The subject of this master´s thesis is the analysis of the current state of purchasing management in Iveco Czech Republic, a.s. and identification of areas in purchasing processes of this company, where the increase of purchasing performance is possible. The aim of this thesis is improving of current state of purchasing management and also efficiency and economy increase. The proposals of improving of current state of purchasing management are focused in electronic purchase negotiation with suppliers and suitable way of reducing number of suppliers.

This thesis deals with the provision of credit supply, especially the risk associated with their delivery. The key part of this work is a model that evaluates the level of supply risk using fuzzy logic. Model evaluation of the supply risk is introduced to selected customers selected companies.

The Master’s thesis deals with the area of supplier management in a large multinational corporation focused on manufacturing and distribution of medical devices, which has a subsidiary in the Czech Republic. The thesis discusses the analysis of the current set up of supplier management in the facility and there are calculations for effective evaluation of suppliers being proposed on the basis of the analysis. The emphasis is also put on the setting of the system such that it provides the highest possible added value for its users, can be easily implemented in practice and is flexible as well.

This diploma thesis addresses a project of evaluating the selection of a supplier for purchase of a chosen commodity. The theoretical part describes general methodologies of supplier evaluation and selection. It also includes information on the production process and commodity purchase. The analytical part focuses on evaluation and selection of a supplier based on a point rating, where the output is a recommendation of the best supplier, which receives the highest number of points.

The dissertation is a case study focusing on supplier development (SD) practices of SMEs in information technology outsourcing (ITO) sector. From the dyadic perspective, the research explored three key issues: (1) supplier development activities of SME firms in ITO sector, (2) the role of supplier willingness in supplier selection and development process and (3) the motivations of suppliers to participate in the SD programs with the client. The results from this case study contribute to the knowledge in SME supplier development practices and client-supplier relationship management. Specifically, the contribution is explored from the ITO sector, with respect to the influence of supplier willingness in SME supplier selection, SD practice in ITO sector and the motivations of suppliers to participate in such activities with the client.

Abstract Background: The oil industry is experiencing tremendous challenges due to the shifts in global markets and decreasing profits from oil. These challenges have steered companies to select more profitable investments and disregarding different matters of sustainability. However, the oil companies aim to be seen as more sustainable, since the demands of the public and governments increased toward sustainability. Thus, improving sustainability capabilities in the oil industry has become more critical than ever. In this study, the triple bottom line framework is used, which covers the social, environmental, and economical dimensions of sustainability. This study focuses on reactive and proactive practices that can overcome the barriers to achieving sustainability. Furthermore, the focus is on the oil industry’s pursuit of sustainability is facilitated by connecting reactive and proactive practices to improve the sustainability capabilities of a company. Purpose: The purpose of this study is first to identify the barriers to achieving sustainability in the oil industry and understand how companies can overcome these barriers by conducting reactive and proactive practices. Furthermore, the purpose is to understand how reactive and proactive practices can improve companies' capabilities for sustainability performance. Method: This study follows the inductive approach, as the aim was to discover new insights and assumptions from the studied phenomenon. Furthermore, the study is conducted as exploratory and qualitative, in order to provide a rich understanding of the barriers of sustainability within the oil industry, and how reactive and proactive practices can facilitate the capabilities for improving sustainability in companies. For the data collection method, semi-structured interviews were conducted with experts working within a single company that operates in the oil industry. The collected empirical data was analyzed with grounded analysis. Conclusion: With the empirical findings and existing literature, the internal and external barriers to achieving sustainability are identified. Furthermore, the connection with identified barriers and reactive and proactive practices is introduced, as well as how the practices facilitate overcoming these barriers. Also, the study connects reactive and proactive practices that improve sustainability capabilities in companies. The study suggests that practitioners focus on developing a solid foundation of reactive practices, on which to build strategies with proactive practices. Primarily the focus on the oil industry should be in the creation of environmental capabilities, as this potential is disregarded with the current set of practices. Improving triple bottom line dimensions is identified as a win-win process, which argues for the potential of improvement in environmental sustainability would assist in matching the economic and social demands of the oil industry.

Background: Business relationships between buyers and suppliers are of great importance to maintain a profitable and beneficial business environment. Every organization’s relationship characteristics vary and are influenced by various factors, including environmental conditions and competitors in the market. Also, Brexit is an event that brings uncertainty to these relationships. It is unknown how Brexit will affect the business environment and it is, therefore, necessary to investigate Brexit’s effect on buyer-supplier relationships. The research of Brexit could contribute with valuable insightsfor both companies and policymakers since it will demonstrate the way Brexit has influenced buyer-supplier relationships and companies' responses to the event.  Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to examine the relationships between buyers and suppliers in the EU and the British market under the effect of Brexit. The supplier-buyer relationship will be focused on EU buyers and British suppliers, which will illustrate the adaptations and changes companies in the EU are facing regarding their relationships. Further on, the relevance of this paper will be highlighted through the long-debated case of Brexit. Method: The research is a qualitative study that follows a case study frame of logic. Data has been collected through semi-structured interviews with a sample of three individuals with a purchasing background. The empirical findings were analysed through a logic of thematic analysis using the Bensaou (1999) buyer-supplier relationships portfolio model as an analysis tool. Conclusion:  The analyses have found that there is no change experienced in the current buyer-supplier relationship characteristics due to Brexit. The participants expect to have some influence on their cost in the future which then may affect their product category. Otherwise, the EU buyers have not changed their outlook on their UK suppliers because of Brexit and for the time being continue their business as usual.

Företagsledare ställs inför mängder av beslut varje dag. Dessa beslut kan både påverka företagets verksamhet och samhället i stort. På senare tid har nya normer kring hållbarhetsarbete växt fram och större krav ställs på företag att anpassa sig till nya normer som etableras. Misslyckas företag att anpassa sig till krav som ställs från samhället och intressenter riskerar företag att förlora sin legitimitet. Ett sätt för företag att visa sig legitima är genom de beslut som tas, till exempel vid val av leverantör. Syftet med studien är att öka förståelsen för vilka beslutskriterier små och medelstora företag (SME-bolag) prioriterar i beslutsprocessen vid val av leverantör och skapandet av legitimitet. Således avser studien att bidra till kunskapsutveckling kring företags beslutsprocesser i förhållande till legitimitetsteorin samt beslutsteorier. För att uppnå syftet med studien har en kvalitativ forskningsstrategi tillämpats och tio företagsledare i värmländska SME-bolag har intervjuats gällande hur beslutsprocessen ser ut i deras företag. Studien visar att beslutsprocesser i värmländska SME-bolag varierar med hög grad beroende på vilken situation företaget ställs inför. Även graden av rationalitet i beslutsprocessen samt vilka beslutskriterier som beaktas varierar mellan företag och beroende på situation. Företagsledarna uppvisar en medvetenhet kring vilka normer som finns i samhället, men upplever att kraven från den närmsta kretsen, i form av kunder, inte omfattar hållbarhet i någon större utsträckning. Istället ställs krav på kvalitet, service och professionalism. Enligt företagarna är detta vad som i stor utsträckning påverkar de beslut som tas gällande val av leverantör och i sin tur även företagets legitimitet. / Business leaders are faced with a multitude of decisions every day. These decisions can both affect the company's operations, but also the society as a whole. Recently, new standards regarding sustainability have emerged and greater demands are placed on companies to adapt to the new standards. If companies fail to adapt to the demands of society and stakeholders, the company risks losing its legitimacy. One way for a company to prove its legitimacy is through the decisions that are made, for example when choosing a supplier. The purpose of this study is to increase the understanding for which decision criteria small and medium sized enterprises (SME) prioritize when choosing a supplier and creating legitimacy. Thus, the study intends to contribute to knowledge development about companies' decision-making processes in relation to the theory of legitimacy and decisions theories. To achieve the purpose of the study, a qualitative research strategy has been applied and ten company leaders in SMEs in Värmland have been interviewed regarding how the decision-making process in their companies looks like. The study shows that decision-making processes in SMEs in Värmland vary greatly depending on the situation the company is faced with. The degree of rationality in the decision-making process as well as which decision criteria that is important also varies between companies and depending on the situation. Business leaders show an awareness of the norms that exist in society, but feel that the requirements from the closest circle, in terms of customers, do not include sustainability to any great extent. Instead, demands are made on quality, service and professionalism. According to the entrepreneurs, this is what mainly affects the decisions made regarding the choice of supplier and in extension also the company's legitimacy.

Syfte – Syftet med denna studie är att undersöka hur miljöstyrning kan utformas av tillverkande företag i sina globala leverantörskedjor. För att uppfylla syftet togs två frågeställningar fram: [1] Hur används miljöstyrning i globala leverantörskedjor inom tillverkningsindustrin? [2] Vilka faktorer bör tas i beaktning vid utformning av miljöstyrning i globala leverantörskedjor inom tillverkningsindustrin? Metod – Studien är en fallstudie och består av kvalitativ datainsamling i form av intervjuer och dokumentstudier. Användandet av flera datainsamlingsmetoder bidrar till en ökad validitet av insamlade data. Resultatet av den insamlade data jämfördes sedan med teorier inom området för att möjliggöra svar på frågeställningarna och ett uppfyllande av syftet. Resultat – Miljöstyrning kan användas på flera olika sätt för att påverka leverantören. Det är vanligt att företag förbjuder användningen av vissa material eller ämnen i sina produkter genom hela leverantörskedjan. Det har däremot visat sig svårare för företag att påverka sina leverantörers förhållande till miljöaspekterna. Miljöstyrning kan användas för att hjälpa leverantörer komma igång med hållbarhetsarbete genom nära samarbete. Miljöstyrning kan också användas för att styra leverantörerna att välja mer utsläppsvänliga produktionsmetoder, använda mer hållbara material eller öka vikten av att hållbarhetsarbete genom hela leverantörskedjan. Implikationer – Studien har fokuserat på hur företag kan använda miljöstyrning i sitt arbete för hållbarhet genom sina leverantörskedjor. Studiens resultat har framhävt aspekter som bör beaktas av företag vid användning av miljöstyrning av globala leverantörskedjor. I studien framkommer också skillnader runt om i världen som kan påverka miljöstyrningen. Resultatet kan användas som vägledning och understöd till företag som arbetar eller vill arbeta med miljöstyrning genom sina globala leverantörskedjor. Begränsningar – Studien baseras på ett fall vilket kan försämra generaliserbarheten. Empirin som samlas in kommer från fallföretaget och deras leverantörer vilket begränsar tillämpningen på andra företag eller verksamheter. Insamlade data kommer från ett fåtal leverantörer vilket begränsar bredden av studien och kan påverka tillämpligheten. Då resultatet utav studien kopplas till annan teori kan en fallstudie baserat på ett fall fortfarande vara representativt. / Purpose: The purpose of this study is to investigate how environmental management can be designed by manufacturing companies in their global supply chains. To fulfill the purpose, two issues were raised: [1] How is environmental management used in global supply chains within the manufacturing industry? [2] What factors should be considered when designing environmental management in global supply chains in the manufacturing industry? Method – The study is a case study and consists of qualitative data collection in the form of interviews and document studies. The use of several data collection methods contributes to an increased validity of collected data. The results of the collected data were then compared with theories in the field to enable answers to the questions and a fulfillment of the purpose. Findings – Environmental management can be used in several different ways to influence the supplier. It is common for companies to prohibit the use of certain materials or substances in their products throughout the supply chain. On the other hand, it was proven more difficult for companies to influence their suppliers' relationship to environmental aspects. Environmental governance can be used to help suppliers get started with sustainability work through close collaboration. Environmental governance can also be used to guide suppliers to choose more emission-friendly production methods, use more sustainable materials or increase the importance of sustainability work throughout the supply chain. Implications – The study has focused on how companies can use environmental management in their work for sustainability through their supply chains. The results of the study have highlighted aspects that should be considered by companies when using environmental management of global supply chains. The study also reveals differences around the world that can affect environmental management. The results can be used as guidance and support for companies that work or want to work with environmental management through their global supply chains. Limitations – The study is based on one case, which may impair generalizability. The experience gathered comes from the case company and their suppliers, which limits the application to other companies or operations. Collected data comes from a few suppliers, which limits the breadth of the study and may affect applicability. By comparing the case study with previous theories, a single case study is still representative.

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to explore how a multinational company in the automotive industry manages its suppliers in order to increase the environmental sustainability performance of its supply chain. To fulfill this purpose, a research question has been established: 1. How can a manufacturer manage its suppliers in order to increase the environmental sustainability performance of its supply chain? Method: The thesis is conducted using a qualitative research approach which utilizes the method of a single case study, including multiple interviews. All interviews conducted are semi-structured using an interview guide and ethical considerations. Additionally, the empirical findings were supported by organizational documents. Findings: The findings discuss five supplier management approaches that are used frequently in order to increase environmental sustainability within the supply chain. The five approaches consist of sourcing, supplier code of conduct (including standards and certificates), assessment, collaboration, and organizational culture. The different approaches are used strategically, starting off with the importance of sourcing capable suppliers from the beginning, where assessing them within relevant areas is vital. Continuously assessing the suppliers in order to keep track of their performance and improvement is useful to make sure that the performance exceeds the basic requirements and identify areas to improve. Collaborating on different aspects is then conducted in order to improve and develop the identified areas. Lastly, organizational culture is proven to have a strong influence on how the environmental sustainability performance within an organization is doing. Implications: The research did not contribute to any new theories but did, however, increase the overall knowledge of how supplier management is used to increase the environmental sustainability within a supply chain. It showed the strong connection between theory and how it is done in practice, as well as areas in need of implementation in practice. Moreover, the research shows that management approaches should be used holistically and simultaneously in order to reach the best results. Limitations: The study is a single case study where a limited number of interviews have been conducted. In order to increase the credibility, a multiple-cases study with more interviews could have been conducted.