| 1. |
- Andersson, Hans, 1962-
(författare)
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Organisering för individualitet : transparenta och opaka aspekter i utvecklingsprocesser
- 2002
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Doktorsavhandling (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- The doctoral dissertation 'Organising for individuality - transparent and opaque aspects of development processes' deals with the relationship between a company's ability to develop new products and its ability to change the way it organises its product development activities. The dissertation is based on a real time study of two product development and two organizational change processes at Orrefors Kosta Boda AB.The company has a tradition of innovative product development based on a high degree of individuality. In this study, individuality refers to situations where differences between individuals' (i.e. designers') distinctive features are important for a company's success and not to individuals talents or capabilities per se.In studying and analysing the product deveopment processes an (opaque) underlying thought structure appears in terms of a tension between 'a separating and a unifying logic of effectiveness'. The two logics of effectiveness constituted underlying assumptions and answers to the question of how to be an innovative and commercially successful company in the high quality glass industry.The product development was conducted in an "inescapable" tension of separating and unifying, indicating that the separating and unifying logics of effectiveness should - in the context of product development - be viewed as a 'neccessary relation of incompatibility' rather than mutually exclusive.In spite of two attempts to change the organising of the product development in the company, the measures taken did not alter any fundamental conditions of the product development within the company, and therefore not the problems the change initiatives were designed to address.In the literature on product development and innovation scholars require research with an approach that links structural conditions to action and interaction. Using Archer's (1995) morphogenetic perspective to relate product development to organizational change, this dissertation is an attempt to do this.
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| 2. |
- Aronsson, Håkan, 1961-
(författare)
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Three perspectives on supply chain design
- 2000
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Doktorsavhandling (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- As companies increasingly cooperate with and rely on other companies to compete on a global market, the concept of supply chain management and logistics is gaining interest, from practitioner as well as researchers. Studies of high-performing companies, such as Benetton, Toyota and Nissan report that these organizations take a strategic view of the whole process of supply from original sources of material to end customers, achieving more efficient operations management and more effective strategic management.Supply chain management has received an increased interest during the last 10 years, similar concepts such. The study identifies a need for design studies in the area of supply chain and logistics, partly because few studies has been made with a design approach and that traditional methods for design are often focused on design of one function or the formal organizational aspects of logistics. Supply chains are more complex than these types of design, since several companies and several different functions are included. The study is based on a systems approach and is theory generating. The focus of the study is on identifying design variables that can be used to understand the logistics content of a supply chain design and to generate alternative design solutions. The study builds on the -assumption that it is not enough to measure efficiency or effectiveness of a system. It is also necessary to understand the logic under which the system operates. It is only based on that understanding that a new design can be made.To handle the increased complexity in supply chain design the system is analysed using three perspectives, process, function and organization. Design variables are identified in each of the perspectives, in the form of a number of constructs and concepts. The constructs are tested in two case studies. The study is theory generating and the results can therefore not be said to do more than suggest the importance of a number of design variables, and the importance to in supply chain design to use several perspectives. The three identified perspectives have been found relevant as well as the theory generated constructs. This does however not mean that these are the only three possible perspectives or the only important design variables. Further research is needed in the area of supply chain design before a design model can be suggested. This study suggests a structure for how to organize design variables using three perspectives (process, function, and organization) and three levels of abstraction (construct, concept, and activity). It is also suggested that to generate design solutions these have to be addressed in a certain order. The complexity makes it impossible to address all questions at the same time. The methodology follows what is suggested when using a saticficing approach in systems theory.The first step is to clarify the aim of the new design by using the conceptual level. The concepts are often based on best practice studies and often suggest a design solution that has been found useful. The next step is to define the content of the system that is to be designed by defining the activities that are included. To uphold the supply chain focus it is suggested that the constructs in the process perspective are addressed in the next step. The last two steps are to address the constructs in the functional and the organizational perspectives in that order.
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| 3. |
- Berglund, Magnus, 1968-
(författare)
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Strategic Positioning of the Emerging Third-Party Logistics Providers
- 2000
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Doktorsavhandling (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- The dissertation deals with the so-called Third-Party logistics Provider (TPLP) with the purpose of explaining strategic positions of the emerging TPLPs. The development of Third-Party Logistics (TPL) can be said to have occurred during the last 15 - 20 years and have created a new kind of service, i.e. the management and execution of logistics process. These services have created a new market and consequently a new type of service provideris emerging. These service providers predominantly originate from traditional offerings in the logistics area, e.g.transportation and warehousing activities. However, previous works on TPL have neglected the provider's situation especially by not explicitly recognizing the shifts from single activity services to comprehensive and coordinated multiple activity offerings and from a functional support orientation to a process approach.Strategic positioning is an established perspective on strategy, but the use varies considerably. In this dissertation strategic positioning is connected to how TPLPs create value for their clients which links positioning to skills or capabilities. Furthermore, the position is regarded as a result of the fit between activities, resources and strategic positioning. This theoretical frame of reference, based on strategic positioning and value creation for service organizations, is new in the literature on TPL. The general methodological approach of the study is alternation between empirical findings and theoretical analyses in a stepwise pattern. Since the organizations studied had not been theoretically analyzed before, empirical observations were instrumental in describing the novel phenomena. The empirical foundation of the dissertation is two studies executed during 1996-7 and 1998-9. The first study contains 21 Australian, European, and North-American TPLPs. The second study is based on 53 European TPL buyers. Both studies used a combination of questionnaires and interviews for collecting data of both quantitative and qualitative character. The empirical analysis is best described as a qualitative approach supported by statistical techniques whenever possible.The dissertation presents a comprehensive empirical description of the current status and anticipated change of both the TPLPs and their customers. The main contribution of this dissertation is however: tools for describing TPLPs, a model of the value system that connects providers and buyers of TPL, and a position model for TPLPs. The conclusions of this dissertation include that the TPL industry shows signs of strategic differentiation along the two strategic dimensions operational vs. conceptual focus and range of activities. Of these two the operational vs. conceptual focus is strong enough to promote as a position model, with the main positions standard services and solutions. A hypothesis is proposed that states that the strategic position of the TPLPs depends on which set of value creation modes they use, which results in differences in the required capabilities, skills and resources. In short the standard service providers should focus on operations whereas the solution ones needs exceptional conceptual skills in analyzing logistics requirements and developing solutions. The results should however be considered as hypotheses due to the research design used and thus need further empirical testing which is suggested as important future research.
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| 4. |
- Carlsson, Jan, 1964-
(författare)
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Logistiskt förändringsarbete : olika ansatser för operativ utveckling
- 2000
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Doktorsavhandling (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- During the last decade organizations have been under an increasing pressure to master change, where some key words are increased variability, competition, insecurity and complexity. The new competitive situation sets new and increasing demands on logistical development work and those who conduct it.An analysis of the logistic research from a perspective of change indicates that the research has primarily met the new !ogistical challenges with systematic knowledge development regarding the change content. The research answers questions of what and why, but the contributions about how changes are implemented have traditionally been very weak. Because of this, there is a need for research focusing on the mere process of change and that develops knowledge about how we can effectively conduct change. The overall purpose is to develop knowledge about how work for !ogistical change can be rendered more efficient.In the theoretical frame of reference it becomes clear that the logistical research is primarily founded in the linear model of change. Through the borrowing of theories from the two research areas Strategic Change and Learning Organization, two additional models of change can be identified. The first model regards changes as social processes and is hence called "the process model". The second model views change as circular and is therefore called "the circular model".The analysis shows that the linear model best reproduces the mechanisms in less extensive changes, where such changes occur within the frame of existing mental models. When the extension of changes increases, the process mode! captures the mechanisms of the processes better, especially the political aspects concerned. The circular model best depicts the processes in the most extensive changes, where new mental models are developed and converted to the operational level.The research results indicate that the outcome of change depends on the correlation between a change's context, content and process over time. Consequently there is no best approach to operational development; rather every kind of change has to be dealt with differently. In the dissertation three approaches of change are typified, each grounded in one of the three models of change. The first approach is termed "solution driven" and is based on the linear model. The second approach, named "programmed process", is grounded in the model of process and the third, called "learning approach", views changes as circular learning processes. Rendering more effective logistical change implies that it needs to be based on the model or models of change that can best live up to the demands and mechanisms of change.
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| 5. |
- Dahlgaard, Su Mi Park, 1960-
(författare)
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The human dimension in TQM : learning, training and motivation
- 2002
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Doktorsavhandling (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- The overall aim of this dissertation is to study and to explore the human dimension in TQM with focus on learning, training and motivation. The exploration of the evolution of TQM depict the theory of TQM as shaped from a narrow mechanistic apporach to a more humanistic apporach with focus on the human dimension thgough Japanese managerial practices inspired by ideas from western theoreticians.One contribution of this dissertation lies in a discussion and identification of TQM as an ongoing process of fusion between western and eastern ways of seeing, interpreting, understanding, thinking and doing. As a result of this ongoing process of fusion, the synthetic theory of TQM came to embrace both a rationai/logical approach and a holistic/dynamic approach. The rationai/logical approach is a heritage from the western tradition transmitted by western theoreticians' ideas, and the holistic/dynamic/ humanistic approach is a heritage of eastern tradition, transmitted by Japanese practices. The strength of TQM, which at the same time can be a disadvantage, lies in this dual or multiple frameworks of an objectivist-rationalistic and a subjectivist-relativistic view. The framework of TQM is, thus, holistic as well as atomistic/reductionistic, human as well as mechanistic, and dynamic as well as static.Another contribution of this dissertation is the development of an alternative model for understanding human motivation. The 'Trinity model'¨is a step to incorporate spiritual needs into models of human motivation inspired by, my interpretation of, the view of learning and training in the TQM framework. The proposed motivaton model is in accordance with three overall and innate desires, and portrays human motivation as driven by biological, psychological and spiritual desires/need. The spiritual dimension comprises ethical elements, like trust, faurness, openness, helpfulness, searching for and creating meaning, which earlier have not been explicit recognized in models for human motivation.
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| 6. |
- Forslund, Helena, 1964-
(författare)
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The existence of logistics quality deficiencies and the impact of information quality in the dyadic order fulfillment process
- 2004
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Doktorsavhandling (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- Measuring logistics quality is related to meeting customer expectations and needs, regardless of what those may be. Both over- and under-performance of logistics quality were found in previous studies. Diverging perceptions of logistics performance between customer and supplier were also fo.und in previous studies. The importance of defining relevant performance metrics was found in performance management theory, where defining is the basis for measurement, analysis and improvement. From quality management theory the idea of working With quality deficiencies was borrowed. Quality deficiencies are a metric supporting a performance management approach. A possible explaining variable for logistics quality deficiencies to study was information quality of order information. The overall research question of this study was "How can logistics quality deficiencies be used as a basis of performance management in the dyadic order fulfillment process and how is information quality related to logistics quality deficiencies? With a positivistic, hypothetic/deductive and quantitative approach the research question was addressed. Survey was chosen as the data generating method. The population to address was the dyadic order fulfillment process between Swedish manufacturing companies with over 100 employees in four industries represented by purchasing managers, and their most important Swedish supplier, represented by the purchasing manager's contact person. 136 dyads were captured which corresponded to a response rate of 36%.Four types of logistics quality deficiencies (LQDs) were found. External performance LQDs were found on all nine studied dimensions (promised lead time, on-time delivery, rush orders when needed, promised inventory availability, undamaged deliveries, accurate orders, accurate invoices, availability of delay information and convenient order placement procedures) of logistics quality. Inter-organizational interpretation LQDs were found to exist on six out of nine dimensions. This gap was however positive in suppliers over-target customers' expected logistics quality. Internal performance LQDs were found on all nine dimensions. Inter-organizational perception LQDs were found on all nine dimensions. Suppliers rate their performance higher than customers do. Information quality in the dyadic order fulfillment process was assessed for order and forecast information. Information quality deficiencies (IQDs) were found for both order and forecast information. Inter-organizational perception IQDs were found. The impact of information quality on internal performance LQDs was also studied. Some impact of information quality on internal performance LQDs was altogether found.The dyadic research perspective applied is a valuable expansion of the commonly used logistics methodology. To logistics performance measurement theory, a new approach for process-based logistics performance measurement was shown. The study has stressed the importance of collaborative definition of relevant performance metrics in the dyad, as a basis for performance management. Together with scales for measuring deficiency types, descriptive contributions were made. By studying the impact of information quality, also explanative contribution was given. Quality management theory was expanded by showing a new application for quality deficiencies. Practical contribution is a new awareness of the mechanisms in the order fulfillment process, together with an understanding of the state of communication in important dyads. This could be the foundation for practical logistics performance measurement applications were better metrics could avoid diverging perceptions and better synchronize measurement systems and targets.
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| 7. |
- Grundström, Christina, 1965-
(författare)
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Gaining influence in standard-setting processes : a discussion of underlying mechanisms in 3G mobile telephony technology development
- 2003
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Doktorsavhandling (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- The environment in which companies operate is such that standards become increasingly important due to the built-in rigidities resulting from previous technology investments and network externalities. The research question is: How can a market-leading company gain influence on the formation of standards perceived as vital for the company-s continued business? The purpose of the dissertation is to explore, describe, and characterise how such influence may be gained; it thus aims to reveal some of the mechanisms underlying a technology standard-setting process. Market-leading here is interpreted as the company wanting to lead the development of the market by influencing the standards that will prevail in it, thereby aiming to secure market leadership (in measurable terms).The dominant design concept, including technical, commercial, and procedural dimensions, serves as the basis for the theoretical discussion. From the review of literature it is concluded that the dominant design concept marginally addresses the emergence of a dominant design. Therefore the present study takes on a company "inside-out" perspective to examine how underlying mechanisms may be revealed.The empirical data address the third generation (3G) mobile telephony core and access networks or the 3G infrastructure, which can be treated as the core technologies for the new 3G system. The data stem mainly from interviews with individuals involved in the process at Ericsson, the mobile telephony systems developer. One outcome of the research is a case that describes the story of 3G infrastructure standard setting from Ericsson's view.On the basis of empirical data and theoretical framework, four foci are developed and used for analysis of the data. The foci developed are people and their relations, organizations and their relations, technology perception, and influencing others.The point of departure is that the technology dimension is of utmost importance in this type of standard-setting process where a system of core technologies is chosen. After exploring and describing the process from the inside-out perspective, however, the overall finding from the research is that human behaviour plays the central role as individuals constitute the process by advocating and negotiating technology, form the organizations, embody the relations (including various types of network), and influence others in the market. Since people are at the core of standard-setting processes, a truly managerial issue is how to use the right people for the right tasks with proper timing during the process.The findings from the 3G study are also related to the findings made in earlier research in a broader contextual analysis.Critical to managing the standard-setting process is an understanding of where to fit a given standard into the technical hierarchy and the standards hierarchy. The maturity of the industry also needs to be analysed and addressed. It is concluded that each standard-setting process is a mix of de jure and de facto standard-setting mechanisms with "in-between arenas" and that there are a number of sub-processes.A model characterising the roles of people with various functions over time and in a standard-setting process constitutes the main outcome of the research. This model constitutes three different functions (technical, tactical, strategic) and three process stages (research, formal standardisation, informal standardisation) thereby characterising nine different roles.
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| 8. |
- Holm, Anders, 1963-
(författare)
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Den avtalsgrundade lojalitetsplikten : en allmän rättsprincip
- 2004
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Doktorsavhandling (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- There are a number of legal principles regulating contract law, of which good faith (bona fides) is one. In the Nordic countries the equivalence is the principle ofloyalty. The acceptance of this principle within Swedish contract law has increased during the last two decades, but the principle has not yet been subject to codification. The scope of it has yet to be developed in order to establish its framework. The aim of this thesis is primarily to analyse the premises and conclusions of the legal justification of the principle, scientifically as well as judicially. This dissertation discusses a number of aspects ofthis principle ofloyalty. Most market transactions are connected with certain assumptions about risks. To enable cost efficient market exchange a certain amount of trust between the parties is required. The law can to a certain degree protect justified assumptions about risk by extending agreements with implied terms. In case a party breaches such a term damages may be claimed or some other sanction may be imposed. The principle can be used in the interpretation process involving contracts. It relates in particular to the determination of implied terms within contractual agreements, in order to protect the reasonable expectations of the contract parties. The principle of loyalty also obliges a party to make sure that the person and the property of the other party do not suffer any damage during the performance.
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| 9. |
- Huge Brodin, Maria, 1966-
(författare)
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Logistics systems for recycling : on the influence of products, structures, relationships and power
- 2002
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Doktorsavhandling (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- The environmental trend, and environmental legislation, has during the past decade grown stronger, and with it the focus on environmental issues within many fields of research and practice. This has implications for logistics, and the focus in this dissertation is on the logistics systems that are needed to realise recycling of end-of-life products: logistics systems for recycling (LSRs). LSRs have been studied regarding two parts; the collection and the post-collection system.To identify influence of physical components (product properties and structures of LSRs) and co-operative behaviour (relationships and interorganizational power) on effectiveness and efficiency of LSRs, four studies of different parts of the LSR were conducted, comprising all the roles shown in figure I. The cases comprised paper and electronics recycling.The findings of the research suggest the following:Product complexity, variety and handling properties can restrict the possibilities of reaching effectiveness and efficiency in LSRs through economies of scale. The value of both recycled paper and recycled electronics can under certain conditions be influenced by the effectiveness and the efficiency of LSRs.The material flow structures of the studied LSRs are converging, and cost effectiveness as well as capacity efficiency can be increased through co-ordination between LSRs and forward logistics systems.Mutual long-term ambition and longer time frames of contracts in vertical relationships between actors in the same LSR can improve their performance. Horizontal relationships between actors of different LSRs provide opportunities for attaining higher effectiveness and efficiency.Power bases identified as influential for the performance of LSRs were not only relative to size and ownership, but also to expertise on logistics and recycling, and superior information access. Trust building and power use co-exist in LSRs, but intentional trust building was more visible in short term relationships in legislation driven recycling of low and volatile goods volumes, than in market/technology driven recycling of large and stable goods volumes.The relatively high importance of high customer service levels over low costs in collection LSRs for legislation driven recycling, where goods volumes are small and volatile, was identified. A model was introduced comprising a second decoupling point, where the logistics strategy would shift from agile to lean; at the recycler, instead of at the point of the end-customer, something which is generally perceived in the literature.The physical components and co-operative behaviour of LSRs can both reinforce each other's influence on the performance of LSRs, or counteract each other's effect.Reinforcement:Product standardisation increases handling efficiency in an LSR and facilitates the recycling process, and it can also facilitate horizontal co-operation, thus increasing LSRs' effectiveness and efficiency.Co-ordination between LSRs and forward logistics systems and horizontal co-operation can enhance the effectiveness and the efficiency of LSRs.Counteraction:A high level of logistics as well as product knowledge can enhance the efficiency and the effectiveness of LSRs, but the two competencies can also counteract with one another.High and stable goods volumes promote high efficiency and cost effectiveness but may also lower the managerial efficiency within the system.
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| 10. |
- Javefors Grauers, Eva, 1943-
(författare)
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Profession, genus och företagarpar : en studie av advokater och köpmän
- 2002
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Doktorsavhandling (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- A study of supermarket owners (Javefors Grauers 1999) showed that the woman and the man in the family business were unequal in terms of e.g. ownership, salaries, and domestic work. Furthermore, that the woman in the business couple was not visible as a supermarket owner. The results were interpreted as an outcome of the gender system (Hirdman 1990). The dissertation deals with the question whether the outcome of the gender system is modified towards equal terms if the business couple runs a family business within a profession that requires a higher education.In order to illuminate if professional membership modifies the outcome of the gender system, a study of professional business couples where both spouses are lawyers was conducted. The results of the study were compared with the results from the study of supermarket owners. The comparison shows that the professional membership amongst business couples to a certain degree contributes in modifying the outcome of the gender system. Despite there was a traditional gender pattern of differentiation among the lawyers e.g. in domestic work sharing, the findings taking together and especially the visibility of the female lawyers point towards that family business in terms of business couple in a profession actually works towards equality between the spouses. The female lawyers were visible as business women but the female supermarket owners were not. The visibility of the female lawyer is explained by the legitimacy she receives through her professional knowledge and acknowledged profession. When a legal advisor has applied for and been admitted to the Law Society she becomes visible as a lawyer to those who have an interest in her professional competence. Professional membership amongst business couples seems to modify the outcome of the gender system and thereby to make family business a vehicle of equality.
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| 11. |
- Jonsson, Leif, 1945-
(författare)
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Kunskapsbildning i samverkan mellan forskning och praktik : en studie av interaktiv kunskapsbildning avseende kommunchefers chefskap
- 2001
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Doktorsavhandling (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- There is an increasing interest in 'knowledge-building in co-operation between research and practise'. Practitioners as well as researchers seek opportunities to co-operate in order to develop and utilise knowledge. This growing interest seems to depend on several circumstances; e.g. increasing competition concerning grant for research but also in the belief that there is a substantial value in knowledge that has been developed in co-operation between practice and research.The dissertation shows how knowledge building in co-operation between research and practice can turn out in a case concerning 'city managers management'. The case shows the results of such a co-operation, the process of knowledge building and how co-operation between research and practice can be organised.In the dissertation 'knowledge-building in co-operation between research' and practice is viewed in tenns of three 'action systems', namely (1) a research system in which the researcher works with theoretical knowledge-building, (2) a practice system in which the practitioner mostly works as a practical actor and (3) a dialogne system in which the researcher and practitioner meet in order to co-operate in lrnowledge-building. These action systems are related to each other in a model, which can be used for both practical and theoretical purposes.
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| 12. |
- Lakemond, Nicolette, 1973-
(författare)
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Managing across organisations : intra- and interorganisational aspects of supplier involvement in product development projects
- 2001
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Doktorsavhandling (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- Supplier involvement in product development is widely regarded as an essential strategy, benefiting product development tinle, costs, and product quality. However, this strategy also increases the dependencies between the buyer and the involved supplier and has therefore implications for coordinating supplier involvement. The aim of this thesis is to examine intra- and interorganisational aspects of supplier involvement in product development projects and, based on a contingency perspective, to develop a conceptual framework for understanding coordination of supplier involvement in and throughout product development projects.The need for coordination of dependencies is reinforced by the existence of diverging expectations. This concerns different perspectives on i.e. project management, technical solutions, and product functionalities. Organisational coordination structures facilitate coordination of dependencies and diverging expectations. A contingency approach suggests that a range of coordination structures is necessary for addressing different situations of dependence and diverging perspectives.The issues of intraorganisational coordination, interorganisational coordination, and coordination throughout the development project are investigated based on a multiple case study consisting of a study of six product development projects at the packaging company Tetra Brik, and seven mini-cases at Swedish and Dutch companies operating in different industries. The case companies develop relatively complex products, that are produced in rather low to medium volumes. Furthermore, systems integration is an important aspect in product development.An important aspect of intraorganisational coordination concerns the interface between the purchasing and the engineering department. Several purchasing involvement configurations are identified. These include purchasing coordinators and the degree of involvement of purchasing specialists in the development project.Three main approaches are identified for the interorganisational coordination of supplier involvement in product development projects. An iutegrative approach, project integration coordination, has the highest potential to address a high need for coordination. Disconnected sub-project coordination disconnects the supplier task from the overall project and is therefore able to coordinate a lower degree of dependence. Ad hoc coordination is an informal coordination structure for incidental coordination of supplier involvement in the development project.The investigation of supplier involvement throughout the project focuses attention on two issues. First, an integrated approach can precede and facilitate a disconnected approach to coordination in the project. Second, project integrated coordination is sometinles accompanied by some elements of disconnected sub-project coordination.Intra- and interorganisational coordination have some cost implications. These costs tmderlie the necessity for a contingency approach to coordination. As the task characteristics, degree of supplier involvement, and moment of supplier involvement are important in determining the degree of dependence in the project, supplier coordination must be determined from situation to situation, based on the need for coordination.
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| 13. |
- Magnusson, Thomas, 1970-
(författare)
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Managerial challenges in environmental innovation : case studies in the electrical equipment and automotive sectors
- 2003
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Doktorsavhandling (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- This dissertation is a compilation of five papers that analyse and discuss the managerial challenge of environmental innovation. Environmental innovation seeks to integrate environmental features into products and thus bring new products with better environmental performance to the market. The dissertation reports on three case studies within the electrical equipment and automotive sectors. The first case refers to development of an innovative new gasoline-electric hybrid power train; the second case refers to the development of a new industrial gas turbine, comprising advanced new burner technology; and the third case describes the introduction of new technology for small-scale distributed electricity generation. On the basis of concepts and theoretical models derived from literature on innovation management, the dissertation offers two alternative ways to conceptualise environmental innovation. Firstly, environmental innovation is conceptualised as product development. This is useful to analyse the inner dynamics of R&D organisations and it hightlights the need to adapt organisations and managerial practices to the specific requirements of the development task. Secondly, environmental innovation is conceptualised as the introduction of new technology. Here, two alternative perspectives are discussed. The incumbents' perspective illustrates that environmental innovation may be perceived as a potential threat for existing manufacturers within the established industry and it is used to discuss their strategic responses. The entrants' perspective shows how the definition of early markets and applications is complicated for suppliers who are engaged in environmental innovation. The dissertation argues that environmental innovation is characterised by extensive complexity both in terms of technological complexity and complexity in shaping of demands on technological progress. It concludes that is is important for managers to create an ability to deal with complexity. Based on empirical findings, three possible approaches are outlined: simplification, interaction and experimentation.
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| 14. |
- Norlén, Andreas, 1973-
(författare)
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Oskälighet och 36 § avtalslagen
- 2004
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Doktorsavhandling (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- Section 36 of the Swedish Contracts Act stipulates that a term of a contract can be modified or set aside, if it is "unreasonable". The thesis discusses the meaning of the prerequisite "unreasonable" and how the meaning can and should be defined, using the means of legal science. Normative ethics is thereby introduced as a supplementary source of norms, and scientific works regarding contract law in other European countries are regarded, as well as the Principles of European Contract Law.One chapter deals primarily with legal theory, in particular how a position regarding a legal matter can be justified. The role of normative ethics, especially virtue ethics, in legal science is discussed in that context and "the virtues of the contractual relationship" are identified (for example justness, honesty, carefulness). The following chapter focuses on the relationship between those virtues and some principles of contract law (for example the principle of trust, the principle of loyalty), and it is being maintained that the value basis for the virtues on the one hand and the principles on the other hand is largely the same. It is also being maintained that there are strong arguments in favour of letting the virtues and principles affect the definition of the prerequisite "unreasonable" in section 36.In the last major chapter, four cases are used as starting points of a discussion regarding various situations, in which "unreasonable" has to be defined. The impact on the definition of "unreasonable" of the previously introduced virtues and principles is discussed, as well as the significance of various circumstances. The duty of disclosure, the significance of balance between the rights and duties of the parties under the contract and the importance of events occurring after the conclusion of the contract are some of the issues, which are treated.
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| 15. |
- Rehme, Jakob, 1967-
(författare)
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Sales coordination in multinational corporations : development and management of key account programmes
- 2001
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Doktorsavhandling (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- The purpose of the dissertation is to describe and analyse the orgamsmg of sales and marketing in large scale and complex organisations and particularly how key account management programmes are developed, organised and managed.This means that the focus is on the development context in which the sales organisation operates, how key account management (KAM) programmes are organised, the coordination they contribute to, and how the KAM programmes are designed to manage the dyadic seller-buyer relationships.In particular this purpose includes two major parts:Describing and analysing how KAM programmes evolve in large industrial organisationsDescribing and analysing how KAM programmes are initiated and developed in seller-buyer relationshipsThe method employed has been a multiple-case study based on five individual buyer-seller relationships in two different KAM programmes within ABB. The empirical material has been analysed primarily by the use of organisational and marketing theories.Driving forces for the developments of KAM's are marketing strategies, i.e. the focus on systems selling, international selling and the focus on customer share; purchasing strategies, i.e. the coordination of corporate purchas.ing nationally and internationally, and functional buying; and finally organisational contingencies, i.e. that high degree of divisionalisation underscores the importance of coordination.Overall organisational structures and management focus strongly affects the formation of KAM programmes and the content of the sales coordination. Marketing strategy in the form of segment marketing is used to structure KAM programmes. Buyer action to coordinate purchasing results in the considerable importance of sales coordination and thus KAM programmes, whereas solely seller-initiated programmes have more organisational adaptations.There are large discrepancies between individual KAM's particularly based on customer contingencies and preferences. Generally speaking, the main efforts are aimed at commercial, social, logistical and technical activities. KAM's result in improved working relationships that become more formal, greater coordination and subsequently a more integrated sales organisation.
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| 16. |
- Söderlund, Jonas, 1971-
(författare)
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Time-limited and complex interaction : studies of industrial projects
- 2000
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Doktorsavhandling (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- This doctoral dissertation reports on four case studies of industrial project organizations: The studies cover product development and construction projects at ABB, Ericsson and Volvo. Generally, the studies aim at exploring the time-limited and complex character of project interaction. Particularly, they focus on three aspects of time-limited interaction, i.e. deadlines as control mechanisms, the effects of temporary relationships and the problems due to differences in time orientation among project actors.Deadlines are analyzed in their capacity to promote global reflection and rethinking especially in projects of a concurrent nature. Temporary relationships are analyzed in contexts of clients and contractors in project-based industries and between individuals and organizations in professional project-intensive industries. Time-limited and complex interaction in project organizations is also investigated by analyzing differences in time orientation among project actors. By utilizing the concept of pacing, it is submitted that time orientation problems are frequently at the core of project management and perhaps particularly difficult in inter-firm settings.This dissertation consists of eight papers and an extended summary where different aspects of the time-limited dimension are analyzed. One of the papers also suggests a categorization of the schools of thought currently prevailing in project management research.
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| 17. |
- Tell, Fredrik, 1968-
(författare)
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Organizational Capabilities : A Study of Electrical Power Transmission Equipment Manufacturers, 1878-1990
- 2000
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Doktorsavhandling (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- Organizational capabilities of large industrial firms constitute a pillar in Alfred Chandler's theory of the emergence of managerial capitalism. Science based firms represent one important sector within such an economic context. This dissertation describes the evolution of the large electrical manufacturers and their involvement in the power transmission equipment business between 1878-1990. In electrical power transmission technology, there was an initial "battle of the currents" regarding the choice of alternating current (AC) or direct current (DC) technology. This battle was won by AC. However, after World War II, an alternative technology was developed in high voltage DC (HVDC). Concurrent with this technological evolution, the electrical manufacturing industry was characterized by increasing concentration. In electrical manufacturing the largest firms diversified and grew into corporate giants. However, by the end of the 1980s, several of the initial giants had exited the power transmission equipment business, while some of the smaller, more focused, firms had amalgamated into new transnational giants. Departing in aknowledge-based theory of the firm, it is suggested that organizational capabilities can be analyzed in terms of management-based, technology-based, and market-based activities. Using this framework, these activities are discussed as knowledge-based and related to properties associated with organizational learning and path-dependency.
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| 18. |
- Tillmar, Malin, 1973-
(författare)
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Swedish tribalism and Tanzanian agency : preconditions for trust and cooperation in a small-business context
- 2002
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Doktorsavhandling (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- Small-business cooperation has increasingly been recognized as important for economic development, not only in Sweden but also in developing countries like Tanzania. This dissertation deals with preconditions for horizontal small-business cooperation, taking a point of departure in the literature on trust. The context dependence of these issues is acknowledged by identifying influential rules of the game in two different settings.The dissertation is based on two separate studies of a longitudinal character, one in Sweden and one in Tanzania. Male and female small-business owners were interviewed and observed during meetings and seminars. A detailed account of cooperative endeavors in each of the two countries is first presented and based on that a comparative analysis is conducted. Not only differences, but also interesting similarities, between the Swedish and the Tanzanian context are identified. Constraints resembling tribal conflict were not exclusive to Tanzania and individual efforts (agency) in Tanzania enabled trust and cooperation despite severe institutional constraints. Based on the studies, a conceptual framework and a metaphor of preconditions for trust and cooperation are developed. Finally, implications with regard to how smallbusiness cooperation could be supported are discussed.
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| 19. |
- Tomicic, Marie, 1969-
(författare)
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Reaching agreement in a management team : a study of social influence
- 2001
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Doktorsavhandling (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- This thesis deals with the question of how agreements are reached without consensus in management teams. It is argued that agreements should be viewed as a social influence phenomenon and that attention should be directed to the process of reaching agreements. The issues of who is involved in the process and who is kept out; who is allowed to exert influence and who is not, are central to an understanding of how agreements are reached, The thesis is based on a study of a management team at a production unit in a multinational company. The overall character of the team's agreement-reaching processes is described in terms of an 'organisational conformity' mode of influence, and agreements are characterised as social agreement or compromise agreement. This mode of influence mediates differences of opinion into agreement mainly by reducing both the number of active participants and the expression of differences of opinion. Implicit 'rules of the game', mirroring general ideas of organising, guide social interaction and communication during the reaching of agreements. These rules are of particular importance for understanding the way that the 'organisational conformity' mode of influence mediates differences of opinion. Hierarchy, distribution of responsibility, and encouragement of action are three organising ideas in this mode of social influence. Rules of the game are partly an outcome of the way that the organising logic is translated. The business contexts and members of the team affect how the general ideas are translated into rules of the game.
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| 20. |
- Vik, Magnus, 1963-
(författare)
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Engagemang och styrning : Om relationen individ-organisation i preklinisk läkemedelsutveckling
- 2001
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Doktorsavhandling (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- This doctoral dissertation deals with organizational commitment and control in preclinical pharmaceutical development. The study is based on interviews with 47 individuals. The purpose of the dissertation is to problemize and analyze the control of highly uncertain, knowledgeintensive, and complex development processes, as related to individuals' organizational commitment. One contribution of the study is its rather extensive study on the concept of organizational commitment, its content, foundations, and focus. The manifestations of commitment are discussed within the framework of the umbrella concept organizational citizenship behavior.The key conclusions on organizational commitment are those that shed light on individuals who are intensely focused on research. Their strong relationship to the content of their work and their deep commitment to their research tasks and to the groups they associate with their research work is crucial. The importance of the intellectual components, the intrinsic stimulation, the feelings, and the self-satisfaction are stressed.Control is discussed using the distinction between the cooperation and the coordination problems The high level of uncertainty and the significant difficulties involved in creating rules and regulations, assessing performance and activities contradict the use of bureaucratic control forms to bring about cooperation. Despite the difficulties, the problem of opportunism appears to be small and there seems to be a widespread orientation toward cooperation. It is also difficult to explain this orientation on the basis of the equity-based clan or the social-integrative clan. The author' s proposal of explaining the inclination toward cooperation with the symbiotic clan. The symbiotic clan is based on the individual's possibilities to realize himself and his values in a scientific environment that is perceived as favorable. The symbiotic clan can also contribute to an explanation of the coordination problem. Further, it is stressed that knowledge is developed in the project in learning cycles, in which the alternation between deep involvement and reflective moments tends to follow a rhythm characteristic of the project. lnstead of triggering this alternation by specific events or a strict deadline, as in eventbased or time-based pacing we are faced with knowledge-based pacing.
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| 21. |
- Wall, Rickard, 1957-
(författare)
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The importance of transport costs for spatial structures and competition in goods and service industries
- 2001
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Doktorsavhandling (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- This dissertation deals with market definition and demarcation, and discusses competition and market form classification in the spatial economy. The analytical tool for this study is an extended Location Theory model. A distinguishing characteristic of the spatial model of plant dispersion by market forces developed in the present thesis is the addition of the unit-value (e.g., the value per ton or cubic meter) of the commodity in question as a determinant of the long-run equilibrium solutions for a particular industry as to plant density, output volmne per plant and so on. Two ratios are the main determinants:The unit-value of the commodity (a) relative to the transport costs per unit-kilometer (c), alc The degree of economies-of-scale in production (b) relative to the density of demand (d), bldIn the model, the character of competition is determined not by the number of firms, but by the ratios alc and bld. These ratios are used in the first application of the model; a two-dimensional matrix in which the four market forms- perfect competition, monopoly, oligopoly and monopolistic competition - fit in as special cases. In addition to shedding new light on the traditional market form taxonomy; with the help of the model the following questions are discussed:Which industries tend to cluster, and which indushies tend to be spatially dispersedWhy different market forms apply to different dispersed industriesHow market forms may change over timeEmpirical evidence has been gathered in Sweden and the U.S.A. The results give some support to the model's predictions as to the spatial structure of different industries.The second application of the model is as a tool for Cost-Benefit Analysis of improvements in transport infrastructure so far as goods transport is concerned. The pioneering paper here is Mohring & Williamson (1969), in which the balancing of the nmnber of plants and the average transport distance by a multi-plant monopolist is mode led. Total benefits of road investment are of two kinds:Transport cost savings for the existing goods transportIndustrial Re-Organization BenefitsMohring & Williamson (1969) concluded that the latter benefits constitute only a small fraction- about 10%- of the total benefits of road investments. By the present model, a similar result is obtained for a cost-minimizing multi-plant monopolist. In a competitive market, which is not studied in Mohring & Williamson (1969), the present model predicts the Industrial Re-Organization Benefits to be some five times larger - and the "welfare triangle" represents only a fraction thereof.
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