[pt] O tema principal desta tese é a operacionalização da flexibilidade de manufatura, a partir de duas abordagens: teórica e empírica. A abordagem teórica visa a discussão com base em uma extensa revisão da bibliografia, da flexibilidade de manufatura e a sua operacionalização. No tocante à operacionalização, destaca-se a existência de diversos aspectos considerados indutores, como a tecnologia de processo, métodos de gerenciamento da produção, gerenciamento de recursos humanos, tecnologia de informação, processo de desenvolvimento de produtos e os relacionamentos na cadeia de suprimentos. Dentre esses aspectos, verificou-se a necessidade de aprofundamento na questão que trata dos relacionamentos na cadeia de suprimentos, em especial os relacionamentos produtor- fornecedor. Após o desenvolvimento do referencial teórico sobre os relacionamentos na cadeia de suprimentos, no sentido de apresentar as características gerais e seus efeitos sobre a flexibilidade de manufatura, passou-se a uma análise empírica com o foco no relacionamento produtor- fornecedor. A escolha desse indutor para a condução do estudo empírico deu-se em função da emergência do papel dos fornecedores na definição das estratégias do produtor e da importância das relações entre produtor e fornecedor na criação e desenvolvimento de vantagens competitivas. Além da construção de um referencial teórico - útil para a discussão da operacionalização da flexibilidade de manufatura como fonte de vantagens competitiva e preparação para futuras pesquisas - a tese também atende à demanda por estudos empíricos tão importantes para o avanço das pesquisas sobre o tema. Nesse sentido, buscou- se responder às duas questões de pesquisa: como se caracterizam os relacionamentos produtor-fornecedor quanto aos aspectos de confiança/comprometimento, compartilhamento de informações, desenvolvimento de fornecedores e desenvolvimento conjunto de produtos nas empresas estudadas? E como se dão os impactos dos aspectos de relacionamento produtor-fornecedor sobre a flexibilidade de manufatura e o desempenho da manufatura nas empresas estudadas? O estudo envolveu quatro empresas de manufatura em uma investigação da influência de quatro aspectos de relacionamento produtor-fornecedor - confiança/comprometimento, compartilhamento de informações, desenvolvimento de fornecedores e desenvolvimento conjunto de produtos - sobre três dimensões externas de flexibilidade de manufatura - mix, novos produtos e volume. A análise estendeu-se à observação dos efeitos generalizados dessas relações sobre o desempenho da manufatura dos níveis da flexibilidade de manufatura apresentados pelas empresas estudadas. / [en] The purpose of this dissertation is to study the operationalization of manufacturing flexibility, focusing on aspects of relationships in the supply chain and their impact on manufacturing flexibility. The research involves four manufacturing companies for studying the influence of four aspects of buyer-supplier relationship - trust/commitment, information sharing, supplier development and joint product development - on three external dimensions of manufacturing flexibility - mix, new products and volume. The study also observes the generalized effects of these relationships on manufacturing performance and on the levels of manufacturing flexibility shown by the companies studied. The buyer-supplier relationships are deeply analyzed and their general characteristics and effects on the operationalization of manufacturing flexibility are presented. In addition, the analysis of scope and achievability factors indicated the presence of little explored flexible resources in the companies studied. Finding ways for operationalizing flexibility must be seen as a priority question to obtain competitive advantage in manufacturing systems. This work shows how the relationships between the buyer and supplier can influence several external dimensions of manufacturing flexibility and, consequently, manufacturing performance.

The purpose of this study is to investigate what effect COVID-19 has had on the buyer-supplier relationship (BSR) in the ready-made garment (RMG) supply chain (SC) - focusing mainly on the Bangladeshi supplier point of view, but with a complementary perspective of the buyer. As the area is new and relatively unexplored, there is a gap in previous literature and research. It has not previously been studied how COVID-19 affected the relationship between buyer and supplier in the RMG SC. This study aims to narrow this gap. In this study, a qualitative research strategy was adopted, emphasizing words rather than quantification in the data collection and analysis. An inductive approach was used, starting from collecting data, where theories and literature are proposed towards the end of the research process as a result of interviews. A narrative state of the art review of literature was conducted to provide a comprehensive and unbiased review. Semi-structured in-depth interviews with Bangladeshi supplier managers were conducted over Zoom or Teams. The empirical data were coded in first-order concepts, second-order concepts, and aggregate level through the qualitative research program Nvivo. Four main second-order concepts could be identified from the interviews with the supplier side. The codes and empirical data were then analyzed through a developed analysis model based on the Conceptual Model of Social Capital. The effects that COVID-19 has had on BSR from a Bangladeshi supplier perspective are discussed and presented.

D. Tech. (Logistics, Faculty of Management Science), Vaal University of Technology / The strategic importance of small and medium enterprises (SMEs) and their role in stimulating economic growth and competitiveness in many countries are well documented in literature. The same applies to South Africa, where the SME sector has grown tremendously to become an important contributor to social and economic development through employment creation and constant input to the gross domestic product. However, in spite of these contributions, South African SMEs face numerous challenges, which negatively impact their prospects for growth and success. Some of these challenges include the limited access to financial capital, the lack of infrastructure and the lack of skills, which play a significant role in the high mortality rate of SMEs. One of the proposed solutions to address these operational challenges is the adoption of supply chain management strategies to strengthen the operational and long-term capabilities of SMEs. Thus, the purpose of this study was to investigate the relationships between supply chain management best practices, supply chain agility, risk management and supply chain performance in South African SMEs. The study applied a quantitative approach in which a cross-sectional survey design was used to collect data to test direct and indirect relationships between different constructs (buyer-supplier collaboration, supply chain integration, total quality management, IT adoption, supply chain agility, supply chain risk management and supply chain performance). A structured survey questionnaire was developed using adapted measurement scales and administered to 407 randomly selected SME owners, managers and professional employees who had some knowledge about supply chain management. The collected quantitative data were analysed using the Statistical Packages for Social Sciences (SPSS version 24.0) and the Analysis of Moment Structures (AMOS version 24.0) statistical software. The actual data analyses techniques applied included descriptive statistics and inferential statistics using structural equation modelling. The latter included a Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA) to test the psychometric properties of measurement scales and the testing of the six hypotheses using the path analyses technique. The results of the study showed positive and significant relationships between all supply chain management practices and supply chain agility. Specifically, buyer-supplier collaboration and total quality management exerted a moderate and significant influence on supply chain agility. Moreover, IT adoption had a strong positive and significant relationship with supply chain agility iv while supply chain integration had a weak but significant relationship with the same factor. More results provided from the analysis confirmed the existence of a very strong and significant relationship between supply chain agility and supply chain risk management. In turn, supply chain risk management had a strong positive relationship with supply chain performance. The study also takes note of its contributions to highlight its merits. From a theoretical perspective, it provides an in-depth examination of some driving factors to supply chain agility, supply chain risk management and supply chain performance within SMEs. Given that a study of this nature has not been performed before amongst South African SMEs, the results are an essential addition to the existing body of literature within the area of supply chain management within SMEs in developing countries such as South Africa. From a management perspective, the study suggests that specific attention should be directed to all of the four supply chain management practices (buyer-supplier collaboration, supply chain integration, IT adoption and total quality management) considered as possible avenues to address operational challenges in SMEs.

Background: Business relationships between buyers and suppliers are of great importance to maintain a profitable and beneficial business environment. Every organization’s relationship characteristics vary and are influenced by various factors, including environmental conditions and competitors in the market. Also, Brexit is an event that brings uncertainty to these relationships. It is unknown how Brexit will affect the business environment and it is, therefore, necessary to investigate Brexit’s effect on buyer-supplier relationships. The research of Brexit could contribute with valuable insightsfor both companies and policymakers since it will demonstrate the way Brexit has influenced buyer-supplier relationships and companies' responses to the event.  Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to examine the relationships between buyers and suppliers in the EU and the British market under the effect of Brexit. The supplier-buyer relationship will be focused on EU buyers and British suppliers, which will illustrate the adaptations and changes companies in the EU are facing regarding their relationships. Further on, the relevance of this paper will be highlighted through the long-debated case of Brexit. Method: The research is a qualitative study that follows a case study frame of logic. Data has been collected through semi-structured interviews with a sample of three individuals with a purchasing background. The empirical findings were analysed through a logic of thematic analysis using the Bensaou (1999) buyer-supplier relationships portfolio model as an analysis tool. Conclusion:  The analyses have found that there is no change experienced in the current buyer-supplier relationship characteristics due to Brexit. The participants expect to have some influence on their cost in the future which then may affect their product category. Otherwise, the EU buyers have not changed their outlook on their UK suppliers because of Brexit and for the time being continue their business as usual.

In recent years, the concept of sustainability has increased of importance and customers today are more aware of the implications of not being sustainable. As of the increased awareness, customers are demanding more sustainable practices from retailers, which leads to them communicating this further down the supply chain. Therefore, the purpose of this thesis has been to examine and understand how retailers together with their suppliers in the furniture and interior retail industry co-create a more sustainable supply chain through the Corporate Social Responsibility framework, and to identify what kind of facilitators and barriers that appear in co-creation of CSR between buyers and suppliers. The empirical findings were obtained using a qualitative multiple case study of seven furniture and interior retailers originated from Sweden through semi-structured interviews. The findings were then analyzed and discussed with the presented literature to identify how they were similar or different. The conclusion of this thesis shows that buyers somewhat are engaged in co-creation with their suppliers, although there is no unified answer for how, as the level of involvement, why involved and in which function they are involved are highly different among the cases. A common theme throughout the findings indicated that the more responsible the company is, the more developed they are in their buyer-supplier relationships. Although, the co-creation level of a relationship was found to be ambiguous due to its unexplored nature of the B2B market. Furthermore, the thesis identified both some general and more specific facilitators and barriers that could be used as a guide for future co-creating activities for the implemewntation of CSR in the retail supply chain.

No description available.

The concept of industry 4.0 has long been a topic of discussion, research, and cultural impact, it has also rapidly increased effectiveness, profitability, and growth for the involved parties. At the pinnacle of industry 4.0 smart factories have emerged as a concept, describing the factories of competitive manufacturing leaders who best utilize the advanced tools of the era. The journey toward progressing conventional factories, making them smart, requires collaboration with suppliers who are well-equipped to support this transition. Therefore, this thesis aims to take on a supplier perspective through the lens of strategy to gain a deeper understanding of how suppliers should act towards original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) in the smart factory era. Specifically, investigating how suppliers can seize business opportunities in the smart factory maturity (SFM) journey of OEMs.  The study was conducted through a qualitative single case study performed with an industrial supplier towards OEMs in the motor vehicle industry (MVI). Data collection included performing semi-structured interviews with employees at the case company as well as observations such as break room discussions and visits at OEMs. Moreover, thematic analysis was carried out which resulted in three themes which deepens the understanding of the supplier’s role in the context. The discussion of the themes concludes that suppliers should: 1. Understand the state of the OEMs' smart factory journey, by identifying the OEMs SFM and what drives them forward. 2. Use the found enablers in their strategy to assist the journey, i.e. by developing strategic partnerships, expanding the software offering, establishing a smart factory vision, and changing the mindset towards solution selling. 3. Prepare for and manage the identified challenges of the smart factory era, which are factory legacy, new competency needs, cyber security, silo mindset, and change management. The research contributes to industry 4.0 maturity model literature by adding a more managerial view on the area and a supplier perspective. Furthermore, the study contributes to strategic management literature by adding onto the dynamic capabilities framework by providing a practical context on how organizations can seize business opportunities.

在近年來，產業群聚之研究逐漸風糜，Porter所著之《國家競爭優勢》開啟了產業群聚研究，並將產業群聚之概念及操作手法加以介紹，其後的許多學者承襲Porter對於產業群聚定義採用其他研究方法將產業群聚之研究發揚光大。過去臺灣對於產業群聚之研究，多停留在特定地點成功案例研究(如竹科或矽谷)或單一產業或單一地區之產業集中情形進行研究，較少以上下游關係緊密關係來做研究基礎開展，再配合產業資料進行集中之研究。 本研究則是基於產業群聚之概念，而將產業群聚分為上下游關係緊密與地理空間集中兩者，並援引Bergman 及 Feser兩位教授於1999及2000年所介紹之投入產出方法，利用主計處之《八十八年產業關聯表》中資料找出上下游關係緊密之產業群，再利用九十年工商普查產業基本資料配合上下關係緊密產業群找出其在地理空間集中之確切群聚地點。茲將研究發現整理如下： 一、臺灣地區主要有十三個上下游關聯緊密之產業群聚。 二、半導體與電子零組件產業群聚為臺灣地區為核心產業群聚。 三、北臺灣區域儼然成為臺灣地區主要產業群聚地點，臺北縣及桃園兩地成為大多數產業群聚之地點。 四、北中南區域皆各有不同之產業群聚。 (一) 北部區域為電子產業(半導體以及電子零組件)、紡織、機械、機電、印刷、汽車產業群聚之地點。 (二) 中部區域則有皮革及皮鞋、鋼鐵及機械、其他製品、自行車產業群聚。 (三) 南部區域則有石化上游、鋼鐵、鋁、機車、船舶產業群聚。

隨著資訊技術的崛起與發展，傳統的商業模式已經完全不同於以往，電子商務的興起已逐年快速蓬勃發展，這樣的新興商業模式無論是在B2B或是B2C的領域都讓企業運作變的更加有效率，並且為企業創造了更多的利潤，但除了資訊科技以外仍需其他革命性變革與創新才能造就如此欣欣向榮的環境，供應鏈管理即是極佳的例子，在供應鏈管理的運作之下的企業相互合作和共享資訊與資源，資訊科技扮演連接整個供應鏈的重要角色，並且讓供應鏈更加有效率的運作，這是B2B電子商務極致表現的一個相當好的範例，但企業之間的合作決計不僅僅只依靠資訊科技的連結而變的更有效率，企業需要的是尋找良好的廠商作為合作夥伴，本研究的目的就在於發掘出企業間建立夥伴關係中重要的因素，並嘗試將夥伴關係分級，如此一來夥伴關係管理將不只是空談，企業可以有效的評估合作的廠商並加以分級管理，夥伴關係管理的運作將為企業創造更多的價值。 在不同的產業中會有不同的夥伴關係出現，當然當中關鍵的結合力因素也將不同，在本研究中將會把目標放在處於資訊科技產業中的買與賣的關係之上，因為這個產業有著強調速度與效率的特性，而且電子商務的應用與發展也最蓬勃，本研究將採用深度的訪談分析，並讓受訪問的企業對重要的結合力因素作評比，如此一來研究者將可以分析瞭解重要的結合力並將夥伴關係做等級上的劃分，以利未來其他研究者能針對不同等級的夥伴關係做各類管理方法之研究。 關鍵字：電子商務、B2B、夥伴關係管理、結合力 / In the wake of information technology (IT), business model is taking a paradigm shift. Electronic commerce is an emerging business model that streamlines the operations of a business and results in efficiency and profitability. In addition to the increased dependency on information technology, changes in management will be needed to maximize the effects of electronic commerce. The concept of Supply Chain Management (SCM) tells management to utilize the new found capabilities of IT integration and information sharing between business partners. The concept reveals that a connection beside the tangible IT link should exist to bind a business with its suppliers and customers tightly. Businesses should have a good relationship with their business partners to increase the total revenue. In this research, we are trying to find the critical bonds between business partners. After identifying the bonds, we can use them to categorize partner relationships and differentiate the degree of integration between business partners. Keywords: EC, B2B, PRM, partner relation management, bond, buyer-supplier relationship

Made available in DSpace on 2015-03-05T18:39:03Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 29 / Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior / As operações logísticas possuem importante papel no comércio internacional. Ao mesmo tempo, as exportações têm se destacado como força motriz da política econômica brasileira. Com o aumento das exportações nos últimos anos, a busca por redução de custos, o aumento na qualidade e na satisfação das necessidades dos clientes tem recaído com grande peso sobre a área de operações. Neste sentido, o presente trabalho teve como objetivos identificar critérios competitivos e a forma de relacionamento para manutenção do serviço prestado por provedores de transporte marítimo internacional a empresas exportadoras localizadas no estado do Rio Grande do Sul. Foi realizada pesquisa do tipo survey com exportadores de dois dos setores que mais exportam no estado – Máquinas & Equipamentos e Agronegócios. Os resultados indicam que os critérios competitivos pertencentes ao construto Desempenho de Serviços: agilidade de retorno, equipe capacitada, entrega no prazo, preço, disponibilidade de espaço e equipamentos foram os que mais / Logistics operations play an important role in international business. At the same time, exports are a major driver in the Brazilian economy policies. As exportation rates have increased quickly in the last years, companies have been compelled to seek cost reduction, quality improvements and client satisfaction. Thus, this study aimed to identify competitive criteria and relationship patterns in the services continuity in the international sea transport industry. The companies analyzed are located in the state of Rio Grande do Sul. A survey was carried out in two of the major exporters industries in that state – Machinery and Agribusiness. The results showed that competitive criteria employed in Services Performance: feedback capacity, staff’s skills, on time delivery, price, ships’ space availability and equipment were found to be more important for the relationship maintenance in the international sea export industry and Brazilian exporters. Therefore, these criteria are key aspects for the relationship co