The subject of this thesis is creation of a business plan leading to the development of the business activities. The first part of the thesis covers the theoretical introduction into the matters, basic terms and definition of the used methods. Based on the theoretical findings and on the evaluation of the current state of the company the author of the thesis creates a concept of changes that should increase the competitiveness and improve the economical condition of the business. The conclusion is an estimation of the future development of the company.

Corporate entrepreneurship is dedicated to the continuous exploration of opportunities and leveraging innovation activities to achieve a competitive advantage, improved performance, and prosperity of companies. The problem is that the complex reality of multinational corporations is creating distinct obstacles for subsidiary managers who are attempting to develop and promote entrepreneurial activities. The purpose of this qualitative analytic autoethnographic study was to explore barriers and enablers for corporate entrepreneurship ‎practice by focusing on the individual and organizational processes, culture, and lessons learned from entrepreneurial activities that took place at the selected organization during the last decade. The interviews with 9 participants, who were involved in the activities covered by the study, served to reflect the researcher’s narrative and strengthen the reliability and trustworthiness of the results. The study results are based on the contextual data analysis and involved identified barriers in organizational, cultural, and business environments along with the specific manager’s actions and organizational processes for overcoming them. Findings showed that despite the obstacles in the subsidiary’s internal and external environments, one could achieve acknowledging the value of the subsidiary’s innovation activities and establish foundations for the practice of corporate entrepreneurship. The adaption of the study findings is expected to catalyze social change and strengthen the positive impact of entrepreneurial activities on employees’ motivation and job satisfaction, innovativeness, sustainability, and growth of companies and national economies.

Poor people benefit from microfinance and positively improve their poverty and socio-economic conditions. Microfinance support serves as development tool to redress the exclusion of the poor from the development process and outcomes in the mainstream intervention frameworks. As developing countries and poverty context are diverse and contextual, comprehensive knowledge about and empirical evidence on the impact of microfinance is scant. Specifically, the impact of microfinance services on the development of micro and small enterprises (MSEs) owned by women is scant. The findings of available studies and policy practice reports on microfinance in Ethiopia are not holistic in terms of a theoretical lens and methodological pluralism. Available studies do not consider the impact of microfinance and non-financial services on women-owned MSEs at household, individual and enterprise levels thereby reducing the poverty context and holistic empowerment at these levels. This study used multiple theoretical and conceptual frameworks: Hulme’s (2000, p. 79 - 81) microfinance impact assessment tool, debates on survivalist and growth-orientation perspectives of MSEs (Harvie, 2003, p. 27; Snodgrass & Biggs, 1996, p. 43; Hallberg, 2001, p. 19; Nichter & Goldmark, 2005, p. 67), women empowerment continuum model of interpretation (Filmon, 2009, p. 87) and policy practice at the epicenter of governance and policy decision-making (Addis Ababa, Ethiopia’s capital). The assessment considered three elements of microfinance impact assessment, generating primary evidence from 120 micro and small business owners (women entrepreneurs) whose firms stayed two years and above in the market and as clients of selected microfinance institutions. The clients considered were those who accessed at least two loan cycles and above. The respondents were randomly selected from three randomly selected microfinance institutions and a survey questionnaire was administered. The data sets were analysed using multiple tests (non-parametric statistical tests such as Pearson Correlation, Paired-Sample, Chi-Square, Wilcoxon Rank and McNemar tests) as well as parametric tests were conducted using logit econometric model. These tests were conducted to determine statistical difference of microfinance services after program intervention and the contribution of total loans taken on expenditure and businesses investment. The results indicated both developmental or survivalist firms. The result also indicated the empowerment of the women (MSEs owners). A significant number of women entrepreneurs owning MSEs improved their living house, cash savings, household income, child education, household health, household food and diet, business investment, and decision making status in their households. In terms of policy support, the study identified that there were specific affirmative interventions (as stipulated in the policy documents) to support women entrepreneurs owning MSEs in terms of targeted financial service, provision of working and selling premises, designing and implementing training and skill development programs, market networking and tax support on their products and sales. The study recommends that different institutions that work on women empowerment and women associations have to design women focused affirmative policy and strategy interventions to scale-up the positive results (growth-orientation of the MSEs) and address the bottlenecks that limit women entrepreneurs who own MSEs from accessing services that can transform the survivalist MSEs to profitable and empowering businesses for women. The recommendations are proposed to link women empowerment with working policy support. / Development Studies / D. Ph. (Development Studies)

The energy sector faces massive challenges regarding climate change. Simultaneously, the energy sector is amid a servitization process oftransitioning and creating new value-offerings to meet customer demand. As customers and institutions demand that business be conducted sustainably, organizations face a do-or-die situation regarding becoming sustainable. With the servitization trend, services constitute a large portion of the value-offerings within the energy sector. Therefore, providing sustainable services is a vital part in increasing the sustainability of the organization. This study explores and identifies factors affecting the sustainability performance of services in municipal organizations within the Swedish energy sector, and whether certain factors have a greater impact than others on the sustainability performance of a service. The study used a mixed method approach to identify sustainability factors as well as rank their importance. For the quantitative data collection, semi-structured interviews were conducted to explore different factors specific to energy services. A descriptive survey was used to investigate the impact of the newfound factors and ultimately rank them accordingly. Through the interviews, 13 overarching factors were found and divided into three sustainability dimensions: economic, environmental, and social sustainability. To assess the importance of each factor, descriptive statistics were used, providing the mean and standard deviation of the different factors. Moreover, the sustainability dimensions were assessed with the use of a one-way anova test to examine if a certain dimension is more important than another regarding sustainability performance. This concluded in no statistical significance between the sustainability dimensions. Of the identified factors, transportation, emissions, and resource-usage was perceived as most important for a service’s sustainability performance. With this knowledge, managers and business developers can create an understanding for what factors affect the sustainability performance of services. The study shows that the need for a holistic approach is needed as the organization, customers, and other stakeholders surrounding the service are vital actors affecting the sustainability of a service. / Energisektorn står inför stora utmaningar som en konsekvens av klimatförändringarna. Vid sidan av detta är energisektorn i mitten av en tjänstefieringsprocess, en process som innefattar en övergång till, och skapande av, nya värdeerbjudanden för att möta kundernas efterfrågan. I takt med att kunder och institutioner ökar sin kravställning mot hållbart företagande så ökar även pressen på företag att bli mer hållbara. I och med tjänstefieringstrenden inom energisektorn ökar andelen tjänster i företags värdeerbjudanden. Som en konsekvens av detta blir det avgörande för företag att kunna erbjuda hållbara tjänster för att både bli mer hållbara och konkurrenskraftiga. Denna studie undersöker hur hållbarhet ska bedömas för tjänster hos kommunala bolag inom den svenska energisektorn. För att genomföra detta undersöker studien vilka faktorer som är relevanta för att bedöma hållbarheten hos dessa tjänster. Utöver detta undersöker studien om vissa faktorer har en större påverkan på en tjänsts hållbarhet. För att undersöka att detta använder studien en mixmetod. Den kvalitativt undersökande delen består av semistrukturerade intervjuer för att undersöka faktorer som påverkar hållbarheten hos tjänster inom energisektorn. En deskriptiv enkät användes för att sedan undersökapåverkan av de identifierade faktorerna. Genom intervjuerna hittades 13 övergripande faktorer som delades in i tre dimensioner: ekonomisk, miljömässig, och social hållbarhet. Analysen av enkäterna skedde med hjälp av deskriptiv statistik, och genom detta erhölls medelvärde och standardavvikelse som användes för att jämföra de funna faktorerna. Vidare undersökning av de olika dimensionernas uppfattade inverkan på hållbarhetsprestanda genomfördes med hjälp av en envägsvariansanalys. Resultatet från denna analys visade på att ingen statistisk signifikans existerade gällande de olika dimensionernas uppfattade inverkan. Av de faktorer som identifierades ansågs transporter,utsläpp, och resursanvändning vara viktigast. Med denna insikt kan ledare och affärsutvecklare skapa en övergripande bild gällande vilka faktorer som påverkar hållbarheten hos en tjänst. Studien visar på att det behövs ett större perspektiv än att enbart studeraden specifika tjänsten, då organisationen, kunder, och andra intressenter påverkartjänstens hållbarhet.

Thesis ( MPAM.) -- University of Limpopo, 2021 / This study focuses on the role of the minibus taxi industry in promoting the development of small businesses at Mankweng taxi ranks. This area of study has not been thoroughly researched; therefore, existing literature on the role of the taxi industry in promoting the development of small (especially informal) businesses is limited. This lack thereof does not help in casting a clear sense of how the taxi industry benefits small businesses around their operation centres. Therefore, this study specifically investigated the role of the minibus taxi industry in promoting the development of small businesses at Mankweng Taxi Ranks. Both quantitative and qualitative research methods were employed, with the use of structured questionnaire and focus group interviews as techniques to collect data from Mankweng Taxi Ranks. The study had a target population of 300. Stratified random sampling was chosen for small businesses while random sampling was employed for taxi operators, and purposive sampling was applied for employees at Mankweng main taxi offices. This study had a sample size of 300, sampled differently with 180 participants forming part of stratified random sampling and 110 participants forming part of random sampling. Two different questionnaires were prepared for both small businesses and taxi operators. Questionnaires were randomly distributed to small businesses (30 hawkers, 15 filling stations, 69 street produce sellers, 15 car washers, 15 restaurants, and 36 caterers) and 110 taxi operators at different taxi ranks such as Mankweng, Boyne, Ga-Mothapo, Solomondale and Dikgale. Additionally, the focus group interviews were purposively conducted with 10 employees working at Boyne, as it is the main office of the Mankweng Taxi Association, and they hold more administrative information relating to the taxi business. The findings of the study show that, the taxi industry play a significant role in promoting the development of small businesses. The study further reveals that, poor business plans, inadequate working conditions, taxi violence, reckless driving, and a lack of funding affected the investigated businesses, as well as lack of exposure to new products, confronted the Mankweng Taxi Association. There seems to be a huge gap, both in research and government policy, that, seeks to promote the development of small businesses depending on the environment, and infrastructure, in which these businesses operate. Additionally, this study reveals the nature of the taxi industry and its crucial role in benefiting small businesses. All stakeholders in the taxi industry need to create an environment that, encourages the spirit of harmony, active cooperation and development dedicated to the betterment of the taxi industry.

Innovations are coming together and are changing business landscapes, markets, and societies. Data-driven technologies form new or increase expectations on products, services, and business processes. Industrial companies must reconstruct both their physical environment and mindset to adapt accordingly successfully. One of the technologies paving the way for data-driven acceleration is machine learning. Machine learning-technologies require a high degree of structured digitalization and data to be functional. The technology has the potential to extract immense value for manufacturers because of its ability to analyse large quantities of data. The author of this thesis identified a research gap regarding how industrial manufacturers need to approach and prepare for machine learning technologies. Research indicated that data quality is one of the significant issues when organisations try to approach the technology. Earlier frameworks on data quality have not yet captured the aspects of manufacturing and machine learning as one. By reviewing data quality frameworks, including machine learning or manufacturing perspectives, the thesis aims to contribute with an area-specific data quality framework in the interface of machine learning and manufacturing. To gain further insights and to complement the current research in the areas, qualitative interviews were conducted with experts on machine learning, data and industrial manufacturing. The study finds that ten different data quality dimensions are essential for industrial manufacturers interested in machine learning. The insights from the framework contribute with knowledge to the data quality research, as well as providing industrial manufacturing companies with an understanding of machine learning data requirements.

El presente trabajo consiste en una investigación documental sobre los Centros de Desarrollo Empresarial y su impacto de internacionalización en las MIPYME en el Perú bajo el marco de la Alianza del Pacifico, lo cual se realizó un análisis acerca de los modelos de CDE aplicados en diferentes países de Latinoamérica. De esta manera, la investigación documental incluye un marco teórico en el que se observa y definirán conceptos como el contexto de la Alianza del Pacifico, las herramientas de los Centros de Desarrollo Empresarial y el concepto de las estrategias de internacionalización. La metodología que se empleó para llevar a cabo la investigación fue la revisión y análisis bibliográfico de modelos de centros de desarrollo empresarial enfocado en la implementación e impacto en diferentes países de Latinoamérica. Así mismo, se realizó el análisis en dos entrevistas a expertos del tema en cuanto el potencial de las MIPYME y su desarrollo con la herramienta de los CDE. Los resultados del análisis dieron la importancia de desarrollar un modelo de CDE en el Perú con el objetivo de que las MYPES puedan ser sostenibles e internacionales. Además, dicho trabajo resalta el rol importante que tiene AP en cuanto el desarrollo de CDE y su integración entre los países de la alianza. / The present work consists of a documentary research about the Business Development Centers and their impact of internationalization in the small companies in Peru under the framework of the Pacific Alliance, which made an analysis about the models of SBDC applied in different Countries of Latin America. In this way, documentary research includes a theoretical framework in which concepts such as the context of the Pacific Alliance, the tools of the Business Development Centers and the concept of internationalization strategies are observed and defined. The methodology used to carry out the research was the review and bibliographic analysis of models of business development centers focused on the implementation and impact in different countries of Latin America. Likewise, the analysis was carried out in two interviews with experts on the subject regarding the potential of small companies and their development with the advice of SBDC. The results of the analysis gave the importance of developing a model of SBDC in Peru with the objective that small companies could be sustainable and international. In addition, this paper highlights AP's important role in the development of SBDC and their integration among alliance countries. / Tesis

Purpose: A central ambition and purpose of the the thesis is to shed light on the social capital within the cluster and how it contributes to the creation of networks, in what turned out to be intertwined relationships between micro-foundations and social structures. Methodology/approach: This research paper used qualitative research methods, more specifically 10 semi-structured interviews were conducted and one mini focus group. The thesis had an abductive approach. Findings: Consistent throughout the process of the thesis, there has been a clear connection between social capital and how this affects and contributes to the creation of networks. The micro-foundations such as trust, network, communication, collaboration, and cooperation are thus intertwined with the social structures of the cluster and its development. Thus, the findings of this paper can be of interest for creating a common understanding and providing key insights to several other clusters. Research Delimitations / limitations: Regarding Delimitations, the researchers did choose to limit the study to ICS. The Narrative review was however not been delimited, as the authors studied other cases in clustering. Regarding limitations, there was a certain level of limited access to the respondents, as the researchers tried to reach out to plenty of members, however, there was a low level of response at first. This did however not affect the outcome. Practical implications: Reviewing the literature has led to the conclusion that there is room for improvement regarding social capital in clusters and its effect on networking. Thus, this paper provides implications for clusters all over the world that struggle with the social capital. Originality: The originality of this paper is that it researched an aspect of clustering that is well under-researched in order to shed light on and provide a comprehensive understanding of the social capital and its effect on networking. Thus, the outcome of this paper provides cluster guidance as to the unique value proposition. / Syfte: Mikrofundamenten och sociala strukturer är sammanflätade, är syftet med avhandlingen att belysa det sociala kapitalet inom klustret och hur det bidrar till att skapa nätverk. Metod/tillvägagångssätt: Denna forskningsartikel använde kvalitativa forskningsmetoder, närmare bestämt genomfördes 10 semistrukturerade intervjuer och en minifokusgrupp. Avhandlingen hade ett abduktivt förhållningssätt. Resultat: Genomgående under examensarbetets gång har det funnits ett tydligt samband mellan socialt kapital och hur detta påverkar och bidrar till att skapa nätverk. Mikrogrunderna som tillit, nätverk, kommunikation, samarbete och samarbete är alltså sammanflätade med klustrets sociala strukturer och dess utveckling. Resultaten av denna artikel kan därför vara av intresse för att skapa en gemensam förståelse och ge viktiga insikter till flera andra kluster. Forskningsavgränsningar/begränsningar: När det gäller avgränsningar valde forskarna att begränsa studien till ICS. Den narrativa recensionen var dock inte avgränsad, eftersom författarna studerade andra fall i klustring. När det gäller begränsningar fanns det en viss nivå av begränsad tillgång till respondenterna, eftersom forskarna försökte nå ut till många medlemmar, dock var det låg respons till en början. Detta påverkade dock inte resultatet. Praktiska implikationer: Genomgång av litteraturen har lett till slutsatsen att det finns utrymme för förbättringar när det gäller socialt kapital i kluster och dess effekt på nätverkande. Sålunda ger detta dokument konsekvenser för kluster över hela världen som kämpar med det sociala kapitalet. Originalitet: Denna artikel syftade till att belysa en mindre forskad aspekt av klustring som ämnade delge en heltäckande förståelse för socialt kapitalet och dess effekt på nätverkande. Resultatet av detta dokument också kan funka som vägledning i linje med frågan och de de valda vinklarna.

Sustainability is becoming more of a strategic tool in many companies today and will become even more important in the future. Hemfrid is today looking at many new business areas and has realized the importance of including sustainability in its new businesses. However, the link between sustainability and business development has not been researched in a larger extent and therefore there are no good methods to use. Therefore, the aim of this report is to provide a method and tool for Hemfrid to integrate sustainability aspects into their business development processes. To fulfil this aim, an analysis of current scientific literature and models within the areas of sustainability and business development was done. Based on those models, with a foundation in the Sustainable Development Goals, a model was created. To be able to weigh different impact area against each other, an MCA was conducted. Finally, the model was assessed through external feedback and through a SWOT analysis. The model is based on 14 of the 17 SDGs with specific impact categories for all of them. A tool was created in Excel to easily assess the impact of the new business development projects. Lastly a seminar was held with Hemfrid’s management team facilitating the model. / Hållbarhet håller idag på att utvecklas från ett område som de senaste åren varit en operationellt fokuserad verksamhet till något som mer och mer närmar sig strategiarbete. Som en del av den här utvecklingen börjar många företag konstatera att integrationen av hållbarhet i deras affärsutvecklingsarbete blir en fråga som blir allt viktigare. Hemfrid har de senaste 20 åren växt fram till ett marknadsledande företag inom hushållsnära tjänster där hemstädning för privatpersoner är den dominerande tjänsten. Hemfrid har valt att fokusera på att ge sina anställda kollektivavtal och trygg anställning och fokusera på sina anställda och kunder och i dagsläget tittar man på många nya affärsutvecklingsmöjligheter för att fortsätta erbjuda sina kunder hjälp i sina hem. I och med Hemfrids fokus på hållbarhet med schyssta arbetsvillkor och miljövänliga produkter har de även insett vikten av att även på ett tidigt stadium få in hållbarhetstänk i sitt affärsutvecklingsarbete. Denna rapport syftar därför till att skapa en modell och verktyg för Hemfrid för att integrera hållbarhetsaspekter i deras affärsutvecklingsarbete. Hemfrid-modellen är framtagen med de globala hållbarhetsmålen som utgångspunkt där olika kriterier identifierades inom varje mål som Hemfrid sedan kan utvärdera sina affärsutvecklingsprojekt utifrån. En litteraturstudie är även gjord där det identifierats nio ytterligare modeller inom hållbarhet respektive affärsutveckling som på olika sätt varit användbara för att skapa kriterier och övergripande användning av Hemfrid-modellen. Varje mål är viktat utifrån Hemfrids nuvarande verksamhet och strategi för att spegla företagets hållbarhetsprioriteringar. Verktyget är framtaget i Excel, baseras på en Multikriterieanalys och ger Hemfrid ett enkelt sätt att på en 5-gradig skala, för varje mål, utvärdera om kriterierna förändras från en skala mycket sämre till mycket bättre jämfört med dagens produkter eller tjänster. Verktyget visualiserar sedan om projektet som helhet är bra eller dåligt hållbarhetsmässigt samt vilka mål man har väldigt positiv påverkan på och bör kommunicera mot sina kunder samt vilka man bör se över och förbättra. Vidare har verktyget testats på två olika affärsutvecklingsprojekt där representanter från hållbarhetsavdelningen och affärsutvecklingsenheten fått ge feedback på användning och modellen har även presenterats och diskuterats tillsammans med Hemfrids ledning för att förankra modellens användande inom bolaget. Slutligen gjordes även en SWOT-analys där modellen visade vara över lag positiv. De negativa delarna med modellen ligger i att den är en förenkling av verkligheten och inte kommer kunna ta upp alla hållbarhetsaspekter som finns samt att det i användandet av modellen finns risk att man gör subjektiva bedömningar och ger sig själv bättre poäng än vad man egentligen borde. Modellen kommer dock kraftigt förenkla integrationen av hållbarhet i affärsutvecklingsprocesserna på Hemfrid och kommer användas för att försäkra att Hemfrid fortsätter vara starka inom hållbarhet och att erbjuda sina kunder smarta lösningar.

Yes / This paper examines the feasibility of using a holistic approach to sustainability in a business context. The aim is to help organisations from a healthcare perspective increase their adaptability to volatile business environments, by aligning external and internal elements with success, based on internal validation of output. A literature review on existing sustainability theory was conducted and the results divided into versions of sustainability from an initial idea (1.0), to a situation where sustainably will become the nature of business rather than one of its objectives (4.0). In order to align business health and strengthen self-healing powers of businesses, eight pillars of relevance were identified as post conditional. The method adopted to interpret the approaches was informed by a structured process of healthcare perspectiveness healing using figurational dynamics as an analytical lens. Findings indicate that for implementation of an improvement structure based on holistic governance to be successful, acceptance of changes in economic, political and social spheres towards holistic business development need to exist. Secondly, figurational dynamics has to evolve as an overarching or inclusive system to include influences and inspiration from various specialist arenas.