Interfirm Information System for Supply Chain Management from the Cloud: An Exploratory Case Study from the Telecom Industry

This study examines the practice of supply chain management problems and the perceived demand information distortion’s (the bullwhip effect) reduction with the interfirm information system, which is delivered as a cloud service to a company operating in the telecommunications industry. The purpose is to shed light in practice that do the interfirm information system have impact on the performance of the supply chain and in particularly the reduction of bullwhip effect. In addition, a holistic case study of the global telecommunications company's supply chain is presented and also the challenges it’s facing, and this study also proposes some measures to improve the situation. The theoretical part consists of the supply chain and its management, as well as increasing the efficiency and introducing the theories and related previous research. In addition, study presents performance metrics for the bullwhip effect detection and tracking. The theoretical part ends in presenting cloud -based business intelligence theoretical framework used in the background of this study. The research strategy is a qualitative case study, supported by quantitative data, which is collected from a telecommunication sector company's databases. Qualitative data were gathered mainly with two open interviews and the e-mail exchange during the development project. In addition, other materials from the company were collected during the project and the company's web site information was also used as the source. The data was collected to a specific case study database in order to increase reliability. The results show that the bullwhip effect can be reduced with the interfirm information system and with the use of CPFR and S&OP models and in particularly combining them to an integrated business planning. According to this study the interfirm information system does not, however, solve all of the supply chain and their effectiveness -related problems, because also the company’s processes and human activities have a major impact.

Uraohjaus ja urasuunnittelu ammattikorkeakoulussa

Tutkimuksen tarkoituksena oli selvittää, millaista uraohjausta ammattikorkeakoulun tuutoriopettajat antavat ja millaista uraohjausta opiskelijat haluavat. Lisäksi tavoitteena oli selvittää, löytyykö opiskelijoiden koulutusalavalinnan perusteista yhteyttä uran suunnittelutaitoihin ja ohjauksen tarpeeseen, ja tunnistavatko tuutoriopettajat opiskelijoiden erilaiset uraohjauksen tarpeet. Tutkimuksen teoreettisissa rakenteissa hyödynnettiin kolmea postmodernia urateoriaa, jotka olivat Hodkinsonin ja Sparkesin (1997) uranvalinnan päätöksentekoteoria, Mitchellin, Lewinin ja Krumbolzin (1999) suunnitellun sattuman teoria ja Savickasin (2005) uran rakentamisteoria. Tutkimusympäristönä oli Satakunnan ammattikorkeakoulu. Tutkimus oli kaksivaiheinen. Ensimmäisessä vaiheessa kerättiin harkinnanvaraisesti valituilta tuutoriopettajilta (n=14) ja opintojensa eri vaiheissa olevilta opiskelijoilta (n=65) kirjoitettu aineisto. Kvalitatiivinen aineisto analysoitiin sisällönanalyysillä. Aineiston perusteella löydettiin kolmenlaisia urasuunnittelijoita: epävarmat, uteliaat ja tietoiset. Aineiston perusteella laadittiin kyselylomake tutkimuksen toisen vaiheen tiedonkeruuta varten. Tutkimuksen toisessa vaiheessa kerättiin opintojen eri vaiheissa olevilta opiskelijoilta kyselylomakekyselynä kvantitatiivinen aineisto (n=903), joka analysoitiin tilastollisin menetelmin. Koulutusalavalinnan perusteista elämäntilanne, alan mahdollisuudet, oma toive, kutsumus, aktiivinen tiedonhaku ja halu opiskella ammattikorkeakoulussa olivat yhteydessä opiskelijan hyvään urasuunnittelukykyyn. Näillä perusteilla koulutusalansa valinneita tietoisiksi luokiteltuja urasuunnittelijoita oli 72 % vastanneista. Alavalinnan perusteista sattuman, kavereiden, sukulaisten, lukion opinto-ohjauksen ja paikkakunnan perusteella koulutusalansa valinneet luokiteltiin epävarmoiksi urasuunnittelijoiksi, ja heitä oli 28 % vastanneista. Tulokset antavat ohjaajille tukea epävarman ja muita enemmän uraohjausta tarvitsevan opiskelijan tunnistamiseen ja heidän hops-prosessinsa tehostamiseen opintojen alusta asti. Lisäksi tulosten perusteella esitetään seuraavia suosituksia: tuutoriopettajille tulisi asettaa pätevyysvaatimukseksi ohjausalan opintojen suorittaminen; opiskelijoita tulisi ohjata tunnistamaan erilaisia satunnaisesti avautuvia mahdollisuuksia ja tietoisesti hyödyntämään niitä elämässään; uraohjaukseen tulisi kytkeä mukaan työelämäyhteistyö; ohjaajien tulisi tiivistää yhteistyötä toisen asteen ohjaajien kanssa, jotta opiskelijoiden koulutusalavalinnat onnistuisivat paremmin; uraohjausta tulisi antaa tulevaisuuden kvalifikaatioiden ennakoinnin ja elinikäisten oppimisvalmiuksien näkökulmasta.

Development of category planning process in construction business

The aim of this thesis was to develop the category planning process in the case company operating in construction industry. As the interest in the field of research has just recently started to emerge towards the benefits of category management and planning, the theoretical background was derived from literature of subjects with a relation to category planning i.e. procurement strategy, purchasing portfolio model, information flow management and cost analysis. The background for the development of category planning process was derived from retail industry, to where the category planning is more researched. The empirical study was executed with mixed method approach: quantitative data of the categories was analyzed and qualitative data was gathered through semi-structured interview and discussions within the case company. As a result, the category planning process was critically analyzed and development proposals addressed for improving the process description. Additionally a tool was developed based on the empirical study to support the category planning process of the case company.

The calcium-dependent protease of Loxosceles gaucho venom acts preferentially upon red cell band 3 transmembrane protein

Eighty micrograms red blood cell (RBC) ghosts from patients who had previously exhibited the cutaneous form of loxoscelism (presenting localized dermonecrosis) and the viscerocutaneous form of loxoscelism (presenting dermonecrosis, hemoglobinuria, hematuria, and jaundice) and from controls were incubated with 2.5 µg crude Loxosceles gaucho venom in 5 mM phosphate buffer, pH 7.4, at 37ºC. Among all membrane proteins, quantitative proteolysis of the important integral transmembrane protein 3 increased with venom dose and with incubation time from 30 to 120 min, as demonstrated by gel densitometry. Similar quantitative data were obtained for RBC ghosts from patients and from control subjects, a fact that argues against the possibility of genetic factors favoring the hemolytic viscerocutaneous form. These data suggest that the clinical forms may be different types of the same disease, with the viscerocutaneous form being the result of large amounts of intravascularly injected venom and the superficial form being the result of in situ venom action. Since protein 3 is a housekeeping integral membrane protein, whose genetic deficiency leads to hemolytic anemia, it is reasonable to relate it to the hemolysis which occurs in the viscerocutaneous form of loxoscelism. The venom protease responsible for the process was not inhibited after 120-min incubation by 0.2 mM paramethylsulfonyl fluoride or by 0.2 mM N-ethylmaleimide but was inhibited by 25 mM ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (a calcium-chelating agent) in 5 mM phosphate buffer at pH 7.4, which suggests that the enzyme is a calcium-dependent metalloprotease.

Sisälogististen materiaalivirtojen -ja materiaalitoimintojen kehittäminen eräässä kokoonpanoyrityksessä

Toimintaympäristön muutokset ja kysynnän monipuolistuminen haastavat useat teollisuuden alan yritykset kehittämään toimintaansa. Varastointi ja sisälogistiikka sisältävät useita yrityksen sisäisen tehokkuuden kehityskohteita. Logististen toimintojen ajankäytöllisen hukan eliminointi ja sisälogistinen selkeys parantavat liiketoiminnan kannattavuutta. Työssä käsitellään yrityksen sisälogistisia materiaalivirtoja, jotka muodostuvat materiaalitoimintojen suorittamista komponenttien ja lopputuotteiden siirroista. Tavoitteina oli lyhentää tuotannon pääkokoonpanon komponenttien keräilyyn kuluvaa aikaa ja selkeyttää sisälogistista systeemiä kehittämällä kokoonpanotuotannon ja sitä palvelevan varastoinnin layoutia, sekä komponenttien varastopaikkoja. Tutkimus perustuu kvantitatiiviseen ja kvalitatiiviseen tutkimusmenetelmään. Sisälogististen osa-alueiden analysointiin käytettiin osallistuvaa havainnointia, haastatteluita, vertailevaa tutkimusta ja datapohjaista aineistoa. Työn tuloksena syntyi kehitysehdotus materiaalivirtojen ja varastoinnin uudeksi rakenteeksi, sekä toimintamalli nimikkeiden varastopaikkojen määrittämiseksi ja työpisteiden järjestyksen ylläpitoon.

Talo, kartano, puutarha. Kauppahuoneen omistaja Marie Hackman ja hänen kulutusvalintansa varhaismodernissa Viipurissa

Tutkimuksessa keskitytään tutkimaan kuluttamista elämäntavan ja identiteetin muovaajana yhden yksilön elämän kautta. Kuluttamista tutkitaan statuskuluttamisen (conspicious consumption), tilallisuuden ja sukupuolihistorian käsitteistöä hyväksi käyttäen. Tutkimuksen lähteinä on käytetty liikekirjeitä ja tilikirjoja, yksityistä kirjeenvaihtoa, päiväkirjoja ja sanomalehtiä sekä aikalaismuistelmia. Naista lähdemateriaaleista on koottu sekä tilastollista aineistoa että kvalitatiivista, lähilukuun ja mikrohistorialliseen tutkimusotteeseen nojautuvaa tutkimusta. Tutkimus alkaa vuodesta 1799 ja päättyy 1830-luvulle, jolloin seuraava sukupolvi otti vastuun liiketoimista ja lähdeaineistossa tapahtui muutoksia kuluttamisen kirjaamisen suhteen. Tutkimuksen keskeiset käsitteet ovat statuskuluttaminen ja identiteetti. Näitä käsitteitä lähestytään Thorstein Veblenin, Norbert Eliaksen ja Pierre Bourdieun tutkimuksia apuna käyttäen. Tutkimus käsittelee erottautumisen ja jäljittelyn tematiikkaa merkittävimpänä kuluttamisen motivaattoreina. Lisaksi tutkimus nostaa esille hyvän maun ja muodinmukaisuuden kulutusvalintojen taustalla. Statuskuluttaminen kytkeytyy sosiaaliseen kanssakäymiseen. Kuluttamisen kohteet ovat esineitä ja asioita, joita pidetään esillä seurapiireissä. Kuluttaminen tapahtuu seuraelämän ehdoilla, sen mukavoittamiseksi, aseman osoittamiseksi seurapiireissä tai sosiaalisen paineen vuoksi. Tutkimus osoittaa kotitalouden merkityksen kuluttamisen paikkana ja kohteena. Tutkimus myös osoittaa naisten toimintakentän olleen kytköksissä kotitalouden asemaan yhteisössään sekä osoittaa, että sukupuolta pitää tarkastella suhteessa yksilön sosiaaliseen asemaan. Tutkimus osoittaa, että Marie Hackmanin kuluttaminen muuttui ikääntymisen myötä. Aseman osoittaminen oli merkittävämpää nuorena ja aseman ollessa vielä vakiintumattomampi.

Hoitokuluanalyysi Suomen yksityisen sektorin työeläkejärjestelmästä

Tämän pro gradu -tutkielman tavoitteena on tutkia Suomen työeläkevakuutusyhtiöiden työeläkevakuutusmaksun hoitokustannusosalla katettavia liikekuluja ja muodostaa analyysi Suomen työeläkevakuutusjärjestelmän liikekulujen kehittymisestä ja tehokkuuden tasosta. Tehokkuusnäkökulman lisäksi tarkastellaan työeläkejärjestelmän kilpailuolosuhteita. Tutkimusta motivoi työeläkealalle ajankohtainen asia, joka liittyy yhtiökohtaisen hinnoittelumallin mahdolliseen käyttöönottoon, jota parhaillaan suunnitellaan työeläkealan tehokkuuden ja kilpailullisuuden lisäämiseksi. Yhtiökohtaisessa hinnoittelumallissa työeläkeyhtiö voisi itsenäisesti vaikuttaa työeläkevakuutuksen hintaan hoitokustannusosan kautta, joka määräytyisi pitkälti sen mukaan kuinka tehokkaasti yhtiö pystyy toimintansa järjestämään. Empiirinen tutkimus on toteutettu kvalitatiivisena tapaustutkimuksena, jossa kuitenkin empiirinen analyysi perustuu kvantitatiiviseen aineistoon ja aineistoa on käsitelty kvantitatiivisen tutkimuksen menetelmin. Pääasiallisina tutkimusotteina on käytetty taulukointia ja erinäisten muuttujien välistä korrelaatiota. Tuloksien suhteen on käytetty aineistolähtöistä induktiivista päättelyä. Tutkimuksessa on tutkittu seitsemän yksityisen sektorin työeläkeyhtiön liikekuluja vuosilta 2006–2013. Tutkimustuloksien mukaan järjestelmätasolla tarkasteltuna työeläkeyhtiöiden toiminta on tehokasta, joskin yksittäisten yhtiöiden välillä on suuriakin tehokkuuseroja. Vakuutusten ja korvaustoiminnan hoito ovat suurimmat kustannusten aiheuttajat. Työeläkemarkkinat ovat hyvin keskittyneet ja muistuttavat enemmänkin oligopolisia markkinoita kuin täydellisen kilpailun markkinoita.

Oxidation of the albumin thiol to sulfenic acid and its implications in the intravascular compartment

Human serum albumin (HSA) is the most abundant protein in the intravascular compartment. It possesses a single thiol, Cys34, which constitutes ~80% of the total thiols in plasma. This thiol is able to scavenge plasma oxidants. A central intermediate in this potential antioxidant activity of human serum albumin is sulfenic acid (HSA-SOH). Work from our laboratories has demonstrated the formation of a relatively stable sulfenic acid in albumin through complementary spectrophotometric and mass spectrometric approaches. Recently, we have been able to obtain quantitative data that allowed us to measure the rate constants of sulfenic acid reactions with molecules of analytical and biological interest. Kinetic considerations led us to conclude that the most likely fate for sulfenic acid formed in the plasma environment is the reaction with low molecular weight thiols to form mixed disulfides, a reversible modification that is actually observed in ~25% of circulating albumin. Another possible fate for sulfenic acid is further oxidation to sulfinic and sulfonic acids. These irreversible modifications are also detected in the circulation. Oxidized forms of albumin are increased in different pathophysiological conditions and sulfenic acid lies in a mechanistic junction, relating oxidizing species to final thiol oxidation products.

Consumer neuroscience: usability of brain imaging methods in marketing research

Consumer neuroscience (neuromarketing) is an emerging field of marketing research which uses brain imaging techniques to study neural conditions and processes that underlie consumption. The purpose of this study was to map this fairly new and growing field in Finland by studying the opinions of both Finnish consumers and marketing professionals towards it and comparing the opinions to the current consumer neuroscience literature, and based on that evaluate the usability of brain imaging techniques as a marketing research method. Mixed methods research design was chosen for this study. Quantitative data was collected from 232 consumers and 28 marketing professionals by means of online surveys. Both respondent groups had either neutral opinions or lacked knowledge about the four themes chosen for this study: benefits, limitations and challenges, ethical issues and future prospects of consumer neuroscience. Qualitative interview data was collected from 2 individuals from Finnish neuromarketing companies to deepen insights gained from quantitative research. The four interview themes were the same as in the surveys and the interviewees’ answers were mostly in line with the current literature, although more optimistic about the future of the field. The interviews also exposed a gap between academic consumer neuroscience research and practical level applications. The results of this study suggest that there are still many unresolved challenges and relevant populations either have neutral opinions or lack information about consumer neuroscience. The practical level applications are, however, already being successfully used and this new field of marketing research is growing both globally and in Finland.

Optimization of Transportation System by Tailored Logistics Network: A Case Study in Automotive Industry

This thesis aims to redesign the supply chain system in an automotive industry in order to obtain space reduction in the inventory by using tailored logistics network. The redesigning process by tailored supply chain will combine all possible shipment methods including direct shipment, milk-run, milk-run via distribution center and Kanban delivery. The current supply chain system in Nissan goes rather well when the production volume is in moderate level. However, when the production volume is high, there is a capacity problem in the warehouse to accommodate all delivered parts from suppliers. Hence, the optimization of supply chain system is needed in order to obtain efficient logistics process and effective inventory consumption. The study will use primary data for both qualitative and quantitative approach as the research methods. Qualitative data will be collected by conducting interviews with people related to procurement and inventory control. Quantitative data consists of list of suppliers with their condition in several parameters which will be evaluated and analyzed by using scoring method to assign the most suitable transportation network to each suppliers for improvement of inventory reduction in a cost efficient manner.

Consumer neuroscience: usability of brain imaging methods in marketing research

Consumer neuroscience (neuromarketing) is an emerging field of marketing research which uses brain imaging techniques to study neural conditions and processes that underlie consumption. The purpose of this study was to map this fairly new and growing field in Finland by studying the opinions of both Finnish consumers and marketing professionals towards it and comparing the opinions to the current consumer neuroscience literature, and based on that evaluate the usability of brain imaging techniques as a marketing research method. Mixed methods research design was chosen for this study. Quantitative data was collected from 232 consumers and 28 marketing professionals by means of online surveys. Both respondent groups had either neutral opinions or lacked knowledge about the four themes chosen for this study: benefits, limitations and challenges, ethical issues and future prospects of consumer neuroscience. Qualitative interview data was collected from 2 individuals from Finnish neuromarketing companies to deepen insights gained from quantitative research. The four interview themes were the same as in the surveys and the interviewees’ answers were mostly in line with the current literature, although more optimistic about the future of the field. The interviews also exposed a gap between academic consumer neuroscience research and practical level applications. The results of this study suggest that there are still many unresolved challenges and relevant populations either have neutral opinions or lack information about consumer neuroscience. The practical level applications are, however, already being successfully used and this new field of marketing research is growing both globally and in Finland.

Optimal Recycling Combination of Ash in South-East Finland

The present world energy production is heavily relying on the combustion of solid fuels like coals, peat, biomass, municipal solid waste, whereas the share of renewable fuels is anticipated to increase in the future to mitigate climate change. In Finland, peat and wood are widely used for energy production. In any case, the combustion of solid fuels results in generation of several types of thermal conversion residues, such as bottom ash, fly ash, and boiler slag. The predominant residue type is determined by the incineration technology applied, while its composition is primarily relevant to the composition of fuels combusted. An extensive research has been conducted on technical suitability of ash for multiple recycling methods. Most of attention was drawn to the recycling of the coal combustion residues, as coal is the primary solid fuel consumed globally. The recycling methods of coal residues include utilization in a cement industry, in concrete manufacturing, and mine backfilling, to name few. Biomass combustion residues were also studied to some extent with forest fertilization, road construction, and road stabilization being the predominant utilization options. Lastly, residues form municipal solid waste incineration attracted more attention recently following the growing number of waste incineration plants globally. The recycling methods of waste incineration residues are the most limited due to its hazardous nature and varying composition, and include, among others, landfill construction, road construction, mine backfilling. In the study, environmental and economic aspects of multiple recycling options of thermal conversion residues generated within a case-study area were studied. The case-study area was South-East Finland. The environmental analysis was performed using an internationally recognized methodology — life cycle assessment. Economic assessment was conducted applying a widely used methodology — cost-benefit analysis. Finally, the results of the analyses were combined to enable easier comparison of the recycling methods. The recycling methods included the use of ash in forest fertilization, road construction, road stabilization, and landfill construction. Ash landfilling was set as a baseline scenario. Quantitative data about the amounts of ash generated and its composition was obtained from companies, their environmental reports, technical reports and other previously published literature. Overall, the amount of ash in the case-study area was 101 700 t. However, the data about 58 400 t of fly ash and 35 100 t of bottom ash and boiler slag were included in the study due to lack of data about leaching of heavy metals in some cases. The recycling methods were modelled according to the scientific studies published previously. Overall, the results of the study indicated that ash utilization for fertilization and neutralization of 17 600 ha of forest was the most economically beneficial method, which resulted in the net present value increase by 58% compared to ash landfilling. Regarding the environmental impact, the use of ash in the construction of 11 km of roads was the most attractive method with decreased environmental impact of 13% compared to ash landfilling. The least preferred method was the use of ash for landfill construction since it only enabled 11% increase of net present value, while inducing additional 1% of negative impact on the environment. Therefore, a following recycling route was proposed in the study. Where possible and legally acceptable, recycle fly and bottom ash for forest fertilization, which has strictest requirements out of all studied methods. If the quality of fly ash is not suitable for forest fertilization, then it should be utilized, first, in paved road construction, second, in road stabilization. Bottom ash not suitable for forest fertilization, as well as boiler slag, should be used in landfill construction. Landfilling should only be practiced when recycling by either of the methods is not possible due to legal requirements or there is not enough demand on the market. Current demand on ash and possible changes in the future were assessed in the study. Currently, the area of forest fertilized in the case-study are is only 451 ha, whereas about 17 600 ha of forest could be fertilized with ash generated in the region. Provided that the average forest fertilizing values in Finland are higher and the area treated with fellings is about 40 000 ha, the amount of ash utilized in forest fertilization could be increased. Regarding road construction, no new projects launched by the Center of Economic Development, Transport and the Environment in the case-study area were identified. A potential application can be found in the construction of private roads. However, no centralized data about such projects is available. The use of ash in stabilization of forest roads is not expected to increased in the future with a current downwards trend in the length of forest roads built. Finally, the use of ash in landfill construction is not a promising option due to the reducing number of landfills in operation in Finland.

Suomen laskusuhdanteiden vertailu: 1990-luvun laman ja 2000-luvun globaalin finanssikriisin vaikutukset kuluttajille

Suomessa merkittävimpiä talouden laskusuhdanteita ja talouskriisejä ovat sotien jälkeen olleet 1990-luvun alun lama sekä vuonna 2008 alkanut finanssikriisin jälkeinen taantuma. Näillä kahdella ilmiöllä on ollut laajalti vaikutuksia koko kansantalouteemme, ja luonnollisesti suomalaisten kuluttajien taloudellinen hyvinvointi on muuttunut ilmiöiden myötä. Yksilöiden aiempaa huonompi taloudellinen hyvinvointi laskusuhdanteissa aiheutuu laskeneista tuloista, työttömyydestä ja varallisuushintojen laskusta sekä edellä mainittujen seurauksista. Tämän tutkielman tavoitteena on analysoida ja vertailla 1990-luvun laman ja 2000-luvun globaalin finanssikriisin aiheuttamia taloudellisia vaikutuksia suomalaisille kuluttajille. Lisäksi tarkoituksena on selvittää, minkä eri tekijöiden kautta laskusuhdanteet vaikuttavat kuluttajiin ja miksi. Tutkielman empiirisessä osiossa käytetään pääasiassa Tilastokeskuksen tuottamaa kvantitatiivista materiaalia sekä analyysin rikastamiseksi erilaisia kvalitatiivisia tutkimustuloksia aiheesta. Tutkielman lopputuloksena voidaan todeta 1990-luvun laman vaikuttaneen suomalaisiin kuluttajiin voimakkaammin ja pitkäkestoisemmin kuin finanssikriisin aiheuttaman taantuman. Laman vaikutukset kestivät useita vuosia, ja palautuminen oli hidasta. Erityisen suureksi ongelmaksi nousi työttömyyden voimakas kasvu. Finanssikriisin myötä työttömyys reagoi bruttokansantuotteen laskuun nähden sen sijaan maltillisesti, eivätkä esimerkiksi kotitalouksien tulot laskeneet samalla tavalla kuin laman aikana. Lisäksi merkittävässä osassa 1990-luvun lamaa oli asuntomarkkinoiden hintakupla ja sen puhkeaminen, jolla oli voimakas vaikutus reaalitalouteen. Laskukausien toisistaan poikkeavat vaikutukset johtuvat pitkälti niiden syntyyn johtaneiden syiden eroista sekä valtion talouspoliittisista toimista laskukausien helpottamiseksi. Siinä missä 1990-luvun lama johtui pääasiassa Suomen sisäisistä poliittisista päätöksistä ja pankkisektorista, oli finanssikriisi Suomen ulkopuolinen globaalin rahoitusmarkkinoiden häiriö.

Offshoring and outsourcing under demand uncertainty -a supply chain management analysis

Outsourcing and offshoring or any combinations of these have not just become a popular phenomenon, but are viewed as one of the most important management strategies due to the new possibilities from globalization. They have been seen as a possibility to save costs and improve customer service. Executing offshoring and offshore outsourcing successfully can be more complex than initially expected. Potential cost savings resulting from of offshoring and offshore outsourcing are often based on lower manufacturing costs. However, these benefits might be conflicted by a more complex supply chain with service level challenges that can respectively increase costs. Therefore analyzing the total cost effects of offshoring and outsourcing is necessary. The aim of this Master´s Thesis was to to construct a total cost model using academic literature to calculate the total costs and analyze the reasonability of offshoring and offshore outsourcing production of a case company compared to insourcing production. The research data was mainly quantitative and collected mainly from the case company past sales and production records. In addition management level interviews from the case company were conducted. The information from these interviews was used for the qualification of the necessary quantitative data and adding supportive information that could not be gathered from the quantitative data. Both data collection and analysis were guided by a theoretical frame of reference that was based on academic literature concerning offshoring and outsourcing, statistical calculation of demand and total costs. The results confirm the theories that offshoring and offshore outsourcing would reduce total costs as both offshoring and offshore outsourcing options result in lower total annual costs than insourcing mainly due to lower manufacturing costs. However, increased demand uncertainty would make the alternative of offshore outsourcing more risky and difficult to manage. Therefore when assessing the overall impact of the alternatives, offshoring is the most preferable option. As the main cost savings in offshore outsourcing came from lower manufacturing costs, more specifically labour costs, the logistics costs in this case company did not have an essential effect in total costs. The management should therefore pay attention initially to manufacturing costs and then logistics costs when choosing the best production sourcing option for the company.

Development of internet-based value added services in housing estate business in Russia

Value added services are becoming increasingly popular as they increase the perceived value of the core product and can be a strong method of attracting customers and motivating them to make a choice. The purpose of this research is to develop internet-based value added services for housing estate business in Russia. The research is a case study of Russian housing estate market utilising a triangulation of methods for better results. For the qualitative data analysis, 7 interviews with heads of regional departments of construction companies from different regions of Russia were conducted. For the quantitative data analysis, a survey of 128 inhabitants of Saint-Petersburg housing estates was held. Factor analysis and descriptive statistics including cross-tabulations and chi-square tests for significance were used to analyse the results. In this study, a list 19 value added services that can be provided through online platforms in housing estate market was developed. These services fall into three big groups: social networking services, compulsory and additional services. Additionally, the question of monetisation of online platforms in housing estate market was discussed and three business models were suggested.