Mindre företag är viktiga för den samhällsekonomiska utvecklingen och för skapandet av nyaarbetstillfällen. Lån har visat sig vara en viktig finansieringskälla för dessa företag, men pågrund av informationsasymmetri och högre operationella kostnader har tillgången tillkonkurrenskraftig lånefinansiering framhållits vara problematisk. Den externa redovisningenkan användas för att minska informationsasymmetri och reducera detta problem.Redovisningskvalitet, upplevd revisionskvalitet och revisionens utfall utgör delar av denexterna redovisningen, vilka i tidigare studier visat sig påverka företags kostnad för lånatkapital. Svenska privata mindre företag är en grupp av företag som tidigare inte behandlats idetta avseende och syftet med denna studie är att undersöka hur dessa företags kostnad förlånat kapital påverkas av redovisningskvalitet, upplevd revisionskvalitet och revisionensutfall. Med hjälp av årsredovisningar från ett stickprov om 395 slumpvis utvalda företag ochen regressionsanalys besvaras studiens problemformulering. Hur påverkar den externaredovisningen svenska privata mindre företags kostnad för lånat kapital? Resultatet av dennastudie visar att redovisningskvalitet och revisionens utfall är delar av den externaredovisningen som påverkar svenska privata mindre företags kostnad för lånat kapital, medannågon påverkan inte kunde påvisas gällande den upplevda revisionskvaliteten. Svenskaprivata mindre företag med låg redovisningskvalitet har lägre kostnad för lånat kapital och enoren revisionsberättelse innebär högre kostnad. Detta ger såväl praktiska som teoretiskaimplikationer. Exempelvis tyder resultatet på att företag i viss mån kan vidta manipulerandeåtgärder som sänker redovisningskvaliteten och genom detta förfarande sänka kostnaden förlånat kapital. För långivare kan resultatet fungera som en varningssignal och belysa vikten avatt inte betrakta siffrorna i årsredovisningen som en obestridlig sanning. Teoretisk ges ettbidrag från den svenska kontexten. Resultatet i detta bidrag skiljer sig delvis från resultat itidigare studier, genomförda i andra kontexter.

It is possible for firms to survive within declining industries. However, growth through internationalization within this stage of an industry’s life-cycle has not been sufficiently explored in the past. As SMEs supposedly face many barriers during this process, the purpose of this thesis is to research the internationalization of SMEs within declining industries, with a focus on finding what is the biggest challenge to their internationalization. A multiple-case study and semi-structured interviews were used to explore internationalization in a declining industry, the watch industry. A theoretical framework was built and compared to both the primary and the secondary data collected throughout this study. The analysis shows that finding the right distributor is the biggest challenge throughout SMEs’ internationalization. It also finds trade shows related to declining industries not to be effective promotion tools for firms from this industry. Finally, this thesis finds smartwatches not to be perceived as a threat by traditional watch brands, due to the different values associated to these products.

Problem formulation: ”What significance does the real estate agents communicative skills, to gain the confidence of home sellers during the sales process?

Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to create a theoretical framework on the importance of real estate agents communication skills for home sellers confidence. The theoretical framework is expected to explain the interaction between real estate agents and home sellers to create an understanding of the real estate agents communicative skills but also home seller trust and the link between them.

Theoretical  framework: The theoretical framework aims to describe the sales process seven steps according to Moncrief & Marshall (2005). It also describes the parties that are relevant to the sales process based on our issue. Then the communicative skills and confidence sets of meaning and significance is explained. This culminates in an analysis which we assumed when we made the analysis.

Methodology: To examine our issue, we have chosen to do a qualitative study in the form of interviews. We interviewed two home sellers and two real estate agents about communication skills and confidence. We also examine these concepts using secondary data in the form of scientific articles and books.

Analysis: The analysis in this paper is divided into two sections. One part is focusing om house sellers and the other part is focusing om the real estate agents we interviewed. In this analysis the sales process and its seven steps is the starting point. We have also tried to include our key words in this analysis, especially communication skills and confidence.

Conclutions: Based on previous research, empirical data and the analysis. This study show that the real estate agents communicative skills are important for the confidence of home sellers during the sales process. The communicative skill that proved to be most significant to confidence building was the communicative ability the ability to listen.

Sammanfattning

Digitaliseringen har skapat ömsesidiga beroenden som bidrar till stora sårbarheter i samhället. Nu möter vi nya hot delvis på grund av sårbarheter som vi själva har skapat. Vi ser att hoten mot vårt land är mer omfattande än på flera år och de har antagit nya former inom flera områden. Påverkansoperationer, främmande underrättelseinhämtning och kontroll över kritisk infrastruktur är några exempel som utgör ett hot mot samhällets skyddsvärda delar. Klyftan mellan hoten och våra säkerhetsskyddsåtgärder är stor och den ökar hela tiden. Hotbilden inom gråzonsproblematiken är diffus, komplex och spänner över stora delar i samhället, det försvårar en tydlig gränsdragning mellan fred och krig.

Vår lägesbild blir otydlig och skapar ett beslutsvakuum där våra resurser förblir outnyttjade. Vi anser att prioritering av resurser sker efter ett föråldrat synsätt. Det djupt rotade binära tankesättet skapar juridiska låsningar och bidrar till att skapa ett beslutsvakuum.

Resultat visar även att störningar i samhället sätter förtroendet för samhällskontraktet på spel, detta menar vi kan leda till att försvarsviljan och vår demokrati påverkas negativt. Paradoxen är även att när samhället utsätts för svåra påfrestningar ligger det nära till hands att ta till extrema metoder, metoder som inskränker individens rättigheter och som på sikt även kan hota vår demokrati.

En av vår mest framträdande slutsats är att vi bör fokusera mera på våra egna sårbarheter och mindre på hotet. Att enbart bygga en större armé kommer inte lösa problemet. Tillsammans måste vi bygga ett robustare samhälle för att kunna möta gråzonsproblematiken på ett helt annat sätt än idag. Det kommer kosta tid, effektivitet och pengar. Frågan är bara vilket pris samhället är beredd att betala?

En annan viktig slutsats är att flera nya empiriska referenspunkter förflyttat oss in i ett nytt fredstida normalläge. Ett normalläge som vi säger är en ny nyans av det konventionella kriget. I konventionella krig finns krigets lagar och folkrätten att förlita sig på, dessa lagar täcker dock inte den nya nyansen av kriget. Den nya nyansen utmanar våra gamla strukturer, där folkrätten och krigets lagar blir helt verkningslösa. Om fenomenet ses för vad det egentligen är så kommer vi bli bättre rustade att möta det.  Vi anser att gråzonsproblematiken är en del av kriget och ska inte tolkas som något annat. Gråzonsproblematiken utgör krigets nya nyans där en demokrati som Sverige initialt slår i ett underläge och utmanas till det yttersta.

The Swedish commercial real estate market is in the current situation globally affected and is actively interacting with the rental and capital markets through international tenants and investors who are setting new demands on the property owners. The European Union has set new requirements as well in purpose of reducing humanity’s negative effect on the climate and therefore the international real estate market has introduced Green Building-certificates in order to decrease the real estate industry’s environmental impact.

Certificated buildings with low energy consumption are a more common sight in Sweden these days. The development, however, could go even faster if there was not certain difficulties between property owners and tenants. Previous research has revealed that tenants do not always have knowledge about, or may have access to the economic benefits that a green building can provide. This results in the tenants lesser approval of higher rents which often is the outcome of the property owners environmental investments in the building. The following effect means that energy improvements in the real estate sector is slowed and the environment suffers. To get a deeper understanding of this phenomenon we have with this study chosen to examine how Swedish property owners and tenants reason about advantages and disadvantages with certified commercial buildings as well as around economic responsibility for investments in these.

In order to create favorable conditions to provide clarity in our problem we choose a qualitative method with open individual interviews so that we in depth could examine how our respondents were thinking about the subject. The study is based on theory of how the Swedish commercial rental model looks like today followed by the difficulties it might cause, the principal/agent-problem. Furthermore, theory of how green buildings affect property owners and tenants on different levels is presented. By analyzing the theory with the empirical data obtained through interviews, we have come to the following conclusion:

Transparency of incentives reduces the principal/agent-problem. By having a clear dialogue between property owners and tenants regarding the incentives to own and rent a green building the suspicion that is closely associated with the principal/agent-problem is reduced which results in more favorable development with environmental investments in the building. Individually custom made green leases is a first step toward sharing financial responsibilities. When the incentives are clear, a distribution of environmental investment costs can be made between the two parties so that each one gets involved which is the purpose of Green Leases. Now that the tenant have a deeper understanding and knowledge about the benefits of green buildings, certification becomes easier. Funding may influence investment decisions. New possibilities have become available to property owners who want to certificate their property portfolio. Green bonds, which first was issued in Sweden in 2013 by Vasakronan, has increased intensely lately and opens up new ways for corporations in the real estate business to finance environmental investings.

Entrepreneurs seem to be highly valuable for the firms in which they are involved. However, the knowledge of the role of accounting in a context of entrepreneurship is almost non-existent. Infact, literature in entrepreneurship says that the role of accounting is only about the past and therefore not of interest for entrepreneurs in exploiting opportunities. This paper reports the result of a qualitative study of five entrepreneurs and their involvement in the process of producing the annual report. The study aimed to describe and analyse if and how entrepreneurs are involved in producing accounting information when the annual report was prepared. If the entrepreneur was involved, the purpose was also to explain and the entrepreneurs involvement in the process. In purpose to find entrepreneurs the owner-managers of five small growing companies were asked to participate in semi-structured interviews during which their involvement to produce accounting where discussed. The respondents were also presented the adjustments, the final step in the recording process, and the annual report, in order to assess their involvement and to focus on how the entrepreneurs as producers of annual reports reflect and act in relation to other actors and to the process on the reporting. The study found that the entrepreneurs were certainly involved in producing certain accounting in the annual report. The analysis reveals that the reports were carefully fabricated and consciously managed by the entrepreneurs in the study.

Entrepreneurs seem to be highly valuable for the firms in which they are involved. However, the knowledge of the role of accounting in a context of entrepreneurship is limited. In fact, some literature on entrepreneurship indicates that the role of accounting is only about the past and therefore not of interest for entrepreneurs in the entrepreneurial process.

This paper reports the results of one empirical study. The study aimed to explore how and why entrepreneurs in successful fast growing firms, i.e. Gazelle firms, participate in the year end procedures. In order to find entrepreneurs a survey was sent to a sample of 257 managers of Gazelle firms and to a control group of 227 managers in not growing firms. The responding rate was more than 50% from both groups. Entrepreneurs in Gazelle firms produce formal financial accounting information and the spent more time compared with managers in not growing firms in this process. Further, the results indicate that that there is a negative relationship between the size and the firm and participation in the year-end procedures.

Entrepreneurs seem to be highly valuable for the firms in which they are involved. However, the knowledge of the role of accounting in a context of entrepreneurship is limited. In fact, some literature on entrepreneurship indicates that the role of accounting is only about the past and therefore not of interest for entrepreneurs in the entrepreneurial process.

This dissertation reports the results of two empirical studies. The first study is a qualitative pilot study of five entrepreneurs in fast growing firms and their participation in the year-end procedure. The respondents were presented the adjustments in the final step of the recording process and the annual report in order to assess their participation and to focus on how the entrepreneurs as producers of accounting reflect and act in relation to other actors and to the process of reporting. The pilot study found that the entrepreneurs were certainly involved in use and produce of certain accounting in the year-end procedures. The second study is based on the result from the pilot study and on agency theory the study aimed to describe and explain how and why entrepreneurs in successful fast growing firms, i.e. Gazelle firms, compared with a control group of managers in not growing firms, are participating in the year-end procedures. Also, the study aimed to analyse differences between entrepreneurs´ participation and other managers´ participation in this process. The study focused on the activities in the year-end procedures concerned with the values of R&D, stock and work-in-progress and accounts receivables. In order to find entrepreneurs the survey was sent to a sample of 257 managers of Gazelle firms and to a sample of 227 managers in not growing firms. Also, the annual report from the firms where the respondents where involved were collected. This data was also included in the study. The responding rate was 50% from both groups. The most notable finding is, in contradiction to literature on entrepreneurship, that entrepreneurs in Gazelle firms use and produce formal financial accounting information. Entrepreneurs in Gazelle firms spend more time and they are also involved in discussions with more actors compared with managers in not growing firms. Further, the results indicate that entrepreneurs in Gazelle firms will participate to a larger extent when the profitability in the firm decreases compared to managers in not growing firms. Finally, the dissertation gives insight in the role of formal financial accounting in the context of entrepreneurship, a research area we know little about.

Entrepreneurs seem to be highly valuable for the firms in which they are involved. However, the knowledge of the role of accounting in a context of entrepreneurship is almost non-existent.  Infact, literature in entrepreneurship says that the role of accounting is only about the past and therefore not of interest for the entrepreneur in exploiting opportunities. This paper reports the result of a qualitative study of five entrepreneurs and their involvement in the process of financial reporting. The study aimed to describe and analyse if and how entrepreneurs are involved in producing accounting information when the annual report were prepared. If the entrepreneurs were involved, the purpose was also to explain why the entrepreneurs were involved in the process. In purpose to find entrepreneurs the owner-managers of five small growing companies were asked to participate in semi-structured interviews during which their involvement to produce accounting where discussed. The respondents were also presented the adjustments, the final step in the recording process, and the annual report, in order to assess their involvement and to focus on how the entrepreneurs as producers of annual reports reflect and act in relation to other actors and to the process on the reporting.

The study found that the entrepreneurs were certainly involved in producing the annual report. The analysis reveals that the reports were carefully fabricated and consciously managed by the entrepreneurs in the study. The entrepreneurs where involved in the process when certain values of the assets were established and they wrote the directors annual report.

The study concludes that it appears to be important for entrepreneurs in small growing firms to discuss and produce accounting together with other actors, primarily the accountant, to improve their understanding and to identify how the audience of the annual reports may read and interpret the annual reports.

Entrepreneurs seem to be highly valuable for the firms in which they are involved. However, the knowledge of the role of accounting in a context of entrepreneurship is limited. In fact, some literature on entrepreneurship indicates that the role of accounting is only about the past and therefore not of interest for entrepreneurs in exploiting opportunities. In contrast, recent studies in accounting and the context of entrepreneurship reveal that entrepreneurs use and construct accounting information with diverse characteristics.

This paper reports the preliminary results of a survey and archival study. The study aimed to describe and explain how successful entrepreneurs and other managers are participating in the year-end procedures. Also, the study aimed to analyse differences between successful entrepreneurs´ participation and other manager’s participation in this process. The study focused on the activities in the year-end procedures concerned with the values of R&D, stock and work-in-progress and accounts receivables. In order to find successful entrepreneurs the survey was send to a sample of 257 managers of profitable, continuously growing companies. In order to find other managers, who not where successfully entrepreneurial, the survey was send to a sample of 227 managers in not growing companies. Also, the annual report from the companies where the respondents where involved in was collected. This data was also included in the study. The responding rate was about 50% from both groups. The most notable finding is, in contradiction to literature on entrepreneurship, that successful entrepreneurs use financial accounting information. Further, a preliminary result shows that successful entrepreneurs participate more than other managers in producing financial accounting. Ownership structure, degree of growth and individual motives related to stakeholders seems to be some factors that influence the degree of participation.

In order to stimulate growth economy, discussions about how to simplicity accounting regulation for SMEs have been highlighted during the past decades.

From previous research we know that the demand for accounting and advisory service vary with size. Also, the quality of advice from accountants plays an important role besides accounting service. However, some firms find accounting as a burden and in an entrepreneurial context external accounting seems not to be useful.

The question in this study is whether fast growing SMEs demand more external accounting service compared to stable firms. Fast growing firms in this study is defined as firms who just have doubled turnover during the last three years and at the end of this period have more than 10 employees and less than 250 employees. The empirical data is based of information from a survey answered by 131 managers of fast growing firms and 98 managers of stable firms Sweden. Also archival data from the annual report is included.

The findings give support to the hypothesis that fast growing SMEs demand more external accounting service when it comes to preparation of annual account and annual report. The result shows no differences between the two groups when demand of external book keeping service is analysed.

Managers’ use of auditors in decision processes is well known in the accounting literature, but little is known about owner-managers in innovative firms and their acquisition of accounting knowledge through direct contacts with external auditors. We conducted a multiple embedded study of exploratory character based on 21 interviews with owner-managers and external auditors connected to six innovative firms. We show that owner-managers in innovative firms apply informal management control in early phases of the innovation process and thus also rely heavily on external auditors for such purposes. However, management’s acquisition of accounting knowledge may contribute over time to the development of a more formalised control system as their competence increases. This study suggests that a competence-based view may be useful for understanding the role of accounting and external auditors in innovative firms’ management control systems. Copyright © 2016 Inderscience Enterprises Ltd.

This study focuses on knowledge management and entrepreneurs’ perceptions in terms of knowledge sharing, the use of financial statement information and how these impact on their strategic business judgments and decision choices in innovative SME firms. Using a strategic decision making process model we test our assumptions regarding entrepreneurs´ knowledge routines implemented by non-Gazelle companies in strategic business decision. Combining survey data and financial data from a unique archival database we test our propositions on Swedish SMEs. The results of the structural equation analysis implied that non-Gazelle companies are propelled primarily by non-financial information captured by the expertise of managers and investors. Traditional financial information does not include entrepreneurs´ decision making however, the results indicate that entrepreneurs risk awareness is reported as a part of the frame why entrepreneurs´ make decisions.

We investigate improvements of the information environment and cost of debt implications. Capturing choices of accounting standards, auditor quality, and board size reflecting improvements of the information environment we find that the need of financing triggers an improvement, the most common actions are to switch to more qualified accountants and add board members. Improvements of the environment result in a reduction of cost of debt. Tests show that increasing audit quality decrease cost of debt. This is relevant to the discussion on accounting regulation for private firms among U.S. and European policy-makers showing that stakeholders do not demand valuation-oriented accounting.

Private Banking är en banktjänst för förmögna individer och företag som syftar till att hjälpa dem med förvaltning av deras kapital men även andra tjänster såsom hjälp med deklarationer. Storbanker idag kämpar med att återfå kunders förtroende efter finanskrisen 2008 och fokusen på riskhantering har blivit viktigare. Kunder har blivit mer känsliga för risker och därmed försöker banker dra fördel av detta genom att skapa värde i riskhanteringsprocessen. I detta värdeskapande eftersträvar man en bra relation till kunden som därmed kan generera i ökade marknadsandelar. 

Vår problemformulering i uppsatsen blir då följande: ”På vilket sätt kan den svenska storbanken Nordea öka sina marknadsandelar inom Private Banking med hjälp av riskhantering?”

Syftet med vår uppsats blir därmed att få en djupare inblick i hur Nordeas Private Bankingtjänst arbetar med riskhantering och hur det påverkar deras marknadsandelar. För att kunna få denna förståelse har vi genomfört en kvalitativ studie i form av en fallstudie på Senior Private Banking Managern på Nordea. Valet av Nordea grundar sig på att de vann pris för bästa aktör i Norden samt att de är den största finanskoncernen i Norden. I uppsatsen har vi använt oss av en abduktiv ansats för att kunna få fram förståelse mellan vår teori och empiri.

Slutsatsen i denna uppsats är att det är kommunikation av risker som är den viktigaste biten i riskhanteringen för att kunna öka marknadsandelar samt att kunna göra en korrekt risk- samt kundprofilering. Om detta görs på rätt sätt kan Nordea som storbank och koncern skapa förtroende samt värde för kunden som resulterar i kundnöjdhet. Agentteorin som bland annat regleras av fast lön resulterar dessutom i att rådgivaren tänker på kundens behov i första hand och gör att riskhanteringen fungerar. Vårt bidrag med denna studie är att vi har visat att Nordeas arbetssätt med riskhantering är värdeskapande för kunden och är en bidragande faktor till att deras ökande marknadsandelar.

Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to validate previous research in ethical branding by testing a conceptual framework on corporate branding using "the conscientious dimension".

Design/methodology/approach: This article tests a framework for conscientious corporate brands (CCBs) by investigating environmental and climate change issues as well as internal and external corporate codes of ethics as CCB dimensions. The empirical context is based upon South African business-to-business relationships.

Findings: The findings indicate that four distinctive conscientious corporate brand dimensions exist.

Research limitations/implications: This current study contributes to the better understanding of and more knowledge on conscientious corporate brand values. Opportunities for future research are provided as the study has explored new aspects of corporate branding.

Practical implications: This study offers managerial implications particularly for practitioners located in emerging markets such as South Africa.

Originality/value: This study validates the multidimensional nature of CCBs. © Emerald Group Publishing Limited.

I alla sorters affärer är det viktigt att skapa ett mervärde till kunden och detta kan uppnås på flera olika sätt. Lean är en filosofi vars mål är att förbättra företagets prestationer genom flera olika verktyg. Vår uppdelning av lean har skett i tre begrepp; 5S, Just – In- Time och Total – Quality – Management. I kort handlar dessa begrepp om att minimera slöseri, förkorta ledtider och ett förbättrat kvalitetsarbete.Varumärket är ett annat sätt att skapa mervärde till kunden. Ett starkt varumärke ska helst ses som en långsiktig strategi och utdelningen kan komma först efter några år. Utvecklingen av ett starkt varumärke sker internt och den interna varumärkesutvecklingens syfte är att bygga upp, vårda och utveckla ett starkt varumärke.Båda dessa begrepp, lean och intern varumärkesutveckling, talar om att skapa mervärde till kunden. Vi anser att forskning kan vara berättigad om hur lean påverkar den interna varumärkesutvecklingen då vi inte har hittat någon tidigare sådan gjord forskning. Det är enligt oss ett gap som behöver fyllas, speciellt när vi forskar kring ämnet lean på servicemarknaden, där det finns mindre gjord forskning än på produktionsmarknaden.Problemformuleringen blir därför: Hur kan lean påverka den interna varumärkesutvecklingen i serviceföretag?Metoden vi använt oss av i denna uppsats är av kvalitativt slag och vi har gjort semistrukturerade intervjuer med fyra chefer på mediebyrån Carat i Auckland, Nya Zeeland. Varför vi valde att göra en fallstudie var på grund av att vårt forskningsområde inte var så utforskat, och vi tyckte det var bättre att testa vår modell på ett företag först för att se hur lean påverkar den interna varumärkesutvecklingen. Vi ställde frågor om lean och intern varumärkesutveckling var för sig och analyserade sedan svaren vi fick in.Slutsatsen av vår uppsats är att lean kan påverka den interna varumärkesutvecklingen i serviceföretag på åtta olika sätt. Dessa kan ni läsa mer om under slutsatser i denna uppsats, samt se vår modell som beskriver kopplingarna mellan fenomenen.

The aim of this paper is to provide insights of market intelligence and answer to the question “What is market intelligence?” by reviewing existing literature of market intelligence. This study also aims to investigate the connection between market intelligence and Game theory, which is believed by the authors to create the foundation for market intelligence studies. The search of relevant material for this literature review was conducted by using the databases of Halmstad University and Google Scholar. Due to the lack of literature on market intelligence as an overall theory, also other literature, such as books, were utilized besides the articles. This study recognizes six theoretical connections based on the reviewed literature and Game theory. Also, a general definition of market intelligence was recognized as a result of the literature review.

The aim of this paper is to answer to a research question: “How does the entrepreneur’s motivation affect the success of the company in rural areas?” The theoretical framework conducted for this study discusses rural entrepreneurship and motivation as a success factor. Relevant material for this study is gathered by utilizing the databases of Halmstad university and Google Scholar. A case study approach is used and academic literature on the topic is reviewed. Different motivational factors of entrepreneurs in rural areas were identified based on this study. Further studies in this field is encouraged to strengthen this topic and/or provide with other aspects missing in this research due to limitations.

The aim of this review is to provide insights to the usage of Kano-model and innovation product development, and at the same time, answer to the research question “How customer needs can be identified by using Kano-model for innovation product development?” The research is conducted by reviewing existing literature on Kano- model and innovation product development (IPD). The relevant literature used for this research is conducted by utilizing the databases of Halmstad University and Google Scholar. A model for customer needs identification by using Kano model for Innovation Product Development (IPD) was constructed based on the reviewed theories. In addition, a general recognition for the term of IPD was acknowledged.

International new ventures operate on international level at, or shortly after, their inception. However, many fail to generate revenues due to market complexity and lacking adaptation of the business model to the market. For outsiders, foreign markets are often difficult to understand, which is especially the case in highly regulated markets. The purpose of the study is to examine the role of market complexity in the internationalization process of an international new venture, and how to overcome such complexity to generate revenues through business model innovation. A single case study and qualitative interviewing has been used to examine market complexity in a particularly difficult market, the German medtech industry. A theoretical framework displaying the research assumption was created; that by understanding the complexity in a market, the entrepreneur can adapt the business model appropriately and generate revenues. To create an understanding of a complexity in the market, two theoretical models were constructed with different dimensions. The study shows that particular dimensions of market complexity were perceived more relevant than others. In this study, experience in the targeted market and knowledge of the local language were identified as the most important factors in overcoming market complexity. Further complexity factors were also identified, yet these may be greatly related to specific sectors and differ between industries, products, customers, and countries. Subsequently, a revised model for market complexity dimensions was constructed. This study focuses on the business model dimension of revenue streams. However, other dimensions of business model should also be considered in the internationalization process of INVs. It can be concluded that difficult markets can be made more understandable through analyzing the complexity dimensions, and revenues can be generated through business model innovation.

In a questionnaire survey of the UK chemical manufacturing industry, this report investigates the views of these companies on economic and monetary integration of Europe. More specifically, the question of whether or not these companies would like to see a UK membership of the European Economic and Monetary Union (EMU) is asked, following a more thorough questioning aimed at examining the underlying reasoning behind their viewpoints.

The findings show a two-to-one majority on the side of a positive stance towards a UK participation in this final stage of integration of the European marketplace, and support theory in its belief that strong incentives for such a view include removal of exchange rate uncertainty, and elimination of transaction costs.

Additionally, and also in accordance with the collected theoretical framework, larger companies, and companies with high levels of exports, are found to have a greater desire for a UK EMU membership.

Findings in contrast with theory include that of a lack of correlation between high levels of imports and a desire for integration, as well as a lack of belief in increased inflow of foreign investment as a prospective benefit of membership in the questioned population.

Correlations found between the main question and the removal of exchange rate uncertainty and elimination of transaction costs were very strong, but positive statistical determination for the absence of chance in creating the associations could not be made, due to the small scale of the survey, creating response alternatives with less than five accumulated responses

Problem:                      What role do sub-contractors have in a partnering project?

Purpose:                       The purpose of the case study is to describe, explain and understand the sub-contractor’s role in a partnering project. The study will complement existing partnering research that is one-dimensional.

Method:                       The study had an abductive approach and was based on a literature study, which collected secondary data and created the theoretical framework, and a qualitative case study, where semi-structured interviews collected primary data and created the empirical chapter. The empirical study is based on interviews with six respondents, all participants in the same project, three sub-contractors, one main contractor and one project manager. To ensure that the empirical study answered the issue and is relevant in relation to the theoretical framework, an operationalization scheme was used in the development of the interview guide. The interviews were transcribed, commented, categorized and coded. The empirical study was built around the themes presented in the theoretical framework. The analysis was done by systematically testing the empirical material against the theories. The study has limited generalization possibilities since it only highlights one project but the study is not meant for generalization.

Conclusion:                  The case study complements existing knowledge through the factors participation and trust where the sub-contractors role is explained, described and understood in the Swedish construction industry. Organisations and individuals who want to understand the role of the sub-contractor in a partnering project can use the case study. It can also be used in a more general meaning to raise knowledge about partnering. The study shows that formal means are not as crucial as earlier research states; instead the informal means are the important ones.

Vi påbörjar uppsatsen med att introducera en bakgrund till mikrobryggeriernas uppkomst och en problemdiskussion kring tillväxt i mikrobryggerier.

Problemformuleringen som ska besvaras lyder:

Hur använder sig tre mikrobryggerier av tillväxtstrategi för att öka tillväxten i företaget och varför kan tillväxten öka?

De företag som har medverkat i studien är Oppigårds Bryggeri AB, Båstad Öl HB och Dugges Ale- & Porterbryggeri AB. Dessa företag ger en inblick i hur och varför mikrobryggerierna har växt.

För att besvara den del av vår problemformulering som behandlar hur tillväxt uppkommer presenteras en tillväxtmatris med fyra olika tillväxtstrategier; marknadspenetration, produktutveckling, marknadsutveckling och diversifiering. För att besvara varför tillväxt uppstår presenterar vi också tre påverkande faktorer för tillväxt i mindre företag; ägarens, markadens och investeringars påverkan på tillväxt.

Enligt denna studie kan vi utläsa att ingen enskild tillväxtstrategi har medfört tillväxt i de mikrobryggerier som har medverkat i studien. Däremot sticker produktutveckling ut, precis som marknaden bland de påverkande faktorerna. Ingen påverkande faktor för tillväxt i mindre företag kan däremot ensam ställas till svars för tillväxt i mikrobryggerierna.

I en tid då Försvarsmakten brottas med hög personalomsättning av soldater står Luftvärnsregementet i Halmstad inför en ombeväpning av historiska proportioner, med nya luftvärnssystem och en utökad organisation, för att möta det rådande säkerhetspolitiska läget i Östersjöregionen. I denna utveckling utgör den kontinuerligt anställda soldaten en viktig betydelse för att luftvärnsförbanden ska kunna lösa de tilldelade uppgifterna. För att djupare förstå och finna klarhet varför kontinuerligt anställda soldater väljer att sluta användes en kvalitativ forskningsmetod, genomsyrad av en induktiv ansats. Genom intervjuer med tidigare anställda soldater insamlades empiri som står på egen grund. Med en analysmetod inspirerad av Grounded Theory skapades det emotionella spänningsdiagrammet som förklarar varför individen väljer att sluta. I diskussionen kopplades forskningens resultat främst mot Herzbergs tvåfaktorsteori men resultatet sågs även ur ett generationsperspektiv. För den unga generation Z är personifiering genom personlig utveckling tillsammans med ledarskapet avgörande i soldaternas beslut att lämna sin anställning. Den omväxlande och utmanande verksamheten i Försvarsmakten bidrar till en stark känsla av gemenskap som i sin tur påverkar soldatens motivation att stanna kvar längre i sin anställning. Soldaten är även påverkad i sitt val att lämna eller stanna kvar vid förbandet av basala behov så som anställningsvillkor, lön och geografiskt läge.

Första linjens chefer utövar det direkta ledarskapet och verkställer organisationers beslut,

inriktningar och visioner. Hur denne ser på ledarskap kan vara avgörande för framgång eller

misslyckande. Genom en fallstudie med utgångspunkt i Försvarsmakten har denna studie

undersökt hur officerare och specialistofficerare med koppling till första linjens chef ser på

chefskap. Dessa två officerskategorier har olika bakgrunder avseende utbildning och

erfarenhet då officeren ofta tjänstgör som första linjens chef omedelbart efter officersexamen

och specialistofficeren bemannar samma typ av tjänst först efter många års tjänstgöring inom

organisationen. En liknelse kan göras med en intern befordran respektive externt rekryterad

chef där specialistofficeren ofta befordras inom förbandet och officeren påbörjar en

anställning efter examen.

Studien har med intervjuer som grund skapat ett underlag för hur båda officerskategorierna ur

ledarskapssynpunkt ser på områdena Yrkesrollen, Chefen, Individen och Ledaren.

Jämförelse mellan kategorierna är kontrollerade mot befintlig forskning och vi har funnit att

första linjens chef är en central befattning i alla organisationer som ställer höga krav på

individen. Som ”människan i mitten” måste denna hantera komplexa situationer som

innefattar både uppgifter och personal genom att utöva chefskap och ledarskap.

Vi har funnit att den övergripande skillnaden mellan en chef som blivit internt befordrad och

externt rekryterad är mindre än förväntat med hänsyn till de olikheter i form av rekrytering,

utbildning och erfarenhet som finns mellan de båda officerskategorierna. Vi ser dock att

kategorierna har olika styrkor och svagheter som vi tycker är viktiga att belysa. De internt

befordrade har sannolikt en fördel i mer kunskap, erfarenheter och skapade relationer inom

aktuell organisation. Utmaningarna är att balansera relation med chefskap och att undvika att

fastna i invanda mönster. De externt rekryterade har en närhet till chefskapet, de har (i

fallstudiens kontext) större förståelse och perspektiv på helheten samt ett väl utvecklat kritiskt

förhållningssätt som grundas i naturlig reflektion. Utmaningar ligger i att finna balans mellan

chefskap och ledarskap. Då det ofta föreligger brister i detaljkunskaper vad gäller

verksamheten ser vi dessutom en utmaning i att utnyttja underställdas fackkompetens utan att

det egna ”medförda” perspektivet förringas.

Vi ser att olika förutsättningar för att utveckla sin professionella identitet påverkar hur man tar

sig an uppgiften som första linjens chef. En möjlig konsekvens av detta är att då ett högt

karriärstempo kombineras med en hög arbetsbelastning finns risk att det uppstår ”luckor” i

den professionella identiteten. Ett motsatsförhållande kan uppstå där den professionella

identiteten sedan länge är utvecklad i ett lugnare karriärstempo och individen reflekterar inte

över innebörden av sin professionella identitet.

Sammanfattning Titel: Räcker det inte bara med pengar? En studie om ledarens betydelse för

medarbetarnas motivation i fastighetsmäklarbranschen.

Ämne: Kandidatuppsats i företagsekonomi, 15 hp

Författare: Linnéa Bjering och Lotta Bratland

Nyckelord: Ledarskapsbeteende, motivation, fastighetsmäklare

Problemformulering: Vilken betydelse har ledarens situationsanpassade beteenden för medarbetarnas motivation i fastighetsmäklarbranschen?

Syfte: Syftet med studien är att förklara ledarens situationsanpassade ledarskap och dess betydelse på medarbetarnas motivation i fastighetsmäklarbranschen.

Teori: Teorier om uppgifts- och relationsorienterade ledarskapsbeteenden har använts tillsammans med teori om situationsanpassat ledarskapsbeteende. För motivation har det använts teori om interna och externa motivationsfaktorer.

Metod: En deduktiv ansats har använts och studier har skett genom att göra en flerfallstudie. Vi har gjort en kvalitativ studie och sammanlagt har nio personliga intervjuer gett oss den huvudsakliga datan för att komma fram till resultatet. Teorin är insamlad från vetenskapliga artiklar och har legat till grund för resterande studie.

Slutsats: De studerade företagen i fastighetsmäklarbranschen visar på att ledarna använder sig utav ett stödjande situationsanpassat ledarskap och att detta leder till att medarbetarna får intern motivation.

Att föra in nya system innan de har hunnit implementeras i den miljö där de ska användas och innan den som ska använda dem hunnit utbildas är inte unikt, varken för 2000-talet eller för den svenska Försvarsmakten. I denna uppsats har vi undersökt nya materielsystem som anskaffats för att tillföras förband under utbildning till eller under genomförande av skarp insats. Vi har funnit att Försvarsmaktens riktlinjer för systemutveckling och materielförsörjning ger vissa förutsättningar för att implementeringen av system ska bli lyckad. Däremot så bör de ytterligare förtydligas när det gäller materielförsök i den fas när systemen kommer ut till förbanden för att användas. Dessutom bör Försvarsmakten i högre grad vara delaktiga i hela livscykeln av systemets utveckling främst ur användarperspektivet. Det är otydligt vems ansvar det är att se till att materielförsök genomförs och vi har i vår fallstudie upptäckt att denna viktiga process glöms bort till förmån för att snabbt få ut systemen i verksamheten. Detta får konsekvenser när det gäller användandet och underhållet av dessa system och även när det gäller att implementera dem taktiskt i förbanden.

Vi har funnit att ju mer komplext ett materielsystem är, desto viktigare är det att fullt ut följa framtagna processer. Annars är risken att systemen används fel, med risk för personskador, trasig materiel eller felaktigt taktiskt användande som följd. Att använda den senaste teknologin blir sällan bra om utbildning och kontext saknas.

Nyckelord: Systemutveckling, Försvarsmakten, Livscykelmodeller, Anskaffningsstrategier, Systemsäkerhet, Målsättningsarbete

Till följd av globalisering och ökad konkurrens har västvärldens intresse för lean production som produktionssystem vuxit och i Sverige är lean production den verksamhetsutveckling som tillämpas i störst utsträckning. Efter implementering av lean production har organisationer upptäckt att den traditionella ekonomistyrningen behöver förändras eftersom den motverkar leans värderingar. Dessutom belyser inte de traditionella ekonomiska rapporterna förändringarna som sker till följd av lean production, något som kan resultera i att företag avbryter implementeringen. Som ett resultat har lean accounting som bygger på leans principer och metoder utvecklats för att stödja lean production. Lean accounting har trots dess fördelar en begränsad utbredning i Sverige enligt förespråkare.

Utifrån en kvalitativ studie med en abduktiv ansats har sex personliga intervjuer genomförts med respondenter bestående av förespråkare och ekonomer i företag med lean production. Arbetets insamlade teori tolkas tillsammans med empirin utifrån ett hermeneutiskt synsätt och resulterar i arbetets analys och slutsats.

Arbetets slutsats är att den begränsade utbredningen av lean beror på ekonomiavdelningars bristfälliga delaktighet i implementeringen av lean production. Eftersom bristen på delaktighet beror på ledningens oförmåga att engagera och involvera ekonomiavdelningen kan företagets ledning vara en anledning till lean accountings begränsade utbredning. När ledningen involverar och skapar delaktighet i företagets ekonomiavdelningar skapas kunskap om leans värderingar och principer som resulterar i egenutvecklade metoder och verktyg. Dock finns det en allmän okunskap om begreppet lean accounting som resulterar i att ekonomiavdelningarna inte är medvetna om att de tillämpar metoder och verktyg som kan anses vara lean accounting. En konsekvens av den missvisande uppfattningen gällande lean accountings begränsade utbredning är avsaknaden av goda exempel och bristande intresse.

Twice a year, NAI Svefa publishes a report containing statistics on Sweden's real estate market.The report shows that commercial real estate on average has a clearly higher rate of returncompared to residential real estate. Risk and return have a close relationship where investorswho take a higher risk also expect a higher return. This indicates that commercial properties aremore risky to hold compared to residential properties. This paper examines the risks that cancause the difference in the yield requirement between the two property types. Six risks havebeen selected, three of which count as micro risks and three count as macro risks. The microrisks consist of financial risk, liquidity risk and business risk. The macro risks consist of cyclicalrisk, interest rate risk and political risk.The study is qualitative and includes personal interviews with eight respondents from wellestablishedSwedish real estate companies. Data collection has been done through interviewswhere respondents' responses have been compiled and then compared to each other. Theinterviews show that Swedish real estate companies agree with the reasoning between risk andreturn and that risk assessment is an important part of real estate investments.The study's results show that commercial real estate companies value financial, liquidity andbusiness risk higher than real estate companies focused on residential real estate. Interest raterisk and business risk are similarly assessed in both property types. However, the political riskis valued higher by real estate companies focused on residential real estate. The study showsthat all risks are linked, which makes it difficult to identify an individual risk that individuallycontrols the rate of return. However, after the study's implementation, the cyclical risk appearsto be the risk that has the greatest impact on the difference in the yield requirement between thetwo property types.

Beslutsfattande innebär valet mellan två eller flera handlingsalternativ. Den som fattar beslut måste överväga fördelar och nackdelar med de olika handlingsalternativen som beslutsfattare ställs inför. Vid förvärv av hyresfastigheter ställs det stora krav på beslutsfattare eftersom det är en väldigt stor investering och det är många faktorer som påverkar beslutet. Problemet i beslutsfattandet beror dels på att det ställer stora krav på kunskap inom en rad olika aspekter. Det krävs kunskap inom bland annat marknaden på makronivå, fastighetsmarknaden och hyresfastigheters tekniska egenskaper.

Tidigare studier inom beslutsfattande har delats in i två sidor, den normativa och den deskriptiva (French, 2001). Den normativa beslutsteorin beskriver enligt French (2001) hur beslut borde fattas och den deskriptiva beslutsteorin beskriver hur beslut faktiskt fattas (Simon, 1979). Utifrån den normativa beslutsteorin baserar beslutsfattare beslut på rationella beslutsunderlag för att nyttomaximera. Däremot tillåter den deskriptiva beslutsteorin att beslutsfattare inte alltid agerar fullt rationellt. Simon (1979) argumenterar om att beslutsfattares möjligheter att fatta rationella beslut begränsas eftersom beslutsfattare omvandlar ohanterbara beslutsproblem till hanterbara. Detta genom att beslutsfattare begränsar sökandet av alternativ och således letar efter ett tillfredsställande val istället för det optimala valet. Khatri & Ng (2000) genomförde en studie där det framkom att det intuitiva samspelet påverkar beslutsfattares beslut. Harung (1993) utförde en studie som indikerar att beslutsfattare litar mer på deras erfarenhet desto mer erfarenhet de har. Det är dessa påverkande faktorer av beslutsfattandet som inte har undersökts i någon större grad vid förvärv av hyresfastigheter som denna studie bland annat syftar till att undersöka.

Syftet med denna studie är att undersöka vad beslutsfattare på privata fastighetsbolag baserar beslut på vid förvärv av hyresfastigheter samt skapa förståelse för vad besluten påverkas av.

I denna studie har en deduktiv ansats valts vilket innebär att en teoretisk referensram har byggts upp av sekundärdata för att utgöra grunden till insamlingen av primärdata. Sekundärdatan utgörs av vetenskapliga artiklar, litteratur och andra källor som varit relevanta för studien. Vid utformningen av studiens intervjuguide utgick vi från studiens problemformulering och syfte. Genom att utgå från studiens teoretiska referensram och analysmodell kunde vi säkerställa att alla aspekter av vår problemformulering besvarades av respondenterna. Vid insamlingen av primärdata utfördes semistrukturerade intervjuer då det möjliggör en öppenhet och flexibilitet med utrymme för följdfrågor för att vidare fånga upp olika aspekter och nyansskillnader.

Studien visar att beslutsfattare använder sig av fastställda kriterier som beslut baseras på vid förvärv av hyresfastigheter. För att kunna bedöma om en hyresfastighet uppfyller beslutskriterierna utförs fastighetsanalyser. Besluten påverkas av det intuitiva sambandet mellan erfarenhet, bedömningsförmåga och magkänsla. Studien visar att ju mer erfarenhet beslutsfattare har desto mer litar de på sin magkänsla. Denna magkänsla har visat sig ha en betydande roll vid förvärv av hyresfastigheter. 

The demand for information and transparency from listed corporations has recently increased. In spite of an increased demand for mandatory disclosures from regulators, corporations choose to voluntarily disclose additional information in order to satisfy demands from the capital market. However, the extent and content of information in those voluntary disclosures vary across corporations. The aim of this study is to explain the variation in the content of information in voluntary disclosures by listed corporations. The analyses are based on data collected from 431 annual reports from corporations listed on the Stockholm Stock Exchange during the years 2002 and 2005. The findings support explanations from agency theory and positive accounting theory that size and the debt ratio are positively correlated with the content of information in voluntary disclosures. Corporations with a high share of management ownership disclosed less information than corporations with a low share of management ownership. The study also shows that variations in voluntary disclosures can be explained by factors derived from institutional theory and ’international capital market pressures’. The results indicate that foreign ownership and international listing to some extent have a positive effect on the content of information in voluntary disclosures. Industry was another factor that had a significant influence on voluntary disclosures. One important finding is that regulation to some extent can stimulate voluntary disclosures; our results did not indicate an ’unintended chilling effect’ due to too much regulation. In general, the corporations disclosed more voluntary information after the introduction of IFRS. © 2009 Springer Science+Business Media, LLC.

The purpose of this paper is to introduce the special issue that critically examines topics informing long-standing disputes concering the status of theory and practice in management studies. Contributions explore the character of the imputed relationship between theory and practice. The editorial introduction sets the discussion of topics in the context of institutional change influencing the production, circulation and consumption of knowledge products in the economy of relevance and reputation. It also presents an overview of the papers included in the special issue. The main themes addressed in the papers represent a call for change; a call to radicalize the approaches to understanding ways of knowing; a call to re-evaluate relations with practitioners; and a call to reimagine ways of representing knowledge to various constituencies, including fellow academic practitioners, management practitioners, students, and policy-makers and other opinion-formers. The key message is one of the importance of encouraging broad discussions concerning the direction and impact of flows of knowledge and the various products in which that knowledge is embedded. It calls for a more market-oriented approach to understanding the knowledge economy and the mediating role of various institutional players, including the academy, in the circulation, creation and destruction of knowledge products. That a more-market oriented approach to arrangements for the distribution of research resources in management studies calls for the development of more market-oriented institutions capable of shaping relationships of collaboration, involvement and accountability. Contributions expand the understanding of the problems and opportunities of imputing links to theory and practice.

As a result of globalization, multinational teams are being more frequently used in today´s businesses. This specific type of team can be described as heterogeneous when it comes to nationality and linguistics. The aim of this study was to explore the concept of multinational teams. This was made using culture as a main concept, and nationality, linguistics, and organizational culture in order to describe it. We intended to say something about how this type of team´s efficiency; when it comes to satisfaction and performance; was affected by national and linguistic heterogeneity within the team. While analyzing differences between the teams’ efficiency when it comes to satisfaction and performance, we also intended to say something about how organizational culture can affect this.

This study was made by using a qualitative approach, with focus on a deductive way of doing it. Four different case studies were conducted in order to support this study. A total of seven different respondents where used in this study and their narratives are together with the theoretical framework the basis for this study´s analysis and conclusions.

This study reveals that perceived efficiency when it comes to satisfaction and performance can be affected by national and linguistic heterogeneity among team members in multinational teams. It also suggests that organizational culture can be used in order to overshadow these differences among team members, and that this in turn affects the perceived efficiency. A straightforward answer regarding nationality, linguistic, and organizational culture´s influence on multinational team´s efficiency, was never given from the case studies. Instead, this seemed to vary from case to case. Two extremes were yet to be found. When nationality and linguistic heterogeneity were easy to observe, low efficiency was perceived in the multinational team. In contrast, when organizational culture was easy to observe, high efficiency was perceived within the multinational team. This suggests that organizational culture can override national and linguistic heterogeneity when it comes to creating high performance and satisfaction among members of multinational teams.

Background: In a world that is becoming more knowledge-based and where it gets harder to find value-adding employees, employer branding could be used as a way to attract and retain employees, which later can create competitive advantage.

Research Question: In order to experience competitive advantage, how do SMEs use the strategies and tools of employer branding as a way to attract and retain value-adding employees?

Purpose: The purpose with this study was to explore how employer branding is used by SMEs as a way to experience competitive advantage.

Method: A qualitative research method with six case studies of SMEs located in different industries was adopted. Primary data was based on semi-structured interviews with respondents at the different SMEs.

Theoretical framework: With the basis of the RBV, theories about this and the human capital as a resource as well as a competitive advantage, is presented. This continues with theories about the employer brand, attractive attributes about employers, employer branding strategies, and what the outcomes of employer branding is. 

Findings and Conclusions: SMEs do not use the strategies and tools of employer branding in the generic way. Instead, much communication is carried out first when the recruitment process starts, with the aim to find employees who could deliver competitive advantage through their fit with the organization. Once onboard, different benefits are provided in order to retain them. Involvement and engagement are the most prominent ones, due to SMEs ability to offer cross-functional management.

Since 2016-12-31, big companies in Sweden must report their sustainability work according to Amendment (2016:947) to the Annual Account Act (1995:1554). This makes the sustainability reports easier to compare, and also easier to see which companies that practice sustainability. The amendment will be reflected in the annual reports stating from the fiscal year 2017, which makes it a relevant area of research.

Except legal requirements, there are also economical and business related incentives which drives companies to report their sustainability work (Prop. 2015/16:193). Hence, companies take action incorporating sustainability work into their strategy and control systems (Zollo et al., 2009). However, there are challenges in developing and implementing such strategies. The lack of empirical studies on how to implement sustainability in an organization lays the foundation of this study and its research question; How is sustainability work practically implemented in an organization?

The purpose of the study is to create an understanding of the implementation of sustainability work in an organization. Hence, a guide for interviews along with an analytical framework was constructed from institutional theory. They were used in a case study of Axis Communications AB to identify keywords that can be used when implementing sustainability work in an organization.

The keywords identified was; Business culture, Awareness, Control systems, Goals, and Sustainable economics. Also, the study shows that if norms and routines go along with the formal structure of the organization, when it comes to sustainability work, it is possible for the formal structure and institutional structure to be loosely coupled. However, the implementation process might be smoother if underlying thought and values of the coworkers goes along with those of the organization.

The result of the study contributes with theoretical knowledge of how sustainability work is implemented to an organization even though the cognitive structure is loosely coupled. The keywords contribute with being practical applicable since they can be used by companies who wants to implement sustainability to their daily work routines. They also ads knowledge which contribute with theoretical implications. The analytical framework that was developed can be used as a foundation for future studies of phenomenon, based on institutional theory.

Background

This paper is based on an issue raised by the organization Energigas Sverige, which together with the Ministry of Finance has posed the question about the fiscal impact of an increase in biogas production. Since the fiscal effects of an increased biogas production are both positive and negative, due to reduced use of fossil fuels, we want to investigate this further.

Purpose

The purpose is to describe and explain the obtained fiscal impacts of an increased biogas production and based on our problem: “What are the obtained fiscal effects caused by an increase in biogas production?” we could see the following fiscal effects: positive impact on employment, increased revenues of social security contributions and income taxes, reduced unemployment costs and reduced tax revenues on fossil fuels. These effects are summarized in a negative tax revenue of 2,6 billion SEK. Along the summarized negative effect we also accepted one of the two prepared hypotheses, which stated that an increase in biogas production leads to a negative fiscal impact. 

Design/Methodology/Approach

We have chosen to work from an Anglo-Saxon scientific tradition and furthermore, we have a positivistic approach when we want to explain the relationship between cause and effect of an increase in biogas production and the following fiscal impacts. We have also chosen to work with a deductive and quantitative approach, as we have earlier studies as a basis of our data collection.               

Conclusions

The study has helped to provide insights on how an increase in biogas production would affect the finances of the state in form of a great increase in employment and a reduction in fossil fuel tax revenues. Furthermore, we believe that the study can be used as a foundation for decisions of an increased biogas production. 

Future research

After a discussion based on our results we have a number of further research areas: technology exports, reduced cost for environmental effects, the ability to impose a marginal tax on biogas, the potential of charging for waste products and also how foreign actors could affect Sweden’s biogas production and availability.              

Titel:                                      

Leverera mera – En fallstudie på Volvo Trucks

Författare:                                             

Erik Bylund & Johan Kristensson

Handledare:                                            

Ulf Aagerup

Nivå:                                      

Kandidatuppsats, Internationell Marknadsföring (15hp), VT 2014.

Nyckelord:                                              

Sponsring, Leveraging och Ambush Marketing

Problemformuleringar:       

- Hur använder Volvo Trucks leveraging i samband med deras sponsorskap?

- Hur motverkar Volvo Trucks Ambush Marketing i samband med deras sponsorskap?

Syfte:                                     

Syftet med uppsatsen är att undersöka och beskriva hur ett aktivt sponsrande multinationellt företag på B2B-marknaden använder sig av leveraging i samband med deras sponsorskap för att öka nyttan av deras investering. Vi vill även undersöka undersöka och beskriva hur de motverkar Ambush Marketing i samband med deras sponsorskap för att skydda deras investering.

Teoretisk referensram:        

Kapitlet inleds med grundläggande teorier kring sponsorskap för att sedan gå vidare till beskrivning av termerna leveraging och Ambush Marketing.

Metod:                                   

Fallstudien har genomförts med en kvalitativ undersökningsmetod och en induktiv ansatts. Personliga intervjuer med högt uppsatt och kompetent personal inom Volvo Trucks legat till grund för insamlingen av våra data.

Empiri:                                  

Empirin presenterar de kvalitativa intervjuer som gjorts med respondenter inom Volvo Trucks.

Analys:                                  

Analysen jämför den insamlade empirin gentemot den teoretiska referensramen.

Slutsats:                                 

Volvo Trucks använder sig av en omfattande leveragingstrategi där de genom sin 360-approach försöker vara närvarande på samtliga plan och kanaler. Det finns ett klart fokus på aktiverande leveraging med avsikt att bygga och stärka kundrelationer. Deras övergripande, långsiktiga sponsringsstrategi att äga event och vara titelsponsor ger dem stort inflytande och gör att de kan vara dominanta i sin exponering. Även om Volvo Trucks själva hävdar att deras primära strategi mot Ambush Marketing är att skriva noggranna kontrakt menar vi att deras övergripande strategier (omfattande leveraging och långvariga titelsponsorskap) också utgör ett viktigt skydd.

Abstract

This study aims to show how the company management reasons when it comes to underpricing IPO´s. In the market climate of today more and more companies are listed on the stock exchange and the business press is constantly reporting about highly increasing stock values. This validates the current interest of the subject and the importance of finding the underlying reasons of the decisions made. Interviews have been conducted with three newly listed companies, who all had a high initial price increase, and with their underwriters. Thanks to the underwriters we have been able to triangulate the empirical data provided by the companies. Therefore we could also put the motives and reasoning’s of the company management into words.

What the study has shown is that founders have the ambition to develop the company further, rather than to conduct the IPO in order to cash out from the business as suggested in the theories. The choices they make in the form of lock up agreements, pre-IPO call options and rights offerings will signal long-term commitment and market interest regarding the company. This can build an amount of trust towards the investors and the demand for risk compensation in the shape of underpricing will be lowered.

Committed investors will establish consensus in the market and others will follow in their footsteps, creating an information cascade. As a consequence, IPOs rarely are moderately subscribed but rather very over- or undersubscribed. Small price changes can therefore make the difference between a successful and an unsuccessful IPO. Because of this, the company is forced to underprice in order to create more attractive circumstances even though the market climate is good.

Title: The component approach - From the harmonization process as a background to the perception of benefits and costs as effects.

Authors: Elin Börjesson & Emma Karlsson

Tutor: Titti Eliasson

Key concept: Harmonization, Component approach and Benefit/Cost

Background: With IFRS for SME's as a basis, the Accounting Board developed K3 which shall apply from financial year 2014. Upon introduction of the K3 companies will be forced to apply the component approach. When K3 with the associated component approach went out for consultation it resulted in a debate where some actors opposed the imposition of a requirement and not an option. It was questioned whether the costs with the component approach would be greater than the benefit of the implementation.

Formulation of the problem: How is the introduction and use of the component approach seen by different operators from a benefit-, cost perspective?

Aim: The aim of this essay is find out how the introduction and use of the component approach is seen by different operators from a benefit-, cost perspective. We also want to get an understanding of the role that the harmonization process has had in the development and introduction of the K3 and the associated component approach.

Methodology: We conducted a qualitative study in which we interviewed six respondents. We believe that the respondents represent different groups of operators in accounting and all have different knowledge which helps with a broad view of the component approach.

Results: We have concluded that the harmonization process in part have been a basis for the development and implementation of the component approach. The aim of the component approach has not clearly been communicated out and there are different opinions among actors. The component approach from a benefit-, cost perspective is perceived differently by different actors. Depending on whether the actor has a theoretical or practical approach the benefit and cost aspects is seen variously. A difference in the perception of benefit and cost aspects can be explained by the fact that actors see aspects from different time perspective

SAMMANFATTNING Tid för förändring av krigföringens principer. Världen är i en konstant förändring, allianser bildas och överenskommelser tecknas. Detta har drivit omvärldsutvecklingen och globaliseringen till där vi är idag och där det militära maktmedlet används i syfte att uppnå politiska och religiösa målsättningar. Precis som världen har utvecklats så har även de militära styrkorna och vapensystem utvecklats. Att bli segrare i nästa konflikt är en innovationskraft som har drivit utvecklingen av den militära förmågan framåt runt om i världen. Krigen och konflikterna har fungerat som en testanläggning där vapensystem och den militära personalen prövas i strid. Erfarenheter från krigen har dragits och sedan implementerats i syfte att bli ännu starkare och militärt överlägsen.     Krigföringens principer, även kallade de militära grundprinciperna, är ett antal olika principer vilka syftar till att ge en vägledning i planering och genomförandet av militära operationer. Dessa principer togs fram och utvecklades under mitten av 1800-talet av militärteoretikerna Carl von Clausewitz och Antoine-Henri Jomini. Båda dessa militärteoretiker hade framgångar på slagfältet vilket gjorde att de fick genomslag för sina teorier. Dessa teorier har sedan, genom utbildning, applicerats på officerskårer världen över och på så sätt ”cementerats” fast och blivit en basplatta i militärteorin.  Dagens militärteoretiker, framförallt med en amerikansk anknytning, menar på att grundprinciperna är föråldrade på dagens slagfält. Principerna skrevs för att vinna ett lokalt slag på en begränsad plats, inte för att vinna ett krig som påverkar ett helt samhälle under en lång tid. Med en accelererande teknikutveckling och globalisering så har vissa av dessa grundprinciper blivit föråldrade och bör således omformuleras för att vara relevanta i en modern konflikt. Denna studie syftar till att undersöka om krigföringens principer, ur en svensk kontext, behöver förändras för att på ett mer adekvat sätt kunna möta en modern konflikt. Detta görs genom att undersöka utvalda amerikanska militärteoretikers teorier gällande vilka grundprinciper som är inaktuella och därmed behöver ersättas eller omformuleras. Genom en kvalitativ innehållsanalys undersöks sedan om dessa nya grundprinciper kan återfinnas i skrivningar i Försvarsmaktens doktriner vilket kan utgöra stöd för att dessa principer kan implementeras i en svensk kontext. Analysen och resultatet av denna studie påvisar att det finns grundprinciper vilka, ur en svensk kontext, är i behov av revidering för att på ett mer adekvat sätt vara applicerbara i en framtida konflikt. Vidare påvisar resultatet att dessa principer tydligt återfinns i skrivningar i Försvarsmaktens doktriner. Dessutom har teknikutvecklingen spelat en stor roll i vidareutvecklingen av grundprinciperna, då den kan fungera som ett stöd och komplement till grundprinciperna. Således bör de militära grundprinciperna omformuleras alternativt revideras i svenska doktriner syftande till att göra det möjligt för Sverige att stå som vinnare i nästa konflikt.

Nyckelord: Försvarsmakten, Krigföringens principer, teknisk utveckling, Militärstrategisk doktrin, Precision, Förskjutning, Överraskning, Modern krigsföring, Hybridkrigsföring.

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to examine the corporate codes of ethics (CCE) that are put in place by companies in Taiwan and Turkey.

Design/methodology/approach – This study examines the use of CCE among the top companies in Taiwan and Turkey. It is a replication of a study performed in Australia, Canada and Sweden and a follow-up study.

Findings – The empirical findings show many similarities with top companies in Australia, Canada and Sweden, but more importantly identify key differences distinctly unique to each of the two countries under investigation. Statistical analysis suggests that the implementation, communication and benefits of CCE are paramount to Turkish companies operating in a domestic environment where the aspiration to participate globally and join the European Union is high, whereas in Taiwan it is low in favor of more traditional business practices (similar to the Chinese concept of guanxi) that focus on individual relationships in favor of formalized regulatory frameworks (such as CCE).

Originality/value – This study makes a complementary contribution to the accumulated knowledge in the area of CCE, particularly given the cultural and historical differences these countries possess in comparison to each other and those previously studied and documented in the literature.