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Published Article / Increased diversity in the agricultural sector in South Africa is forcing farmers to focus on the production of value-added commodities in the face of mounting global competitive pressures. However, many farmers, by operating individually, are unable to expand operations to the scale necessary to become involved in value-adding processing. This requires too much capital, skills, and time. By pooling resources and forming integrated small and medium sized agricultural enterprises even small producers can enter the processing arena successfully. This paper focuses on the specific driving forces, pitfalls and strategies that agricultural SMEs need to pursue in order to survive.

This research investigates the relationship between supplier capabilities, inter-firm governance and buyer-supplier collaboration. The research focuses on three functional capabilities (Research and Development (R&D), Production and Support services capability), two governance mechanisms (Contractual and Relational governance) and three types of buyer-supplier collaboration (Information sharing, Collaborative product/service development and Collaborative problem solving). A theoretical framework is developed which first examines the multiple mediation effect of contractual and relational governance on the relationship between capability and collaboration type, and second, explores the relative strength of the indirect effect through contractual and relational governance. Survey based research methodology is used to empirically test the hypotheses in this research. Data are collected from a total of 120 SMEs in the UK aerospace industry. Bootstrapping based techniques are used to analyse the data and to examine the proposed relationship between capability, governance and collaboration. The empirical findings indicate that although both contractual and relational governance are important in order to link the supplier capability with collaboration, the individual effect of contractual and relational governance varies in different combinations of capabilities and collaboration types. The potential contribution of this research is twofold: first, in terms of academic contribution, this study combines the arguments of Resource Based View and Transaction Cost Economics to provide a holistic view in explaining the interrelation between capability, governance and buyer-supplier collaboration; Second, in terms of practical contribution, this study improves the understanding of practitioners in both buying and supplying firm regarding the alignment of interfirm exchange processes with capabilities to achieve better performance in collaboration.

Background: The importance of transitioning to a more sustainable and circular production and consumption model is growing, with the looming threat of climate change. The supply chains (SC) are at the foreground of this change, with the linear model as a polluter of magnitude. Transitioning to a circular supplychain (CSC) is a massive undertaking, and barriers may arise between SC partners embracing this significant change. However, the literature is vague on which barriers are significant within buyer-supplier collaboration and how to address and overcome the barriers that may stand in the way of implementing CSCs. Purpose: The purpose of this thesis to explore to investigate how to support circularity implementation in SCs through dyadic buyer-supplier collaboration. By exploring the collaboration barriers presented in academic literature, this study aims to contribute to a deeper understanding of which barriers can arise during collaboration when implementing circularity in the SC, while linking relevant actions to address these barriers. Thereby providing new insights to practitioners who wish to implement circularity in their SC. Method: A multiple case study method with four interior textile companies were studied with the help of collaboration barriers when implementing CE in the SC from existing literature. By using a qualitative research approach, data was collected through ten interviews. Conclusion: Five major barriers occur in buyer-supplier collaboration when implementing circularity in the SC within the case companies. Including (1) lack of shared vision, (2) lack of commitment, (3) lack of capable suppliers, (4) lack of transparency, (5) and lack of power balance between buyer-supplier. To address the five barriers, five action groups emerged from the case companies, (1) communication, (2) supplier engagement, (3) education, (4) addressing cultural differences, and lastly (5) long-term commitment. These barriers and actions are matched to each other in a framework and summarizes the finding of this study.

This thesis explores the supplier perspective of supplier involvement in product development. Supplier involvement in product development is crucial for many companies to increase resource flexibility, access competence, reduce costs and time to market, among others. The existing literature focuses primarily on the customer perspective of supplier involvement, e.g., challenges and critical factors customers should consider. A few studies have focused on the supplier perspective. This research gap is addressed in this thesis by studying the conditions influencing the suppliers’ involvement in customers’ product development. This thesis explores two research questions: “What are the challenges suppliers experience when being involved in customers’ product development?”, and “What mitigating mechanisms and critical factors influence suppliers’ involvement in customers’ product development?”. The identified challenges originated [FF1] both from the customer and the supplier, indicating that both types of challenges must be focused on. The study also identified interdependencies between the challenges, implying that one challenge may lead to the occurrence of other challenges. The study suggests mitigating mechanisms to deal with the identified challenges. The identified critical factors influenced both the efficiency and effectiveness of supplier involvement in product development, e.g., lead-time, development cost, product quality, and cost. The study indicates that adopting a dual perspective and considering the challenges and critical factors for both the customer and the supplier, can support the involved supplier. The results build on findings from a case study including four SMEs.

D. Tech. (Logistics, Faculty of Management Science), Vaal University of Technology / The strategic importance of small and medium enterprises (SMEs) and their role in stimulating economic growth and competitiveness in many countries are well documented in literature. The same applies to South Africa, where the SME sector has grown tremendously to become an important contributor to social and economic development through employment creation and constant input to the gross domestic product. However, in spite of these contributions, South African SMEs face numerous challenges, which negatively impact their prospects for growth and success. Some of these challenges include the limited access to financial capital, the lack of infrastructure and the lack of skills, which play a significant role in the high mortality rate of SMEs. One of the proposed solutions to address these operational challenges is the adoption of supply chain management strategies to strengthen the operational and long-term capabilities of SMEs. Thus, the purpose of this study was to investigate the relationships between supply chain management best practices, supply chain agility, risk management and supply chain performance in South African SMEs. The study applied a quantitative approach in which a cross-sectional survey design was used to collect data to test direct and indirect relationships between different constructs (buyer-supplier collaboration, supply chain integration, total quality management, IT adoption, supply chain agility, supply chain risk management and supply chain performance). A structured survey questionnaire was developed using adapted measurement scales and administered to 407 randomly selected SME owners, managers and professional employees who had some knowledge about supply chain management. The collected quantitative data were analysed using the Statistical Packages for Social Sciences (SPSS version 24.0) and the Analysis of Moment Structures (AMOS version 24.0) statistical software. The actual data analyses techniques applied included descriptive statistics and inferential statistics using structural equation modelling. The latter included a Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA) to test the psychometric properties of measurement scales and the testing of the six hypotheses using the path analyses technique. The results of the study showed positive and significant relationships between all supply chain management practices and supply chain agility. Specifically, buyer-supplier collaboration and total quality management exerted a moderate and significant influence on supply chain agility. Moreover, IT adoption had a strong positive and significant relationship with supply chain agility iv while supply chain integration had a weak but significant relationship with the same factor. More results provided from the analysis confirmed the existence of a very strong and significant relationship between supply chain agility and supply chain risk management. In turn, supply chain risk management had a strong positive relationship with supply chain performance. The study also takes note of its contributions to highlight its merits. From a theoretical perspective, it provides an in-depth examination of some driving factors to supply chain agility, supply chain risk management and supply chain performance within SMEs. Given that a study of this nature has not been performed before amongst South African SMEs, the results are an essential addition to the existing body of literature within the area of supply chain management within SMEs in developing countries such as South Africa. From a management perspective, the study suggests that specific attention should be directed to all of the four supply chain management practices (buyer-supplier collaboration, supply chain integration, IT adoption and total quality management) considered as possible avenues to address operational challenges in SMEs.

Purpose – The purpose of this study is to explore green sourcing in supply chain management by the example of two large organisations. Design/methodology/approach – This study followed an iterative cycle of reviewing literature and empirics as well as conducting analysis and discussion. The literature gathered for this thesis was collected by reviewing ten academic journals as well as publications found through database search. Empirical data was collected from two case organisations, ABB Robotics and Vattenfall, through interviews, internal documents and public statements. The empirical data was analysed separately for each case organisation by use of an analytical model constructed from the literature findings. Thereafter, similarities and differences between the organisations were discussed as well as the thesis’ contributions to green sourcing literature. Findings – We found that although both ABB Robotics and Vattenfall incorporate environmental sustainability to some degree in their respective sourcing processes, their individual performance differed. The main difference between the organisations was found to be the visibility and managerial drive towards the realisation of environmental goals within the sourcing department. From our observations, it was found that Vattenfall to a large extent embraced their environmental goals and that these trickled down to the sourcing department. ABB Robotics on the other hand had numerous environmental goals on corporate level but these lacked visibility in the sourcing department. In comparison to our literature findings is was found that for environmental goals, Vattenfall was in more alignment with the suggestions by the scholars. For the other identified areas important for green sourcing, that being supplier assessment, supplier performance evaluation and supplier collaboration, both organisations were more aligned with our literature findings. Practical implications – In this thesis, four primary elements of green sourcing have been identified: environmental goals, supplier assessment, supplier performance evaluation, and supplier collaborations. Out of these, we found that the first element, environmental goals, is an enabler for the other elements of green sourcing to further evolve and is therefore essential for green sourcing. Originality/value – By looking beyond public statements and policies of environmental sustainability, this thesis has provided a unique insight in how two large organisations have implemented environmental sustainability in practice, from a sourcing perspective.

This thesis addresses the challenges that firms are faced with when collaborating with suppliers in new product development (NPD) projects under technological uncertainty. A critical observation that is made in this context is that technologies are evolving faster, making products more complex. At the same time, firms become more specialized. Due to increased complexity and specialization, firms do not possess all the necessary technologies in-house and therefore need to collaborate with external organisations to incorporate new technology into their products. Common collaborators are suppliers who become integrated into the buying firm’s NPD project. However, finding suppliers and collaborating with suppliers in NPD can be problematic. In addition, external collaborations also impact the buying firm internally, since it often needs to coordinate its departments. The purpose of this thesis is to explore supplier involvement in NPD under technological uncertainty. Challenges in supplier selection are concerned with the issues of involving new suppliers or relying on old acquaintances, managing uncertainties, the dilemma of whether to commit to long-term relationships or to maintain flexibility, and deciding on which department that is responsible for evaluating and selecting the supplier. The present study of buyers and suppliers in NPD, shows the challenges that are involved in balancing control, reaching goal alignment, and managing transactional and relational governance. Internal challenges investigate the coordination between the R&D department and purchasing in NPD projects where suppliers are involved. The present findings may be of value for firms who engage in collaborative NPD, or for firms who aim to involve suppliers in their development of new products.

<p>Denna rapport är författad av studenterna Jimmy Hardingz och Johan Törngren, på programmet Ekonomi och ledarskap för hållbar utveckling vid Högskolan på Gotland. Rapporten är produkten av det examensarbete som genomförts som ett förbättringsarbete vid Destination Gotland AB, ett företag som bedriver färjetrafik till och från Gotland. Examensarbetet har föregåtts av en förstudie där författarna undersökte vilka förbättringsmöjligheter som finns i företaget. Från förstudien framkom att det finns förbättringspotential i hur samverkan sker med företagets största leverantör, Gotlands stuveri AB, som levererar tjänsterna lossning och lastning av fartygen. Syftet med detta förbättringsarbete har varit att överlämna ett underlag till företaget om hur de kan förbättra sin samverkan med leverantörer. I företagets samverkan med leverantörer är det fördelaktigt att kunna identifiera viktiga leverantörer för att kunna skapa långsiktiga, ömsesidiga och nära relationer med dessa. Destination Gotland bör därför klassificera sina leverantörer efter A, B och C leverantörer för att kunna identifiera vilka leverantörer som är viktiga leverantörer. A leverantörer såsom Gotlands stuveri menar författarna är leverantörer som är integrerad i den egna verksamhetens processer med vilka Destination Gotland bör bedriva gemensamma förbättringsprojekt.</p><p>För att undersöka hur samarbetet med Gotlands stuveri ser ut idag har det genomförts intervjuer med ansvariga vid de båda företagen. Destination Gotlands verksamhetssystem har studerats och medarbetarenkäter har genomförts. När författarna analyserat medarbetarenkäterna upptäcker författarna att det finns en stark vilja till att kunna samarbeta och att de både företagens anställda uppfattar varandra som trevliga och hjälpsamma. Men när siffrorna sammanställs märker författarna att det ändå finns ett utrymme för förbättringar och de slutsatser författarna drar av detta är att brister i samarbetet inte beror på någon motvilja hos de anställda eller någon större rivalitet mellan företagen, i det fall det finns rivalitet är det snarare fråga om personkemi. Författarna anser att bristerna i samarbetet beror på arbetssätten i de processer företagen samarbetar i. Som ett led i detta har författarna arbetat med processen incheckning och uppställning av fordon som är en av de processer där Destination Gotland och Gotlands stuveri har ett nära samarbete. För att angripa detta förbättringsområde har författarna använt sig av förbättringsprogrammet Sex sigma för att ge arbetet en tydlig struktur. Arbetet med att finna problemområden och lösningar har skett tillsammans med anställda hos de båda företagen, dels genom organiserade brainstormingar men också genom samtal med anställda när författarna varit ute och studerat verksamheten. Författarna har funnit att det finns möjligheter till förbättringar i processen inom områdena:</p><ul><li><strong>Förändringar på kajen:</strong> i form av skyltning och nya markeringar i asfalten. Färgkodning i de olika färjelägena för att underlätta för passagerare hitta rätt och för medarbetarna att ge tydliga instruktioner.</li><li><strong>Nya uppställningslistor:</strong> som är uppdaterade och anpassade för de förändringar på kajen som författarna föreslår. En lathund för sortering av fordon har skapats, den bidrar till att skapa en gemensambild och undvika dubbla budskap till passagerarna.</li><li><strong>Rekommendationer till arbetsbeskrivningar:</strong> med vad som förväntas för de olika befattningarna som hanterar fordon på kajen. Utse en ansvarig från Destination Gotland i bil-incheck vid samtliga avgångar. </li></ul> / <p>This report is written by the students Jimmy Hardingz and Johan Törngren at the program for Economic and Leadership for Sustainable Development at the University of Gotland. This report is the product of the degree project carried out as an improvement in Destination Gotland AB, a company operating ferries to and from Gotland. The examination paper has proceeded of a pre-study in which the authors examined the improvement opportunities available in the company. From this study it was found that there is an improvement in how the interaction takes place with the company's largest supplier, Gotlands stuveri AB, which supplies services unloading and loading of vessels. The purpose has been to submit a paper to the company about how they can improve their interaction with suppliers. The company's collaboration with suppliers is beneficial to be able to identify key suppliers in order to create long-term, mutual and close relationships with them. Destination Gotland should classify their suppliers for A, B and C suppliers to identify which suppliers are key suppliers. A suppliers such as Gotlands stuveri AB, are suppliers who are integrated into Destination Gotland AB business processes with they should conduct joint improvement projects.</p><p>To investigate how cooperation with Gotlands stuveri AB looks today, interviews has been carried out with managers at both companies, Destination Gotland AB business systems have been studied and employee surveys have been conducted at both companies. When we analyzed the employee satisfaction survey we discover that there is a strong desire to be able to cooperate and that both companies' employees perceive each other as friendly and helpful. But when the figures are compiled, we notice that there still exists a potential for improvement and the conclusions we draw from this is that non-cooperation is not due to any dislike of the employee or any great rivalry between the companies, where there is rivalry, it is rather the personal chemistry. We believe that the shortcoming in the cooperation depends on the working methods of the business processes they work together in. As part of this, the authors have worked on the process of checking in and lining-up vehicles, that is one of the processes Destination Gotland AB and Gotlands stuveri AB work closely together. To tackle this improvement area, the authors used the Six Sigma improvement program to create a clear structure. Efforts to identify problem areas and solutions have been investigated together with employees of both companies, by organized brainstorming, but also through conversations with employees when the authors have been out and studied the process. The authors have found that there are opportunities for improvements in process in the areas of:</p><ul><li><strong>Changes at the pier:</strong> in the form of signage and new markers in the asphalt. Color coding of the different positions of the ferry to help passengers find their way and for employees to give clear instructions. </li><li><strong>New layout of lists:</strong> that is updated and adapted to the changes on the pier as the authors suggest. A simple reminder how to sort vehicles was created; it will help to create a single image and to avoid mixed messages to the passengers. </li><li><strong>Recommendations to the work descriptions:</strong> with what is expected for the various positions that handle vehicles on the pier. Designate a responsible person from Destination Gotland AB in the car check in at all departures. </li></ul>

Denna rapport är författad av studenterna Jimmy Hardingz och Johan Törngren, på programmet Ekonomi och ledarskap för hållbar utveckling vid Högskolan på Gotland. Rapporten är produkten av det examensarbete som genomförts som ett förbättringsarbete vid Destination Gotland AB, ett företag som bedriver färjetrafik till och från Gotland. Examensarbetet har föregåtts av en förstudie där författarna undersökte vilka förbättringsmöjligheter som finns i företaget. Från förstudien framkom att det finns förbättringspotential i hur samverkan sker med företagets största leverantör, Gotlands stuveri AB, som levererar tjänsterna lossning och lastning av fartygen. Syftet med detta förbättringsarbete har varit att överlämna ett underlag till företaget om hur de kan förbättra sin samverkan med leverantörer. I företagets samverkan med leverantörer är det fördelaktigt att kunna identifiera viktiga leverantörer för att kunna skapa långsiktiga, ömsesidiga och nära relationer med dessa. Destination Gotland bör därför klassificera sina leverantörer efter A, B och C leverantörer för att kunna identifiera vilka leverantörer som är viktiga leverantörer. A leverantörer såsom Gotlands stuveri menar författarna är leverantörer som är integrerad i den egna verksamhetens processer med vilka Destination Gotland bör bedriva gemensamma förbättringsprojekt. För att undersöka hur samarbetet med Gotlands stuveri ser ut idag har det genomförts intervjuer med ansvariga vid de båda företagen. Destination Gotlands verksamhetssystem har studerats och medarbetarenkäter har genomförts. När författarna analyserat medarbetarenkäterna upptäcker författarna att det finns en stark vilja till att kunna samarbeta och att de både företagens anställda uppfattar varandra som trevliga och hjälpsamma. Men när siffrorna sammanställs märker författarna att det ändå finns ett utrymme för förbättringar och de slutsatser författarna drar av detta är att brister i samarbetet inte beror på någon motvilja hos de anställda eller någon större rivalitet mellan företagen, i det fall det finns rivalitet är det snarare fråga om personkemi. Författarna anser att bristerna i samarbetet beror på arbetssätten i de processer företagen samarbetar i. Som ett led i detta har författarna arbetat med processen incheckning och uppställning av fordon som är en av de processer där Destination Gotland och Gotlands stuveri har ett nära samarbete. För att angripa detta förbättringsområde har författarna använt sig av förbättringsprogrammet Sex sigma för att ge arbetet en tydlig struktur. Arbetet med att finna problemområden och lösningar har skett tillsammans med anställda hos de båda företagen, dels genom organiserade brainstormingar men också genom samtal med anställda när författarna varit ute och studerat verksamheten. Författarna har funnit att det finns möjligheter till förbättringar i processen inom områdena: Förändringar på kajen: i form av skyltning och nya markeringar i asfalten. Färgkodning i de olika färjelägena för att underlätta för passagerare hitta rätt och för medarbetarna att ge tydliga instruktioner. Nya uppställningslistor: som är uppdaterade och anpassade för de förändringar på kajen som författarna föreslår. En lathund för sortering av fordon har skapats, den bidrar till att skapa en gemensambild och undvika dubbla budskap till passagerarna. Rekommendationer till arbetsbeskrivningar: med vad som förväntas för de olika befattningarna som hanterar fordon på kajen. Utse en ansvarig från Destination Gotland i bil-incheck vid samtliga avgångar. / This report is written by the students Jimmy Hardingz and Johan Törngren at the program for Economic and Leadership for Sustainable Development at the University of Gotland. This report is the product of the degree project carried out as an improvement in Destination Gotland AB, a company operating ferries to and from Gotland. The examination paper has proceeded of a pre-study in which the authors examined the improvement opportunities available in the company. From this study it was found that there is an improvement in how the interaction takes place with the company's largest supplier, Gotlands stuveri AB, which supplies services unloading and loading of vessels. The purpose has been to submit a paper to the company about how they can improve their interaction with suppliers. The company's collaboration with suppliers is beneficial to be able to identify key suppliers in order to create long-term, mutual and close relationships with them. Destination Gotland should classify their suppliers for A, B and C suppliers to identify which suppliers are key suppliers. A suppliers such as Gotlands stuveri AB, are suppliers who are integrated into Destination Gotland AB business processes with they should conduct joint improvement projects. To investigate how cooperation with Gotlands stuveri AB looks today, interviews has been carried out with managers at both companies, Destination Gotland AB business systems have been studied and employee surveys have been conducted at both companies. When we analyzed the employee satisfaction survey we discover that there is a strong desire to be able to cooperate and that both companies' employees perceive each other as friendly and helpful. But when the figures are compiled, we notice that there still exists a potential for improvement and the conclusions we draw from this is that non-cooperation is not due to any dislike of the employee or any great rivalry between the companies, where there is rivalry, it is rather the personal chemistry. We believe that the shortcoming in the cooperation depends on the working methods of the business processes they work together in. As part of this, the authors have worked on the process of checking in and lining-up vehicles, that is one of the processes Destination Gotland AB and Gotlands stuveri AB work closely together. To tackle this improvement area, the authors used the Six Sigma improvement program to create a clear structure. Efforts to identify problem areas and solutions have been investigated together with employees of both companies, by organized brainstorming, but also through conversations with employees when the authors have been out and studied the process. The authors have found that there are opportunities for improvements in process in the areas of: Changes at the pier: in the form of signage and new markers in the asphalt. Color coding of the different positions of the ferry to help passengers find their way and for employees to give clear instructions. New layout of lists: that is updated and adapted to the changes on the pier as the authors suggest. A simple reminder how to sort vehicles was created; it will help to create a single image and to avoid mixed messages to the passengers. Recommendations to the work descriptions: with what is expected for the various positions that handle vehicles on the pier. Designate a responsible person from Destination Gotland AB in the car check in at all departures.