Tech. (Logistics, Faculty of Management Sciences), Vaal University of Technology / The focus of this study was to examine the relationship between information sharing, information quality, strategic partnership and internal lean practices among Small and Medium-sized Enterprises in South Africa. It is essential to understand practitioners’ and entrepreneurs’ current knowledge towards the topic at hand in order to determine what interventions would be most beneficial in helping to curb the problem of the lack of knowledge in this area and to understand the underlying causes behind the problem, while creating awareness and giving new insight to those who are already aware of this topic. Data was collected from a sample of 350 Small to Medium Enterprises and the measurement items in the measuring instrument were measured using a 5-point likert scale. Thereafter the collected data was coded and analysed by means of structural equation modelling using the AMOS 21 software package. The results indicate that supplier information sharing and information quality have a strong influence on strategic partnership and in turn strategic partnership has a strong influence on internal lean practices among Small to Medium Enterprises. This indicates that the level and quality of information shared between Small to Medium Enterprises and their suppliers has a positive effect on the strength of their partnerships as well as on the internal practices of each Small to Medium Enterprise. Based on these results, conclusions were drawn and recommendations were put forward on how internal lean practices in Small to Medium Enterprises can be improved by means of information sharing, information quality and strategic partnerships.

Over the last twenty-five years, fuel poverty in England has successfully transitioned from niche academic interest to mandated concern of the state. More recently still, government have opted to charge energy suppliers with primary delivery responsibility for fuel poverty programmes. The original contribution to knowledge made by this thesis is in offering a novel comparative analysis of the potential for the state and energy suppliers to effectively support fuel poor households. This research offers one of the first academic assessments of the new suite of policies championed by the coalition government formed in 2010. It is also amongst the first pieces of work to apply and critically assess the new official metric for fuel poverty, the Low Income, High Costs definition. By assessing delivery choices against the tenets of neoliberalism identified as guiding recent UK governments, the work further takes into account the motivations of policymakers. A diverse methodological approach is applied, incorporating policy evaluation, quantitative analysis, synthesis of existing literature, and professional engagement. This research establishes that in passing the Warm Homes and Energy Conservation Act 2000, politicians did not appreciate the demands of the commitment to eradicate fuel poverty by 2016. Subsequently, supplier obligations initially intended as a means of mitigating climate change have become the primary policy tool for tackling fuel poverty. The evidence presented here suggests, however, that suppliers are inherently poorly suited to this task for a variety of reasons: their access to the data required to successfully identify fuel poor households is limited; they fund activity in a manner that is unavoidably regressive; and the extent to which they are able to deliver programmes more efficiently than the state is, particularly for economic interventions, subject to question. It is consequently argued that, whilst supplier obligations are likely to appeal to an austerity-driven, neoliberal government as an expedient means of keeping expenditure away from the public purse and of limiting the role of the state, this work demonstrates that increased government involvement and greater political ambition will be required if fuel poverty policies are to be successful.

This research study investigated the influence of maintaining a partnership form of relationship between a Fast Moving Consumer Goods (FMCG) multinational company and its core suppliers, on their abilities to achieve supply chain agility. It took place within the Middle East region, where the in-depth case study used for data collection was Unilever (North Africa Middle East). The research also focused on the role played by information technology within Unilever’s (North Africa Middle East) partnership with its core suppliers and the achievement of a high level of agility within their supply chain. In addition to these two main aims, the research also focused on exploring the required attributes of supply chain agility within FMCG industry and also to explore the attributes of buyer-supplier partnership required to help the companies working within this type of industry to achieve agility within their supply chain. To achieve the aims and objectives of this research, this study used qualitative methods for collecting rich and valuable data. Several data collection methods under the umbrella of the in-depth case study approach were used. The methodological approach used by the research was the Grounded Theory approach (Strauss and Corbin, 1990-1998). Data was collected from the case study managerial level in Unilever’s (North Africa Middle East) main clusters within the Middle East in three different rounds, using semi-structured interviews. Data was also collected from five core suppliers for Unilever (North Africa Middle East). The research also used other data collection means, such as documents collected during the researcher’s visits to the case studies and observation. Data was analysed using the steps and procedures of the Grounded Theory approach (Strauss and Corbin, 1990-1998). Data analysis took place in three interrelated iterative steps: open coding process, axial coding process followed by the selective coding process, leading to the generated theory of the research. The findings of the study, as presented in the research’s generated theory, showed that the partnership, with its attributes explored during the research, between Unilever (North Africa Middle East) and its core suppliers can be considered as the starting driver helping the companies working within this type of industry to achieve a higher level of supply chain agility, through the attributes explored during the research. The generated theory also showed that the role played by information technology can be considered as the catalyst in this equation. It played the role of channelling the relationship between the two concepts: buyer-supplier partnership and supply chain agility. Information technology can be considered as the catalyst because the evidence indicates that without it the relationship between Unilever (North Africa Middle East) supplier partnership and supply chain agility would struggle to be achieved. In more detailed, 43 open codes had been derived from the first analysis coding process, and which were derived under the main pre-determined themes: FMCGs industry-based features, Buyer-supplier relationships, Information sharing and information technology, and Agility. These 43 open codes provided the basis for stages 2 and 3 of the analysis. In the axial coding process (the second data analysis), the axial sub categories and the axial categories were determined and the axial paradigm model was used in the analysis. In the final coding process: the selective analysis, the core category of the research was determined to be ‘Partnership existence with core suppliers’. The relationship of this core category with the other elements in the paradigm model namely: casual conditions, context, intervening conditions, action/interactional strategies, and consequences. The research has its own Theoretical, Methodological, and Managerial contributions. Among these contributions is that it can be considered a novel research, using a grounded theory approach to generate a theory, showing the relationship between buyer-supplier partnership and supply chain agility in this dimensional manner.

The purpose of this thesis is to provide companies with an understanding of how Swedish apparel companies manage supplier risks connected to production activities located in China. In order to conduct this study, previous literature regarding supply chain risk management has been analysed in relation to the empirical data collected during this study. In order to answer the research question, a qualitative method and a deductive approach have been used. A qualitative method was chosen as a deeper understanding of the phenomenon supply chain risk management was desired. A deductive approach was further chosen as the topic was acknowledged by reading previous research, which clearly emphasized existing research gap within supply chain risk management.  The literature review presented in this thesis regards the importance of managing a global supply chain and the risks connected to a global supply chain. Presented is also a process of how to manage risks, and the process consists of three steps, which further provides alternative strategies in order to conduct each step. Further, the reasons why Swedish companies outsource production activities to China and the importance of supply chain risk management in China is presented. The literature review is finalized with a conceptual framework summarizing the chapter. Differences and similarities between collected empirical data and the literature review is discussed and analysed in the analysis chapter. The following chapter provides conclusions answering the research question as well as theoretical and practical implications. This thesis has contributed with filling the research gap regarding supply chain risk management, this as the thesis focuses on one specific market and one specific industry. A new framework has been constructed based on previous research and the empirical findings. This framework also contributes to the practical implications as companies with a desire to outsource to China can use the process presented in the framework. The process includes three steps which will facilitate for companies to manage supplier risks in China. This thesis has also contributed to create an understanding for companies regarding the great importance of supply chain risk management. Therefore, this thesis can contribute with valuable information for Swedish apparel companies wanting to include supply chain risk management when outsourcing to China.

We examine how access to bank credit affects trade credit in the supplier-customer relationships of U.S. public firms. For identification, we use exogenous liquidity shocks to supplier firms in the form of staggered changes to interstate bank branching laws. Using a variety of tests, we show that supplier firms with greater access to banking liquidity offer more trade credit to their customers. We also show that when bank branching restrictions are relaxed in the supplier's state, the supplier-customer relationship is more likely to survive. (C) 2015 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

La thèse a eu comme objectif d'étudier la relation entre les fournisseurs brésiliens et les grands distributeurs dans le canal de distribution alimentaire, afin d'expliquer la satisfaction dans cette relation. Le cadre théorique aborde les concepts du canal de distribution et s'appuie sur les théories comportementales et leurs variables, ainsi que sur le marketing relationnel et les principaux modèles identifiés dans la littérature. En ce qui concerne les variables, nous nous centrons sur le conflit et la coopération qui ont un impact clé sur la satisfaction des acteurs du canal de distribution. Nous avons adopté une approche exploratoire pour observer les grands distributeurs et leurs fournisseurs locaux. Notre recherche conclut à la satisfaction du côté des grands distributeurs, dans les relations de coopération, de partenariat, accentuée par la confiance instaurée avec leurs fournisseurs. Cependant du côté des fournisseurs locaux, deux types de discours ont été relevés. D'un côté les grands fournisseurs qui partagent la même vision que les distributeurs; et d'un autre côté, les discours des petits et moyens fournisseurs locaux qui signalent une relation conflictuelle et de pouvoir avec leurs clients distributeurs, sans coopération ou engagement dans cette relation, conduisant à leur insatisfaction. / This research studies the relationship between the Brazilian suppliers and large food retailers in order to identify whether this relationship results in satisfaction. We present the concept of distribution channel, behavioral theories and their key variables, relational marketing theories and the models found in the literature. Regarding the variables, we emphasize conflict and cooperation, with the aim of identifying the variables that impact on satisfaction of these two actors. We adopted an exploratory approach. Our research concludes that there is satisfaction on the side of large retailers with cooperation and partnership strategies, strengthened by trust between the actors. However from the perspective of local suppliers, two types of speeches were observed. On one hand, the large suppliers share the same vision and on the other hand, the small and medium size local suppliers report an adversarial relationship and power by large retailerss, with no cooperation or compromise in this respect, leading to unsatisfaction.

The thesis provides further details related to the company purchasing activities (procurement). Using both theoretical and practical knowledge it gives further details on new phenomena related to purchasing process. The thesis is made of three main parts. The first one explains terms further used in the thesis. The next section provides more details on the most obvious trend which is movement from traditional understanding of purchasing to the attempts to build a relationship with the supplier. Besides this key phenomenon there are further examples/trends given. The last section relates to the explanation of how the proper purchasing process should be set-up in the global corporation.

This dissertation deal with problems of fast growing trees (FGT). The aim is to create transparent summary of views and problems, which the public perceives in connection with growing FGT. On the basis of discovered knowledge is to map conditions in Trebic region which have an influence on creating supplier customerś relations, focusing on growing and processing FGT. Visits, excursions, workshops and interview to gain some information was used for making this dissertation. This work provides summary of views appealing entities (producers FGT, mayors, farmers) and evaluating conditions which may affect cooperation among appealed entities from Trebic region. The discovered knowledge prove that the ability to make more difficult relations run into the factors: economic, social, mental, legislation, and technical conditions.

This master thesis discusses the possibilities of outsourcing (in Czech also displacement of activities) in a human resources area, it also considers its forms and applications in companies. The main goal is to determine whether and to what extent HR outsourcing is worth to be implemented into small to medium sized companies and what steps are needed to be done to benefit from HR outsourcing. The work is divided into two parts. The first part is based on theoretical foundations. It contains a summary of general information regarding HR outsourcing and its types. It defines advantages and disadvantages, and the current situation of HR outsourcing in the world and in the Czech Republic as well. It also describes what phases a company must go through in the process of HR outsourcing implementation into its processes. The second part uses the knowledge and experience summarized in the theoretical part and shows a concrete example of its use in practice. It specifies the possible solutions for HR outsourcing within a medium-sized organization. Selected personnel services in a company are analyzed and considered for outsourcing as separate "projects". The conclusion summarizes the answer to the question to what extent spoken hypothesis is filled.

In this case study a partnership between a first-tier supplier and a focal company in a Supply Chain has been examined. The focal company has a function as a wholesaler in the mechanical industry. An issue with communication and obstructions in the information flow between the two partners had caused problems in the material flow, which encompasses late deliveries and problems with the distribution between both partners has been treated in this case. These observations have resulted in recommendations for how employees in the focal company can work proactively with these issues linked to the first-tier supplier. The suggestions include application of Vendor managed inventory VMI between the customer and supplier company, including introduction of Lean methods in the focal company's operational activities. This to implement standardized routines for cleaning with 5S and Kaizen, with the purpose to handle the problems with late deliveries and reduce the risks of intermediate storage outcome in the inventory. At last another proposal for supplementation of the supplier base is formed, regarding the specific product group of strategic items where an acquisition risk prevails. / I denna fallstudie har ett partnerskapsförhållande mellan en primärleverantör och en fokalfirma – med funktion som grossist inom maskinindustrin utvärderats. Problematik med kommunikation och bristande informationsflöde som förorsakat ett bristande materialflöde i form av sena leveranser i distributionen mellan parterna har behandlats. Dessa observationer har i senare led resulterat i rekommendationer och tillvägagångssätt för hur ansvariga i fokalfirman kan arbeta proaktivt kring detta och återkoppla till primärleverantören. Därefter har en rad förslag till förbättringsåtgärder framställts.Förslagen innefattar införande av VMI-styrning mellan kund- och leverantörsföretaget för att åstadkomma en starkare integration i informationsflödet mellan parterna. Detta i kombination med införande av Lean metoder i fokalfirmans operativa aktiviteter på lagret, för att introducera standardiserade rutiner kring städning med 5S och Kaizen-moral. På så sätt ska sena inleveranser på lagret effektivare kunna behandlas och risken för uppkomst av mellanlager på verkstadsgolv reduceras. Slutligen har ett ytterligare förslag tagits fram som en alternativ lösning och det är att uttöka leverantörsbasen. Genom uttökningen underbyggs anskaffningsrisken gällande en specifik produktgrupp med strategiska artiklar ur företagets produktsortiment.