This study explores the contemporary collective significance of over seventy London markets in the 'long' eighteenth century. Markets are loosely defined as those institutions which were publicly recognized as places of regular trade in basic commodities: meat and livestock, fish and corn, fruit and vegetables, hay and straw, cloth, coal and animal skins. Their characteristics and development were shaped by a range of factors: principally 'market forces', but also political concerns and the growth and modernization of the metropolis. This thesis represents the first attempt to consider the markets of London during this period collectively and eclectically. One of its principal elements, therefore, is the classification of markets according to various criteria (e.g. size, ownership, location) over time (Chapter Two). One key trend is the apparent rise and fall of food market retailing, which is explained by various economic and cultural factors (Chapter Three). The economics of wholesaling demonstrate that formal market mechanisms generally adapted to changing times and performed the task of distribution with reasonable efficiency (Chapters Four and Five). Political influences on the geography and development of the markets - the role of market rights and regulations - highlight the distinctive and complex political economy of the metropolis (Chapter Six). A final dimension of inquiry concerns the relationship between markets and the city environment, and the extent to which metropolitan growth and 'improvement' impinged on the traditionally focal and symbolic status of markets (Chapter Seven). In general, markets' collective identity was fragmenting: some prospered whilst others declined; wholesale-retail distinctions established themselves; the boundaries between formal marketing and other forms of exchange became increasingly blurred. Nevertheless, the market place was not made obsolete by the process of metropolitan modernization. The abiding impression of the study is one of London's commercial, topographical and political complexity and diversity.

Two of the most important internal functions within a company, which have gained increased importance, are purchasing and logistics. Purchasing and logistics both contribute to the competitiveness of an organisation by conducting different value adding activities separately. There is also a huge potential for increased benefits if a high degree of integration exists between the two functions. Although there is evidence that purchasing and logistics have been working closely together historically, the operational focus of logistics and the commercial focus of purchasing have created a tension between the two functions. It has been shown that some purchasing managers mostly have been committed to reducing the price. The logistics function has as a cause of this sometimes been forced to deal with late deliveries and inferior quality from suppliers. To manage the interface activities between the functions is crucial in order to able to achieve integration. Purchasing and logistics functions are of major importance within wholesaling companies because they are considered as core internal functions. This study has been conducted at the wholesaling companies The Body Shop, Hälsokostcentralen (HKC), Mekonomen, Elgiganten and ICA. Research questions: § What activities exist within the purchasing and logistics function at the specific wholesaling companies and which of these activities are integrated? § What are the factors that influence the integration between the purchasing and logistics functions and how do these factors hinder or enable the integration? Purpose: Initially this thesis aims to identify what activities that exist and which of them that are integrated between the purchasing and logistics functions within the wholesaling companies The Body Shop, HKC, Mekonomen, Elgiganten and ICA. Furthermore the purpose is to identify what factors that influence the integration between the purchasing and logistics function in these companies and also explain how these factors hinder and enable the integration.

<p>Two of the most important internal functions within a company, which have gained increased importance, are purchasing and logistics. Purchasing and logistics both contribute to the competitiveness of an organisation by conducting different value adding activities separately. There is also a huge potential for increased benefits if a high degree of integration exists between the two functions. Although there is evidence that purchasing and logistics have been working closely together historically, the operational focus of logistics and the commercial focus of purchasing have created a tension between the two functions. It has been shown that some</p><p>purchasing managers mostly have been committed to reducing the price. The logistics function has as a cause of this sometimes been forced to deal with late deliveries and inferior quality from</p><p>suppliers. To manage the interface activities between the functions is crucial in order to able to achieve integration. Purchasing and logistics functions are of major importance within wholesaling companies because they are considered as core internal functions. This study has been conducted at the wholesaling companies The Body Shop, Hälsokostcentralen (HKC), Mekonomen, Elgiganten and ICA.</p><p>Research questions:</p><p>§ What activities exist within the purchasing and logistics function at the specific wholesaling companies and which of these activities are integrated?</p><p>§ What are the factors that influence the integration between the purchasing and logistics functions and how do these factors hinder or enable the integration?</p><p>Purpose: Initially this thesis aims to identify what activities that exist and which of them that are integrated between the purchasing and logistics functions within the wholesaling companies The</p><p>Body Shop, HKC, Mekonomen, Elgiganten and ICA. Furthermore the purpose is to identify what factors that influence the integration between the purchasing and logistics function in these</p><p>companies and also explain how these factors hinder and enable the integration.</p>

The purpose of this research paper is to examine and evaluate the economic significance of the pharmaceutical wholesaler in South Africa’s health care industry. The pharmaceutical wholesaler experienced several challenges over the last decade. These challenges originated from changes in the competitive environment of the industry and more recent changes in the regulatory environment brought on by the State in its attempts to make medicine more accessible to the South African public. The wholesaler was forced by these changes to adapt its business model drastically in order to remain competitive. Historically the wholesaler made its profits by purchasing bulk at a discount, passing a fraction of the discount to its customers and adding a mark-up to the purchase price. It was now forced to abandon the discount and mark-up scheme and distribute medicines by negotiating a fee for the services it renders. Wholesalers now not only have to compete between themselves but also with distributors on the same basis - by negotiating logistics fees with pharmaceutical manufacturers. Operating efficiency and customer service have become essential ingredients for the wholesaler in its quest to remain competitive. / Graduate School of Business Leadership / MBL

The purpose of this research paper is to examine and evaluate the economic significance of the pharmaceutical wholesaler in South Africa’s health care industry. The pharmaceutical wholesaler experienced several challenges over the last decade. These challenges originated from changes in the competitive environment of the industry and more recent changes in the regulatory environment brought on by the State in its attempts to make medicine more accessible to the South African public. The wholesaler was forced by these changes to adapt its business model drastically in order to remain competitive. Historically the wholesaler made its profits by purchasing bulk at a discount, passing a fraction of the discount to its customers and adding a mark-up to the purchase price. It was now forced to abandon the discount and mark-up scheme and distribute medicines by negotiating a fee for the services it renders. Wholesalers now not only have to compete between themselves but also with distributors on the same basis - by negotiating logistics fees with pharmaceutical manufacturers. Operating efficiency and customer service have become essential ingredients for the wholesaler in its quest to remain competitive. / Graduate School of Business Leadership / MBL