The emerging markets have become a new growth opportunity for multinational corporations (MNCs). This could be attributed to the stagnation of growth within the developed markets and the emergence of strong economic growth within emerging markets. Yet, MNCs have varying levels of success due to overlooking of certain components lacking in emerging markets, such as infrastructure. Furthermore, the strategic planning and execution frameworks utilised by MNCs are based on assumptions that are valid for the developed markets, but not always for the emerging markets.The objective of this research was to determine if there is a link between the application of specific interrelated principles for defining and executing strategy, defined by Raina (2010), and the financial success of MNCs when entering the emerging markets.The research found that there is clear evidence that if certain of the principles are applied by MNCs when entering the emerging markets, there is evidence of greater financial success.The research concluded that the interrelated strategic principles are a valuable framework to deliver financial success for MNCs entering the emerging markets. / Dissertation (MBA)--University of Pretoria, 2012. / Gordon Institute of Business Science (GIBS) / unrestricted

The aim of this work is to describe tools and methods that are used to carry out strategic analysis and using these tools and methods to carry out strategic analysis of Zepter International Ltd. Finally, this work propose the necessary recommendations and measures which should be guided by the company.

The thesis is divided into nine chapters. The first three chapters deal with theoretical background, which forms the basis for the following six chapters of the practical part. The first chapter is devoted to definitions of basic concepts such as brand, product and brand relationship, it also describes the basic elements of the brand. The second chapter deals with two key concepts of strategic brand management - brand identity and value concept. The third chapter focuses on the process of strategic management and benefits of a strong brand for both businesses and consumers. Chapter ends with analysis of the components of the marketing mix and their impact on building brand equity. The fourth chapter focuses on the analysis of the Czech beer market within the global context. The fifth chapter focuses Plzeňský Prazdroj, a.s. and its owner SABMiller plc. The sixth chapter introduces Pilsner Urquell brand - its history, the specifics of the beer production and its export and licensing activities. At the end of the chapter international brand management is briefly mentioned. The seventh chapter is devoted to strategic management of Pilsner Urquell in the Czech market. The target audience and typical consumption opportunities for the brand are described, as well as positioning and marketing mix. The eighth chapter focuses on the analysis of opportunities for the Pilsner Urquell brand in relation to young men between 18 and 29 years. Results of the research are summarized in the SWOT analysis and conclusions for the design of communication strategy and drawn. The last chapter outlines proposals for possible communications strategy for the Pilsner Urquell brand in relation to the above-mentioned target group. Proposals are divided into five blocks, namely on-trade and off-trade activation, activation through new media, through the special events aimed at young people and product placement in computer games and films.

The subject of this thesis is to process a future development strategy of a specific firm based on its strategy analysis. The thesis consists of theoretical and practical part, where the theoretical part describes methods and procedures, which are subsequently used in the practical part. The practical part then analyses external and internal environment of the company, based on which SWOT analysis is created. A proposal of the firm's future development is put together from the obtained data, which also corresponds with the mission and vision of the company, and is described further in more detail within the functional strategies of the individual strategy business units. At the end, the chosen strategy is evaluated from the perspective of suitability, acceptability and viability.

The thesis deals with the management of Czech companies operating in the market areas where frequent innovations are crucial for long term success. The theoretical part of the thesis focuses on the techniques available for strategic management and the management of innovations. On this theoretical background the research part is based. It contains the results of own survey carried out in the selected Czech companies, presented in the context of strategic management and innovation management theory. The method of structured interview with owners or top management members was chosen for research. The interview deals mostly with the areas of strategic management and the management of innovations. The information derived from the structured interview is combined with the economic results of company. Consequently, the relations between techniques and results are found. The thesis also contains the list of five recommendations that, based on research, can be useful for managers.

Given the severe global competition and the manufacturing challenges, retaining competitiveness in the textile and apparel (T&A) industries has become crucial for manufacturers. To achieve this, although historically manufacturers have been regarded as mainly production orientated, a number of them have occupied a primary intermediary position by applying the mechanisms of industrial upgrading and instituting new product development (NPD) in their businesses together with the synergy of alliances and networks. This has enabled the manufacturers to provide various products and services to international buyers. The Taiwanese T&A manufacturers can serve as a good example. They have managed to retain their competitiveness in the global industry for the last half century by continuously evolving their businesses and acquiring extensive capabilities. To achieve competitiveness in the T&A sectors, strategic planning that can lead to competitive advantages is required. NPD has emerged as a source of business competitiveness and its success determinants can lead to competitive advantages. Supply management, particularly partnering relationships, is crucial to manufacturers’ competitive advantage, since no single firm can possess all the necessary resources and capabilities. Against this background, this study has constructed a research framework, in line with the resource-based view (RBV) and transaction cost theory (TCT), in order to explore how competitive advantages can be achieved, which can lead to manufacturers’ competitiveness. An in-depth case study of a representative Taiwanese manufacturer has been employed and examined. The selected Taiwanese T&A manufacturer has acquired resources, various (dynamic) capabilities and knowledge through its NPD process, resulting in core competences and sources for competitive advantages. It has become a lead firm in its supply chain/network, deploying a variety of partnering relationships in order to conduct NPD activities strategically, and has vertically integrated T&A NPD. This has allowed it to provide an increasing variety of new products and services, in order to serve a wider range of customers, thus continuously acquiring business opportunities in dynamic markets. This study has found that the manufacturers in the T&A industries can adopt more proactive strategic modes in NPD activities, to enhance NPD outcomes and their relationships with buyers. It is important for manufacturers to acquire crucial and complementary resources/capabilities through strategic networks, developing alliances to strategically plan and implement NPD. Operational relationships need not only to be viewed in relation to their immediate cost reduction benefits, but also to be extended to longer-term collaborations, in order to achieve competitive advantage deriving from evolving products and cost benefits based on a holistic and strategic view of the business.

O problema motivador desta tese, confirmado pelas informações pesquisadas, é que as revistas acadêmicas de administração brasileiras estão voltadas quase exclusivamente para a pesquisa. Como o papel da academia não está limitado ao avanço da ciência, propõe-se a ampliação do escopo do que deve ser uma revista acadêmica de administração para que o conjunto de revistas exerça um papel que melhor atenda as diversas necessidades acadêmicas (pesquisa, ensino e extensão). A principal fonte de informação para a formulação desta proposição é a comparação do modelo de negócio das revistas brasileiras (foram analisadas as 27 revistas nos estratos mais altos do QUALIS) com o modelo das revistas internacionais (analisadas as 139 revistas avaliadas pelo JCR). A revista brasileira típica: (i) está voltada para pesquisa (100% das revistas analisadas); (ii) oferece acesso aberto aos seus artigos na internet (100%); (iii) publica grande parte dos seus artigos apenas em português (85%); (iv) não tem uma temática específica e abrange a área de administração como um todo (81%); e (v) é publicada por uma instituição de ensino superior (74%); e (vi) foi criada após 1994 (74%). A revista internacional típica: (i) está focada na pesquisa (80%); (ii) não oferece acesso aberto aos seus artigos na internet (99%); (iii) só aceita textos em inglês (96%); (iv) possui temática específica (80% atuam em uma subárea da administração); (v) é publicada por uma editora profissional (83%); e (vi) foi criada antes de 1994 (87%). Com base na pesquisa realizada, para atender melhor as necessidades acadêmicas, concluiu-se que as revistas brasileiras devem se especializar. Haverá diferenciação por tipo de cliente, algumas focarão o pesquisador, outras o aluno e outras o profissional que atua no mercado. As revistas voltadas para pesquisa se diferenciarão por tema como finanças, marketing, estratégia etc. O inglês passará a ser usado nas revistas que buscam inserção internacional. Esta tese pretende alimentar o debate sobre a situação futura desejada das revistas acadêmicas de administração brasileiras. / The issue motivating this thesis, supported by information search, is that the Brazilian scholarly publications in management aim almost exclusively at research. As the role of the Academy is not limited to the advancement of science, it is proposed to extend the scope of what should be a scholarly publication in management to a set of journals with a role that best meets the diverse educational needs (teaching, research, and service). The main source of information for the formulation of this proposition is the comparison of the business model of the Brazilian journals (27 journals analyzed in the QUALIS upper strata) to the model of international journals (139 journals analyzed assessed by JCR). The typical Brazilian journal: (i) is focused on research (100% of the analyzed journals), (ii) provides open access to their articles on the internet (100%), (iii) publishes many of its articles only in Portuguese (85 %) (iv) does not have specific theme and covers the area of management as a whole (81%), (v) is published by a institution of higher education (74%), and (vi) was created after 1994 (74%). The typical international journal focuses on research (80%), (ii) does not offer open access to their articles on the Internet (99%), and (iii) only accepts texts in English (96%) (iv) has specific theme (80% work in a sub-area of administration), (v) is published by a professional publisher (83%), and (vi) was created before 1994 (87%). Based on the survey, to better meet academic needs, it was concluded that Brazilian journals should specialize. They will be differentiated by type of reader; some will focus on the researchers, others on the students and others on professionals who work in the market. The journals focusing on research will be distinguished by theme such as finance, marketing, strategy etc... English will be used in magazines that seek international insertion. This thesis aims at feeding the debate on the desired future situation of scholarly publications in management.

Předkládaná práce se zabývá zhodnocením procesu strategické akvizice českého vodárenského podniku VHOS, a.s. velkou nadnárodní společností Aqualia v rámci jejího pronikání na trhy střední a východní Evropy. Práce analyzuje účel akvizice, strategii a oblast zájmu nabyvatele, zahrnuje fáze výběru společnosti, její přípravy na akvizici včetně due diligence a definuje podmínky její realizace. Výstupem práce je identifikace synergického efektu vyvolaného v případě uskutečnění akvizice a jejího dopadu na fungování akviziční jednotky, definování a návrh provedení nezbytných změn v managementu a organizační struktuře subjektu a návrh opatření a nových aktivit vedoucích k ekonomickým, technických a personálním úsporám a následnému úspěšnému fungování subjektu akvizice.

This work deals with the status of quality in strategic management of organizations in industry, services, small and medium-sized enterprises, public organizations and administration. It reflects the development in the Czech Republic in the last 25 years in terms of quality. It concerns establishment processes contained in the Blue Guide and the NLF in the Czech Republic, including some instruments such as certification, accreditation and conformity assessment. The second area of the work deals with the National Quality Policy in the Czech Republic, defined by the Council of quality of the Czech Republic. The main objective is the realization of research and determination / verification, whether the strategic management of organizations polled is used and in what way. What modern management concepts do these organizations use and how are their strategies contained in the individual quality requirements. The results were compared with results of similar research carried out not only in the Czech Republic in the past years, so it would be possible to confirm the trends I´ve observed. The results will be used as a guidance for Czech organizations in respect of the aforementioned topics.

That there is great potential in the environmental benefits in the real estate area is obvious and theories from the research society on how to make them profitable for the real estate companies are many. However, it is still unclear which path to choose, in order to make theories become realities. The objective of this study is to anaalyze some of the strategic factors behind the choice of green buildings investments focusing on the Swedish market. The purpose is to understand the way real estate companies in Sweden manage the risks and opportunities in these green investments. The aim is to recognize the underlying framework for understanding the customers and their needs for a productive environemnt in commercial buildings. This thesis has concluded that the management of real estate companies is preceding the development of green buildings with caution. There are still knowledge barriers between management and actual real estate manager or rental department on how to communicate the "green" benefits for the building and the leases. The study also found evidence for the real estate companies problem to account and communicate the unique selling points (USP) of the "green" premium in a lease. Goverment policies and finacial incentives on credit arrangments are seen as to become more important for a positive development of conventional buildings into "green buildings". The ever growing importance of Corporate Social Responsibility might also become one of the driving factors for the development of more green buildings in Sweden.