<p>In today’s society, strategy becomes more important because of the ever fast changing environment. Companies all around the world set strategies, in order to grow and earn a profit, and wish for them to be implemented the way they were intended to be. Therefore, we believe it is important to investigate individuals’ perceptions of firm strategy.</p><p>The purpose of this thesis is therefore to investigate individuals’ perception and understanding of firm strategy, and to see how these perceptions show similarities and differences. Our aim is also to see how cognitive mapping in relation to a strategic model can be helpful both for practitioners and researchers.</p><p>Collection of primary data was done by interviewing five employees on different hierarchical levels in Company X that is active in multiple different business areas both in Sweden and abroad. The interviews were later analysed with the help of theories such as cognitive structures and maps, and Whittington’s (2001) generic perspective of strategy. This model recognizes four approaches to strategizing, namely Classical, Evolutionary, Systemic and Processual. The two former ones have a Profit-maximizing outcome, while the latter two are Pluralistic in outcome.</p><p>During the analysis we found some similarities and differences. It was found that not all employees, individually or together, could be categorised under one specific approach. It is hypothesized that this could be because of the fact that they are at different levels and positions in the company, but they had similar perception on long-term planning as a firm strategy.</p><p>The interviewees in Company X have shown different perceptions when relating to strategy. We come to the conclusion that it is important for managers and strategic decision makers that they understand and take the differences and similarities under consideration when delegating and injecting new strategies into a company. We think this could then help them to enhance an understanding of their own strategic organisation.</p><p>Although case studies tend to be subjective, this is pointed out as the main limitation of the methodology. The researchers’ interpretation of the interviews lay as the foundation of the analysis and conclusion, and in order to make the study as objective as possible, clear and relevant selection of theories and literature was used to support the claims made in the thesis.</p>

should one react against the laziness of railway tracks between the passage of two trains investigates the everyday as experienced in the post-industrial landscape. Through the activities of walking and mapping, fieldwork is conducted during treks that follow the route of the railroad in the Kitchener-Waterloo region. I examine detritus as post-readymade artifacts of the industrial economy that has abandoned the area. Interventions of minimal gestures engage the inherent narratives of these discarded materials. Improvised assembled sculptures mark my route as a form of wayfinding that re-appropriates the neglected urban space of the railroad right of way. Online maps document these treks as open works of art to be completed by participants as self-guided walks. The activity of walking and assembling sculptures in these marginal landscapes is a playful strategy that resists the alienation of immaterial labour in our contemporary economic context.

The aim of this study is to compare the cognitive maps of different socio-economic status groups living in Ankara. In-group and inter-group relations of divergent socio-economic status groups are the main focus of the study. In this perspective, perceptions of urban social space are examined in order to comprehend the in-group and inter-relations. Discussions are held both at city level and neighborhood level. These discussions are based on the research that was conducted between September 2003- February 2004 in the neighborhoods of Ankara / namely, Mamak, as a lower class neighborhood, Ke&ccedil / i&ouml / ren, Batikent, Yeni Mahalle, as lower-middle class neighborhoods, Gazi Osman PaSa, Bah&ccedil / eli, &Uuml / mitk&ouml / y, Bilkent, Oran as middle class and upper-middle class neighborhoods. I studied with an accidental sample of 39 urbanites living in these neighborhoods of Ankara. In order to determine the socio-economic status of the respondents, Murat G&uuml / ven&ccedil / &rsquo / s (2001a) spatial differentiation and socio-economic status map was used as a guide. While examining the perceptions of urban social space, spatial behavior patterns and urban daily activities, this study aims to clarify definitions of &lsquo / us&rsquo / and &lsquo / other&rsquo / , which inevitably create divisions in social geography of Ankara. Tensions between different socio-economic status groups reinforce these divisions in the city space of Ankara. Especially, limited social interaction between different socio-economic status groups in urban social space has crucial role in the construction of the boundaries between various divisions.

Dada a crescente importância do relacionamento empresa-cliente e a pluralidade de modelos que discutam os elementos e resultados desse tipo de atividade, esta pesquisa buscou entender melhor a atividade de marketing de relacionamento e seus resultados por meio da análise de como os profissionais dessa área enxergam as relações entre os constructos relevantes, a fim de buscar desenvolver um modelo que expresse mais claramente como os profissionais da área entendem que os resultados de marketing de relacionamento são alcançados. O tema é tratado com base em uma revisão teórica que explora o conceito de marketing de relacionamento e seus principais elementos, o processo de modelagem, e o processo de mapeamento cognitivo. A partir da revisão teórica, foram listados onze constructos de marketing de relacionamento, que foram, então, analisados por 35 profissionais da área. Assim foram traçados 35 mapas cognitivos individuais que apontam como cada entrevistado entende as interações entre os elementos do marketing de relacionamento. Com base nas visões de cada indivíduo, foi traçado um mapa cognitivo agregado que aponta o entendimento médio dos entrevistados. A análise desse mapa permitiu identificar como, de acordo com a visão dos profissionais pesquisados, os elementos de marketing de relacionamento se influenciam mutuamente e quais elementos têm maior ou menor impacto no resultado final (aqui considerado como o custumer lifetime value - CLV). Por fim, foi feita análise de cluster para identificar a possível existência de algum tipo de agrupamento de respostas. Nenhum padrão significativo foi encontrado / Given the growing importance of activities related to the relationship between company and client, and the plurality of models to discuss the elements and results of this type of activity, better understanding the relationship marketing activity and it\'s results is important, in order to seek to develop a model that express more clearly how relationship marketing results are achieved. The theme is treated from a theoretical review based on the concept of relationship marketing and its key elements, the modeling process, and the process of cognitive mapping. Eleven contructos of relationship were listed from the theoretical review, and were then analyzed by 35 marketing professionals. Thus 35 individual maps which indicate how each respondent understands the interactions between the elements of relationship marketing have been traced. Based on the views of each individual, was plotted an aggregate map that shows the average understanding of the respondents. The analysis of this map has allowed us to identify, in accordance with the vision of

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Yes / This article explores the relationship between sustainability strategies and future energy needs, supply chains need to reduce their CO2 emissions through developing their green credentials and improving performance. Knowledge management (KM) is an enabler to support collaboration efforts. The SCM and KM areas have largely focused on improving organisational performance. While the latter has yielded successful outcomes in different sectors, there is still a scarcity of research on identifying influential factors highlighting those aspects which may enable green supply chain collaboration (GrSCC), thus leading to sustainable energy futures and carbon-efficient production. This paper examines the role of KM in facilitating GrSCC. Through the identification of key factors extrapolated from the literature, a model for implementing GrSCC using a futures-based perspective is proposed. This paper inductively demonstrates the relationship between identified GrSCC factors through fuzzy cognitive mapping technique. Findings support a futures-based perspective that enhances understanding and refines forward-looking strategies for GrSCC.

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