This study empirically investigates the levels of entrepreneurial orientation (EO) and market orientation (MO), and their links to performance within the context of French Small and Medium Sized Enterprises (SMEs). SMEs represent today the heart of the European strategy and account fro 99% of the total companies in France. The current study argues that SMEs and especially French ones deserve a particular attention. Besides, even though many studies have been conducted in the fields of entrepreneurial orientation and market orientation, when combining both, only a few included performance in their empirical analyses. Moreover, most relied on large established companies or MNE. Little concern has been put in SME and none have been done on the case of French SMEs. The current study propose a cross-sectional analysis to investigate the combination of EO and MO and its impact on performance through a quantitative research method. Based on existing theories and previous studies, three hypotheses have been formulated : H1 : Companies that are entrepreneurial oriented outperform companies that are not. H2 : Companies that are market oriented outperform companies that are not. H3 : Companies that are both entrepreneurial and market oriented outperform companies that are either one or none. In order to test those hypotheses, a online 24 questions survey has been administrated to a sample of 338 French SMEs. All questions were based on the works of Covin and Slevin (1989), Narver and Slater (1990), Lumpkin and Dess (1996), and Blois and Carson (2000). The results show that all hypothesis are verified. However, if no correlation was found between EO and MO, the combination of both enables SMEs to achieve higher performance.

This thesis adds the market orientation approach to a global value chain analysis of four farmed seafood value chains from two Asian countries to the EU. The overall aim of the research is to critically evaluate whether, and to what extent, access to market information is the key to unlocking the potential of developing countries to create greater value: whether knowledge is power. The objectives of the thesis are therefore to explore the process of generating market information in seafood value chains from Asia to the EU; understand under what conditions market information is, is not or is only partially disseminated; and, evaluate the role of market information in responses by chain agents that create value. In order to achieve these objectives, fieldwork was conducted along the length of shrimp (Penaeus monodon) and prawn (Macrobrachium rosenbergii) from Bangladesh, and shrimp (Penaeus vannamei) and tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) from Thailand to the EU. The EU is the world’s largest single market for imported fish and fishery products. France, Germany and the UK were selected for fieldwork as they are primary importers of the species from the selected countries. The research found that although increased knowledge is necessary, it is not a sufficient condition for increased value creation. Instead, the research advances existing understanding of seafood value chains by revealing that successful integration of developing country producers into global markets is partly dependent on governance and industry development in the exporting country. Weaknesses in these structures and relationships undermine supplier power by reducing access to market information, lessening incentives for sharing information, and restricting response capabilities. A number of methods for overcoming these constraints were found in the chains examined, focusing on direct links between market and value chain agents. Importantly, the research found that integration is also dependent on the willingness of those with a market presence in importing countries to share knowledge and power. Critically, the research has led to the conclusion that the possession of market information is one way for value chain agents, particularly those downstream, to guard knowledge and power for themselves. A better understanding of seafood markets and an improved analysis of aquaculture value chains from Asian countries to the EU revealed through the research will facilitate public and private responses that focus on the competitive advantage of the whole chain as a means to more sustainable development. This may well promote new chain configurations that place a premium on stronger and more collaborative linkages, increasing coordination between weak and strong suppliers and contribute to private sector development assistance. Only when knowledge is shared and suppliers gain power, will the market orientation of seafood value chains be improved, if not optimised.

No description available.

The wood-based building products industry has experienced significant turbulence over the past several decades as a function of multiple forces including among others globalization, product and process innovation, and shifting customer and consumer interest and demands. Collectively, these changes have challenged the historical tenets which have defined industry strategy and competition in the realm of basic products and contributed to consolidation and labor reductions. Consequently, an onus has been placed on industry participants to better understand and adapt to the new competitive landscape or risk loss of competitive advantages built on the practices suited to historical tradition. However, a limited range of work that considers the machinations of turbulence and resulting strategic implications has been directed toward the industry particularly where differentiation of products is limited. A contributing factor for this deficiency is the relative stability that has defined the industry for generations due in part to limited strategic variation beyond cost and production, limited cycles of technological and product innovation, commodity nature of many products, and passive manner of consumption. Accordingly, there is value in work that takes a critical and empirical view of industry changes in the context of both strategic and competitive implications, how participating firms address challenges, and what factors influence consumer purchase decisions. This work addresses this need through examination of each element, industry, firm, and consumer, in the context of turbulence, competition, and strategy and delineates previously unidentified considerations for competing in the new landscape. At the industry level, drivers of industry turbulence and subsequent strategic challenges, adaptations, and opportunities are identified and reviewed. Analysis suggests that improved strategy which considers organizational and product differentiation beyond cost and production efficiencies permits greater stability and increased leverage in the turbulent competitive environment. Recognizing a need for improved strategy, the firm level analysis employs a primary qualitative approach to isolate previously unidentified firm qualities analogous to successful deployment of a market orientation strategy using the resource based view of the firm as a framework for analysis. Connecting strategy to the consumer and product, theoretical consumer behavior constructs (consumption, behavior, and involvement) were connected to conceptualize dimensions of product differentiation capable of holding consumer appeal and acting as behavioral drivers in the passively consumed arena of primary wood-based building products. Taken together this work provides a view of strategic considerations within the wood-based building product industry that extends beyond previous work in several ways. First, by considering industry environment, firm strategy, and consumer behavior and product differentiation collectively in the manner described, this work provides a more vertically complete strategic perspective for industry participants. Second, within each chapter, findings and case based examples relevant to each element are presented. / Graduation date: 2012

為了了解CRM(Customer Relationship Management)對於組織行為及流程的影響，透過文獻探討及內容分析，本研究發展一個CRM的架構，此架構影響範圍包含工作實務、價值鍊流程以及組織績效。本研究接著針對五間台灣的金控公司進行個案研究以測試此架構的論點及CRM使用上的內涵。 本研究主要發現是不同的CRM使用類型會有不同組織文化及流程上的影響。利用CRM來服務顧客的公司，在服務顧客的流程上，會受到明顯的文化改變。利用CRM來服務及保留顧客的公司，在所有顧客價值創造活動相關的領域上都會有顯注的文化及流程改變。利用CRM當作基礎建設來服務、保留及開發顧客的公司，組織早已發展市場導向的實務，因此文化及流程的改變程度較小。CRM使用上最主要的挑戰就是去了解不同類型的CRM使用、CRM對於組織行為與文化可能的影響、以及針對不同CRM使用需要哪些適當的管理活動。 透過個案間分析，本研究發現三種不同的CRM使用類型，此三類型為：工具(Facility)、分析(Analytical)、以及基礎建設(Infrastructure)。他們各自有不同的管理重點及組織文化與流程的影響。工具型組織在服務顧客相關流程上有提高生產力的傾向。分析型組織在顧客保留及交叉銷售上，將獲得較多利益。對於基礎建設型組織而言，早已市場導向的流程將大大提升組織在顧客服務上的精準性及彈性。 本研究透過個案研究以整合CRM使用的發現，並且針對CRM的管理提出有用的建議。CRM使用對於市場導向影響的發現以及三種類型的CRM使用可清楚闡明對於CRM使用的了解，當未來有研究著力於不同市場上CRM的潛力，本研究也提供一個基礎。期望CRM使用的管理者可得利於本研究提出的觀點，並且能針對CRM使用提出適當的管理計畫。 / To build an understanding of the impacts of Customer Relationship Management (CRM) on organizational behaviors and processes this study strives to develop a model of CRM effects on work practice, value-creation processes and organizational performance through iterative literature review and content analysis. The study then applied multiple case studies on five financial holding companies in Taiwan to test the propositions and build insights of the CRM use. Major finding is that different types of CRM use can have different impact on the organizational culture and processes. Companies use CRM for serving customers experience cultural change in the area of customer service processes while companies use CRM for serving and retaining customers experience further cultural and process changes in all areas relating to customer value generation activities. For companies that use CRM as an infrastructure for serving, retaining and inventing customers, low cultural and process changes are noted due to the already-built market-orientation practice. The most critical challenge of CRM use is to understand the type of CRM use, the possible effects of CRM on both organizational behavior and processes, and the appropriate management initiatives for best use of the CRM system. Through the cross case analysis three types of CRM use are identified. The three types of CRM use are: facility, analytical and infrastructure. They each have different management focuses and effects on organizational culture and processes. Organizations of the facility type of CRM use tend to gain productivity benefits in customer service while companies of the analytical use of CRM gain more benefits in customer retention and cross selling. For companies of the infrastructural use of CRM the established market-oriented processes can contribute greatly to the precision and flexibility of customer services. This research consolidates findings of CRM use from cases studied and proposes useful recommendations on the management of CRM. Findings of CRM effects on market-orientation and the three types of CRM use clarify general understandings of CRM use and provide a base for enhanced understanding of the potential of CRM in different market situations. It is hoped that managers of CRM can benefit from the insights presented and be able to implement proper management plan of CRM use.

The formal governance structure is more complex in trade unions than in many other organizations. Trade union researchers have drawn attention to the tensions between union administrative and representative systems and the fact that control in unions is bi-directional from leaders to members (through formal control systems), and from members to leaders (through democratic structures). This study has shown that the utilization of market orientation methods has the capacity to strengthen the administrative system without interfering with or being hindered by the representative system. The findings related to market orientation methods presented in this thesis are not of such a character that they can be deemed to be specific for trade unions. Therefore, as a general rule, market orientation methods need no trade union-specific adaptation to be utilized. The setting for this study is Sif, a major industrial white-collar trade union in Sweden. The change process of Sif described in the thesis suggests an increased degree of market orientation. The study has focused on two specific tools/techniques; The Sif Barometer - an annual membership satisfaction survey, and The Design Dialogue Methodology – an internally developed group interview method. These methods have contributed to an enhanced level of market orientation. Propositions for better contributions to strategic positioning and service innovation are presented in terms of design principles. An identified problem is that the potential for double-loop learning has been limited in the organization. Some propositions for enhancing double-loop learning are set out: Knowledge enhances learning: the utilization of market information requires knowledge among managers and employees about the instruments used to ensure accurate interpretations and utilization of the results acquired. Knowledge thus has a role in breaking down the barriers preventing accurate utilization of market information. Task alignment is a viable strategy for the creation of learning micro-climates:  Learning through the change of work behaviors is the core element of a task alignment strategy. Task alignment is a strategy targeting learning capabilities in the organization that is not only an approach for solving problems in the long term, but also an immediate response to tangible business problems. Action research may contribute to double-loop learning: The action research method has inherent change properties connected to its "learning by change" approach. Actors should consider the discrepancies between espoused theories and theories-in-use: Various political behaviors hampering double-loop learning have been traced. A broad level of participation and involvement of managers and employees during the development or adaptation of the market orientation instrument can enable open and trustful discussions for enhancing double-loop learning. / Diss. Stockholm : Handelshögskolan, 2005

Omvandlingar, såsom den digitala revolutionen, IT-utvecklingen och internationell integration i form av t ex EU har utmanat såväl företagande som politik och satt etablerade teorier och modeller om företagande och politik på prov. En longitudinell studie av Televerkets/Telias strategiska utveckling, med speciell inriktning på Televerkets/Telias interorganisatoriska strategier, telepolitikens framväxt samt den allmänna politikens utveckling sedan 1960-talet visar att: Företagande och politik är beroende av varandra även när de strävar mot oberoende. Det finns skillnader mellan hur statligt ägda företag och privatägda företag hanterar förhållandet mellan företagande och politik. Studien identifierar strategiska och politiska faser och analyser hur dessa påverkar förutsättningarna för strategiskt handlande. / Diss. Stockholm : Handelshögsk.

This thesis studies the impact of market orientation on the business performance of the Sri Lankan apparel manufacturing organizations in the post MFA environment. An attempt is made to enhance the existing market orientation theory by addressing a research gap and highlighting the importance of the relationship perspective in business to business marketing. A four dimensional market orientation construct is developed to overcome the limitations identified in the extant market orientation theories. The study also identifies resource availability as an antecedent of market orientation along with six other antecedents which are commonly discussed in literature. It further investigates whether the market orientation-business performance relationship is moderated by the prevailing business environment. The proposed modifications to the theory are empirically tested within the context of the apparel industry.

Aim: The purpose of the study is to understand how SME companies uses market orientation to target customers through Google AdWords.  Method: This study uses a qualitative method approach as the purpose of the study is to increase understanding. Furthermore, the empirical data used has been collected through eight semi-structured interviews. These interviews were conducted at eight SME companies in Stockholm, Gävle and Uppsala. The keywords identified in the analysis were created by setting theory and empirical elements against each other and thus creating a pattern. Result and Conclusion: The result shows that all companies use market orientation and Google AdWords to gather and disseminate information. However, the work of market orientation and Google AdWords varies in relation to the theory. All companies in the study find Google AdWords to be a profitable marketing tool. Suggestions for future research: Future studies can use the empirical model found in the study to see how companies work with market orientation and Google AdWords in a specific market where competing companies are investigated to try to find the best approach. Inter-functional coordination is also a topic that should be further studied since this study did not find a clear work on the design. Future research should have the new Data Protection Act (GDPR) in mind as the law changes a lot about how personal information can be saved and spread by companies, especially by Google. As well as a change of a Swedish game license that will be introduced. Contribution of the thesis:  The study has contributed in an increased understanding of how SMEs work with SEM tools, such as Google AdWords, to be market oriented from a practical and theoretical perspective. The contribution of the study has found that all companies use some form of market orientation when using Google AdWords. / Syfte:  Syftet med studien är att förstå hur SME:s marknadsorienterar sig mot kunder genom Google AdWords.   Metod: Studien använder en kvalitativ metod. Syftet med studien är att öka förståelse för fenomenet Google AdWords. Vidare har den empiriska data som används samlats in via åtta semistrukturerade intervjuer, dessa intervjuer utfördes på åtta SME:s i Stockholm, Gävle och Uppsala. De nyckelord som identifierats i analysen har skapats genom att teori och empiridel ställts mot varandra och skapat nyckelord för de iakttagelser som gjorts.   Resultat och slutsats: Resultatet visar att samtliga företag använder sig av marknadsorientering och Google AdWords. Dock varierar arbetet med marknadsorientering och Google AdWords i förhållande till teorin. Samtliga företag i studien finner Google AdWords att vara ett upplevt lönsamt marknadsföringsverktyg.   Förslag till fortsatt forskning: Framtida studier kan använda den empiriska modell som finns i studien för att se hur företag arbetar med marknadsorientering och Google AdWords inom en specifik marknad. Interfunktionell koordinering är också ett tema som bör studeras vidare eftersom studien inte fann ett uttalat arbete med konstruktionen. Framtida forskning bör ha nya personuppgiftslagen GDPR i åtanke eftersom lagen förändrar hur personuppgifter får sparas och spridas av företag. Samt att en förändring av svensk spellicens som kommer att införas.   Uppsatsens bidrag: Studien har bidragit med en ökad förståelse för hur SME:s arbetar med SEM-verktyget Google AdWords för att marknadsorientera sig ur ett praktiskt och teoretiskt perspektiv. Bidraget studien har kommit fram till är att samtliga företag använder någon form av marknadsorientering när de använder Google AdWords.

Les systèmes de management de marque (BMS) sont d’une importance centrale pour contrôler de façon efficace le management de marque et mettre en valeur la performance de l’entreprise. Une difficulté actuelle concerne l’évaluation des pratiques des managers de marque et leurs contributions à la performance. Cette recherche doctorale tente de pallier cette limite de plusieurs manières : (1) en identifiant les pratiques saillantes et composantes du BMS ; (2) en définissant une échelle de mesure du BMS ; (3) en testant son rôle médiateur dans la relation entre le concept d’orientation marché et la performance marque ; (4) en déterminant globalement , mais aussi sectoriellement, les pratiques saillantes du management de marque qui contribuent à la performance marque mesurée de façon subjective et objective, ainsi que les effets ; (5) en étudiant le rôle de variables qui pourraient modérer cet effet médiateur. Les résultats d’une analyse de sentier auprès de 359 managers de marque confirment l’existence de l’effet médiateur du système de management de marque. Nous démontrons qu’il existe également un chemin médiateur passant par cet effet et ayant un impact sur la performance subjective de la marque puis la performance financière objective. Les analyses multi-groupes mettent en avant des différences sectorielles dans la valorisation des pratiques du management de marque et de l’orientation marché, fournissant ainsi des éléments d’information pour la prise de décision du top management. / Brand management systems (BMSs) are of prime importance to monitor an effective brand management and enhance firms’ performance. The lack of research about brand management practices makes the evaluation of their impact on performance difficult to assess. In order to fill this gap, this doctoral research tries to: (1) identify the BMS’s main practices and components; (2) define a BMS scale; (3) test the BMS mediating role in the relationship between market orientation and brand performance; (4) determine to what extent brand management systems contributes to brand performance, measured at subjective and objective levels, globally and in five sectors; (5) study the moderating effects of firms’ and sectors’ characteristics. The research was carried out with a sample of 359 managers. The results demonstrate the mediating effect of BMS on subjective brand performance to objective financial performance. Multigroup analyses show moderating effects which influence BMS and market orientation valuation, which provides relevant information for top managers’ decision making.