The focus of this study is to explore trust between small and medium enterprises (SMEs) and large companies in interorganizational relationships (IORs) that are mandated by government policy. Due to the important contribution made by SMEs to national economies and to the fact that their growth is pivotal for entrepreneurial activities, many governments have made significant efforts to enhance their performance. However, SMEs are constrained by their lack of resources and experience. Some countries have required large companies to collaborate with SMEs to overcome these constraints. Whilst much attention has been devoted to trust in relationships of choice between SMEs and large companies, scant attention has been paid to the state of trust in mandated business interactions. This study explores the state of trust between large companies and SMEs companies in mandated business interactions, identifying those factors that influence trust between them. Qualitative semi-structured interviews with 25 key managers from large companies and SMEs were conducted in Oman which has a policy of mandated IORs. The interview data were analyzed thematically. The key findings resulted in a new contextual concept of trust, a refinement of classical trust indicators by which the presence of trust in IORs can be more appropriately detected and the development of a model embracing factors which were found to influence trust. Several new factors not previously commented on in the literature were identified in this study. The findings provide theoretical and practical contributions with recommendations for policy, practice and further research. / Ministry of Manpower, Oman.

Management tools and solutions are largely conceptualised through well-defined and well-understood problems. However, management often encounter problems that are neither well defined nor straightforward. These problems are labelled wicked problems and require a different management approach to solve. Many of these wicked problems fall within the public service delivery sector, of which the criminal justice system is part. The current study argues that crime in South Africa is a wicked problem because it portrays characteristics such as persistence and pervasiveness and does not have obvious causal relationships. Despite collaboration across several organisations and substantial resource investment, crime remains ‘untamed’ in South Africa. This study responded to calls in the literature for further research into collaborations that are mandated and directed. Given that wicked problems are unique and require unique solutions, this research proposed a framework that applies to South Africa and its historical context and is applicable in the governance context under which crime is addressed. This presented a compelling reason to undertake the current research and use the Justice, Crime Prevention and Security Cluster as a case to study intragovernmental collaboration. The objective of the research is threefold: first, to gain an in-depth explanation of intragovernmental collaboration within the Justice, Crime Prevention and Security Cluster from people who take part in the collaboration; second, to identify the dimensions of the collaboration and the interrelationships between them; and third, to develop a strategic framework for intragovernmental collaborations. Interactive Qualitative Analysis was used as a research method with ten Senior Managers participating in a focus group and semi-structured interviews and five Top Managers participating in semi-structured interviews. In-depth descriptions of the Justice, Crime Prevention and Security collaboration were captured through Interactive Qualitative Analysis in line with the qualitative research approach and eight key dimensions of the collaboration were identified. The research proposed a Strategic Framework for Intragovernmental Collaboration that takes into account the findings of the research and a literature-based conceptual framework underpinned by the Resource Dependency Theory, the Resource-Based View and the Complexity Theory. Findings from the study demonstrate that eight dimensions are key in the Justice, Crime Prevention and Security collaboration, and these dimensions are ranked in order of importance. The presented framework also highlights several differences from reported studies in this field. The contribution of this study not only extends the literature on intragovernmental collaborations but also sets clear guidelines for managers and policy makers to establish and direct intragovernmental collaborations. The chosen methodology and insider access to senior management ultimately produced rich descriptions not previously available. Two key recommendations are identified for the Justice, Crime Prevention and Security Cluster. Firstly, addressing the wicked problem of crime requires active participation of stakeholders beyond the Cluster and secondly, it must include active citizenship that is instrumental in contributing knowledge and learning as part of a feedback loop into the criminal justice system. Within the Justice, Crime Prevention and Security Cluster, the study identified three drivers of the collaboration that need to be addressed to enable the Cluster to work towards a goal consensus of addressing crime. These are leadership, culture and governance arrangements. Models of leadership and governance are included to guide the Justice, Crime Prevention and Security Cluster in this regard. / Business Management / D. B. L.

Ce projet de thèse étudie la relation entre le comportement inter-organisationnel et l’innovation au sein des clusters de sport. L’objectif est de répondre à deux questions centrales de recherche. La première question concerne les composantes d’un cluster de sport. La deuxième examine l’influence du comportement inter-organisationnel citoyen sur l’innovation de produit au sein des clusters de sport. Cette recherche utilise la méthode de l’étude de cas en étudiant quatre cas, dans deux secteurs sportifs et trois pays. La collecte des données consiste en des entretiens semi-directifs et formels (103), des entretiens exploratoires et informels (14), des observations non-participatifs (17), et d’un ensemble de données secondaires, telles que des informations organisationnelles et des données issues d’archives. La collecte et l’analyse des données proposent une approche combinant des méthodes inductives et déductives; ainsi, le travail utilise une démarche abductive. Les questions de recherche sont déduites de la littérature. Toutefois, l’analyse des données inclut des éléments emprunts à la méthode inductive. L’analyse inclut le codage des données avec NVivo 10, dont découlent des tableaux de fréquences, des rapports, et des analyses intra-cas et inter-cas.Les résultats montrent que les clusters de sport dépendent fortement de facteurs locaux spécifiques. Dans le cadre du développement et de la durabilité des clusters de sport, les principaux facteurs sont géoéconomiques, socio-économiques, et ceux liés au sport. Les facteurs politiques, géographiques, et historiques sont moins importants. Ces clusters regroupent un ensemble d’organisations sous forme de typologies, qui inclut le fabricant de l’équipement principal, les équipementiers associés, les fabricants d’accessoires, les prestataires de services liés au produit, les media, les concepteurs, les organisations relatives au sport professionnel et amateur, les institutions de l’éducation et de la recherche, et les organismes de gouvernance. Les organisations relatives au cluster sont liées entre elles, au travers de relations et réseaux formels et informels. Les comportements les plus courants dans ces liaisons sont l’avancement, l’altruisme, la loyauté, et la collaboration. Ces comportements favorisent l’innovation au sein des clusters. Les liens externes entre les organisations du cluster sont facilités par la citoyenneté inter-organisationnelle et encouragent l’innovation pendant tout le processus d’innovation, surtout par rapport à l’innovation relative au matériel, ainsi que celle liée au design ou à l’usage. Ce projet de thèse propose de réaliser davantage de recherches sur les clusters de sport, ainsi que sur le comportement inter-organisationnel citoyen et ses conséquences. / This thesis investigates the relationship between interorganisational behaviour and innovation in sport clusters. Two central research questions are addressed. The first research question asks what constitutes a sport cluster. The second research question investigates the influence of interorganisational citizenship behaviour on product innovation in sport clusters.This thesis employs a multiple case study research design, investigating four cases in two sport sectors and three countries. The data collection consists of formal semi-structured interviews (103), explorative informal interviews (14), non-participatory observations (17), and secondary data (i.e. organisational information and archival data). The data collection and analysis is a combination of deduction and induction, hence an abductive approach. The research questions are informed by literature. However, data analysis includes inductive tactics. Data analysis processing consists of interview transcribing and report writing. Data was analysed with data coding in NVivo 10, frequency counts, report writing, within-case analysis, and cross-case analysis. Results reveal that sport clusters depend heavily on location-specific factors. Most important for sport cluster development and sustainability are geo-economic, socio-economic, and sport-related factors. Less important are political, geographical, and historical location-specific factors. These clusters comprise typical cluster organisations as members which include core equipment manufacturers, system suppliers, accessory suppliers, services providers, media, designers, professional and amateur sport, education/research institutions, and governing bodies. These cluster organisations are connected via formal and informal relationships and networks. The most common interorganisational behaviours within those linkages are advancement, altruism, loyalty, and collaboration. These behaviours enhance innovation in clusters. External links between cluster organisations are facilitated through interorganisational citizenship. These links foster innovation throughout the entire innovation process, particularly material innovation but also design and use innovation. This thesis suggests further research of sport clusters as well as the study of interorganisational citizenship behaviour and its outcomes.

Syftet med föreliggande studie var att utvärdera participation i ett förändringsarbete inom hälso- och sjukvården, i ett projekt för kvalitetsutveckling och processorientering inom vårdkedjan i Höglandsområdet, Jönköpings läns landsting. Den övergripande målsättningen med projektet var att utveckla ett processorienterat och därigenom mer helhetsorienterat vårdsystem, för att uppnå bättre kvalitet för äldre vårdtagare, som ofta har behov av behandling vid olika enheter i vårdkedjan. Syftet med studien var också att utvärdera hur participation förhåller sig till ständigt förbättringsarbete och lärande i riktning mot en processorientering av vårdkedjan och ökat fokus på patienten. Vårdinstanserna i vårdkedjan inom samtliga sex kommuner och primärvårdsområden i Höglandsregionen, såväl som en medicinklinik och en rehabiliteringsklinik vid två olika sjukhus, har medverkat i studien. 55 personer, som representerade de olika yrkeskategorierna inom vårdkedjan, har deltgit i utvärderingen. Studien utfördes med hjälp av fokusgrupper och materialet analyserades ur ett fenomenografiskt perspektiv. Resultaten visar att participation på alla nivåer i organisationen är en förutsättning för ett uthålligt kvalitetsutvecklingsarbete och en processorientering av vårdkedjan. Omfattningen av participationen avspeglas i omfattningen av ständigt förbättringsarbete och lärande. Kritiska faktorer var ledningens förmåga att kommunicera med och informera de anställda, ledningens engagemang i fråga om att driva ett strukturerat och långsiktigt förändringsarbete, ett tydligt processägarskap inom vårdkedjan och adekvata resurser. Resultaten genererade åtskilliga intressanta frågor för fortsatt forskning och utveckling.

Offentlig projektägande är ett sätt att öka takten på miljöinnovationer och bidrar förutom till ett hållbarare samhälle även med tillväxt. Projektsamarbeten mellan näringsliv, offentlig aktör och högskola faller inom modellen Triple Helix och anses vara en effektiv form av samverkan där satsade resurser kan ge större avkastning. Deltagande i dessa projektsamarbeten kan stärka sin konkurrenskraft tack vare exempelvis genom tillgången till aktuell information och genom ett aktivt miljöarbete. Projektägarna upplever dock svårigheter att få deltagare till sina projektsamarbeten inom miljöutveckling. En ökad förståelse för företagens förväntningar kan bidra till en tydligare kommunikation kring de fördelar som kan uppstå. Kunskapen om vilka förväntningar som finns kan möjliggöra för projektägarna att tillföra ytterligare fördelar vilket gynnar företagen så väl som projektägarens möjlighet att värva framtida deltagare, och inte minst gynnar det miljöutvecklingen. Det finns en tydlig värderingsproblematik kring fördelar som kontaktskapande, "Grön Marknadsföring" och lärande vilket försvårar beslutsfattandet kring beslut som till stor del består av mer abstrakta fördelar än de som kan värderas i monetära termer. Det aktuella forskningsläget kartlägger upplevda fördelar efter att de uppstått och det finns därför en tydlig kunskapslucka kring hur företag resonerar när de ställs inför beslutet om deltagande i projektsamarbeten inom miljöutveckling. Studien har använt ett hermeneutiskt tolkningsperspektiv och ett kvalitativt angreppssätt med en fallstudie som forskningsdesign. Fallstudien har genomförts i ett projektsamarbete där projektmålet är att ta fram ett verktyg för ledningsarbete med kontinuerliga energibesparingar. Sex företag deltar och semistrukturerade intervjuer har genomförts med alla sex verksamhetsledarna som representerar företagen i projektet. Studien visar att alla deltagande företag har mål som liknar projektsamarbetets och att företagsidentiteten påverkar beslutet att delta. Det fanns ekonomiska motiv för deltagandet men hälften av verksamhetsledarna angav dessa sekundära. Fördelar som att projektsamarbetet anses imageförstärkande, utbyte av erfarenheter och skapande av kontakter som förväntas kunna nyttjas även efter projektets slut värderades i dessa fall högre. Vi ser att projektägaren kan tillföra fler upplevda fördelar genom att synliggöra företagens aktiva miljöarbete på ett tydligare sätt och underlätta de sociala relationerna att formas. För att attrahera deltagare är det viktigt för företagen att andra företag vill delta och att de känner tillit till projektägaren. / Public project ownership is a way to speed up the environmental innovation and contributing with a more sustainable society and development. Project collaboration between business, public and college belongs to the Triple Helix model, which is considered to be an effective form of collaboration where invested resources can give greater returns. Companies participating in this kind of collaborative can improve their competitiveness, for example through the availability of new information and through active environmental work. Despite these benefits, project owners find it difficult to recruit participants to such projects in environmental development. Increased understanding of business expectations can give opportunities to a better communication from the project owner about the benefits that may arise. The knowledge about what expectations there is can enable for the project owners to add further benefits, which benefit the companies as well as the project owner's ability to recruit future participants, and not to forget increase the environmental development. However, there is a clear valuation issue about benefits such as contact creation, "Green Marketing" and learning. The valuation problem makes decision making difficult for decisions about abstract benefits, rather than those that can be clearly valued in monetary terms. The study has used a hermeneutic interpretation perspective and a qualitative approach with a case study that used research design. The case study has been carried out in a project collaboration, where the project objective is to develop a tool for management work with continuous energy savings. Six companies participated in the project and interviews have been conducted with all six business leaders. The study shows that all participating companies have goals similar to project collaboration and that corporate identity influences the decision to participate. There were economic motivations to participate but they prioritized differently. Advantages expected from project collaboration include image, sharing experience and new contacts to use in the future. We see that the project owner can provide more perceived benefits by making clearer business active environmental work more visible and facilitating social relations. To attract participants, it is important for companies that other companies want to participate as well and that they trust the project owner.

There is still very little known about network dynamics (Bell et al., 2006), especially when focusing on interorganisational networks (Provan et al., 2007). There is also limited empirical evidence on leadership within these complex network contexts (Davenport, 2005; Osborn et al., 2002). This thesis addresses these limitations by developing a theoretical framework for process leadership in the complex, often unpredictable and turbulent context of the interorganisational networked ecosystem. Understanding the complexity of networks and leadership is crucial to advancing network research, which this study aims to accomplish. Although previous studies indicate leader characteristics and behaviours (Huxham & Vangen, 2000), less evidence on the processes and dynamics of leadership within networks exists. Few studies have longitudinally examined the multiple boundaries and multi-level interactions within a complex interorganisational network, as the unit of analysis, as this thesis achieves. Moreover, little research has been conducted to understand network leadership processes, which represents a major gap in the network theory and complexity leadership literatures. In order to address these gaps as well as the gap between the two literatures, this thesis presents a comprehensive, longitudinal case investigation of network process leadership (NPL) within an interorganisational network embedded in the British National Health Service (NHS). By analysing processual dynamics, this thesis’s contribution is the foundation of a preliminary NPL framework. Based on analysing a public sector healthcare network over time, the findings emphasise four dominant thematic constructs surrounding NPL that emerged as highly significant: leveraging strategic system stressors and turbulence; adopting focal and non-focal roles; maximising social proximity; and the complementary, reciprocal formal and informal coproduction of leadership. These constructs provide the empirical and analytical grounds to help explain the critical leadership processes that drive a complex, interorganisational public sector network. Significantly, social capital dimensions underlie these interrelated higher order themes; thereby affecting wider inter-organisational network processes. As a primary contribution of this thesis, I argue that social capital is the critical concept linking network and complexity leadership theories, in order to provide a better understanding of NPL. The findings suggest network leadership calls for NPL and its relational, collective, facilitative approach involving social capital among multiple participants in a complex interorganisational network context. This is highly differentiated from studying unidirectional effects of a hierarchical, central leader within a single organisation. Theoretically, I argue the importance of social capital in the complex nature of leadership processes within interorganisational networked contexts. The research contributes to an understanding of how networks and social capital can be adapted or created by formal and informal leaders within networks to reflect changing processes to shape practices and network-wide development over time. Finally, I offer several operational mechanisms policymakers and network leaders could pragmatically employ to manage, lead, and facilitate interorganisational network processes. Overall, the significance of this study involves: filling gaps in the literature, offering a longitudinal case study on an interorganisational network over time, providing a foundation for theoretical development on leading in networks, illuminating insights into professional leadership within networks, and identifying policy and practical implications for leaders and managers.

Thesis (MBA (Business Management))--University of Stellenbosch, 2009. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The global wine market has faced varying challenges in the first decade of the 21st century; over production brought a power shift in favour of buyers which resulted in a decline in profit margins per bottle sold. The main gainer in these uncertain times has been the consumer. As more regions enhance their wine making skills and embrace superior technology, the wine quality has improved and competition intensified. The growing consumers' wine knowledge has altered quality expectations, placing an added pressure on new brands entering the market. The United States of America (USA, but hereafter referred to as US) remains a growing wine market, with a population size of 303 million people and an appetite for luxury goods and services it continues to be a popular export destination for other wine regions. The latter trend persist despite a cost of entry into the US market being regarded high as a result of the country's three tier system, which allows for further three segments of the value chain from the producer to add their mark-ups on an exported bottle of wine before it reaches the end consumer. The pricing system has proven to be insufficient a deterrent, particularly to the New World wine producers. Australia has remained the most successful producer of the New World wines in the export market for the past three decades; the same cannot be said for South Africa wine industry. While market and strategic orientation, industry plan and interorganisational collaboration are identified as key factors in the Australian success, the partnership between government bodies and wine industry bodies are credited for their unified approach to the US market. The South African government have programmes aimed at promoting the county's export of goods and services. The adequacy of such programmes remains in doubt, particularly in the eminent challenges in the global wine market. The study investigates the extent and nature of a partnership between government bodies and the South African wine industry with regard to effective promotion of the country's wines in the US market. A qualitative methodology is employed to ensure credibility and accuracy of the primary data. Five participants are selected for a discussion, including an exporting wine producer, wine cellars association, wine export council and two government agencies. The Vision 2020 strategy by the South African wine industry is reviewed, with the main focus on the US market and the role of the exporting country's government given the changing international trade regime. The study concludes that the US remains a critical market for South African wine producers despite the high cost of entry, global wine surplus and economic recession, and that success for the country's wines is partly dependent on a unified approach by the industry, attainable though partnerships with government agencies. While acknowledging the continuing government support, it makes recommendations on how to strengthen existing partnerships with regard to the US export market for South African wines. The study lacks generaliseability; however since it is meant to assist design effective export promotion programmes for South African wines in the US market, the absence of generaliseability is considered unproblematic. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die globale wynmark het in die eerste dekade van die 21ste eeu voor verskeie uitdagings te staan gekom. Dit sluit in oorproduksie wat tot 'n magskuif ten gunste van kopers gelei het en winsmarges per bottel wyn wat verkoop is laat daal het. Die grootste voordeeltrekker in hierdie onsekere tye is die verbruiker. Soos al meer streke hul wynproduksievaardighede versterk en die beste tegnologie benut, verbeter die gehalte van wyn en word mededinging strawwer. Soos verbruikers se kennis van wyn toeneem, verander hul verwagtinge ten opsigte van gehalte. Dit plaas bykomende druk op nuwe handelsmerke wat tot die mark toetree. Die wynmark in die Vereenigde State van Amerika (VSA) groei steeds. Met 'n bevolkingsgrootte van 303 miljoen mense en 'n aptyt vir luukse goedere en dienste bly die VSA 'n gewilde uitvoerbestemming vir ander wynstreke. Die tendens om wyn na die VSA uit te voer, bly sterk ondanks die hoë koste om tot die VSA-mark toe te tree. Dié hoë koste is die gevolg van die VSA se drie-vlak stelsel wat dit vir produsente moontlik maak om die waardeketting verder te segmenteer en hul prysverhoging by 'n bottel ingevoerde wyn te voeg voordat dit die eindverbruiker bereik. Hierdie prysbepalingstelsel blyk egter onvoldoende te wees as 'n afskrikmiddel, veral vir wynprodusente van die Nuwe Wêreld. Australië was die afgelope drie dekades die suksesvolste produsent van Nuwe Wêreld-wyne vir die uitvoermark. Dieselfde geld egter nie vir Suid-Afrika se wynbedryf nie. Hoewel strategiese en markoriëntasie, bedryfsplanne en interorganisatoriese samewerking as sleutelfaktore vir sukses in Australië geïdentifiseer is, kry die vennootskappe tussen dié land se regeringsliggame en wynbedryfsliggame die krediet vir hul verenigde benadering tot die VSA se mark. Die Suid-Afrikaanse regering het programme wat die land se uitvoer van goedere en dienste bevorder. Die gepastheid van sodanige programme bly onseker, veral in die lig van die groot uitdagings in die globale wynmark. Die studie ondersoek die omvang en aard van 'n vennootskap tussen regeringsliggame en die Suid-Afrikaanse wynbedryf ten opsigte van doeltreffende promosie van die land se wyne in die VSA-mark. 'n Kwalitatiewe metodologie word gebruik om die geloofwaardigheid en akkuraatheid van die primêre data te verseker. Vyf deelnemers is vir 'n bespreking gekies: 'n produsent wat wyn uitvoer, 'n wynkeldervereniging, wynuitvoerraad en twee regeringsliggame. Die Visie 2020-strategie deur die Suid-Afrikaanse wynbedryf word hersien en sterk klem word ook gelê op die VSA-mark en die rol van die uitvoerland se regering in die lig van die veranderende internasionale handelsregime. Die studie kom tot die gevolgtrekking dat die VSA 'n kritiese mark vir Suid-Afrikaanse wynprodusente bly ondanks die hoë koste van toetrede, die globale wynsurplus en die ekonomiese resessie, en dat sukses vir Suid-Afrika se wyn deels van 'n verenigde benadering tot die wynbedryf afhang wat deur vennootskappe met regeringsagentskappe moontlik gemaak kan word. Hoewel die verslag erkenning gee aan voortgesette regeringsondersteuning, word aanbevelings ook gedoen oor hoe om die bestaande vennootskappe ten opsigte van die VSA as uitvoermark vir Suid-Afrikaanse wyne te versterk. Hierdie studie het 'n gebrek aan veralgemeenbaarheid. Omdat dit egter daarop gerig is om doeltreffende promosieprogramme vir die uitvoer van Suid-Afrikaanse wyne na die VSA-mark te help ontwerp, word die afwesigheid van veralgemeenbaarheid as onbelangrik geag.

Submitted by Fabricia Fialho Reginato (fabriciar) on 2015-06-18T23:34:44Z No. of bitstreams: 1 KarenCruzDesign.pdf: 4417372 bytes, checksum: 83d6379acdcec5f8320644720a73877c (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2015-06-18T23:34:44Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 KarenCruzDesign.pdf: 4417372 bytes, checksum: 83d6379acdcec5f8320644720a73877c (MD5) Previous issue date: 2010 / Nenhuma / A presente pesquisa trata da busca da valorização das cidades frente às aberturas de mercado em plena era da globalização. Com a expansão das conexões e telecomunicações os lugares passam a sofrer o que chamamos de (des) territorialização, onde o desenvolvimento econômico desses locais se descentraliza e passa a abranger além das fronteiras físicas de onde se originaram. Para tal fenômeno é proposta a intervenção do design estratégico territorial que visa atrair o “olhar” e as riquezas de volta a esses lugares diagnosticando seus potenciais, respeitando os valores histórico-culturais. O objetivo da pesquisa é diagnosticar as lacunas e os potenciais existentes nos territórios e propor diretrizes estratégicas para elaboração de futuros projetos em busca da valorização desses territórios. A metodologia aplicada no estudo de caso é a do design estratégico que aborda um sistema produto nos seus aspectos físicos, aspectos de serviço, aspectos de experiência e aspectos de comunicação. Quando o design estratégico é aplicado ao território chamamos de design territorial. O estudo de caso tem como tema o Pólo Joalheiro do Município de Guaporé, no Estado do Rio Grande do Sul. O território de Guaporé possui um número significativo de Micro pequenas empresas (MPE’s) que produzem, na sua maioria, Jóias Folheadas. O problema de pesquisa abordado está presente na seguinte questão: “Como o território de Guaporé pode ser valorizado através do seu Polo Joalheiro?”. Essa pesquisa propõe diretrizes fundamentais, são elas: a formação de redes de cooperação interorganizacional para disseminação do Polo de Jóias Guaporé; Propõe-se divulgar o seu potencial através de uma identidade regional, com design, valor agregado, inovação aliada à cultura tradicional local; Fomentar o desenvolvimento de um Polo de Moda; gestão de marca, qualidade, com dinâmicas de comunicação, com ações integradas e interativas entre as MPE’s, a comunidade local e as políticas públicas. / The current study is dedicated to the research into the expanding value of the cities in relation to its emerging industries in the age of globalization.With the expansion of connections and telecomunication, many places suffer from what we call “deterritorialisation”, where the economic growth is said places, move from one central point and expands further than the physical limits of where it once originated. Due to this factor, the invention of a strategic, regional design plan is proposed with the aim to attract interest and wealth once again to the specified areas, showing thier potential, whilst also respecting the historic and culture values of each place. The aim of the research is diagnose the gaps and potential existing in the area/region. To offer strategic direction for the elaboration of future projects and areas in search of a growth in trade. The method applied in the study in this case is of strategic design which takes into account product system in their physical aspects, quality of service, overall experience and the general aspects of communication. When strategic design is applied in the area we call it territorial design. This case study has as its heading – Guaporé – The pivital point of the jewellery industry in the state of Rio Grande do Sul. Guaporé is home to a great number of small businesses, of which, the majority are dedicated to the production of Gold and Silver plated jewellery. The point in question presented is raised in the following question “ How can the region of Guapore be valued based on its jewellery industry? ”. This research proposed is as a direct fundamental the following factors. The formation of an interorganizational cooperative to help expand and promote Guaporé as an important centre in the market. The proposal to promote, the cities potencial due to its regional identity with design, joint innovation teamed with local traditional customs. Encouraging the growth of an important design source; the making of brands, a strive for quality, thorough communication, intergrated action planning and interactivity between all of the small businesses, the local community and its politics.

<p>This thesis has its point of departure in the identified knowledge gap, which includes the importance of the information systems (IS) outsourcing relationship for studying the success of IS outsourcing. This research study, therefore, is structured with the belief that the disregard of the client-IS supplier relationship when studying IS outsourcing is paradoxical. Paradoxical since the impact of the relationship on the overall IS outsourcing can make the difference between success, less success and even failure. In contrast to the majority of prior research, which has focused IS outsourcing in its entirety, this research study percieves IS outsourcing as a process. Because prior research shows that the success or failure of IS outsourcing is connected to its implementation, this thesis focuses the post-contract stage of the IS outsourcing.</p><p>The purpose chosen and addressed is to develop a conceptual framework for describing and explaining the degree of successful outcome of the IS outsourcing process using a relationship perspective. To approach this purpose, a literature review study is conducted. The literature review study includes the integration of three theoretical fields: IS, interorganisational business relationships and IS outsourcing. The knowledge domains of particular interest are 'strategies, approaches and frameworks for the IS life cycle', 'the interaction approach' and 'IS outsourcing success'.</p><p>The purpose is focused through the identification of key conditions, dimensions and interrelations among dimensions. These identified elements, constituting the core elements of the conceptual framework, are a result of the conducted literature review study. The key conditions are identified according to their influence on the degree of successful outcome of the IS outsourcing process from a relationship perspective. Due to the large amount of key conditions identified, they are categorised into nine dimensions: Atmosphere, Behaviour, Contract, Environment, Interatction, IS, Management, Organisation and Outcome. The identified interrelations among these dimensions are fruitful since they provide insights and a favourable point of departure for studying the degree of successful outcome of IS outsourcing processes.</p><p>The main contribution of this thesis is the conceptual framework for the IS outsourcing process. The key conditions, dimensions and interrelations constitute the conceptual framework as a result of their potential for describing and explaining the degree of successful outcome of the IS outsourcing process from a relationship perspective. The application of the conceptual framework provides managers with core elements to be considered during IS outsourcing decision-making and subsequent design of IS outsourcing. Its usage, moreover, is believed to support managers during the operationalisation of the post-contract stage of IS outsourcing processes. Finally, the conceptual framework is a fruitful 'tool' for future empirical research. Fruitful in the sense that it can provide useful and important insights into how different key conditions infuence the degree of successful outcome of IS outsourcing processes and how these key conditions are interrelated.</p>

This thesis has its point of departure in the identified knowledge gap, which includes the importance of the information systems (IS) outsourcing relationship for studying the success of IS outsourcing. This research study, therefore, is structured with the belief that the disregard of the client-IS supplier relationship when studying IS outsourcing is paradoxical. Paradoxical since the impact of the relationship on the overall IS outsourcing can make the difference between success, less success and even failure. In contrast to the majority of prior research, which has focused IS outsourcing in its entirety, this research study percieves IS outsourcing as a process. Because prior research shows that the success or failure of IS outsourcing is connected to its implementation, this thesis focuses the post-contract stage of the IS outsourcing. The purpose chosen and addressed is to develop a conceptual framework for describing and explaining the degree of successful outcome of the IS outsourcing process using a relationship perspective. To approach this purpose, a literature review study is conducted. The literature review study includes the integration of three theoretical fields: IS, interorganisational business relationships and IS outsourcing. The knowledge domains of particular interest are 'strategies, approaches and frameworks for the IS life cycle', 'the interaction approach' and 'IS outsourcing success'. The purpose is focused through the identification of key conditions, dimensions and interrelations among dimensions. These identified elements, constituting the core elements of the conceptual framework, are a result of the conducted literature review study. The key conditions are identified according to their influence on the degree of successful outcome of the IS outsourcing process from a relationship perspective. Due to the large amount of key conditions identified, they are categorised into nine dimensions: Atmosphere, Behaviour, Contract, Environment, Interatction, IS, Management, Organisation and Outcome. The identified interrelations among these dimensions are fruitful since they provide insights and a favourable point of departure for studying the degree of successful outcome of IS outsourcing processes. The main contribution of this thesis is the conceptual framework for the IS outsourcing process. The key conditions, dimensions and interrelations constitute the conceptual framework as a result of their potential for describing and explaining the degree of successful outcome of the IS outsourcing process from a relationship perspective. The application of the conceptual framework provides managers with core elements to be considered during IS outsourcing decision-making and subsequent design of IS outsourcing. Its usage, moreover, is believed to support managers during the operationalisation of the post-contract stage of IS outsourcing processes. Finally, the conceptual framework is a fruitful 'tool' for future empirical research. Fruitful in the sense that it can provide useful and important insights into how different key conditions infuence the degree of successful outcome of IS outsourcing processes and how these key conditions are interrelated.