The European Commission has for some time indicated a desire to remove the remaining restrictions on cabotage. Such liberalization is expected to result in significant changes on some domestic road transport markets. The Scandinavian markets are among these and the local hauilers fear that the lower wages of Easter European hauliers will leave them out of business. In this thesis a scenario of full cabotage liberalization is assumed. Representatives from associations with interest within the Scandinavian road transport markets has been approached with a qualitative survey on carrier selection criteria. Respondents are asked to determine the importance of the criteria, as well as the relevance to the competition between Scandinavian and Eastern European hauliers. Finally they are asked to assess whether the advantage of each criterion lies with Scandinavian or Eastern European hauliers. The qualitative orientation of the survey is achieved though justification and follow up questions. Reliability of pickups and deliveries is still regarded the most important criteria. Also competitive prices received a high rating. It is concluded that the significant price difference between Scandinavian and Eastern European hauliers will benefit Eastern European hauliers considerably in the competition for the simple “from A to B” shipments. For more complicated shipments, entailing a higher level of service, communication and supply chain integration, the local hauliers are expected to stand their ground.

Today, one third of Sweden’s total greenhouse gas emissions come from domestic transport. To reduce these emissions, the Swedish government has set emission targets. To meet these and to avoid the global impacts of climate changes, the need for new technologies and new fuels to replace fossil fuels has become evident. One of the promising solutions to this is battery-electric vehicles.  The following study has been conducted with Scania, a Swedish truck and bus manufacturer that has chosen to invest more in electricity and today offers a heavy battery-electric truck with a range of 250 km. Today, only large companies have invested in heavy electric trucks while small hauliers, who own no more than ten trucks, are not yet sufficiently motivated to participate in the shift to electrification. Since small hauliers account a large share of freight transport, it is of interest to find out what opportunities and barriers they identify with an investment in battery electric trucks in order to include them in the transition. Furthermore, it is of interest to understand which ownership model can manage the barriers and thus facilitate the adaptation for the small hauliers. Therefore, the purpose of this study was formulated as follows:  To identify what small hauliers perceive as opportunities and barriers with the adoption to BEVs and investigate how they can adapt their ownership models to manage the barriers.  To facilitate the answering of the study’s purpose, it was broken down into research questions and associated sub-questions. Literature was used to create categories for opportunities and barriers: Environmental, Economic and Other for opportunities and Range, Total Cost of Ownership (TCO), Charging and Other for barriers. To answer the research questions, empirical data was collected through structured interviews with small hauliers. The data collected was compiled and analyzed to identify opportunities and barriers. The identified barriers were then used as input together with literature to analyze the ownership models owning, leasing and sharing against the most important barriers.  The findings related to the opportunities was that the small hauliers generally did not see many opportunities apart from reduced air pollution. Improved working environment for drivers was another opportunity mentioned. An increasing number of barriers were identified during the interviews. To summarize the barriers, many were linked to the range of a BEV. The small hauliers’ perceptions are that it is a big challenge to replace refueling with charging in their daily operations. This is based on the lack of natural charging opportunities, but also because there is not enough widespread charging infrastructure in the areas where they carry out their journeys in addition to the fact that the charging itself is too time consuming for the hauliers. Several of the barriers were also linked to the new cost structure with high investment costs and unknown residual value.  The most important barriers could be found in all categories. Of the eight most important barriers, four could be managed by ownership models. It was discussed that many barriers cannot be managed using ownership models but must be addressed in other ways. Of the three ownership models examined, leasing and sharing were able to manage the most barriers, with sharing being able to manage all of them to some extent. By joining a trucking center and sharing vehicles, small hauliers gain advantages enjoyed by larger hauliers, which simplifies their ability to participate in the transformation to electricity. The results indicate that the traditional ownership model, where small hauliers own 100% of their trucks, may not be the way forward to participate in the transition to electricity. The purpose could thus be answered by finding that sharing can manage the most important barriers perceived by small hauliers.

The aim of the thesis is to analyse the German Act on the Regulation of a Minimum Wage, which affects Czech hauliers operating in Germany. First of all, macroeconomic and microeconomic issues in the field of road transport and of course the specifics of German Act (MILOG) are described. Secondly, the main effects of the law on business are analysed in case of the Czech haulier ¨Dítě Spedition s.r.o.¨ In the following, an increase in operating costs of the company according to the MILOG is calculated. Moreover, there is a prediction of potential scenarios in case of confirmation of legality of MILOG applying to the international road freight transport. In conclusion, the main arguments why the act is contrary to the basic principles of the single European market are explained.

This master thesis “The Study of Logistic Conception of Distribution Stock” deals with global operation of distribution stock in its entire levels with target to design efficient communication methods with costumer and suppliers. Based on analyses of actual situation it effort to identify general poverties and find proper methods of it’s solution. First chapter is based on theoretical part. It explains basic logistical principals as one of the elements of each organization. Second chapter introduces Arcelor Distribuce CZ Company from work place way of look. Third chapter is dedicated to risk management as a theory of identification and evaluation actual or potential risks company may treat with. Fourth chapter the largest one defines particular issues company has to deal with and issues which block company’s way of growth. Further there are introduced steps heading to solve these problems. This thesis sets a target to identify and design solutions of main problems in communication in the first place, which block company’s natural evolution.

Scania is a leading European developer and manufacturer of trucks, buses and engines, based in Södertälje in Sweden. From traditionally having been focused on offering their customer high quality products, Scania is now moving towards becoming a solution provider. This requires a combination of products and services and a deeper understanding of their customers’ business. Hauliers are one of Scania’s most important customer segments. In order to improve its solution offer, Scania wants to gain a deeper understanding about how hauliers develop. Recent studies at Scania have shown deficiencies in knowledge about haulier development. To fill this gap, this master’s thesis was initiated with the purpose of "gaining insight into haulier development and listing implications for Scania‟s business and service development". The aim of the study was to identify drivers, challenges and other important factors for growing hauliers. This result was then used to understand how Scania can contribute to its haulier customers’ growth by offering services. Seven hauliers were selected based on a number of criteria and studied closely. The results showed a gap between the services offered by Scania today and the services suggested after analyses. Particularly, it indicated that non vehicle related services could help hauliers make crucial steps in their development. Scania is advised to further deepen its understanding about haulier development. By doing this, Scania would take an important step into becoming the solution provider it aims to be.

Syfte – Studiens syfte är att öka kunskapen om hur fordonstillverkares affärsmodeller påverkas vid förändring av statliga regelverk genom att studera ett framtida införande av HCT i Sverige. HCT, High Capacity Transports, är ett samlingsnamn för lastbilar som är tyngre och/eller längre än vad gällande lagstiftning tillåter. Regelförändringen övervägs för att sänka kostnader och miljöpåverkan.  Metod – Arbetet har genomförts i form av en case-studie. För att studera påverkan på både fordonstillverkares och åkeriers affärsmodeller har intervjuer genomförts med varuägare, åkerier och förare inom fjärrtransporter av styckegods. Detta har kompletterats med löpande kontakt med uppdragsgivande fordonstillverkare samt deltagande i konferenser inom ramen för det nationella HCT-arbetet.  Resultat – Inget större modalskifte mellan järnvägs- och landsvägstransporter förväntas eftersom järnvägens infrastruktur styr transportvalet och inte påverkas av ett HCT-tillåtande. Vidare riskerar fordonstillverkare att sälja färre lastbilar vid ett tillåtande av HCT men genom anpassning av affärsmodellen kan de öka värdet per fordon. Detta värde kan ökas genom att sänka kundernas driftkostnad, maximera fordonens drifttid och föra kundens talan mot myndigheter.  Praktiskt bidrag – Studien har resulterat i ett nytt affärsmodellsramverk för fordonstillverkare vid införande av HCT. Ramverket visar att samtliga nuvarande värdeområden bör inkluderas i kommande affärsmodell och att flertalet får ökad betydelse. På grund av nya förutsättningar blir vissa av dessa områden dessutom svårare att uppnå samtidigt som nya områden kan läggas till.  Vetenskapligt bidrag – Genom att öka kunskapen om affärsmodellspåverkan vid förändring av statliga regelverk utvidgar studien befintlig teori om förändringar av affärsmodeller. Studien belyser även vikten av att studera hela leverantörskedjan vid sådana förändringar. Detta eftersom statliga regelverk styr förutsättningarna för flera aktörer med starka inbördes relationer. Därmed sprider sig effekterna av en regelverksförändring till övriga aktörer i kedjan. / Purpose – The purpose of this study is to increase the knowledge about how legislative changes affect the business model of vehicle manufactures by studying a future allowance of HCT in Sweden. HCT, High Capacity Transports, is a generic term for trucks exceeding today’s weight and/or length regulations. Reasons for implementing HCT include reducing costs and environmental consequences. Method – Effects of legislative changes have been studied through a case-study of how HCT would affect the Swedish transport system. In order to study business model implications for both vehicle manufactures and hauliers, interviews have been held with transport buyers, hauliers and drivers within long distance haulage of break bulk cargo. This has been complemented by continuous contact with the commissioning vehicle manufacturer and participation in HCT conferences. Findings – Findings indicate that there will be no major modal shift between railway and road since the railway infrastructure determines the modal choice and is unaffected by HCT. Furthermore findings show that vehicle manufactures risk to sell fewer vehicles in case of HCT allowance but a business model adaption can increase the value per vehicle. This can be achieved by reducing customer operating costs, increasing vehicle uptime and being the voice of the customer against authorities. Practical implications – The study has resulted in a HCT business model framework for vehicle manufactures. The framework shows that all present value areas should be included in a future business model and that several areas will increase in importance. In the effect of new conditions several areas will become more difficult to fulfill. Furthermore new areas will be added. Theoretical implications – This study expands current theories within business model changes by increasing knowledge about how legislative changes affect business models. Furthermore this study highlights the importance of studying the whole supply chain in the event of these changes. The reason for this is that legislations affect the conditions for several players with strong peer relationships. Thereby effects due to changed legislations will spread to other players in the chain.

An analysis of a transport operator´s job description My degree work is centred on the problems of a transport operator´s job in a forwarding agency. The introduction provides an explanation of a term of "dispatch service" and explains why logistics is so important in transport. Then there is a description of the transport development after 1990 and the changes transport had to undergo in the time of globalization. The main part of the work deals with the operator´s working procedure from an offer to a demand, an order and other actions to the final realization. A model example is given to represent an actual transporting process. The work also states conditions under which transport is executed, for example payment terms and terms of delivery. Next chapters outline the way of calculation, give a detailed description of collecting service (which is implemented within the bounds of CS Expres system) and of storing problems including the introduction of bar codes in stores and possibilities of logistic service extension. The conclusion is focused on the firm developing strategy.