This study strives to examine how microfinance activities can be successfully applied in the developed world. This is done through a field study in New York City. Throughout interviews and observations with three of the largest actors in New York: Acción USA, Grameen America and Project Enterprise, as well as interviews with their clients, the lending processes and key characteristics of the organizations have been mapped. Furthermore, the Federal Reserve Bank of New York has been interviewed on the general opinion of microfinance in the US. Previous theory elaborates on some of the major challenges with implementing microfinance activities in the developed world, such as lack of funding and cultural differences hindering the lending processes to be carried out as they are in the developing world. Henceforth, problems regarding regulation, awareness and outreach are discussed. Throughout the observation of the institutions we can confirm that some of the challenges brought up in theory actually are apparent. We do, however, question the criticism towards the use of group-based lending programs in the developed world. Our study does, in contrast to previous research, imply that the concept does work as well in the US as it does in developing countries. Since this is a case study based on the observations of only a few organizations, it is precarious to draw any general conclusions based upon the findings. Indications of key success factors are, though, group-based lending programs, non-financial services, creating awareness, financial sustainability, savings as funding, standardized regulations and increased transparency. Finally we advocate focus on job creation to obtain acknowledgement.

This study strives to examine how microfinance activities can be successfully applied in the developed world. This is done through a field study in New York City. Throughout interviews and observations with three of the largest actors in New York: Acción USA, Grameen America and Project Enterprise, as well as interviews with their clients, the lending processes and key characteristics of the organizations have been mapped. Furthermore, the Federal Reserve Bank of New York has been interviewed on the general opinion of microfinance in the US. Previous theory elaborates on some of the major challenges with implementing microfinance activities in the developed world, such as lack of funding and cultural differences hindering the lending processes to be carried out as they are in the developing world. Henceforth, problems regarding regulation, awareness and outreach are discussed. Throughout the observation of the institutions we can confirm that some of the challenges brought up in theory actually are apparent. We do, however, question the criticism towards the use of group-based lending programs in the developed world. Our study does, in contrast to previous research, imply that the concept does work as well in the US as it does in developing countries. Since this is a case study based on the observations of only a few organizations, it is precarious to draw any general conclusions based upon the findings. Indications of key success factors are, though, group-based lending programs, non-financial services, creating awareness, financial sustainability, savings as funding, standardized regulations and increased transparency. Finally we advocate focus on job creation to obtain acknowledgement.

The diploma thesis called Optimization of processes in a distribution company is focused on a firm, fictionally named ABC Ltd which, however, represents a real distribution company, a holding company to be precise, whose parent company is based in the Czech Republic and its subsidiaries are located in Italy, China and Australia. The overall number of staff of the whole concern is sixteen, so it falls into the category of small companies. The main purpose of this paper is to analyze the company's processes. The greatest benefit of the thesis is saving the company's expenses based on optimization of the company's processes. In the introduction to the paper all the goals and benefits are stated. The next chapter reveals a brief description of skills that are vital for working on the practical part of the paper and meeting all the goals that have been set at the beginning. The introduction to the practical part deals with introducing the company ABC Ltd. The main topic of this part is the analysis of the present state of the firm's enterprise architecture. One of these architectures, the process one, describes the company's processes which are divided into the main and the supporting ones. In the main processes the potential for improvements is identified. The conclusion brings evaluation of the limits which follow from the revealed potential and suggestions for supporting the limits in the form of project solution.

The diploma thesis called "Optimization of processes in procurement departmenf of FMCG company" is focused on the optimization of procurement processes in an unnamed FMCG company. The main goals of this work include the analysis of similar solutions in business process optimization and selection of appropriate methods and procedures. Other objectives are to analyze the current state of processes, their support and maturity and potential improvement identification in selected processes. Last goal is a suggestion of project proposals designed to achieve potential improvement identification in the analyzed procurement processes. Contribution of this thesis is to analyze the purchasing process from the perspective of process maturity, its priorities, support and potential for improvement. Modelling of current processes in a unified methodology and tool is another benefit of this work. The work consists of an introductory section that defines the objectives, benefits and working methods. The following is a description of the research work and basic terms, thus ending the theoretical part. The practical part contains the characteristics of the company, a description of existing processes, potential improvement identification and a proposal of support in identified real potentials.