Inköp utgör en strategisk funktion inom dagens företag, då inköp tillsammans med ledning och styrning av försörjningskedjor har fått en allt större inverkan på organisationers konkurrenskraft och lönsamhet. En stor del av de produktivitetsförbättringar som initierats inom olika sektorer har drivits av investeringar i informationsteknologi (IT) i syfte att förbättra informationsflödet och effektivisera försörjningskedjor. Inom byggbranschen har dock utvecklingen gått långsammare än i andra branscher. Inköpt material och tjänster inom den svenska byggindustrin står för cirka 75 procent av de totala kostnaderna hos företagen. Därmed finns det en stor potential inom byggbranschen gällande implementering och utveckling av IT-lösningar för att stödja inköpsprocessens aktiviteter. Inom byggbranschen i Sverige har processen vid inköp av anläggningstransporter och entreprenadmaskiner uppmärksammats som utmanande vad gäller digitalisering. Det beror bland annat på stora skillnader i både storlek och IT-mognad bland leverantörerna samt diskontinuiteten i projekten där inköpen av tjänsterna sker. Syftet med studien har därmed varit att undersöka hur processen vid inköp av anläggningstransporter och entreprenadmaskiner kan effektiviseras genom digitalisering av informationsflödet. Studien har utförts som en fallstudie vid Skanska Sverige AB:s centrala inköpsavdelning. Studerad inköpsprocess avser processtegen ramavtal, projektavtal, leveransplan, avrop, bekräftelse av avrop, följesedel, bekräftelse av följesedel samt fakturering. Studien innefattar identifiering och utvärdering av möjliga alternativ för digitalisering genom att studera aktuell forskning inom ämnet i kombination med undersökning av pågående praktiskt arbete rörande ett digitalt informationsflöde vid inköp. Baserat på tidigare forskning, empiri och analys har studien resulterat i ett ramverk för en integrerad inköpsprocess där varje aktivitet kopplas samman genom systemstöd, vilket ligger till grund för rekommendationerna till fallstudieföretaget och liknande företag i branschen för att uppnå en mer integrerad och effektiv inköpsprocess för anläggningstransporter och entreprenadmaskiner. Rekommendationerna sammanfattas i följande fem punkter. Skapa och strukturera processer och förankra dem i hela verksamheten Digitalisera genom att samla intern information i form av master data i affärssystem Implementera ett integrerat systemstöd för det operativa inköpet Förenkla fakturahantering i försörjningskedjan i form av självfakturering Implementera en strategisk, digital helhetslösning med bevarande av mänsklig kontakt Studien visar att det vid initiering av digitala arbetssätt och processer är viktigt att ta i beaktning att viss flexibilitet förloras, därtill är det av stor vikt att inte digitalisera enskilda frågor utan istället utgå från ett långsiktigt helhetsperspektiv. Digitalisering kan medföra en eliminering av icke-värdeskapande aktiviteter i form av dubbelarbete, pappershantering samt sena kontroller i processen. Insamling, lagring och hantering av information i digitala system möjliggör därtill förbättringsarbeten genom detaljerade analyser. Att implementera en strategisk, digital helhetslösning för informationsflödet i inköpsprocessen för anläggningstransporter och entreprenadmaskiner kommer att ta tid, men på långsikt kan initiering av master data, operativa stödsystem och självfakturering generera ett mer funktionellt och säkert informationsflöde. / Purchasing is a strategic function within today's businesses and has, together with supply chain management, had an increased impact on organizations' competitiveness and profitability. Many of the productivity improvements initiated in different sectors have been driven by investments in Information Technology (IT) aimed at improving information flow and streamlining supply chains. However, the development has been slower in the construction industry compared to other industries. Purchased materials and services in the Swedish construction industry account for about 75 percent of the total costs within the companies. Consequently, there is a great potential in the construction industry regarding the implementation and development of IT solutions to support the purchasing process. In the Swedish construction industry, the purchasing process of transports and machines for construction sites has been highlighted as challenging in terms of digitization. This is due to large differences in both size and IT maturity among suppliers, as well as the discontinuity of the projects where the purchase of the services takes place. The purpose of this study is therefore to investigate how the procurement process of transports and machines for construction sites can be streamlined through the digitization of the information flow and has been conducted as a case study at the central purchasing department at Skanska Sweden AB. In this study, the purchasing process refers to eight process steps; framework agreement, project agreement, delivery plan, suborder, confirmation of suborder, attendance note, confirmation of attendance and invoicing. The study involves identifying and evaluating possible options for digitization by studying current research in the subject in combination with ongoing practical work regarding a digital information flow in purchasing. Based on previous research, empirical and analytical studies, this study resulted in a framework for an integrated procurement process where each activity is linked through digital systems. To achieve a more integrated and efficient procurement process of transports and machines for construction sites the recommendations for the case study company, and similar companies in the industry, are as follows. Create and structure processes and spread the way of working throughout the business Digitize by collecting internal master data in business systems Implement an integrated system support for the operational purchase Simplify invoice handling in the supply chain by using self-billing invoices Implement a strategic, digital holistic solution with the preservation of human contact The study concludes that when initiating digital working methods and processes, it is important to consider that flexibility is partially lost, and it is important not to digitize individual questions, but rather from a long-term holistic perspective. Furthermore, digitization can lead to the elimination of non-value added activities in the form of duplication, analogue document handling, and controls late in the process. Collecting, storing and managing information in digital systems enables identification of potential improvements through detailed analysis. Implementing a strategic, digital overall solution for the information flow in the procurement process for transports and machines at construction sites will take time, but in the long term, initialization of master data, operational systems and self-billing can generate a more functional and secure information flow.

I USA har blödningskit innehållandes bland annat tourniqueter, utrustning för avsnörande förband, placerats ut på allmänt tillgängliga platser för att civila ska kunna agera och stoppa blödningar. Denna studie utreder hur användningen av tourniqueter kan påverka förblödningar vid en potentiell skadehändelse. Det scenario som studeras är konstruerat, och behandlar en bombexplosion som sker vid ett evenemang i en stor arena med många besökare. Tourniqueter har placerats ut på olika platser i lokalen, och syftet är att utvärdera vilken eller vilka platser som skulle kunna vara lämpligast för denna utrustning. Studien behandlar hur en skadehändelse skulle kunna se ut, vilka faktorer som spelar roll vid lokalisering av tourniqueter, antal tourniqueter som ska finnas och var de ska placeras i det studerade scenariot, samt vilken effekt de olika placeringarna har på antalet omkomna. Metoden för studien är simulering, som utförs i programvaran Arena. För att bestämma lämpliga indata till modellen görs en kvalitativ kategorisering för de parametrar som ska ingå i scenariot. I studien framkommer bland annat att det är svårt att bedöma hur många som skadas vid en händelse, varvid en riskanalys för potentiella händelser med bland annat antalet skadade bör göras för att bestämma lämpligt antal tourniqueter för en plats. Resultatet från simuleringen visar att det inte är så stor skillnad på var tourniqueterna placeras i lokalen utan att det viktigaste är att det finns tillräckligt många personer som kan använda dem. Det finns i resultatet en tendens mot att en utspridd placering av tourniqueterna i lokalen är att föredra och att eventuella hinder som exempelvis evakuerande personer kan påverka möjligheten att snabbt hitta en tourniquet. Därför bör scenarioanalyser ingå i riskanalysen, där flaskhalsar identifieras och tas i beaktning vid planeringen av var tourniqueter ska placeras.

Bicycles are one of the most efficient way to travel within short-distance trips due to its relatively low maintenance and operation costs (Gao, Liu, & Feng, 2012). Besides to their efficiency, bicycles provide more flexibility for their parking and its ease of use. With the increasing transportation demand in major cities, transportation authorities will encourage to use the bicycle more. However, accommodating bicycles would require physical road geometry modifications such as introducing dedicated bicycle-lanes. Cycling appears to be a sustainable form of transportation across virous countries in Europe, as a result the authorities are planning and implementing upgrades to make the transportation system safer, convenient and sustainable which is necessary to encourage more people to use bicycles as a form of transportation. This thesis is a case study which examines current traffic conditions on a bus stop at Långholmsgatan in the city of Stockholm, Sweden and evaluates the effects of different designs for bicycles and buses. At this bus stop in Långholmsgatan, the bicycle lane is located to the right of the traffic road and to the left of the bus stop in the upstream direction. Buses need to cross the bicycle lane in order to arrive and departure the bus stop. Consequently, a conflict will also be created between bicycles and buses that are crossing the bicycle lane. In this thesis, an alternative design is evaluated in which buses and bicycles are separated from each other. However, this will result in a new conflict between bicycles and pedestrians. These two designs are evaluated in terms of travel time and delay and the analysis was done using micro-simulation software VISSIM. The study shows that the current design at the bus stop of Långholmsgatan should be preferred over the alternative design when considering travel time and delay for bicycles. If buses should be considered, the alternative design should be preferred over the current design.

Syfte – Studiens syfte är “Studera dagens köpkanaler för att möta nya trender inom detaljhandeln.”. För att besvara denna studies syfte har tre frågeställningar formulerats:  1.       Hur är dagens köpbeteende idag? 2.       Vilka är dagens köpkanaler inom klädhandeln?  3.       Vilken typ av köpbeteende passar dagens köpkanaler?   Metod – För att besvara studiens syfte genomfördes en litteraturstudie samt intervjuer. Litteraturstudien genomfördes för att analysera och samla tidigare kända empiriska studier och forskningsöversikter vilket berör det aktuella forskningsområdet. Fem stycken intervjuer genomfördes med personer inom olika områden för att skapa en bred förståelse kring ämnet. Insamlad data har systematiskt analyserats med hjälp av tematisk analys. Teorier kring studiens tre frågeställningar har utvecklats längs studiens gång.   Resultat – Studien har identifierat tre köpbeteende: Showrooming, webrooming och köp via direkt kanal. Fyra köpkanaler har identifierats som dagens köpkanaler inom klädhandeln: Brick-and-mortar, direktkanal, e-tailer och dubbel kanal. Studien har identifierat att köpbeteendet showrooming överensstämmer med Brick-and-mortar i formatet showroom samt direktkanal eller e-tailer. Webrooming överensstämmer med direktkanal, e-tailer följt av brick-and-mortar. Köpbeteendet direktkanal, uppstår med köpkanalerna brick-and-mortar, e-tailer och direktkanal. Trenden är att detaljhandlare inom klädhandeln övergår till en sömlös samverkan mellan olika kanaler.   Implikationer – Studien identifierar relationer mellan köpbeteende och köpkanaler vilket kan öka förståelsen för olika aktörer inom klädhandeln. Trender vilket har identifierats i studien kan hjälpa aktörer inom klädhandeln att förstå trender av köpbeteende. Klädhandeln kan dra fördel av detta. Studien tillför förståelse på vilket sätt konsumenter påverkar utvecklingen av köpkanaler genom den bekräftande rollen konsumenter har vid köp. Vidare forskning inom området kan vara att göra en kvantitativt studie för att fånga trendernas styrka och därmed dess påverkan på marknaden i stort.   Begränsningar – Studien är begränsad till intervjuer vilket endast utförts med människor i Sverige. För att få en bredare förståelse och mer allmän gällande studie kan intervjuer över hela världen genomföras. Studien är begränsad till fem intervjuer, vilket kan utökas till fler intervjuer och intervjuer av människor i fler branscher med unik relation till studiens ämne. / Purpose – The purpose of the study is “Study the current buying channels to meet coming trends within retailing” Three questions have been formulated to answer the purpose of this study.  1.       What are the current buying behaviours today?  2.       What is today’s buying channels within the clothing retail market? 3.       What type of buying behaviour corresponds to today's buying channels?  Method – To answer the purpose of the study, a literature study and interviews were conducted. The literature study was conducted to analyse and gather information from previously known empirical studies, research overviews which relate to the relevant research area. Five interviews were conducted with experts with different perspective of clothing retail market, to create a broader understanding of the topic. The collected data has been systematically analysed using thematic analysis. Theories surrounding the study's three research questions have been developed along the course of the study.   Findings – The study have identified the major buying behaviours and buying channels in society given the study's delimitations. The major buying behaviours which have been identified are Showrooming, webrooming and purchases made through single channel. Identified buying channels are brick-and-mortar, direct channel, e-tailer and dual channel. Channel strategies used are Omnichannel, Multi-channel and cross-channel. Trends which may continue are the continued adaptation and integration of omnichannel and cross-channel systems among retail companies. Additional trend of importance is the continued work from retail firms with seamless interaction between multiple channels. Information retrieval will be done more online, and customers are looking for an experience when they visit a store, akin to showrooms. Omnichannel integration where the customer experiences a seamless experience between the different channels have become crucial. Clothing companies focus on the experience at the store and choose to invest in fewer stores of higher quality.   Implications – The study identifies relations within buying behaviours and buying channels which may gain create a deeper understanding within the retail market. Trends which have been identified may aid retail firms understanding for consumer different behaviour. The study contributes with an understanding how consumers effect the development of buying channels, through their confirmatory role. Further research in this area can be to conduct a quantitative study to catch the trend, the strength and therefore its impact on the overall market.   Limitations – The study is limited to interviews conducted only with people located in Sweden. To gain a broader understanding, interviews can be conducted all over the world. The study is limited to five interviews. Given the limitation, more interviews of people in additional sectors may be of interest for further research.

I Sverige rapporteras årligen 6000 fall av hjärtstopp som sker utanför sjukhus där SOS-Alarm larmats och HLR utförts. Av de drabbade lever ca 11% 30 dagar efter hjärtstoppet. I samband med ett inträffat hjärtstopp är tiden till att en hjärtstartare (AED) kan användas avgörande för den drabbades chans att överleva. För varje minut som passerar minskar chansen för överlevnad med ca 10% och i nuläget är ambulansens insatstid i snitt elva minuter. Ett alternativ för att eventuellt minska insatstiderna för leverans av AED är att använda drönare. Syftet med detta examensarbete är att utveckla en metod för att välja platser där drönarhangarer kan lokaliseras för att potentiellt kunna bidra till ökad överlevnad för de som drabbas av hjärtstopp utanför sjukhus. Genom att beräkna avstånd mellan historiska hjärtstopp och möjliga platser att lokalisera drönarhangarer på kunde tre olika optimeringsmodeller byggas och användas för att lokalisera drönare inom kontrollerat luftrum (CTR). De olika optimeringsmodellerna maximerar överlevnad, täckning samt tidsvinst och lokaliserar 50, 25, tio (10) respektive en (1) drönare. Examensarbetet resulterade i att drönarhangarerna lokaliseras i olika CTR beroende på vilket mått som avses att maximeras, förutom om endast en drönarhangar ska placeras ut. Om endast en drönare finns tillgänglig för samtliga CTR lokaliseras den i Bromma CTR oavsett vilket mått som används. För att kunna genomföra lokaliseringen har även tre antaganden gjorts. De är att drönarna måste lokaliseras på platser där de inte kan bli stulna samt kunna repareras, att de måste placeras inom CTR samt att drönarna får flyga över flygplatser och deras rullbanor. / <p>Examensarbetet är utfört vid Institutionen för teknik och naturvetenskap (ITN) vid Tekniska fakulteten, Linköpings universitet</p>

Raw material of high quality and in sufficient quantities is of great importance to manufacturing companies. However, the availability of such raw material is often uncertain. One such important raw material is cereals because the consumption of food products containing cereals is very common. The company in this case study is a manufacturing company in the food industry that purchases cereals from external suppliers. The suppliers are required to deliver cereals that meet posed quality standards and also to deliver cereals in sufficient quantities at the right time in order not to affect the product quality during the manufacturing phase and in order not to cause unnecessary production delays. However, under the current purchasing strategy, the company encounters difficulties in meeting production demand due to shortages of the supplied cereals. Therefore, it is of interest to investigate and map the reasons for such shortcoming of the current purchasing strategy. Furthermore, since suppliers are essential for the success of an organisation, the need to develop and apply a serious vendor rating strategy, particularly with respect to the ability to deliver cereals of the right quality and quantity, has arisen. The objectives of the master thesis are to investigate why the cereal supplies do not meet the production demand under the current purchasing strategies and also to achieve mitigation of the effects that cereal supply variations have on the production process. Thus, to meet these objectives, the following two research questions are examined in this master thesis: “Why do not the cereal supplies meet production demand under the current purchasing strategies?” “Which vendor rating strategies can companies use to mitigate the effects of cereal supply variations?” The master thesis is delimited to the cereals buckwheat flour, corn flour, rice flour, sorghum flour and teff flour. Furthermore, the master thesis includes the stage vendor rating and follow up in the purchasing process of cereals. A literature review, an examination of historical data, interviews, and a focus group with employees included in the purchasing process of cereal are conducted. The purchasing process of cereals at the case study company includes the stages specification, supplier selection, contract agreement, ordering, delivery expediting, arrival control, monitoring of best before date, vendor rating, and follow up. The found reasons why the cereal supplies could not meet production demand under the current purchasing strategies are: Variations in supply and demand. The production demand fluctuates and can therefore be difficult to meet depending on the available cereal supplies.  The available choice of suppliers. The case study company face difficulties in finding suppliers that can meet the requirements.  Supplier problems. The supplier problems include late deliveries, and also that received orders do not meet the specification. The flow of information. The suppliers do not inform the company about problems with orders, making it more difficult for the company to prevent supply disruptions. The accuracy of the forecasts sent to the suppliers is low, making it difficult for the suppliers to prepare sufficient quantities of cereals.  Transportation issues. The transportation companies deliver orders too late, which cause production delays.  The vendor rating strategies that companies can use to mitigate the effects of cereal supply variations are based on a three-stage model for vendor rating, including the design, implementation and use of the vendor rating system. Companies need to adjust the vendor rating system to suit their specific business. The recommendations to the case study company consist of the additional activities that the case study company should conduct in order to follow the three-stage model for vendor rating.

This thesis concerns the mathematical modeling of transportation systems for improved decision support and analysis of transportation-related problems. The main purpose of this thesis is to develop and evaluate models and methods that exploit link flows. Link flows are straightforward to obtain by measurements or estimation methods and are commonly used to describe the traffic state. The models and methods used in this thesis apply mathematical optimization techniques, computer simulations, and probabilistic methods to gain insights into the transportation network under study and provide benefits for both traffic managers and road users.  First, we present an optimization model for allocating charging stations in a transportation network to serve owners of electric vehicles. The model utilizes a probabilistic route selection process to detect locations through which vehicles may pass. It also considers the limited driving range of electric vehicles. The iterative solution procedure finds the minimal number of minimal charging stations and their locations, which provides a lower bound of charging stations to cover each of the considered routes. Second, we present a case study, in which we argue that stationary and mobile measurement devices possess complementary characteristics. In that study, we investigate how speed cameras and probe vehicles can be used in conjunction with each other for the collection of detailed traffic data. The results show that the share of successfully observed and identified vehicles can be significantly improved by using both stationary and mobile measurement devices. Third, we present a simulation model with the intent of finding the most probable underlying routes based on hourly link flows. The model utilizes Dijkstra's algorithm to find the shortest paths and uses a straightforward statistical test procedure to find the most significant routes in the network based on replicated movements of trucks. Finally, we investigate the possibility to study how the traffic flow in one location reflects the flows in the surrounding area. The statistical basis of the proposed model is built upon measured link flows to study the dispersion of aggregate traffic flows in nodes. By considering the alternative ways vehicles can travel between locations, the model is able to determine the expected link flow that originates from a node in a nearby region. The results of the thesis show that the link flows, which are basic descriptors of the road segments in a transportation network, can be used to study a broad range of problems in transportation.

Logistics outsourcing can be used as a strategy for companies that attempt to solve internal issues and/or improve their businesses enhancing their competitiveness. Such strategy is not limited only for large firms, even small companies have possibilities to implement it. This thesis addresses the decision making for outsourcing logistics activities in the context of a small e-commerce company in the fashion industry and also it intends to clarify what small e-commerce companies need to know when contemplating outsourcing opportunities. The purpose of this thesis is to provide guidance for small fashion e-commerce companies about what to consider when faced with a logistics outsourcing decision. The company ACQUO of Sweden (AoS) was referred to as the case study of this thesis. A literature review was conducted investigating previous related research to identify key factors to be considered when contemplating outsourcing and relevant theories to answer the research questions and the purpose of this thesis. The findings indicated that implementing outsourcing is not a simple quick task even for small firms, since it requires previous research, accurate analysis, evaluated decisions and well-planned establishment outsourcing process to achieve a successful outcome. In conclusion, an outsourcing decision should be taken cautiously. It should be based and justified through previous precise evaluations, potential benefits for the company and a suitable reliable TPL-partner. The findings are based on analysis and pattern matching between the literature and empiric data of this study. This study also refers eventual risks that TPL-relationships might imply and how to prevent them. Additionally, this study makes mention of disadvantages that small firms as AoS might have towards the TPL-market being a small e-commerce company that is considering acquiring TPL-services. / <p>Examensarbetet är utfört vid Institutionen för teknik och naturvetenskap (ITN) vid Tekniska fakulteten, Linköpings universitet</p>

Introduction: Improving efficiency through the supply chain has long been strived for by management. Traditional approaches focus on improving efficiency in the supply chain through optimization of a company’s internal activities, where warehouses play an important role. Companies are therefore dealing with the dilemma of how to increase efficiency in their warehouse, yet at the same time reduce operational costs. Current research focuses on strategies to increase efficiency in conventional warehouses by studying design, operations, and planning. Digitalization and lean warehousing are also emerging as important tools for warehouse efficiency. However, alternative warehouse types exist that are less researched. The research aimed therefore to investigate the challenges warehouses with stock point design face.   Methods: A qualitative and deductive case study approach was chosen. A literature review was first conducted to find the variables defining warehouse efficiency. Interviews and observations were then performed at the case company to investigate how the variables affect efficiency at the case company. Lastly, the theoretical framework was compared to the findings to find strategies to overcome the challenges.  Findings: Efficiency problems can be found in many aspects of the case company´s warehouse. Over time the warehouse has lost its structure, where a lot of reliability for warehouse procedures are placed on the employees and their knowledge about the company and all parts. Because of missing routines for reviewing parts data, changes in generations and parts being revised, are hard to keep track of which causes an effect on efficiency. It also increases the risk of deadstock.  Conclusions: In previous research, few studies could be found where researchers tackle the problems that multiple storage building causes on efficiency. By concluding that seven key variables define warehouse efficiency from previous research and applying them to a warehouse with stock point design, the challenges that an alternative warehouse face through the important variables in warehouse efficiency research could be explained.  All the variables affect efficiency, yet warehouse design has the biggest impact. Because of limited abilities with hand scanners and missing routines for reviewing parts data, operations, movement, and planning can also be concluded to have a high influence on efficiency.  To overcome the challenges, strategies for class-based storage assignment should be applied from the perspective of the storage building limitations. Right conditions for batching and good routines for warehouse procedures and reviewing parts data are also suggested as strategies.

Iceland faces problems in achieving decarbonization goals, especially regarding its transportation sector having highly car-oriented passenger transport in the capital city, Reykjavík. Therefore, there is a need to shift toward more sustainable transport modes. It is well established that private and car-centered mobility regimes impose externalities on the environment and the livability of cities. Mobility-as-a-Service (MaaS) is a recent mobility service concept that poses a promising solution to shift much of the travel demand within urban settings from private car ownership to shared mobility. This thesis aims to determine whether MaaS can function as a disincentive for private car ownership and find use in the context of Reykjavík, Iceland. Specifically, it provides an initial investigation on how influences on car ownership and use, and opinions on shared mobility services and the concept of MaaS may differ between different demographic groups. To test whether MaaS can function as a disincentive for private car ownership and use in Reykjavík, an online survey was distributed to car owners in the city. Respondents volunteered and were asked to respond to two sets of inquiries relating to perceived influences on car ownership and use, and sentiments on shared mobility and MaaS, respectively. The responses were inferentially analyzed. The results showed that in Reykjavík’s current state (i.e. public transport infrastructure and built environment), MaaS would struggle to disincentivize car ownership and be adopted city-wide. However, the younger generations are the most promising first adopters of the service. The results suggest that the city should focus on increasing urban densification and enhancing public transport. Furthermore, the results suggest that as these factors are enacted, the disincentivizing function of MaaS may become more effective. In line with this, further research should be focused on how to facilitate first adopters in their use of MaaS.