil. And in this evolution it can be seen as important drivers mergers and acquisitions and the increasing of size market. This research is expected to contribute with information on recent developments in the industry, by means of assistance for proposal for public policies, and orientations to companies currently operating in this industry and of those that could possibly enter this market.

A indústria de carne de frango no Brasil cresceu e figura, desde 2004, como maior exportadora mundial desta carne, mesmo destinando menos de 30% do volume total produzido no país para o mercado internacional. No Brasil, a carne de frango é a mais consumida, desde 2006, entre as carnes. Neste contexto, é importante o entendimento de como a indústria evoluiu para atingir o patamar atual. Visando analisar a dinâmica da estrutura da indústria de carne de frango no Brasil entre os anos de 2000 e 2010, as Teorias da Organização Industrial e da Localização foram adotadas na pesquisa e utilizou-se o método quantitativo com dados secundários do conjunto de empresas responsáveis pelo abate e industrialização de frangos no Brasil. Para o período entre 2000 e 2010, analisou-se a mobilidade regional das operações de abate; a concentração de mercado foi mensurada, pelos índices Razão de Concentração e Herfindahl-Hirschman; e também se avaliou a mudança de posições das empresas pela análise de turnover. Para os índices de concentração e para o turnover adotou-se como critérios de análise o número de frangos abatidos e o volume de carne de frango exportada de cada empresa anualmente. Os resultados demonstram expansão da indústria de carne de frango e que seu direcionamento está associado à disponibilidade de insumos para alimentação dos frangos. Na região Centro-Oeste, observa-se o maior incremento de participação no abate de frangos no Brasil. Na análise das variáveis estruturais, constata-se que a concentração pelo índice HH é classificada como não concentrada no abate, com exceção de 2009, ano em que as duas maiores empresas responderam por mais de 44% dos frangos abatidos no Brasil. Já as exportações caracterizam-se como moderadamente concentradas. Ao longo do período analisado, ocorre um aumento da concentração no abate e uma moderada redução da concentração nas exportações. Porém, na segunda metade dos anos 2000, registra-se uma intensificação do aumento da concentração no abate de frangos e uma inversão da tendência de queda nas exportações. Como fator, parcial, de explicação para tal fenômeno tem-se os processos de fusões e aquisições, que se intensificaram nessa indústria na segunda metade dos anos 2000. Pela análise de turnover, verifica-se que há mudanças de posições entre as empresas e que estas, também, se intensificaram na segunda metade dos anos 2000. Evidenciam-se mudanças no padrão de consumo domiciliar no Brasil e na pauta das exportações, que indicam decréscimo do frango inteiro e acréscimo desta carne em cortes e de produtos elaborados. Constata-se que a indústria amplia seus mercados internacionais e tem-se a perspectiva de aumento da participação de produtos industrializados na pauta das exportações. Conclui-se que os movimentos ocorridos caracterizam mudanças na estrutura da indústria de carne de frango no Brasil. E nesta trajetória constata-se como importantes direcionadores as fusões e aquisições ocorridas e o aumento do tamanho do mercado. Espera-se, com esta pesquisa, contribuir com informações sobre a evolução recente da indústria, o que pode auxiliar nas proposições de políticas públicas e nas orientações das empresas que atuam, ou venham a entrar nesta indústria. / The Brazilian chicken meat industry has grown and stands out, since 2004, as world’s major exporter of this meat, even allocating less than 30% of the total amount produced in this country to international trade. In Brazil, chicken meat has been the most consumed within the meat types, since 2006. Given this perspective, it is important to understand how the industry has evolved to reach such status. Aiming to analyze the structural dynamics of chicken meat industry in Brazil in 2000 and 2010, Industrial Organization and Location theories were adopted , a quantitative method was used, with secondary data regarding poultry slaughtering and processing companies. Between 2000 and 2010, regional mobility of the slaughtering operations was analyzed; market concentration has been measured through Concentration Ratio and Herfindahl-Hirschman indexes. Changes in the ranking of companies were also assessed, through turnover analysis. In order to undertake the market concentration measurement and the turnover analysis, the number of slaughtered chickens and the volume of chicken meat exported by each company, annually, were adopted as analysis criterion. The results show an expansion of the chicken meat industry, which directioning is related to the availability of inputs for chicken feed. In the Central-West Region, one observes the highest increase in participation in chicken slaughtering in Brazil. When analyzing the structural variables, one notes that market concentration is characterized as not concentrated regarding slaughtering, the exception being 2009, when the two largest companies accounted for more than 44% of chicken slaughtered in Brazil. Concerning exports, they are characterized as moderately concentrated. Throughout the time period that has been analyzed, there is an increase in slaughtering concentration and a moderate reduction in exports concentration. However, in the second half of decade 2000-2010, one records intensification on the concentration increase in chicken slaughtering and an inversion on the decrease trend in exports. As a partial factor of explanation for such phenomenon, there are mergers and acquisition processes, intensified within this industry during the second half of the decade 2000-2010. By means of turnover analysis, one verifies that there are changes in the ranking of the companies, phenomenon that has also been during the second half of the decade 2000-2010. Changes in the domestic consumption patterns in Brazil, as well as in its exports portfolio are observed and indicate a decrease of the whole chicken figures and an increase of cuts and elaborated products. It is found that the industry expands its international markets and there is a perspective of increase in the participation of industrialized products in the exports portfolio. It can be concluded that movements occurred during the observed time period characterize changes in chicken meat industry, in Brazil. And in this evolution it can be seen as important drivers mergers and acquisitions and the increasing of size market. This research is expected to contribute with information on recent developments in the industry, by means of assistance for proposal for public policies, and orientations to companies currently operating in this industry and of those that could possibly enter this market.