Digital innovations are about to overtake the supply chain systems and revolutionize the way of producing products. With the use of technology in the value chain a sustainable development can be generated and developed. The usage of digital tools for manufacturing can minimize waste and further develop sustained processing. 3D printing is a technology that produces products by adding layer by layer of material. The additive manufacturing process theoretically produces no waste and aims for a sustainable and efficient processing. The textile and sportswear industry adopted this process for high fashion or functional performance products. Especially in the sportswear sector the process shows great potential. Brands like Adidas, Nike and Underarmour adopted the process in order to create midsoles for performance shoes. This research aims to identify the potential of 3D printing for the textile and sportswear industry. The purpose of this research is to explore the advantages and disadvantages of 3D printing within the textile industry and sportswear value chain, to survey where are potential solutions to reduce waste. The qualitative research consists of a theoretical and empirical part. The study begins with a systematic literature review that presents the state of the art of 3D printing in the textile and sportswear industry. In order to add empirical data, interviews with five experts from academia and industry have been conducted. The experts work with 3D printing and three of them with 3D printing and textiles. The case study methodology was chosen in order to compare a small number of cases and their approaches. In order to answer the research questions, the empirical data was thematically analyzed and one overarching theme and seven sub themes emerged. The sub themes were compared to the effects and challenges of 3D printing for the textile and sportswear value chain that emerged from the literature review. The findings show that there are several advantages as design freedom and customization and disadvantages as slow production speed and costs. 3D printing is mostly used as an additional process when implementing the process in the textile and sportswear value chain.

Den globala ekonomin har under de senaste åren påverkats i flera olika aspekter däribland geopolitiska spänningar samt ökade transport-och arbetskostnader, vilket har utmynnat i utmaningar för företags globala värdekedjor. Företag som har globala värdekedjor har ofta valt att utkontraktera delar av sina processer till internationella leverantörer, främst för att ta del av expertis, billig arbetskraft samt närhet till råvaror. Trots fördelarna tillkommer utmaningar och risker som företagen behöver hantera. Det kan vara allt från osäkerheter i form av längre transportsträckor samt svårigheter i att granska standarder och kvalitén vid utkontrakterade produktioner. I samband med detta har företag genom åren velat profilera sig som hållbara och utgått från att försöka balansera miljömässiga, sociala och ekonomiska hållbarhetsaspekter. Detta är lättare sagt än gjort, och i jakten på högre vinster har de sociala och miljömässiga aspekterna inte alltid blivit lika prioriterade. Detta har bland annat resulterat i att företag utkontrakterar till internationella leverantörer som bland annat har bristande arbetsförhållanden och produktframställning. De miljömässiga konsekvenserna uppstår både på plats där själva aktiviteterna sker och i samband med transportsträckorna. Trots detta har företag av olika anledningar kvar sina internationella leverantörer där företagens förhållningsätt kring de hållbarhetsrelaterade aspekterna skiljer sig åt. Till exempel har en del företag varit omotiverade att hantera problem som inte har en tydlig ekonomisk effekt. Ökade påtryckningar från konsumenter och utökade regleringar har pressat företagens hållbarhetsarbete, både för att bibehålla konkurrenskraft och marknadsposition. Därav finns det företag idag som kan behöva ändra sina värderingar. Detta innebär i sin tur att företagen även kan behöva se över sina befintliga utkontrakteringsstrategier och valet av deras nuvarande internationella leverantörer. Vår studie syftar till att förstå och analysera hur olika företag hanterar och förhåller sig till sociala och miljömässiga hållbarhetsrisker i sina globala värdekedjor i samband med utkontraktering till internationella leverantörer. Vi har genomfört sex semistrukturerade intervjuer för att samla empiriska data som jämförts med teorier om utkontraktering, återhämtningsstrategier, riskidentifiering, hanteringen och externa påtryckningar. Studien omfattar olika branscher och företagsstorlekar för att belysa företagens förhållningsätt och hantering av risker, vilket i sin tur kan skapa igenkänning och inspirera alternativa tillvägagångssätt. Vårt mål är därmed att bidra med förståelse för området och potentiella strategier som kan minimera sociala och miljömässiga hållbarhetsrisker. Detta kan även bidra till företagens framtida arbete och stärka sin position på marknaden. De fem slutsatserna landar i vikten av ett holistiskt synsätt på hållbarhet, vikten av nära samarbete med internationella leverantörer för att hantera kulturella och geografiska distanser. Vidare belyser studiens att risker kan integreras i befintliga riskhanteringssmodeller där kontrollerande och undvikande responsstrategier anses mest relevanta, samt potentiella möjligheter med ett alternativt fokus på ekologisk dominans. Slutligen lyfts behovet om stöd från externa aktörer och strategiska åtaganden inom företagen. Därmed ger studiens resultat både praktiska och teoretiska bidrag och visar att företag som utkontrakterat till internationella leverantörer verkar stå inför komplexa utmaningar relaterade till sociala-och miljömässiga hållbarhetsrisker i sina globala värdekedjor.

The study identified various value configurations, namely the value chain, value shop and value networks, that could be applicable in understanding the value adding activities within a law firm. The aim of the study was to determine whether information systems could be utilised throughout the identified activities comprising the various value configurations. In the event that information systems were used throughout these activities it was sought to determine to what extent information systems were being used in the law firm and whether, from the user’s perspective, the systems facilitated better efficiency in the workplace, increased productivity and had a positive effect on the profitability of the law firm.

<p>Tanzania is one of the world’s poorest countries. But it has a lot to offer and in recent years both tourists and companies have realised this. This thesis focuses on the companies and takes a closer look at the growth performance and the inflow of Foreign Direct Investments (FDI) to Tanzania. By presenting a case on the cement industry in Tanzania the thesis also provide some insight in the mechanisms of FDI on a more practical level. The findings conclude that the FDI and growth have both increased extensively since the 1990’s, but I refrain from comments on the causality of this relationship. The economic reforms that the country underwent in the 1990’s are thought to have played a key role in the development of the country. From the case presented we draw the conclusion that a FDI can affect the value chain as well as the whole country in numerous ways.</p>

The study identified various value configurations, namely the value chain, value shop and value networks, that could be applicable in understanding the value adding activities within a law firm. The aim of the study was to determine whether information systems could be utilised throughout the identified activities comprising the various value configurations. In the event that information systems were used throughout these activities it was sought to determine to what extent information systems were being used in the law firm and whether, from the user’s perspective, the systems facilitated better efficiency in the workplace, increased productivity and had a positive effect on the profitability of the law firm.

Background: Price pressure, together with factors as commodization and demands for lower production costs has had a negative impact on further investments on the tea industry in Sri Lanka. Developing countries must persist in their efforts to catch up with the rapid growth and increased global trade to maintain an important source of growth. Despite increased recognition regarding the importance of economic growth, where it is crucial for a company’s ability to profit with long-term viability by finding a unique combination and collaboration of activities within the value chain, there is still a confusion of how an emerging vertical integration can strengthen the tea industry. Purpose: The purpose of this research is to evaluate, define and describe the value chain of actors and activities from raw material to finished product that activate value increments within the tea industry in Sri Lanka. In order to reach this aim, a deeper understanding of how enterprises choose their way of distribution commodities or value-added product. The empirical data is combined with a theoretical framework that investigates the challenges with vertical integration within the tea industry, focusing on strengthen Sri Lankan tea producers’ value chains. Delimitations: Distinction that investigates Sri Lanka and its value chain of tea. Methodology: This minor field research was performed with an evaluating research design in Sri Lanka. A qualitative approach has been used in combination to the ethnographic method that carries out the collection of data. Semi-structured interviews have been conducted with companies within the tea industry in Sri Lanka to meet the research objective. Conclusions: The vertical integration can be strengthened through informal integrate functions and its emergence can thus promote business networks. Actors linking through investments by brokers can thereby simplify the process of value adding activities to the current tea industry in Sri Lanka.

The concept of a value chain has assumed a dominant position in the strategic analysis of industries. However, the concept of linear value chain has recently become unsuitable as a tool to analyze some industries and to uncover many sources of value. The value grid approach allows firms to identify opportunities and threats in a more explicit way than with the traditional value chain model. Until now, there are still not many researchers working on the concept of value grid. Therefore, the purpose of this research is to exemplify the value grid model in airline industry with a case study of Scandinavian Airlines (SAS) and to illustrate its application, the provision of airline industry and content is explored to identify potential strategic implications for Scandinavian Airlines (SAS).

In the last twenty years, Google had a tremendous growth, from a small project of two PhD students to one of the most valuable companies on the globe. This growth is characterised by the versatile of the company, next to its search engine, Google explored many different value chains along the way. In this study, the value grid model is used to examine their movements. It can be stated that Google used, and uses, the paths/dimension as implied by Pil and Holweg (2006) to explore new opportunity and demand. The main reason why Google is able to do so is because of its board and management, who are innovative, and open-minded. Next to the top management is the appearance of Google in many different sectors and value chains a reason of their growth. The variety in businesses allows them to create a “Google experience”, and thus a competitive advantage in comparison with their main competitors who do not have this ability.

Background: Based on our professional experience supported by evidence from current brand literature, we have identified an on-going struggle for fashion brands when building and communicating brand image internally. Branding is about adding value and which is directly connected to the product itself. Theories support that clear and successful branding creates trust with stakeholders and is therefore important to a company’s profitability. If branding strategies and roles are not defined internally, image become ever more unclear once ideas are to be communicated to customers in store through sales personnel and products. Purpose: The purpose of this thesis is to explore what hinders companies in the fashion retail industry from profitably and effectively building and communicating brand image internally by identifying potential conflict areas in the value chain in order to provide a tool for overcoming those obstacles. Methodology: A qualitative research method carried through as a case study was conducted containing four interviews with people in key positions at two Swedish fashion retailers. Conclusion: Conclusively we have created a model which explains where and why conflicts occur when it comes to building brand image internally. Where there is a lack of communication between departments it clearly affects the brand image. Companies need to work according to guidelines and communicate amongst departments. / Program: Master Programme in Fashion Management

The internationalization of Chinese companies is a new reality. This is even more innovative if we isolate Chinese private firms and in particular those having businesses in developed countries as targets. If the first internationalizations of Chinese private firms to developed countries showed us less than optimal results; the latest show mixed outcomes. Interestingly, some of the latest firms with positive results are breaking through stable and complex global value chains, such as the automotive industry, to become first tier suppliers to transnational assemblers and even acquire large and apparently more capable first-tier global suppliers in developed countries. Based on the relevant literature, namely: automotive global value chain (Holweg et al., 2009; Humphrey & Memedovic, 2003; Sturgeon & Lester, 2004; Sturgeon & Van Biesebroeck, 2011; Thun, 2001); developing countries firms internationalization (Boisot & Meyer, 2008; Buckley et al., 2007; Child & Rodrigues, 2005; Dunning, 2006b; Luo & Tung, 2007; Mathews, 2006); and Chinese business system (Redding & Witt, 2009; Whitley, 1992, 1999b; Witt & Redding, 2013a, 2013b; Zhang & Whitley, 2013); this is not expected. This is why we decided to thoroughly understand the dynamic capabilities of one of such firms. Using an in-depth case study the analysis was performed with an integrative tri- perspective approach using institutional, industrial and firm levels. The starting point was on the understanding of the dynamic capabilities that the Chinese firm had since its incorporation until become a first-tier supplier to a transnational assembler followed by its internationalisation. Delving deeper into the internationalisation of the organisation, the study analysed, using the business system framework, how the Chinese firm was able to acquire and manage its new acquisition, which had superior tangible and intangible capabilities, and successfully overcame the predictable clashes that such a setting creates. This is in line with the call for exploratory research (Deng, 2012; Meyer, 2014; Narula, 2012; Ramamurti & Singh, 2009) due to the still infancy of the problem under study, the anecdotal descriptions, and the lack of reliable quantitative data. Our findings show us a Chinese firm with specific and divergent dynamic capabilities since its incorporation, when compared with the expected and typical companies, that should have emerged from the Chinese business system. A clear focus in a unique industry associated with the ambition, yet constraints, to become a global company, combined with the necessity of an industrial upgrade, and a deliberate strategy that allowed the firm to become a turnover company of €1 Billion in less than ten years. Furthermore, the long-term vision of the group and the use of a supportive partnering strategy for the post- acquisition period has been an essential component of the firm's success. Finally, we found that the firm has been joining disperse competences and resources it was lacking, using different dynamic capabilities, by grouping and directing them into a specific well-stated vision. From a theoretical perspective, these findings are particularly important since they do not support the institutional arbitrage literature nor accommodate the current different theoretical extensions on international business literature. From an empirical sense we explain that firms are not fate to integrate in a post M&A period and describe how this can be achieved.