Companies are expected to be good corporate citizens and fulfil expectations of both shareholders and stakeholders. Depending on their corporate objectives, companies undertake different CSR activities using their preferred financial resources. The relationship between these two notions is interesting to investigate in the Nordic context since companies in this geographical area are the global leaders in sustainability. We formulate the following research question as: What is the relationship between financial slack and the CSR performance in Nordic countries? As such, the purpose of this thesis is to investigate the underpinnings of whether companies choose to allocate their financial slack resources towards improving performance of CSR, or so called value creation. Doing so, we investigate the relationship between financial slack resources and CSR score. In adopting a regulatory position on the development of society, we conduct our research in accordance with the functionalist research paradigm, namely through commitment to the objectivist ontic and positivist epistemic research philosophies. We answer the research question using the deductive approach. Our research design is framed with an explanatory purpose relying on archival strategy to perform a quantitative study. The theoretical underpinnings for analysis comes in the form of legitimacy theory, the institutional differences hypothesis, Resource-based theory, slack resources theory, stakeholder and shareholder theory. We use multiple linear regressions to analyse cross-sectional data for the period between 2005 and 2015 collected from Thomson Reuters DataStream. Our result indicates that the relationship between financial slack and CSR performance in the following year is mixed with both positive and negative relationships being present. Our most important finding is a pattern indicating that during the year 2008 the relationship changed from being positive to negative. This implies that the more funds a company has at its discretion, the less likely it is for them to invest it in developing their CSR performance the following year. This could have severe negative implications on shareholders, stakeholders and society.

國際貿易對臺灣經濟有著舉足輕重的影響力，然而隨著貿易商競爭越發激烈以及去中間化之議題逐漸興起，臺灣的貿易商為了提升競爭力逐漸轉型，使自身企業之價值更加提升。貿易商轉型後之角色，以銷售代理商為被學者探討最多之主題，研究者認為採購的角色也是交易不容忽視的另一方，因此本研究以國際採購代理商為研究主題，探討採購代理商如何保有競爭力，吸引客戶與其合作，以及如何在與客戶合作時發揮中間商之功能與價值。 　　本研究之研究問題為：「哪些因素會影響國際採購代理商與客戶合作之內容?」，經過文獻探討及研究者之採購經驗歸納，本研究整理出五類因素影響採購代理商與客戶之合作內容：(1)外國客戶之合作動機；(2)外國客戶之策略與資源；(3)採購代理商之策略與資源；(4)採購代理商與外國客戶之合作成果；(5)採購代理商與外國客戶之合作關係。本研究以個案研究法進行研究，並搜尋次級資料及實際訪問採購代理商與採購協會來進行個案分析及整理，進而提出結論與建議，期望本研究結果對於採購代理商之業者及欲轉型為採購代理商之業者具參考價值。 　　透過資料蒐集及個案訪談之結果，本研究之研究結果支持研究初期所設計之研究架構。外國客戶之合作動機、外國客戶之策略與資源與採購代理商之策略與資源會影響雙方之合作內容與方式，合作之結果有可能是好的或不好的，也有糾紛發生的情形，這些合作結果會影響雙方之合作關係，而關係的強化、弱化會影響下次的合作內容，或是產生停止合作的結果。本研究依據研究發現，整理五類因素之內容，以供業者參考。本研究建議業者須發展企業自身之獨特核心資源，並建立與客戶及供應商夥伴關係，以持續保有自身之競爭力。 / International trade has decisive influences over Taiwan’s economy. As competition between traders has become more intense, and companies are taking consideration about disintermediation, Taiwan’s traders need to transform themselves to enhance their values and strengths for competiveness. Sales agents are the most popular role for this kind of research topic; however, the author thinks purchasing agents are also important. This research aims at studying how international purchasing agents remains their competitiveness to attract their clients and display their functions and values as middlemen. The research question is “How purchasing agents cooperate with their clients?” According literature review and purchasing experience from the author, the research summarizes five cooperation influential factors between purchasing agents and clients: (1) incentives for clients working with purchasing agents, (2) strategies and resources of clients, (3) strategies and resources of purchasing agents, (4) results of cooperation between purchasing agents and clients, and (5) relations between purchasing agents and clients. The research used case study method with collecting information and visiting target companies and institute to analyze and organize summery along with suggestion. The purpose of the research is giving valuable reference for purchasing agents and those who will become purchasing agents. After analyzing related information and visiting target companies and institute, the result of the research supports the research framework. Incentives for clients working with purchasing agents, strategies and resources of clients and strategies and resources of purchasing agents influence ways and contents of cooperation between two parties. Results of cooperation may be positive or negative, and even disputes can occur between two parties. These results will strengthen, weaken or even end cooperative relationship between purchasing agents and clients. According to research findings, the author summarizes contents of five cooperative influential factors between purchasing agents and clients for reference. The research suggests purchasing agents should develop their core resources and built up relations with clients and suppliers for maintaining their competitiveness.

Cette recherche explique comment il est possible d’utiliser le concept de crowdsourcing dans le but de générer un modèle d’affaire innovant. Le terrain d’étude retenu est composé de données primaires et de données secondaires. Les données primaires sont issues d’un grand distributeur franco-iranien installé en Iran. Des données secondaires et permettant des comparaisons proviennent de 5 autres grands distributeurs dans le monde. Notre analyse permet alors de définir les apports du crowdsourcing pour chaque type de distributeurs. / This research explains the applications of crowdsourcing phenomena by generating an innovative business model canvas for a French-Iranian hypermarket retailer in Iran after analyzing the business models of five hypermarket companies worldwide (one Americans, one Japanese and three French hypermarkets). The following research question has been considered for this research: How retail companies can use crowdsourcing to be more innovative in order to enhance their competitive advantage?

Dans cette thèse nous avons tenté d’expliquer la performance des entreprises en se basant sur l’approche basée sur les ressources (RBV) et l’approche basée sur les capacités dynamiques (DCV),deux approches relevant de la théorie des ressources qui gagneraient à être intégrées. Pour aborder la problématique, nous avons développé deux axes de recherche : « La détention des ressources/capacités et la Performance » et « La gestion des ressources/capacités et la Performance ». Le premier modèle conceptuel a présenté les relations liant les différentes capacités opérationnelles à la performance. Le modèle conceptuel global a traité de la relation « Capacités opérationnelles – Environnement -Stratégie de diversification - Capacités dynamiques- Performance ». Notre posture épistémologique dans cette recherche se voulait positiviste. Au niveau des choix méthodologiques nous avons opté pour une démarche hypothético-déductive avec une approche quantitative basée sur des données secondaires collectées de la base de données française DIANE et des statistiques de l’INSEE, et pour évaluer les capacités nous avons eu recours à la méthode DEA. La première étude empirique a testé la relation capacités opérationnelles-performance sur quatre échantillons mono-sectoriels représentatifs de l’industrie manufacturière française : le secteur pharmaceutique, le secteur automobile, le secteur de la chimie et le secteur de l’habillement. La seconde étude empirique a testé le modèle mettant en relation les capacités opérationnelles, les capacités dynamiques, l’environnement et la diversification,sur la base d’un échantillon plurisectoriel regroupant les quatre secteurs. Les résultats ont permis de découvrir en premier lieu, l’importance de la capacité financière pour tous les secteurs, en deuxième lieu, le rôle modérateur de l’environnement et de la diversification et en troisième lieu l‘importance des capacités dynamiques d’apprentissage (d’absorption) et adaptative dans l’explication de la performance. Ces résultats peuvent servir les décisions managériales et l'action publique. / In this thesis we have tried to explain business performance based on the resource-based View (RBV) and the Dynamic capabilities View (DCV), two approaches within the resource-based theory (RBT)that benefits from being integrated. To address the problem, we have developed two main stream of research: "The detention of resources / capabilities and performance" and "The management of resources / capabilities and performance." The first conceptual model presented the relations linking the various operational capabilities to performance. The global conceptual model has focused the relation “Ordinary capabilities – Environment – Diversification strategy- Dynamic capabilities –Performance”. Our epistemological position in this research wished to be positivist. At the methodological level we opted for a hypothetical-deductive approach with a quantitative approach based on secondary data collected from the French database DIANE and INSEE statistics, and to evaluate capabilities we used the DEA method. The first empirical study that aims on “ordinary capabilities – performance” link, is based on four industries samples representing the French manufacturing industry: the pharmaceutical industry, the automotive industry, the chemical industry and the clothing industry. The second study tested the empirical model linking ordinary capabilities,dynamic capabilities, environment and diversification, based on a multisectorial sample comprising the four sectors. The results revealed first the importance of financial capability for all sectors, second the moderating role of the environment and the diversification and thirdly the magnitudes of dynamic learning (absorption) and adaptive capabilities in explaining performance. These results could serve managerial decisions and public policy.

Submitted by Nadir Basilio (nadirsb@uninove.br) on 2016-06-20T14:01:21Z No. of bitstreams: 1 Luiz Guerrazzi.pdf: 1008811 bytes, checksum: 90ce8ec6b124a357ea64df7299543d57 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2016-06-20T14:01:21Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Luiz Guerrazzi.pdf: 1008811 bytes, checksum: 90ce8ec6b124a357ea64df7299543d57 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2015-06-17 / This research aimed to investigate what are the main theoretical approaches and works dealing with the organizational process of decline of small businesses. The research was conducted through two studies: bibliometric research and literature review. The first study aimed to determine the main approaches and major articles on the subject of this research. The literature review aimed to catalog and investigate the envolvment of literature on decline in small businesses, using the sample obtained in the previous study. Both in the bibliometric study and the literature review, the relationship between internal and external causes is at the root of the organizational decline. This research was completed with the development of a research agenda, which aims to deepen the theme of this research through the lens of the resource-based theory and the research of resources efficient use and the degree of the business’ inertia. The contribution of this work was to expand the knowledge of the decline process in small businesses through the identification of the main theoretical aspects and works that explain it and propose a research agenda to define what is the influence of the fundamental factors driving the decline of small businesses. / Esta pesquisa teve como objetivo investigar quais as principais abordagens teóricas e trabalhos que tratam do processo de declínio organizacional de pequenas empresas. A pesquisa foi conduzida por meio de dois estudos: pesquisa bibliométrica e revisão da literatura. O primeiro estudo teve por objetivo determinar as principais abordagens e os principais artigos sobre o tema desta pesquisa. A revisão da literatura teve a finalidade de catalogar e investigar o avanço da literatura sobre declínio em empresas de pequeno porte, utilizando os trabalhos obtidos no estudo anterior. Tanto no estudo bibliométrico como na revisão da literatura, o relacionamento entre causas internas e externas está na raiz do desencadeamento do declínio organizacional. Esta pesquisa foi concluída com a elaboração de uma agenda de pesquisas, na qual se propõe a análise do tema sob a lente da teoria baseada em recursos e da investigação entre uso eficiente de recursos e o grau de inércia da empresa. A contribuição deste trabalho foi a de expandir o conhecimento do processo de declínio em pequenas empresas por meio da identificação das principais vertentes teóricas e trabalhos que o explicam e de propor uma agenda de pesquisas para definir quais são e qual a influência dos fatores fundamentais que conduzem ao declínio de empresas de pequeno porte.

Submitted by Nadir Basilio (nadirsb@uninove.br) on 2018-04-03T18:34:58Z No. of bitstreams: 1 Gabriel Francisco Pistillo Fernandes.pdf: 2511512 bytes, checksum: ff3c00f73857bac7fbcb27ac806f0f21 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2018-04-03T18:34:58Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Gabriel Francisco Pistillo Fernandes.pdf: 2511512 bytes, checksum: ff3c00f73857bac7fbcb27ac806f0f21 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2017-06-30 / The telecommunications market is strategic for a country, project management is a recent and expanding discipline, relating project management and companies strategy is important for the competition at the telecommunications market. The objective of this work is to verify the influence of project management in obtaining competitive advantages at telecommunications companies. To achieve that a multiple case study was held, trough interviews with two project management executives, in two leading multinational telecommunications companies in Brazil. The study evaluated the relationship between project management maturity through the Kerzner Project Management Maturity Model (KPMMM) and the Resource Based View (RBV) at the generation of sustainable competitive advantages by assessing the model Value Rarity Inimitability Organization (VRIO) in conjunction with market performance indicators at the two companies. It was observed that the company A is at level 5 in KPMMM model and company B at level 3, that company A shows higher perception of VRIO model items for project management resources, and furthermore that company A has a better financial performance. So there are indications that the project management maturity can contribute to the generation of sustainable competitive advantages. As theoretical contributions the study presents the proposition which indicates that the project management may contribute to the generation of sustainable competitive advantages. As practical contributions this work presents the diagnosis carried out at the two companies and the instruments to replicate this inquire at other telecommunications companies. / O mercado de telecomunicações é estratégico para um país, o gerenciamento de projetos é uma disciplina recente e em expansão, relacionar o gerenciamento de projetos a estratégia das empresas é importante para a competição no mercado de telecomunicações. O objetivo deste trabalho é a verificação da influência do gerenciamento de projetos para a obtenção de vantagens competitivas em empresas de telecomunicações. Para isso foi desenvolvido neste trabalho um estudo de casos múltiplos, por meio de entrevistas com dois executivos de projetos, em duas empresas multinacionais de telecomunicações líderes no Brasil. O estudo avaliou a relação entre maturidade em gerenciamento de projetos pelo modelo Kerzner Project Management Maturity Model (KPMMM) e a Visão Baseada em Recursos na geração de vantagens competitivas sustentáveis pela avalição do modelo Valor Raridade Imitabilidade imperfeita Organização (VRIO) em conjunto com a análise de indicadores de desempenho de mercado nas duas empresas. Foi observado que a empresa A atinge o nível 5 do modelo KPMMM e a empresa B o nível 3, que a empresa A apresenta maior a percepção dos itens do modelo VRIO para os recursos de gerenciamento de projetos, e ainda que a empresa A tem melhor desempenho financeiro. Há indícios, portanto, de que a maturidade em gerenciamento de projetos possa contribuir para a geração de vantagens competitivas. Como contribuição teórica o estudo apresenta a proposição que indica que o gerenciamento de projetos pode contribuir para a geração de vantagens competitivas sustentáveis. Como contribuição para a prática apresenta-se o diagnóstico realizado nas duas empresas e o instrumento para replicá-lo em outras empresas do setor de telecomunicações.

The primary purpose of this study was to investigate the patterns of library usage of student teachers and lecturers, the factors influencing their usage behaviour and the methods used by lecturers to promote use. A case study was conducted at Tonota College of Education in Botswana. Questioning data collection methods were used. A total of 172 student teachers and 84 lecturers were selected by means of stratified random sampling. The findings revealed that both student teachers and lecturers made frequent use of the library. Borrowing for curriculum-related use constituted more than half of the reasons why student teachers and lecturers used the library. Most of the lecturers indicated that they adopted topic assignments as a method of motivating students to make use of the library. This was confirmed by the majority of student teachers. Most student teachers perceived the College Library as contributing to their educational success. / M. A (Information Science) / Information Science

The textile industry is currently operating in an unsustainable manner that is based on overproduction and wasteful, resource-draining practices. Therefore, recently, the concept of circular economy has been presented as a possible solution and a way forward. Changing linear economy business practices and basing them on the circular economy concept is anticipated to solve social and environmental problems while maintaining economic growth. However, fashion retail value chains essentially depend on the logic of mass production, fast fashion, and linear take-make-dispose models. Presently, circular initiatives in this context are rather limited. This thesis posits that circular business model (CBM) scalability is an important factor in the transition to a circular economy in the fashion retail value chain, and thus, a more sustainable fashion industry. Therefore, the purpose of this thesis is to further the understanding of CBM scalability in the context of fashion retail value chains. This includes expanding the notion of scalability to cover a more holistic perspective that goes beyond increasing production output solely for economic gains. Additionally, this involves enhancing the understanding of the required specific resources and capabilities that CBMs must have or develop to overcome challenges and increase their potential for scalability. Accordingly, this thesis covers three papers that utilise qualitative methods wherein archival material, such as peer reviewed journal articles and industry reports, as well as interviews with practitioners are used. Moreover, the extension of the notion of business model scalability goes beyond the boundary of the organisation and encompasses three different perspectives, namely, efficiency, adaptability, and altruism. In addition to this, three areas that challenge CBM scalability are identified. These challenges stem from different business model design themes and can be described as (i) inefficiency, (ii) lack of know-how and out-of-the-box solutions, and (iii) unfamiliarity resulting in scepticism and dissonance with current practices and policy. Finally, the thesis contributes to the CBM literature by utilising the theoretical lenses of resource-based theory and dynamic capabilities theory to identify resources and dynamic capabilities that are strategically important for scaling CBMs. This thesis expands the notion of scalability by going beyond the boundary of the single organisation as well as including a triple bottom line perspective, thus providing an important addition to the understanding of the scalability of CBMs. / Textilindustrin verkar för närvarande på ett ohållbart sätt som bygger på överproduktion och resurskrävande metoder. Cirkulär ekonomi som koncept, har därför nyligen presenterats som en möjlig lösning på de problem som industrin står inför. Genom att frångå linjära praxis och istället bygga affärsmetoder på cirkulär ekonomi förväntas sociala och miljömässiga problem kunna lösas samtidigt som den ekonomiska tillväxten bibehålls. Modeindustrins värdekedjor bygger dock fortfarande huvudsakligen på massproduktion, fast fashion och linjära take-make-dispose-modeller. Cirkulära initiativ är i detta sammanhang ganska begränsade. Denna avhandling framhäver därför, att skalbarhet av cirkulära affärsmodeller är en viktig faktor i övergången till en cirkulär ekonomi, och därmed en mer hållbar modeindustri. Syftet med denna avhandling är följaktligen att öka förståelsen för skalbarhet av cirkulära affärsmodeller inom modebranschens värdekedjor, med fokus på detaljhandeln. Innefattat i detta är ett utvidgat begrepp av skalbarhet, som inkluderar mer än enbart ökad produktion för ekonomisk vinst. Till detta hör även en ökad förståelse av de specifika resurser och förmågor som cirkulära affärsmodeller måste ha eller utveckla för att övervinna utmaningar och bli mer skalbara. Avhandlingen omfattar tre artiklar som använder kvalitativa metoder där arkivmaterial, såsom refereegranskade journalartiklar och branschrapporter, samt intervjuer med personer verksamma i branschen, används. Resultatet påvisar att cirkulära affärsmodellers skalbarhet går bortom organisationens gränser och omfattar tre olika perspektiv: effektivitet, anpassningsförmåga och altruism. Utöver detta identifieras tre områden som speciellt utmanande för skalbarheten. Dessa utmaningar härrör från två olika designteman av affärsmodeller och kan beskrivas som (i) ineffektivitet, (ii) bristande kunskap och brist på färdiga lösningar, och (iii) obekantskap som resulterar i skepsis och dissonans med nuvarande praxis och policy. Slutligen bidrar avhandlingen till litteraturen om cirkulära affärsmodeller genom att använda resursbaserad teori och dynamiska förmågor-teori för att identifiera resurser och dynamiska förmågor som är strategiskt viktiga för skalbarhet av cirkulära affärsmodeller. Avhandlingen bidrar således till kunskapen om cirkulära affärsmodellers skalbarhet genom att utvidga begreppet till att även innefatta aktiviteter som sträcker sig utanför den enskilda organisationen, samt inkludera ett triple bottom line-perspektiv. / <p>Delvis finansierat av Handelsbankens forskningsstiftelser (Jan Wallander and Tom Hedelius Foundation, Tore Browalds Foundation)</p>

The author analyzed three different perspectives of the development of new technology-based firms (NTBFs) from the resource-based view. The first article discusses how the resource base impacts the internationalization behavior of German NTBFs. Some companies go international early, some internationalize only after a few years. We argued that the resource base is a substantial factor determining if a NTBF will internationalize or not. In the second article, we analyze how the resource base impacts the survival of German NTBFs. We argued that a lack of sufficient resources can lead to early business failure. We further state that the different resources are necessary to fulfill the requirements within the development phases of the NTBF. To broaden our perspective we combined the resource-based view with the market view. In the third article, we analyzed how the resource base impacts the business model innovation of NTBFs. The business model for NTBFs must often be tailored to fulfill the requirements of potential customers or to further grow the business. A sufficient resource base is necessary to be able to change the business model and buffer the transition phase.:1 Introduction 2 Research gap 3 Different themes on NTBF research 4 The resource-based perspective 5 Corresponding research project 6 Scientific contribution for the doctoral thesis 7 Further academic and practical contributions 8 Acknowledgement 9 Literature 10 Declaration of authorship 11 Appendix

Purpose. Supply chain visibility is among the top concerns expressed by many supply chain leaders. While the traditional enablers of supply chain visibility are information sharing, IT implementation, and relationships between supply chain partners; the role of global supply chain standards as an integral part of each of these enablers is often underestimated. The purpose of this thesis is to investigate the adoption and applicability of global supply chain standards within the provisions of supply chain visibility among various supply chain designs. Methodology. With the aim of theoretical replication, three case studies within the retail industry were conducted. Axfood and IKEA cases were analyzed as examples of opposite types of supply chain design and as companies with different degrees of implementation regarding their global data identification standards. The Clas Ohlson case was analyzed to illustrate a company with open paths in regards to its adoption of future global supply chain standards. In-depth, semi-structured interviews were performed directly with company representatives as well as with GS1, which is one of the assignors of this project. Finally, an analytical model for the potential adoption of global standards was developed. Findings. The results of case analysis clearly illustrate that global data identification standards are one of the pillars of supply chain visibility. Different practices of global standard adoption in different supply chain designs are explained by a different need for supply chain visibility among various supply chains. Moreover, the higher the degree of adoption of global standards, the higher the possibility of gaining strategic benefits. Practical implication. The model developed in this research aims to help logistics and supply chain managers estimate the need for supply chain visibility within their supply chains, and to also assess the potential adoption of global data identification standards within their supply chain practices. Originality/value. This study contributes to theory in such areas of research as supply chain visibility, standardization in supply chain management, and supply chain design. The main contribution is made to the resource-based view (RBV) theory, which according to supply chain visibility can be seen as both a strategic resource and a tool for efficiency optimization. A new term in supply chain design which suggests many-to-many and exclusive supply chain classifications is proposed, as is a framework for assessing the need for supply chain visibility. An analytical model for the potential adoption of global standards is also developed. / Research project “The role of global standards for supply chain visibility” at the Industrial Engineering and Management department of KTH