Due to the ongoing globalisation and fast changes within the business environment companies are forced to adapt more quickly to customer needs. Therefore, they depend on reliable suppliers which provide them with the necessary goods and services. As a consequence, finding suitable suppliers is of utmost importance for companies. To be able to choose those suppliers companies need to establish criteria on which basis potential suppliers can be evaluate and select afterwards. Against this background, this master thesis researches the supplier selection process from the end manufacturer’s point of view. Hereby, the focus is laid on theoretical supplier evaluation criteria and methods. Due to the lack of investigations in this branch of industry the authors have chosen the sporting goods manufacturing industry within Sweden and Austria as their field of study. They have been supported in their research by the companies the Arctic City Counting House AB, the ATOMIC Austria GmbH, and the HEAD Sports AG which provided them with the essential empirical data. Keeping the above mentioned fact in the back of one’s mind, the authors deduce the following research question: On which basis and how do manufacturers of sports equipment in Sweden and Austria evaluate and select their suppliers? Within the theoretical part the reader of this thesis first of all gets an overview of supplier-buyer relationships and afterwards is informed about the structure of the supplier selection process, starting with the preparation step, followed by prequalification and evaluation steps and resulting in the final selection and the continuous controlling of the suppliers. In addition, common criteria which are necessary to evaluate suppliers are presented. Furthermore, the reader is provided with an insight into general evaluation models whereby four common theoretical methods are explained in detail (AHP, TCO, DCA, and DEA). Out of this theoretical data a conceptual model was created. The empirical part consists of practical information which was provided by the three researched companies mentioned above through questionnaires and interviews. The analysed data concludes that the evaluation criteria which are given in theory are also used in practice. In addition, it was discovered that a further criteria category is applied within the researched companies. The values of the evaluation criteria depend on the goals of the respective company. The theoretical evaluation models on the other hand are not used by the examined sporting goods manufacturers. All of them use their own methods which are presented in the empirical as well as in the analytical part of this thesis. Finally, this thesis ends with a conclusion and with the answer of the research question. Based on this thesis sporting goods manufacturers get an insight in specific supplier evaluation methods and thus gain the chance to learn how other companies within this industry evaluate and select their suppliers.

<p>Due to the ongoing globalisation and fast changes within the business environment companies are forced to adapt more quickly to customer needs. Therefore, they depend on reliable suppliers which provide them with the necessary goods and services. As a consequence, finding suitable suppliers is of utmost importance for companies. To be able to choose those suppliers companies need to establish criteria on which basis potential suppliers can be evaluate and select afterwards.</p><p>Against this background, this master thesis researches the supplier selection process from the end manufacturer’s point of view. Hereby, the focus is laid on theoretical supplier evaluation criteria and methods. Due to the lack of investigations in this branch of industry the authors have chosen the sporting goods manufacturing industry within Sweden and Austria as their field of study. They have been supported in their research by the companies the Arctic City Counting House AB, the ATOMIC Austria GmbH, and the HEAD Sports AG which provided them with the essential empirical data.</p><p>Keeping the above mentioned fact in the back of one’s mind, the authors deduce the following research question:</p><p>On which basis and how do manufacturers of sports equipment in Sweden and Austria evaluate and select their suppliers?</p><p>Within the theoretical part the reader of this thesis first of all gets an overview of supplier-buyer relationships and afterwards is informed about the structure of the supplier selection process, starting with the preparation step, followed by prequalification and evaluation steps and resulting in the final selection and the continuous controlling of the suppliers. In addition, common criteria which are necessary to evaluate suppliers are presented. Furthermore, the reader is provided with an insight into general evaluation models whereby four common theoretical methods are explained in detail (AHP, TCO, DCA, and DEA). Out of this theoretical data a conceptual model was created.</p><p>The empirical part consists of practical information which was provided by the three researched companies mentioned above through questionnaires and interviews. The analysed data concludes that the evaluation criteria which are given in theory are also used in practice. In addition, it was discovered that a further criteria category is applied within the researched companies. The values of the evaluation criteria depend on the goals of the respective company. The theoretical evaluation models on the other hand are not used by the examined sporting goods manufacturers. All of them use their own methods which are presented in the empirical as well as in the analytical part of this thesis. Finally, this thesis ends with a conclusion and with the answer of the research question.</p><p>Based on this thesis sporting goods manufacturers get an insight in specific supplier evaluation methods and thus gain the chance to learn how other companies within this industry evaluate and select their suppliers.</p>

Thesis (M.S.)--California Polytechnic State University, 2010. / Mode of access: Internet. Title from PDF title page; viewed on Feb. 9, 2010. Major professor: Dr. Tom Mase. "Presented to the faculty of California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo." "In partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree [of] Master of Science in Mechanical Engineering." "January 2010." Includes bibliographical references (p. 172-175).

The subject of this thesis is the strategic development of the company Infinity Sport, s. r. o., which operates in the market of nutritional supplements, sportswear and other sporting goods. The data needed to assess the current state of the company and to select a suitable development strategy were obtained using various analytical methods detailed in the theoretical part. In the analytical part, individual methods of strategic analysis were applied to a particular enterprise, and the results were integrated into the SWOT analysis, which was the basis for the design of a specific growth strategy of the company. In the design section, individual possibilities of expansion to the new market were elaborated, from which the most suitable alternative, which should be used by the company in the case of the realization of the development, was chosen.

Thesis (MComm)--Stellenbosch University, 2015. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: There are numerous supply chain planning processes and activities that need to take place to ensure efficiency and effectiveness in a company. For the case study retailer, these planning processes and activities contribute to the end goals and objectives of the company. In order to reach these goals and objectives, the importance and contribution of each of the planning processes and activities must be determined. Supply chain planning can provide a company with a competitive advantage, but it can also lead to catastrophic events when it is not fully utilised or poorly executed. A case study was done on a South African sports retailer to determine to what extent the different supply chain planning processes and activities contribute to the end goals and objectives of this retailer and how these goals and objectives are tracked within the company. The implementation of planning processes and -activities were also investigated and what the consequences may be when the planning processes and activities are poorly executed. Goals and objectives which were given to the retailer‟s planners were investigated and thoroughly studied. Some of these goals included achieving effective stock policies, managing gross sales margins for products and accurate forecasting. A hybrid research method was used to gather both qualitative and quantitative data. Interviews were conducted with planners in the company to explore their current planning methods as well as to highlight the shortcomings thereof. A job satisfaction questionnaire determined the motivators and hygiene factors (where hygiene factors refer to factors such as the employee‟s relationships with their supervisor, salaries and working conditions) of the employees in the company. A low level of motivators and hygiene factors may contribute to employee‟s responses at the workplace: exit, voice, loyalty and neglect. The importance of supply chain planning in the sports retail industry and the shortcomings this retailer has on supply chain planning methods were determined and the crucial role planning plays in this retailer was effectively determined and comprehended. Areas for improvement include, realistic budgeting and planning, enhanced forecasting methods and investing in employee training. Results also show that the retailer is managing effective levels of planning to reach the goals and objectives of the company. However, there are key areas for improvement where focus should be placed upon. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Daar is talle beplanningsprosesse en beplanningsaktiwiteite wat moet plaasvind om die effektiwiteit en doeltreffendheid van n maatskappy te verseker. Vir die kleinhandelaar in die gevallestudie dra hierdie beplanningsaktiwiteite, en -prosesse by tot die doelwitte en doelstellings van die maatskappy. Om hierdie doelwitte en doelstellings te kan bereik, moet die belangrikheid en bydrae van die beplanningsprosesse en beplanningsaktiwiteite bepaal en ten volle begryp word. Voorsieningskettingbeplanning kan aan „n maatskappy „n mededingende voordeel verskaf, maar kan ook lei tot katastrofiese gebeure indien die voosieningskettingbeplanning swak uitgevoer word of nie ten volle aangewend word nie. „n Gevallestudie is gedoen op „n Suid-Afrikaanse kleinhandelaar in sporttoerusting om te bepaal watter tipe beplanningsprosesse en beplanningsaktiwiteite plaasvind in hierdie landswye kleinhandelaar. Die implementering van die beplanningsprosesse en beplanningsaktiwiteite is ook ondersoek en wat die nagevolge kan wees wanneer hierdie beplanningsprosesse en beplanningsaktiwiteite swak uitgevoer word. Doelwitte en doelstellings wat aan die beplanners van die besigheid deurgegee word, is deeglik bestudeer. Sommige van hierdie doelwitte sluit in die bereiking van effektiewe voorraadbeleide, handhawing van bruto verkope marges vir produkte en akkurate vooruitskattings. „n Hibriede navorsingsmetode is gebruik vir die insameling van kwalitatiewe en kwantitatiewe data. Onderhoude is met die beplanners van die maatskappy gevoer om die huidige beplanningsmetodes te verken en om die tekortkomings in die beplanningsmetodes uit te wys. „n Werkstevredenheid vraelys het die motiveerders en higiëne faktore (waar higiëne faktore verwys na werknemers se verhouding met die toesighouer, salarisse en werksomstandighede) van die werknemers bepaal. Lae vlakke van motiveerders en higiëne faktore kan lei tot die volgende reaksies: ontrekking, stem, lojaliteit en verwaarlosing. Die kritieke belangrikheid wat beplanningsprosesse en beplanningsaktiwiteite behels vir hierdie kleinhandelaar was vasgestel, asook die tekortkominge wat hierdie kleinhandelaar met voorsieningskettingbeplanningsmetodes het. Verbeteringsareas sluit in, realistiese beplanning en „n realistiese begroting, verbeterde vooruitskattingsmetodes en om in die werknemer se opleiding te investeer. Dit is bepaal dat hierdie kleinhandelaar handaaf effektiewe vlakke van beplanning om einddoelstellings en einddoelwitte te bereik. Daar is egter, sekere areas, waar fokus op geplaas moet word. Sleutelwoorde: Voorsieningskettingbeplanning, beplanningsprosesse, beplanningsaktiwiteite.

During the design of sports equipment, the main focus is usually on physical performance attributes, neglecting key subjective factors such as feel and comfort. The personal protective equipment worn in sport is a typical example, where injury prevention has taken precedence over user comfort, but it is anticipated that with a new approach to the design process, comfort can be improved without sacrificing protection. Using cricket leg guards and taekwondo chest guards as an example, this study aimed to develop a systematic method for assessing user perceptions and incorporating them into the design process. Players perceptions of the factors that influence the comfort of cricket leg guards and taekwondo chest guards were elicited through the use of co-discovery sessions, focus groups and individual interviews, and analysed through an inductive process to produce a comfort model. The relative importance of each different comfort dimension was identified through the use of an online questionnaire utilising the analytical hierarchy process method. Through the combination of these methods, six general dimensions were identified with a weighting regarding the amount to which each one determines a user's perceived comfort. For both cricket and taekwondo, the majority of players ranked Fit as the most important factor affecting comfort. Experimental procedures were developed to objectively test the Fit of cricket leg guards, with regards to batting kinematics, running performance and contact pressure. These methods were combined with subjective assessments of leg guard performance, to determine if there was a relationship between users perceived comfort and objective test results. It was found that shot ROM and performance were not significantly affected by cricket leg guards, despite perceptions of increased restriction whilst wearing certain pads. Wearing cricket leg guards was found to significantly decrease running performance when compared to running without pads (p<0.05). In addition, it was found that the degree of impedance depended on pad design and could not solely be attributed to additional mass. These results correlated with the subjective assessment of three different leg guards, with respondents identifying the pad which had the largest influence on their running biomechanics and impeded their performance the most, as the most restrictive pad. Contact pressure under the pad and straps was also measured for four different leg guards whilst running. The results found that the top strap applied the greatest amount of pressure to the leg, especially at the point of maximum knee flexion. The peak pressure under the top strap was found to reach up to three times that of any other area of the pad. These results were reflected in the subjective assessment of the leg guards, with all nine subjects identifying the top strap as an area of discomfort for certain pads. The results also suggested there was a preference for pads with a larger more consistent contact area, as pad movement was perceived to increase when contact area variation was greater. Finally the results from this research were used to develop a product design specification (PDS) for a cricket leg guard, specifying size, mass, contact pressure and shape. The PDS was used to develop a concept design which would maximise comfort, whilst maintaining protection.

Title: Mystery shopping in selected stores of specialized retail chain Hervis. Objectives: The aim of the thesis is to introduce a specific method of market research called the Mystery shopping as a marketing tool that is useable in the field of sport retail. The main point of the thesis is to practically use the technique in selected stores of sport retail chain Hervis in the territory of capital city Prague and compare them to each other to identify proposals. Methods: To obtain data, which allows to identify proposals, was used special technique of market research called the Mystery shopping, which represents a combination of questionnaire and covert observation. Results of the observation were immediately filed in drawn up sheets. Results: The results of the research indicated many faults in mutual interaction between staff and customers, especially in the areas of sales skills, customer needs analysis and circumstances entering the retail shop. That is why there were made some measures in the synthetic part, that can lead to improvement in Customer Relationship Management. Keywords: marketing research, sporting goods retail, questionnaire, covert observation, secret shopping

The gap between ethical purchase intentions and ethical purchase behaviour is well-documented. Although this gap can be bridged by increasing the level of awareness among consumers with regards to ethical business practices, it was found that consumers between the ages of 19 to 56 years were already aware of ethical organisations and business practices in the South African sports supplement industry. They are however unaware of companies that operate unethically. Several factors such as brand familiarity, price and convenience were found to compete with ethical business behaviour during the purchase decision-making process. It is thus recommended that organisations that incorporate ethical business behaviour at a strategic level should provide ethical products that are competitively priced, convenient to use and from a brand that is familiar / Graduate School of Business Leadership / MBA

The gap between ethical purchase intentions and ethical purchase behaviour is well-documented. Although this gap can be bridged by increasing the level of awareness among consumers with regards to ethical business practices, it was found that consumers between the ages of 19 to 56 years were already aware of ethical organisations and business practices in the South African sports supplement industry. They are however unaware of companies that operate unethically. Several factors such as brand familiarity, price and convenience were found to compete with ethical business behaviour during the purchase decision-making process. It is thus recommended that organisations that incorporate ethical business behaviour at a strategic level should provide ethical products that are competitively priced, convenient to use and from a brand that is familiar / Graduate School of Business Leadership / MBA

Pang Chi-jing, Agatha. / Thesis (M.Phil.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 2001. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 54-62). / Text in English; abstracts in English and Chinese. / Pang Chi-jing, Agatha. / ACKNOWLEDGMENTS --- p.i / ABSTRACT --- p.ii / TABLE OF CONTENTS --- p.iv / LIST OF TABLES --- p.viii / Chapter CHAPTER ONE --- INTRODUCTION --- p.1 / Chapter 1.1 --- RATIONALE FOR STUDYING EQUIPMENT MODIFICATION --- p.2 / Chapter 1.2 --- LIMITATIONS OF PREVIOUS STUDIES --- p.4 / Chapter 1.2.1 --- STUDY ON SINGLE DOMAIN --- p.4 / Chapter 1.2.2 --- FOCUS ON SPECIFIC GROUP AND GENDER --- p.4 / Chapter 1.2.3 --- LABORATORY RESEARCH --- p.5 / Chapter 1.3 --- FOCUS ON MULTIPLE VARIABLES --- p.6 / Chapter 1.4 --- PURPOSE OF STUDY --- p.7 / Chapter 1.5 --- OBJECTIVE OF THE STUDY --- p.7 / Chapter 1.6 --- DEFINITION OF TERMS --- p.8 / Chapter 1.7 --- SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY --- p.8 / Chapter CHAPTER TWO --- REVIEW OF LITERATURE --- p.9 / Chapter 2.1 --- STUDENT LEARNING IN PHYSICAL EDUCATION --- p.10 / Chapter 2.1.1 --- STUDENT LEARNING IS THE ULTIMATE GOAL IN PHYSICAL EDUCATION --- p.10 / Chapter 2.1.2 --- LEARNING PROCESS IN PHYSICAL EDUCATION --- p.11 / Chapter 2.1.3 --- MEASUREMENT OF STUDENT LEARNING IN PHYSICAL EDUCATION --- p.12 / Chapter 2.2 --- MODIFYING ACTIVITIES FOR DEVELOPMENTAL APPROPRIATENESS --- p.13 / Chapter 2.2.1 --- CONSIDERATIONS WHEN MODIFY ACTIVITIES FOR DEVELOPMENTAL APPROPRIATENESS --- p.13 / Chapter 2.2.2 --- PREVIOUS STUDIES ON MODIFICATIONS --- p.14 / Chapter 2.3 --- STUDENT ACHIEVEMENT --- p.15 / Chapter 2.3.1 --- EQUIPMENT MODIFICATION AND STUDENT ACHIEVEMENT --- p.15 / Chapter 2.4 --- STUDENTS'PERCEPTION OF OWN ABILITY IN PHYSICAL EDUCATION --- p.17 / Chapter 2.4.1 --- SELF-EFFICACY AS A MEASURE OF STUDENTS'PERCEPTION OF THEIR ABILITY --- p.17 / Chapter 2.4.2 --- SELF-EFFICACY AND STUDENTS' MOTOR PERFORMANCE --- p.18 / Chapter 2.4.3 --- SELF-EFFICACY AND EQUIPMENT MODIFICATIONS --- p.19 / Chapter CHAPTER THREE --- METHODOLOGY --- p.21 / Chapter 3.1 --- PARTICIPANTS --- p.21 / Chapter 3.2 --- EQUIPMENT --- p.21 / Chapter 3.3 --- RESEARCH DESIGN --- p.22 / Chapter 3.4 --- INSTRUMENTATION AND DATA COLLECTION --- p.22 / Chapter 3.4.1 --- VOLLEYBALL SKILLS TEST --- p.23 / Chapter 3.4.1.1 --- VOLLEYBALL SERVING TEST --- p.23 / Chapter 3.4.1.2 --- VOLLEYBALL PASSING TEST --- p.23 / Chapter 3.4.2 --- SKILL-RELATED SELF-EFFICACY --- p.24 / Chapter 3.4.3 --- KNOWLEDGE TEST --- p.25 / Chapter 3.4.4 --- STUDENTS' PREFERENCE OF EQUIPMENT --- p.25 / Chapter 3.5 --- PROCEDURES --- p.26 / Chapter 3.5.1 --- PRIOR TO VOLLEYBALL LESSONS --- p.26 / Chapter 3.5.2 --- PRETEST --- p.26 / Chapter 3.5.2.1 --- SELF-EFFICACY QUESTIONNAIRE AND VOLLEYBALL KNOWLEDGE TEST --- p.26 / Chapter 3.5.2.2 --- VOLLEYBALL SKILL TEST --- p.27 / Chapter 3.5.3 --- VOLLEYBALL LESSONS --- p.27 / Chapter 3.5.3.1 --- VERIFICATION OF TEACHING CONTENT --- p.27 / Chapter 3.5.4 --- POSTTEST --- p.28 / Chapter 3.5.4.1 --- "VOLLEYBALL SKILL TEST, SELF-EFFICACY QUESTIONNAIRE AND KNOWLEDGE TEST" --- p.28 / Chapter 3.5.4.2 --- PREFERENCE OF EQUIPMENT --- p.28 / Chapter 3.6 --- STATISTICAL ANALYSIS --- p.28 / Chapter CHAPTER FOUR --- RESULTS --- p.29 / Chapter 4.1 --- ACHIEVEMENT DATA --- p.29 / Chapter 4.1.1 --- VOLLEYBALL SERVING --- p.29 / Chapter 4.1.2 --- VOLLEYBALL PASSING --- p.29 / Chapter 4.2 --- SELF-EFFICACY --- p.39 / Chapter 4.3 --- KNOWLEDGE --- p.39 / Chapter 4.4 --- STUDENTS' PREFERENCE OF EQUIPMENT --- p.31 / Chapter CHAPTER FIVE --- DISCUSSION --- p.32 / Chapter 5.1 --- STUDENT ACHIEVEMENT --- p.32 / Chapter 5.2 --- SELF-EFFICACY --- p.36 / Chapter 5.3 --- KNOWLEDGE TEST --- p.38 / Chapter 5.4 --- STUDENTS' PREFERENCE OF EQUIPMENT --- p.39 / Chapter 5.5 --- GENDER DIFFERENCE --- p.42 / Chapter CHAPTER SIX --- CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION --- p.44 / Chapter 6.1 --- CONCLUSION --- p.44 / Chapter 6.2 --- RECOMMENDATION --- p.45 / TABLES --- p.49 / REFERENCES --- p.54 / APPENDICES --- p.63 / APPENDIX A --- p.63 / APPENDIX B --- p.65 / APPENDIX C --- p.67 / APPENDIX D --- p.69 / APPENDIX E --- p.70 / APPENDIX F --- p.71 / APPENDIX G --- p.75 / APPENDIX H --- p.77 / APPENDIX I --- p.78 / APPENDIX J --- p.92 / APPENDIX K --- p.93