The EU has been promoting unbundling of the transmission grid from other stages of the electricity supply chain with the aim of fostering competition in the upstream stage of electricity generation. At present, ownership unbundling is the predominant form of unbundling in Europe. From a policy perspective, a successful unbundling regime would require that the benefits of increased competition in power generation would at least offset the associated efficiency losses from vertical divestiture. Since evidence on this topic is scarce, this study helps fill this void by empirically estimating the magnitude of economies of vertical integration (EVI) between electricity generation and transmission based on a quadratic cost function. For this purpose we employ unique firm-level panel data of European electricity utilities. Our results confirm the presence of substantial EVI of 14% for the median sized integrated utility. Moreover, EVI tend to increase with firm size.

Södra har i nuläget en modell för leverantörssegmentering med segmenten strategiska-, prioriterade- och avtalade leverantörer. Det finns emellertid förbättringsmöjligheter kring tillämpningen av modellen, såväl som den efterföljande hanteringen av segmenten. Syftet är att ge förslag på hur strategier för hantering av leverantörssegment kan differentieras för Södra. För att uppnå syftet tas avstamp i litteraturen kring Supplier Relationship Management (SRM). Därefter samlas empirisk data in utifrån en enkätundersökning och två semistrukturerade intervjuer. Uppsatsens första bidrag är ett förslag på hur strategier för hantering av Södras leverantörssegment kan differentieras utifrån litteraturen kring SRM. 14 element identifieras och förslag på hur dessa kan tillämpas för Södras leverantörssegment presenteras. Ett av dessa element är kommunikation, där strategiska leverantörsrelationer bör karaktäriseras av omfattande kommunikation, medan kommunikationsnivån successivt bör minska för prioriterade- och avtalade leverantörsrelationer. Ytterligare ett element är inköpspris, där fokus för avtalade leverantörer bör vara att erhålla ett fördelaktigt pris, medan fokus för strategiska leverantörer bör vara att säkerställa tillgången. För det andra bidrar uppsatsen med att identifiera förbättringsmöjligheter i tillämpningen av Södras segmenteringsmodell. Enkätundersökningen och intervjuerna visar att modellen upplevs som komplicerad och otydlig, samt att det finns ett behov av utbildningar och rutiner. Slutligen bidrar uppsatsen med att identifiera förbättringsmöjligheter i Södras hantering av olika leverantörssegment. Det framgår att ett flertal inköpare inte tar hänsyn till alla 14 element, vilket visar på förbättringsmöjligheter kring hur hänsyn kan tas till dessa element. / Södra currently has a model for supplier segmentation with the segments strategic-, prioritized-, and contracted suppliers. However, there are opportunities for improvement in the application of the model, as well as in the subsequent management of the segments. The purpose is to propose how strategies for managing supplier segments can be differentiated for Södra. To achieve this purpose, the literature on Supplier Relationship Management (SRM) is used as a starting point. Empirical data is then collected through a survey and two semi-structured interviews. The first contribution of the thesis is a proposal on how strategies for managing Södras supplier segments can be differentiated based on the SRM literature. 14 elements are identified, and suggestions on how these can be applied to Södras supplier segments are presented. One of these elements is communication, where strategic supplier relationships should be characterized by extensive communication, while the level of communication should gradually decrease for prioritized- and contracted supplier relationships. Another element is purchase price, where the focus regarding contracted suppliers should be to obtain a favorable price, while the focus regarding strategic suppliers should be to ensure availability. Secondly, the thesis contributes by identifying opportunities for improvement in the application of Södras segmentation model. The survey and interviews reveal that the model is perceived as complicated and unclear, and that there is a need for training and routines. Finally, the thesis identifies opportunities for improvement in Södras management of different supplier segments. It is evident that several buyers do not take all 14 elements into consideration, which indicates potential improvements in how these elements can be considered.

A hi-tech company often focuses on being innovative by providing product offerings as product leader, fast follower or with operational excellence. In the international calling sector the technological solutions are numerous. The providers are, for instance, normal telecom providers, Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) and Mobile virtual network operators (MVNO). This means that a company faces not only the competitors that offer the same solution but also from outside the company’s business sector. The company thus needs to tackle many challenges, such as fast-paced product development, market expansion, competitor volatility, at the same time as the company cultivates its brand assets. This study focuses on the branding strategy within the VoIP telecom sector. It aims to set a guideline for how companies, in particular in the VoIP telecom sectors, cultivate and enhance their brand identity in order to differentiate themselves from competitors as well as achieve a successful and sustainable level of brand equity. The thesis also studies the brand strategies that have already manifested themselves within the providers of international calling services, in particular VoIP providers and a couple of MVNO providers. By conducting the brand identity and brand equity analysis, customer analysis and competitors’ analysis, a company can make a decision on brand strategy that will further associate, differentiate, energize and support its brands. The research framework consists of both the corporate and consumer perspectives. It consists of brand theory, market research, competitor analysis and the company’s brand identity, as well as brand awareness analysis. The thesis presents the Swedish VoIP consumers’ behavior and trends, the guideline and case study on how a company bridges the gap between brand identity and brand equity as well as the guideline and case study of brand portfolio strategies that have been explored within the VoIP telecom sectors, i.e. VoIP branding.