Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) has recently (2005) become a sizzling topic for discussion (Lewis 2004). It is not only the subject of conversations among engineers but also the center of focus for venture capital investors and start-ups. However, behind these glamorous scenes, there are many failures in product launches, unsuccessful business operations, and worth thinking business opportunities. Is it our expectation for this revolutionary technology too high or the business strategy is fundamentally wrong? As with other emerging new technologies, adequate distribution channels are required to bring commercialized RFID products to people’s daily lives. However, as with different commercial products, dissimilar product nature and characteristics require different distribution channel strategy. / Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) has recently (2005) become a sizzling topic for discussion (Lewis 2004). It is not only the subject of conversations among engineers but also the center of focus for venture capital investors and start-ups. However, behind these glamorous scenes, there are many failures in product launches, unsuccessful business operations, and worth thinking business opportunities. Is it our expectation for this revolutionary technology too high or the business strategy is fundamentally wrong? As with other emerging new technologies, adequate distribution channels are required to bring commercialized RFID products to people’s daily lives. However, as with different commercial products, dissimilar product nature and characteristics require different distribution channel strategy.

中小企業相對國際企業缺乏資金、人才與經銷通路管理經驗，當進軍國際市場時，絕大部分依賴當地的中間商，因此，選擇合適的中間商是關鍵成功因素之一。 本研究以某台灣電腦機殼公司在北美洲為研究個案，該公司強調「以誠信為基礎的通路策略」與成為「通路掛帥」的公司為目標。本研究探討其進軍國際市場時的通路決策制定過程，其中企業目標與通路策略，對通路設計決策與通路管理有深度的影響力。 另通路結構的長度、寬度及密度是關鍵的策略意圖，足以影響未來通路運作的效率。在通路管理上，提供通路成員訓練、行銷宣傳支援、激勵方案、績效評估等來協助通路成員達成預期的目標。 此外，面對外在經營環境變化與內在營運模式的調整，個案公司採用選擇性通路，以降低通路衝突的機率並提升通路效力。公司在調整通路結構時，改變通路成員的質與量，以達到地理區域的涵蓋度與深耕特定目標市場的目的。同時並採用「與巨人共舞，以小博大」的通路策略，對於選定的少數且極其重要的通路成員採取「深耕、做大」策略。研究中發現大型經銷通路商對於「以誠信為基礎的通路策略」比較認同，且對於個案公司建立通路管理制度的要求全力配合，其通路績效更佳。 最後提出對個案公司的建議: 1.高階主管需參與執行並貫徹「以誠信為基礎的行銷通路策略」。 2.面對快速變遷的外在環境與市場競爭情境，策略的生命週期變短，公司必需隨時檢視、修正或調整國際通路策略。 3.透過企業內部教育訓練，培養高階主管與資深團隊的通路管理能力。 4.台灣總公司OEM/ODM業務與北美全球性經銷商的衝突，亟需建立溝通協調與管控機制。 / Small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), in contrast to large multinational corporations, often lack the financial resources, exposure, and expertise in product distribution channel management. When entering a foreign market, SMEs often have to rely heavily on channel partners. Consequently, selecting the appropriate channel partners is one of the key success factors in channel management. This study examined a medium-sized Taiwanese PC enclosure company as it sought to expand in the North American market. To this end, the company adopted an integrity-based channel management strategy and strived to become a channel champion. The internal decision-making processes for channel partner selection were outlined and the influences of the company objectives on its channel design were analyzed. Furthermore, considerations on the length, width, and density – three important factors to an efficient channel strategy – were introduced. Lastly, methods to support channel partners in the form of product training, marketing and promotional support, incentive programs, and an appropriate performance appraisal system were discussed. To maximize channel efficiency and reduce potential conflicts between channel partners, the company employed a tiered channel strategy. Extending the geographic coverage and penetrating key select markets was achieved by carefully selecting channel partners after weighing in the quality of their downstream distribution channels and their sales volume. Revenue growth in select markets was achieved by leveraging the strengths of a few competent channel partners. These channel partners have subsequently recognized the benefits of the integrity-based channel management strategy and are more committed to fulfilling their roles within the overall auspices of the channel distribution system. Recommendations to the company based on the research findings are the following: 1.The management should be involved and be committed to the implementation of the integrity-based channel management strategy. 2.In the face of constant changes in the business environment, channel strategy should be reviewed and revised anytime. 3.Internal training to senior management to raise their capability of channel stewardship. 4.Establish a mechanism to resolve potential conflicts between Taiwanese OEM/ODM sales team and channel partners in North America.

Healthcare is a very important and intimate service virtually all people use at least at some occasion in a lifetime. It is also highly complex and variable with heterogeneous patients requiring individualised attention in order to be effectively treated. This requires large resources in terms of labour, knowledge, skill, and time which is why in the past, improving productivity has been difficult. Information and communications technology, ICT, has been seen to have potential to improve productivity in e.g. diagnosing, devising treatment plans, communicating with patients and clinical staff, and record-keeping if applied correctly. During mainly the 1990s, the banking sector changed its distribution channel strategy to focus increasingly on Internet banking rather than local branches. If parallels are drawn between the two, such as comparing local branches to clinics, what can a rheumatology department learn? A case study was conducted at Karolinska University Hospital's Department of Rheumatology. Existing communication pathways associated with the clinic-patient communication were identified, theory and knowledge of the banking sector change was compiled and some current efforts of ICT integration in healthcare were briefly reviewed. Finally, the project sought to provide a future vision for communications in rheumatology. Examples of risks and difficulties considered were legal issues, patient safety and the current compensation for the clinics, which today represent a major limitation for strategy formulation. The study identified several key issue areas to consider when implementing ICT in healthcare and the importance of aligning ICT with workflow. Parts of the banks strategic choices are also applicable in healthcare, e.g. using a multi-channel strategy where different customer segments are targeted with different channels. Further, a unified customer management system containing input from patient as well as provider is highly recommended, together with an online portal increasing accessibility for patients. Most importantly, all distribution channels and ICT systems considered for use should be thoroughly integrated with day-to-day workflow.