Mitigating uncertainty in logistics outsourcing with ERP systems

Outsourcing is a common strategy for companies looking for cost savings and improvements in performance. This has been especially prevalent in logistics, where warehousing and transporting are typical targets for outsourcing. However, while the benefits from logistics outsourcing are clear on paper, there are several cases companies fail to reach these benefits. The most commonly cited reasons for this are poor information flow between the company and the third party logistics partner, and a lack of integration between the two partners. Uncertainty stems from lack of information, and it can cripple the whole outsourcing operation. This is where enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems step in, as they can have a significant role in improving the flow of information, and integration, which consequently mitigates uncertainty. The purpose of the study is to examine if ERP systems have an effect on a company's decision to outsource logistics operations. Along the rapid advancements in technology during the past decades, ERP systems have also evolved. Therefore, empirical research on the subject needs constant revision as it can quickly become outdated due to ERP systems having more advanced capabilities every year. The research was conducted using a qualitative single-case study of a Finnish manufacturing firm that had outsourced warehousing and transportation operations in the Swedish market. The empirical data was gathered with use of semi-structured interviews with three employees from the case company that were closely related to the outsourcing operation. The theoretical framework that was used to analyze the empirical data was based on Transaction Cost Economics theory. The results of the study were align with the theoretical framework, in that the ERP system of the case company was seen as an enabler for their logistics outsourcing operation. However, the full theoretical benefits from ERP systems concerning extended enterprise functionality and flexibility were not attained due to the case company having an older version of their ERP system. This emphasizes the importance of having up-to-date technology if you want to overcome the shortcomings of ERP systems in outsourcing situations.

Value of Information Logistics Integration in Digital Business Ecosystem

Digital business ecosystems (DBE) are becoming an increasingly popular concept for modelling and building distributed systems in heterogeneous, decentralized and open environments. Information- and communication technology (ICT) enabled business solutions have created an opportunity for automated business relations and transactions. The deployment of ICT in business-to-business (B2B) integration seeks to improve competitiveness by establishing real-time information and offering better information visibility to business ecosystem actors. The products, components and raw material flows in supply chains are traditionally studied in logistics research. In this study, we expand the research to cover the processes parallel to the service and information flows as information logistics integration. In this thesis, we show how better integration and automation of information flows enhance the speed of processes and, thus, provide cost savings and other benefits for organizations. Investments in DBE are intended to add value through business automation and are key decisions in building up information logistics integration. Business solutions that build on automation are important sources of value in networks that promote and support business relations and transactions. Value is created through improved productivity and effectiveness when new, more efficient collaboration methods are discovered and integrated into DBE. Organizations, business networks and collaborations, even with competitors, form DBE in which information logistics integration has a significant role as a value driver. However, traditional economic and computing theories do not focus on digital business ecosystems as a separate form of organization, and they do not provide conceptual frameworks that can be used to explore digital business ecosystems as value drivers—combined internal management and external coordination mechanisms for information logistics integration are not the current practice of a company’s strategic process. In this thesis, we have developed and tested a framework to explore the digital business ecosystems developed and a coordination model for digital business ecosystem integration; moreover, we have analysed the value of information logistics integration. The research is based on a case study and on mixed methods, in which we use the Delphi method and Internetbased tools for idea generation and development. We conducted many interviews with key experts, which we recoded, transcribed and coded to find success factors. Qualitative analyses were based on a Monte Carlo simulation, which sought cost savings, and Real Option Valuation, which sought an optimal investment program for the ecosystem level. This study provides valuable knowledge regarding information logistics integration by utilizing a suitable business process information model for collaboration. An information model is based on the business process scenarios and on detailed transactions for the mapping and automation of product, service and information flows. The research results illustrate the current cap of understanding information logistics integration in a digital business ecosystem. Based on success factors, we were able to illustrate how specific coordination mechanisms related to network management and orchestration could be designed. We also pointed out the potential of information logistics integration in value creation. With the help of global standardization experts, we utilized the design of the core information model for B2B integration. We built this quantitative analysis by using the Monte Carlo-based simulation model and the Real Option Value model. This research covers relevant new research disciplines, such as information logistics integration and digital business ecosystems, in which the current literature needs to be improved. This research was executed by high-level experts and managers responsible for global business network B2B integration. However, the research was dominated by one industry domain, and therefore a more comprehensive exploration should be undertaken to cover a larger population of business sectors. Based on this research, the new quantitative survey could provide new possibilities to examine information logistics integration in digital business ecosystems. The value activities indicate that further studies should continue, especially with regard to the collaboration issues on integration, focusing on a user-centric approach. We should better understand how real-time information supports customer value creation by imbedding the information into the lifetime value of products and services. The aim of this research was to build competitive advantage through B2B integration to support a real-time economy. For practitioners, this research created several tools and concepts to improve value activities, information logistics integration design and management and orchestration models. Based on the results, the companies were able to better understand the formulation of the digital business ecosystem and the importance of joint efforts in collaboration. However, the challenge of incorporating this new knowledge into strategic processes in a multi-stakeholder environment remains. This challenge has been noted, and new projects have been established in pursuit of a real-time economy.

Tuotannon make or buy– päätöksentekoprosessi kansainvälisessä teknologiayrityksessä Case: Yritys X

Tutkimuksen tarkoituksena tutkia millaisia make or buy- työkaluja on olemassa ja millaiset teoriat vaikuttavat make or buy- päätösten taustalla. Tutkimuksessa tutkittiin myös miten nämä ilmiöt ja mallit vaikuttavat ja toteutuvat käytännössä teknologia-alalla

Craft distillery internationalization - Case: Kyrö Distillery Company

The purpose of this thesis is to identify attractive foreign markets for Kyrö Distillery Company. A small company with limited resources, it needs to make the right choices in their internationalization process to be able to succeed. Market research is needed. The amassed theory at the beginning gives insight and a general framework that we follow later in the empirical part; should they go abroad, where should the go and how are answered. After analyzing the company, the industry and all the necessary forces affecting the environment it was evident that they are ready to start their internationalization process and that the time is opportune. They have a quality brand that will not shy away even under closer inspection and their biggest impediment is access to distribution channels. After concluding that the company is fit to enter foreign markets a system of ranking countries in our target region was formed. Market data was painstakingly collected and analyzed resulting in an a priori list of attractive foreign market options to aid in the company's decision making. Finally we concluded that according to the transaction cost theory, it is beneficial for Kyrö Distillery Company to engage in partnerships, where local companies handle logistics and sales on their behalf.

The role of import intermediary companies in the Russian imports from the EU A case study of a Russian industrial company’s point of view on import intermediaries

The literature on agency suggests different implications for the use of export intermediaries. However, only few studies provide a view on import intermediaries. This thesis tries for its part to fill this research gap by studying the import intermediaries in the EU–Russia trade from a Russian industrial company’s point of view. The aim is to describe import intermediation and explain the need for import intermediary companies in the EU–Russia trade. The theoretical framework of this thesis originates from an article by Peng and York (2001), in which they study the performance of export intermediaries. This thesis applies resource-based theory, transaction cost theory and agency cost theory, following the idea of Peng and York. The resource-based theory approach is utilised for describing an ideal import intermediary company, and transaction cost theory provides a basis for understanding the benefits of using the services of import intermediary companies, while agency cost theory is applied in order to understand the risks the Russian industrial company faces when it decides to use the services of import intermediaries. The study is performed in the form of a case interview with a representative of a major Russian metallurgy company. The results of the study suggest that an ideal intermediary has the skills required specifically for the imports process, in order to save time and money of the principal company. The intermediary company helps reducing the amount of time the managers and the staff of the principal company use to make imports possible, thus reducing the salary costs and providing the possibility to concentrate on the company’s core competencies. The benefits of using the services of import intermediary companies are the reduced transaction costs, especially salary costs that are minimised because of the effectiveness and specialisation of import intermediaries. Intermediaries are specialised in the imports process and thus need less time and resources to organise the imports. They also help to reduce the fixed salary costs, because their services can be used only when needed. The risks of being misled by intermediaries are minimised by the competition on the import intermediary market. In case an intermediary attempts fraud, it gets replaced by its rival.

Internationalization of a Finnish accounting firm to Russian markets

Despite the unstable situation at the moment in Russia, the Russian market and St. Petersburg have been a very attractive from the point of view of Finnish companies. The objective of this research was to define how a Finnish accounting firm should perform its market entry to Russian markets as a part of its internationalization process. In addition, the special characteristics that support the internationalization to Russia were examined together with the implications from the behavior of potential customers at the market. The actual market entry mode was developed based on the theories of Uppsala model, transaction cost economics and the network approach. Additional emphasis was given for the service point of view. The primary data in this research was collected through semi-structured interviews with professionals from the Russian market. The results of this research show that there exists potential especially at the accounting markets in Russia. However, the current unstable situation and sanctions in Russia have led to situation where the price-sensitivity among customers is high, and costs savings are searched from multiple processes in organizations. Therefore, the accounting company should perform its market entry in small incremental steps to decrease the risks involved, and to gain specific market knowledge before committing more resources into Russian markets. A simplified process was developed to evaluate the suitable market entry mode. As a result, the level of commitment and market knowledge affect the final entry model of the firm, as well as defined goals for the particular market.

Energiatoimialan allianssien kehitys Euroopassa vuosina 1990-2009

Tämän kandidaatintutkielman aiheena on selvittää ja analysoida energiatoimialan allianssien kehitystä Euroopassa vuosien 1990–2009 aikana. Euroopan energia- ja sähkömarkkinat muuttuivat 1980-luvun lopulla, jolloin kansallisia monopoleja puret-tiin ja energia- ja sähkötoimialalle haluttiin luoda kilpailulliset markkinat. Tarkoituksena on tutkia, onko energiatoimialalla muodostettu alliansseja noususuhdanteisesti vuosien 1990–2009 aikana. Tutkimusaineiston avulla on pyritty selvittämään, millaisia alliansseja energiatoimialalla on solmittu, mitkä motiivit ovat vaikuttaneet allianssin muodostamiseen, mitkä kriteerit ovat vaikuttaneet allianssipartnerin valintaan ja mihin toimialaan allianssipartnerit kuuluvat. Tässä tutkimuksessa allianssit on rajattu koskemaan yhteisyrityksiä ja strategisia alliansseja. Motiiveja allianssien muodostamiseen on käsitelty kolmen eri teorian pohjalta, jotka ovat resurssiperusteinen teoria, transaktiokustannusteoria ja strategisten ja sosiaalisten aspektien teoria. Allianssikumppanin valintaan vaikuttavia tekijöitä on käsitelty tehtävä- ja partnerisuuntautuneita kriteereitä koskevan teorian pohjalta. Tutkimuksen empiirisessä osassa on käytetty SDC Platinum-tietokantaa, josta on saatu kaikki Euroopassa muodostetut energia-alan allianssit vuosina 1990–2009. SDC Platinum-tietokannasta saatavaa aineistoa on kuvailtu ja analysoitu laadullisin menetelmin.

The role of import intermediary companies in the Russian imports from the EU A case study of a Russian industrial company’s point of view on import intermediaries

The literature on agency suggests different implications for the use of export intermediaries. However, only few studies provide a view on import intermediaries. This thesis tries for its part to fill this research gap by studying the import intermediaries in the EU–Russia trade from a Russian industrial company’s point of view. The aim is to describe import intermediation and explain the need for import intermediary companies in the EU–Russia trade. The theoretical framework of this thesis originates from an article by Peng and York (2001), in which they study the performance of export intermediaries. This thesis applies resource-based theory, transaction cost theory and agency cost theory, following the idea of Peng and York. The resource-based theory approach is utilised for describing an ideal import intermediary company, and transaction cost theory provides a basis for understanding the benefits of using the services of import intermediary companies, while agency cost theory is applied in order to understand the risks the Russian industrial company faces when it decides to use the services of import intermediaries. The study is performed in the form of a case interview with a representative of a major Russian metallurgy company. The results of the study suggest that an ideal intermediary has the skills required specifically for the imports process, in order to save time and money of the principal company. The intermediary company helps reducing the amount of time the managers and the staff of the principal company use to make imports possible, thus reducing the salary costs and providing the possibility to concentrate on the company’s core competencies. The benefits of using the services of import intermediary companies are the reduced transaction costs, especially salary costs that are minimised because of the effectiveness and specialisation of import intermediaries. Intermediaries are specialised in the imports process and thus need less time and resources to organise the imports. They also help to reduce the fixed salary costs, because their services can be used only when needed. The risks of being misled by intermediaries are minimised by the competition on the import intermediary market. In case an intermediary attempts fraud, it gets replaced by its rival.

Yllättävä ja ankara ehto verkossa tehtävässä vakiosopimuksessa

Tässä työssä tutkitaan verkossa tehtävän vakiosopimuksen ehtoja sopimuksen ollessa elinkeinonharjoittajien välinen. Kun sopimuksen on laatinut neuvotteluasemaltaan vahvempi osapuoli, ei toisella osapuolella ole muuta mahdollisuutta kuin hyväksyä tai hylätä sopimus. Tällainen sopimus on nimeltään liittymissopimus. Epätasaisen neuvotteluvoiman johdosta vahvempi osapuoli voi sopimuksen ehtoja laatiessaan pyrkiä puoltamaan omaa etuaan. Tämä voi johtaa tilanteeseen, jossa sopimuksen ehtoihin sisältyy yllättäviä ja ankaria ehtoja. Tarkoituksena on selvittää oikeuskirjallisuuden perusteella millaiset ehdot voivat olla lähtökohtaisesti yllättäviä ja ankaria. Jotta tällaiset ehdot tulisivat sitovasti sopimuksen osaksi, niitä tulee korostaa. Empiirisen tutkimuksen avulla halutaan selvittää miten edellä mainittujen ehtojen korostaminen onnistuu mobiilisovelluskehittäjien jakelusopimuksissa. Verkossa toteutettu kyselytutkimus suunnattiin suomalaisille mobiilisovelluskehittäjille. Tutkimuksen mukaan on selvää, ettei suurin ongelma ole sopimusehdoissa, vaan suurin ongelma on sopimuksen lukemisen transaktiokustannus. Tämän seurauksena liityntäsopimuksen hyväksyjät ovat tietämättömiä sopimuksen solmimisen seurauksena heihin kohdistuneista vastuista ja velvoitteista. Koska sovelluskehittäjät näkevät itsensä jo lähtökohtaisesti sopimuksen osapuolina ilman neuvotteluvoimaa, eivät he koe hyötyvänsä sopimuksen lukemisesta. Johtopäätöksenä todetaan, että tiedon epäsymmetrisyyteen tulisi vaikuttaa. Järjestäytymällä sovelluskehittäjien olisi mahdollista kasvattaa neuvotteluvoimaa, mutta myös lisätä tietoisuuttaan sopimusehtojen sisällöstä. Sopimusehtoihin vaikuttaminen ei ole mahdollista tällä hetkellä ennen kuin useammat sopimuksen hyväksyjät lukevat sopimuksen.

Kasvustrategia it-alan pk-yritykselle

Pienille ja keskisuurille yrityksille eli pk-yrityksille on olemassa useita kasvustrategioita. Nämä kasvustrategiat tähtäävät joko liiketoiminnan laajentamiseen, nykyisten resurssien hyödyntämiseen, uusien resurssien luotaamiseen tai liiketoiminnan supistamiseen. Valitsemaansa kasvustrategiaa noudattamalla yritys pyrkii pääsemään kasvutavoitteisiinsa. Tämän tutkimuksen tavoitteena on tieteellisen kirjallisuuden pohjalta arvioida kasvustrategioita ja valita niistä pienelle it-alalla toimivalle case-yritykselle sopivin. Sopivimmaksi havaitun kasvustrategian pohjalta case-yritykselle laaditaan räätälöity kasvustrategia. Kasvustrategian laatimiseen käytetään tieteellisen kirjallisuuden lisäksi empiirisenä menetelmänä tapaustutkimusta. Tapaustutkimus tehdään teemahaastatteluina kymmenelle yritykselle, joilla on liike-elämästä saatuja kokemuksia case-yritykselle valitusta kasvustrategiasta. Tutkimuksen tuloksena case-yritykselle sopivin kasvustrategia on verkostokasvustrategia. Verkostokasvustrategiaa noudattamalla case-yritys keskittyy omaan ydinosaamiseensa ja sen kehittämiseen ja hankkii tarvitsemansa muun osaamisen verkostokumppaneilta. Verkostoitumisen hyötyinä case-yritykselle on muun muassa pieni omien työntekijöiden tarve, tietotaidon saaminen, kilpailukyvyn paraneminen, markkinoinnin tehostuminen ja uusille markkinoille pääsyn helpottuminen. Verkostoitumisen haasteina case-yritykselle on sen sijaan muun muassa pienen yrityksen uskottavuusongelma, sopivien verkostokumppaneiden löytäminen ja epäluotettavat verkostokumppanit. Tutkimuksen johtopäätöksenä verkostoitumisesta saatavien hyötyjen nähdään kuitenkin olevan riskejä suuremmat case-yritykselle.

Vertikale Integrationsstrukturen kommunaler Verkehrsunternehmen : eine transaktionskostentheoretische Evaluation

Der Markt für öffentlichen Personennahverkehr (ÖPNV) wird liberalisiert, in die gewachsenen Monopolstrukturen werden Marktmechanismen implementiert. Ziel der neuen ordnungspolitischen Rahmenbedingungen ist die Steigerung der Effizienz des defizitären Verkehrsbereichs, der von kommunalen Verkehrsunternehmen dominiert wird. Diese erbringen als Quasi-Monopolisten traditionell die Verkehrsdurchführung, regelmäßig anfallende Defizite werden von der öffentlichen Hand ausgeglichen. Bedingt durch ihre Leistungsstrukturen sind kommunale Verkehrsunternehmen in einem Wettbewerbsmarkt kaum konkurrenzfähig. Charakteristisch für diesen Unternehmenstyp ist der hohe Grad an vertikal integrierten Wertschöpfungsstufen. Im Gegensatz zu anderen Branchen erbringen kommunale Verkehrsunternehmen die wesentlichen Teile der gesamten ÖPNV-Wertschöpfungskette innerhalb der eigenen Unternehmensgrenzen. An dem hohen vertikalen Integrationsgrad setzt die Untersuchung an. Mit dem von Williamson entwickelten Instrumentarium der Transaktionskostentheorie werden die Leistungsbereiche einer transaktionskostentheoretischen Bewertung unterzogen. Als Alternativen zum institutionellen Arrangement der vertikalen Integration – das als Hierarchie bezeichnet wird – stehen die Arrangements Kooperation und Markt zur Verfügung. Die Bewertung zeigt, welche Leistungsbereiche unter transaktionskostentheoretischen Gesichtspunkten hierarchisch institutionalisiert werden sollten und welche alternativ erbracht werden können. Aus den Ergebnissen werden Strategieempfehlungen abgeleitet, die als Arbeitshypothesen einer anschließenden empirischen Überprüfung unterzogen werden. Die befragten ÖPNV-Experten bewerten somit die Marktfähigkeit der Strategieempfehlungen. Die Untersuchungsergebnisse werden für die Erarbeitung eines alternativen Koordinierungsarrangements für kommunale Verkehrsunternehmen herangezogen. Das Modell basiert auf der Grundlage Strategischer Netzwerke. Kommunale Verkehrsunternehmen nehmen in dem Modell die Rolle des Nukleus ein, der eine Vielzahl von Netzwerkpartnern steuert und für die Erbringung der ÖPNV-Leistungen mit diesen kooperiert.

Uso de modelos econométricos en aseguramiento de portafolios

El aseguramiento de portafolio trae consigo unos costos de transacción asociados que son reconocidos por la teoría financiera pero que no han sido objeto de estudio de muchas aproximaciones empíricas. Mediante modelos econométricos de series de tiempo se puede pronosticar el número de rebalanceos necesarios para mantener un portafolio asegurado, así como el tiempo que debe transcurrir entre cada uno de estos. Para tal fin se usan modelos de Datos de Cuenta de Poisson Autorregresivos (ACP) modificados para captar las características de la serie y modelos de Duración Autorregresivos (ACD). Los modelos capturan la autocorrelación de las series y pronostican adecuadamente el costo de transacción asociado a los rebalanceos.

Internacionalización y perdurabilidad de Cemex Colombia

Los estudios de internacionalización y la perdurabilidad de las organizaciones en el mundo, han tenido grandes desarrollos en la Administración y con esto, se han podido observar e identificar pasos en las estrategias de dichas empresas, para ser estudiadas y establecer modelos que contribuyan al desarrollo de muchas otras. En el siguiente trabajo se busca identificar cuáles fueron las estrategias de la multinacional mexicana CEMEX para incursionar en el mercado colombiano, ser perdurable por más de 10 años y ser una de las empresas líderes del mercado cementero desde que llegó al país. También, este estudio identifica las estrategias de CEMEX de dichas líneas de investigación, para tener una claridad y poder establecer una guía para otras empresas, que tengan como intención, entrar en el mercado colombiano o quieran ser perdurables en el mismo. En resultado, se identificará a CEMEX como modelo de estrategia en Colombia y qué se puede aprender de este.

Análisis de los procesos de internacionalización en el sector petrolero : Ecopetrol, Petrobras Y Exxonmobil

El presente trabajo se centra en el fenómeno de la internacionalización dentro del sector petrolero. Para esto, se escogió a tres empresas: Ecopetrol, por ser la empresa colombiana más grande; Petrobras, el mayor representante de Latinoamérica; y Exxon Mobil, un gigante del petróleo a nivel mundial. Estas empresas, que se encuentran en diferentes etapas dentro de su proceso de la internacionalización, muestran comportamientos estratégicos similares. Son precisamente estas similitudes las que permitieron proponer un modelo de internacionalización generalizado para las diferentes empresas que componen dicho sector económico. Para alcanzar dicho modelo, se recurrió a diferentes teorías de internacionalización desarrolladas por varias escuelas de negocios en el mundo, tales como el Modelo Ecléctico, el de Uppsala o la Teoría de Redes. Cabe destacar que dicho modelo propuesto es una aproximación teórica a la realidad empresarial de las compañías petroleras, usando como marco de referencia una muestra pequeña de este tipo de organizaciones. Dentro de este modelo, los altos matices de complejidad propios del fenómeno de la internacionalización se ven reducidos de manera considerable, como parte del ejercicio académico propuesto en el presente estudio.

La adopción de un enfoque de trabajo en red: implicaciones en torno al proceso estratégico de las organizaciones

En el mundo actual el enfoque del proceso estratégico es una variable que cada vez va tomando un mayor peso e incidencia en las decisiones de los directores de empresa, sin embargo, poco se ha estudiado sobre esta variable al ser adoptado por los nuevos modelos de cooperación empresarial en las organizaciones. Es por esta razón que esta investigación busca esclarecer la aplicabilidad de las metodologías y herramientas utilizadas en la planeación estratégica de una empresa en una red, además de servir como un primer acercamiento a los aspectos más importantes en la planeación estratégica de una red.