No business can effectively be managed without the proper management and information that reflects and creates the milieu it operates in. Business performance management creates the framework in which a structured approach can be followed in setting the scene for a predictive and controllable environment. Business intelligence creates the information structures; information relationships and a reflection of the value chain of the business. By combining the two methodologies it creates a total business solution that harmonises all aspects of value creation in an objective manner. The aim of this study is to conduct a thorough theoretical study on the relevant aspects involved in business performance management and business intelligence, and to assess the relationship of business performance management and business intelligence within the South African natural resource' mining and manufacturing sector. The various processes of business performance management and business intelligence are discussed in the literature study. During the literature research several approaches to business performance management implementations and the pros and cons of business performance management are discussed. A broad look at business intelligence is done, with key focus on delivering of information. / Thesis (MBA)--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2012.

The purpose of this research is to explore the business strategies of a firm seeking to develop and profitably market a mobile smartphone application to understand how small, digital entrepreneurships may build sustainable business models given substantial market barriers. Through a detailed examination of one firm’s process to try to commercialize their mobile app, we identify various business model decisions and marketing strategy approaches that hindered the company’s efforts. The case study describes two distinctly different business models adopted in succession, as well as the various adjustments the firm makes to its target market, distribution and pricing approach that led to their current strategy. This research looks closely at business-to-business-to-consumer distribution arrangement for mobile apps and in doing so challenges the rising positive bias that exists for the app store as the dominant actor in the mobile value chain. For practice, this paper suggests unanticipated hurdles small digital entrepreneurs may face if they rely heavily on mobile advertising and the app store to launch and sustain their business.

No business can effectively be managed without the proper management and information that reflects and creates the milieu it operates in. Business performance management creates the framework in which a structured approach can be followed in setting the scene for a predictive and controllable environment. Business intelligence creates the information structures; information relationships and a reflection of the value chain of the business. By combining the two methodologies it creates a total business solution that harmonises all aspects of value creation in an objective manner. The aim of this study is to conduct a thorough theoretical study on the relevant aspects involved in business performance management and business intelligence, and to assess the relationship of business performance management and business intelligence within the South African natural resource' mining and manufacturing sector. The various processes of business performance management and business intelligence are discussed in the literature study. During the literature research several approaches to business performance management implementations and the pros and cons of business performance management are discussed. A broad look at business intelligence is done, with key focus on delivering of information. / Thesis (MBA)--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2012.

Within this thesis we map the Value-Chains of the Swedish market for Production Music. The reason behind this is that the authors believe this sub-segment of the music industry to be relatively unexplored by business research. Thus increased knowledge should increase transparency for all market actors. We have gathered previous research regarding value chains in the music industry and compare this research to empirical findings on the Production Music Industry.  These findings are primarily gathered from three interviews with individuals in well informed positions within the industry. The three interviews are also backed up by secondary information found through industry websites and other vendors. Analysis indicates that there are two general forms of Value-Chains in the Production Music Industry that are significantly different from each other, and that these are either centered around the Swedish Performing Rights Organization STIM, or the relatively new internet based music library called Epidemic Sound. Specific forms of value delivered back and forth within these value chains consists of everything from education and coaching in production techniques, to monetary compensation and recognition. Analysis also shows that while there is a rather big difference in how the two general value chains are constructed, there seems to be less variation when it comes to how these value chains are governed.

Atualmente, as pequenas empresas produtoras de Pisco estão inseridas num ambiente organizacional e institucional favorável, em que recebem apoio tanto do governo quanto de instituições particulares. Mas essas empresas não têm capacidade de desenvolver competitivamente todas as atividades da cadeia de valor de forma isolada; portanto, precisam associar-se para obter benefícios em compras de escala, poder de barganha com os fornecedores e os distribuidores e desenvolver um marketing mais agressivo. A Associação Peru Pisco Export é a primeira associação peruana a desenvolver uma marca conjunta para, assim, beneficiar todos os seus integrantes. Portanto, o objetivo do presente trabalho é analisar a cadeia de valor dessa associação e os fatores estimuladores e inibidores da cooperação estabelecida entre seus membros. Foi desenvolvido um estudo de casos múltiplos, entrevistando-se as três produtores da associação e também funcionários dos principais organismos que participam na indústria do Pisco. Foi, assim, identificado como a participação dos produtores na associação tem permitido a eles um maior poder de barganha com os fornecedores, um distribuidor exclusivo e desenvolvimento de estratégias de marketing conjunto. Além disso, foram identificados os fatores estimuladores, sendo o principal o apoio de organismos que recebe a indústria do Pisco, e fatores inibidores da cooperação entre seus membros, sendo o principal a falta de objetivos claros na indústria do Pisco. Os resultados propiciaram projetar a cadeia de valor, tanto individual de cada membro como da associação. / Currently, small companies that produced Pisco are developing on a positive organizational and institutional environment. Theses companies receive support from the government and the particular institutions that moves into this environment. Despite of these companies doesn’t have a capacity to develop the value chain activities in an isolated form; they need to associate for getting advantage from purchasing in scale, having power of bargaining with suppliers and deliverers, and developing an aggressive marketing. The Association “Peru Pisco Export” is the first Peruvian association in developing a joint mark to benefit all its members. For that objective, this work analyzes a value supply chain of this association and the factors that enable or disable cooperation established between its members. A multiple case studies was developed with the association; three producers and employees of each entity that participated in this industry were interviewed. From this analyzes, was identified that a participation of the producers at the association makes get more power of bargaining with suppliers, get a exclusive distributor, and develop a joined marketing strategy. Moreover, was identificated the eneble factor of coopertaion, being o support that entites formais give to Pisco industry. Furthermore, the inhibitor factor of cooperation is a luck of clear targets at this industry. The results projected individual’ and association’ value chain.. / Actualmente, las pequeñas empresas productoras de Pisco están insertadas en ambientes organizacional e institucional favorable, donde reciben el apoyo tanto del gobierno, como de instituciones particulares. Sin embargo estas empresas no tienen la capacidad para desarrollar competitivamente todas las actividades de la cadena de valor de forma individual, por lo tanto, es necesario que se asocien para obtener beneficios de compras a escala, poder de negociación con los proveedores y distribuidores, y desarrollar un marketing más agresivo, y de esta forma beneficiar a todos sus integrantes. La Asociación “Perú Pisco Export” es la primera asociación en tener una marca conjunta Por lo tanto el objetivo del presente trabajo es analizar la cadena de valor de la asociación, y los factores estimuladores e inhibidores de la cooperación establecida entre sus miembros. Se desarrollo un caso estudio múltiple con la asociación, entrevistándose a tres productores miembros de la asociación, así como, a los funcionarios de los principales organismos que participan en la industria del Pisco. Se consiguió identificar como la participación de los productores en la asociación les ha permitido tener un mayor poder de negociación con los proveedores, tener un distribuidor exclusivo, desarrollar campañas de marketing conjunto. los beneficios que tienen los productores que participan de la asociación. Además fueron identificados los factores estimuladores, siendo el principal el apoyo que recibe la industria del Pisco. Fueron también identificados factores inhibidores, siendo el principal la falta de objetivos claros en la industria del Pisco. Los resultados propiciaron proyectar tanto la cadena de valor individual de cada miembro, como la cadena de la asociación.

Sustainability is a keyword in society today and industries have to contribute to reduce emissions and the use of virgin resources. Every year 90 000 ton old tires are gathered in Sweden. Today mostly used for energy recovery. End-of-life tires has been used in asphalt in the US for almost 50 years and is an effective way to utilize them. There are several possible advantages for rubberized asphalt: noise reduction, higher rutting resistance, increased durability, thinner layers etc. In Sweden, the rubberized asphalt has been tested in 25 different roads, where the Swedish Transport Administration have led the development. Commercially, the product have not yet been successful. There are several different studies for the product in Sweden, but nothing on the business side. The aim in this thesis was to develop a business model for the product on the Swedish market by finding key actors in the value chain, advantages and risks for the rubberized asphalt and studying different market segments. The study has two different research questions, Is there a need for a business model innovation for rubberized asphalt? and How can a business model be created for rubberized asphalt on the Swedish market and what will be the most important factors for establishing the business model? To answer the research questions, qualitative interviews were conducted with 15 different actors in the value chain. The result of the study presents; the value chain for the rubberized asphalt in Sweden, external forces in the industry, a business model and a proposed procurement model. The first question was evaluated and the answer was that business model innovation was needed for rubberized asphalt on the Swedish market, as well as product development and technical statements. The most important factors to penetrate the Swedish market were: spread the information of rubberized asphalt, find segments for market entry, process rubber granulate, handle the product correctly, push for changes in the procurement model and for actors in the value chain to work together. The results can serve as a tool for business model innovation and may be used for other sustainable and recycled products. The report also presents several practical contributions that can be of interest for the asphalt industry.

A globalização da economia tem induzido as empresas a se integrarem em diferentes tipos de aglomerações industriais. Estas aglomerações geralmente podem ser definidas a partir de dois aspectos principais: a sequência de relacionamentos entre empresas para distribuição dos produtos nos mercados regionais e globais, as chamadas cadeias produtivas ou globais de valor, e a concentração geográfica das empresas em um determinado território, denominada de cluster ou aglomeração industrial. Neste sentido, a globalização e a regionalização andam juntas, pois quanto mais global é o consumo de um determinado bem, maior a tendência de concentração espacial de empresas complementares para a produção deste bem. Porém a simples concentração geográfica da produção, por si, só não é suficiente para aumentar a competitividade das empresas da aglomeração. É necessário que sejam articuladas ações coletivas de direção e coordenação, de forma a aumentar a competitividade do conjunto de empresas envolvidas no esforço denominado de governança. Buscando contribuir com esta questão, o trabalho propõe o desenvolvimento de um modelo de análise de governança e uma metodologia de implantação para inserção competitiva de aglomerações industriais em cadeias globais de valor. Para atingir este objetivo, a pesquisa inicia com a caracterização das aglomerações industriais sejam elas baseadas em produtos ou baseadas no território. Na sequência são identificados vários aspectos relacionados à governança de aglomerações industriais, de forma a identificar os elementos-base para a proposição de um modelo de análise da governança. Com os elementos identificados, é proposto um modelo inicial de análise de governança. Este modelo é aplicado inicialmente em algumas aglomerações industriais maduras, já inseridas competitivamente em cadeias globais de valor. A partir desta aplicação é proposto um modelo final e uma metodologia passo a passo para a sua implementação. Finalmente, buscando testar a aplicabilidade do modelo e da metodologia desenvolvidos, o mesmo é aplicado parcialmente em uma aglomeração industrial. Por fim, a partir de um estudo de caso, são apresentadas as conclusões e recomendações relativas ao modelo, à metodologia e ao estudo de caso decorrentes do trabalho desenvolvido. / The globalization of the economy has leaded the companies to integrate themselves in different kind of agglomerations. These agglomerations can be defined by two principal aspects: The sequence of relationships between companies organized to distribute the goods on regional or global markets, called productive chain or global value chains, and the geographic concentration of firms in a specific territory, called industrial agglomeration or cluster. On this way, globalization and regionalization can run together because how global is the consumption of a specific good, bigger is the tendency to concentrate complementary companies to produce it. But the geographic production concentration itself is not enough to increase the competitiveness of the agglomerated companies. It is necessary the articulation of collective actions to get direction and coordination to the group of companies in order to increase the competitiveness that are called governance. To contribute with this question, this paper proposes the development of a model of governance analysis and a methodology to promote the competitive insertion of clusters in global value chains. To achieve this goal the research begins with the characterization of industrial agglomerations in terms of products produced or based in a specific territory. In the sequence some aspects related to the governance of industrial agglomerations are acknowledged in order to identify the baseelements that will be used to propose a governance model. With the elements identified is proposed an initial governance analysis model. This model was preliminary applied in three mature industrial clusters that are actually inserted in global value chains. After this preliminary application, it is proposed a final governance model and a step-by-step methodology for their implementation. Finally to evaluate the applicability of the developing model and his methodology, the model is partially applied in an industrial agglomeration. In the end, based on this case study, are presented conclusions and recommendations related to the model, the methodology and the case study developed in this work.

Rise of offshoring services to developing countries has led to the participation of small offshoring services providers in the global value chains. Many inter-disciplinary researches have understood whether participation in global value chains (GVCs) leads to beneficial outcomes for small suppliers. However, the institutional dynamics that may hamper or support small supplier upgrading has not received much attention. This is especially true for small offshoring services providers (OSPs) who are operating in an adverse institutional environment represented by low quality institutions, political instability, and political conflicts. Taking an offshoring service provider’s (OSP) perspective, this paper aims to understand the how Pakistani OSPs bypass/address the challenges of upgrading and move to significant positions in global value chains. Anchoring this work in the relational economic geography, global value chain, and international business, an analytical framework is developed based upon three conceptual building blocks: Upgrading challenges, strategic responses, and upgrading. The thesis adopts qualitative interview technique to collect data from seventeen Pakistani OSPs. The textual data which is interpreted using template analysis technique shows that some Pakistani OSPs demonstrate ‘resilient’ strategies to upgrade in GVCs. The differences in the resilience of OSPs are dependent upon a) level of responsiveness of OSPs to cope with all or some of the upgrading challenges, b) to adapt the changing demands of GVCs. It is understood that OSPs showing high level of responsiveness and adaptation are able to truly upgrade in global value chain by gaining legitimacy in GVCs for their ability to successfully meet GVC conventions and legitimise operation in an adverse economy.

Atualmente, as pequenas empresas produtoras de Pisco estão inseridas num ambiente organizacional e institucional favorável, em que recebem apoio tanto do governo quanto de instituições particulares. Mas essas empresas não têm capacidade de desenvolver competitivamente todas as atividades da cadeia de valor de forma isolada; portanto, precisam associar-se para obter benefícios em compras de escala, poder de barganha com os fornecedores e os distribuidores e desenvolver um marketing mais agressivo. A Associação Peru Pisco Export é a primeira associação peruana a desenvolver uma marca conjunta para, assim, beneficiar todos os seus integrantes. Portanto, o objetivo do presente trabalho é analisar a cadeia de valor dessa associação e os fatores estimuladores e inibidores da cooperação estabelecida entre seus membros. Foi desenvolvido um estudo de casos múltiplos, entrevistando-se as três produtores da associação e também funcionários dos principais organismos que participam na indústria do Pisco. Foi, assim, identificado como a participação dos produtores na associação tem permitido a eles um maior poder de barganha com os fornecedores, um distribuidor exclusivo e desenvolvimento de estratégias de marketing conjunto. Além disso, foram identificados os fatores estimuladores, sendo o principal o apoio de organismos que recebe a indústria do Pisco, e fatores inibidores da cooperação entre seus membros, sendo o principal a falta de objetivos claros na indústria do Pisco. Os resultados propiciaram projetar a cadeia de valor, tanto individual de cada membro como da associação. / Currently, small companies that produced Pisco are developing on a positive organizational and institutional environment. Theses companies receive support from the government and the particular institutions that moves into this environment. Despite of these companies doesn’t have a capacity to develop the value chain activities in an isolated form; they need to associate for getting advantage from purchasing in scale, having power of bargaining with suppliers and deliverers, and developing an aggressive marketing. The Association “Peru Pisco Export” is the first Peruvian association in developing a joint mark to benefit all its members. For that objective, this work analyzes a value supply chain of this association and the factors that enable or disable cooperation established between its members. A multiple case studies was developed with the association; three producers and employees of each entity that participated in this industry were interviewed. From this analyzes, was identified that a participation of the producers at the association makes get more power of bargaining with suppliers, get a exclusive distributor, and develop a joined marketing strategy. Moreover, was identificated the eneble factor of coopertaion, being o support that entites formais give to Pisco industry. Furthermore, the inhibitor factor of cooperation is a luck of clear targets at this industry. The results projected individual’ and association’ value chain.. / Actualmente, las pequeñas empresas productoras de Pisco están insertadas en ambientes organizacional e institucional favorable, donde reciben el apoyo tanto del gobierno, como de instituciones particulares. Sin embargo estas empresas no tienen la capacidad para desarrollar competitivamente todas las actividades de la cadena de valor de forma individual, por lo tanto, es necesario que se asocien para obtener beneficios de compras a escala, poder de negociación con los proveedores y distribuidores, y desarrollar un marketing más agresivo, y de esta forma beneficiar a todos sus integrantes. La Asociación “Perú Pisco Export” es la primera asociación en tener una marca conjunta Por lo tanto el objetivo del presente trabajo es analizar la cadena de valor de la asociación, y los factores estimuladores e inhibidores de la cooperación establecida entre sus miembros. Se desarrollo un caso estudio múltiple con la asociación, entrevistándose a tres productores miembros de la asociación, así como, a los funcionarios de los principales organismos que participan en la industria del Pisco. Se consiguió identificar como la participación de los productores en la asociación les ha permitido tener un mayor poder de negociación con los proveedores, tener un distribuidor exclusivo, desarrollar campañas de marketing conjunto. los beneficios que tienen los productores que participan de la asociación. Además fueron identificados los factores estimuladores, siendo el principal el apoyo que recibe la industria del Pisco. Fueron también identificados factores inhibidores, siendo el principal la falta de objetivos claros en la industria del Pisco. Los resultados propiciaron proyectar tanto la cadena de valor individual de cada miembro, como la cadena de la asociación.

Atualmente as organizações enfrentam grandes desafios como por exemplo a necessidade de reduzir o ciclo de vida de produtos e serviços, enfrentar exigências de qualidade superiores, menores tempo de desenvolvimento e menores custos de produção, devendo buscar a excelência produtiva mas, contraditoriamente também sendo cobradas pelo desenvolvimento de inovações e pela busca de maior agilidade. Neste cenário verifica-se o aumento na importância das startups, organizações que exploram novas oportunidades no mercado e que apresentam grande potencial para geração de inovações radicais. Apesar do aumento da sua relevância, ainda existem poucos modelos elaborados e validados, capazes de auxiliar estas organizações em seu processo inicial de estruturação de operação. Como consequência, atualmente as startups podem adotar técnicas inadequadas à sua realidade, reconhecidamente burocráticas, inflexíveis e pouco inovadoras. Buscando reduzir esta lacuna de conhecimento este estudo propõe um Framework Cíclico que visa contribuir com as startups em seu processo de geração e refinamento de conceitos e na estruturação inicial da sua operação, tendo como objetivo facilitar o atingimento do sucesso. Para o seu desenvolvimento inicialmente foi realizada ampla revisão bibliográfica, resultando numa primeira versão do Framework. Esta versão foi utilizada para a realização de dois estudos de caso que, em conjunto com a qualificação, resultou em alterações no seu layout porém manteve suas características essenciais. Uma segunda versão do Framework Cíclico foi avaliada em um painel que contou com a participação de 8 especialistas em startups, profissionais conceituados cujas observações foram analisadas utilizando de Análise Qualitativa, resultando numa mudança de etapa no Framework, incorporando o Canvas do Value Proposition Design e algumas contribuições no detalhamento das etapas. Com a terceira versão do Framework estruturada foi realizada uma survey que contou com a participação de 88 empreendedores de startups consideradas de sucesso. Para isto, de forma a estabelecer a amostra da pesquisa foram selecionadas startups com existência de mais de um ano, já aceleradas ou em processo de aceleração em aceleradoras brasileiras. Os resultados obtidos foram trabalhados com aplicação de Análise Qualitativa e Análise Fatorial e, como resultados, ocorreu a mudança de posicionamento de uma etapa, além da contribuições que destacam alguns pontos de atenção no desenvolvimento das diferentes etapas. Assim, foi obtida a versão final do Framework Cíclico, correspondendo ao objetivo proposto para este estudo, auxiliar na geração e refinamento de conceitos e estruturação da operação inicial de negócios inovadores. / Currently organizations face major challenges such as the need to reduce product and service life cycles, to obtain higher quality standards and lower production costs, aiming to obtain excellence in production but, contradictorily, aiming to develop significant innovations and to foster more agility. In this scenario it is possible to observe the growing importance of startups, emerging companies that explore new market opportunities and have big potential for the generation of radical innovations. Despite the increase of their relevance, until now there are few structured and validated models, capable of contributing with these organizations in their initial phases. As a consequence, currently startups can only adopt techniques that are inadequate to their reality since they are bureaucratic, inflexible and little innovative. Aiming to reduce this gap of knowledge, this research proposes a Cyclic Framework that aims to contribute with the startups in their process of generation and refinement of concepts and in the initial structuration of its operation, in order to facilitate the achievement of success. For the development of the first version an extensive literature review was performed. This version of the Framework was applied in two case studies that, in conjunction with the qualification, resulted in changes in the layout of the Framework but maintained its essencial characteristics. This second version of the Cyclic Framework was evaluated in a panel that counted with the participation of 8 specialists in startups, recognized professionals whose observations have been analyzed with the application of qualitative analysis. As a result a stage changed in Framework, including Canvas of Value Proposition Design and some other contributions were incorporated into the detailed steps of the Framework. Considering this third version of the Framework structured and validated, a final survey was performed and 88 entrepreneurs of startups participated. The sample for this research was selected at startups with existence of more than one year, that are already accelerated or in acceleration process at Brazilian accelerators. The obtained results were analyzed with the application of Qualitative Analysis and quantitative Factor Analysis and, as results, there was a change in the position of a step and the improvement of points of attention in the development of different steps. As a result the final version of the Cyclic Framework was developed and the main objective of this study was obtained, the development of a tool to contribute in the generation and improvement of concepts and structuring in the initial operation of innovative businesses.