Organisations exist in a vast range of types and sizes. While it is generally known that start-ups suffer a high rate of infant mortality for various reasons, it is clear that there are many different successful approaches to achieving stability and worthwhile contribution. Even the fortunes of large companies are not immune to ebb and flow, and these phenomena are manifested in the effects they have, both on the communities in which they are placed, and on their trading partners. Therefore there is more to sustainable success than size or other traditional financial measures such as turnover, profit, return on investment etc. This thesis is inspired by the need to identify a way of characterising the contributions of organisations as a framework of performance measurement that is meaningful to all organisations regardless of type or size, and systematically relating that view of contributions to organisations' strategic and operational activities. Business processes are used within organisations to control productive activity and therefore are at the root of all aspects of an organisation's output. There are, however, a number of reasons for processes to be disconnected from the strategic intentions of an organisation, whereupon the processes, and the activities within them, become less efficient and effective in serving the needs of the organisation than they should be. Traditional methods of performance measurement do not adequately address this problem, so a new model for the measurement and improvement of organisational performance is required. In reviewing theories and empirical viewpoints concerning stakeholders it is found that there are several distinct topics of interest within that field. These are brought together in the form of a standardised list of stakeholder groups, which is then field tested for general applicability. A method for expressing the strategic intentions of an organisation, based on this standardised list, is then developed and is also field tested. The group structure is extended by identifying a number of factors that determine the satisfaction of stakeholders, and these are also field tested for applicability. Using the structured analysis of stakeholders by groups, and the factors that determine their satisfaction, a model is proposed (the Performance Boundary Model) that shows stakeholders and the organisation itself as distinct but connected domains. This concept is developed, by building on established theory and the findings of the field research, into a representation or model. This model provides a structured connection between strategic intentions and measured operational performance, and these are connected into the organisation through its processes. The model thus provides structured links between organisational strategy, operational processes and objective performance measures.

Services constitute three quarters of all economic activities worldwide. The growing importance of the service industry cannot be neglected and it is obvious that services can offer colossal opportunities on the way of creating and capturing economic value. The way to prosperity  for companies and economies is in their ability to rethink the existing business with the purpose to innovate. Service innovation is believed to be a source of companies’ competitiveness. Leveraging innovation of services is not an  easy task and requires a new thinking which implies the shift towards service business logic. In order to innovate services effectively, there is a need to develop new business models. A business model is a significant assistant which can help to create viable services by taking into consideration appropriate customer needs and organizational resources. However, the majority of approaches to innovation occurred from product-oriented business models. The growing tendency of services requires changing traditional approaches and developing new service-based business models. The main aim of this thesis is to study the process of transformation (innovation) of a product-oriented business model towards a service-centered one which implies stronger customer focus and to identify the main components that constitute the business model framework in the service context. The empirical data was collected from a single case study of ISS Sweden and analyzed according to the developed framework from literature findings regarding business model innovation in the service context. The most important findings reveal the fact that the business model perspective should be taken into account as more holistic approach which integrates all processes and components within the company. However, some of the components were found missing and it was not supported by the literature findings. During the transformation process the major changes were identified while looking at each component in detail and the most important components of a service business model framework were identified, specifically customer, value proposition and value delivery which comprise the  following key factors: ●   Customer is a co-creator, co-producer and a key partner ●  Employees are the main source of successful value delivery ●  Service innovation is a necessity

Technological innovations and development have caused rapid changes in the business environment. These changes have forced firms to change in the way they do business and operate. Two industries that are affected by these changes are the telecommunication industry and the information technology (IT) industry. Here, it is no longer possible for firms to operate completely individually, and many firms are pushed to engage in so called coopetition, which is cooperation with both vertical and horizontal competitors. As a consequence of the environmental changes, firms’ business models also need to change. They need to find new ways to create and deliver value that meet customer demand, and to capture a fair portion of that value from customers. We have found a connection between coopetition and business models, since value creation and value capture is central in both concepts. Previous research has however only touched the connection between coopetition and business model, and literature still lack research on this new subject. The research gap has led us to formulate the following problem definition: How can coopetition and business models be integrated, and what effect does it have on firms’ value creation, delivery, and capturing? With this problem definition the study has three purposes. Firstly, the study aims to find how coopetition and business models can be seen and understood through the lenses of each other. Secondly, how such integration can lead to that the complex nature of coopetition can be managed more appropriately. Thirdly, create an understanding for what effects coopetition and business models can have on value creation, delivery, and capturing when integrated. As the aim with this degree project is to develop a deeper understanding for this connection, we have chosen to do a qualitative study. We have conducted interviews with participants from seven different firms. In order to complement the theoretical framework we have held an expert interview with Professor Devi Gnyawali. The analysis has led us to the conclusion that coopetition and business models are connected in more ways than is admitted in the literature today. We have found that coopetition and business models are not only connected in value creation and value capture, but also in value delivery. We can also conclude that it is important to develop principles in the business model of when, why, and how to engage in different forms of coopetition to better manage it. This can have a positive influence on value creation, value delivery and value capture.

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Organisations face increasing economic pressures from local and global competitors because of changing and increasing customer demands. Demands include improved product quality, flexibility, increasing price competitiveness and attaining higher levels of customer satisfaction. Businesses must have strategic and operational plans in place to combat these pressures to remain competitive. The South African automotive component manufacturing industry is particularly susceptible to such factors. The nature of the industry further lends itself to attracting high levels of political and economic attention, as it is an important contributor to economic growth. Harsh economic conditions pose problems in supply, internal supply and distribution and force organisations to be resourceful to survive. Ninety percent of the world’s information was generated within the last two years, a figure that equates to 2.5 quintillion bytes per day. The proliferation of data sources and the fine level of granularity at which this data is collected, present organisations with new challenges to benefit from this information. Market volatility presents shorter windows of opportunity and demands an unprecedented level of agility from the organisation. Delays in decision making, which is becoming more complicated and complex, cannot be tolerated. Advances in Technology have made it possible and affordable to store vast volumes of data; data that can be manipulated and transformed by any number of technology tools. Business intelligence (BI) provides valuable information to management and decision makers by reducing the latency between business events and the ability to report and act on prior events. This treatise will investigate the business intelligence systems of an automotive component manufacturing company and propose a model to improve BI utilisation. The true name of the company that will be researched will not be disclosed for confidentiality reasons, instead it will be called My Company. Research consists of a preliminary study to identify the problems in the business intelligence system within My Company. Literature reviews of critical success factors for business intelligence systems, maturity models, and characteristics of integrated business intelligence systems, will lead to the development of a proposed integrated business intelligence systems model to improve the current situation at My Company. The major findings of this research are presented as deliverables within each chapter and contribute to the development of the integrated BI systems model for automotive component manufacturing organisations. The major findings are: a list of critical success factors of BI from literature; list identifying gaps between the literature reviewed and the problems identified from the preliminary study conducted; selection of the HP (2009) maturity model as a preferred tool to be incorporated into the proposed model; the evaluation of the proposed integrated BI systems model by means of a case study; and the updated integrated BI systems model.

As atividades econômicas e industriais têm crescido de forma significativa, o que por sua vez, traz consequências ao meio ambiente, como a emissão de gases do efeito estufa que agravam o aquecimento global e a utilização desenfreada dos recursos naturais. Nesse cenário, o debate sobre o desenvolvimento sustentável tornou-se parte do cotidiano das organizações governamentais, públicas e privadas. Consequentemente, frente medidas paliativas e insuficientes por parte das organizações, surge a necessidade de implementação de modelos de negócios sustentáveis, que possibilitariam mudanças necessárias para alcance do desenvolvimento sustentável. Tendo isso em vista, o objetivo do presente estudo consistiu em identificar quais os fatores que interferem no processo de implementação de um modelo de negócio sustentável, perpassando pelas dificuldades, mecanismos de sucesso e impactos para a competitividade. Para tal, foi realizada uma pesquisa qualitativa exploratória por meio de um levantamento de dados, sendo utilizado neste caso a estratégia survey, com questionário auto administrado. Os resultados foram divididos entre as barreiras aos modelos de negócios, os mecanismos de sucesso e os impactos do modelo de negócio sustentável para a competitividade. No seu primeiro aspecto, as conclusões trazem resultados relacionados a falta de conhecimento dos profissionais de gestão, assim como a falta de comprometimento da alta gestão, falta de infraestrutura, altos custos de implementação entre outros. No segundo aspecto apresentou resultados correlatos com as características essenciais dos líderes para a implementação de modelo de negócio sustentável, mudança da cultura organizacional por meio da institucionalização da sustentabilidade, estabelecimento de compliance, iniciativa da liderança da organização entre outras. Por fim, os impactos estão vinculados com a melhoria da imagem da organização, assim como valorização das ações no mercado de capitais e aumento da avaliação de rating. Há também impactos na estrutura de custos e fontes de receita da companhia, já que processos mais limpos implicam em custo de investimento mais alto. Tais resultados foram contrapostos com a literatura encontrada para a estruturação do presente trabalho, propondo também novos estudos futuros. / The economic and industrial activities have grown significantly, which has consequences for the environment, such as the emission of greenhouse gases that exacerbate global warming and rampant use of natural resources. In this scenario, the debate on sustainable development has become part of the everyday life in public and private governmental organizations. Consequently, facing palliative measures and insufficient by organizations, the need to implement sustainable business models rises, models that make possible critical changes to achieve sustainable development. With this in view, the aim of this study was to identify the factors that interfere in the implementation of a sustainable business model process, studying the difficulties, successful mechanisms and impacts on competitiveness. To this end, an exploratory qualitative research through a data survey was performed, being used in this case the survey strategy, with a self-administered questionnaire. The results were divided among the barriers to business models, successful mechanisms and impacts of sustainable business model for competitiveness. In its first aspect, the findings results are related to the lack of knowledge of management professionals, as well as a lack of senior management commitment, lack of infrastructure, high implementation costs, among others. In the second aspect presented, the results are related to the essential characteristics of leaders to implement sustainable business model, organizational culture change through the institutionalization of sustainability, compliance of establishment, organization\'s leadership initiative among others. Finally, the impacts are linked to improving the organization\'s image as well as appreciation of the shares in the capital and increased the rating assessment market. There are also impacts on the cost structure and sources of the company\'s revenue, since cleaner processes imply in higher cost of investment. These results were contrasted with the literature found for the structuring of this work, proposing also new future studies.

As atividades econômicas e industriais têm crescido de forma significativa, o que por sua vez, traz consequências ao meio ambiente, como a emissão de gases do efeito estufa que agravam o aquecimento global e a utilização desenfreada dos recursos naturais. Nesse cenário, o debate sobre o desenvolvimento sustentável tornou-se parte do cotidiano das organizações governamentais, públicas e privadas. Consequentemente, frente medidas paliativas e insuficientes por parte das organizações, surge a necessidade de implementação de modelos de negócios sustentáveis, que possibilitariam mudanças necessárias para alcance do desenvolvimento sustentável. Tendo isso em vista, o objetivo do presente estudo consistiu em identificar quais os fatores que interferem no processo de implementação de um modelo de negócio sustentável, perpassando pelas dificuldades, mecanismos de sucesso e impactos para a competitividade. Para tal, foi realizada uma pesquisa qualitativa exploratória por meio de um levantamento de dados, sendo utilizado neste caso a estratégia survey, com questionário auto administrado. Os resultados foram divididos entre as barreiras aos modelos de negócios, os mecanismos de sucesso e os impactos do modelo de negócio sustentável para a competitividade. No seu primeiro aspecto, as conclusões trazem resultados relacionados a falta de conhecimento dos profissionais de gestão, assim como a falta de comprometimento da alta gestão, falta de infraestrutura, altos custos de implementação entre outros. No segundo aspecto apresentou resultados correlatos com as características essenciais dos líderes para a implementação de modelo de negócio sustentável, mudança da cultura organizacional por meio da institucionalização da sustentabilidade, estabelecimento de compliance, iniciativa da liderança da organização entre outras. Por fim, os impactos estão vinculados com a melhoria da imagem da organização, assim como valorização das ações no mercado de capitais e aumento da avaliação de rating. Há também impactos na estrutura de custos e fontes de receita da companhia, já que processos mais limpos implicam em custo de investimento mais alto. Tais resultados foram contrapostos com a literatura encontrada para a estruturação do presente trabalho, propondo também novos estudos futuros. / The economic and industrial activities have grown significantly, which has consequences for the environment, such as the emission of greenhouse gases that exacerbate global warming and rampant use of natural resources. In this scenario, the debate on sustainable development has become part of the everyday life in public and private governmental organizations. Consequently, facing palliative measures and insufficient by organizations, the need to implement sustainable business models rises, models that make possible critical changes to achieve sustainable development. With this in view, the aim of this study was to identify the factors that interfere in the implementation of a sustainable business model process, studying the difficulties, successful mechanisms and impacts on competitiveness. To this end, an exploratory qualitative research through a data survey was performed, being used in this case the survey strategy, with a self-administered questionnaire. The results were divided among the barriers to business models, successful mechanisms and impacts of sustainable business model for competitiveness. In its first aspect, the findings results are related to the lack of knowledge of management professionals, as well as a lack of senior management commitment, lack of infrastructure, high implementation costs, among others. In the second aspect presented, the results are related to the essential characteristics of leaders to implement sustainable business model, organizational culture change through the institutionalization of sustainability, compliance of establishment, organization\'s leadership initiative among others. Finally, the impacts are linked to improving the organization\'s image as well as appreciation of the shares in the capital and increased the rating assessment market. There are also impacts on the cost structure and sources of the company\'s revenue, since cleaner processes imply in higher cost of investment. These results were contrasted with the literature found for the structuring of this work, proposing also new future studies.

The interest in business models has lately increased, which could be traced back to the dot-com burst during the 2000s. There exists no general definition of business models. Howev-er, researchers all agree that business models are used to illustrate the design and architec-ture of the value creation process of companies. Today’s research of business models has mainly been focused on e-commerce. This thesis contributes to the research of business models by extending the research to focus on SMEs in the biotech industry.In order to explore business models for SMEs in the biotech industry, a qualitative study with an abductive approach were conducted and the data was collected through in-depth interviews. The data was analysed and compared with existing research to find themes and patterns.All the participating companies in this study were so-called university spin-off, they were founded by a researcher or researchers still working within a university who created an idea and transformed it into a new venture.The SMEs, who involved the customers at an early stage, also seemed to be the ones most successful. By keeping the customer focus and capturing the demand, the SMEs were able to prioritise between features in the product development to please the consumers. Finally, the SMEs who were founded and still ran by a researcher seemed to lose the customers fo-cus.

The purpose of this study is to identify the role a business model plays for Venture Capitalists (VCs) when analysing a new venture proposal for funding. The primary data for this research was collected through six qualitative interviews conducted during a two month period. Furthermore, the gathered data was evaluated in accordance with the information found in current literature which describes de term "business model" as well as specific criteria for it. The findings from this research demonstrate that the perception of the role of a business model is strongly similar among the VCs whom were interviewed. They all argued that a business model plays a secondary role in the evaluation process and see it as part of the business plan. At the same time, this research could could pinpoint the fact that no specific instrument including explicit evaluation criteria is currently being implemented by the VCs in question in order to evaluate a business model. Notwithstanding this study cannot be generalized since the pool of applicants included only six Investment Manages working in Venture Capital Funds in Sweden and Mexico. At the same, even though the geographical differences exist, the evaluation process resulted quite similar amongst them. Evidence from this study has demostrated that the current ambiguity of the meaning of the term "business model" is the most frequent perceived challenge to the evaluation of these. Therefore, our interest to shed more light into the topic was encouraged.

With the growing trend of globalization, the local OEM businesses in Taiwan are facing challenges from their global counterparts. This is mainly because the globalization results in the international specialization in production. The operation model based on the large-scale production to reduce the unit cost has to change because OEM business face dropping profits year by year and the profit is far less than that from the OBM. In addition, the counterparts in China and the other Southeast Asia countries grab the OEM market share with the low labor cost advantage. To address these challenges, many OEM manufacturers establish subsidiary companies overseas to reduce the production costs. Recent years, the information asymmetry between the customers and suppliers is on the decline due to the advance in Internet and information technology. As the OEM manufacturers can obtain the market information easily, the relationship among upper, middle and lower streams in the supply chain has also changed. The OEM manufacturers in Taiwan can try to set up a new business operation model and find out an optimum Internet marketing strategy in order to expand the market. New market can be created and new customers can be acquired through the Internet marketing. This study focuses on a new operation model of the target company that sells custom sports goods to global market directly through the Internet platform, and also analyzes the strategy and outcomes of developing global market through Internet marketing. This study can provide a new way of thinking for the Taiwan OEM manufacturers about their first leap into global market.