Problem description: This study of relationship embeddedness in the construction industry is conducted within the network of the case company Peab AB and limited to their project operations in Finland. The industrial marketing theories, sociological embeddedness theories and construction industry characteristics are forming the foundation of the theoretical framework. The current academic literature has revealed two contradictive approaches of favorable level of relationship embeddedness in the construction industry setting. Therefore, this thesis aims to reveal how embeddedness from structural and relational perspective influences to Peab network relationship development by example of two projects and whether they are developing towards the embedded, high-involvement and closer or arm’s length type of relationships. Purpose of the research: The purpose of this paper is to examine how embeddedness from structural and relational perspective influences relationship development and to reveal which level of embeddedness is favored in the construction industry network by examining two projects of Peab AB. Research question: How does embeddedness influence Peab’s business relationships within its existing network in the construction industry? Methods: This study consists of qualitative research with a case study method, where the chosen case company is Peab AB. The empirical data was gathered by conducting five semi-structured in-depth interviews from the key persons of two different construction projects including the top managers of Peab Foundation Sweden and Peab Infra, Peab Industry/MBR and Tensicon. Interviews revealed in detail two different project conditions from bidding process, selecting the subcontractors, actual performance and adjustment requirements and conditions for cost related and loyal relationship conditions. The theory part in this research consists of theories concerning industrial marketing, construction industry characteristics and sociological theories that were searched through carefully selected academic articles, journals, books and e-books. Conclusion: The Peab network supports closer internal ties and longer-term-oriented external ties, and therefore, the internal ties tend to become stronger compared to the external ties. Structural and relational embeddedness are complimenting and overlapping perspectives and it is recommendable to consider both dimensions when examining relationship development. It should be noticed that the embeddedness has many variations and levels, and therefore, the network and the industry conditions should be examined thoroughly as they all influences the business relationship development. In the Peab network the low price and close relationship goes hand in hand. Nearly always the lowest price determines who gets the project, but through the trusted relationship the price can be adjusted.

Abstract Literature on strategic management has largely concentrated on strategy formulation, or, the analysis of strategic content, whereas limited attention has been given to the implementation of strategy, or the analysis of the strategic process. This study represents process research and approaches strategy as practice. The aim of this study is to increase both empirical and theoretical understanding of the nature of the processes or generative mechanisms through which the strategies are formed in small software companies – i.e., to open up the ‘black box’ of strategy formation. The field of strategic management studies is mapped with the help of reviews and meta-theoretical analyses conducted by other researchers, shedding light on the content aspect of strategy. To understand the process and context of strategy, the network perspective and the research of change are reviewed. Based on the literature review and data analysis, an a priori model is developed. The empirical research is based on the analysis of the development process of three entrepreneur-led software companies located in Kajaani, Finland, and the research is conducted as a process research using the method of a multiple case study. Based on the data analysis and the a priori model, the generative mechanisms inside the process of strategy formation in the case companies are identified: situational and transformational mechanisms, formed by the interplay of Network Visioning and Organising, and action-formation mechanism, formed by the interplay of Strategising and Organising. By opening up the ‘black box’ of strategy formation, this study increases the understanding of the reality of small software companies and the effect of the context of software business on the development of the companies. Recognising the different elements affecting strategy formation may help the companies to be aware of the mechanism affecting their development and to guide the development in the direction deemed appropriate.

The implementation of information technology and its impact on organisational change has been an important phenomenon, discussed in the IS literature over the last 30 years. Treating information system (IS) implementation as organisational change is a complex phenomenon. This complexity is mainly due to its multidisciplinary, socio-technical, dynamic and non-linear nature. This challenging nature of IS implementation complexities has a direct relationship to the IS implementation project outcomes - its success or failure. In view of this complexity, this research aims to understand how process studies can improve the understanding of enterprise system implementation. We argue that the socio-technical nature of IS development is inevitable thus the only way to go forward is to explore and understand the phenomenon. Following this, we adopt the stakeholder's perspective solely for the purpose of identification of stakeholders and their embedded interests and expectations. While prior research concentrated on a limited number of stakeholders of IS, we attempt to adopt Pouloudi et al. (2004) in mobilizing a stakeholder perspective to incorporate non-human stakeholders within the analysis. Within the actor-network perspective, complexity is resolved through simplification (black-boxing) - unpacking or collapsing the complexity. However, during this simplification process, the risk of removing useful description of the phenomenon through labelling was avoided. To support this research, the punctuated socio-technical information systems change (PSIC) model was applied. In this model, interactions and relationships between its components (antecedent condition, process, outcomes and organisational context) play a vital role. This research focuses on the implementation of an integrated financial system in three Malaysian universities through three interpretive case studies. Our findings show that each of our case studies provides a unique IS development trajectory. Following stakeholder analysis, the different cases provide interesting combinations of conflicts and coalitions among human and non-human stakeholders which further dictates the project outcomes or the process of IS black-boxing. The relationship between the three case studies on the other hand provides an interesting illustration of IS technology transfer.

[pt] Esta pesquisa foi motivada pela percepção de que a indústria do turismo apresenta uma estrutura profícua para o estudo de relacionamentos interorganizacionais. Isso porque, para configurar-se como produto, o turismo depende da articulação de diversas empresas e de distintos setores que atuam em atividades heterogêneas, mas que são interdependentes e complementares. Entretanto, praticamente não existem estudos sobre a rede de relacionamentos da indústria do turismo no Brasil e, menos ainda, na cidade do Rio de Janeiro. Nesse sentido, esta pesquisa objetivou contribuir para diminuir a lacuna acima identificada, empreendendo uma análise sobre a rede de relacionamentos, formada por alianças estratégicas, de um dos atores mais importantes da macrorrede do turismo: os hotéis líderes da cidade do Rio de Janeiro. Por meio disso, propôs-se também a revelar oportunidades e ameaças do destino estudado sob um novo prisma – o dos relacionamentos interorganizaconais –, mais adequado à realidade da indústria do turismo e ao cenário competitivo atual. Ademais, esta pesquisa adaptou o arcabouço de análise estratégica relacional de Macedo-Soares (2011) para a indústria do turismo, visando uma atuação mais ativa de seus atores. Os resultados mostraram o potencial dos hotéis estudados de aproveitar as oportunidades constituídas por suas alianças, no sentido de contribuírem para o desenvolvimento socioeconômico da cidade por meio da sua atuação como atores centrais na rede de relacionamentos da indústria do turismo. / [en] This research was motivated by the perception of the tourism industry as a useful environment for studying inter-organizational relationships. Indeed, to be configured as a product, tourism depends on the articulation of different companies and different sectors that operate in heterogeneous activities, but are interdependent and complementary. However, there are very few studies on the network of the tourism industry in Brazil and none in the city of Rio de Janeiro. Thus, this research aimed to contribute to reduce the gap identified by undertaking an analysis on the network of relationships, like strategic alliances, formed by one of the most important actors in the macro-network of tourism: leader hotels, in the city of Rio de Janeiro. By this, the research also proposed to reveal opportunities and threats of the tourism destination studied in a new perspective – the inter-organizational relationships one – more suited to the reality of the tourism industry and to the existing competitive landscape. Moreover, this research adapted the Macedo-Soares (2011) strategic network analysis framework for the tourism industry, seeking a more active role of its actors. The results showed the potential of the hotels studied to seize the opportunities consisted of their alliances in order to contribute to the socioeconomic development of the destination through its role as central actors in the network of the tourism industry.

Diffusion studies are commonly associated with the dissemination of innovations across legally and economically independent organizational units. Suggesting a new perspective on the existing diffusion literature, this thesis argues that diffusion of innovations is a relevant issue to study also on a (formally) micro–level of investigation. Based on this reasoning, this thesis examines how and why a contemporary management accounting tool diffuses within a group of organizations belonging to a common corporate group. The concept in focus is the Balanced Scorecard. A high number of adopters worldwide combined with a shortage of empirically grounded scientific studies dealing with the practical Scorecard application make it a relevant tool to study. Against this background, this thesis also aims to enhance our knowledge on what it means to adopt and to maintain a Balanced Scorecard in practice. To address these aims, this study presents the results of an in-depth case study of a large-sized multinational firm. The empirical data describes a five-year BSC adoption and implementation process in five business divisions; all of them active in the communications business. Diffusion of innovations studies, supplemented by management accounting implementation studies form a first part of the theoretical framework developed. In an effort to create an even richer understanding of the data, a network perspective is additionally applied in a second analytical step. The findings of this thesis indicate that applying theory of diffusion on a micro–level requires using a process-approach of study. Under this pre-condition, the study portrays the intra-firm Balanced Scorecard diffusion as a complex process—unpredictable in its nature and highly dependent on groups of individuals and their interests. The Balanced Scorecard is identified as a management fashion. Confirming experiences made with established management accounting tools, organizational resistance prolongs its implementation process. Parts of this resistance are identified as being related to the Scorecard concept itself, while others appear to be non-specific to the tool examined.

Problem Description: Since there are recognized similarities in the construction industry between relationship building and strategic CSR engaging thus managing and communicating CSR should be evaluated from the industrial network perspective. Close interaction between stakeholders and implemented strategic CSR facilitate to perform successfully and remain competitive when facing challenges in modern construction industry. Peab AB was chosen for the research as one of the leading construction companies in the Nordic region that recently redefined its CSR strategy and now delivering and sharing the vision through entire established network. Purpose of the research: Sustainable development has become part of the business plans for Swedish construction companies. Therefore it is relevant to research implementation of sustainable dynamics in the Peab’s vision by analyzing their strategic CSR process and how it is communicated to their key stakeholders within complex industrial network. Research questions: How is sustainability vision and strategic CSR communicated through Peab’s business relationships within its industrial network? How does the company communicate its CSR strategy within the industrial network? How does the company handle its CSR issues within long-term relationships? Methods: In this thesis qualitative research method with deductive approach has been used. The empirical findings contain primary data such as interviews with the management of the Peab Group, Peab Grundläggning, Swerock and Leimet. The secondary data sources were academical journals, books, Peab website and its corporate policy, annual & sustainability reports. Conclusion: By combining traditional industrial marketing theories together with the modern strategic CSR communication, it has been concluded that the sustainability vision and strategic CSR engaged and communicated to the stakeholders through Peab’s industrial network have process kind of nature.  Even though sustainability vision helps Peab to remain successful and competitive in the long run their performance in the industrial network depends highly on close cooperation with the stakeholders. Close interaction and committed relations with partners is one of the ways of handling sustainability aspects in the construction industry.

abstract: Services outsourcing is a prevalent yet problematic phenomenon. On the one hand, more and more firms are outsourcing services function. On the other hand, we are faced with many services outsourcing failures. This research attempts to uncover some of the omitted causes of services outsourcing failure. It extends a conceptual paper that used social network theory to examine the shifting of the triadic relationship structures among the service buyer, service supplier and the buyer's customers at different stages of the services outsourcing arrangements and its performance implications. This study empirically examines these performance implications. Specifically, this research defines the concept of bridge transfer, which denotes the weakening and dissolution of operational ties between the service buyer firms' and their end customers and the appearing and strengthening of operational ties between the service supplier firms and the end customers. It also empirically derives a measurement scale for this new construct. Further, the effects of bridge transfer on supplier's appropriation behavior, buyer's cost of quality and end customers' quality perception are examined in the context of customer facing services and are contrasted with those entail little or no customer interactions. In addition, the moderating roles of buyer-supplier relationship on the effects of bridge transfer are also examined. An Internet-based survey was administered to firms affiliated with CAPS Research and the Institute of Supply Management as the primary data source (n=137). Principal Component Analyses were used to derive a composite score for each of the model construct. Then linear regressions were used to detect the effects of bridge transfer on services outsourcing outcomes and to detect the moderating role of buyer-supplier relationships on these effects. The results show that bridge transfer is positively correlated to suppliers' appropriate behavior and negatively correlated to end customer's quality perception in the context of customer facing services. The effects of bridge transfer are not found for services that entail little or no interactions with the end customers. Instead, buyer-supplier relationship is found to be a key influencing factor to services outsourcing outcomes in this context. This study helps to pinpoint some of the omitted causes of services outsourcing failures and shed light on how to manage services outsourcing for success. / Dissertation/Thesis / Ph.D. Business Administration 2011

Research question: How is the sales network of ABB Crane system related to industrial marketing in anetwork perspective? Purpose of the research:The main task is to investigate if the sales network of ABB Crane Systems is related toestablished theory of industrial marketing in a network perspective. Method: The research strategy has been formed from a deductive approach and the empiricaldata has been gathered with a qualitative approach. Both primary and secondary data hasbeen used in order to fulfill the purpose of our paper. The empirical findings representthe primary data which was gathered through interviews with the management of ABB Crane Systems. The secondary data was gathered from journal articles, literature, ABB’s website and Mälardalen University’s databases. Conclusion: With the help of three different theories, it has been concluded that the sales network ofABB Crane Systems has a rather close relationship with Industrial Marketing in anetwork perspective. However, it has also been found that the company is not entirelyrelated to the important aspect of embeddedness in its sales network, which is adeliberate strategy in order to minimize the risks of miscommunication, maintain controlover the sales process, remain flexible, as well as not waste scarce resources. Theimplication is that the level of embeddedness in the industry depends on several factorssuch as market concentration, competition, number of projects per year, size of availableprojects, the stage in the relationship building process and overall market uncertainty. / Frågeställning: Hur är ABB Crane Systems försäljningsnätverk relaterat till nätverksperspektivet inomindustriell marknadsföring? Syfte: Huvudsyftet är att undersöka om ABB Crane Systems försäljningsnätverk är relaterat tilldet etablerade nätverksperspektivet inom industriell marknadsföring. Metod: Denna undersökning has strategiskt formats utifrån en deduktiv ansats, och denempiriska datan har samlats in med en kvalitativ metod. Både primär och sekundär datahar använts för att uppfylla syftet samt svara på frågeställningen. Empirin representerarprimärdatan vilken har samlats in genom intervjuer med chefer på ABB Crane Systems.Den sekundära datan samlades in från academiska tidskrifter, literatur, ABBs hemsida samt från databaser på Mälardalens Högskola. Slutsats: Med hjälp av tre olika teorier har slutsatsen dragits att ABB Crane Systems försäljningsnätverk har en relativt nära relation till nätverksperspektivet inom industriellmarknadsföring. Emmelertid har det även påvisats att företaget inte helt är relaterat till”embeddedness” i försäljningsnätverket, vilket är förankrat i ett medvetet strategiskt valför att minimera riskerna med missförstånd, upprätthålla kontroll över säljprocessen,bibehålla flexibilitet, likväl för att inte slösa på de begränsade resurserna. Innebörden äratt nivå av ”embeddedness” beror på flera faktorer såsom marknadskoncentration,konkurrens, antal project per år, storlek på tillgängliga project, relationsnivån i denrelationsbyggande processen, samt den överliggande osäkerheten på marknaden.

<p>The 21st century would be a nightmare for Don Quijote: thousands of windmills are installed all over the globe and the number will increase tremendously over the next years. If climate change was an issue in the early 17th century, Don Quijote might have specialized in fighting nuclear or fossil fuel power plants.</p><p>The change in power production is clearly pronounced, and it inspires the market to respond immediately. Numerous wind turbine manufacturers emerge, developing one technological innovation after another. The trend clearly goes in one direction: horizontal axis wind turbines in all possible variations. However, there are a few companies that do not follow the mainstream – they swim against the current and introduce new concepts, with the potential to set new standards in the industry.</p><p>Nevertheless, the question whether these companies can establish operations and survive in an industry dominated by large multinational corporations arises. If these companies want to become recognized, they need to compete on an international scale from the outset – they become born globals.</p><p>This master’s thesis investigates the preconditions under which an innovative start-up company can become born global in the wind turbine industry. For that, distinctive resources and capabilities of such companies, as well as key success factors for the industry are defined. Furthermore, enhancing or restricting parameters lying within company’s environment – in particular, within its networks – are discovered. These findings are based on and supported by the case study of an innovative vertical axis wind turbine manufacturer. In addition, the influence of this company’s university spin-off origin is investigated.</p>

The 21st century would be a nightmare for Don Quijote: thousands of windmills are installed all over the globe and the number will increase tremendously over the next years. If climate change was an issue in the early 17th century, Don Quijote might have specialized in fighting nuclear or fossil fuel power plants. The change in power production is clearly pronounced, and it inspires the market to respond immediately. Numerous wind turbine manufacturers emerge, developing one technological innovation after another. The trend clearly goes in one direction: horizontal axis wind turbines in all possible variations. However, there are a few companies that do not follow the mainstream – they swim against the current and introduce new concepts, with the potential to set new standards in the industry. Nevertheless, the question whether these companies can establish operations and survive in an industry dominated by large multinational corporations arises. If these companies want to become recognized, they need to compete on an international scale from the outset – they become born globals. This master’s thesis investigates the preconditions under which an innovative start-up company can become born global in the wind turbine industry. For that, distinctive resources and capabilities of such companies, as well as key success factors for the industry are defined. Furthermore, enhancing or restricting parameters lying within company’s environment – in particular, within its networks – are discovered. These findings are based on and supported by the case study of an innovative vertical axis wind turbine manufacturer. In addition, the influence of this company’s university spin-off origin is investigated.