Bakgrund: E-handel har haft en ständig ökning i Sverige sedan de första företagen startade sina verksamheter. Under de senaste åren har e-handeln visat en betydligt större tillväxttakt än detaljhandeln. Statistik visar att nio av tio konsumenter någon gång har e-handlat vilket tyder på att e-handeln idag är väletablerat bland konsumenterna. En mognare marknad har lett e-handeln in i en ny fas i den konkurrenskraftiga expansionen. Med en expanderad e-handel tillkommer nya utmaningar och problem inom logistik. E-handelsföretag som inte infört nödvändiga logistiksatsningar riskerar att hindras i utvecklingen eller konkurreras ut. Detta innebär att företag inom e-handel måste optimera, förnya och bli mer personliga mot kund för att behålla ett övertag gentemot konkurrenterna. Syfte: Syftet med rapporten är att beskriva inköpsprocessen och lagerhanteringen samt undersöka vilka problem inom inköpsprocessen och lagerhanteringen svenska e-handelsföretag upplevt i samband med e-handelns tillväxt. Metod: Rapporten består av en kvalitativ flerfallstudie. Studien utfördes på fallföretagen NordicFeel, NordicInk, Sporttema, Bubbleroom och GreenTech. Datainsamling har skett genom litteraturstudier, semi-strukturerade intervjuer samt direkta observationer. Slutsats: Svenska e-handelsföretag i studien är små i förhållande till sina leverantörer. Därmed avviker de från van Weeles (2010) inköpsprocess då de inte tillämpar kontraktskrivning och leverantörsuppföljning. Eftersom samtliga fallföretag bedriver försäljning av befintliga varumärken begränsas även deras möjlighet att utfärda specifikationer till leverantörer. Studier av lagerhanteringen uppvisades att samtliga fallföretag utför ankomstkontroll på inkommande gods. Dock levereras godset i- 4 -avvikande förpackningar och på olika pallsystem, vilket medför varierande hantering vid inläggning och plock av produkterna. Avsaknad av kontraktskrivning medför att samtliga företag har svårt att kräva leverantörer på ersättning vid felaktiga leveranser. Felaktiga leveranser härrör från att de är ofullständiga eller innehåller felförpackade produkter. Vid mottagning upptäcker företagen skadade produkter, som rapporteras till inköpsavdelningen. Samtliga företag utnyttjar inte sin lageryta optimalt, vilket leder till försvårad framkomlighet på lagret vid inläggning och plock. / Background: E-commerce has had a constant increase in Sweden since the first companies started their operations. In recent years, e-commerce has shown a significantly higher growth rate than retail. Statistics show that nine out of ten consumers have shopped online, suggesting that e-commerce is well established among consumers. A mature market has led e-commerce in to a new phase of the comtetitive expansion. With an expanded e-commerce however, new logistical challenges and problems emerge. E-commerce companies that have not yet adopted necessary logistics efforts could be hindered in their development or forced to exit the market. This means that companies in e-commerce must optimize, innovate and be more personal with customers in order to maintain an edge over the competition. Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to describe the purchasing process and inventory management and study the problems in the purchasing process and inventory management Swedish e-commerce companies experienced in e-commerce growth. Method: The paper consists of a qualitative multiple case study. The study was performed on the companies NordicFeel, NordicInk, Sporttema, Bubbleroom and GreenTech. Data was obtained from literature reviews, semi-structured interviews and direct observations. Conclusion: Swedish e-commerce companies in the study are small in relation to their suppliers. The companies differ from van Weeles (2010) purchasing process since they do not apply contracts and supplier monitoring. Because the companies engage in sales of existing brands they are also limited in their ability to issue specifications for suppliers. The studies of inventory management demonstrated that the companies perform inspection of incoming goods. However, the delivered goods are received in- 6 -different packaging and different pallet systems, which results in varying handling during insertion and retrieval of the products. The lacks of contracts mean that the companies have difficulty to demand suppliers of compensation due to incorrect deliveries. Incorrect deliveries mean they are incomplete or contain improperly packaged products. Upon receiving damaged products, the companies report to the purchasing department. The companies do not use the warehouse space optimally, leading to a more cumbersome accessibility in the warehouse during loading and picking.

Research questions:  Main Question: How do companies with different types of products, who have implemented CSR, work with CSR in their purchasing process? Sub Query 1: How do companies with different types of products, who have implemented CSR, choose their suppliers based on CSR criteria? Sub Query 2: How do companies with different types of products, who have implemented CSR, ensure that their suppliers uphold the CSR criteria? Purpose: The purpose with this thesis is to identify how companies who have implemented CSR, work with their suppliers in different situations. Methodology: The thesis’ research method was quantitative with a deductive approach and a positivistic viewpoint. The empirical data was collected through two case studies in which interviews was be made and documents studied. The method for analysis was qualitative as a pattern matching was made. The authors reviewed the thesis according to qualitative measurements for quality.

Background:China could be seemed as a highly developing country. There are many opportunities and challenges inChina. Its preferential policies and huge potential market attract a lot of foreign companies to come toChina. Meanwhile, Chinese government encourages the development of domestic enterprises. Therefore, at present there mainly coexist three forms of enterprises inChina: foreign-funded companies, private companies and state-controlling companies. In order to enhance competitiveness, almost every company in china has its own supply chain network. Supply Chain management plays an important role in Chinese companies. Research question: 1.     What is the current situation of purchasing process and purchasing process integration for some manufacturers of different ownerships in China?   2.     How can purchasing process be integrated for some manufacturers of different ownerships in China from manufacture’s perspectives?   Purpose: The purpose of this thesis is to study the current situation in purchasing process integration in Chinese manufacturing industry of three kinds of ownership and evaluate the purchasing process of three kinds of companies in China. In addition, it gives some suggestions to remove potential obstacles and optimize the purchasing process; and aims to help the companies to gain competitive advantage in the long term.   Method: The empirical foundation for this thesis is intended to be on multiple case study method. It studies of the three types of manufacturing enterprises in China. To represent these three types of companies, three companies are chosen from each as selected research objects. Data is collected through semi-structure interviews, so the questionnaire would be open-ended. Long-distance telephone interview with purchasing managers and material managers separately for each company would be adopted.   Conclusion: The purchasing process of three companies who represent three different types of ownership is studied. It studies the current situation in purchasing process integration in Chinese manufacturing industry of three kinds of ownership and evaluates the purchasing process of three kinds of companies in China. Then the obstacles in purchasing process are found out. Then suggestions on purchasing process integration are used to tackle these obstacles.   Future Work: This thesis focuses on three manufacturing companies in China. The result of this thesis cannot represent all the obstacles in purchasing process in manufacturing industry in China. But the purchasing process, characteristics, strength and weakness are similar in the same type of ownership. Meanwhile, the recommendation on purchasing process integration also cannot solve all the obstacles found, due to the companies’ own condition. In future research, it recommends to add more research companies. Furthermore, more studies could be included to identify common obstacles and dig out solutions related to purchasing process integration in Chinese manufacturing industry.

<p>Företag verkar i en omvärld med snabb teknisk utveckling. Ett led i denna utveckling är att automatisera inköpsprocessen med olika IT lösningar. Nya koncept och elektroniska lösningar efterfrågas konstant av företagen för att kunna uppnå mer effektivitet i inköpsprocessen, känt som E-procurement management. Detta koncept har blivit allmänt utbrett i fordonsindustrin, vilket har sin orsak i att en bil är en system produkt med 20 000 beståndsdelar och där av många transaktioner vid inköp av dessa delar. För att kunna automatisera inköpsprocessen måste företaget undersöka och analysera vilka nya tekniska lösningar och vilka elektroniska hjälpmedel som finns. Med hänsyn till detta avser denna studie att fokusera på att analysera hur en inköpsprocess i fordonsindustrin kan automatiseras. Författarna har valt att titta närmare på tre olika elektroniska hjälpmedel. Därtill kommer studien innehålla att analysera vilken inverkan en viss produkt och leverantörs typ har på val av elektroniska lösningar. En annan väsentlig fråga som också kommer att diksuteras är hur vid en automatisering av inköpsprocessen påverkar leverantörsrelationen. Dessa frågor kommer att innebära att studera både köparen´s och säljaren´s perspektiv.</p><p>Syftet med denna uppsats är att analysera hur en inköpsprocess i strategiska relationer i bilindustrin kan automatiseras, med hänsyn tagen till vilken typ av produkt och leverantör beträffande val elektroniska hjälpmedel. Vi kommer också studera den eventuella påverkan på kund - leverantör förhållandet som en automatisering kan leda till. För studien har en kvalitativ metod använts, detta för att få en mer precis och djupare kunskap i hur kund- leverantör relationen påverkas vid en automatisering. Författarna har genomfört intervjuer hos ett stort biltillverknings företag i Sverige, och med tre av deras leverantörer.</p><p>Studien visade på att där finns ett flertal områden i inköpsprocessen som kan effektivieras. Två drivare har konstaterats som möjliga lösningar : Covisint och web-EDI. Vidare är det möjligt att dra slutsatsen att en automatisering av inköpsprocessen påverkar leverantörsrelationen. Författarna har dragit slutsatsen att företag inte bör rusa in i en automatisering, istället måste uppmärksamheten riktas till frågan om i vilken grad av automatisering som kan tillåtas utan att det får en negativ inverkan på relationen. Vidare bör företaget grundligt studera vilken elektronisk lösning som är mest passande, därtill med hänsyn till vilken typ av produkt och leverantör det handlar om.</p> / <p>Companies operate in a changing world with rapid technological development. Automation of the purchasing process in companies by means of electronic solutions is in line with this development. Companies constantly demand new concepts and electronic solutions in order to make the purchasing process more efficient, known as E-procurement management. This concept has become widespread in the automotive industry owing to that a car is a system product that on average consists of 20 000 parts, and consequently many transactions when purchasing these products. However, to be able to automate the purchasing process the company has to explore and analyze what new technology solutions there are. With regard to this, the study will focus to analyze how a purchasing process in the automotive industry can be automated. The authors have chosen to look deeper into three different electronic solutions. Thereto the study will examine what impact a certain type of product and supplier has concerning electronic solution. Additionally, how the buyer-supplier relationship is affected of automation is a fundamental question when considering automation, and will therefore be discussed in the study. These questions will concern to study both the buyer’s and the supplier’s perspective.</p><p>The purpose of this thesis is to analyse how a purchasing process can be automated in strategic relationships in the automotive industry, thereto taking product and supplier type into consideration concerning electronic solutions. We will also study the possible effect on the buyer-supplier relationship of automation. A qualitative method has been employed, in order to get a more precise and deep knowledge of the subject. The authors have conducted interviews with respondents working at a large car manufacturing company in Sweden, and with three suppliers to this company.</p><p>The study found that there are several areas in the purchasing process that still can be more efficient. Two technological drivers have been outlined as potential solutions: Covisint and web-EDI. Moreover, it is possible to conclude that an automation of a purchasing process will have an effect on the buyer-supplier relationship. The authors have drawn the conclusion that companies should not rush into things such as an automation. Much attention should be paid to the question what degree of an automation that can be allowed before it will have a negative effect on the relationship. Moreover, they should thoroughly study on what electronic solution is most suitable, thereto with consideration to what type of product and supplier one is dealing with.</p>

Företag verkar i en omvärld med snabb teknisk utveckling. Ett led i denna utveckling är att automatisera inköpsprocessen med olika IT lösningar. Nya koncept och elektroniska lösningar efterfrågas konstant av företagen för att kunna uppnå mer effektivitet i inköpsprocessen, känt som E-procurement management. Detta koncept har blivit allmänt utbrett i fordonsindustrin, vilket har sin orsak i att en bil är en system produkt med 20 000 beståndsdelar och där av många transaktioner vid inköp av dessa delar. För att kunna automatisera inköpsprocessen måste företaget undersöka och analysera vilka nya tekniska lösningar och vilka elektroniska hjälpmedel som finns. Med hänsyn till detta avser denna studie att fokusera på att analysera hur en inköpsprocess i fordonsindustrin kan automatiseras. Författarna har valt att titta närmare på tre olika elektroniska hjälpmedel. Därtill kommer studien innehålla att analysera vilken inverkan en viss produkt och leverantörs typ har på val av elektroniska lösningar. En annan väsentlig fråga som också kommer att diksuteras är hur vid en automatisering av inköpsprocessen påverkar leverantörsrelationen. Dessa frågor kommer att innebära att studera både köparen´s och säljaren´s perspektiv. Syftet med denna uppsats är att analysera hur en inköpsprocess i strategiska relationer i bilindustrin kan automatiseras, med hänsyn tagen till vilken typ av produkt och leverantör beträffande val elektroniska hjälpmedel. Vi kommer också studera den eventuella påverkan på kund - leverantör förhållandet som en automatisering kan leda till. För studien har en kvalitativ metod använts, detta för att få en mer precis och djupare kunskap i hur kund- leverantör relationen påverkas vid en automatisering. Författarna har genomfört intervjuer hos ett stort biltillverknings företag i Sverige, och med tre av deras leverantörer. Studien visade på att där finns ett flertal områden i inköpsprocessen som kan effektivieras. Två drivare har konstaterats som möjliga lösningar : Covisint och web-EDI. Vidare är det möjligt att dra slutsatsen att en automatisering av inköpsprocessen påverkar leverantörsrelationen. Författarna har dragit slutsatsen att företag inte bör rusa in i en automatisering, istället måste uppmärksamheten riktas till frågan om i vilken grad av automatisering som kan tillåtas utan att det får en negativ inverkan på relationen. Vidare bör företaget grundligt studera vilken elektronisk lösning som är mest passande, därtill med hänsyn till vilken typ av produkt och leverantör det handlar om. / Companies operate in a changing world with rapid technological development. Automation of the purchasing process in companies by means of electronic solutions is in line with this development. Companies constantly demand new concepts and electronic solutions in order to make the purchasing process more efficient, known as E-procurement management. This concept has become widespread in the automotive industry owing to that a car is a system product that on average consists of 20 000 parts, and consequently many transactions when purchasing these products. However, to be able to automate the purchasing process the company has to explore and analyze what new technology solutions there are. With regard to this, the study will focus to analyze how a purchasing process in the automotive industry can be automated. The authors have chosen to look deeper into three different electronic solutions. Thereto the study will examine what impact a certain type of product and supplier has concerning electronic solution. Additionally, how the buyer-supplier relationship is affected of automation is a fundamental question when considering automation, and will therefore be discussed in the study. These questions will concern to study both the buyer’s and the supplier’s perspective. The purpose of this thesis is to analyse how a purchasing process can be automated in strategic relationships in the automotive industry, thereto taking product and supplier type into consideration concerning electronic solutions. We will also study the possible effect on the buyer-supplier relationship of automation. A qualitative method has been employed, in order to get a more precise and deep knowledge of the subject. The authors have conducted interviews with respondents working at a large car manufacturing company in Sweden, and with three suppliers to this company. The study found that there are several areas in the purchasing process that still can be more efficient. Two technological drivers have been outlined as potential solutions: Covisint and web-EDI. Moreover, it is possible to conclude that an automation of a purchasing process will have an effect on the buyer-supplier relationship. The authors have drawn the conclusion that companies should not rush into things such as an automation. Much attention should be paid to the question what degree of an automation that can be allowed before it will have a negative effect on the relationship. Moreover, they should thoroughly study on what electronic solution is most suitable, thereto with consideration to what type of product and supplier one is dealing with.

Modebranschen är en ständigt föränderlig bransch som präglas av långa ledtider, osäkra prognoser och starkt trendfokus. Ahlvar By Frida Ahlvarsson är ett svenskt modeföretag som verkar inom just denna bransch. Ahlvar upplever precis som många andra små modeföretag problem kopplade till branschens uppbyggnad. Problemen som företaget upplever är främst ekonomiska men har också att göra med höga lagernivåer och hög arbetsbelastning. I detta arbete görs en granskning av Ahlvars inköpsprocess med hjälp av Business Process Management (BPM) för att identifiera orsakerna bakom de problem som företaget upplever. Det fastslås att företagets ekonomiska problem främst är kopplade till höga produktionskostnader medan de höga lagernivåerna främst beror på avsaknaden av statistiska prognoser. Den höga arbetsbelastningen verkar i sin tur ha att göra med det faktum att det som enmansföretag är svårt att handskas med inköpsprocessens många steg och parallella processer. För att identifiera lösningar till dessa problem presenteras teori kring inköpsprocesser och även information om hur tre liknande modeföretag arbetar. De tre andra företagen är Filippa K, Företag X och House of Dagmar. Tillsammans med teorin görs en jämförelse mellan dessa tre och Ahlvar. Jämförelsen visar att det finns många likheter mellan företagen och att mycket av deras arbetssätt har goda kopplingar till teorin. Dock i identifieras även vissa markanta skillnader mellan Ahlvar och de andra företagens arbetssätt. Utifrån jämförelsen fastslås tre huvudsakliga rekommendationer för hur Ahlvar ska förändra sin inköpsprocess i syfte att förbättra sin ekonomiska situation med hjälp av en mer effektiv försörjningskedja. Rekommendationerna är att företaget bör hitta fler leverantörer, byta leverantörsland från Kina till ett eller flera länder i Europa och att börja göra enklare prognoser på tidigare års försäljning. Som en följd av bytet av leverantörsland rekommenderas även företaget att förändra sitt val av transportslag från flygplan till lastbil och båt vid frakt av produkter.

O setor de compras nas empresas tem se deparado com a necessidade de tornar-se mais eficiente e eficaz em suas aquisições, por isso, as organizações têm aderido ao uso de ferramentas estratégicas de compras adequadas às suas necessidades. Por este motivo, o presente trabalho objetivou propor um modelo de gestão de compras de materiais e serviços em uma empresa privada do agronegócio Matogrossense de nutrição animal, alinhado às suas estratégias. Desta forma, o trabalho estruturou-se em dois artigos. No primeiro artigo foi realizada uma análise no processo de compras praticado na empresa, para verificar o alinhamento do modelo de gestão do setor de materiais e serviços às estratégias da empresa, através do mapeamento do processo de compras e de uma entrevista semi estruturada com a direção da empresa responsável pela área, no intuito de verificar o alinhamento do processo utilizado com as estratégias da empresa. No segundo artigo, realizou-se a proposição do modelo de gestão de compras de materiais e serviços para a empresa, partindo das necessidades estratégicas identificadas no primeiro artigo e do levantamento dos principais modelos de gestão estratégica de compras de materiais e serviços existentes na literatura. Um modelo estratégico de gestão de compras para a empresa em estudo, foi estruturado através de um diagrama SIPOC e de um fluxograma detalhado do processo e, posteriormente, validado junto à diretoria da empresa. Obteve-se então, como resultado, um modelo de gestão capaz de alinhar o setor de compras de materiais e serviços às estratégias da empresa. O modelo contém, além do detalhamento das etapas do processo de compra, a proposta do uso de ferramentas de compras estratégicas adequadas ao perfil da empresa, como a Matriz de Kraljic (1983) aliada ao modelo de Ogden (2003), ambas adaptadas ao contexto analisado. / The purchasing department in companies has been faced with the need to become more efficient and effective in their acquisitions, so organizations have joined the use of strategic tools appropriate to their shopping needs. Therefore, this study aimed at proposing a purchasing management model of materials and services in a private company in Mato Grosso agribusiness animal nutrition, aligned to its strategies. For this purpose, work was structured in two articles. The first article it was done an analysis in the shopping process practiced for the company, to check the alignment of the materials and services sector of the management model to business strategies, through the purchasing process mapping and a semi structured interview with the company´s management responsible for the area, in order to verify the alignment process used, with the company's strategies. On the second article, took place on purchasing management model proposition of materials and services for the company, starting from the strategic needs identified on the first article and the survey of the main models of strategic management purchases of materials and services available in the literature. A strategic model of purchasing management for the company under investigation, it was structured through a SIPOC diagram and a detailed flow chart of the process and subsequently validated by the company´s staff. There was thus, as a result, a management model able to align the purchasing department of materials and services to the company's strategies. The model contains, in addition to detailing the stages of the buying process, the proposed of use of strategic purchasing tools appropriate to the company profile, such as the Mother of Kraljic (1983) combined with the model of Ogden (2003), both adapted to the analyzed context .

O setor de compras nas empresas tem se deparado com a necessidade de tornar-se mais eficiente e eficaz em suas aquisições, por isso, as organizações têm aderido ao uso de ferramentas estratégicas de compras adequadas às suas necessidades. Por este motivo, o presente trabalho objetivou propor um modelo de gestão de compras de materiais e serviços em uma empresa privada do agronegócio Matogrossense de nutrição animal, alinhado às suas estratégias. Desta forma, o trabalho estruturou-se em dois artigos. No primeiro artigo foi realizada uma análise no processo de compras praticado na empresa, para verificar o alinhamento do modelo de gestão do setor de materiais e serviços às estratégias da empresa, através do mapeamento do processo de compras e de uma entrevista semi estruturada com a direção da empresa responsável pela área, no intuito de verificar o alinhamento do processo utilizado com as estratégias da empresa. No segundo artigo, realizou-se a proposição do modelo de gestão de compras de materiais e serviços para a empresa, partindo das necessidades estratégicas identificadas no primeiro artigo e do levantamento dos principais modelos de gestão estratégica de compras de materiais e serviços existentes na literatura. Um modelo estratégico de gestão de compras para a empresa em estudo, foi estruturado através de um diagrama SIPOC e de um fluxograma detalhado do processo e, posteriormente, validado junto à diretoria da empresa. Obteve-se então, como resultado, um modelo de gestão capaz de alinhar o setor de compras de materiais e serviços às estratégias da empresa. O modelo contém, além do detalhamento das etapas do processo de compra, a proposta do uso de ferramentas de compras estratégicas adequadas ao perfil da empresa, como a Matriz de Kraljic (1983) aliada ao modelo de Ogden (2003), ambas adaptadas ao contexto analisado. / The purchasing department in companies has been faced with the need to become more efficient and effective in their acquisitions, so organizations have joined the use of strategic tools appropriate to their shopping needs. Therefore, this study aimed at proposing a purchasing management model of materials and services in a private company in Mato Grosso agribusiness animal nutrition, aligned to its strategies. For this purpose, work was structured in two articles. The first article it was done an analysis in the shopping process practiced for the company, to check the alignment of the materials and services sector of the management model to business strategies, through the purchasing process mapping and a semi structured interview with the company´s management responsible for the area, in order to verify the alignment process used, with the company's strategies. On the second article, took place on purchasing management model proposition of materials and services for the company, starting from the strategic needs identified on the first article and the survey of the main models of strategic management purchases of materials and services available in the literature. A strategic model of purchasing management for the company under investigation, it was structured through a SIPOC diagram and a detailed flow chart of the process and subsequently validated by the company´s staff. There was thus, as a result, a management model able to align the purchasing department of materials and services to the company's strategies. The model contains, in addition to detailing the stages of the buying process, the proposed of use of strategic purchasing tools appropriate to the company profile, such as the Mother of Kraljic (1983) combined with the model of Ogden (2003), both adapted to the analyzed context .

This diploma thesis is concerned with the issue of supplier resource management by using SAP SRM information system. Main goal is the adjudication if it is important to spend company's resources for optimization of shopping proces and if there exists some return of these resources. All at once this thesis is showing principles, SAP SRM's functions including benefits gained by the implementation and the system using. The practical part analyses the shopping process in ABB Group. Author compares a foregoing solution for an indirect spend management with SAP SRM solution. There was a necessary need to adjust company's processes when the new solution, that was implemented. These changes are modeled later on in this thesis and compared with each other. Added advantages achieved upon the foregoing solution are described as well.

La investigación aborda la problemática del proceso de compras de una empresa de construcción. Se identificó el problema de incumplimiento de plazo planeados para las compras y el incremento anual del costo del proceso de compras. Se emplearon herramientas de Lean Procurement para mejorar el plazo para las compras y reducir los costos anuales del proceso. La propuesta de mejora involucra la elaboración del Value Stream Map actual y futuro, así como también la medición de los tiempos y costos actuales versus la mejora implementada. Los resultados que se obtuvieron fueron la reducción del tiempo de compras en 22% y la reducción de costos en un 2%. / The research addresses the problems of the purchasing process of a construction company. The problem of non-compliance with the planned term for purchases and the annual increase in the cost of the purchasing process was identified. Lean Procurement tools were used to improve the term for purchases and reduce the annual costs of the process. The improvement proposal involves the preparation of the current and future Value Stream Map, as well as the measurement of the current times and costs versus the improvement implemented. The results that were obtained were the reduction of the time of purchases in 22% and the reduction of costs in a 2%. / Trabajo de Suficiencia Profesional