<p><strong><strong>Purpose and Execution –The purpose of this paper is to seek feasible suggestions and recommendations to the Chinese medical device industry under the new current market situation—Chinese health care system reform. In order to achieve this aim, we will start with introducing the background of current status of related issues. The next part will be the preparation of further analysis, which contains the theory and descriptions of the health care system reform histories of China, Sweden, the USA and UK. We will consequent present the environmental potential influential aspects. The main discussion will take place around medical device market analysis, together with three representative company case studies. After identifying the opportunities and challenges of the industry, we will draw the conclusions which are the recommendations for Chinese health care industry and also some suggestions for the Chinese government. <strong></strong></strong></strong></p><p><p>Design/Methodology/Approach – To explore these issues, besides literature reviews on market analysis (five forces, SWOT analysis), this paper applies generic competitive strategy, value-based service and service innovation as well. In addition, it also illustrates with 3 mini cases. We acquired both secondary data from related databases and primary data through questionnaires. <strong></strong></p><p>Limitation – Due to the restricted access to the specific database, the acquired information is limited to analyze the paper. Furthermore, according to the fact that the data we obtained is mostly on the basis of the whole medical device industry and it is quite difficult to be classified into particular parts, we decided to limit our research to the medical device industry that caters to both medical equipments and disposable tools when doing the analysis. In addition, since the design of questionnaire includes open questions, the research quality is heavily dependent on the individual skills of the researcher. <strong></strong></p><p>Findings – The new health care system reform will definitely boost the growth of medical device industry, but also create fiercer competition. Chinese Medical device companies need to enhance abilities of marketing, research and development, and aim at meeting customer needs to exploit new profit alternatives.</p></p>

Purpose and Execution –The purpose of this paper is to seek feasible suggestions and recommendations to the Chinese medical device industry under the new current market situation—Chinese health care system reform. In order to achieve this aim, we will start with introducing the background of current status of related issues. The next part will be the preparation of further analysis, which contains the theory and descriptions of the health care system reform histories of China, Sweden, the USA and UK. We will consequent present the environmental potential influential aspects. The main discussion will take place around medical device market analysis, together with three representative company case studies. After identifying the opportunities and challenges of the industry, we will draw the conclusions which are the recommendations for Chinese health care industry and also some suggestions for the Chinese government. Design/Methodology/Approach – To explore these issues, besides literature reviews on market analysis (five forces, SWOT analysis), this paper applies generic competitive strategy, value-based service and service innovation as well. In addition, it also illustrates with 3 mini cases. We acquired both secondary data from related databases and primary data through questionnaires. Limitation – Due to the restricted access to the specific database, the acquired information is limited to analyze the paper. Furthermore, according to the fact that the data we obtained is mostly on the basis of the whole medical device industry and it is quite difficult to be classified into particular parts, we decided to limit our research to the medical device industry that caters to both medical equipments and disposable tools when doing the analysis. In addition, since the design of questionnaire includes open questions, the research quality is heavily dependent on the individual skills of the researcher. Findings – The new health care system reform will definitely boost the growth of medical device industry, but also create fiercer competition. Chinese Medical device companies need to enhance abilities of marketing, research and development, and aim at meeting customer needs to exploit new profit alternatives.

Digitalization in society was a fact prior to using it in earnest in school education. The aim of this study is to research the opportunities and challenges pupils and teachers face when using digital tools in the teaching of algebra in f-6. My purpose has been to make a compilation of current research on this subject. My method has been literary studies, where I systematically gleaned scientific papers in the ERIC database. After compilation, survey, and analysis, it emerged that the papers all agree that digital tools in the teaching of algebra produce better results when used in a larger group of pupils.  As for challenges, some papers also described these. They concerned the teacher’s competency using digital tools and the usability of apps, and the importance of not allowing these to become a limiting factor for the pupils, but must be designed in a way that allows the pupil’s attention to be focused on the mathematical concepts rather than on the technical side of the apps. It is important of follow-up and new research concerning how digital tools in school education affect the pupils and their learning, and how they affect the teacher’s role. / Digitaliseringen i samhället var ett faktum redan innan den på allvar togs in i undervisningen. Denna studie avser att undersöka vilka möjligheter och utmaningar som möter elever och lärare när digitala verktyg används i algebraundervisningen i f-6. Syftet var att sammanställa vad aktuell forskning skriver i ämnet. Min metod var litteraturstudie där jag systematiskt sökte vetenskapliga artiklar i databasen ERIC. Efter sammanställning, kartläggning och analys framkom att samtliga artiklar beskriver möjligheter med digitala verktyg i algebraundervisningen, som bättre förståelse när dessa används i grupp.  När det gällde utmaningar beskrevs också dessa i några artiklar. Det handlade om lärarnas kompetens att använda digitala verktyg och apparnas användbarhet, dessa får inte medföra onödiga begränsningar för eleverna och de måste vara utformade så att läraren kan fokusera eleverna uppmärksamhet på de matematiska begreppen snarare än på tekniken. Det är viktigt med uppföljning och ny forskning kring hur digitala verktyg i undervisningen påverkar eleverna och deras lärande samt lärarens roll.

Aim: This thesis aims to investigate the varying needs and perceptions of employees in different positions within a single organization in Brazil with regard to flexiblework arrangements. Methodology: The study selected eight employees from diverse positions within the organization through purposive and snowball sampling techniques. The datacollection process employed a semi-structured interview approach, using an interview guide exploring the perception and needs of the employees regarding flexible work arrangements. The primary objective of the interviews was to offer valuable insights into employees' experiences and viewpoints, which aids in understanding the workforce's needs and requirements. Findings: The analysis found that employees across the different hierarchies in the organization exhibited a shared inclination towards remote work due to its advantages. However, the choices made by the employees were influenced by the team and managerial dynamics, client demands, and peak periods of activity. The findings disclosed that the advantages of flexible working arrangements are multifaceted encompassing work-life balance, quality of life, and cost savings. Conversely, challenges in the form of limited communication and relationship building opportunities, hierarchical complexities, and the high commuting costs incurred by hybrid workers were identified. The findings, therefore, emphasized the importance of fostering support, collaboration, and a positive work environment. Conclusion: Overall, the organization actively promotes adaptability to remote work, offering incentives and the necessary equipment to facilitate work-from-home arrangements. This research, therefore, underscores the need to embrace remote work and advocate for an enabling environment that addresses the diverse needs and challenges encountered by employees engaging in flexible work practices.

Titel: Från kris till möjlighet: En studie av ledarskapet inom byggbranschen under pandemin Författare: Aslan Ali &amp; Emma Lindberg  Färdigställd: 2023–05–26 Examinator: Jean-Charles Languilaire   » Bakgrund: Byggbranschen anses vara en av de viktigaste industrierna i världen och ansvarar för att bygga och underhålla bostäder, kontor, infrastruktur och offentliga byggnader. Covid-19 pandemin har ställt branschen inför många utmaningar däribland begränsad rörlighet, sjukdom och arbetsförlust. Ledarskapet har förändrats kontinuerligt under pandemins rådande situation. Det har varit avgörande för ledarna att hantera dessa utmaningar och bibehålla en hälsosam arbetsmiljö. Hur skulle man agera som ledare och vägleda sina medarbetare mot ljusa tider? Vi vill få en förståelse av utmaningarna och möjligheterna som uppstått i byggbranschen under pandemin och undersöka lärdomarna som följer med. Vi önskar att bidra till kunskapsluckan idag samt stärka branschen och ledarskapet i framtiden.  » Syfte: Syftet med vår studie är att få en mer nyanserad förståelse för hur ledarskapet har utförts och utformats under pandemin inom byggbranschen. Vilka utmaningar och möjligheter har förekommit samt hur ledare har anpassat sig efter pandemins utmaningar. » Frågeställningar: Hur har ledarskapet utförts under pandemin inom byggbranschen? Vilka utmaningar och möjligheter har byggbranschens ledare mött under pandemin? Finns det några lärdomar från pandemin som stärkt ledarskapet i byggbranschen?  » Metod: Studien baseras på en kvalitativ forskningsmetod med en induktiv forskningsansats. Åtta ledare inom byggbranschen har intervjuats och efter det med hjälp av grundad teori analyseras. Det har resulterat i en modell som klargör vad som krävs för att upp nå hur man ska främja den fortsatta tillväxten.  » Slutsatser: Slutsatsen av studien resulterade i att trots vår undersökning finns mycket kvar att undersöka. Trots detta sammanfattas vilka egenskaper, problem, lösningar och lärdomar man lärt sig och kommer kunna ta med sig i framtiden. / Title: From crisis to opportunity: A study of leadership in the construction industry during the pandemic.  Authors: Aslan Ali &amp; Emma Lindberg  Published: 2023–05–26 Examinator: Jean-Charles Languilaire   » Background: The construction industry is considered one of the most important industries in the world and is responsible for building and maintaining homes, offices, infrastructure, and public buildings. The Covid-19 pandemic has posed many challenges to the industry, such as limited mobility, illness, and job loss. Leadership has continuously changed during the prevailing pandemic situation. It has been crucial for leaders to manage these challenges and maintain a healthy work environment. How should leaders act and guide their employees towards brighter times? We want to gain an understanding of the challenges and opportunities that have arisen in the construction industry during the pandemic and explore the lessons learned. We wish to contribute to the knowledge gap today and strengthen the industry and leadership in the future. » Purpose: The purpose of our study is to gain a more nuanced understanding of how leadership has been carried out and shaped within the construction industry during the pandemic. We explore the challenges and opportunities that have emerged, as well as how leaders have adapted in response to the challenges of the pandemic. » Research Questions: How has leadership been carried out during the pandemic in the construction industry? What challenges and opportunities have construction industry leaders faced during the pandemic? Are there any lessons from the pandemic that have strengthened leadership in the construction industry? » Method: The study is based on a qualitative research method with an inductive research approach. Eight construction industry leaders have been interviewed, and their responses have been analyzed using grounded theory. This has resulted in a model that clarifies what is required to achieve how to promote continued growth. » Conclusions: The conclusion of the study resulted in the finding that despite our research, there is still much left to explore. Nevertheless, it summarizes the characteristics, problems, solutions, and lessons learned that can be carried forward into the future.

Abstract Background: The rapid expansion of the service industry worldwide over the past decades has intensified competition among service providers. In response to this competition, service industries are increasingly turning to outsourcing decisions to leverage opportunities and gain a competitive edge. This includes outsourcing both core and non-core competencies to better position themselves against rivals. However, while outsourcing presents numerous opportunities within the service industry landscape, organizations also encounter significant challenges. Thus, there is a pressing need for a comprehensive framework to identify and address both the potential opportunities and challenges associated with outsourcing. This study aims to provide a thorough overview of how the opportunities and challenges of strategic outsourcing in Service Supply Chains influence the competitiveness of organizations across various service industries with a comprehensive framework and model to enhance the competitiveness within Service Supply Chains. Purpose: Fulfil the previous research gaps related to outsourcing within SSC domain by exploring how the opportunities and challenges of strategic outsourcing in Service Supply Chains influence the competitiveness within service industries in Sweden. Method: The research adopts inductive approaches, utilizing qualitative data collection methods, including open-ended interviews following a grounded theory approach. The empirical findings contribute to the development of a comprehensive model, offering insights into both mitigating challenges and capitalizing on opportunities in outsourcing within Service Supply Chains. Conclusion: The study addresses the organizational focus on outsourcing within Service Supply Chains, highlighting how strategic outsourcing in Service Supply Chains influences organizations' competitiveness across various service industries in Sweden. Organizations outsource both core and non-core competencies to meet customer demands and remain competitive. While outsourcing presents opportunities for revenue generation and other benefits such as access to resources, it also brings challenges such as additional costs, quality issues, and delivery delays, impacting competitiveness negatively. To align with organizational goals, approaches are employed to mitigate these challenges and capitalize on opportunities. The research provides a comprehensive framework, considering agency theory perspectives, to navigate outsourcing opportunities and challenges. It identifies organizational and supplierlevel factors that influence competitiveness in Service Supply Chains by mitigating challenges and capitalizing on opportunities.

Background: Organizations are continuously challenged to create differentiated customer value and experience to increase profitability and gain competitive advantage. At the same time, the fast-paced advancement of technologies provides the opportunity to the organizations to create a differentiated customer value by offering innovative products and services. Internet of things (IoTs) is one such emerging technology that brings within itself opportunities and challenges to be addressed. However, so far research has not sufficiently followed how the utilization of IoTs can enhance customer value and experience. Purpose: The purpose of conducting this study is to explore how the utilization of IoTs enhance customer value and experience in an equipment manufacturers context and what are the associated opportunities and challenges. The study also aims to contribute to gap identified in the literature about how organizations can utilize IoTs to enhance customer value and experience. Method: The qualitative study utilized a single instrumental case study to explore the research questions. The data is collected by conducting semi-structured in-depth interviews. Conclusion: The study reveals that the utilization of IoTs can significantly improve customer value and experience in many ways. This may involve enabling user to monitor, control and optimally use the equipment, sharing useful information, allowing value co-creation and synergistic values and finally by providing autonomous equipment’s or solutions. However, the study also reveals that the utilization of IoTs also pose certain challenges along with the opportunities which must be carefully evaluated.

The purpose of this thesis is to investigate the use of social media (SM) as a relationship marketing tool (RM) in the context of professional sport in North America. The specific objectives are (i) to explore the use of social media in meeting relationship marketing goals within the context of professional sport, (ii) to explore how professional sport teams’ managers see the opportunities of social media in meeting relationship marketing goals, (iii) to explore how professional sport teams’ managers see the challenges of social media in meeting relationship marketing goals, and (iv) to examine the benefits of social media, if any, in enhancing long-term relationships with their favourite sport team from the perspective of fans of professional sport teams. Guided by a pragmatist philosophical worldview, the project adopted a multi-domain qualitative research approach. The multi-domain approach reflects the three data sources (i.e., the medium-SM platform, organization-professional teams, and consumers-sport fans). Putting an individual emphasis on each of these three data sources, three different but interrelated studies are conducted to accomplish the overall purpose of the dissertation using an article-based format. The first study, guided by the relationship marketing theoretical framework, adopted a netnographic method to investigate professional sport teams’ use of Twitter as an RM tool. Specifically, the study focused on the three core components of RM: communication, interaction, and value. The netnography is based on data gathered from the official Twitter account of 20 professional sport teams from the four major leagues from August 1, 2015 to February 29, 2016. Results outline seven emergent communication types, six interaction practices, and ten values (co)created by the teams or/and fans. Theoretical and practical implications, as well as impetus for future research are identified. The second study aimed at obtaining a first-hand and an in-depth understanding of the role, opportunities, and challenges of SM in meeting RM goals from the perspective of senior managers of professional sport teams. For this purpose, semi-structured interviews were conducted with 26 managers from the four major leagues professional sport teams in North America. Results outline the platforms adopted, six intended objectives, seven opportunities and seven challenges of SM as an RM medium. A list of theoretical and practical implications, and impetus for future research is provided. The purpose of the third study was to first gain an empirically supported understanding of the role and benefits of SM as an RM tool from the perspective of professional sport fans and, following that, to identify, specify, verify, and refine the emergent benefits. The study employed an adaptation of the focus group method, dubbed the ‘sequential funnel-based focus group’, which is a multiphase, step-wise version of the established method. The sequential funnel-based focus group is conceptualized, developed, described, and used in this work as a research method. The adaptation allowed the identification of benefits of SM as a medium that enhances long-term relationships through a series of funnel-based focus group discussions in three sequential phases. A total of 10 focus groups with 81 participants took part in the study. The work identified seven major benefits (and 15 sub-categories of benefits) that fans see as opportunities presented by SM as a medium to enhance long-term relationship with their team. Theoretical contributions, practical recommendations, and directions for future research are provided. The findings from the three studies are integrated to construct a multi-dimensionally informed and comprehensive understanding of the use of SM in RM in professional sport. In general, data gathered from the perspective of the three domains (i.e., medium/SM platform, organizational/ professional teams, and consumers/sport fans) informed that SM is providing new directions to RM, making it an effective and affordable channel in realizing RM goals in professional sport context. The thesis also produced empirical evidence of the opportunities that SM presents and the challenges that it poses in terms of meeting RM goals in the context of professional sport. Informed by the studies data, the dissertation also extended Grönroos’s (2004) RM process model through the lens of SM in professional sport context. Contributions to scholarship, practical recommendations, directions for future research, and the limitations of the dissertation are provided.

Afin de mieux tirer profit de l’Accord d’Association entre l’Amérique centrale et l’Union européenne - UE -, cette étude examine les théories et "l’état de l’art" en matière d’Accords de commerce régionaux pour approfondir ensuite dans les relations commerciales entre l’Amérique centrale et l’UE, leur évolution et leurs déterminants, ainsi que les résultats des négociations de l’Accord, pris comme base pour identifier les opportunités et les défis commerciaux qui se présentent à la région centraméricaine, dans la perspective d’une zone de libre commerce dans le cadre de cet Accord.C’est pourquoi les résultats des tests formels se référant aux relations commerciales entre les deux régions sont décrits en appliquant à un modèle de commerce deux points de vue économétriques, le Modèle de Gravité et la technique de Données de Panel.On observe que pour tirer profit des opportunités de cet Accord, les pays centraméricains se voient face à la nécessité d’effectuer des changements structurels en différents domaines, et parmi ceux-ci des changements visant à augmenter, diversifier et améliorer la qualité de la production exportable, afin de satisfaire la demande et de respecter les normes et les régulations requises pour accéder au marché européen.Pour conclure, un grand nombre de facteurs qui ont limité les exportations de l’Amérique centrale vers l’UE sont macroéconomiques et de caractère structurel, et la réduction des tarifs douaniers en soi n’est pas une condition suffisante pour garantir que l’Accord sera profitable, étant donné que ses bénéfices dépendront des changements qui se produiront en Amérique centrale. / With the object of taking advantage of the Partnership Agreement between Central America and European Union –EU- the study reviews the theories and the “state of the art” regarding Regional Trade Agreements in order to deepen trade relations between Central America and the EU. Its evolution and its determinants as well as the results of the negotiations of the Agreement, as the basis to identity trade opportunities and challenges presented for the Central American region in light of the establishment of a free trade zone within the framework of above-mentioned agreement.For the above-mentioned reason, the results of formal tests regarding trade relations between the two regions are described applying a trade model with two econometric approaches: the Gravity Model and Panel Data technique.As a result, it was identified that in order to take advantage of the opportunities of the Agreement, Central American countries will need to carry out structural changes in different areas among which the ones aimed at increasing, diversifying, and improving the exportable production quality, in order to satisfy the demand and to comply with the norms and regulations necessary to access the European market.It is concluded that many of the factors that have limited Central American exports to the European Union are the ones related to macroeconomics and of a structural nature and that the issue of tariff reduction by itself it is not a sufficient condition to guarantee taking advantage of the Agreement due to the fact that its benefit will be measure in light of the changes that will take place in Central America.

Digital transformation har lett till ökad användning av digitala teknologier, detta skapar förändringar i samhället som kan leda till att företag måste ta fram nya strategier för att vara fortsatt konkurrenskraftiga. Med en kvalitativ ansats i form av en fallstudie undersöker denna studie hur ett företag inom detaljhandeln kan hantera och struktureras efter digital transformation inom marknadsföring samt vilka möjligheter och utmaningar detta medfört gällande marknadsföring i digitala kanaler. Datainsamling skedde via semistrukturerade intervjuer med olika chefer samt en medarbetare inom en detaljhandelsorganisation.  Resultatet visar hur organisationen använder sig av digital marknadsföring i sociala medier samt kundspecifik marknadsföring via e-post. För detta har en ny arbetsroll skapats som bär ansvaret för processen. Den digitala marknadsföringen genererar främst möjligheter för relationsskapande med kunder, effektivitet, flexibilitet och personanpassad marknadsföring. Det har uppstått utmaningar kring ökad konkurrens, digital utveckling i samhället, spridning av incidenter och att detaljhandelsbranschen i Sverige ligger efter i utvecklingen.  Studien identifierade likheter och olikheter kring hur detaljhandelsorganisationen arbetar med marknadsföring i sociala medier samt kundspecifik marknadsföring och att detta i sin tur påverkar organisationens hantering och struktur. Exempelvis framkom två olika informationssystem där både processer, system och deltagare skiljde sig åt för digital marknadsföring i sociala medier samt kundspecifik marknadsföring. Studien visade även att de största likheterna var att båda typerna av digital marknadsföring var effektiva tillvägagångssätt för att nå ut till kunder och båda alternativen tillämpade samma informationskällor för skapande och delning av material. / Digital transformation has led to increased use of digital technologies, this creates changes in society that can require companies to adapt new strategies to remain competitive. With a qualitative approach in the form of a case study, this essay examines how a company in the retail trade can manage, and is structured for digital transformation in marketing, and what opportunities and challenges this management and structuring has brought about current marketing in digital channels. Data collection took place via semi-structured interviews with various managers and an employee within the retail organization. The results show how the organization uses digital marketing in social media and customer-specific marketing in E-mail. For this, a new role has been created that bears the responsibility for the process. Digital marketing mainly creates opportunities for relationship building with customers, efficiency, flexibility and personalized marketing. Challenges have mainly arisen regarding increased competition, digital development in society, the spread of incidents and the fact that the retail industry in Sweden is lagging behind in development. Furthermore, the study identified similarities and differences in how the retail organization works with marketing in social media as well as customer-specific marketing and that this affects the organization’s management and structure. For example, two different information systems were identified where both processes, systems and participants differed for digital marketing in social media and customer-specific marketing. The study also revealed that the biggest similarities were that both types of digital marketing were effective approaches to reach customers and both alternatives applied the same sources of information for creating and sharing materials.