Fundamentado na Teoria da Visão da Firma Baseada em Recursos (VBR), este estudo teve o objetivo de identificar, avaliar e analisar os diversos recursos (tangíveis e intangíveis) e as diferentes capabilidades encontrados na indústria moveleira de Bento Gonçalves no Rio Grande do Sul (estado que possui mais de 20% da produção nacional e cerca de 30% do total das exportações de móveis, e cujo maior pólo industrial é o de Bento Gonçalves). Fazendo-se inicialmente uma revisão teórica de conceitos-chave da VBR como os de recursos e de capabilidades, este estudo procurou associar a obtenção de vantagens competitivas sustentadas a uma correta determinação da estratégia, baseada no desenvolvimento e na combinação de recursos da firma que sejam valiosos e únicos para o mercado. Este trabalho possui uma relevância tanto teórica quanto prática na medida em que ele procura expandir a aplicação da VBR e propor um framework para a identificação e avaliação de recursos e capabilidades. De natureza exploratória e qualitativa, o método de pesquisa utilizado foi o estudo de casos múltiplos. Foram pesquisadas quatro empresas do setor moveleiro de Bento Gonçalves (uma grande, uma média e duas pequenas) e os principais resultados foram: é possível identificar todos os tipos de recursos, desde os “clássicos” tangíveis até os ativos das marcas e patentes, e competências como o know-how de funcionários. As capabilidades identificadas e analisadas mostraram que o caminho para se atingir uma vantagem competitiva sustentada independe do porte da empresa e do mercado em que ela atua. As conclusões do estudo apontam para uma mudança gradual de ênfase do recurso tangível para o intangível no mercado contemporâneo. / Based on the Resource Based View of the Firm (RBV), this study had the objective of identifying, assessing and analyzing the different resources (tangibles and intangibles) and capabilities found in the furniture industry of Bento Gonçalves, at Rio Grande do Sul (state that accounts for more than 20% of national production and about 30% of total furniture exports, and whose largest industrial pole is the Bento Gonçalves one). Beginning with a theoretical review of the RBV key concepts, such as of resources and capabilities, this study looked for associating the attainment of sustainable competitive advantage to a correct determination of strategy, based on the development and on the combination of the firm’s resources which are valuable and unique to the market. This work has a relevance either theoretical as practical, in the way that it looks for expanding RBV application and considering a framework for identification and assessment of resources and capabilities. Having an exploratory and qualitative nature, the research method applied was a multiple case study. Four companies from Bento Gonçalves furniture sector have been studied (a big one, one average and two small companies) and the main outcomes were: it is possible to identify all the types of resources, since the “classical” tangible ones, until the assets of registered trade mark and patents, and the competences like the employees know-how. The identified and analyzed capabilities had shown that the way to reach a sustainable competitive advantage is independent from the company’s size and from the market where it acts. The study conclusions point to a gradual change of emphasis from the tangible resource to the intangible one in the contemporary market.

Background: Nowadays, logistics service providers face several challenges which create an urge to rethink their strategy to improve their position within the market,decrease their costs and their environmental impact. At the same time theintroduction of autonomous driving potentially has an impact on logistics.Self-driving trucks can help logistics companies to tackle these challenges.However, the implementation of this technology could fundamentally alterthe competitive landscape. Hence, certain competitive advantages currentlyheld by logistics firms might lose their relevance in the future and need tobe adapted to maintain a strong market position. Purpose: The purpose of this study is to explore the perception of self-driving trucks within logistics and the impact on competitive advantages of logistics service providers. Thereby, this thesis will look at experts from Germany and Sweden and their opinion on future implications of self-driving trucks. Method: An inductive research approach is used to explore the topic. A multi-method research strategy is applied to gather data through qualitative semi-structured interviews with 17 participants. These were divided into five different case groups. To interpret the data a thematic analysis approach was chosen. Conclusion: The main contribution is a model representing the impact of autonomous driving on competitive advantages and the implications for the logistics industry. Findings are based on the perception of experts about autonomous driving, current resources and capabilities.

In der vorliegenden Arbeit werden zwei wichtige Themenbereiche untersucht - zum einen der des Risikomanagements und zum anderen der der strategischen Unternehmensdiversifikation. Beide Gebiete werden mit dem Ziel verknüpft, spezifische Diversifikationsrisiken aufzuzeigen. Ausgehend vom Ressourcen- und Kompetenzansatz des strategischen Managements werden verschiedene Arten von Diversifikationsstrategien vorgestellt und darauf aufbauend verschiedene Formen strategischer Synergieeffekte voneinander abgegrenzt. Einen weiteren Schwerpunkt bildet die Verknüpfung von Risikomanagement und strategischem Management. Es wird dargelegt, wie Elemente des Risikomanagements in das Zielsystem sowie die Phasen der strategischen Planung und Kontrolle integriert werden können. Dabei wird die besondere Bedeutung von Stakeholderinteressen für das Risikomanagement herausgestellt. Im Anschluss werden diese Erkenntnisse auf die strategische Planung von Diversifikationsentscheidungen übertragen und diversifikationsbedingte Risiken aufgezeigt. / The thesis focuses on two major issues - risk management on the on hand and strategic corporate diversification on the other. The author combines these two topics in order to identify specific risks of diversification. At first different types of corporate diversification, that are founded on the insights of the resource and competence based view of strategy, are introduced, and different types of strategic synergies are defined. Secondly, the topics of risk management and strategy are linked and it is demonstrated how certain elements of risk management can be integrated into the process of strategic planning and control. Furthermore, the author emphasizes the special importance of stakeholder interests in the context of risk management. Finally, the resulting insights are applied to the process of strategic planning of corporate diversification and specific risks of diversification are identified.

Background: Digital technologies have been revolutionizing the corporate world during the last few decades. Companies that want to keep their competitive positions are forced to adapt. The digitalization of the corporate Human Resource function is of special importance in this regard due to the increasing role of digitalized HRM for business success. The existing research on the digital HRM implementation environment and the factors that shape it is limited to bigger companies operating in developed economies, with nascent research available for small and medium-sized firms operating in emerging economies. Purpose: The purpose of this study is to explore how individual-, firm-level and environmental context-specific factors shape HRM digitalization in SMEs in emerging economies context with Russia as an example. Method: To achieve an in-depth understanding of the research phenomenon, a qualitative study with an exploratory design was conducted. Empirical data was gathered through semi-structured interviews with ten professionals with extensive experience in HRM digitalization in SMEs, chosen by purposive sampling method. An abductive research approach enabled establishing the connection between obtained empirical insights and existing knowledge from the literature on HRM digitalization. Conclusion: As a result, the following factors were identified as the most influential for the implementation of digital HR tools in Russian SMEs. At the individual level, it is top executives digital awareness and innovativeness that facilitate implementation. At the firm level, it is SME’s resource munificence, innovation-friendly corporate culture, low hierarchical structure and developed IT infrastructure that enables implementation. Finally, among context-specific factors, the following appeared to shape the implementation: declining national economy, unpredictable business environment, highly competitive business environment, IT vendors' market specificity, governmental policy in terms of digitalization, labour market specificity. Most of the contextual factors contributed to the disabling environment for HRM digitalization, with a few exceptions.

The resource-based view (RBV) of competitive strategy emphasises the importance of unique firm resources and associated capabilities to the formulation of competitive strategy. This cross-sectional study seeks to determine whether or not the pattern of usage of competitive methods related to marketing, information technology and flexibility in the Portuguese service sector aligns with the resource-based view. Fifteen service-related competitive methods are identified. Surveyed firms were asked to indicate the degree of relevance of these competitive methods to their competitive strategy. Exploratory factor analysis and structural equation modelling indicates that these methods represent four underlying strategy dimensions that reflect some of the dynamic capabilities suggested by the resource-based view. In addition, cluster analysis revealed that each of the responding firms could be classified into one of three capability orientations. Some implications of these findings for strategy development in the Portuguese service sector are discussed. Limitations of the study and areas for future research are also presented.

Inefficient processes for innovation implementation can prevent owners of small and medium-sized enterprises from realizing goals and growth potential. The purpose of this multiple case study was to explore strategies that managers of small and medium-sized enterprises use to implement innovation in their organizations to improve performance. The population for this study consisted of 5 managers from 4 small and medium-sized enterprises operating in Dubai. The resource-based view theory was the conceptual framework of this study. Data were collected through face-to-face interviews and review of companies' documents. Data were analyzed using Yin's 5-step process. After transcribing the interviews and coding the resulting transcripts, the key themes that emerged included: the role of the top management in cultivating an innovative culture, the identification of ideas as the starting points for innovation, and the recognition of customers as resources for the company. Managers of small and medium-sized enterprises might benefit from the results of this study by implementing the recommendations and strategies to improve performance. Implications for social change include the potential to create employment opportunities and improve the living conditions of the employees in Dubai through economic growth.

While good facilities and resources are assumed to affect the quality of teaching and school performance, findings of the growing body of research about resources and school performance remain obscure and highly contested. A central question in effective schooling research is to what extent do resources translate into school performance particularly in impoverished communities of the developing countries. The primary purpose of this study was to examine the relationships between school-level financial, physical, and human resources on school performance as measured by aggregated UCE exam scores in 63 secondary schools. This study is grounded in the strategic theoretical perspective of Resource-Based View (RBV), which suggests that specific resources and capabilities can lead to superior performance. The findings of this study are mixed. While some results of this study indicated that the three kinds of resources (i.e. financial, physical, and human) contributed to school performance of secondary schools in Mukono Uganda, particular kinds of resources contributed more on school performance than others and the size of their effect differed widely. The researcher argues that if educators and policy makers can identify the critical resources that best contribute to student learning, then schools could be encouraged to invest in, nurture, and maintain these particular resources. This strategic focus would allow schools, especially in developing countries, to more efficiently and effectively use their current meager resources to maximize benefits to students.

Familjeföretag utgör en stor del av världens globala företagsstruktur och har en betydande roll för samhällets utveckling, sysselsättning och tillväxt. Familjeföretag står även inför flera utmaningar. Dels deras anpassningsförmåga till samhällets förändringar i ekonomiska, sociala och kulturella miljöer, dels den främsta utmaningen; generationsskiftet. Generationsskiftet utgör en viktig del för både dess överlevnad och framgång. Det finns få studier kring familjeföretagens framgångsfaktorer och det forskas mer om hur företagen ska gå till väga för att överleva. Rapportens syfte är att bidra med kunskap om vilka strategier familjeföretag kan använda sig av för att öka konkurrenskraften samt tillväxten. För att uppfylla rapportens syfte och svara på rapportens frågeställning behövde skribenterna ta del av människors upplevelser och tankar och därav genomfördes en kvalitativ studie. Sex personer intervjuades från tre olika familjeföretag för att få höra deras berättelser om företagets framgångsfaktorer. Intervjufrågorna formades utifrån områdena; familj, generationsskifte, framgång och tillväxt för att få en överblick kring familjeföretagen. Skribenterna använde sig sedan av Resource-based view theory samt koncepten; generationsskifte, långsiktighet och låg riskbenägenhet, diversifiering samt organisatorisk tillväxt. Teorin och koncepten gav skribenterna en förståelse kring vikten av ett företags interna resurser och utnyttjandet av dem. Resultatet av studien visar att familjeföretag besitter många unika resurser såsom erfarenhet, relationer och företagskultur. För att lyckas öka konkurrenskraften och tillväxten behöver familjeföretagen identifiera sina unika resurser för att sedan implementera lämpliga strategier. Resultatet utmynnar i slutsatsen att de faktorer som kan leda familjeföretagen till framgång är; ett lyckat generationsskifte, långsiktiga investeringar, företagskultur, mänskliga resurser, diversifiering och förvärv samt IT-utveckling/implementering.

This thesis investigates strategic alliances in the aviation industry, focusing on resource sharing, using Scandinavian Airlines (SAS) within Star Alliance and SkyTeam as case studies. It examines the operational and competitive benefits of these collaborations through qualitative research, including interviews with executives and experts. The study highlights alliance dynamics like antitrust immunity, code sharing, and the resource-based view. Findings show alliances improve operational efficiency, competitive positioning, and customer service. It also considers the impact of new technologies and global events on alliances, which pool tangible (technology, infrastructure) and intangible assets (brand reputation, identity), fostering deeper integration. This research enhances understanding of strategic drivers in airline alliances and the complexities of resource sharing in the global aviation sector.

Background: Social media has revolutionized the restaurant industry, and it plays a significant role by changing and offering new ways to engage with restaurant customers and build stronger customer relationships, market their products and services, and acquire new customers, manage restaurant reputation, enhance brand awareness, and stay competitive in an increasingly digital world. Even though some restaurants recognize and utilize the potential of social media to deliver the above benefits, still there are some restaurants that have outdated social media accounts or completely inactive in social media. Therefore, this would be an interesting case study area that needs to explore what kind of role played by social media on SMRBs by representing both sectors (SMAs and SMINs) and how they survive in the market competition while experience the challenges of being active or inactive in social media. Purpose: The purpose of this study aims at understanding the current social media role of SMRBs by investigating restaurant owners’ attitude towards using social media, how these restaurants utilize social media, how social media influences their restaurant business performance, discover the unique challenges face by SMAs and SMINs.  Method: This study adopts qualitative research method with multiple case study approach. Togather data, semi-structured interviews with open-ended questions were conducted with seven small and medium-sized restaurants owners in Östersund, Sweden. Conclusions: The conclusions revealed that SMRBs are aware of the potential in using social media, but they are still not fully using its possibilities and opportunities due to the challenges they face. Additionally, it has been noticed that social media has played a recognizable role for SMAs to survive in the competitive market. But considering SMINs which mostly rely on traditional WOM and their reputation, social media does not have any influence on achieving their business accomplishments or play any role for them to survive in the competitive market. By Applying RBV theory SMRBs can reach the competitive advantage and long-term success using VRIN resources. / <p> 2024-01-19</p>