The aim of the thesis is to determine the relation between subjectively perceived and financially measured performance of a firm. The introduction of the thesis is focused on performance characteristics and measurement. Further, based on foreign and domestic researches, subjectively perceived performance is defined and comparison with objectively (financially) measured one is made. Results of the researches prove that between subjectively perceived and financially measured performance, there exists substantial to very strong statistical association. Following on an own research was carried out. As the tool for data collection serves a questionnaire sent to firms from the Czech and Slovak Republic. The data collected are compared with values of select financial measures: with ROA, ROE, ROS and Gross Sales. Said own research also confirmed a positive correlation between subjectively perceived and financially measured performance of the firm, albeit weaker than in foreign researches.

Despite the obvious importance attached to the psychological significance of height and weight in everyday life, few researchers have studied the relationship of these variables to the sales performance of ordinary life insurance salesmen. In the present study, it was hypothesized that (1) taller and/or heavier ordinary life insurance salesmen are more successful than shorter and/or lighter ordinary life insurance salesmen; (2) those who possess more "ideal statures" are more successful than those who do not; and, secondarily, (3) life insurance companies tend to hire taller and/or heavier applicants for life insurance sales positions. The results of this study offer further support for the view that many sales managers and recruiters tend to believe that "the bigger they are, the better," and to select applicants accordingly, with the qualification that in this sample, female agents were taller, but lighter than average. These findings are discussed in terms of their implications for the life insurance industry and future investigations.

Syfte: Syftet med denna studie är att undersöka hur transformativt ledarskap påverkar svenska fastighetsmäklares säljprestationer genom dess effekt på attitydsvariablerna psykologiskt bemyndigande, upplevd själveffektivitet och medarbetarkraft samt beteendevariabeln prestationssträvan. Metod: Denna studie är grundad i en kvantitativ forskningsmetod med deduktiv ansats. En enkätundersökning har genomförts där fastighetsmäklare besvarat frågor om sig själva och sina chefer för att möjliggöra en undersökning av hur transformativt ledarskap påverkar deras säljprestationer. Resultat & slutsats: Resultatet av denna studie visar att transformativt ledarskap påverkar svenska fastighetsmäklares säljprestationer positivt genom dess effekt på attitydsvariabler och prestationssträvan. Det transformativa ledarskapets positiva påverkan är dock relativt låg och resultatet indikerade på att attitydsvariablerna hos fastighetsmäklare har större positiv påverkan på varandra än vad transformativt ledarskap har på dessa. Resultatet visade även att attitydsvariablerna, specifikt medarbetarkraft, direkt påverkar säljprestationer hos fastighetsmäklare starkare än den effekt transformativt ledarskap har på säljprestation genom dess indirekta påverkan på fastighetsmäklares attityder och prestationssträvan. Examensarbetets bidrag: Denna studie bidrar med kunskap om hur transformativt ledarskap påverkar svenska fastighetsmäklares säljprestationer. Studien bidrar med resultat som visar att ledarskapet har betydelse och påverkar fastighetsmäklares säljprestationer positivt. Studien visar vidare att attitydsvariablerna själva har större betydelse för fastighetsmäklares säljprestationer, framför allt medarbetarkraft. Förslag till fortsatt forskning: Vidare forskning kan göras för att utreda om det finns andra variabler än transformativt ledarskap som påverkar fastighetsmäklares säljprestationer positivt. / Aim: The purpose of this study is to investigate how transformational leadership affects swedish real estate agents' sales performance through its effects on the attitude variables psychological empowerment, perceived self-efficacy and employee vigor and lastly the behavior variable accomplishment-striving. Method: This study is based on a quantitative research method with a deductive approach. A survey has been carried out where real estate agents responded to questions about themselves and their managers to enable an examination on how transformational leadership affects their sales performance. Result & Conclusions: The results of this study show that transformational leadership has a positive effect on Swedish real estate agents' sales performance through its effect on attitude variables and accomplishment striving. However, the positive impact of transformational leadership is relatively low and the results indicate that the attitude variables of real estate agents have a greater positive impact on each other than transformational leadership has on them. The results also showed that the attitude variables, specifically employee vigor, directly affect sales performance of real estate agents more strongly than the effect transformational leadership has on sales performance through its indirect impact on real estate agents' attitudes and accomplishment striving. Contribution of the thesis: This study contributes knowledge about how transformational leadership affects Swedish real estate agents' sales performance. The study contributes with results that show that leadership is important and has a positive effect on real estate agents' sales performance. The study also shows that the attitude variables themselves are more important for real estate agents' sales performance, especially employee vigor. Suggestions for future research: Further research can be done to see if there are other variables than transformational leadership that affect real estate agents' sales performance positively.

The objective of the study was to determine whether any relationships exist between personality and the performance of sales staff in a call centre environment. Personality type (measured by the Jung Type Indicator [JTI]) and sales personality type (measured by the Sales Preference Indicator [SPI]) were correlated with sales staff performance in an insurance call centre environment. A quantitative survey was conducted using a sample of N = 146. Correlational and inferential statistical analyses revealed statistically significant positive, although weak, relationships between personality type and the performance of call centre sales staff while statistically significant positive and negative correlations, although weak, were found between sales personality type and the performance of call centre sales staff. More female and black sales staff members were found in the higher performing clusters than in the average and poorer performing clusters. The best subset of personality scales from the JTI that predicted univariate measures of performance were the extroversion-introversion scale and the judging-perceiving scale while the best subset of predictors from the SPI personality scale were the consistent-adaptive scale and the cooperative-competitive scale. Call centre performance criteria are based mainly on quantitative performance criteria. It emerged from the literature review that the call centre sales position is synonymous with emotional labour and it is, thus, recommended that future research should emphasise the importance of emotionally intensive labour and its measurement combined with quantitative performance measures. / Industrial & Organisational Psychology / M.A. (Industrial and Organisational Psychology)

Ciências Empresariais / Master Programme in Management Sciences / A dissertação que se apresenta enquadra-se na problemática da identificação dos factores determinantes para as vendas no mercado da distribuição, com enfoque no sector do retalho. O espaço em área de venda, identificado pelos retalhistas como o seu recurso mais dispendioso, assume um papel importante como factor explicativo das vendas, sendo dada relevância à sua influência ao longo de toda a investigação. Por outro lado, procura-se avaliar a importância do espaço e de outros factores para diferentes categorias de produtos e segmentos de loja. Este estudo serve-se de um exemplo representativo de lojas que operam no mercado português, pertencentes a um dos principais grupos retalhistas existentes, para avaliar esta problemática Relativamente à metodologia adoptada no estudo do grupo de retalho português recorreu-se a modelos econométricos - regressão linear, segmentação e modelos de mistura de regressão, usando informação da empresa e das suas insígnias. Concluiu-se que o espaço é um factor determinante para as vendas, cuja importância varia entre lojas, grupos de lojas e categorias de produtos. Estes resultados são importantes na tomada de decisão do retalhista, na medida em que contribuem para a realização de estudos de simulação de lojas, prevendo os efeitos das variações de vendas provocados por alterações de espaço. Os factores relacionados com o preço face à concorrência, rendimento per capita da população alvo e qualidade no atendimento também foram analisados e inferiu-se sobre a sua importância relativa. Os modelos de segmentação adoptados foram também úteis, porque permitiram identificar grupos homogéneos de lojas, facultando ao gestor informação útil para a definição de políticas direccionadas a estes grupos. / The following dissertation covers the field of identification of the determinant sales factors at the distribution market, with the emphasis on the retail sector. The sales area, which is considered by retailers as the highest investment outlay point, assumes an important role as explanatory sales factor and gets a relevant attention throughout the research according to its influential character. On the other hand, the ambition has been set to evaluate the importance of the retail sales area and of the other factors concerning various product categories and various segments of stores. This study operates with a representative example of stores working in the Portuguese market and belonging to one of the existing local retail groups, with the objective of analysing this problematic. As for the methodology applied to the study of the Portuguese retail group, the econometric models were chosen linear regression, segmentation, regression mixture models, survey information of the company in question and its store formats. To sum up, the sales area is a determinant sales factor, which importance varies between the stores, groups of stores and product categories. These results are relevant to the retail's decisions since they facilitate the realization of underlying studies predicting the effects of the sale variations provoked by sales area alteration. The factors related to the price contest in face of the competitors, the income per capita of the population as well as the service quality were analysed and studied its relative importance. The applied segmentation models proved to be useful since they allowed identify homogeneous store groups, delivering valuable information to the managers that facilitates the definition of particular attitude policies regarding these groups

Com o aumento da capacidade de processamento de dados dentro das empresas de todos os portes e da disponibilidade de informações cada vez maior nos tempos atuais, o uso de indicadores e ferramentas de análise quantitativa tornam-se cada vez mais comuns nas mais diversas áreas, buscando-se eficiência, uma correta alocação de recursos e na geração de expectativas mais realistas de vendas e resultados. Enquanto muitos mercados apresentam uma variedade de dados e de estudos para serem usados como bases de referência, existem outros que ainda são carentes de informações básicas para planejamento e análise. O mercado de materiais cirúrgicos é um destes, onde não estão disponíveis as demandas dos clientes, as projeções de mercado ou as estimativas de market share. Este estudo busca, através da análise das vendas em 43 territórios de empresas de dispositivos médicos com atuação no Brasil nas áreas de ortopedia traumatologia, neurocirurgia e buco-maxilo-facial, aplicar a técnica de Análise Envoltória de Dados (DEA, do inglês “Data Envelopment Analysis”) como um modelo de análise comparativa de eficiência que possa auxiliar nos processos de tomada de decisão, mesmo com uma base restrita e limitada de informações. A aplicação da técnica de DEA apresenta resultados que permitem [1] destacar os pontos de melhoria para os territórios ineficientes buscando [2] homogeneizar a eficiência de atendimento por meio do [3] benchmarking entre as regiões buscando [4] uma maior competitividade neste mercado. / With the increased capacity of data processing within companies of all sizes and the currently availability of all sort of informations, the use of indicators and tools for quantitative analysis become increasingly common in many areas, allowing companies to achieve better efficiency, proper resources allocation, and the settle of more realistic performance expectations. While many markets feature a variety of data and studies, others are deprived of basic information for planning and analysis. Among these, the medical devices market have almost unavailable informations of customers demands, markets forecasts or estimated market share at a regional level. Through the analysis of 43 sales territories of medical devices companies in Brazil, this study uses the technique of data envelopment analysis (DEA) as a model for comparative efficiency analysis that can assist the processes of decision making, even with a restricted and limited database. The application of DEA technique provide results that [1] highlight the points of improvement for inefficient territories [2] in order to homogenize the efficiency of regions through [3] benchmarking between them, [4] to improve overall competitive level.

Com o aumento da capacidade de processamento de dados dentro das empresas de todos os portes e da disponibilidade de informações cada vez maior nos tempos atuais, o uso de indicadores e ferramentas de análise quantitativa tornam-se cada vez mais comuns nas mais diversas áreas, buscando-se eficiência, uma correta alocação de recursos e na geração de expectativas mais realistas de vendas e resultados. Enquanto muitos mercados apresentam uma variedade de dados e de estudos para serem usados como bases de referência, existem outros que ainda são carentes de informações básicas para planejamento e análise. O mercado de materiais cirúrgicos é um destes, onde não estão disponíveis as demandas dos clientes, as projeções de mercado ou as estimativas de market share. Este estudo busca, através da análise das vendas em 43 territórios de empresas de dispositivos médicos com atuação no Brasil nas áreas de ortopedia traumatologia, neurocirurgia e buco-maxilo-facial, aplicar a técnica de Análise Envoltória de Dados (DEA, do inglês “Data Envelopment Analysis”) como um modelo de análise comparativa de eficiência que possa auxiliar nos processos de tomada de decisão, mesmo com uma base restrita e limitada de informações. A aplicação da técnica de DEA apresenta resultados que permitem [1] destacar os pontos de melhoria para os territórios ineficientes buscando [2] homogeneizar a eficiência de atendimento por meio do [3] benchmarking entre as regiões buscando [4] uma maior competitividade neste mercado. / With the increased capacity of data processing within companies of all sizes and the currently availability of all sort of informations, the use of indicators and tools for quantitative analysis become increasingly common in many areas, allowing companies to achieve better efficiency, proper resources allocation, and the settle of more realistic performance expectations. While many markets feature a variety of data and studies, others are deprived of basic information for planning and analysis. Among these, the medical devices market have almost unavailable informations of customers demands, markets forecasts or estimated market share at a regional level. Through the analysis of 43 sales territories of medical devices companies in Brazil, this study uses the technique of data envelopment analysis (DEA) as a model for comparative efficiency analysis that can assist the processes of decision making, even with a restricted and limited database. The application of DEA technique provide results that [1] highlight the points of improvement for inefficient territories [2] in order to homogenize the efficiency of regions through [3] benchmarking between them, [4] to improve overall competitive level.

Com o aumento da capacidade de processamento de dados dentro das empresas de todos os portes e da disponibilidade de informações cada vez maior nos tempos atuais, o uso de indicadores e ferramentas de análise quantitativa tornam-se cada vez mais comuns nas mais diversas áreas, buscando-se eficiência, uma correta alocação de recursos e na geração de expectativas mais realistas de vendas e resultados. Enquanto muitos mercados apresentam uma variedade de dados e de estudos para serem usados como bases de referência, existem outros que ainda são carentes de informações básicas para planejamento e análise. O mercado de materiais cirúrgicos é um destes, onde não estão disponíveis as demandas dos clientes, as projeções de mercado ou as estimativas de market share. Este estudo busca, através da análise das vendas em 43 territórios de empresas de dispositivos médicos com atuação no Brasil nas áreas de ortopedia traumatologia, neurocirurgia e buco-maxilo-facial, aplicar a técnica de Análise Envoltória de Dados (DEA, do inglês “Data Envelopment Analysis”) como um modelo de análise comparativa de eficiência que possa auxiliar nos processos de tomada de decisão, mesmo com uma base restrita e limitada de informações. A aplicação da técnica de DEA apresenta resultados que permitem [1] destacar os pontos de melhoria para os territórios ineficientes buscando [2] homogeneizar a eficiência de atendimento por meio do [3] benchmarking entre as regiões buscando [4] uma maior competitividade neste mercado. / With the increased capacity of data processing within companies of all sizes and the currently availability of all sort of informations, the use of indicators and tools for quantitative analysis become increasingly common in many areas, allowing companies to achieve better efficiency, proper resources allocation, and the settle of more realistic performance expectations. While many markets feature a variety of data and studies, others are deprived of basic information for planning and analysis. Among these, the medical devices market have almost unavailable informations of customers demands, markets forecasts or estimated market share at a regional level. Through the analysis of 43 sales territories of medical devices companies in Brazil, this study uses the technique of data envelopment analysis (DEA) as a model for comparative efficiency analysis that can assist the processes of decision making, even with a restricted and limited database. The application of DEA technique provide results that [1] highlight the points of improvement for inefficient territories [2] in order to homogenize the efficiency of regions through [3] benchmarking between them, [4] to improve overall competitive level.

The objective of the study was to determine whether any relationships exist between personality and the performance of sales staff in a call centre environment. Personality type (measured by the Jung Type Indicator [JTI]) and sales personality type (measured by the Sales Preference Indicator [SPI]) were correlated with sales staff performance in an insurance call centre environment. A quantitative survey was conducted using a sample of N = 146. Correlational and inferential statistical analyses revealed statistically significant positive, although weak, relationships between personality type and the performance of call centre sales staff while statistically significant positive and negative correlations, although weak, were found between sales personality type and the performance of call centre sales staff. More female and black sales staff members were found in the higher performing clusters than in the average and poorer performing clusters. The best subset of personality scales from the JTI that predicted univariate measures of performance were the extroversion-introversion scale and the judging-perceiving scale while the best subset of predictors from the SPI personality scale were the consistent-adaptive scale and the cooperative-competitive scale. Call centre performance criteria are based mainly on quantitative performance criteria. It emerged from the literature review that the call centre sales position is synonymous with emotional labour and it is, thus, recommended that future research should emphasise the importance of emotionally intensive labour and its measurement combined with quantitative performance measures. / Industrial and Organisational Psychology / M.A. (Industrial and Organisational Psychology)

Marketing is an essential part of the overall organization when it comes to introducing a company’s new offerings to the market. Therefore, customers need to be informed and aware of the company’s entire portfolio to be able to make correct decisions that benefit them. From a company’s perspective, an extended portfolio provides opportunities to explore new markets and improve the scope of its operations. The growing demand of additional services enables development of a more service-oriented business with value-added-sales for the industry. Consequently, the importance of finding an appropriate marketing strategy that promotes communication and long-term relationships with customers is relevant. Value-added-sales may be introduced to a greater extent, in order to maintain competitiveness among others. The purpose of this study is to contribute to an increased understanding of how marketing affects steelmaking companies to provide and inform customers with value-added-sales. Opportunities and challenges have been identified from employees’ point of view concerning the process of introducing value-added-sales, to later mitigate them with support factors to promote favorable marketing. To fulfill the research purpose, a case company was used, which is an official global steel company that traditionally provides product-based services based in Sweden, however, now focusing on extending their portfolio with value-added-sales, e.g. with supplementary services. The thesis has a qualitative approach by including internal interviews with the case company’s employees, as well as employees from an additional company that has a strong connection to the case company. Furthermore, a literature study was conducted to analyze existing theories in the research field to obtain suitable results. The results have emphasized the importance of education and training as well as decent relationship with the customers. The main findings contributed to factors concerning challenges with providing value-added-sales, which aimed to be mitigated: Cost-focused customers, Time-consuming, Internal knowledge, Outperform the customers, Internal support, and Sales focus. Accordingly, appropriate support factors were proposed to promote marketing of selling value-added-services. / Marknadsföringen utgör en viktig del i den övergripande organisationen när det gäller att introducera ett företagets nya erbjudanden på marknaden. Därför måste kunderna informeras och vara medvetna om företagets hela portfölj för att kunna fatta korrekta beslut som gynnar dem. Ur ett företags perspektiv, ger en utökad portfölj möjligheter att utforska nya marknader och förbättra företagets omfattning. Den växande efterfrågan på ytterligare tjänster möjliggör utveckling av en mer serviceinriktad verksamhet med mervärdesförsäljning för branschen. Således är det av vikt att hitta en lämplig marknadsföringsstrategi som främjar kommunikation och långsiktiga relationer med företagets kunder. Mervärdesförsäljning kan införas i större utsträckning för att upprätthålla konkurrenskraften på marknaden. Syftet med denna studie är att bidra till en ökad förståelse för hur marknadsföring påverkar stålindustriföretag för att förse och informera företagets kunder med mervärdesförsäljning. Utmaningar och möjligheter har identifierats ur medarbetarnas perspektiv när det gäller att införa mervärdesförsäljning, för att senare mildra dem med stödfaktorer för att främja en gynnsam marknadsföring. För att uppfylla forskningsändamålet användes ett fallföretag, som är ett officiellt globalt stålföretag i Sverige, men som nu fokuserar på att utöka sin portfölj mervärdesförsäljning, t.ex. med kompletterande tjänster. Avhandlingen har ett kvalitativt tillvägagångssätt genom att inkludera interna intervjuer med fallföretagets anställda, samt anställda från ett ytterligare företag som har en stark koppling till fallföretaget. Vidare genomfördes en litteraturstudie för att analysera befintliga teorier inom forskningsområdet för att erhålla lämpliga resultat. Resultaten har betonat vikten av utbildning och anständigt förhållande till kunderna. De viktigaste fynden bidrog till faktorer som rör utmaningar med att tillhandahålla mervärdesförsäljning, som syftade till att mildras: Kostnadsfokuserade kunder, Tidskrävande, Intern kunskap, Överträffa kunderna, Internt stöd, och Försäljningsfokus. Följaktligen föreslogs lämpliga stödfaktorer för att främja marknadsföring av försäljning av mervärdestjänster.