Uma questão central no estudo da estratégia é a tomada de decisão estratégica ou TDE (Eisenhardt e Zbaracki,1992; Papadakis e Barwise, 2002; Furrer et al, 2008; Ribeiro et al, 2016). Estudos anteriores demonstraram que, em setores mais dinâmicos de atividade, é melhor tomar decisões estratégicas mais rapidamente - já que processos estratégicos tradicionais e demasiadamente estruturados podem fazer com que empresas inseridas em ambientes de alta velocidade se tornem menos competitivas (Eisenhardt e Bourgeois, 1988; Judge e Miller, 1991). Mas e quanto aos ambientes de velocidade moderada, como os hospitais? Será que estes ambientes requerem uma TDE tão veloz quanto a prescrita pela literatura para as empresas, por exemplo, de Tecnologia? A resposta para esta pergunta pode ser útil a decisores atuando em ambientes menos velozes. Com o propósito maior de contribuir para sua obtenção, a pesquisa aqui apresentada teve como objetivo a análise dos processos decisórios estratégicos de três hospitais, através de entrevistas retroativas e semi-estruturadas realizadas com os diretores destas organizações. Para isso, foi utilizada a abordagem metodológica do tipo estudo de caso exploratório de casos múltiplos (Martins, 2008; Zainal, 2007). Foram realizadas entrevistas semiestruturadas com 15 executivos de três hospitais, num intervalo de 6 meses. As entrevistas foram analisadas em seu conteúdo e trianguladas com dados provenientes da análise documental (Yin, 1999). Os casos foram então comparados com os da literatura pré-existente. Resultados: (a) os processos decisórios estratégicos avaliados nesta pesquisa se revelaram estruturados e seguiram um padrão de ordenação de fases (Mintzberg, 1976), tendo durado mais tempo do que o prescrito pela literatura de TDE para empresas em ambientes rápidos (Eisenhardt e Bourgeois, 1988). Seus tempos de duração, porém, se mostraram adequados às dinâmicas de mercado em que as organizações estudadas estão inseridas e ao caráter estratégico das decisões; (b) os estilos de TDE foram predominantemente racionais, embora tenham sido evidenciados comportamentos políticos. Através de informações provenientes tanto de documentos quanto das entrevistas, foi possível observar variações no estilo de TDE nestas organizações, ao longo do tempo. Estes foram se tornando cada vez menos centralizados e menos políticos; (c) cinco das seis decisões estudadas estavam completamente alinhadas a objetivos estratégicos claros e bem comunicados, obtidos através de processos de planejamento estratégico abrangentes e estruturados, feitos com a ajuda de consultorias especializadas. Estas características parecem ter relação direta com o sucesso da implementação da decisão estratégica e (d) a análise dos resultados evidenciou, ainda, que a experiência e o perfil de liderança dos decisores foram determinantes da forma como os processos de TDE ocorreram e do sucesso de sua implementação. Em todos os casos estudados, os superintendentes gerais trouxeram para a organização atual executivos que fizeram parte de suas equipes em outros hospitais, tendo este fato por si só contribuído para o consenso nas decisões e para a presença de um certo nível de comportamento político. Limitações: A aparente estruturação dos processos decisórios pode ser fruto da racionalização a posteriori dos entrevistados ou da seleção de casos menos conflituosos pelos líderes dos hospitais estudados. Estudos futuros em que os pesquisadores presenciem as reuniões de TDE podem reduzir estas limitações. / A central issue in the study of Strategy is Strategic Decision Making or SDM (Eisenhardt and Zbaracki, 1992; Papadakis and Barwise, 2002; Furrer et al., 2008; Ribeiro et al., 2016). Previous studies have shown that, in more dynamic industries, it is better to make strategic decisions more quickly, since traditional strategic and structured processes can cause companies in highly accelerated environments to be less competitive (Eisenhardt and Bourgeois, 1988; Judge and Miller, 1991). But what about organizations operating in moderate velocity environments, such as hospitals? Do they require such fast-paced decision-making processes, as the ones prescribed by SDM authors for Technology companies? The answer to that question may be of interest for decisors in moderate paced environments. With the main purpose of trying to answer it, we have analized SDM processes in three hospitals, by means of semi-structured and retroactive interviews with top level executives at these organizations. A methodological multiple case study approach was used (Martins, 2008; Zainal, 2007). 15 executives in three hospitals have been interviewed for this study, in a six-month interval. The data was triangulated with document analysis (Yin, 1999), and compared to the existing literature. Results: (a) the strategic decision-making processes evaluated in this research have proved to be well structured, following a pattern of stage sequencing (Mintzberg, 1976), having lasted longer than what is prescribed for fast paced industries in the literature (Eisenhardt e Bourgeois, 1988). The duration of these processes, however, suits the dynamics of the industry and the strategic character of the decisions in the examined cases; (b) a predominantly rational decision-making approach was observed, even if a certain degree of political behavior has been observed. Document and interview content analysis have revealed changes in SDM style, over time. SDM seems to be less politic and centralized nowadays than it was 20 years ago; (c) five of the six decisions studied were completely aligned to clear and well communicated goals, which were obtained through comprehensive and structured strategic planning processes that were implemented with the help of specialized consultancies. This fact seems to have direct relation with the rationality of the decision and the success of its implementation and (d) the analysis of the results demonstrated that decision-makers\' characteristics, such as educational background, previous experience, and leadership skills were instrumental in the way the strategic decision-making processes occurred in the cases studied in this research. However, in all cases studied, the general managers have invited former team members with whom they had worked in other organizations, and that fact alone could have contributed to the level of consensus observed and to the presence of a certain degree of political behavior. Limitations: the apparently structured nature of these SDM processes may be due to some form of retrograde rationalization made by the interviewees and/or a biased selection of cases by the hospital general managers. Future studies where researchers can witness ongoing SDM processes may produce cleaner data.

O fornecimento de informações relevantes em momentos que sejam oportunos para influenciar decisões estratégicas de desenvolvimento tem representado, há muito tempo, um grande e árduo desafio para a prática de Avaliação Ambiental Estratégica (AAE). O entendimento apropriado das questões que respondem pelas causas reais de problemas decisórios sugere uma oportunidade para alcançar o papel estratégico potencial da AAE e influenciar as decisões tomadas para a formação de uma ação estratégica. Este trabalho procura entender e discutir como se operacionaliza uma perspectiva mais estratégica de AAE, questionando o papel de procedimentos e mecanismos que observam o timing dos problemas de decisões estratégicos. Para alcançar este objetivo foram analisados processos de AAE, considerando a influencia do problema de decisão que motiva a formulação de ações estratégicas. Como estudo de caso foram selecionados nove relatórios de AAE realizados para ações associadas ao planejamento estratégico de transporte do Brasil e do Reino Unido. Entre os principais resultados foi observado que, ao contrário do Reino Unido, nenhum dos relatórios de AAE brasileiros definiu objetos de avaliação que fossem relevantes para o timing das decisões estratégicas de transporte analisadas. Os resultados encontrados sugerem a existência de três questões principais que influenciam diretamente a prática de AAE brasileira e estão associadas à necessidade de capacitação por parte dos praticantes deste contexto: a falta de entendimento sobre as diferenças que definem o que é uma ação estratégica e o que é um projeto; a falta de entendimento sobre qual é o objeto de uma AAE; e a falta de entendimento sobre quais são as questões que auxiliam a definir o objeto de uma AAE relevante para as tomadas de decisões estratégicas de desenvolvimento. / Relevant options at opportune timing to influence the strategic decision making have been a great and arduous challenge to the Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) practice. The proper understanding of issues that account for the real causes of decision problems suggests an opportunity to reach all the strategic role potential of SEA and influence decisions made for formation of a strategic action. This work seeks to understand and discuss how to operationalize a more strategic perspective of SEA, examining the role of procedures and mechanisms that comply with the timing of strategic decisions problems. To achieve this goal were analyzed AAE development processes, considering the influence of the decision problem that motivates strategic actions formulation. As case studies were selected nine SEA reports prepared for actions associated with transport strategic planning in Brazil and the United Kingdom. Among the key findings was observed that, unlike the UK, none of the Brazilian SEA reports has defined objects of assessment that were relevant to the timing of transport strategic decisions analyzed. Among the key findings was observed that, unlike the UK, none of the Brazilian SEA reports has defined relevant objects of assessment to the timing of transport strategic decisions analyzed. The results suggest three main issues that directly influence Brazilian SEA practice and are linked with the need for building capacity of practitioners: the lack of understanding of the differences that defines what is a strategic action and what a project; the lack of understanding of what is the object of an SEA; and the lack of understanding of what are issues that help define the relevant object of an SEA to development strategic decision-making.

Submitted by JOSIANE SANTOS DE OLIVEIRA (josianeso) on 2018-04-20T13:21:53Z No. of bitstreams: 1 Maria Isabel Wolf Motta Morandi_.pdf: 9044635 bytes, checksum: cf16499a76fe7570811dcc0ffce81e36 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2018-04-20T13:21:53Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Maria Isabel Wolf Motta Morandi_.pdf: 9044635 bytes, checksum: cf16499a76fe7570811dcc0ffce81e36 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2017-10-30 / UNISINOS - Universidade do Vale do Rio dos Sinos / As decisões estratégicas visam a operacionalizar a estratégia da empresa a fim de alcançar as metas traçadas, as quais, embora possam ser de múltiplas naturezas, têm como fim maior ampliar os retornos de acionistas e o valor da própria empresa. O processo de orçamentação de capital, mais especificamente a etapa de avaliação e seleção de projetos, fornece bases para escolher as opções de maior retorno. No entanto, os métodos tradicionais apresentam lacunas, em especial no que tange à consideração dos impactos sistêmicos provocados pelo exercício de uma opção estratégica e das incertezas presentes no processo de decisão estratégica. Nesse sentido, o objetivo desta pesquisa é a proposição de um método de avaliação de opções estratégicas de investimento que funcione de maneira sistêmica e dinâmica, ou seja, que considere como as reações dos atores e as incertezas impactam no resultado da opção escolhida. Para tanto, a Design Science Research foi o método selecionado para conduzir esta pesquisa, cujo resultado principal é a proposição e avaliação do método de avaliação das opções estratégicas do NPV sistêmico e dinâmico, ou seja, do NPV resultante da avaliação da opção estratégica considerando a reação dos atores nos diversos cenários futuros. O método desenvolvido foi aplicado em uma empresa do ramo de mineração que atende tanto as heurísticas de construção como as heurísticas contingenciais identificadas no processo de construção do artefato. A aplicação permite avaliar satisfatoriamente o método proposto, bem como identificar possíveis refinamentos. Os resultados obtidos evidenciam que o método proposto traz contribuições teóricas e gerenciais. Do ponto de vista da teoria, aponta-se a proposição do conceito e o construto do NPV sistêmico e dinâmico, bem como a possibilidade de avaliar quantitativamente a significância das incertezas críticas na formulação dos cenários. Do ponto de vista gerencial, a possibilidade de avaliar sistêmica e dinamicamente as opções estratégicas, verificando os efeitos sinérgicos entre elas e a sua robustez frente a diferentes cenários, constitui-se em uma contribuição ao processo de tomada de decisão. / Strategic decisions aim to operationalize the company's strategy in order to reach its goals, which, although it may be of multiple natures, seek to increase the returns for the shareholders and the value of the company itself. The capital budgeting process, more specifically the project evaluation and selection stages, provides the basis for selecting the highest return options. However, the traditional methods present gaps, especially regarding the consideration of the systemic impacts caused by the exercise of a strategic option, and the uncertainties present in the strategic decision process. In this sense, the objective of this research is the proposition of a method to evaluate the strategic options in a systemic and dynamic way, that is, that considers how the reactions of the actors and the uncertainties impact on the result of the chosen option. Design Science Research was the method selected to conduct this research. The artifact is the strategic options evaluation method, which aims to calculate the systemic and dynamic NPV, that is, the taking into account the reaction of the actors in the various future scenarios. The developed method was applied in a mining company that satisfy both the construction heuristics and the contingency heuristics identified in the artifact construction process. This application allowed to satisfactorily evaluate the proposed method, as well as to identify possible refinements. From the results, it was possible to verify both the theoretical and the managerial contributions. From the theoretical point of view, the main contribution is the concept and the construct of the systemic and dynamic NPV. A secondary contribution is a toll to evaluate, in a quantitative way, the significance of the critical uncertainties in the formulation of the scenarios. From the managerial point of view, the possibility of systematically and dynamically evaluating the strategic options, evaluating the synergistic effects between them and their robustness in the different scenarios, constitutes a contribution to the decision-making process.

Este trabalho propõe o uso de Sistemas de Informação e Inteligência Empresarial visando a Análise Inteligente de Falhas para Apoiar Decisões Estratégicas em Projetos de Sistemas Críticos. Tal proposta estabelece uma correlação entre a dinâmica proveniente de recursos e ferramentas de Sistemas de Informação e Inteligência Empresarial, e a necessidade de se obter informações precisas, em intervalos de tempo aceitáveis para agregar valores tangíveis na segurança, confiabilidade, disponibilidade e mantenabilidade de Sistemas Críticos. A proposta aqui apresentada vem ao encontro da necessidade premente de disponibilizar, com maior eficácia, informações precisas para a aferição de indicadores importantes ao Projeto de Sistemas Críticos, e favorecer a implementação de ações mitigadoras de falhas que possam vir a comprometer o funcionamento desses sistemas. De forma a completar e consolidar a proposta em questão desenvolveu-se um ambiente computacional, utilizando-se dos fundamentos teóricos e das melhores práticas de Sistemas de Informação e Inteligência Empresarial, com as especificidades inerentes a Sistemas Críticos. Avaliou-se tal ambiente em um estudo de caso desenvolvido no Sistema Metroviário de São Paulo. Esse estudo de caso contribuiu, no aspecto conceitual, com a realização de ensaios de análises qualitativas e quantitativas de falhas, fornecendo informações relevantes para apoiar possíveis decisões estratégicas no sistema estudado. / This work proposes the use of Information Systems and Business Intelligence aiming an Intelligent Analysis of Failure that supports Strategic Decision Making in Critical Systems Projects. This proposition establishes a correlation between the dynamics of resources and tools from Information Systems and Business Intelligence, and the need to obtain accurate information within an acceptable time interval to add tangible value in security, reliability, availability and maintainability of Critical Systems. The proposition presented here meets the need to provide, more efficiently, accurate information to measure relevant indicators of the projects in Critical Systems, and favor the implementation of failure mitigating actions that could come to compromise the functioning of these systems. In order to complete and consolidate the proposition in question, a computational environment was developed, making use of the theoretical bases and of the best practices of Systems of Information and Business Intelligence, with the peculiarities inherent to Critical Systems. Such environment was evaluated in a case study in the Metrorail Company of São Paulo State, in which qualitative and quantitative analysis of failures were tested, providing relevant information to support possible strategic decisions in the system studied.

A estratégia de Tecnologia da Informação - TI é um aspecto fundamental para todos os negócios e a sua efetiva implementação requer o domínio do alinhamento estratégico. Um dos grandes desafios dos executivos de TI é como administrar toda a demanda gerada pelas áreas negociais, tendo presente o alinhamento estratégico. Este estudo analisa a forma como o Banco do Brasil que nos últimos anos promoveu uma transformação na área de TI, vem tratando o tema alinhamento estratégico e como as decisões afetam as áreas negociais daquela Instituição. Ao estudar o tema tomada de decisão, a sustentação recai nos trabalhos desenvolvidos por Herbert A. Simon e Paul C. Nutt dois dos principais estudiosos do assunto. A abrangência da matéria determina a necessidade de sua delimitação, razão pela qual este estudo focaliza a aplicação do Método AHP (Análise Hierárquica de Processos) no universo de tomadas de decisão, no contexto do alinhamento estratégico. O estudo de caso explora o processo de tomada de decisão no Banco do Brasil e o seu modelo de priorização de demandas, baseado no Método AHP como um dos sustentáculos do alinhamento estratégico. Analisa como esse modelo vem viabilizando a redução do seu backlog, um dos maiores problemas de gestão de TI. Apresenta ainda dois estudos ex post facto para demonstrar a aplicabilidade de software de apoio à decisão baseado no Método AHP. A análise dos resultados assinala a necessidade de a área de TI incorporar mais um novo conceito denominado Governança Corporativa que poderá provocar uma ruptura no tradicional modelo de gestão de TI. / The Information Technology - IT strategy is a fundamental issue for every business. The effective use of IT strategy requests the domain of the strategic alignment. One of the biggest challenges for executives of IT is how to administrate all the demands in the business area considering the strategic alignment. This study analyses how the Banco do Brasil that in the last few years has promoted a true revolution in the IT area, it has dealt the strategic alignment theme and how the decisions affect the negotiating areas of that Institution. On studying the theme decision making, the largest support is on the work developed by Herbert A. Simon and Paul C. Nutt two of the main researchers of the theme. The importance of the theme determines the need of its delimitation. That is the reason why this study focuses on Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) application in the universe of decision making, in the strategic alignment. The case study explores the decision making process in the Banco do Brasil and his Demands Priority Model, based on AHP, like one of the support for the strategic alignment of IT. It analyses how this instrument is taking the reduction in its backlog, one of the biggest problems of the IT management. It also presents two studies ex post facto to demonstrate the applicability of decision support software based on the AHP. The analysis of the results marks the need of the IT area to incorporate a new concept called IT Corporate Governance that will disrupt the traditional IT management model.

In the United States, rural hospital closures increased 34% since 2015 due to financial reasons, affecting access to healthcare services in rural communities. For rural hospital leaders, improving the hospital's financial performance is a valuable strategic goal. This multiple case study was designed to explore strategies that rural hospital leaders implement to improve their hospital's financial performance in Arizona, Georgia, Illinois, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, and the United States Virgin Islands. The strategic decision-making framework supported the study because top leaders make decisions that affect the organization's health and survival. Fifteen rural hospital leaders who maintain their hospital's financial stability provided hospital documentation and pertinent strategic information from their respective semistructured interviews. Sections of text signifying concepts from collected documentation and transcribed interviews were organized and coded according to research question and interview questions to explore strategies rural hospital leaders implemented to improve their hospital's financial performance. The methods triangulation process encompassed comparing findings from the interview themes and hospital strategic documentation analysis. The key themes that emerged from coded data were rural hospital leaders' decision-making when addressing rural hospital financial performance, developing synergies with external providers and hospitals, creating effective short-term and long-term strategies, and translating success to the entire organization. Implications for social change include the potential to prevent rural hospital closure and ensure access to healthcare services for the communities rural hospitals serve.

本研究旨於探討政策研究社群(STI policy research communities)在政策實務中所扮演的角色、與政策實務間的關係及互動，以及該社群隨著不同政策情境其所累積的知識結構。本文以英國科技政策研究社群SPRU及MIoIR為例，首先以Top-down的方式從整體制度及機構面進行探討，第二部份則進一步描述及探討SPRU及MIoIR這兩個研究社群在英國政策實務中所扮演的角色及定位。第三部份旨於探討在英國的政策研究及決策支援制度情境下，政策研究社群與政策實務間的互動關係，以及影響兩者關係的關鍵因素。第四部份則進一步探討如何橋接政策與研究之間的缺口，以及研究社群如何透過不同的研究成果擴散模式，進而政策產生影響與效益。第五部份，本文綜合英國科技政策社群所處之制度及機構情境、政策研究社群之知識產出、政策與研究之間的缺口、以及兩者間的互動關係，從Bottom-Up的角度提出一全面性的理論架構，填補過去文獻在探討政策與研究兩者間關係時，僅探討部份、或分析特定議題之理論缺口。 / The importance of scientific research which positively motivates economic growth has been widely recognised by governments of most countries in the world. A government needs to formulate policies for sustaining national developments, but a sound policy usually has to be evident by academic findings provided by academic researcher. On the opposite, an academic researcher can conduct research needed by the government only if they can be funded by the government. The mutual reliance on each other for academic researchers and the government as well as the relationship between them have been investigated previously in literature. The complex relationship between the government and researcher is modelled as “principal-agent relationship” (Pratt & Zeckhauser, 1985). The interdisciplinary STI (Science, Technology and Innovation) policy research, which seeks to solve socioeconomic problem at national level, creates knowledge much closer to what the government needs and can be used directly to inform policy formulation. The relationship between the government and STI policy research community is therefore much stronger and more sensitive than that between the government and other research communities. In the process of delivering research to policymakers, the agenda and concern underlying different interacting scenarios between actors are varied from academia, funding agency, governmental organisation and policy makers. Therefore, changing the way of communication is becoming important for academic researchers to make the whole process more smoothly or effectively. However, in this interacting process research actors not only need to turn around the language, but also change the perspective they view from different scenarios especially when there is conflicting interest or view exited between academia and politics. The purpose of this study aims to investigate in what way can STI policy research community influence policy as well as interaction between STI policy research community and the government by bottom-up approach, i.e. from STI policy researcher to the government and three different perspectives proposed by Allison (1971), i.e. 1) Bounded Rational Perspective, 2) Organisational Behaviour Perspective, and 3) Governmental Politics Perspective. This study selects the two prestigious research organisations in the UK- SPRU and MIoIR (formerly PREST) as the case study and a total of sixteen renown interviewees are interviewed, since the UK is the leading country in STI policy research and the most outstanding research organisations in the UK STI policy research community are SPRU and MIoIR which have contributed to STI policymaking since 1970s, interaction between the UK government and this research community are analysed. Further, the UK Technology Foresight programme undertaken jointly by SPRU and MIoIR is used as a representative event to demonstrate the responding strategy of STI policy research community to the UK government. It is found in this study that a successful contribution from STI policy research community to the government critically relies on appropriate responding strategies which are dependent on whom (on the government side) exactly the researcher is interacting with. A successfully interaction between researcher and the government takes a sound strategy which eventually lead to contribution of research to policy practice. Finally, this study develops several propositions for suggesting how to sustain effective policy contribution from STI policy researcher and sound interaction between STI policy research community and the government.

<p>There are several participants in the renewable energy sector, each one having their own perspective, according to their interests. One renewable source of energy is wind. Development of wind energy projects is complex and implies the conjunction of several endeavors that are hard to be undertaken by only one organization. The complexity of wind energy projects demands the interaction among actors, that is, the creation of partnerships.</p><p> </p><p>The purpose of this study is to question the nature of partnerships as a response to strategic decisions for the implementation of wind energy projects and to provide arguments to state that partnerships are indeed strategic. By making a comparison of the different roles of the actors involved in the sector and having a theoretical support created by a literature review of the subject, authors’ arguments are based on the analysis of six different perspectives from those actors in the wind energy arena: Utilities company, wind energy projects developers, government, financial institutions, international organization and consultants.</p><p>A qualitative approach guided the identification of the role of these wind energy participants as their perspective in the sector. Perspective cases were formed through interviews made to representatives of different actors and through secondary data.</p><p>Having an empirical approach, some wind energy projects and their involved partnerships were identified and analyzed. In addition, by analyzing the critical success factors of partnerships that influence crucial aspects for implementation of wind energy projects, it was confirmed that good partnerships are based on trust and their success is the result of establishing clear objectives and defining the roles and responsibilities of each partner. Besides, considerations regarding control management of partnership deployment among actors of the energy sector are suggested.</p><p>Latterly, it was uncovered that organizations sometimes do not recognize their relationships as partnerships, due to the bare understanding of the scope of <em>partnership </em>concept. In practice, partnership is conceived as a long-term relationship, while relationships for a limited time are commonly identified as contracts. However, it was concluded that in any case a partnership is developed, as partners gather their own expertise to achieve common goals.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p>This research is meant to be a reference for decision-making individuals or project managers that need to evaluate ways to implement strategies. Also this study is conceived for those that need to decide if it is worthy to establish a partnership and its considerations, as a response to strategic decisions.</p><p> </p>

There are several participants in the renewable energy sector, each one having their own perspective, according to their interests. One renewable source of energy is wind. Development of wind energy projects is complex and implies the conjunction of several endeavors that are hard to be undertaken by only one organization. The complexity of wind energy projects demands the interaction among actors, that is, the creation of partnerships.   The purpose of this study is to question the nature of partnerships as a response to strategic decisions for the implementation of wind energy projects and to provide arguments to state that partnerships are indeed strategic. By making a comparison of the different roles of the actors involved in the sector and having a theoretical support created by a literature review of the subject, authors’ arguments are based on the analysis of six different perspectives from those actors in the wind energy arena: Utilities company, wind energy projects developers, government, financial institutions, international organization and consultants. A qualitative approach guided the identification of the role of these wind energy participants as their perspective in the sector. Perspective cases were formed through interviews made to representatives of different actors and through secondary data. Having an empirical approach, some wind energy projects and their involved partnerships were identified and analyzed. In addition, by analyzing the critical success factors of partnerships that influence crucial aspects for implementation of wind energy projects, it was confirmed that good partnerships are based on trust and their success is the result of establishing clear objectives and defining the roles and responsibilities of each partner. Besides, considerations regarding control management of partnership deployment among actors of the energy sector are suggested. Latterly, it was uncovered that organizations sometimes do not recognize their relationships as partnerships, due to the bare understanding of the scope of partnership concept. In practice, partnership is conceived as a long-term relationship, while relationships for a limited time are commonly identified as contracts. However, it was concluded that in any case a partnership is developed, as partners gather their own expertise to achieve common goals.     This research is meant to be a reference for decision-making individuals or project managers that need to evaluate ways to implement strategies. Also this study is conceived for those that need to decide if it is worthy to establish a partnership and its considerations, as a response to strategic decisions.

<p>Problem: What key strategic decisions are required when choosing the right entry mode for a small Swedish firm, with a high-end jewellery brand, on the complex Japanese market?</p><p>Purpose: The purpose of this research is to investigate different strategic choices in regards to the entry mode and the introduction of an exclusive brand on the Japanese market. The research will be supported by analysing the current situation of Sandberg and its aim to enter new markets. The authors of this thesis aim at enlighten the important issues regarding the key strategic decisions that Sandberg will have to take when entering Japan. The ambition with this thesis is to illustrate how firms in high-end sectors in similar industries can apply the overall concepts in order to successfully enter the Japanese market.</p><p>Method: The authors of this thesis have chosen a descriptive approach and marketing literature has been studied in order to find suitable theories to help the analysis of the Japanese market. Root (1998) argues that the social environment plays an important role in the choice of entry mode and can be analysed through the PESTEL framework. As long as the businesses have an understanding that the competitive marketplace never reaches a static state (Grant, 1995), the PESTEL framework is useful if it is continuously changed over time (Walsh, 2005). The deductive approach will be used since the authors of this thesis will focus on searching for already existing theories in external sources in order to enable an understanding for the strategic decisions that have to be made in regards to entering the Japanese market (Lekvall & Wahlbin, 2001). The deductive data analysis is preferable since the nature of the concept, with the use of existing theory, gives a more objective research.</p><p>Results: This thesis demonstrates that some of the most important strategic decisions that have to be taken when entering the Japanese market concerns following issues: (a) entry mode, (b) trade partners, (c) transportation, (d) currency rate, (e) location, and (f) type of establishment.</p><p>Finally, the authors of this thesis believe that Sandberg will benefit from international operations in the Japanese market. It will most likely open up opportunities for future growth in the area due to the almost certain enhancement which in turn give increased opportunities for expansion. It is without doubt up to Sandberg to take advantage of the growing demand in the region.</p> / <p>Problem: Vilka strategiska nyckelbeslut krävs när en liten svensk organisation, med ett lyxigt smyckemärke, ska välja sätt att gå in på den komplexa japanska marknaden?</p><p>Syfte: Syftet med den här undersökningen är att utreda olika strategiska beslut med tanke på inträdet och introduktionen av ett exklusivt märke på den japanska marknaden. Undersökningen kommer att understödjas genom att författarna analyserar den svenska firman, Sandberg, nuvarande situation och Sandbergs mål att inträda på nya marknader. Författarna till den här uppsatsen inriktar sig på att lämna upplysningar gällande de viktiga saker rörande strategiska nyckelbeslut som Sandberg måste ta när de går in på den japanska marknaden. Ambitionen med den här uppsatsen är att illustrera hur organisationer i exklusiva sektorer inom liknande industrier ska kunna tillämpa de övergripande koncepten för att framgångsrikt inträda på den japanska marknaden.</p><p>Metod: Författarna till den här uppsatsen har valt en deskriptiv infallsvinkel och marknadslitteratur har studerats för att finns passande teorier för att underlätta en analys av den japanska marknaden. Root (1998) menar att den sociala omgivningen spelar en viktig roll när en organisation väljer sätt att gå in på en ny marknad och anser att omgivningen kan analyseras genom PESTEL. Så länge som organisationen har en förståelse för att den konkurrenstäta marknaden aldrig når ett statiskt tillstånd (Grant, 1995), så är PESTEL användbart om den kontinuerligt ändras över tiden (Walsh, 2005). Den deduktiva infallsvinkeln används eftersom författarna till den här uppsatsen fokuserar på att söka efter redan tillgängliga teorier i externa källor för att möjliggöra en förståelse för de strategiska beslut som måste tas med tanke på ett inträde på den japanska marknaden (Lekvall & Wahlbin, 2001). Den deduktiva dataanalysmetoden föredrogs på grund av karaktären av konceptet, att användandet av existerande teorier ger en mer objektiv undersökning.</p><p>Resultat: Den här uppsatsen demonstrerar att några av de viktigaste strategiska besluten som måste tas inför ett inträde på den japanska marknaden rör följande saker: (a) sätt att gå in på marknaden, (b) handelspartners, (c) transport, (d) valutakurs, (e) lokalisering, och (f) typ av etablering. Författarna till den här uppsatsen menar slutligen att Sandberg kommer att ha nytta av internationella aktiviteter på den japanska marknaden. Det kommer troligen öppna upp för framtida tillväxt i området och nya möjligheter för expansion. Det är utan tvekan upp till Sandberg att ta tillvara på fördelarna av den nu växande efterfrågan i området.</p>