ABSTRACT Title: Impact of strategic planning on performance of District Assemblies in Ghana: Case study of Ahanta West District Assembly Author: Ernest Ofori Asamoah Supervisor: Anders Hederstierna Department: School of Management, Blekinge Institute of Technology, Sweden Course: Master’s thesis in business Administration,40 credits(60 ECT) Background and Problem Discussion: Formulating strategies or preparing a strategic plan in itself is not enough. There is therefore the need to measure the impact of the strategic planning and the planning process on the performance of the organization in question. This study will measure the qualitative impact of strategic planning on a well defined behaviour based variables. Purpose: The study explores how district Assemblies in Ghana plans strategically and how such planning impacts on their performance to meet the socio economic needs of the people. Method: Quantitative and qualitative data were collected from primary and secondary sources. The study was conducted in Ahanta West district one of the vibrant districts in Ghana. Data was collected from primary and secondary sources .49 people were interviewed through questionnaire administration. Theory: The theory section looks at strategic planning and its related concepts such as long range planning, strategic thinking, operational planning and strategic management. Analysis: I have analyzed the information provided to examine how strategic planning impacts on organizational performance with reference to ahanta West District Assembly in Ghana .Conclusion: The findings indicated that strategic planning has a significant impact on performance of District Assemblies such as optimization of the strategic perspective of the organizational and enhanced teamwork. It can result in improved understanding of the organisation’s objectives and overall direction. It can facilitate implementation of organisational objectives and goals. They agreed and accepted the impacts and resolved to continuously plan to maximize these impacts.
Consumers always use the different product cues for the selection of different product categories and these cues are developed with the passage of time and experience. This study is totally based on this concept; we tried to explain the usage of these product categories. From different articles we shortlisted the six most important product cues. We studied the impact of these product cues in the sale of FMCG product categories. To conduct the research, we defined the six products of FMCG product categories; these six product categories were selected through a focus group. A quantitative research was conducted in this study and questionnaires were used to collect the feedback of respondent’s. These respondents were selected by using the convenient sampling approach and spss was used to analyze the data. On the basis of findings we can say that the taste/ performance cue is the most important cue in the sale of FMCG product categories. We concluded this research by giving the suggestions to the retailers and manufacturer that how they can increase the profit in the respective product category.
Sammanfattning Syftet med denna studie är att ur ett kvinnligt perspektiv undersöka ryktets innebörd för familjens heder och hur familjens heder bevaras respektive förloras. Med utgångspunkt ur fem kvinnor med annan etnisk bakgrund än svensk och deras berättelser, söker jag svar på följande frågor: På vilket sätt påverkar ryktet familjens heder och vad riskerar en kvinna om hon får ett dåligt rykte? Arbetets fokus ligger på unga kvinnor från Mellanöstern och deras syn på begreppet heder, hur denna bevaras respektive förloras. I Mellanöstern har hedern sin grund i föreställningen att kvinnor inte själva besitter egenskapen att värna om sin kyskhet i manssamhället. För att bli accepterad i samhället krävs att mannen är hederlig och att kvinnan har skamkänsla. En kvinna som respekterar sin man hjälper honom att bevara sitt goda rykte genom sin pliktkänsla, som förmår henne att uppträda lämpligt. I enlighet med denna definition och problem har mina frågor formulerats utifrån Åsa Eldéns intervjumanual. Arbetet är inspirerat av Åsa Eldéns studie om rykten och splittrad kvinnlighet. Som underlag för att kunna tolka uppsatsens empiriska material har jag utgått ifrån genus, kultur och stämplingsteorin. Genus beskrivs utifrån Yvonne Hirdmans genusteori och stämplingsteorin skildras med en sammanfattning av både Howard Becker och Erwing Goffman. För att uppnå studiens syfte har den kvalitativa metoden tillämpats där tillvägagångssättet skett i form av öppna intervjuer. Intervjumanualen är formad utifrån Åsa Eldéns intervjumanual där vissa frågor är tillagda och vissa borttagna. De huvudrubriker som använts i intervjuerna är Familj, äktenskap, sexualliv och heder. Med hjälp av intervjuerna har informationen kodats där olika mönster är identifierade. Efter kodningen av materialet ändras rubriken äktenskap mot rubriken rykten då den mesta informationen om äktenskap hamnar under rubriken sexualliv. Samtliga informanter talar om ryktenas innebörd under varje rubrik därmed ter det sig naturligt att mynta en ny rubrik för att uppfylla syftet. Utifrån informanternas berättelser framgår att rykten och oskulden är sammankopplade med familjens heder. En mans heder står och faller i samband med kvinnans sexuella beteende. En kvinna måste bevara sin oskuld till bröllopsnatten och behålla sitt goda rykte för att bevara familjens heder. En kvinna måste hela tiden tänka på sitt rykte för att bli accepterad av sin familj, släktingar och deras sociala omgivning.
The present study is an attempt to identify the financial issues of SMEs of Pakistan. Pakistan’s cotton ginning industry has chosen as a case. The general objective of the study is to analyze the financing issues/problems of the small‐scale industries (cotton ginning) with appropriate alternatives and financing solutions. The extensive theoretical framework about financing of SMEs along with seven hypotheses (for testing) has been included in research work as base of study. Data collection has performed through both primary and secondary sources. Both qualitative and quantitative research methods have been employed for the research work. For this research work, sample size of 30 cotton ginning factories has selected from the population of 1400 cotton ginning factories of Pakistan. The researchers have selected the cotton ginning SMEs of Faisalabad Division by keeping in view the importance of Faisalabad division as 2nd largest industrial city and 3rd largest cotton producing division of Pakistan and the factor of easy access (for researchers) to the chosen factories. Statistical data analysis techniques are used to analyze the data which was collected through questionnaire’s survey from SMEs and the results have presented with hypothesis testing. After identifying the financial issues the alternatives, financial solutions and recommendations have been given for policy measures. The findings of research work indicates that high interest rate on loans, heavy taxes, poor government policies, owner’s education level, old technology and poor legal and accounting self‐ efficacy are the major reasons of financial problems. Soft and friendly government policies, short and long term loans at lowest interest rate for running and technology up‐gradation are recommended. Joint ventures are found to be the most suitable alternative for financial solutions.
The main purpose of this study was to inquire into personality and the state anxiety in relation to career decidedness scale among students in upper secondary school. The participants were 124 students in three grades and respectively non vocationally oriented classes. The participants were asked to grade themselves on a scale in relation to the statements regarding, state of decidedness for career choice, personality (NEO FFI, Costa & McCrae, 1985. Sweden, Gerontologic Center) and anxiety (AnTI, Wells, 1994). The results showed no significant relationship between personality and state of anxiety that could be connected to the decidedness for career choice. Ecologic validity is brought up in the discussion part.
The capability to innovate and to carry innovation successfully down to markets will undoubtedly be a crucial determinant of the global competition among firms in the few upcoming years. There is growing awareness among business leaders that innovative activity is the main driver of economic growth as well as a potential factor in meeting global market challenges. But for innovation to flourish, companies need to understand the core of innovation and the role organizational factors play in the process of innovation. In this thesis, we examined organizational structure, forms of innovation and competencies and capabilities and innovation. Two case studies, Kraft Foods and Qualcomm, were presented to carry out our research. Through a review of relevant literature, a theoretical framework, upon which the research model, the survey and interview questions were based, was constructed. Interviews were conducted with eight corporate executives, while the survey was executed with 20 respondents from various departments of each firm. Interviews data was analyzed with qualitative method while the collected responses from survey were analyzed with statistical hypothesis testing method. Both results were discussed in comparison with the literature. The test results revealed the positive impact of competencies and capabilities on innovation for both firms. But the test results of company structure varied between the two firms. That can be explained by the rigidness of the structure through the different layers of the organization. Innovation forms were investigated in light of the importance of external knowledge sources for innovation.
Title: Outsourcing - on what grounds, a case study of the basis for outsourcing decisions Author: Carina Asplund Supervisor: Eva Wittbom Division: Finance, Management and Social Science, Blekinge Institute of Technology Course: Master thesis in business administration, 15 ECTS Background and problem discussion: The outsourcing decision can be taken on many different grounds and the most common motivators in private enterprise are, strategic motivators such as to streamline operations and focus on the core business or cost-saving motivators. Many companies outsource parts of their business without a thorough feasibility study, due to the senior executives' personal experiences, family relationships, feelings, or successful anecdotes of other companies' successful outsourcing projects. Decisions based on trends or feeling can have a direct negative impact on the long-term outcome of the outsourcing activity due to lack of analysis and preparation. In order to make sustainable decisions, it is important to take time to conduct a thorough feasibility study to predict the costs, challenges, opportunities and activities that an outsourcing project is meant to bring. Objective: The aim of this work is to analyze three cases of outsourcing by using a general model. The model is based on the theories that have emerged in the literature study of what a feasibility study should contain and what differences between the pre-calculus and post-calculus that mostly are detected. The model aims to be a tool for future outsourcing feasibility studies to identify different types of costs, activities and impact. Method: The chosen research method is a exploratory case study in which the feasibility study compares with the project results regarding costs and knowledge transfer of the three selected projects for the production transfer. Theory: The theoretical part of the paper describes the main theories in the areas of outsourcing study, decision making, risk, cost and selection of the outsourcing partner. In addition, it treats the subject tacit knowledge and transfer because it is a critical parameter in an outsourcing decision. Analysis: The three projects which have been analyzed were different in nature. Common for all of them is that all three require a feasibility study, estimated cost and budget and a method for knowledge. The analysis is made in comparison with the model for a feasibility study prepared on the basis of theories. Conclusion: All the projects in the case study have had a different focus than cost reduction, and they would probably have been carried out even if the calculations had shown an increased in costs. Decisions about outsourcing are already mentally made when the formal decision will be taken. It’s common that calculations of the feasibility study are often heavily underestimated. I have unfortunately not been able to find any evidence of why the difference between the pre-calculus and the post-calculus occur, neither in the literature study, nor in the cases. My idea is that a time-pressed pre-and a non-correlated model for pre-and post-calculation make it difficult to make a complete comparison. Once the project is completed, everybody are already on their way to the next mission and to then set aside time to do a thorough after calculation of a completed project is rarely a priority.
Syftet med denna undersökning är att söka förstå chefens och medarbetarens upplevelser av faktorer som påverkar den verbala kommunikationen mellan parterna samt att synliggöra om dessa faktorer kan skapa förutsättningar för lärande. Jag har använt en hermeneutisk tolkande ansats. Intervjuerna gjordes på två avdelningar i samma organisation. Jag har tolkat resultatet med hjälp av Illeris’ teori om lärande samt med hjälp av teorier om dialog och dialogkompetens. Resultatet visar att faktorer såsom tillgänglighet, tydlighet, lyhördhet, ansvar, socialt samspel och öppenhet i kommunikation är några av dessa faktorer som enligt informanterna påverkar kommunikationen på arbetsplatsen. Tolkningen av resultatet visat att faktorer ger förutsättningar för lärande.
Title – Promoting Mobile Financial Transactions: A Case study of Zain Sierra Leone Author – Kesiena Atuyota-Ejughemre Supervisor - Anders Hederstierna Department: School of Management, Blekinge Institute of Technology Course: Master’s thesis in business administration, 15 credits (ECTS). Background and Problem Discussion: There are challenges associated with overly cash based societies. The use of mobile financial systems could address some of these challenges. Understanding the factors that influence people’s willingness to use mobile systems for financial transactions could be significant in developing strategies to transition from traditional payment systems to mobile financial transaction systems. Purpose – The purpose of this is to assess contribution of customer trust and perception of customer focus to the willingness of GSM subscribers to use the mobile system for financial transactions and how the understanding derived from these factors can be used to develop strategies to promote a transition from cashed based society to mobile financial transactions. Method- Quantitative and deductive approach was used. 300 GSM respondents who were selected with a multistage sampling method in three locations were surveyed. Interviewers were used to get data on perceived customer focus level, customer trust and willingness to engage in mobile financial transactions. Theory – Theory section looks at the concepts relating to customer trust and customer perception of customer focus and pertinent subconstructs applicable to the engagement in mobile financial transactions. Analysis – I have used correlational analysis to verify the level of association between customer trust, customer focus perception, socio demographic factors and the willingness to engage in mobile financial transactions. In order to verify the influence of income, a non parametric test was done. Conclusions – The analysis of the data results showed that there is a strong positive association between the willingness to use mobile for financial transactions. Also, the analysis revealed a positive correlation between the perception of customer focus by subscribers and the willingness to engage in mobile financial transactions. There was no significant influence by demographic factors such as age and gender on the willingness to engage in mobile financial transactions. A 3 phased implementation strategy was proposed for the deployment of a mobile financial transaction system.
Summary Title: Decision-making processes during the establishment of a business - A study of three service companies. Authors: Susanne Augustsson and Nicklas Petersson Supervisor: Henrick Gyllberg and Björn Ljunggren Department: School of Management, Blekinge Institute of Technology. Course: Bachelor’s thesis in Business Administration, 15 credits. Purpose: The purpose of this study is to study decision making in business creation in the service companies. Method: We have chosen to use a qualitative approch in our study where our primary data was collected through interviews with the founders of each company. Results: Our result show that the company we have studied use a combination of the causation -and effectuationprocesses. We do not see any clear pattern that effectuation is used in a greater extent than causation. Keywords Start-up process, establishment process, causation, effectuation
The Ghanaian economy has recently received massive growth for various reasons. However, much of the growth is attributed to the recent discovery of crude oil in commercial quantities. This phenomenon has led to the springing up of many Oil Marketing Companies (OMC’S) which of latest count has 84 OMC’S and counting. This number of OMC’s has led to the adoption of various Customer Relationship Marketing (CRM) activities and practices to outwit other competitors in the industry. Ghana Oil Company Limited (GOIL) is one of such OMC’s and the focus of this study. Our study was aimed at studying the complex concept of Customer Satisfaction in the light of the Customer Relationship Marketing practices of the company. We are aware that in order for a company to prosper it must retain its clientele. This study will find out if the CRM practices of GOIL are enough to keep its customers satisfied, loyal and content. The study made use of questionnaires and randomly selected a sample size which signifies 10 % of the total dealer population and corporate customers and 5 lubricant resellers. In conclusion, it was revealed that, the main dimensions of perceived service quality in GOIL are Tangibility, responsiveness and empathy and thus needs to be improved to meet the customer’s satisfaction.
It became evident that the payback method is still often used in organizations all over the world despite its criticism by the academicians, making inference from the analysis of companies in Europe, America and Africa. The importance of the payback method, which includes but not limited to its simplicity, liquidity and risk assessment have made the method to be gaining more awareness in appraising investment opportunity by practicing manager.
Work Performance in most organizations is determined in most cases by performance appraisal. The Implementation of performance appraisal on employee work performance and subsequently the derived feedback from the process have recently derived attention from both researchers and the management of any organization. However the knowledge of gaining the trust of employees as well as getting the appropriate feedback is seriously lacking. This thesis tried to review the attitude of employees to work as a result of performance appraisal within an organization. PURPOSE: To review the effects of performance appraisal on employee work performance and work effectiveness. METHOD: The primary data for this work was collected from the survey received from the employees of Unique Assurance Company and also secondary data was collected from journals, books and other research works KEYWORDS: Work Performance, Performance appraisal, employees attitude, motivation
This thesis examines young female fashion consumers' attitudes towards sustainable fashion. We also study their experienced difference between sustainable and conventional fashion. Finally, research was conducted to find out in what way the intangible values are effected by the sustainable quality. Our method is qualitative semi- structured interviews with six female respondents in the age of 29 to 35 years old. We have analyzed our results by using Maslow´s pyramid of needs, the ABC-model and hierarchies of effects, consumer behaviour theory by Kotler et al. and sociological theories of fashion consumption. The results indicate that our respondents choosed similar words while talking about sustainable fashion, such as beige, grey and linnen. Our respondents mainly consider that sustainable fashion has a low level of fashion. We have seen exceptions in the low price segment as well as in the upper price segment. They all expressed the want for fashion at first hand and that sustainability is a bonus. Factors that cause their attitudes are social, cultural and personal such as demographic, family and work situations. Intangible values shaping their attitudes are environmental consciousness, level of fashion and quality.
Abstract The people of Colombia suffer from a deep spiral of internal conflicts and unstable social conditions. The aim of this study is to highlight inequality in Colombia by applying Charles Tilly’s theory of durable inequality through categorical pairs. A qualitative method is applied in order to gain deeper insight to inequality in Colombia. The essay examines the phenomenon by completing a content analysis. The breakdown is limited to four study categories: gender, crime, health and social stratification. Categorical inequality is further analysed through Tilly’s four mechanisms: exploitation, adaptation, emulation and opportunity hoarding. A coding scheme is used in order to heighten the reliability and validity. Code entities (study categories) are examined through specific code variables. The method is further improved by reinterpretation of the content and analysis of Tillys’ mechanisms. Results confirm the serious condition of internal conflicts in Colmbia. Social stratifiction have wide-reaching effects. Furthermore, the results show that the internal conflicts create a multiplication effect with adverse consequences for Colombia’s society further destabilising the country’s condition. Minority groups such as internally displaced or indigenous Indian tribes are treated unfairly. Elites including the state benefit from the power which they hold. The less fortunate and minority groups are those who are most vulnerable. Women are subject to violence and excluded for reasons varying from a wide range of areas including the job market. The opportunity for good circumstances and well being in addition to fundamental medical treatment are not available for the general society. Furthermore, difficult living circumstances both social and environmental further complicate the circumstances. Moreover, results show inadequate measures what concerns to the implementation of human rights. Sharp contrasts are observed between categorical pairs such as poor and rich, men and women, criminal and non-criminal, and well-being and illness. A relative pattern between Tilly’s four mechanisms can also be recognized and made possible through local knowledge and the script of the people. One of the main conclusions is that local authorities are called upon to advance measures in order to minimise the current exploitation. In particular it is important that these measures are applied vigorously whilst there is also a great need to work with awareness raising strategies in Colombia. Abstrakt Colombia har en lång historia av väpnade konflikter och instabila sociala relationer. Uppsatsens syfte är att belysa hur ojämnlikhet i Colombia ur Charles Tillys teori om kategoriell ojämnlikhet. En begränsning görs till att undersöka ojämnlikhet utifrån fyra studiekategorier: kön, brottslighet, hälsa och social differentiering. Den kategoriella ojämnlikheten analyseras genom Tillys fyra orsaksmekansimer: exploatering, anpassning, efterlikning och möjllighetsansamling. En kvalitativ metod tillämpas för att fördjupa förståelsen av ojämlikhet. Genom en innehållsanalys undersöks hur den kategoriella ojämlikheten uttrycks i Colombia. Ett kodningsschema appliceras för att höja realibiliteten samt validitet ur vilka kodningenheter (studiekategorier) tolkas utifrån kodningsvariabler. Metoden stärks ytterligare av en tydlig kondingsintruktion som ger utrymme för omtolkning av resultaten och analys av Tillys fyra orsaksmekanismer. Resultaten bekräftar den allvariga interna konflikten i Colombia och åskådligör olika grupper svåra livssituation i samhället. Den social stratifieringen har ubredd konskevens för den colombianska befolkningen. Resultaten pekar vidare på att den interna konflikten bidrar till ett multiplikatseffekt vilket missgynnar befolkningen och bidrar till ytterligare destabilisering av Colombia. Minoritetsgrupper som till exempel internflyktingar och den urhemska indianbefolkningen missgynnas. Elitgrupper, därtill staten, drar nytta av den makt de besitter på orättmättlig bekostnad av befolkningen. Fattiga och mindre sociala grupper drabbas värst. Kvinnor utsätts för grovt våld och stängs ut av samhället på en rad olika arenor bland annat arbetsmarknad och våld. Tillgång till goda omständigheter och välbefinnande samt fundamentala läkarresurser finns inte tillgängliga till den allmänna befolkningen samtidigt som svåra levnadsförhållande både sociala och och miljö omständigheter försvårar situationen. Vidare visar resultatet bristande åtgärder vad gäller appliceringen av mänskliga rättigheter. Skarpa skillnader mellan kategoriella par såsom fattiga och rika, män och kvinnor, brottliga och icke-brottsliga samt välmående och icke-välmående urskiljs. Ett relativt mönster kan observeras genom Tillys fyra orsaksmekanismer. Det blir möjligt genom den lokala kunskapen och skript av den colombianska befolkningen. De framgår tydligt att statliga myndigheter bör inrätta fler åtgärder för att minska den exploatering som finns i samhället och att dessa rättsregler måste implementeras med allvar samtidigt som det finns ett stort utrymme för att arebta med en ökad medventehet is samhället.
Alcohol and drug abuse is something that undoubtedly exists in our society today. Our interest in this area was inspired by an earlier study of the influence of socialization on these dependencies. From this we developed new hypotheses concerning men and women’s drug and alcohol abuse. The main purpose of this study was to highlight the experiences and reflections of six women and seven men on their own alcohol or drug abuse. We hoped to reach an understand of how these men and women perceived the road to, the time during, and the way out of their addictions. Our research methods were qualitative and material was collected on their life history by conducting semi-structured interviews, mostly through email. Two interviews were carried out in a different manner; one occurred over the telephone and another in person. Of the selected individuals, seven were men and six were women, all of whom have had a history of alcohol and/or drug abuse but now are alcohol and drug free. Our exploration of the topic began with a literature study where earlier research had showed that drug and alcohol abuse among men and women could have different causes and forms, but that there are common factors as well between them. Our collected information was analysed using a narrative analysis, and the result was consistent with Erving Goffman’s theory of stigmatisation and Robert W. Connell’s theories on gender and gender relations. The result was that many differences could be seen between men and women, but that typical gender-related patterns were also seen, for example that the men spoke more about their work and the women more about their children. When looking at a chronological timeline of the individual’s life it was clear how one event often caused another event, and we could see how these affected the person. From this we concluded that an individual’s childhood and adolescence could contribute to a feeling of being an outsider and that through alcohol and drugs they are able to find a community they can be accepted in and a new way to define themselves. To summarize, the study showed that there are more similarities than differences between men and women and that their interpretation of their addictions demonstrates similar thought patterns in regards to feeling like an outsider, social ties, abuse and children, their sense of self, confirmation and insights.
Competitive Intelligence (CI) has been defined by many authors. These definitions do have certain differences but all of them have a main common feature: They put the accent on the analysis. The most precise definition is given by the Society for Competitive Intelligence Professionals (SCIP): “A systematic and ethical program for gathering, analyzing, and managing external information that can affect your company’s plans, decisions, and operations”. Business Intelligence (BI) is much broader concept than CI. It has rather technical meaning while CI is more about managerial perspective of intelligence. BI includes activities such as data mining, market analysis, sales analysis, and analysis of customer and supplier records and behavior (Bouthillier et al., 2003). However, in some European countries, such as Sweden and Denmark, BI and CI have the similar meaning (Bouthillier et al., 2003). Either way, the main feature of both concepts is the ability to analyze data and information and to deduct intelligence out of them. Currently, a large number of BI and/or CI software is available, and being developed worldwide. A simple search of the “Business Intelligence software” term in Google gives about 548.000 results. Most of these software are quite enhanced and well developed but only a few of them have a good analysis tool, and even fewer give a choice of analysis tools to their users. An extensive work has been done on BI software evaluation by Amara et al. (2009) to classify the top BI software vendors according to the extent of their analysis by using the SSAV (Solberg Söilen, Amara, Vriens) model. A number of analyses for Business Intelligence have been summed up also in Solberg Söilen (2005). The conclusion of both works was the same: BI software need robust analysis tools. In this research we pursue two goals: First we investigate what are the major obstacles for making a better analysis function in the Business Intelligence (BI) software and second we examine how those obstacles can be solved both technically and from a managerial perspective. The intention in this study is to investigate how the analysis module is functioning in the BI software and see how it could be implemented more effectively. This means that the study has two sides one Competitive Intelligence (CI) for the managerial approach and one Business Intelligence (BI) for the more technical approach. First we present a comprehensive literature review and pin point the problems and obstacles defined by many authors. Then we propose a method to solve the identified problems and finally we concentrate on advantages and disadvantages of the proposed method. The proposed technical solution is under construction in the BI software called Subsoft developed by Dr. Klaus Solberg Söilen. We investigate to what extent conclusions here can be used to develop the software further. The managerial perspective of the solutions is explored in close collaboration with two other BI companies: Sentient and Crystalloids, both based in Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
Sustainable development has been a popular sentiment among those in the international development field for many years. Sustainable development refers not only to environmental conservation, but responsible social initiatives as well especially as it relates to minority groups such as indigenous peoples. The players concerned have conventionally involved local and national governments, multilateral organizations, and various NGOs. Increasingly, the private sector has become engaged in this area as well. Our study shows that now, more than ever, there is a need and opportunity for ethical funds in Latin America and other emerging markets dedicated for the indigenous people. We address the challenges and opportunities to create a new model of investment in emerging markets and concretely with indigenous peoples under a sustainable model, including clean energy production.
IT-Business alignment is an imperative process in the success of any business to use the competitive advantage of the information technology. In this work, influence of contextual information on IT-Business alignment has been studied. For this purpose, a conceptual model has been proposed which considers the IT-Business alignment model and national culture as contextual information. For alignment model, strategic alignment maturity model (SAMM) by Luftmann has been used while Hofstede’s model has been followed for the analysis of national culture. Conceptual model considers the 6 maturity assessment elements and analyzes them in the perspective of 4 national cultural factors. Survey methodology has been employed with questionnaire technique to compute the SAMM elements. National cultural scores have been obtained from the empirical study of Hofstede. Empirical results of SAMM elements and cultural factors have been used to support the analysis of the conceptual model.
Abstract The cedi is Ghana’s official currency which was introduced on July 19, 1965. The loss in the value of the cedi since its introduction cannot be overestimated. Owing to the low values of the notes and coins(due to persistent loss in value), huge quantities had to be printed and minted resulting in huge cost to the central bank. Meanwhile commercial banks were facing high cash based transaction cost because relatively large quantities of notes were needed for transactions. There was also high risk involved in cash based transaction to the banks and their clients. Bank customers were becoming more uncomfortable carrying huge quantities of cash to and from the banks. These customers also had to spend more time at the banking halls to get served. These and other factors reduced the interest and confidence of the general public in the financial sector affecting banking businesses. The re denomination of the cedi was done in 2007, to deal with these ’huge dead-weight burden’ on the banks and the entire economy of Ghana. The objective of this study is to explore its impact on some variables affecting commercial banking businesses. These are cost, operational risk, deposit mobilization, ATM operations, and reliability and convenience of banking services. A pluralistic approach was adopted for this research and the results of both the quantitative and qualitative study done in analyzing my hypothesis reaffirmed each other and provided valuable findings and deeper understanding of the impact of the re denomination on the business of the financial institutions. The main findings showed the following: 1) The re denomination had not affected costs in banks, 2) The re denomination has generally reduced operational loss risks, 3) The re denomination has generally improved deposit mobilization, 4) The re denomination has improved the reliability and profitability of ATM s, 5) The re denomination has improved the reliability and convenience of banking services. With this study I hope to provide new insights on how re denomination affects the business of financial institutions who are key partners to the central banks in the successful implementation of such exercise. I also hope to provide valuable recommendations on how banks can deal with the challenges that may be presented by a re denomination
Syfte: Syftet med denna uppsats är att undersöka hur småföretag väljer mellan olika finansieringsformer. Metod: För att uppfylla uppsatsens syfte så har vi tillämpat en kvalitativ metod, där en studie genomförts genom semistrukturerade intervjuer med företagare i fyra utvalda småföretag. Slutsatser: Denna undersökning visar på att småföretag bland olika finansieringsalternativ har mest kunskap om bankfinansiering, varför metoden känns trygg och således ofta tillämpas av småföretagare. Kunskapen om andra finansieringsalternativ är bristfällig, och det anses för tid- och kostnadskrävande att skaffa sig kunskap tillräcklig djup nog för att kunna förankra finansieringsbeslut i.
This study investigated the compliance or non-compliance of organisations with the critical elements required for setting up and operating an internal audit department as expected by the Institute of Internal Auditors UK. Compliance with the Standards is mandated by the IIA for every individual who provides internal audit services The researcher used a case study to explain the relationship between the variables: the case of the internal audit department of Star Assurance Company. The researcher employed both primary and secondary data, qualitative and quantitative research methods were also used to examine the internal audit department of Star Assurance Company Ltd (SAC). A number of data collection methods were combined to verify the reliability and accuracy of the data as suggested by Yin(2003). The study used a combination of data collection tools; a Survey, Questionnaire, Relevant Corporate Documents and Observation.. Literature, which was relevant to the subject matter, was reviewed to determine the benchmarks for an effective internal audit department. The study discussed the key functions of an internal audit department and the major objectives of internal audits. The study also discussed the independence, organizational status and objectivity required for effective performance of the department. The study also discussed the role of internal auditors and the critical elements required of every effective internal audit department. The challenges faced by internal audit departments were also discussed. Useful insights were taken from the Institute of Internal Auditors guidelines and also the Sarbanes Oxley Act. A brief profile of the company, which was studied, was included in the work. The research revealed that the company had made significant efforts to comply with the requirements of the I.I.A. I concluded by making recommendations, which the company could adopt to enable them, comply more extensively with the IIA guidelines
Syfte: Syftet med uppsatsen är att lyfta fram hur säljare aktivt arbetar med påverkansfaktorerna auktoritet och skrämsel vid försäljning av kreditkort och på vilket sätt faktorerna skapar intresse hos kunder att skaffa ett kreditkort. Vi vill även undersöka ifall vi kan se vilken av de två påverkansfaktorerna som är mest effektiv vid kreditkortsförsäljning. Metod: Undersökningen är baserad på en kvalitativ studie och vi har genomfört intervjuer med fem duktiga säljare från de största bankerna. Slutsats: Slutsatsen som studien har påvisat är att det finns tydliga kopplingar mellan utvalda faktorer och kreditkortsförsäljning. Vår undersökning visar även att det finns likheter i säljargumenten som skickliga säljare inom kreditkortsbranschen använder och dessa argument har betydelse när kunder påverkas.
IT outsourcing has been, and will continue to be a widely accepted strategic option for organizations growth and attainment of its set objectives. It has brought about state-of-the-art technology in the form of improved business processes, a strategic focus on core competences and cost saving techniques amongst others. At the same time, it has brought with it the challenges that need to be addressed if the process was to fulfil its set objectives without impairing the goals and objectives of the firm. Due care and diligence should be taken to mitigate IT risks such as unforeseen escalated costs, vendor lock-in, confidentiality problems and so on. In forestalling these challenges, the recipient is expected to ensure that the vendors are competent and guided by relevant professional ethics; here, certifications play an enormous role in assuring the service recipients they are dealing with the right vendors. It is crucial that the recipient set out in clear and concise terms, the conditions of the relationship using a detailed contract. This would specify the deliverables, service expectations and penalties or litigations. Overall, the thesis is built on answering the research questions: Why do organizations outsource IT services? What are those risks involved in IT outsourcing? How can the IT risks be mitigated? Leveraging on the case study of Citiserve Limited (Nigeria); this research made attempt to align the theories and the case in bringing to the fore the seeming trend emanating from IT outsourcing in service (logistics, distribution and marketing) industry.
This study set out to investigate how ICT design relates to users’ affect, cognition and creativity in task performance. More specifically, the intent is to highlight how ICT design can elicit positive effective states and enhance cognitive abilities, including creative thinking in task activity within distance learning. In addition to this is to emphasize the synergies between ICT design, affect, cognition, and creativity from as well theoretical as empirical perspectives. To achieve the objective of this study, a qualitative empirical method was used. A survey questionnaire was chosen as a collection data technique. As far as analysis is concerned, phenomenology analytic strategy was espoused to explore how the participants perceive the phenomenon under inquiry. As for theory, central themes were selected for review given the synergy between them and their implication for the topic. They include: ICT; design; ICT design aspects: aesthetics, functionality, and usability; affect and cognition; and creativity; as well as the synergies between these concepts. Key findings highlight the role of affective quality of ICT design aesthetics in eliciting positive affective states among users when they acquire and use new ICT products or services regardless of their motivational needs. Most users consider aesthetics, usability, and functionality as design aspects but they tend to differ in ranking them depending on how they emotionally perceive them. Simplicity in ICT design is perceived as pleasurable aesthetic value. Further, natural colors are favored most by ICT users and positively affect their emotions so do the other aesthetical features associated with computers, software graphics, and web design. Using ICT inspire users creativity in task performance through what design affective qualities induce as positive affect in them in addition to software usability and functionality depending on the user. There are some synergies between design aesthetics, affect, cognition, and creativity. Moreover, ICT design can, depending on additional factors, ease and help users’ to carry out complex task and if software applications are skillfully used, they can help stimulate users’ creativity in task performance because of the built-in capabilities that are intended to enhance cognitive and emotional abilities of users. In addition, users differ on the elements they focus on when interacting with ICT depending on their inclination. Human attentional capacity and intensity can play a role in creativity. Crystallization of creativity can be triggered when various ICT design elements are perceived in a useful way.
Syfte: Syftet med vår uppsats är att ta reda på hur Landstinget Blekinge arbetar med den generationsväxling som pågår och det svaga intresset hos den yngre generationen samt hur det faktiska arbetet med att vara en attraktiv arbetsgivare ser ut, både inom och utanför organisationen, för att undvika en brist på arbetskraft. Vidare vill vi även undersöka om den bild teorier framställer av den nya generationen skiljer sig mot uppfattningen som chefer inom Landstinget Blekinges har. Syftet är också att se hur väl Landstinget Blekinge arbetar med att bli en attraktiv arbetsgivare i jämförelse med SKL:s bild och därmed bidra till ökad medvetenhet kring arbetet med generationsväxlingen samt de utmaningar och svårigheter som kan finnas i samband med den. Metod: Undersökningen är baserad på en kvalitativ, abduktiv metod och semistrukturerade intervjuer med tre personalchefer, en förvaltningschef samt kommunikationsdirektören inom Landstinget Blekinge. Resultat: Våra resultat visar att Landstinget Blekinge har en skriftlig varumärkesstrategi för vad som behöver göras. För att lyckas attrahera den yngre generationen behöver de dock vidta ytterligare åtgärder för att lansera sin strategiska plan och börja det egentliga arbetet med employer branding om de vill bli en attraktiv arbetsgivare för den yngre generationen.
Studiens syfte var att undersöka om och hur skiljer sig personligheter av personer som är intagna i fängelse, rehabiliterade personer och personer som inte har begått något brott. Personlighetsundersökning baserades på femfaktorsmodell och en enkät som bestod av 50 frågor. Samtliga faktorer jämfördes genom alla tre grupper. Vidare gjordes en jämförelse av vilken typ av brott har de intagna och rehabiliterade personer begått, vilka drivkrafter hade dem och vad de tyckte var viktigt i deras liv för att inte begå brott vilken realiserades genom en konstant komparativ metod. Personlighetsskillnaderna undersöktes genom Kruskal-Wallis test. Urvalet bestod av 21 deltagare, varav 5 var intagna, 6 var rehabiliterade personer och 10 var icke-kriminella. Resultatet visade signifikanta skillnader i Neuroticism och Vänlighet, majoriteten av kriminella har begått narkotika brott och viktiga aspekter i deras liv var familj, arbete och lugn och ro.
The development of information and communication technology (ICT) in Sub-Saharan Africa over the last two decades is drastically altering the way business is done in Sub-Saharan Africa in general and Ghana in particular. The banking sector is no exception to this revolution. Inspite of the increasing adoption of internet banking and it relevance towards customer satisfaction in the Ghanaian banking industry, very little empirical investigation or research has been conducted in understanding factors of internet banking service quality that lead to customer satisfaction. This study thus aims to fill the gap in the literature by focusing on the impact of internet banking service quality on customer satisfaction in the banking sector of Ghana. The theoretical perspective of customer satisfaction indicates that the higher the level of service offered the higher the satisfaction associated with product or services being offered. The measure of the services is usually found in the service quality measure or the SERVQUAL and SERVPERF. The study draws on customer satisfaction using the service quality dimension or the SERVQUAL and SERVPERF models originated by Parasuraman et al., (1988), Cronin and Taylor (1992). The study makes use of mainly qualitative research approach although the quantitative research approaches was partially used for the study. The use of the above approaches meant that both primary and secondary data sources were extensively relied on. The study make use of a 5 point Likert scale with “1” being strongly agreed and “5” being strongly disagreed. The study applied the spearman ranked correlation, the chi square (χ2) and regression analyses to evaluate the hypothesised relationships. The findings indicated that speed of delivery, ease of use. Reliability, pleasure, control and privacy were all positively correlated and significant at 1% level. Additionally the regression analysis also indicated that with the exception of pleasure and control all the variables were significant at 5% levels. Finally, base on the findings of this study, it was recommended that there is the need to educate majority of the banking population on internet banking.
Genom en enkätundersökning till konsumenter har vi kommit fram till att det är lägre kostnader, bättre information och bättre täckning som är de optimala faktorerna för 3G-operatörerna att kunna locka till sig fler konsumenter.
In order to shed light on the role of higher education and its importance for innovation and entrepreneurship this paper presents the results of a survey of the four major technical universities in the Nordic countries; Aalto University in Helsinki, Finland; Chalmers Technical University in Gothenburg, Sweden; the Danish Technical University in Copenhagen, Denmark; and the Norwegian Technical University in Trondheim, Norway. Through the survey we have investigated what forms or tools the four technical universities use to collaborate with industry in education and to what extent these forms affect innovation in companies and entrepreneurship. The survey results show that there are five main forms of educational collaboration for innovation and entrepreneurship: 1) Thesis and project assignments, 2) Internships, 3) Executive and continuing education, 4) Entrepreneurship education, 5) Meeting spaces for innovation, platforms or arenas, between companies and students. All four technical universities use all five forms but with varying intensity. In terms of volume of activities and an innovation perspective thesis and project assignments by engineering students in their finishing year seems to be the most important form. From an entrepreneurship perspective the entrepreneurship education and related facilities such as incubators seem be most important.
Syftet med denna rapport är ge en forskningsöversikt av fenomenet entreprenöriella universitet och de möjliga roller entreprenöriella universitet kan spela som regionala innovationsmotorer, det vill säga att bidra till en regions innovationsförmåga och innovationsprestationer. Forskningsöversikten baseras på svensk och internationell forskning. Rapporten ska också ge exempel på ”best practice”; föredömliga och framgångsrika case på hur universitet och högskolor arbetat med att bli mer entreprenöriella och effektivare bidra till regional utveckling. Vidare ska rapporten ge policyförslag på hur svenska universitet och högskolor kan stimuleras till att bli mer entreprenöriella och effektivare bidra till regional utveckling. Policyförslagen riktas både till den statliga politiska nivån samt till universitetsledningarna.
The purpose of this paper is to present the process and evaluation of case writing projects in co-operation with companies and organizations in a course for engineering students. The case writing projects could provide an illustration and example framework for working with companies in constructing cases. Normally cases are constructed for teaching purposes in higher education. However, in order to get closer co-operation and more interest from the companies the authors encouraged the students and the companies to construct cases on issues that the companies felt were especially relevant for them. Drawing on previous research on case writing in teaching case writing projects were set up. The companies who worked closely with the students were very satisfied with both the case writing process and the final cases. These companies expressed several benefits like getting a good public reputation, getting an analysis by a third party, a free look on possible future employees, maintaining good relations with higher education and also getting material for internal development purposes. The companies that had a more distant relationship to the projects or were the process had been problematic had a more critical view of the process and outcome. They saw few benefits with the case writing projects besides maintaining a good image.
The practices of open innovation have been advocated as an efficient way to accelerate innovation processes and expanding the markets for innovations in turbulent times. One specific way of practicing open innovation is the use of web-based innovation tools whereby, among others, any user and customer in the world may be reached for the spawning ideas, sharing of experiences, testing of products and even designing products themselves. While research has been extensive on the opportunities these tools may provide, the managerial challenges and competences needed to implement and operate these tools have been scarce. The aim of the paper is to develop a framework of managerial challenges and competences related to the implementation of web innovation tools. The framework is based on previous research and a case study of a telecom company’s web innovation site and management of this web site. The research reported in the paper intends to contribute to the research on web innovation tools and the management of web innovation tools.
The purpose of the paper is to develop a framework of management competences related to the effective management of three types of online innovation tools. The framework highlights the development of three types of management competences and related practices: (a) disclosure competence in order to find, direct and motivate users to contribute, (b) appropriation competence in order to appropriate users' contributions, and (c) integration competence in order to direct, transfer and integrate user contributions to the relevant parts of the organization. The study provides a managerially relevant view of the complementarities between external sourcing of knowledge and necessary internal competences to reap the benefits of involving users through an online innovation tool.
Denna bok handlar om företagsstrategiska perspektiv. Perspektiv betyder synvinkel eller synsätt. Företagsstrategiska perspektiv är sålunda olika synsätt på ämnesområdet företagsstrategi. Ett företagsstrategiskt perspektiv betonar vissa aspekter inom det företagsstrategiska ämnesområdet och erbjuder tankemodeller, angreppsmetoder och verktyg för att hantera strategiska problem.
Blekinge Tekniska Högskola Sektionen för Management Arbetets art: C-uppsats 10p Sociologi 41-60p Titel: Den virtuella världens baksida- en studie om barn och ungdomars utsatthet på Internet Författare: Linda Bengtsson och Carina Nilsson Handledare: Kerstin Arnesson Abstract Uppsatsen behandlar barn och ungdomars utsatthet på Internet. På många plan fungerar Internet som ett verktyg och hjälpmedel, som dessutom skapar möjligheter till bland annat informationssökande och kontaktskapande. Datorns intrång i samhället är dock inte endast av godo, utan det finns en baksida, som på många sätt drabbar barn och ungdomar. Syftet med studien är att belysa barn och ungdomars utsatthet i form av sexuell exploatering och exponering vid flanering och interaktion på Internet. Vilka former av sexuell exploatering och exponering förekommer och vilka blir konsekvenserna för de utsatta barnen och ungdomarna, är frågor som kommer att behandlas i arbetet. Problemområdet studeras empiriskt med hjälp av en kvalitativ metodtriangulering, bestående av en telefonintervju samt ett personligt dokument. Telefonintervjun genomfördes med en kvinnlig psykolog vid Rädda Barnen i Stockholm, och det personliga dokumentet skildras i form av ett brev, författat av en mamma till en autistisk pojke som blivit sexuellt utnyttjad på Internet. Läsaren kan även ta del av information kring uppsatsens problematik, i form av tidigare publicerat material samt forskning som bedrivits inom ämnesområdet. Bland annat presenteras material från organisationer som, Rädda Barnen, BRÅ och Ecpat. Uppsatsens teoretiska del består av Sveningsson et al samt Turkles tankar kring identitetens betydelse vid kroppslös kommunikation och interaktion. Även Goffmans dramaturgiska teori behandlas, vilken belyser individens olika roller vid interaktion, beroende av kontext. Avslutningsvis presenteras Giddens, genom ett framställande av hans tankar kring modernitetens efterdyningar och begreppet tillit. Uppsatsens viktigaste slutsatser är att barn och ungdomars utsatthet på Internet gestaltas i flertalet skilda former. Resultatet visar bland annat att Internet är den största marknaden för spridning av barnpornografiskt material. Det förekommer att barn och ungdomar, via chatt blir övertalade att klä av sig framför webbkameran, mot någon form av ersättning. Ett karaktäristiskt drag för denna form av utsatthet, är att bilder som publicerats på Internet riskerar att cirkulera i etern till allmän beskådning, i oöverskådlig tid. Det har även framkommit att pedofiler använder sig av Internet för att etablera kontakter med barn och ungdomar. De konsekvenser som utsattheten för med sig varierar, men de barn som utsätts för sexuella övergrepp i form av fysisk våldsföring, är de som mår sämst. Andra konsekvenser är posttraumatiskt stressyndrom, depression, skam och- skuldkänslor samt svårigheter med att känna tilltro till sin omgivning. Nyckelord: Barnpornografi Pedofil Barn och ungdomar Internet Identitet Utsatthet
Syftet med denna studie är att undersöka elevers tankar, känslor och upplevelser av studier inom det individuella gymnasieprogrammet. Enligt tidigare forskning och enligt teorierna framgår det att elever som går det individuella programmet har negativa tankemönster, upplever psykisk ohälsa och depressiva symtom. I undersökningen har både kvantitativa och kvalitativa data analyserats. En enkätundersökning har skickats ut hos eleverna och två intervjuer har gjorts, en intervju med en lärare och en med en kurator. Resultatet visar höga procent av negativa tankemönster, depression och psykisk ohälsa hos eleverna. Samtidigt visar resultaten att negativa tankemönster kring skolan och individuella programmet förändras till det mer positiva under programmets gång. Även motivationen ökar under skolans gång för eleverna som går det individuella programmet.
In such complex technological industry as constructions where contracts are estimated with million Euro budgets, where competition is fierce and penalties are high, it’s essential for contractors to ensure all management activities facilitate project success. Today many construction companies practice project management approach and employ project managers in charge of project success. This thesis aims to find out whether project manager’s leadership style has impact on construction project outcome, and if project managers should emphasize task-motivated or relationship-oriented leadership style in order to facilitate project success. As conducted theory review has shown there has been some prior research on leadership style impact on project outcome. Researchers have generally agreed that project manager’s leadership style is one of the project success’ factors. But studies of particular styles’ impact on construction project outcome mostly presented results with regard to transactional and transformational leadership which describe leader’s ability to cope with tasks when organizations are facing considerable change. However research lacks studies on task and relationship motivation of construction project managers. This study was conducted in order to fill in the blank in prior research and to provide basement for further studies. A sample of 24 Russian construction project managers was surveyed on their leadership style (task-motivated or relationship-oriented) and on success rate of construction projects completed by each respondent. Results have shown that there is moderate correlation between leadership style of construction project managers and that in order to facilitate construction project success, project managers should adhere to task accomplishment before establishing good interpersonal relationships with involved people. Findings of this study can be interesting both for researchers who are willing to further study impact of task-motivated leadership style on construction project success, and also for construction project owners/sponsors who hire project managers and for construction project managers themselves so that they could develop their leadership style in order to improve their projects’ success rate.
This paper examined if childrens wellbeing affected their social and academic competence. The data was collected through an anonymous study using questionnaires, where the measuring instruments GHQ12 and EQ was used, and also a number of questions concerning academic competence. The population concisted twentytwo eight grade students, both girls and boys. The population had both Swedish and foreign ancestry. The result showed that wellbeing and the academic competence had a positive correlation. However there was a negative correlation between the other variables. At large the results showed that the child´s own perception by itself and perception of their social and academic competences was affected by the parents perception of the child and its competences. The results also showed that the child’s wellbeing had meaning for the child’s development and capability in everyday life, thereby both the social and academic competence. Keywords: Social Competence, Academic Competence, Wellbeing, Judgement, EQ, GHQ12.
Studien behandlar projektledares uppfattningar av lärande i projektarbete. Valet av yrkesgrupp projektledare, beror på att projektledare ofta tilldelas nya projekt vilka de snabbt är tvungna att sätta sig in i. För att ett projekt ska fungera och lärande ska uppstå är det ett måste att alla deltagare har goda relationer och ett bra samspel. Syftet med studien är att nå en ökad förståelse av projektledares uppfattningar av lärande inom projektarbete. Fenomenografiska ansatsen valdes då variation är viktigt för att fånga så olika uppfattningar som möjligt. Utifrån intervjumaterialet kategoriserades de olika uppfattningarna i beskrivningskategorier. Resultatet visade att projektledare och övriga projektdeltagare lär sig ny kunskap på en mängd olika sätt i olika situationer. Samspel, interaktion och relationer är mycket vikiga faktorer för hur projektledare och övriga projektdeltagare lär.
When looking at the engagement of social media in general we see that business-to-business (B2B) companies have a significantly lower day-to-day usage compared to business-to-consumer (B2C) companies even though there are more B2B companies present in the social media space. By studying a B2B company in the midst of implementing social media in their efforts to enhance their marketing capabilities we want to know if there are any specific reasons for these facts. When studying the company we conduct a case study to discover and explore the challenges a B2B company face when implementing social media that could explain the facts of low utilization. Based on our findings during the course of this thesis we developed a model for evaluating how well a company is fitted for the social media space. The model consists of a number of key factors important for a successful social media engagement. Each factor has been broken down in comprehensible questions making it fairly easy to do a situational analysis of a B2B company regarding its strengths and weaknesses in marketing through social media.
The focus of this thesis is to develop a model that aims to predict how electronic network latency affects the performance, and in turn the profit and loss of Automatic Market Making making in the Foreign Exchange Spot market. The output from this model will then be used in an investment analysis to determine if the improved profit from upgrading a automatic trading platform is large enough to give a solid return on investment. It´s widely known between players in the Financial Services industry that network performance affects the profitability of automatic trading algorithm, latency in networks will delay the view of market prices and order execution and therefore make trading algorithms less predictable. To date there have not been any extensive research focusing on the scale of the impact on profitability. A greater understanding of how much network latency affects the performance of automatic trading strategies will give an indication on how much it´s worth investing in surrounding IT systems and IT infrastructure in order to maximize the profitability. During this research a simplified model of Automatic FX Spot Market Making was developed. Based on that model a trading scenario representing a typical Automatic Market Making approach was built. The model and the scenario was then be implemented as a computer program and simulations where run and relative profitability data collected. The analysis of the data from the simulations clearly shows that profitability of an Automatic Market Making Strategy drops drastically when network performance drops. The model shows that there is a large difference in profitability between networks with no latency compared to a network with some latency, with further latency the profitability shrinks in a slower rate. The findings in this research clearly indicates that it is economically profitable to invest in high performing electronic networks, which minimize latency as much as possible when running a Automatic Market Making operation. However, before investing in a state of the art Automatic Trading system a bank should make sure that the underlying financial models are correct. 3 This research has been done together with the head of FX Algoritmic Trading at UBS Investment Bank and the results are of direct interest to both UBS and other participants in the Automatic trading space.
Social kompetens är ett relativt modernt uttryck som allt oftare förekommer i olika sammanhang i arbetslivet. Den offentliga sektorn har genomgått stora förändringar de senaste 20- 30 åren, och detta har bidragit till att arbetssökande nu bedöms på ett annat sätt av arbetsgivare. Numera är det mycket vanligare att en arbetssökande värderas mer efter sina personliga egenskaper än sina formella kvalifikationer. Studiens syfte är att undersöka samt ge exempel på hur förändringen inom den offentliga sektorn under de senaste decennierna har påverkat rekryteringsprocessen samt vilken roll social kompetens spelar i dagens rekryteringsförfarande inom statliga myndigheter. Undersökningens ambition är att till viss del öka förståelsen för ett av samhällsforskare redan identifierat problem, och kanske även synliggöra några av de möjliga ”dolda” funktioner som begreppet i praktiken skulle kunna fylla. De två myndigheter som valts ut för intervjuer i denna studie är Polismyndigheten och Kustbevakningen i Karlskrona. Dessa två myndigheter har ett likartat rekryteringsförfarande både när det gäller rekrytering av aspiranter till de respektive utbildningarna, och när det gäller rekrytering av civil personal. Det är därför intressant att göra en jämförelse av de båda myndigheterna med avseende på de båda typerna av rekryteringsprocesser, utifrån de innebörder och funktioner som social kompetens kommit att få. Social competence is a relatively modern expression that is increasingly present in various contexts in the workplace. The public sector has undergone major changes over the past 20- 30 years, and this has contributed to the fact that job seekers now are judged differently by employers. Nowadays it is very common that a job seeker is valued or appraised more for their personal qualities than their formal qualifications. The purpose of this study is to investigate and give examples of how the change in the public sector in recent decades has affected the recruitment process, and the role that social competence plays in today’s recruitment process within government agencies. The study’s aim is to partly improve the understanding of a problem already identified by social scientists, and perhaps also highlight some of the possible “hidden” features that the concept could potentially fill. The two agencies selected for interviews in this study are the Police Department and the Coast Guard in Karlskrona. These two agencies have a similar recruitment process both in terms of recruitment of trainees for the respective courses, and in the recruitment of civilian staff. It is therefore interesting to make a comparison of the two authorities with respect to the two types of recruitment processes, based on the meanings and functions that social competence come to have.
Abstrakt Att arbeta är någonting som ger individer en inkomst, sociala kontakter, möjligheter till personlig utveckling och struktur i vardagen. Eftersom alla individer är olika så kommer de att reagera olika på olika situationer. Att förlora sitt arbete är att förlora en del av den dagliga kontakten med omvärlden och detta kan komma att påverka människors liv radikalt. Ett besked om uppsägning kan, enligt tidigare forskning, liknas vid en kris som den uppsagda kommer att gå igenom där den uppsagda inom en viss tids ram kommer att genomgå en rad olika faser där individen tar in, bearbetar och till sist hittar en ny vardag och en ny tillvaro för sig själv. Det råder rikligt med information om hur den uppsagda individen reagerar på ett besked om uppsägning, dock inte lika mycket information finns att läsa om hur personen som ger beskedet reagerar på att ge besked om uppsägning. Syftet med studien är se om de olika reaktionsfaserna i kristeorin kan appliceras på den person som ger besked om uppsägning. Studien genomfördes med en kvalitativ metod där två enskilda djupintervjuer genomfördes med personer med personalansvar på samma företag. Resultatet i studien visade att delar av kristeorins olika reaktionsfaser går att applicera på de två personalvetarna. Faserna som de personalansvariga genomgår händer under en kortare tid där det rör sig mer om veckor eller månader istället för år.
Syftet med uppsatsen är att identifiera vilken ekonomisk information som en företagsledning i ett större tillverkande företag förmedlar, samt verifiera om detta stämmer överens med vad produktionspersonalen har vetskap om. Vi ämnar även undersöka vad som inverkar på produktionspersonalens vetskap om denna information. Slutsatser: Vad ledningen vill föra ut för ekonomisk information och vad produktionspersonalen har vetskap om stämmer generellt inte överens. De respondenter som har störst vetskap om den ekonomiska informationen är mer engagerade, känner större samhörighet i gruppen och är mer insatta i företagets ekonomiska situation. Gemensamt för dessa är att de alla har kontinuerliga och täta möten med roterande ansvar för att hålla i dessa samt tillgång till väl uppdaterade anslagstavlor.
M&As are fraught with dangers of failure. Failures may happen due to misjudgments and mistakes in any of the phases of an M&A process. Over-estimation of Synergy evaluation is cited as one of the most frequent reasons for value destruction in M&A. This paper studies the M&A process of a multi-business company, with particular focus on its Synergy evaluation phase. The presented case follows an actual acquisition bid made by the company. The case-study adopts an explorative approach with data collected through participant-observation and interviews conducted during the course of Synergy evaluation. The paper proposes that big multi-business companies need to be extra careful in selecting their acquisition targets as they may face hidden dangers lurking behind the façade of attractive synergy justifications because an acquisition may have an unforeseen effect on other divisions within the company. This can be prevented as long as these companies do a thorough synergy evaluation and follow well-laid out M&A processes as analyzed in the presented case. Further, the paper also proposes to split the step of Synergy evaluation into analyzing positive synergies and negative synergies and proposes further research into systematically enumerating factors of dis-synergy in various situations of M&A for benefit of future acquisition managers.
This study aimed at exploring Demand of Swedish Tourists towards Ethiopian tourist destinations. The author has tried his level best in identifying the demands discrepancies of Swedish tourists’ preferences if they are offered a visit tours as same time by Ethiopian Tourism Sector and others African countries namely; Tanzanian, Egyptian, South African and Kenyan Tourism Authority. In caring out this study, both qualitative and quantitative research method is being used and the most important data is sourced by primary data collecting method using interviews, Surveys, and by secondary data utilizing literatures collected from books, Journals, Past researches and Electronic websites. The author also used strategic sampling technique whereby ample potential feedbacks could be gathered from Seven Tours Companies, Five African Embassies and Twenty Five active Swedish Tourists in Stockholm. On the basis of the analysis of the data which was collected during the interview and surveys, the study revealed that majority of Swedish tourists have little demand on Ethiopian Tourism supply(offers) due to the following reasons; 1. Swedish tourists are dominantly more fascinated by Adventure, Safari and Beach types of trips than cultural and Historical Tours. These interests have leaded them to look for few African countries which have rich sources of Adventure, safari and Beach trips. 2. Even though there are few Swedish visitors who are interested in culture and history, they need to get at least one combination from Safari, Beach or Adventure trips. But unlike the rest of others four African Tourist destination countries stated on the above paragraph, the Swedish tourists believe that these combinations are not available in Ethiopian Tourism offers as they thought that Ethiopia is only known by its cultural and Historical Tourism offers. 3. Tour and travel companies, who are running the major Swedish tourists flow to Africa, have very little information and practical experiences on Ethiopian tourism supply. Due to these reasons the information that they knew about Ethiopia and its tourism sites is not coincide with the Ethiopian Tourism potential in reality. 4. Moreover the poor marketing operation of Ethiopian Tourism Authority and its delegates in advertizing and clarifying the above irregularities which are raised by both the tourists and the tour and travel companies. These and others attributed for the failure of Ethiopian tourism Authority to welcome as many Swedish tourists as possible.
Syftet med detta arbete var att på ett tydligt sätt beskriva respondenternas upplevelse av anställningsotrygghet för ca 7 år sedan. Hur detta har påverkat deras hantering och upplevelse av liknande händelser i efterhand. Förteorierna som vi använde i vår bakgrund var bland annat det faktum att många människors anställningar har blivit osäkra och föränderliga. Ansatsen var kvalitativ med en hermeneutisk tolkningsspiral som transkriberingsmetod. Det psykologiska kontraktet, hantering och upplevelser av stress togs vidare upp i vår fördjupning och konkretisering som till exempel miljöstress, betingning och känslan av sammanhang. Resultatet av vårt arbete är att deltagarna efter ca 7 år fortfarande upplever en sänkt förmåga att hantera stress, respondenterna beskriver en kvardröjande osäkerhet, sänkt tilltro till sin egen förmåga och en ökad känslighet för stress. Ett av de resultat vi fann var att otrygghetens följder gav nyckelord som kunde kategoriseras under utbrändhet. I diskussionen hanteras deltagarnas beskrivning av kvardröjande osäkerhet, sänkt tilltro till sin egen förmåga och misstänksamhet. Avslutningsvis diskuteras bland annat den nya ohälsan, en abstrakt känsla av att inte ha någon kontroll och att inte kunna peka på en konkret orsak till ohälsan.