abstract: In this dissertation research, I expand the definition of the supply network to include the buying firm’s competitors. Just as one buyer-supplier relationship impacts all other relationships within the network, the presence of competitor-supplier relationships must also impact the focal buying firm. Therefore, the concept of a “competitive network” made up of a focal firm, its competitors and all of their combined suppliers is introduced. Utilizing a unique longitudinal dataset, this research explores how the organic structural changes within the new, many-to-many supply network impact firm performance. The investigation begins by studying the change in number of suppliers used by global auto manufacturers between 2004 and 2013. Following the Great Recession of 2008-09, firms have been growing the number of suppliers at more than twice the rate they had been reducing suppliers just a few years prior. The second phase of research explores the structural changes to the network resulting from this explosive growth in the number of suppliers. The final investigation explores a different flow – financial flow -- and evaluates its association with firm performance. Overall, this dissertation research demonstrates the value of aggregating individual supply networks into a macro-network defined as the competitive network. From this view, no one firm is able to control the structure of the network and the change in structure directly impacts firm performance. A new metric is introduced which addresses the subtle changes in buyer-supplier relationships and relates significantly to firm performance. The analyses expand the body of knowledge through the use of longitudinal datasets and uncovers otherwise overlooked dynamics existing within supply networks over the past decade. / Dissertation/Thesis / Doctoral Dissertation Business Administration 2016

The digitalization of our world is happening at a rapid pace. In the last few years there has been an avalanche of new technologies that could benefit businesses, such as; artificial intelligence, internet of things and blockchain. To explain blockchain in short one can say that it is a ledger that cannot be changed and the information that is stored on the ledger will be there forever, with the information being stored in a decentralized manner and everyone with the right permissions get access to the same data at the same time. The information networks that build our society today are largely central, big institutions keep information stored centrally in massive data centers. On the contrary, blockchain enables distribution of the information to a myriad of smaller data storages, providing security of the data in the decentralization. Blockchain and its implementation in trade finance and international payments is something that is explored in this thesis, as well as the barriers that impede a large-scale implementation of blockchain in the financial sector in Sweden.  Every year trade finance accounts for approximately 17 trillion USD worldwide, this is a process that is still paper intense and slow. The use case for blockchain has been realized within this sector as there are operating trade finance platforms based on blockchain or distributed ledger technology, but how does blockchain really improve this sector? During this degree project this has been one of the questions asked and the answer is clear, blockchain will bring efficiency and transparency to trade finance. International payments is also an area that has been researched during this project as it is right now a costly and slow process, the use case for blockchain or distributed ledger technology has been realized in this sector as well, but the implementation seems to be further away. The main reasons why international payments are seen as a use case for blockchain is the same as the aforementioned - efficiency and transparency.  Sweden has yet to see a large-scale implementation of blockchain, some of the barriers found are the challenges of collaboration and agreeing on governance, as well as doubts about the technology from the broad mass as it has yet to be proven efficient and reliable in a large-scale, long term setting. Additionally there are already functioning payment infrastructure in use in Sweden and the cost of implementing blockchain is thus far outweighing the benefits for implementing it.

The objective of this three-essay dissertation are to develop a weighted cash conversion cycle (CCC_EVA) and empirically investigate its commensurability of corporate financial performance. Essay 1, titled "Supply Chain Finance: Developing a Weighted Cash Conversion Cycle to Proxy Operations Liquidity", presents the development and supporting empirical evidence of CCC_EVA measurability of operations liquidity. This essay shows the processes of scaling capital intensity and financing cost into time intervals captured by the traditional metric. Specifically, this essay investigates how accurately CCC_EVA indexes operations liquidity captured working capital, operational cash flow-to-modified working capital ratio, and quick ratio. The sample used in this essay consists of 4,333 firm-year observations of publicly traded industry classified firms listed on the U.S. exchange markets. The results of the empirical testing have statistically supported the essay hypotheses, that is CCC_EVA is a more accurate proxy of operations liquidity in comparison to the traditional metric (CCC_D). Essay 2, titled "Supply Chain Finance: Weighted Cash Conversion Cycle and Corporate Finance", expands the first essay findings by accounting for well-known financial measurements. Specifically, this essay examines the relations between CCC_EVA and operations liquidity and leverage, Market value, operating profitably and growth, and long-term asset management efficiency. This essay paper has used a sample of 24,127 firm-year observations of publicly traded firms listed on U.S. exchange markets from 1994 to 2016. The results support and extend the previous findings, that is CCC_EVA is a robust proxy of operations liquidity and can enhance its resiliency; maximize market value of corporate equity and debt; identify strategies to improve corporate profitability and credibility. Essay 3, titled "Supply Chain Finance: An Advanced Weighted Cash Conversion Cycle", advances the accuracy of CCC_EVA by differentiating between cash and credit forms of corporate sales and purchase transactions, and introducing operational cash flow into CCC_EVA. The advanced metric allows differences in inventory carrying cost and capital costs to be sources of the economic value added (EVA). Within a longitudinal case-based approach, the results show that the advanced metric is a potential decision tool to leverage on supply chain diversity and capitalize on its relation dynamics. Specifically, the implantation of the advanced metric can minimize the overall SC weighted average cost of capital (WACC) and its inventory carry cost (ICC); boost EVA of SC activities; and hedge liquidity risk. This three-essay dissertation has addressed the academic skepticism about CCC_D‘s commensurability by developing an advanced weighted metric (CCC_EVA) that accounts for capital intensity and financing cost. The three essays provide evidence of CCC_EVA testability and its adequacy of presenting corporate financial performance. The findings of this dissertation contribute to both industry and academia. Industry practitioners can implement CCC_EVA as a strategic decision instrument to balance SC liquidity distribution and resilience; hedge default risk of hidden deep-tier SC partners; increase overall SC profitability and creditability; boost equity value; and reveal existing opportunities of SC's EVA sources. Academically, these three essays initiate a fundamental and much-needed step for scholars to advance a systematically published metric, which can contribute to the implications, innovations, and knowledge of the SCF domain.

This dissertation examines the challenges associated with disruptions in supply chain financing and the railway transportation network. The study is divided into six chapters: In Chapter 1, we introduce the core problems under investigation. Chapter 2 investigates supply chain financing, emphasizing trade credit and bank credit—two predominant external financing mechanisms. Given the inherent uncertainties in demand, interest rates, and supplier credit ratings, this chapter introduces a stochastic programming model accounting for demand uncertainty. Subsequently, a robust optimization program is applied, whose complexity demands a specialized solution methodology. By analyzing a case study centered around a prominent U.S. retailer, the research reveals key insights into decision-making processes related to financing, the effects of bargaining power on portfolio mix and profits, and the relative importance of interest rate uncertainties over supplier credit ratings. Chapter 3 introduces a game-theoretical model designed to hedge financing risks in supply chains, with a focus on the application of insurance for both trade and bank credits. To support the design of effective supply chain finance contracts, three distinct contracts are developed, aiming to synchronize both financial and material flows within the supply chain. A significant feature of this chapter is the data-driven approach employed to address the potential bankruptcy risks that can arise from borrowing loans. Alongside this, a novel solution algorithm is introduced to solve the proposed non-convex models. A case study involving Ford Motor Company and a Chicago-based retailer enriches the research with real-world context. The findings offer several managerial insights: the strategic advantages of different insurance services vary based on the risk attitudes and profit margins of participants. For example, when a retailer operates with a lower profit margin, the use of Trade Credit Insurance (TCI) is recommended in conjunction with a risk-seeking retailer, while a risk-averse retailer might diminish the benefits of TCI. Conversely, with high profit margin retailers, the adoption of Payment Protection Insurance (PPI) is advised under all conditions. In Chapter 4, a game-theoretical model for risk mitigation within railway transportation is introduced. This model addresses random disruptions by employing strategies like repair, re-routing, third-party services, and leasing capacity from competing rail companies. Through a U.S. case study, the efficacy of these strategies is examined, with renting railcars emerging as a particularly potent approach to enhance resilience and reduce third-party expenses. The research further suggests that negotiations extending delivery dates can significantly diminish post-disruption costs. Finally, Chapter 5 summarizes the primary contributions of this research, laying the groundwork for prospective studies in this domain. / Thesis / Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

Objective: The objective is to examine if long terms of payment are created because of a perceived zero-sum game in the cash-to-cash cycles between companies. The study will also examine if dependence effects the dependent companies Cash-to-Cash-cycle because of long terms of payment. Scientific method: The study uses a qualitative and a quantitative method, where primary data is collected from semi-structured interviews. Additional primary data is collected from an unstructured interview with an expert in the field of which is examined. Additional data has been collected from the studied companies’ annual reports. Theoretical references: The primary theory has been Game theory, where the researchers have used this theory to analyze the behaviors of the companies. This theory has been reinforced by the theory Pareto efficiency to help analyze the strategy which gives the highest net-outcome. The theory Cash-to- Cash has also been a focal point in the study, which has been used in concert with Supply chain finance and Supply chain management. This has been done to be able to further analyze the behaviors of the companies and the cooperation in the “supply chain”. Result: The result shows that there seems to exist a perceived zero-sum game in the cash-to-cash cycles between companies. The consequence of this is that the companies in a dominant position use a strategy that prolongs payables outstanding and shortens accounts receivables. This in turn prolongs the cash-to- cash cycles for the dominant companies suppliers. Focus to improve the Cash-to-Cash-cycles for both companies is very small or non-existent. The authors want to emphasize that additional research is needed within this area, where other contributing factors can be effecting the company’s decisions. / Syfte: Studien syftar till att undersöka om ofördelaktiga betalningsvillkor skapas på grund av ett uppfattat nollsummespel inom Cash-to-Cash-cykler mellan företag. Studien syftar även till att undersöka om beroendeförhållanden påverkar beroende aktörers Cash-to-Cash-cykel på grund av ofördelaktiga betalningsvillkor. Metod: Studien använde en metodtriangulering, där primärdata samlades in via semistrukturerade intervjuer. Ytterligare primärdata samlades in via en ostrukturerad intervju med en expert inom området. Slutligen har data samlats in angående intervjuobjektens årsredovisning. Teoretisk referensram: Den primära teorin har varit Game theory, där forskarna använt teorin för att kunna analysera aktörernas beteenden. Denna teori har förstärkts av ytterligare teorier såsom Paretooptimalitet som hjälper att analysera utfall som ger högst möjlig nytta. Teorier angående Cash-to-Cash har även de varit centrala i arbetet som har kopplats till Supply chain management samt Supply chain finance för att ytterligare kunna analysera beteenden och data angående samarbeten i kedjor av aktörer. Resultat: Resultatet visar att det verkar finnas ett uppfattat nollsummespel inom cash-to-cash-cykeln mellan företagen. Detta leder till att aktörer med maktpositioner utgår från en strategi som innebär att förlänga betaltiderna för leverantörer, som då förlänger leverantörernas Cash-to-Cash-cykel. Fokus på att förbättra Cash-to-Cash-cyklerna mellan företagen är väldigt liten eller obefintlig. Författarna vill dock tydliggöra att ytterligare forskning kring ämnet behövs för att kunna säkerställa resultatet, då andra faktorer kan ha påverkat aktörernas beslut och beteenden.

Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) are the main drivers of economic growth and employment. African SMEs are constrained by a lack of access to finance. In line with the pecking order theory, capital-constrained SMEs are expected to seek external finance. However, due to credit rationing, African SMEs have limited success raising finance. Factoring could enable African SMEs to gain access to finance, as underwriters mainly place the risk on the receivables as opposed to the firm itself. Despite its benefits, factoring has not taken root in sub-Saharan Africa. The purpose of this phenomenological study was to explore the obstacles and prospects to stimulating awareness, availability, acceptance, and utilization of factoring in Africa. Data on the lived experiences of 22 executives providing or promoting factoring in 16 African countries were collected through semistructured interviews; these data were analyzed using the Braun and Clarke thematic approach. Four themes emerged: supply-side conditions, demand-side conditions, business environment conditions, and facilitating institutions and industries. Results suggest high factoring prospects, legal and regulatory impediments, low awareness levels, reluctance of banks to avail factoring, high entry barriers for nonbank factors, a lack of credit insurance, and a lack of an open account trade culture. A framework was recommended, based on these findings, along with actions for factoring development in Africa. Implications for positive social change include increased awareness which may boost factoring availability, acceptance, and utilization. Improved financing options may yield improved African SME competitiveness, which in turn, may result in improved job opportunities, household incomes, quality of life, and more broadly, Africa's economic growth.

[pt] A crise financeira de 2008 estimulou com que as empresas compradoras e fornecedoras, assim como os bancos, buscassem novas alternativas de financiamento para aumentar a transparência das operações, reduzindo os riscos e o custo do crédito. O foco então passou a ser a gestão integrada da cadeia de suprimentos a partir dos seus fluxos físicos, de informação e financeiros, criando uma relação de ganha-ganha para todos os elos envolvidos na cadeia. O Financiamento da Cadeia de Suprimentos (FCS) é um meio de realizar esta integração dos fluxos, gerar economias e potencializar os ganhos financeiros utilizando a própria cadeia de suprimentos como fonte de recursos. Desta forma, este trabalho foi iniciado a partir da revisão da literatura acerca do FCS, destacando a sua evolução, principais conceitos e soluções de financiamento. Em seguida foi realizado um estudo de caso com o objetivo de compreender e descrever o funcionamento e principais características do programa de FCS de uma empresa de petróleo. A partir da comparação do Ciclo de Conversão de Caixa (CCC) com outras empresas e índices referentes ao setor de petróleo, mostrou-se que o CCC da empresa estudada, em geral, situa-se acima dos demais, sendo o principal fator para este resultado o seu elevado Prazo Médio de Estocagem (PME). Pela análise de indicadores de desempenho financeiro e econômico não é possível concluir objetivamente que o programa de FCS desde a sua implementação, em 2011, até 2019 tenha contribuído para a liquidez e rentabilidade da empresa. É preciso levar em conta questões adicionais como preço do petróleo e defasagem dos preços domésticos em relação aos preços internacionais nas importações de derivados, sendo fatores que tiveram forte impacto sobre o desempenho da empresa no período. Como forma de contribuição adicional para a Gestão da Cadeia de Suprimentos (GCS), a partir da análise DuPont sobre o Retorno Sobre os Ativos Líquidos (RONA) de 2019, foi realizada análise de sensibilidade para avaliar a relação dos componentes do CCC sobre esse indicador. Este trabalho foi realizado sob a perspectiva da empresa de petróleo que é a compradora dentro do programa FCS. Portanto, a principal recomendação para trabalhos futuros é a realização de pesquisas que avaliem o impacto do programa de FCS sobre os fornecedores. / [en] The 2008 financial crisis stimulated buyers and suppliers, as well as banks, to seek new financing alternatives to increase the transparency of operations, decrease risks and the cost of credit. The integrated Supply Chain Management (SCM) based on its physical, information and financial flows became the focus, creating a win-win relationship for all links in the chain. Supply Chain Finance (SCF) is a way of integrating flows, generating savings, and enhancing financial gains using the supply chain as a source of funds. Thus, this work begins with a literature review of the SCF, highlighting its evolution, main concepts and financing solutions. Then, a case study was carried out in order to understand and define the functioning and the main characteristics of an oil company s SCF program. From the comparison of the Cash Conversion Cycle (CCC) with other companies and indexes referring to the oil sector, it was demonstrated that the CCC of the studied company is in general situation above the others, being the high Days Inventory Outstanding (DIO) the main reason for this result. By analyzing financial and economic performance indicators, it is not possible to objectively realize that the SCF program since its implementation in 2011 and until 2019 has contributed to the company s liquidity and profitability, there are issues such as oil prices and the gap between domestic and international prices on imports of oil products had a strong impact on the company s performance in the period. As a form of additional contribution to SCM, from the DuPont analysis on the Return on Net Assets (RONA) of 2019, a sensitivity analysis was carried out to analyze the relationship of CCC components on the indicator. This work was carried out from the perspective of the oil company that is the purchasing company within the FCS program, therefore, the main recommendation for future work is to conduct research that evaluates the impact of the FCS program on suppliers.

隨著科技進步，金融已突破傳統金融模式框架，各個產業都能透過新的金融模式，提供相關服務，提升產業內的財務效率。晚近發展的供應鏈金融（Supply Chain Finance, SCF）就是以銀行、放款機構針對特定核心企業及其上下游企業提供金融產品、服務的一種融資模式，讓資金可以靈活的在供應鏈中流動，讓一些規模較小的企業，不會受到資金不足的限制。供應鏈金融與傳統信貸業務最大的差別在於，透過核心企業的信用能力評估，來分擔對中小型企業訊息不對稱所產生的風險，讓中小企業獲得的充裕資金，以利供應鏈的發展。 國際間已經有類似成功的案例，例如墨西哥國家金融發展銀行（NAFIN）連結美歐大型通路業者與其國內中小企業而成的融資平台是世界銀行所推崇的案例。NAFIN直接取得美歐大型通路業者的應付帳款資訊，並利用此資訊做為向國內中小企業收購應收帳款及提供貿易融資的依據。該平台是利用歐美大型通路業者的高信用，來降低小供應商的違約風險，是一個建構在大型通路業者（核心企業）和供應商之間跨國家的供應鏈金融平台。 透過供應鏈金融為基礎，整合資金需求者、資金供應者及增值服務者三大業者。近年電子商務、互聯網、區塊鏈、大數據等技術的成熟，讓金流、物流相繼與網路平台連結，供應鏈金融因此也有新的發展。2017年3月鴻海集團旗下金融服務平台子公司「富金通」攜手中國網貸（P2P）平台「點融網」共同宣布，推出「鏈結金融」（Chained Finance）平台，率先搶進此市場，透過區塊鏈、互聯網整合而成供應鏈金融平台，初期將業務鎖定於電子製造業、汽車業和服裝業等三大產業的中小企業。由此，便可看出各界對此服務發展潛能的重視。