The transportation industry is a rapidly changing business. As a result of the increased demand for transportation and the tougher demands on transportation companies’ performance, it is important that they have good and reliable processes that are able to live up to those demands in a highly competitive market. Increased performance is important for transportation companies in order to create value for its customers and steps that can help them to achieve this can be seen as valuable. In Sweden, vehicle manufacturers offer extended services in order to respond to the changes on the transportation market. However, there is a knowledge gap about the experiences of using a product together with extended services that has a more service dominant logic compared to buying and using only the product. This research is conducted as a multiple-case study with five companies within the freight transportation industry to investigate their experiences of using extended services regarding risk and value concepts. To be able to conduct this research, literature and empirical study has been conducted through the collection of secondary- and primary data such as face-to- face interviews. The result of this study shows that there are several determining factors, which the case companies consider when determining how to resolve the issues of extended services such as financial aspects, location of workshop, flexibility, size of transporter, and control. Fur- thermore was advantages of using extended services offered by vehicle manufacturers found that related to financial advantages, increased customer service levels, assurance that best service will be provided, and increased up-time. In addition to that it was found that these services could help transportation companies to reduce some risks related to the financial- and goods/physical risk categories. In contrast were advantages of not using extended services offered by vehicle manufacturers found such as financial benefits, possibilities to cooperate, flexibility, increased up-time as a result of location, and control. The loss of control was a risk found that could be decreased if not using vehicle manufacturers extended services.

Blockchain technology emerged in 2009 together with the introduction of Bitcoin, the first virtual currency which enabled nodes in a network, that do not necessarily trust each other, to exchange digital value without the use of trusted intermediaries. Since then, the idea of disintermediation and decentralization has gained traction in a large number of applications outside the world of finance and virtual currencies. This thesis is written in collaboration with Scania, an automotive industry manufacturer, with the purpose of gaining a better understanding of blockchain technology and how it can be used in the transportation industry. This thesis proposes five potential blockchain use cases that aim to either enhance Scania’s existing services or to create new services. Out of these five use cases, one is deemed inappropriate in regards to the use of blockchain technology while the other four have potentials benefits. The common denominator among these use cases is that they are decentralized in nature meaning that the use of intermediaries is mitigated. It is recognized that all use cases could be implemented using traditional, centralized databases and that the use of blockchain boils down to a technology choice with its own trade-offs relative to other potential choices. This thesis concludes that blockchain technology offers a new kind of database architecture, the main benefit of which is that it lets several non-trusting entities agree on a common set of facts, without having a trusted intermediary establishing these facts.

Many workforce-related shortages in the marine transportation industry can be attributed to low birth rates, high levels of upcoming retirements, and evolving occupational complexities of the industry. These challenges may soon place the marine transportation industry in a workforce crisis within some high-demand occupations. This explanatory case study examines how the Marine Institute of Memorial University of Newfoundland’s learns and adapts its practices to more effectively attract, recruit, and retain students for a career at sea. The study applies organizational learning theory as a practical lens to better understand the phenomenon of learning at the organizational level, how it occurs, and the processes involved which enable transformation. The study looks at communicative and collaborative processes of members, including collective thinking, reflection on past experiences, and dialogue, which combined, enable changing conventional ways of thinking. The findings describe how the organization constructs solutions, how it learns and reacts to workforce complexities.

The thesis aims at corporate adaptation to climate change impacts in the logistics and transportation industry, especially for the model region Dresden. The paper employs two analyses. The first part deals with a review of the current literature within the topic. 20 references are identified and analysed with a data extraction form. More general adaptation measures are identified in the current literature which can be implemented in the corporate strategy. Crucial effects on company’s operation and its profit have flooding and sea level rise. In comparison adaptation measures, which are identified within five interviews of transportation providers in the model region Dresden, are of technological nature. The interviewed companies adapted significantly to weather extremes in the past. It is identified that heavy precipitation like rain and snow lead to crucial negative impacts to their operations which cause lost profit and customer dissatisfaction in long periods of time. On the other hand these weather conditions may have positive effects in short periods of time. Region-specific analyses in climate change impacts and the implementation of potential adaptation measures for logistics and transportation companies is still in a stage of infancy. Further research is needed on more region-specific analyses and on logistics companies in the model region Dresden as only five of them analysed in this thesis.

The main theme of this diploma thesis is a detailed analysis of the actual transportation situation in RF and Volgogradskiy region. The role of transportation as an important part of the national economy has been drastically undermined by the Russian government, therefore since the USSR dissolution transportation in RF has been only regressing. The first chapters deal with the actual state of the Russian transportation system and the possibilities of integration with the international transportation corridors. Further, we will suggest a detailed profiling of the transportation system's development and the actual situation with transportation in the Volgogradskiy region. In conclusion, we will evaluate the perspectives of logistics as a science and positioning logistics as an economic management industry.

The thesis aims at corporate adaptation to climate change impacts in the logistics and transportation industry, especially for the model region Dresden. The paper employs two analyses. The first part deals with a review of the current literature within the topic. 20 references are identified and analysed with a data extraction form. More general adaptation measures are identified in the current literature which can be implemented in the corporate strategy. Crucial effects on company’s operation and its profit have flooding and sea level rise. In comparison adaptation measures, which are identified within five interviews of transportation providers in the model region Dresden, are of technological nature. The interviewed companies adapted significantly to weather extremes in the past. It is identified that heavy precipitation like rain and snow lead to crucial negative impacts to their operations which cause lost profit and customer dissatisfaction in long periods of time. On the other hand these weather conditions may have positive effects in short periods of time. Region-specific analyses in climate change impacts and the implementation of potential adaptation measures for logistics and transportation companies is still in a stage of infancy. Further research is needed on more region-specific analyses and on logistics companies in the model region Dresden as only five of them analysed in this thesis.

Sweden's economy is currently heavily dependent on a linear economy model, where raw material ultimately is discarded as waste. The linear approach is unsustainable for manufacturing companies in the long term. To embrace a sustainable business model and ensure future competitiveness, vehicle manufacturers are actively exploring alternative strategies to reduce emissions. To meet the emission reduction targets established by EU regulations, the industry is actively embracing the adoption of electrification and autonomous vehicles. However, the management of end-of-life for electric vehicles and waste has not kept pace with the industry's growth. To address these challenges, there is a growing recognition of the need to transition towards a circular economy, which focuses on eliminating waste, maximizing the value of materials, and promoting environmental regeneration. This study focuses on identifying the barriers, enablers and opportunities that support the implementation of circular economy strategies within a Swedish vehicle manufacturing company, specifically in the areas of Rethink, Remanufacture, and Repurpose. The research methodology involved conducting literature reviews and interviews with company representatives, research institutes, and external experts in relevant fields. Additionally, an internal survey was conducted to assess employee attitudes and knowledge regarding circular business and the selected strategies. Through the analysis, several barriers and opportunities emerged, including cross-sector collaboration, co-creation, circular design, technology, ownership models, regulations, and organisational considerations. The findings from the literature study, the survey and the interviews were used for the development of the conceptual framework Case Company Circularity Platform. The platform aims to foster cross-sector collaborations through Repurposing vehicle components on a digital platform. To validate the potential of the concept, workshops were conducted with potential customers. The feedback received from the potential customers provided valuable insights, enabling further research and refinement of the concept. The analysis highlights the importance of clear goal-setting and defining objectives within the organisation. It emphasizes the need for cross-sector collaboration, leveraging advanced technologies for component tracking and Repurposing throughout their lifecycle, implementing a Product-as-a-Service ownership model. To achieve the desired legislative changes that promote circular economy, the case company must demonstrate a strong commitment and unified approach alongside the industry. By embracing circular practices and advocating for legislative changes, the case company can play a leading role in promoting sustainability and setting new industry standards. Overall, Repurposing presents an exciting opportunity for the case company to contribute to the way towards a sustainable future. / Sverige präglas av en linjär ekonomi, vilket innebär att råvaror utvinns, produceras, konsumeras, och sedan slängs som avfall. Detta koncept är inte hållbart på lång sikt för att driva ett tillverkningsföretag. I Sverige står transportsektorn för den största andelen av utsläpp i hela landet, där 94% av transportsektorns utsläpp kommer från vägtransporter. EU-förordningar har fastställt mål för att minska utsläppen. För att uppnå dessa mål arbetar tillverkningsföretag aktivt med utvecklingen av elektrifierade och autonoma fordon, medan hanteringen av "end of life" för dessa fordon och deras avfall inte hänger med i branschens tillväxt. Dessa utmaningar möts genom att övergå till en cirkulär ekonomi, som fokuserar på att minska avfall, maximera värdet av material och främja miljömässig återhämtning. Studiens mål är att undersöka hinder och möjligheter för att stödja implementeringen av cirkulära ekonomistrategier för en fordonstillverkare i Sverige, med fokus på strategiområdena "Rethink", "Remanufacture" och "Repurpose". Forskningsmetoden genomfördes genom litteraturstudier och intervjuer med företagsrepresentanter, forskningsinstitut och externa experter inom relevanta områden. En intern enkät genomfördes för att undersöka de anställdas förhållningsätt och kunskaper kring en cirkulär affärsverksamhet samt de valda strategierna. Resultaten från litteraturstudien, enkäten och intervjuerna användes för att utveckla det konceptuella ramverket "Case Company Circularity Platform". Syftet med plattformen är att främja tvärsektoriellt samarbete och en förlängning av fordonskomponenternas "end-of-life" genom utvecklingen av universellamodulära fordonskomponenter. För att validera potentialen i konceptet genomfördes fokusgrupper med potentiella kunder. Återkopplingen från de potentiella kunderna gav värdefulla insikter och förslag för framtida arbete med konceptet. Analysen betonar vikten av tydliga målsättningar inom en organisation. Den understryker också behovet av tvärsektoriellt samarbete och att nyttja avancerad teknik för spårning och återanvändning av komponenter under hela dess livscykel. Produkter som tjänster är en ägandeskapsmodell som anses vara en viktig faktor i en cirkulär ekonomi. Det är nödvändigt för företag inom fordonsindustrin att samarbeta för att uppnå lagändringar som främjar en cirkulär ekonomi. Genom att implementera cirkulära metoder och påverka lagstiftningen kan företaget inta en ledande roll i att främja hållbarhet och etablera nya branschstandarder. Sammantaget ger Repurposing en spännande möjlighet för företaget att bidra till en hållbar framtid.