Pk-yrityksen toimitusketjun liiketoimintariskien arviointity��kalu

Riskienhallinta auttaa yrityst�� toimittamaan sovitut tuotteet ja palvelut ajallaan sek�� oikean laatuisina. Riskienhallinnassa on t��rke���� ottaa huomioon koko toimitusketju, sek�� sen hallinta ja kehitt��minen, sill�� t��t�� kautta riskienhallinnasta saadaan mahdollisimman kattava. Yrityksen ja riskienhallinnan kannalta liiketoimintariskit ovat eritt��in merkityksellisi��, sill�� ne ovat usein eritt��in vaikeasti hahmotettavia ja hallittavia. T��m�� koskee erityisesti pk-yrityksi��. Riskienhallintaa voidaan helpottaa riskienarviointity��kalun ja -hallintaprosessin avulla. Riskienhallintaprosessin avulla voidaan suorittaa j��rjestelm��llisesti riskien tunnistamista ja arviointia, sek�� suunnitella ja toteuttaa tarvittavat riskienhallintatoimenpiteet. Riskien arvioinnin tarkoituksena on l��yt���� kaikkein merkityksellisimm��t riskit. Riskin merkitt��vyyden t��rkeimm��t osat ovat riskin vakavuus ja todenn��k��isyys. Riskienhallinnan tulisi olla osa yrityksen jokap��iv��ist�� toimintaa, ja sit�� tulisi tehd�� j��rjestelm��llisesti. T��ss�� voidaan k��ytt���� apuna riskienarviointity��kalua, jonka tarkoituksena on auttaa yrityst�� parantamaan riskienhallintatasoa ja yrityksen kyky�� vastata paremmin asiakkaiden toiveisiin ja vaatimuksiin.

Kansainv��listymisen verkostomalli

This paper is a Bachelor's degree thesis considering the network model of internationalization. The paper is presented in the program of Industrial Management and International Marketing at Lappeenranta University of Technology. Globalization has increased the importance of internationalization process in which firms create business in networks. The internationalization of firms and establishment of business networks are known to be interconnected. For example, networks may help a firm to penetrate into new markets. The objective in this thesis is to make a literature study to clarify what is meant by the network model of internationalization in academic discussion. How business networks are related to firm's internationalization, what are the reasons why the model was born and how the network theory differs from the earlier theory? Furthermore, we would like to know what are the possible advantages and disadvantages of internationalizing via networks for small and medium-sized enterprises.

Contextuality in SME Ownership ��� Studies on Owner-managers��� Ownership Behavior

The purpose of this study is to deepen the understanding of the meaning of ownership in the context of small and medium sized businesses. The research on ownership has increased and widened during the last few years. Ownership is treated increasingly as a psychological phenomenon and it has been noticed that it is common for SME ownermanagers to be mentally linked to their firms. Previous research is suggesting that the central role of an owner-manager in an SME is specifying the concept of SMEs, and that ownership is creating a great heterogeneity within SMEs. This study suggests that there is a variation whitin ownership behaviour of small business owners, and the variation is not totally random or irrational, but following the general patterns of business ownership and of doing business on an SME level. This study is a concept analytical in nature and it builds on the theoretical clarification of the concept of ownership. The theoretical consideration concludes with proposing a definition of ownership: Ownership means a subject���s relatively sustaining position of control in regard to an object. The empirical part of this study consists of five articles, out of which one is conceptual and four are empirical in nature. The notion of contextuality of ownership and the notions of SME characteristics form the basic premise of this study and the theoretical basis for the publications. From the owner-managers point of view, ownership relates the owner also to his or her environment and therefore also to the valuations of the owner-managers. This means that all the dimensions are not equally valued, but certain dimensions in his or her ownership are more important. The presented empirical research is supporting the claim that there is a variation whitin ownership behaviour of small business owners. When bringing the definition of ownership onto a personal and psychological level and into the SME context, it was noticed that ownership is not only a closed system phenomenon occurring between the owner and object owned, but it is also elementarily connected to the environment. Ownership - along with the psychological side of it - is a contextual phenomenon where the fundamental factor is the relatively sustaining position of control with regard to an object. As a contribution of the study, this definition is bringing a new point of view to the discussion on SMEs, SME strategic behaviour and family businesses. The study concludes with pointing out directions for future research.

Pk-yrityksen layout-suunnittelu ohutlevytuoteteollisuudessa

Diplomity��ss�� k��sitell����n omistajanvaihdon my��t�� tapahtuvaa yritysten yhdentymist�� pkt- sektorilla. Tutkimuksen tarkoituksena oli suunnitella layout uuteen halliin sek�� suunnitella muuttoprosessi kokonaisuudessaan. Tutkimuksessa k��siteltiin koneiden siirron lis��ksi my��s yritysten yhdentymist�� ja yritysfuusiota. Ratkaisumalleja haettiin kirjallisuudesta, tuotannon seuraamisesta ja edellisist�� muutoista syntyneist�� kokemuksista. Ty��n aikana kartoitettiin yritysten nykytilanne ja etsittiin siell�� olevat parantamista vaativat kohdat. Lis��ksi selvitettiin yritysten tuotanto layout -suunnittelua varten. Layoutin tekemisen runkona k��ytettiin Mutherin -layoutkaaviota. Tietojen pohjalta tehtiin kolme erillist�� mallia, joista hy��tyarvomatriisia hyv��ksi k��ytt��en valittiin yksi. Lis��ksi yritysten yhdentymisen ty��kirjan avulla tehtiin lista tarvittavista toimenpiteist�� ennen muuttoa sek�� muuton j��lkeen. Tutkimuksessa k��siteltiin my��s yrityksen ohjelmainvestointeja sek�� levyty��keskuksen ett�� laserleikkauskoneen nestaukseen. Lis��ksi ty��ss�� k��siteltiin my��s uusia koneinvestointeja ja uutta organisaatiokaaviota.

Regional potential for collaborative implementation of small CHP plants in bioenergy technology

This thesis is a preliminary study targeting South-Eastern Finland. The objective was to find out the financial and functional readiness and willingness of the small and medium-sized enterprises of the region to manufacture and sell distributed bioenergy solutions collaboratively as a business network. In this case these solutions mean small-scale (0.5 - 3 MW) woodchips-operated combined heat and power (CHP) plants. South-Eastern Finland has suffered from a decline in the recent years, mostly due to the problems of the traditionally strong industrial know-how area of the region, the paper industry. Local small and medium-sized companies will have to find new ways to survive the toughening competition. A group of 40 companies from suitable industries were selected and financial and comparative analysis was performed on them. Additionally 19 managing directors of the companies were selected for an interview to find out their views on networking, its requirements, advantages and the general interest in it. The studied companies were found to be generally in fairly good financial condition and in that sense, fit for networking activities. The interviews revealed that the companies were capable of producing all the needed elements for the plants in question, and the managers appeared to be very interested in and have a positive attitude towards such business networks. Thus it can be said that the small and medium-sized companies of the region are capable of and interested in manufacturing small bio-CHP plants as a production network.

Heikkojen signaalien hy��dynt��minen PK-yrityksiss��, tapaustutkimus osaamiskeskuksen toimintamalli

Diplomity��ss�� tutkitaan heikkojen signaalien hy��dynt��mist�� pieniss�� ja keskisuurissa yrityksiss�� (pk-yritykset). Tutkimuksen p����kysymys on, miten pk-yritykset voivat hy��dynt���� kansallisten toimijoiden, kuten FinNode Ven��j��n ja Finpron, tuottamia heikkoja signaaleita p����t��ksenteossaan. Tutkimuksessa k��sitell����n heikkoja signaaleja ja ulkoista liiketoimintatietoa. K��sittely pohjautuu kirjallisuudessa esitettyihin keinoihin ja menetelmiin, jotka liittyv��t heikkojen signaalien havainnointiin, l��hteisiin, ker����miseen ja hy��dynt��miseen. Ulkoisen liiketoimintatiedon perustana on informaatioketju ja uuden tiedon luomisen yhteys ulkoisen liiketoimintatiedon hy��dynt��miseen. Kirjallisuusmallien avulla on k��sitelty my��s haasteita, jotka ilmenev��t heikkojen signaalien hy��dynt��misess��, ja miten ulkoisen liiketoimintatiedon hankinnassa k��ytett��v���� prosessia pystyt����n hy��dynt��m����n osana heikkojen signaalien seulontaa ja analysointia. Diplomity��n tutkimusosassa ker��ttiin teemahaastatteluilla pk-yrityksilt�� ja kansallisilta innovaatioj��rjestelm��n toimijoilta tietoa. Yrityksilt�� saatiin tietoa ulkoisen liiketoimintatiedon ja heikkojen signaalien ker����misest�� ja hy��dynt��misest��. Kansallisilta innovaatioj��rjestelm��n toimijoilta ker��ttiin tietoa rakennetusta ennakointij��rjestelm��st�� ja sen hy��dynnett��vyydest�� pk-yrityksiss�� sek�� osaamiskeskusohjelman roolista tiedon v��litt��j��n��. Kirjallisuus ja haastattelut yhdist��m��ll�� tutkimuksessa syntyi toimintamalli Kaakkois-Suomen osaamiskeskukselle. Toimintamallin avulla pk-yritykset voivat hy��dynt���� kansallisen innovaatioj��rjestelm��n toimijoiden ker����m����, liiketoiminnalleen t��rke���� signaalitietoa strategiaprosessissaan. Suomen innovaatioj��rjestelm�� on toimiva ennakoinnin osalta, kun taas pk-yrityksiss�� ei useinkaan suunnata resursseja ennakointiin ja heikkojen signaalien ker����miseen. Ajankohta toimintamallin k��ytt����notolle vaikuttaa tutkimuksen pohjalta sopivalta, sill�� j��rjestelm���� on rakennettu ja testattu jo muutamien vuosien ajan.

Etel��-Karjalan pienten ja keskisuurten konepaja- ja kunnossapitoyritysten energiaohjelma

Ty��ss�� tutkitaan Etel��-Karjalan alueella olevien uusiutuvien energiavarojen lis����misen mahdollisuuksia sek�� energian kulutuksen v��hennysmahdollisuuksia energiatehokkuuden avulla pieniss�� ja keskisuurissa konepaja- ja kunnossapitoyrityksiss��. Energiaohjelman pohjalla on EU:n halu jalkauttaa energia- ja ilmastotavoitteensa pieniin ja keskisuuriin yrityksiin. Ohjelma on muodostettu yritysryhm��n mielipiteet ja tarpeet, sek�� Etel��-Karjalan alueen ominaispiirteet huomioon ottaen. Energiaohjelmaa muodostettaessa perehdyttiin sek�� EU:n ett�� Suomen energiapolitiikkaan ja Etel��-Karjalan alueellisiin ominaisuuksiin ja energiantuotantotapoihin. Lis��ksi yrityksi�� haastateltiin energia-asioista ja niihin liittyvist�� asenteista sek�� perehdyttiin yritysten energiatehokkuuteen. Haastattelujen ja alueellisen energiarakenteen pohjalta p����dyttiin muodostamaan energiaohjelma energiatehokkuuteen painottuen, koska alueen uusiutuvia luonnonvaroja on jo hy��dynnetty melko tehokkaasti. Energiaohjelmaa testattiin pilottiprojektissa, joka toteutettiin ty��ss�� teoreettisena laskentana. Pilottiprojektin laskennasta saatiin lupaavia tuloksia. Laskennassa k��ytett��vist�� arvoista suurin osa saatiin pilottiprojektin yritykselt�� tai muista l��hteist��, mutta osa arvioitiin itse. Pilottiprojektista saatujen tietojen perusteella voidaan energiaohjelman v��itt���� toimivan ainakin tarkastelussa mukana olleessa yritysryhm��ss�� Etel��-Karjalan alueella. Energiaohjelma voi edist���� yritysryhm��n energiatehokkuutta vain jos se otetaan yrityksiss�� k��ytt����n. Ohjelmaa on mahdollista kehitt���� lis���� muun muassa yksinkertaistamalla laskentaa. Jatkokehittelyll�� on mahdollista luoda EU:n alueelle sopiva energiantehokkuustarkasteluun k��ytett��v�� ohjelma.

Venture capital investment on SME

This thesis studies venture capital investment on small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). The specific objective of the study is to test whether venture capitalists have a positive effect on SMEs. In addition effect of several other factors is studied in financial crisis. Used determinants are formulated based on three capital structure theories. The pecking order theory concerns favoring on financing source over another. The agency theory and the tradeoff theory concentrate on the search of optimal capital structure. The data of this study consist of financial statement data and results of corporate questionnaire. Regression analysis was used to find out the effects of several determinants. Regression models were formed based on the presented theories. SMEs with and without venture capitalists were considered separately. It was found that venture capitalists have a positive effect on SMEs. Although some results between SMEs with and without venture capitalists were mixed.

Energia- ja ilmastotoimenpiteiden k��ynnist��minen pk-yrityksiss��

T��m��n diplomity��n tarkoituksena oli kehitt���� toimintamalli pk-yritysten energia- ja ilmastotoimenpiteiden k��ynnist��miseksi HINKU-kunnissa. Esimerkkiyrityksen�� ty��ss�� toimi Tehomet Oy:n Parikkalan tehdas. Ty��ss�� tutustuttiin ensimm��isen�� erilaisiin jo olemassa oleviin toimintamalleihin, hiilijalanj��ljen laskentastandardeihin sek�� erilaisiin mahdollisuuksiin hiilineutraaliuden saavuttamiseksi. Lis��ksi Tehomet Oy:n Parikkalan tehtaalta ker��ttiin tarvittavaa tietoa yrityksen ja tuotteen hiilijalanj��lkien laskentaa varten. Ker��tyn tiedon ja jo olemassa olevien standardien ja toimintamallien pohjalta kehitettiin toimintamalli, johon sis��ltyy laskentataulukko, jonka avulla yritykset voivat laskea hiilijalanj��lkens�� ja tunnistaa kasvihuonekaasup����st��jen merkitt��vyyden liiketoimintansa kehitt��misen n��k��kulmasta. Tehomet Oy:n valmistaman puupylv����n hiilijalanj��lki pieneni merkitt��v��sti, kun laskennassa huomioitiin hiilen sitoutuminen tuotteeseen sek�� tuotteen k��yt��st�� poisto. Parikkalan tehtaan tapauksessa suurin yksitt��inen kasvihuonekaasujen p����st��l��hde on s��hk��nkulutus. Energiankulutuksen kannalta merkitt��vin s����st��kohde olisi mit�� todenn��k��isimmin teholtaan liian suuresta kompressorista luopuminen. Kasvihuonekaasup����st��jen hiilineutraaliksi saattamiseksi mahdolliset toimenpiteet olisivat t��ss�� tapauksessa hiilivapaan s��hk��n ostaminen tai p����st��jen kompensoiminen ostamalla p����st��oikeuksia. Toimintamallin todellinen toimivuus n��hd����n tulevaisuudessa, kun sit�� p����st����n testaamaan laajemmalti eri aloilla toimiviin yrityksiin.

Genetic structure and diversity of Copaifera langsdorffii Desf. in Cerrado fragments of the S��o Paulo State, Brazil

The loss of large areas of Cerrado (Brazilian savanna) in Brazil can lead to reduced biodiversity and to the extinction of species. Therefore, the present study aimed to investigate the genetic fragility of populations of Copaifera langsdorffii Desf exposed to different anthropic conditions in fragments of Cerrado in the state of S��o Paulo. The study was carried out in two Experimental Stations operated by the Forest Institute (Assis and Itirapina), in one fully protected conservation unit (Pedregulho) and in one private property (Brotas). Analyses were conducted using leaf samples from 353 adult specimens and eight pairs of microsatellite loci. The number of alleles per locus ranged from 13 to 15 in all populations, but the mean number of effective alleles was approximately half this value (7.2 to 9-1). Observed heterozygosity was significant and lower than the expected in all populations. Consequently, all populations deviated from Hardy-Weinberg expected frequencies. Fixation indexes were significant for all populations, with the Pedregulho population having the lowest value (0.189) and Itirapina having the highest (0.283). The analysis of spatial genetic structure detected family structures at distance classes of 20 to 65 m in the populations studied. No clones were detected in the populations. Estimates of effective population size were low, but the area occupied by each population studied was large enough for conservation, medium and long term. Recent reductions or bottlenecks were detected in all four populations. Mean Gst’ (genetic divergence) indicated that most of the variation was within populations. Cluster structure analysis based on the genotypes detected K= 4 clusters with distinct allele frequencies patterns. The genetic differentiation observed among populations is consistent with the hypothesis of genetic and geographic isolation. Therefore, it is essential to adopt conservation strategies that raise the gene flow between fragments.

Investointilaskelmien merkitys pieniss�� ja keskisuurissa yrityksiss�� -tapaustutkimus

Tutkimuksen tavoitteena oli selvitt����, mik�� merkitys investointilaskelmilla on kohdeyrityksen investointip����t��ksen teossa ja miten ep��varmuus investointilaskelmissa voidaan ottaa huomioon. Tutkimus perustuu kvalitatiivisiin eli laadullisiin tutkimusmenetelmiin. Tutkimuksen teoreettinen viitekehys k��sittelee investointilaskelmien tuottamaa informaatiota ja mill�� perusteella yritykset valitsevat investointilaskentamenetelm��n yritykseen. Empiirisen osuuden tiedonhankinnassa hy��dynnettiin tapaustutkimusta. Tutkimus osoitti, ett�� kohdeyrityksess�� koetaan t��rke��ksi analysoida investointihankkeita eri arviointimenetelmill��. Yrityksell�� on halu kehitt���� investointilaskentaa perinteisen takaisinmaksuajan menetelm��n rinnalle. My��s herkkyysanalyysin merkitys nousi esille.

Taxonomy, species richness and biogeography of Finnish crane flies (Diptera, Tipuloidea).

Biodiversity is unequally spread throughout terrestrial ecosystems. The highest species richness of animals and plants is encountered around the Equator, and naturalists observe a decrease in the number of creatures with increasing latitude. Some animal groups, however, display an anomalous species richness pattern, but these are exceptions to the general rule. Crane flies (Diptera, Tipuloidea) are small to large sized, non-biting nematoceran insects, being mainly associated with moist environments. The species richness of crane flies is highest in the tropics, but these insects are species rich and abundant in all biogeographic realms, boreal and arctic biomes included. The phylogeny and systematics of crane flies are still at an early stage and somewhat controversial. New species are constantly discovered even from temperate Europe, faunistically the best known continent. Crane flies have been rather neglected group of insects in Finland. The history of Finnish crane fly taxonomy and faunistics started in 1907, the year when Carl Lundstr��m published his two first articles on tipuloids. Within roughly 100 years there have been only a handful of entomologists studying the Finnish fauna, and the species richness and natural history of these flies have remained poorly understood and mapped. The aim of this thesis is to clarify the taxonomy of Finnish crane flies, present an updated and annotated list of species and seek patterns in regional species richness and assemblage composition. Tipula stackelbergi Alexander has been revised (I). This species was elevated to a species rank from a subspecific rank under T. pruinosa Wiedemann and T. stackelbergi was also deleted from the list of European crane flies. Two new synonyms were found: T. subpruinosa Mannheims is a junior synonym of T. freyana Lackschewitz and T. usuriensis Alexander is a junior synonym of T. pruinosa. A new species Tipula recondita Pilipenko & Salmela has been described (II). Both morphology and COI (mtDNA) sequences were used in the assessment of the status of the species. The new species is highly disjunct, known from Finland and Russian Far East. A list of Finnish crane flies was presented, including the presence of species in the Finnish biogeographical provinces (III). A total of twenty-four species were formally reported for the first time from Finland and twenty-two previously reported species were deleted from the list. A short historical review on the studies of Finnish crane flies has been provided. The current list of Finnish species consists of 338 crane flies (IV, Appendix I). Species richness of all species and saproxylic/fungivorous species is negatively correlated with latitude, but mire-dwelling species show a reversed species richness gradient (i.e. an increase in the number of species toward north). Provincial assemblages displayed a strong latitudinal gradient and faunistic distance increased with increasing geographical distance apart of the provinces. Nearly half (48 %) of the Finnish crane flies are Trans-Palaearctic, roughly one-third (34 %) are West Palaearctic and only 16 and 2 % are Holarctic and Fennoscandian, respectively. Due to the legacy of Pleistocene glaciations, endemic Fennoscandian species are problematic and it is thus concluded that there are probably no true endemic crane flies in this region. Finally, there are probably species living within Finnish borders that have hitherto remained unnoticed. Based on subjective assessment, the number of ���true��� (i.e. recorded + unknown species) species count of Finnish crane flies is at minimum 350.

Strategic Innovation Management Based on Three Dimensions

This thesis examines innovation development needs of firms in a remote rural region. The perspective of the study is in strategic innovation management and three dimensions of innovation development: innovation environment, value delivery and innovation capability. The framework is studied with a theoretical and methodological approach in the context of the development of a regional innovation system and the defining of innovation development needs. The thesis is based on existing innovation management literature, expanding it by examining the features of the three dimensions. The empirical data of the study comprise 50 purposefully selected firms within the region of Pielinen Karelia located in Eastern Finland. Most of the firms (70%) included in the study represent manufacturing firms, and over 90% are small and medium-sized enterprises. The research data consist of two questionnaires and an interview, which were done during 2011 in the connection of a regional development project. The point of view of the research is in regional development and harnessing the innovation capability of the firms within the region. The principal research approach applies soft systems methodology. The study explores the means to foster the innovativeness of firms from the viewpoints of innovation environment, innovation capability and value delivery. In closer detail, the study examines relations between the innovation capability factors, differences in innovation development needs within the value delivery system, between sectors and between firm size categories. The thesis offers three major contributions. First, the study extends earlier research on strategic innovation management by connecting the frameworks of innovation capability, innovation environment and value delivery process to the defining of innovation development needs at the regional level. The results deepen knowledge especially concerning practice-based innovation, peripheral regions and smaller firms. Second, the empirical work, based on a case study, confirms the existence of a structural connection integrating five factors of innovation capability. Statistical evidence is provided especially for the positive impacts of the improvement of absorption capability, marketing capability and networking capability, which are the main weaknesses of firms according to the study. Third, the research provides a methodological contribution by applying the innovation matrix in the defining of the innovation development needs of firms. The study demonstrates how the matrix improves possibility to target policy instruments and innovation services more efficiently through indicating significant differences between the innovation support needs regarding various time horizons and phases of innovation process.

Quality, Productivity and Economy in Welding Manufacturing - Case Study: West Africa

This thesis studies quality, productivity and economy in welding manufacturing in West African states such as Ghana, Nigeria and Cameroon. The study consists of two parts: the first part, which forms the theoretical background, reviews relevant literature concerning the metal and welding industries, and measurement of welding quality, productivity and economy. The second part, which is the empirical part, aims to identify activities in the metal manufacturing industries where welding is extensively used and to determine the extent of welding quality, productivity and economy measurements in companies operating in the metal manufacturing industries. Additionally, the thesis aims to identify challenges that companies face and to assess the feasibility of creating a network to address these issues. The research methods used in the empirical part are the case study (qualitative) method and the survey (quantitative) method. However, the case study method was used to elicit information from companies in Ghana, while the survey method was used to elicit information from companies in Nigeria and Cameroon. The study considers important areas that contribute to creating awareness and understanding of the current situation of the welding industry in West Africa. These areas include the metal manufacturing industrial sector, metal products manufactured, metal production and manufacturing systems deployed, welding quality, productivity and economy measurement systems utilized, equipment and materials on the markets, general challenges facing companies in welding operations, welding technology programs and research in local universities, and SWOT analysis of the various West African states. The notable findings indicate that majority of the companies operate in the constructionindustrial sector. Also, majority of the companies are project manufacturing oriented, thus provide services to customers operating in the growing industries such as the oil and gas, mining, food and the energy industry. In addition, only few companies are certified under standards such as ISO 9001, ISO 3834, and OHSAS 18001. More so, majority of the companies employ manual welding technique, and shielded metal arc welding (SMAW) as the commonly used welding process. Finally, welder salary is about ��� 300 / month as of June 2013 and the average operations turnover of medium to large companies is about ��� 5 million / year as at 2012. Based on analysis of the results of the study, it is noted that while welding activities are growing, the availability of cheap labor, the need for company and welder qualification and certification, and the need to manufacture innovative products through developmental projects (transfer of welding expertise and technology) remain as untapped opportunities in the welding industry in the West African states. The study serves as a solid platform for further research and concludes with several recommendations for development of the West African welding industry.

Kuljetustensuunnittelu- ja reitinoptimointiohjelmiston kaupallistamiseen vaikuttavat keskeiset ominaisuudet

Ajoneuvojen reitityst�� on tutkittu 1950-luvulta asti, alunperin etsiess�� polttoainekuljetuksille optimaalisinta reitti�� varastolta useille palveluasemille. Siit�� l��htien ajoneuvon reititysteht��vi�� on tutkittu akateemisesti ja niist�� on muodostettu kymmeni�� erilaisia variaatioita. Teht��vien ratkaisumenetelm��t jaetaan tyypillisesti tarkkoihin menetelmiin sek�� heuristiikkoihin ja metaheuristiikkoihin. Konetehon ja heuristiikoissa k��ytett��vien algoritmien kehittymisen my��t�� reitinoptimointia on alettu tarjota kaupallisesti. CO-SKY-projektin tavoitteena on kaupallistaa web-pohjainen tai toiminnanohjausj��rjestelm����n integroitava ajoneuvon reititys. Diplomity��ss�� tutkitaan kuljetustensuunnittelu- ja reitinoptimointiohjelmistojen kaupallistamiseen vaikuttavia keskeisi�� ominaisuuksia. Ominaisuuksia on tarkasteltu: 1) erityisesti pk-kuljetusyritysten tarpeiden ja vaatimusten pohjalta, ja 2) markkinoilla olevien ohjelmistojen tarjontaa arvioiden. N��iden pohjalta on my��s pyritty arvioimaan kysynn��n ja tarjonnan kohtaamista. Pilottiasiakkaita haastattelemalla ohjelmistolle on kyetty asettamaan vaatimuksia, mutta samalla on kuultu k��ytt��jien mielipiteit�� optimoinnista. Lukuisia logistiikkaohjelmistojen tarjoajia on haastateltu logistiikkamessuilla sek�� Suomessa ett�� Saksassa. Haastattelujen perusteella on saatu k��sitys kyseisist�� ohjelmista sek�� optimoinnin tarjonnasta ett�� kysynn��st��. Akateeminen tutkimus aiheesta on laajaa, koskien niin teknist�� toteutusta kuin my��s (kysely-)tutkimuksia tarjolla olevien ohjelmistojen ominaisuuksista ja laadusta. Kuljetusyritysten tarpeissa on vaihtelua yritys- ja alakohtaisesti. Perusongelmat ovat samoja, joita reitinoptimoinnin akateemisessa tutkimuksessa k��sitell����n ja joita kaupalliset ohjelmistot pystyv��t ratkaisemaan. Vaikka reitinoptimoinnilla saatavat hy��dyt ovat mitattavissa, suunnittelu etenkin pk-yrityksiss�� tehd����n p����osin yh�� k��sin. Messuhaastattelujen ja loppuk��ytt��jien mielipiteiden perusteella voidaan todeta kaupallisten ratkaisujen olevan suunniteltu isommille kuljetusyrityksille: tyypillisen it-projektin hinta, k��ytt����nottoaika ja asennus sek�� ratkaisun takaisinmaksuaika vaikuttavat pk-yritysten hankintap����t��kseen. Kaupallistamiseen liittyen haasteet liittyv��t erityisesti segmentointiin ja markkinointiin asiakasarvon todentamisen ja sen v��litt��misen kautta.