This report presents the conceptual development of an off-road cargo trailer designed for usage in conjunction with bicycles when camping. The objective of the study is to address the limitations of existing cargo trailers and thereafter create a trailer that efficiently can navigate off-road terrains while carrying various types of cargo. The research includes collecting data regarding user behaviours and desired functions an optimal trailer should obtain and was translated into user requirements. The result demonstrates the successful development of an off-road cargo trailer on a conceptual level that offers innovative solutions and improved load-carrying capacity in comparison to the available market, while considering factors such as weight, manoeuvrability, and ease of use. This research contributes to the field by presenting data, which can be used in development and a comprehensive solution that expands the possibilities for bicycle-based cargo transportation in off-road environments. Future work can include further refinements to optimise the trailer’s performance and address additional user requirements based on the data presented.

Purpose – The purpose of the study is to identify improvement opportunities in a SME’s semi-automated process to create the right pre-requirements if a fully automated process is implemented in production. The purpose was addressed through two research questions:

• Where can waste occur in a semi-automated process?
• What are the expected challenges with implementing a fully automated process?

Method – A single case study has been conducted using both qualitative and quantitative methods in the form of interviews, observation, and document study. Empirical data were collected at a case company within the surface treatment industry and further analyzed in comparison to the theoretical framework to answer the research questions and fulfill the purpose.

Results – The findings of the study revealed seven out of Lean’s 7+1 wastes. Furthermore, several expected challenges associated with implementing a fully automated process were identified which aligned with the theoretical framework. Therefore, SMEs should first map out the current situation and approach the decision to implement automated solutions from a holistic perspective. Thereafter, improvement opportunities should be distinguished before proceeding with a fully automated process. Lastly, SMEs must investigate and plan how to overcome expected challenges within the implementation.

Implications – The case study did contribute to an additional challenge to theory, pertaining to the implementation of a fully automated process in the surface treatment industry within SMEs. Additionally, the study supports existing theory as well as increases the knowledge about the expected risks with adopting automation. Moreover, an implication of the study is that practitioners need to be aware of the possible negative outcomes of automation by considering the entire value stream.

Delimitations – The study was carried out in a case company within the surface treatment industry and limited to one of the main industrial processes that the company has. The case study focuses only on analyzing the current state of the process and its operational aspects, therefore excludes the future state and any potential changes that the company might face.

The third party logistics (3PL) providers play remarkable function in the business world of today’s; therefore, to investigate their challenges will be a valuable study. This study has investigated the challenges and ways to manage these challenges by a 3PL provide company. The achieved results are in coordination with the literature to some extent.The most important challenges are cost, flexibility, professionalism, and quality ofservices. In managing the 3PL challenges, theoretical views mostly tend to apply distinguished approaches, tools and algorithms. Meanwhile, in the case study, it has not introduced any specific approaches or algorithm, but mostly proposed the traditional approaches, such as doing researches and investigations, or Motivation Management. 

Background: Recently, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, supply chains experienced an unprecedented disruption on a global scale, negatively affecting both upstream and downstream organisations. Those disruptions have created operational and demand uncertainty. During the pandemic, restrictions on movements, productions, operations and transportation were experienced in the food supply chain, which affected the flow and processes of food. The primary purpose of inventory is to serve as a buffer between supply and demand, especially when it comes to stochastic demand. Issues that are associated with inventory management are considered to be a challenge for management at many companies. Therefore, it is essential to look into how environmental uncertainty affects inventory and further explore strategies to improve inventory management performance within crises circumstances.

Aim: The aim of this study is to explore inventory management strategies during environmental uncertainty through inventory techniques, technological innovation, as well as human resources to improve inventory management performance.

Method: A single case study at IKEA Food was conducted and an exploratory and qualitative research design was chosen for this study. The data was collected through semi-structured interviews with eleven individuals from different departments and positions. The data were later analysed with the help of thematic analysis.

Conclusion: This study has highlighted changes in consumers behaviour under uncertainty and its effect on inventory. Later, an assessment of the three inventory management strategies and their impact on inventory management performance during environmental uncertainty was presented. Lastly, an overarching strategic challenge within all three strategies was identified. 

Purpose – To analyze the impact on total cost by inventory control methods under the influence of seasonal demand. The purpose will be answered with following research questions:

1. What inventory control methods can be used when there is seasonal demand?

2. What is the impact of inventory control methods on total cost under the influence of seasonal

   demand?

Method – The study was conducted as a case study and the empirical data was collected through interviews and document study. Both of these contributed to the basis for the analysis and for the calculations in the test of the study. Literature study was conducted and included theories for inventory control methods to answer the first research question, as well as formulas for the methods used to answer the second research question.

Findings – It appears from the study, the inventory control methods that can be used when there is seasonal demand and during current planning environment is periodic ordering system and cycle service method. These have been tested further in the study. Seasonal index was considered an important method since it dimensions demand which to a high degree regulate the inventory levels and thereby the result of the inventory control methods. Further the study compares none theoretical inventory control methods and theoretical inventory control methods impact on total cost. It is shown that carrying costs, as a part of total cost, can be reduced by 25% during the peak season and 62% during off-season. This without changing the deliverability. Alternatively, the deliverability can be increased by 10% by using inventory control methods without increasing the total cost of the inventory.

Implications – The theoretical contribution of the study is that it has increased the knowledge concerning inventory control methods when there is seasonal demand, and the possible results they might bring. The empirical contribution of the study is that companies can use the study as an indication of the economic benefits and motivation for implementing theoretical inventory control methods.

Limitations – The tested inventory control methods did not alter the ordering cost, which to a high degree can have an impact on the total cost. The study also shows a possible impact on the inventory control during the current planning environment. If the planning environment changes, the result of the study can be different.

AbstractPurpose – The purpose of this study is to investigate how improvement work with the help of benchmarking can develop and improve small and medium-sized logistics service companies. To achieve the purpose, two questions were used to help:

1. What critical business and working methods do logistics service companies use? 

2. How can logistics services companies use benchmarking to develop the critical business and working methods?

Method – A qualitative interview study was used as a method. The interviews intend to gather deeper knowledge from the interviewees who work in SMEs and offer logistics services. A qualitative method in this regard refers to describing the interviewees' ambiguity in words, experiences, and perceptions. A pilot study was also used to gather knowledge about the companies, then be able to create the questions before the interview. Furthermore, data werecollected using documents and interviews in combination with a literature review.

Findings – The study shows that with the help of benchmarking, SMEs can develop and improve their logistics services in one way or another. The results of the study also show how benchmarking SMEs can produce their framework and use it as a guideline. Therefore, theconclusions of this study are presented in the form of own framework with guidelines that hopefully can contribute with development for SMEs that offer logistics services.

Implications – The result of this study shows and clarify the benefits that benchmarking work in logistics services can mean for SMEs. Based on practical examples, the study can also highlight how benchmarking can contribute to different organizations' improvement efforts. Furthermore, it is also mapped out which critical areas of solutions and measures SMEs can weigh in their improvement work. However, this study cannot shed light on the fact that all five of these critical areas are useful for all SMEs. As theories regarding the problems in the logistics industry have been general challenges in five specific main areas. That is, if an SME is at a completely different stage of development, the framework cannot contribute specifically to their situation if it is outside these five areas.

Limitations – The study focuses only on SMEs that perform logistics services whose dutiesstrive to provide good delivery service, as well as offer logistics-related services within the material flow. And that the improvement work should be based on a benchmarking model.

Keywords – Logistics service management, Logistics, Benchmark, SME

Purpose – The purpose of this study is to explore the drivers and barriers to conducting

an environmental analysis of transport processes in an SME.

Method– The research method used in this study is a single-case study. The research approach for this study is an abductive approach. One data collection method was used for data collection, which was interviews.

Findings – This study identified internal and external drivers and barriers to conducting an environmental analysis of transportation processes. Some findings of this study confirm the findings from the previous studies. Also, some findings of this study extend the findings from the previous studies.

Implications– The answers to the research questions of this study will increase awareness and help SMEs to increase their understanding of the drivers and barriers when it comes to adopting sustainability and conducting an environmental analysis of transportation processes.

Limitations– The limitation of this study are large logistics companies are not considered and will not be included in this study, this study does not delve into environmental analyses relating to warehouse operations or energy consumption, it does not investigate how SMEs gather and analyze the data necessary for conducting an environmental analysis. Also, this study is not focused on how to conduct an environmental analysis and the actual tools itself. Moreover, the study is limited to Swedish SMEs which may have some branches inside of Europe.

Keywords – Barriers, Driving factors, Environmental Sustainability, Green Logistics, SMEs, Transportation

Purpose – The purpose of this thesis work is to develop a model which can aid in prioritizing which customer service that should be the focus of improvement, using the two parameters; customers’ judgment of importance and the current performance as perceived by the customer. The thesis work examines customer services within a shopping mall In Thailand. To fulfill the purpose, three research questions were stated:

1. How important is each of the three customer services: safety & security, cleaning operation and guest service according to the customer in a shopping mall in Thailand.
2. How do Thai customers rank the current performance of the three customer services: safety & security, cleaning operation and guest service in a Thai shopping mall?
3. How can a model be developed to aid in prioritizing where to focus improvements by combining values of customers’ judgment of importance and current perceived performance of the three customer services?

Methodology – The gathering of data was done by interviewing and observing personnel of different customer services. This information was then used in creating surveys for the customers of the shopping mall to answer questions regarding the importance and performance of each service. A model was developed based on theories and the data gathered from the case study was used to illustrate its functions.

Findings – The result of the first two research questions provided data which was used as input in the model created. The model is based on several theories and uses a “percentage of max” value to enable comparison between values. The model limits the “actual improvement” received when suggesting an improvement of a certain percentage by taking different theories into account.

Implications – The model is made solely based on theories regarding customer satisfaction and performance and should therefore be seen as a guideline for practical use. The model focuses on the relation between importance and performance without any consideration to costs or any other parameters which has to be investigated and taken into consideration by the management team.

Research limitations – This thesis work has been based around a single case study of a shopping mall in Thailand which could limit its generalization. However the model is solely based on theory and the data from the case study has only been used to test the model. Thus, the model should be applicable for other similar companies as long as the same input data can be gathered. Further studies could be done regarding how costs can be applied to the model as well as how different measurements. For example, the relation between amount of customers and amount of workers can be used in combination with the model.

Purpose – The purpose of the study is to investigate opportunities for improvement in flows around region-based plastic waste management. To be able to answer the purpose of the study, the following two questions were formulated: 

• What factors should be considered when introducing circular plastic waste streams? 
• What is the responsibility of regional stakeholders in the introduction of circular plastic flows? 

Method – The study is of an inductive approach in the form of a qualitative case study with an analysis unit based on two different analysis levels. In the study, the analysis unit is plastic waste management, which is broken down into the regional and actor level. To answer the presented questions, empirical data was collected in the form of interviews, questionnaires, and a document study. The Gioia method was used to transform data from interviews and surveys into themes and common factors with theoretical foundations. The method also makes it easier for the reader to follow the chain of evidence from data to analysis. 

Findings – The results of the study show that today's plastic waste flows mainly follow a linear value flow and that the necessary flow must be changed towards a circular plastic waste flow. When introducing circular plastic waste streams, the following factors need to be considered for implementation to contribute to improvement: Design, Sorting, Transport and Economy. Furthermore, the study shows that the issue of liability is important for the possibility of claiming within the plastic waste flow and that today it is not clear who is responsible and when. This contributes to the fact that changes in plastic waste management must be clarified and that those responsible need to be named. The conclusions for the study and the result are that the problems surrounding plastic waste management need to be considered from a holistic perspective along the entire supply chain and that all actors involved must take their responsibility. 

Implications – The study resulted in theoretical and practical contributions based on new knowledge. The theoretical contribution that the study has made is plastic waste management based on a regional approach where the theory today mainly deals with a circular economy based on company cases and national level. Additional theoretical contributions were made through common problem areas that were presented based on four factors, design, sorting, transport, and economy. These factors together with the theory of circular economy contributed to a theoretical contribution based on a developed model of the linear flow, to a more circular and sustainable plastic waste flow. The practical contribution is in the form of an increased understanding of the regional actors in the problem and who carries the responsibility in the various parts of the flow. This study can be used to get other regions to improve and develop their plastic waste flow at a regional level that benefits all actors. 

Limitations – The current Covid-19 pandemic has affected the implementation of the study in the form of limited opportunities for visits to actors in the value chain. Another limitation is the geographical delimitation where the study only examines the flow based on a selected region, a study comprising several regions would have contributed to a more generalizable result. 

Keywords – Plastic waste, Circular economy, Sustainable plastic use, Plastic waste flow, Circular plastic flow 

This work deals with the area of creating a systematic article placement at Kitron AB. The purpose of the work is to reduce transport distances and the time required to carry out a pick. This is to be accomplished by placing articles based on a combination of its product family and its picking frequency, in other words, the similarity principle and the popularity principle are applied. To achieve good results, the following three questions are answered:

[1]  Which parameter is of highest importance when placing articles in Kitron AB's high-bay warehouse?[2]  What can an article placement look like to reduce handling losses?[3]  How should the company work to maintain a systematic article placement?To carry out the work, data from the company's business system is used. Literature studies provide access to appropriate theories on different placement principles. From this, it can be deduced that the company has no systematic article placement and many of the articles picked in the same order are well spread out across the warehouse.

An ABC-analysis based on picking frequency is carried out on all articles but also on product families. This is to be able to identify which article and product families should be prioritized when a new article placement is created. This work is based on product families as the company always picks articles within the same product family.

The product family with the highest picking frequency shows that the articles within this are currently scattered among all aisles with pallet racking. In the result, each product family has a fixed zone in the warehouse. These zones vary in size between the different product families based on their need for the number of pallet places. In addition to this, the articles have floating placement within these zones as this means that the need for pallet places is lower. When verifying the result, a time reduction of 42 % is shown compared to the current situation when picking. Since all items in each product family are gathered, this results in reduced transport distances.

Syfte - Företag behöver optimera sina försörjningskedjor för att vara konkurrenskraftiga och maximera sin lönsamhet, samtidigt som de möter kundkrav. Att uppnå en optimal leveransservicenivå är avgörande, där graden av centralisering spelar en nyckelroll. Vidare framgår att marknaden för snabbrörliga konsumentvaror utgör en komplicerad och volatil miljö, vilket ökar komplexiteten i beslutet kring centraliseringsgrad. Därmed är syftet med denna studie: Att belysa och skapa förståelse för vilken roll centraliseringsgrad har för leveransservicenivåer och kostnader för snabbrörliga konsumentvaror, samt sammanställa ett beslutstöd för att stödja företagsbeslut vid optimering av lagerstrukturer för snabbrörliga konsumentvaror. För att besvara studiens syfte har två frågeställningar formulerats:

[1] Vilka utmaningar medför snabbrörliga konsumentvarors karaktärsdrag för att uppnå hög leveransservice?

[2] Vilka faktorer bör beaktas vid övervägandet av centraliseringsgrad för snabbrörliga konsumentvaror för ökad leveransservice?

Metod - Studien är en fallstudie, där en deduktiv ansats har antagits. Studien kombinerar både kvalitativ- och kvantitativ forskning. För att uppnå studiens syfte och kunna besvara frågeställningarna har datainsamlingsteknikerna varit intervju och dokumentstudie. De genomförda intervjuerna transkriberades, kodades samt analyserades med hjälp av Gioiametoden. Metoden ansågs passande för att kunna analysera den stora mängd data som samlats in genom de genomförda intervjuerna.

Resultat - Studiens resultat utgörs av flertalet utmaningar som snabbrörliga konsumentvaror medför. Dessutom identifieras faktorer som bör beaktas vid övervägandet av centraliseringsgrad för snabbrörliga konsumentvaror för ökad leveransservice. I studien appliceras utmaningarna på respektive faktor som identifierats för att medvetandegöra och i förlängningen stödja ett företagsbeslut om centraliseringsgrad för snabbrörliga konsumentvaror för ökad leveransservice.

Implikationer - Studien tillför både praktiska och teoretiska implikationer. Denna studie bidrar med praktiska implikationer i form av kunskap om vilka faktorer som kan påverkas och hur företag inom sektorn för snabbrörliga konsumentvaror bör ta hänsyn till dem. Studien bidrar med teoretiska implikationer i form av ett sammanställande av teori, där snabbrörliga konsumentvaror, centraliseringsgrad, leveransservice, kundrelationer och kostnader kopplas samman.

Avgränsningar - Studien inkluderar processerna Order till leverans samt Distribution. Övriga processer i flödet kommer lämnas utanför studiens omfattning. Dessutom avgränsas studien till enbart distribution mellan företag, vilket benämns som businessto-business (B2B), och inkluderar inte distribution till slutkonsumenter. Rapporten behandlar inte beslut rörande lagrets övergripande utformning. Studien avser att fungera som ett beslutsstöd och berör därmed inte det faktiska beslutet eller en eventuell implementation.

Nyckelord - Business-to-business, centraliseringsgrad, distribution, faktorer, leveransservice, snabbrörliga konsumentvaror

ABSTRACT

Purpose - The quality of health care is lacking, and increased continuity of care can contribute to and be a prerequisite for increasing quality. Despite the knowledge of the good effects of continuity of care, there is a knowledge gap in what it takes to achieve it. Thus, the purpose of the study is:

To investigate barriers and opportunities for continuity of care in healthcare patient flows.

Method - The study is a case study that combines both qualitative and quantitative data. The study began with a pilot study that included literature studies and dialogues with the organization. To collect data, the data collection techniques used were document study, observation and interview. The collected data were analyzed continuously and was compared and strengthened by theory to confirm the validity of the study. To further increase validity, triangulation was considered as an essential part of the study.

Results - The study's results show that the extent of continuity of care is seen to differ between ambition and ability, the ambition is high, but the ability is low. Furthermore, the barriers to continuity of care were identified as a lack of availability in terms of staff, the healthcare IT system and the idea of the current way of working as a single solution to maintain continuity of care. Additional barriers identified were emergency cases and the time aspect. Based on the barriers, improvement proposals have been developed, through changes that should take place in the long term, but also how the work for continuity of care can be improved through the existing conditions.

Implications - Based on the results of the study, theoretical and practical implications have been developed. A new dimension of existing theory has been discovered, which suggests that flow efficiency can lead to continuity of care. Through this, it has also been established that the flow perspective can have good effects in health care. It has been confirmed that there is a lack of continuity of care, and a deeper understanding of the reasons for this has been obtained. Practical implications have been obtained in the form of the improvement proposals produced in the results.

Limitations - The case study is designed as a single case design, which limits the generalizability of the study as only one unit of analysis has been studied. It has been observed during the study that there are misregistration’s in the healthcare IT system. Document study data have been drawn from this system, resulting in a limitation of the reliability of that data.

Purpose: The aim of this research is to examine how lean has been implemented at geriatric care in a municipal department in Sweden, focusing on the experiences and challenges of the employees, together with the strengths and weaknesses of the lean philosophy.

Design/methodology/approach: The primary method used was a case study with interviews and observations on spot, in combination with a literature study. All with the intention of defining and describing lean, its value, and how organizations generally apply lean.

Findings: All sources of information have shown that there are many advantages with lean such as better communication and a better-organized workplace. In addition, lean tools help to eliminate non-value adding activities (waste). However, implementations also bring about issues and challenges such as the difficulty of creating a long lasting lean commitment. A lack of follow-ups and the decreasing demand for lean from the executives have been the main issues within the geriatric care. The next step might be to create a common organizational culture, which is permeated with continuous improvements, focusing on value-adding activities for the residents and others stakeholders.

Originality/value: Very few studies have addressed lean implementation in geriatric care as well as in a municipal department.

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to elaborate, how the use of a joint-use strategy of Lean and Six Sigma can improve flexibility, robustness, and agility. Telecom manufacturing has been under tremendous change after dot.com bubble burst in the early 2000, and new competition has originated from Asia. Being successful requires now more than before, and joint-use of strategies is one option to survive.

Design/methodology/approach – A single case study from a Swedish company operating in the telecom manufacturing was conducted. In particular, a Six Sigma project was followed and analyzed during 2002. However, the outcome of the Six Sigma project has been studied in longitudinal manner until 2014.

Findings – The Lean Six Sigma strategy ensures flexible, robust, and efficient processes. However, to make them more agile in order to sustain in today's highly competitive environment, something more is required. This could include staff training, strengthening company culture and collaborating with key partners in the supply chain.

Research limitations/implications – This study is limited to large company that usually has a lot of resources and choices where to put the strategic emphasis as well as has level of control of the supply chain operations. The situation could be very different in small and medium-sized companies and thus it may be more difficult to realize the Lean Six Sigma strategy in such environment. On the other hand, the processes in these companies are often less complex.

Practical implications – This research provides guidance on how to manage the Lean Six Sigma strategy in order to ensure more flexible, robust, and efficient processes as well as how to perform a Six Sigma project in Lean environment, in a proper manner.

Originality/value – This research provides guidance to companies regarding the applicability and properties of the Lean Six Sigma strategy. The paper will also serve as a basis for other companies and industries, on how to survive in difficult times.

Purpose: The aim is to examine if the joint-use strategy of Lean Six Sigma can improve flexibility, robustness, cost-efficiency, and agility at the same time.

Design/methodology/approach: A single case study including a Swedish company from the telecom manufacturing industry was conducted.

Findings: A Lean Six Sigma strategy ensures more flexible, robust, and efficient processes. However, to make them agile, something more is required. This could include training the staff, strengthening company culture and collaborating with key partners in the supply chain.

Research limitations/implications: This study is limited to large companies that usually have a lot of resources and choices where to put the strategic emphasis. The situation could be very different in small and medium-sized companies.

Practical implications: This research provides guidance on how to manage the Lean Six Sigma strategy in order to ensure more flexible, robust, and efficient processes.

Originality/value: This research provides guidance to companies regarding the applicability and properties of the Lean Six Sigma strategy.

In order to stay competitive in today's marketplace, it is vital to reduce activities that do not create value. Lean production has in the last decade been seen as a philosophy to reduce non-value time. The office environment often presents a major improvement opportunity to reduce non-value time. Lean contributes positively to business performance applied in a manufacturing context and is also suggested to do the same in a service context. The purpose of the paper is to analyse and determine how total productive maintenance (TPM) can be applied within the support process and to identify effects from an employee and business perspective. A case study has been performed and a qualitative research approach was selected. Empirical data were gathered by using semi-structured interviews at one case company, but from several teams that had applied TPM. The result was then used as an inductive approach to explore how TPM can be applied in a support process. To implement and apply TPM within an office context, it should be structured in three steps (i) define, (ii) implement and (iii) sustain. TPM should be conducted as a part of the ordinary day-to-day work. The planning and discussions connected to TPM can be included in regular daily departmental stand-up meetings' involving everybody. The work with 5S and maintenance should also be a part of the TPM structure, connecting it as a system and not as an isolated activity. TPM can create value from both a business and an employee perspective. In the employee perspective, TPM reduces the risk of missing/forgetting areas of responsibility and creates more involvement. In the business perspective, objectives such as cost and quality are improved, but TPM also enables the reduction of waste.

Introduction - The construction industry has its focus on six areas that manage whathappens in the construction area. These areas are related to the construction of newbuildings and the processes that affect buildings. The goal of the study is to find outhow the use of logistics on a smaller construction site affects transport, material, andinventory management. To later see its impact on production.

Method - The study has been conducted as a real-time case study. The studied projectwas in production at the time of investigation. This meant that the company could nothide its shortcomings and the authors increased their chances of discoveringimprovements. In the case study, triangulation between interviews, observations andliterature study was used to answer the questions.

Results – The company had a clear plan and planned the construction logistics dailybased on various deliveries and delays and they covered materials if needed. In theinterviews, the location manager mentions the importance of efficient planning andstorage locations, while the sustainability manager emphasizes the concept of "just intime" and the awareness of logistics problems. The project manager focused onavoiding the non-value-added activities and pointed out the importance of carefulplanning and structure to improve efficiency, profitability, and safety.

Analyze – Through careful pre-planning and "just in time" deliveries, the companystrives for effective project plans and cost efficiency. By fixing security measures,securing permits in densely built-up areas, and introducing traffic control measures,they strive to improve safety, profitability, and efficiency.

Discussion – The study consists of observations, interviews, and literature study. In thediscussion, weaknesses and strengths are discussed with observations and interviews.Discussion is linked back with the theoretical framework, the goal, the questions, andthe delimitations. 

Thule Sweden AB is a company that develops products to facilitate people's adventures. The companyfocuses on various transport solutions where products are offered in four product categories which areSports and Cargo Carriers, Active with Kids, RV Products and Packs, Bags and Luggage. Thecategories consist of everything from roof racks, roof boxes, bicycle carts and strollers to tents for RVsand caravans and backpacks for everyday life.A problem that Thule Sweden AB has identified is the limited opportunity to bring important objectswith you on your bike. The pursuit of a possible solution would, in the company's opinion, be a newconcept for transport where a bicycle could be used. This is due to an increase in the number ofcyclists in all possible areas. With an increasing number of cyclists, new needs and problems alwaysarise at the same time as the company wants to explore a potential development of the existingpackage holder "Tour Rack" in the product collection. The result of the new concept would mean thatit would be integrated with the package holder, where new transport options could be created.The report covers the steps taken to find a solution to enable the transport of objects that have beenidentified as difficult to carry on a bicycle. This has been done with the help of a product developmentprocess where a lot of focus has been on the customer's wishes and needs. Initially, a boot camp wasconducted to identify the target group and possible objects that cyclists considered difficult to bring.This step led to the establishment of a requirements- and function specification, which was the basisfor the generation of several different concepts. The concepts were eliminated and decisions onfurther development were made where one concept was considered to be the best according to theboot camp. The concept was developed step by step and verified using physical prototypes and tests.The tests consisted of assembling manufactured prototypes with the desired objects, which were thenintegrated with the package holder. This was done to ensure the function of the concept.Through this process, the study resulted in a concept where an H-shaped geometry is integrated withthe package holder "Tour Rack". The concept has three integration points in form of screws thatenable an easy mounting process and a functionally stable concept for transport. Securing of objectstakes place by the user tightening two straps over the placed object which attaches softly between tworubber surfaces.

Introduktion (och mål) – Denna rapport är utförd av två byggingenjörsstudenter vid Tekniska Högskolan i Jönköping. Studien genomförs tillsammans med Peab Sverige AB och rapportens mål är att undersöka hur det är möjligt att med hjälp av digitala verktyg undvika att flertalet leveranser ankommer till en byggarbetsplats vid samma tidpunkt men även hur det är möjligt att få kontroll över när leveranser ankommer. Det kommer även att undersökas hur det är möjligt att mindre leveranser kan tas emot utan att platsledningen behöver avbryta sitt pågående arbete.

Metod – Studien är genomförd som en fallstudie med datainsamlingsteknikerna intervju, enkät och observation. Studien består av en kombination av en kvalitativ metod och en kvantitativ metod. Intervjuer kommer att ge data som har kvalitativa egenskaper. Med kvalitativa egenskaper menas att data har en låg standardiseringsgrad men att flexibiliteten är hög. Enkäten ger data som har både kvalitativa och kvantitativa egenskaper. Den data från enkäten som är kvalitativ är de frågor där respondenten själv får skriva medan den kvantitativa data kommer från de frågor som är flervalsfrågor där resultatet går att presentera i tabeller och diagram.

Resultat – Utifrån resultatet går det att utläsa att det enbart är fem av 33 personer som aldrig upplever problem med att resurskrävande leveranser ankommer vid samma tidpunkt medan sex personer svarar att de upplever problem flera gånger i veckan. Anledningen till att flera resurskrävande leveranser ankommer vid samma tidpunkt är att tid inte anges vid beställning eller att leveranserna inte ankommer vid angiven tid.

Analys – Utifrån empirin går det att utläsa att det används en digital eller analog leveranskalender för att hantera leveranser. Det visar tydligt vikten av att alla i projektet är med och arbetar med någon form av kalender för att leveranser ska fungera. Det går också att utläsa att anledningen till att leveranscontainer inte används i så stor utsträckning beror på att det tar mycket plats, det kostar för mycket och leverantörerna tycker inte om att arbeta på det sättet.

Diskussion – Det som diskuteras i diskussionen är de starka och de svagare delarna från resultatet men även huruvida de valda metoder som använts i undersökningen fungerade för att ge svar på de frågeställningar som ställts. En av rapportens svaga delar är att det inte ges något svar på varför leveranser inte kommer vid angiven tid trots att det är en av de stora anledningarna till att leveranskrockar uppstår. De svagheter som finns i datainsamlingsteknikerna stärks av varandra då rapporten innehåller triangulering.

Purpose: This study deals with warehouse management with an emphasis on vertical lift modules (VLM). The aim is to examine the effect of the implementation of VLM on a business's warehouse management. In order to obtain a result, the study has been based on the following questions:

 How was the warehouse management designed before the implementation of VLM?

 How is warehouse management designed after the implementation of VLM?

Method: To be able to answer these questions, interviews with ten users of VLM performed. All users usually lift systems from the same manufacturer. Among the users who visited the interview sessions observations have been carried out to better understand how the stock handling of the user is configured. The results of the interviews and observations have since been compiled in the form of tables. This is to make it easier to compare and highlight the distinct differences of inventory management before and after implementation of the lifts. The study has only examined how the implementation of vertical lift module impacted inventory management, although another storage equipment acquired in connection with the implementation of VLM.

Results:The majority of users have the same design at the warehouse as they were before the introduction of the VLM. Most have replaced shelf compartments storage and use the new storage equipment with the existing one. With the help of the lifts, users have also reduced transportation distances in the warehouse, which has resulted in faster retrieval times. Article Readers acquired in connection with the lifts have also affected the picking time for the better.

Many of the users have chosen to implement a VLM due to lack of space in the warehouse. In cases where the user have not been able to expand its warehouse VLM have been deemed suitable alternatives. Users who have been interviewed agree that the lifts have been a positive investment, which in the end has also proven to be cost-effective. Users find that the lift saves time and, in some cases, reduces the required amount of workforce as a result of a significantly more streamlined warehouse management.

Implications: Results from the study can be beneficial for companies that are looking to acquire VLM to its storage facility. The results can also help students gain a deeper understanding of how the change of storage equipment can affect a company's inventory.

Supply chain resilience has become an important topic within supply chain management, as increasingly complex supply chains set out for increased risk in these networks. Supply chain resilience is a risk management approach that includes the ability to mitigate disruptions through specific capabilities. The previous disruptive events of the COVID-19 pandemic and the Suez Canal blockage-21 have highlighted the vulnerabilities of global trade and the need for more resilient supply chains. The purpose of this thesis was to analyse supply chain resilience and the need for dynamic and operational capabilities in the global maritime transport sector to mitigate impacts from slow-onset and sudden-onset disruptions. In specific, the vulnerabilities highlighted through the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic and the Suez Canal blockage-21 over time. This study was conducted as a multiple case study investigating the maritime transport sector’s resilience during COVID-19 and the Suez Canal blockage-21. The data was triangulated through semi-structured interviews, industry podcasts, and business reports and further analysed using a grounded analysis approach. The study showed that the continuous disruptions on supply chains caused by the COVID-19 pandemic and the Suez Canal blockage-21 generated economic consequences, congestions, and capacity constraints that the maritime transport sector could not fully mitigate. The study also provides evidence that severe impacts on supply chains were not necessarily caused by a lack of resilience, but rather the persistency of disruptions did not diminish over time. Even though the maritime transportation sector is considered flexible and agile in adapting to the new market situation, increased collaboration, integration, innovation, and digitalization were found necessary to improve the resilience of the maritime transport sector to become even better prepared for future disruptions.

Purpose – The aim of the study is to identify, from an operational and strategic perspective, the impact of a digital information system on SME in the logistics industry.Based on the purpose of the study, two questions have been formulated.

• What effects can a digital information system provide on an information flow at an operational level?• What strategic benefits can a digital information system give?

Method – A case study has been conducted on a small logistics company that manages, repairs and manufactures pallets. The data collection was conducted through interviews and observations. Based on the data collection, a literature study has been conducted where an inductive approach has been used. A comparison and analysis between the literature study and empirical data has generated the results of the study.

Findings – With regards to operational and strategic perspective, a digital information system may have different types of impact on SMEs. From an operational perspective, a digital information system can have the following effects:• Operations can be reduced• Reduction of lead time• Enables increased quality of information and information may be available in real time• Creates prerequisites for forecasts, which in return creates a good basis for planning and decision making

The benefits identified at a strategic level of implementing a digital information system are:• Competitive advantage• Decision can be taken based on correct information• Creates new opportunities• Better customer relations

Implications – This study highlights the impact of digitization on companies and provides evidence that digitalization of information systems can lead to shorter lead times, reduced documents and safer information in the flows. The study's findings reinforce and confirm the existing theories that a digital information system can help a company to create more effective processes and a smoother management of its information. The case company illustrate a problem that more logistics companies may experience and where an information system can be a solution for easier management and more up-to-date information.

Limitations – The purpose of the study is to investigate a company's information flow linked to a specific product category. The economic aspects of information management are not considered in this study.

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to propose an integrative account of market (economic) competition and supply chain vs. supply chain competition in order to discover how both perspectives of competition might fit together within the broader encompassing notion of business competition.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper explores the potential points of alignment between the two competition perspectives from their development through to their current standings. Literatures on the evolving supply chain vs. supply chain competition as well as market competition are thus explored.

Findings

Results show that the two perspectives of competition are more similar than expected and as such market competition and supply chain vs. supply chain competition may not be described as mutually exclusive alternatives to the concept of competition.

Research limitations/implications (if applicable)

The suggestions in this paper have implications for the discussion on how to deal with the competition interfaces (borders) that may be present in carrying out business as usual.

Original/value

The paper presents as one of the first studies of an integration of market competition and supply chain vs. supply chain competition, and thereby contributes to furthering our understanding of competition between supply chains and the different competition regimes that may exist within the business environment. This prospect is yet to be pointed out in literature.

Changing customer requirements, regulations, technology and regulations, shift to automated assembly and product variety are common challenges faced by many manufacturing industries and alignment between product and production system is critical for business success. Design engineers should be aware of production constraints and capabilities to ensure efficient manufacture and assembly of products that are developed. This requires different and detailed support to guide the work, evaluate different design solutions, enable continuous and concurrent work with design for producibility and production preparation. A study was conducted in three companies to understand alignment and integration of product development and production preparation processes. Also, utilization of production requirements, design for manufacture and assembly (DFMA) and failure modes and effect analysis (FMEA) to support design for producibility (DFP) was studied. Currently, production preparation is done through discussions between design and production engineers. Production preparation and work with DFMA and FMEA is skill and experience dependent. Definition, structuring and sharing of production requirements on different system levels, from production and product perspectives are identified as critical to supporting design for producibility and production preparation. The work with FMEA and DFMA can be developed and improved with systematic and structured way of working with production requirements.

New business opportunities are created when the advantage of changeable manufacturing systems expand beyond increased freedom in production location to increased freedom in product design. However, there are new challenges to overcome, including improved ability to design and adapt products when requirements from stakeholders quickly change and/or new technology rapidly evolves. Simultaneously, the producibility of each design must be ensured while keeping the lead-time of the whole process to the minimum. Changeable product platforms (both flexible and adaptable platforms) are gaining attention in both research and industry. However, the level of alignment and integration of product development and production is critical for the efficiency of the product realization process. In this study, we map the state of practice in five companies with an initial literature review. The companies had no formal platform strategy and faced challenges with variant management and development time, had manual processes for production preparation and reuse of technical solutions and knowledge happened through components and documents. The production preparation and reuse were dependent on the engineer’s competence. Future work will concentrate on identifying how manufacturing inputs can be added as a design asset in a changeable product platform to enhance producibility and production preparation.

Unquestionably the COVID-19 pandemic has helped to accelerate the transition from store-based to internet-based retailing. Consequently, this transaction has put more pressure and challenges on online retailers to provide the best variety of options to their customers regarding the last mile delivery while at the same time maintaining a sustainable way of delivery. This paper will examine the increased number of deliveries and their impact on the environment and how the e-tailers are responding to this situation. The problem will be tackled from the companies and the customers point of view.

Purpose:  the purpose of the study is to explore e-commerce last mile delivery practices in Sweden from an environmental perspective and examine how they meet consumer environmental requirements.

Method:  The researchers used a deductive approach to carry out the study. The empirical data was collected through quantitative survey and website observations.

Findings: the study showed the current situation of the last mile delivery practices for the SMEs e-tailers in Sweden. After conducting the analysis, both strengths and weaknesses aspects of the current situation have been identified regarding the sustainability of those practices.

The e-tailer promoted the Solitary C&C delivery option to the customer by providing it almost in all the companies and making it the cheapest option in comparison to the other delivery modes. The Solitary C&C is the eco-friendliest delivery mode in comparison to the home delivery. The velocity also played an important role in making the Solitary C&C more attractive because the velocity was almost the same for both and sometimes it is faster for C&C.

On the other hand, the e-tailers failed to communicate the sustainability of their delivery modes to their customers. The majority did not show or marked the eco-friendly delivery option and as a result they did not take advantage of the willingness of the customer to contribute to more eco-friendly deliveries that had been studied in many papers. Finally, the price differentiation of the delivery fee was not efficient enough in the favor of the Solitary C&C compared to HD. When the delivery fee existed, the price was almost the same for both is so many cases and this is something the e-tailer should take into consideration.

Implications: The paper contributed to the limited number of research on SMEs, especially in the last mile delivery field of study. The paper large scale quantitative study on SME firms in Sweden.  The large scale consists of 50 SME e-tailers located in Sweden and ranked in the top 100 SMEs in the e-commerce market.

The finding of the study will advise managers to design their last mile delivery practices more sustainably while maintaining their competitive advantages. 

Limitation: the study examined the Swedish e-tailers. Thus, it’s geographically limited to Sweden. Furthermore, the study only investigated the environmental aspects of the last mile delivery. 

Keywords: last mile delivery, e-commerce, Sustainability, Delivery mode, Velocity.

Purpose – The objective of this paper is to provide and argue for a comprehensive view of eprocurement that involves both the buyer and suppliers and that goes beyond looking at mere cost reductions on the buyer side. More specifically, the paper describes benefits and barriers of implementing e-procurement solutions for both buyers and suppliers.

Design/methodology/approach – This paper reports on a literature review combined with a case study. The case is a public organization in Sweden, which prepares to implement an eprocurement solution. Interviews were also conducted with a selection of suppliers to the case organization.

Findings – In e-procurement literature, drivers and barriers are often viewed only from the perspective of a buying organization. Benefits are mainly cost-related for the buying organization, while barriers often include suppliers. It is proposed that benefits and barriers should include both buyers and suppliers. The literature review and the case study findingsform the basis for further investigation into this problem area.

Research limitations/implications – This study focuses on a public organization in Sweden. Yet, it could have implications for many public or private organizations considering implementing e-procurement systems.

Practical implications – This research suggest that organizations to a greater extent should take the supplier´s side into account when implementing e-procurement solutions.

Originality/Value – The study highlights a full cycle view on e-procurement taking both buyer and supplier into account.

Background: In today's competitive and dynamic market, companies are trying to find new ways of changing their warehousing and logistics operations to increase the value for customers. Inbound and outbound logistics flows are key channels within warehouses as these encompass activities such as planning and scheduling which align with the flow of goods between enterprises and external associates, i.e. suppliers and customers. Due to the complexity of the logistics operations, the planning of both flows is dealt with separately. In this thesis the CPFR business model will be reconstructed and combined with lean tools in all four phases to achieve the potential enablers.

Purpose: The overarching purpose is to analyze the potential enablers of implementing a reconstructed CPFR business model with the application of lean principles to enhance inbound and outbound logistics flows.

Method: This thesis has conducted a single embedded case study at Dagab Inköp & Logistik. Empirical data has been collected primarily through semi-structured interviews with employees within the organization and Snabbgross, which is wholesale company within the corporation. Respondents that participated had different positions such as operational purchaser, forecast specialist, transportation engineer, and warehouse manager.

Conclusion: This study has distinguished enablers of lean tools and its impact on organisations. Lean is essential to integrate in the CPFR business model in order to ensure enhancement within in- and outbound logistics flows. It has been highlighted that is of importance to integrate lean tools in all four phases of the CPFR model.

Purpose – The purpose of the study is to explore how a warehouse for low-frequency food products can be made more efficient. To achieve this, the purpose has been broken down into two research questions: 1. What factors are considered in the storage of low-frequency food products? 2. How is an area for low-frequency food products made more efficient considering factors affecting inventory management?

Method – The study is a case study, where data was collected using both qualitative and quantitative techniques. Data collection includes a survey, interviews, observations, and document studies to gain a deep understanding of the current warehouse management and the factors that influence its efficiency. This methodology enabled a detailed insight into both current challenges and opportunities for improvement.

Findings – The results showed that adjusting warehouse management based on pick frequency and the physical characteristics of products can lead to more efficient use of storage space. Specifically, the importance of placing low-frequency products in strategic locations to reduce waste is highlighted. These insights are strengthened by considering safety requirements and seasonal variations, which further contribute to the optimization of warehouse management.

Implications – The implications of the study emphasize the importance of companies implementing flexible and dynamic warehouse strategies that can be adapted to changing conditions. By applying the identified strategies, companies can not only make their storage more efficient for low-frequency products but also improve workplace safety and reduce operational costs.

Limitations – The study is limited to a specific case and therefore may have limited generalizability to other types of warehouse industries. The study only covers manual warehouse processes and does not consider automated warehouse management systems, which may be relevant in modern warehouse situations.

In the city of Jönköping problems with the irregular flow, erosions and transport of sediment materials are recurring in the brook Strömsbergsbäcken. The problems is somewhat caused by an increased flow of storm water in the brook, which leads to high flow peaks in some parts of the brook since the original furrow is not dimensioned for the increased amount of water. The purpose of this project work is to make ecological drainage management in urban environments with a high amount of storm water discharge more efficient. The objective with the report is to create valuable material of how to accomplish ecological drainage management in urban areas and that the report will be useful for future similar connections. To fulfill the objective, the following three questions have been designed as a significant part of the final project report:

• How can the load on the general drainage system be reduced?

• How can the pollution effects of storm water runoff in urban areas be reduced?

• Which treatments are appropriate to enhance the ecological storm water management in Strömsbergsbäcken ?

The methods that have been used to solve these questions are document- and literature studies, and also a case study.The thesis results shows that the storm water flows from four of the nine areas that has its outlets in Strömsbergsbäcken, need to be treated through some kind of a solution or method that delays the water flow. The treatment could be performed in the area, before the storm water reaches the storm water network, which leads to Strömsbergsbäcken. The storm water flows can also be reduced by treatments adjacent to the outlets in the brook, where the largest flow peaks occurs. For example an essential solution to decrease the flows in Strömsbergsbäcken is to reconstruct the old dam located near one of the outlets into a basin, which will delay the stormwater flows.

Background: Nowadays, humanitarian relief organizations are more and more present in people’s lives due to the number of recorded natural disasters increasing over the last 30 years. Although there are several actors involved in humanitarian aid, the need to integrate logistics service providers into humanitarian relief operations has been recognized. Howev- er, the literature lacks particular attention concerning the coordination roles and objectives between humanitarian relief organizations and LSPs during disaster relief operations.

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to explore the relationship between UNICEF and its LSP(s) during disaster relief operations. More specifically, this study aims to understand the elements that drive, facilitate, constrain and affect the relationship UNICEF has with its LSPs.

Method: A qualitative, exploratory research approach was used, using a real-context case study as the research design. The empirical data was collected through in-depth semi- structured interviews with four respondents representing both UNICEF and its LSPs.

Conclusion: The researchers present a revised version of the conceptual framework used to conduct this research. One additional component was added to the list of compo- nents affecting the effectiveness of a relationship. In addition, some other influencers were discussed. This conceptual framework can be used to formulate an effective relationship between two humanitarian actors within disaster relief operations. Finally, forming a rela- tionship between UNICEF and its LSPs is nothing new. Recommendations for future re- search include investigating implementation efforts once a relationship is built, in order to improve disaster relief operations and save more lives. 

Abstract

Purpose – The purpose of this study is to examine the challenges that exist within thematerial handling process, to and from a department for service and maintenance at a hospital, and how the challenges can be managed to achieve a more efficient material handling process. In order to fulfill the purpose the following two questions where formulated:

1. What challenges exist within the material handling process, to and from adepartment for service and maintenance at a hospital?

2. How can the challenges be managed to achieve a more efficient materialhandling process?

Method – To achieve the purpose of the study, a case study was conducted at Ryhov Hospital in Jönköping. The case study was conducted through interviews, observations and document studies. The collected data has been interpreted and analyzed against a theoretical framework and thus generated the study’s results.

Findings – The challenges identified in the study have been divided into five different categories: lack of process efficiency, lack of information exchange, lack ofcollaboration, variations and individually dependent deficiencies. Tools to deal with the challenges include developing a more holistic view and developing a higher degree of standardization and routinisation. Additionally, the introduction of a coordinating transport organization is introduced, thus creating the conditions to simplify and streamline the material handling process, streamline information exchange, develop cooperation and make it easier to handle variations and individually dependent deficiencies.

Implications – During the study the challenges for the material handling process in ahealth care context were divided into five different categories. The methods and tools used to manage the challenges have different traits and characteristics. While trying to make the material handling process more efficient it is important for each organization to take into account the challenges that are the most critical to improve their specific situation.

Limitations – The aim of this study was to create a deeper understanding for the problem area by studying a case. A single case study, however, is an unsecure foundation for creating generalizable results. It had been desirable to make further case studies in other hospitals. The focus has also been on the material handling process to and from the service organization, and it could have been interesting to broaden the perspective to get more insights.

Keywords – Material handling process, Healthcare, Logistics, Internal logistics

Purpose – The purpose is to: Improve the efficiency of warehouses operations as well as reduce its workload imbalances by altering the warehouse layout and work zones at a storage area. This was done by answering the following research questions:

• What is the current state of the sites efficiency and workload imbalances?
• How can the warehouse layout be designed to increase the efficiency?
• How can warehouse work zones be altered to reduce workload imbalances?

Method – The purpose was achieved through a case study at a vehicle manufacturing facility. By studying established methods of efficiency, layout designs and workload imbalances, ways of improving the operations was discovered. The effects of these methods were then tested through the case.  

Findings –There are two categories improving efficiency, namely increasing output or decreasing input. The study also provides examples of ways to do both, and verifies them at the case company. The focus of both methods is a decrease in travel distance which proved to be a reliable way of increasing efficiency.

Workload imbalances can be decreased by sharing workload between the resources. The case shows the result of two different resources with unequal workload and discusses the trade-off between efficiency and workload equality.

Implications – The practical implications of the study is guidelines for how efficiency can be increased and how workload imbalances can be decreased. The academic implications are verifications of the used theories.

Limitations – This study focuses on a restricted part of the storage process, namely traveling. There are more processes which could be included to further benefit the overall efficiency, these have however been excluded to limit the scope. The study also uses a heuristic approach based on prior research which means that the optimal solution might still be unknown.

Keywords – Efficiency, workload imbalances, storage management, family grouping

Purpose – The purpose of this thesis is to describe the development process for educations within consulting with customer order decoupling point models commonly used within manufacturing operations. The purpose has been broken down into two parts:

1. Objective: To describe the development process for educations within a consultancy.
2. Objective: To position the development process for educations based on the customer order decoupling point models.

Method – In order to meet the thesis purpose, a case study was conducted on the engineering consultancy Combitech AB in Jönköping. To provide a basis for the theoretical framework a literature study was performed. To collect empirical data a case study including interviews and a document study was conducted. The empirical data were then analysed against the theoretical framework, and through pattern matching the customer order decoupling points were positioned into the models. The analysis has helped to achieve the thesis purpose.

Findings – The engineering process that was identified for the three educational categories lacked a standardized approach. Instead, programs were often individually designed and tightly tied to the individual consultants. The thesis shows that the two customer order decoupling point models from manufacturing operations varied in usefulness to visualize the degree of customer order management in the engineering process of a consultancy business. As a visualization tool the two-dimensional customer order decoupling point model was of limited value because it didn’t show much difference between the processes described. The model for the engineering and design process was more nuanced and worked better to indicate which activities in the engineering process that were customer order driven.

Implications – The customer order decoupling point models are created for manufacturing operations that produce physical goods and by testing these models on a service, the model framework and function is challenged. This thesis has helped to cover a part of the identified theoretical gap in the use of customer order decoupling point models between manufacturing operations and service operations.

Limitations – To help cover the theoretical gap the two-dimensional customer order decoupling point model can tentatively be further developed and fully customized for service operations. A person with an academic knowledge of service and customer order decoupling point theories could help create new theory in the field. It would also be interesting to investigate whether it is possible to combine the two customer order decoupling point models presented in this thesis.

Purchasing has a direct impact on a company’s profitability, which means that focusing on reducing purchasing costs can lead to large positive effects. The purchasing function in a company is usually organized in a hierarchical structure which depends on the challenges the company faces. One factor that affects the organization structure is what degree of centralization that is being used.

Tenhults Pressgjuteri AB had the year 2011 sales of 90 million SEK and currently employs 75 people. The company has recently expanded significantly which has led to structural problems in the purchasing organization. Company directors have experienced that the purchasing organization is becoming more difficult to monitor and control and are considering a centralized purchasing organization.

The purpose of this thesis is to investigate the purchasing organization at Tenhults Pressgjuteri which also includes applying theories developed for large companies. To fulfill this purpose, the following three questions have been formulated:

1. What strengths and weaknesses are there in the purchasing organization?

2. What opportunities for improvement are there in the purchasing

   organization?

3. What degree of centralization for the purchasing organization is

   appropriate?

The purchasing organization is spread among several departments. A total of 13 employees have been interviewed during this thesis.

Responsibilities within the purchasing process are unclear due to changes in the company since it was founded. The decision to centralize the purchasing organization is made by management and not a necessity from the view of the employees. Many steps in the purchasing process are not performed properly. The main inadequacies are found where evaluation of both supplier performance and the purchase is made. Supplier selection is often based on price. The company has a high technical expertise among the employees.

The company needs to create a structure in the purchasing organization. They need to develop strategies and tactics for purchasing and start evaluating purchases and supplier’s performance. The company should make use of the purchasing tools that are available and use the right competence for the right purchase. Finally, we recommend the company to continue to develop the areas of the purchasing that have been estimated to be acceptable to avoid that they are overlooked.

Considering Tenhults Pressgjuteris goal to grow 15 % each year and the conditions that the company has, the mixed degree of centralization is estimated to be most appropriate. Some of the company’s purchases are moved to a central purchasing department while technically difficult items still remains at appropriate staff. This option provides a good opportunity for the company to work strategically with purchase and is considered viable. 

Purpose – The purpose of the study is to design a work process to increase inventory service levels by reducing the effects of significant and uncertain procurement lead times in combination with limited demand history and at the same time regarding inventory costs. To achieve the purpose and create a work process, the purpose is divided into three research questions:

[1] How can significant and uncertain procurement lead times be considered to achieve an increased service level?

[2] How can limited demand history be considered to achieve an increased service level?

[3] How can an item classification considering inventory costs, demand history and demand variation enable dimensioning of buffers to achieve an increased service level?

Method – The study was conducted as a case study of a company active in the electric vehicle industry. Both qualitative and quantitative data collection techniques were used. Data collection methods that were considered relevant for studies were document studies, interviews, and observations.

Findings – The work process is developed from the three research questions. Significant and uncertain procurement lead times could be considered by examining a business supply chain through a value flow analysis. If the procurement lead time could be shortened, a future state proposition is recommended. If it could not be shortened, it was proposed to implement safety time. To consider a business limited demand history, different approaches were identified by examining the type of demand. In the event of derived demand, it was suggested to use forecasts. In the case of non-derived demand for small volumes or for new items, human judgment is recommended. For other non-derived demand, a combination of human judgment and forecasts is recommended. Safety stocks are recommended for all types of demand. The dimensioning of buffers depends on the class combination from the MUSIC 3D in the ABC-, XYZ- and cost-classification which provides a suggested action plan.

Implications – The study results in a work process that can be used for other businesses with significant and uncertain procurement lead times in combination with a limited demand history to increase the service level considering inventory costs. The work process provides guidance on which factors that should be considered to enable an increased service level.

Limitations – The study is limited to demonstrate that the work process can theoretically increase the service level. The study also does not make calculations for setting exact levels of safety stocks. The warehousing cost is in the case company considered as the purchase price of goods. The study is limited to being implemented in companies with warehousing operations. For further research, the work process could be tested at several companies.

Most companies have a bottleneck in their production, that is a constraining re-source. When the demand is higher than the capacity in the constraining resource it is impossible to produce the demanded output. This problem leads to delayed deliveries, unhappy customers and ultimately to decreased revenue. Bottlenecks therefore has a significant role in production and must be handled thereof.MW Power in Sävsjö, Sweden designs and manufactures water and steam boilers for the customer's unique needs. MW Power invested in a new plasma cutting ma-chine but the machine has not reached the expected capacity. The capacity prob-lem is due to time consuming set-up times, machine care and material supply which makes the plasma cutting machines utilization rate 37.5 %.The study’s purpose aims to maximize the material flow through the plasma cut-ting machine. In order to answer the purpose, two thesis questions are used: “How can increased machine time in the plasma cutting machine be achieved?” and “How can the ma-terial flow to and from the plasma cutting machine be improved so that the actual capacity can be increased?”To answer the thesis questions, the study had a deductive approach in which ex-isting theories has been applied to real life case.In order to streamline the plasma cutting machine and the processes directly re-lated to it, the material flow upstream, the material flow through and the material flow downstream of the plasma cutting machine has been mapped and analyzed. In order to maximize the flow of material through the plasma cutting machine, setup times must be reduced to increase the capacity.The plasma cutting machine requires maintenance by the operator at regular basis where the nozzles and other consumables in the plasma cutting machine burner must be replaced. A SMED-analysis has been undertaken which shows that the internal set-up operations should be converted to external set-up operations. Re-placement of nozzles and consumables should be an external set-up operation and this can be achieved by purchasing more burners.The plasma cutting machine also has access to unmanned production which will be able to increase the capacity, since it can be running after hours.The material flow upstream and downstream must be improved through better planning of cutting orders and with a more efficient return flow. Prioritizing mate-rial supply to the constraining resource is crucial to secure that material shortages do not occur in the plasma cutting machine.If the study proposed measures are implemented, the material flow through the plasma cutting machine will be maximized.

Abstract

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to explore last mile delivery practices among large and medium Swedish omni-channel (OC) retailers and e-tailers. Also, the study aims at analyzing what similarities and differences exist between the two types of retailers.

Method: A literature review was carried out in order to gain more knowledge about the topic and develop a theoretical framework, used for analyzing data. Also, a quantitative study was conducted through electronic surveys (secondary data) and website observations (primary data). The 100 retailers were large and medium OC retailers and e-tailers and were selected based on a probability sample. 

Findings: The study has shown that there are plenty of similarities and differences between the two kinds of retailers. Some of the delivery practices and options that OC retailers and e-tailers perform similarly are unattended HD (unattended home delivery), attached C&C (click and collect), drop shipping, free solitary C&C (click and collect). There are also differences between retailers when it comes to attended HD, time slot, eco delivery or LTL-Courier (Less Than Truckload-courier). E-tailers offer more competitive remote deliveries with more free remote delivery options. OC retailers leverage on both store network and remote delivery services. Thus, OC retailers can learn how to cope with e-commerce growth and adapt their delivery services as e-tailers do.

Limitations: This study has a geographical focus on Swedish OC retailers and e-tailers. The data that was collected has been limited to the logistics variables: delivery mode, velocity, time slot, slot price differentiation, delivery fee, eco delivery, picking location, delivery area and transport service.

Theoretical implications: This study is an important step towards contributing to academic theoretical literature regarding last mile delivery practices. Based on the previous frameworks, new logistical variables were added, such as more velocities, delivery fee, eco delivery and drop shipping. These contributions were helpful in the process of exploring characteristics about retailers and how they differ from each other.

Managerial implications: This research is valuable for managers and retailers in order to find the best logistical strategy. It could be beneficial for OC retailers who face challenges that e-commerce brings and compete with e-tailers.

Keywords: Last-mile delivery, Retailing, Omni-channel, E-tailers, E-commerce.

Paper type: Research paper

Purpose – The purpose of the research is to explore how defective parts and products affect the sustainability aspect of manufacturing companies and how defects can be reduced. 

Method – To reach the purpose of the study, a single case study and literature review have been conducted. The single case study has used an abductive approach throughout the study with the use of quantitative and qualitative data. The different methods to collect the data throughout the study were observations, interviews, questionnaires, and document studies. The empirical data was later analysed with pattern matching against the theoretical framework to reach results. 

Findings – It is clear that defective parts and products have a negative effect on manufacturers’ sustainability performance. The use of lean methodology and its tools can provide manufacturing companies with accurate information on what defects they have and the causes behind, in order to reduce the number of defects and improve the sustainability aspect.  

Limitations – The research has been limited to one company and a certain area within its production. The studied area was further narrowed down to only include the closest processes to the machines, hence, processes before and after the area are not covered in this research. 

Keywords – Defects, Sustainability, Production, Lean, Plastic injection moulding, Process. 

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to explore the environmental impact of e-commerce, considering the effects on CO2e emissions from transportation and implications on product packaging. 

Method: The research approach used in the study is an exploratory single case study design. The research questions were answered by using both qualitative and quantitative methods and the data collection methods used were interviews and document analyses in combination with a literature review. 

Findings: The study shows that there is no straightforward answer to whether e-commerce is a better option environmentally speaking or not since it very much depends on the context and circumstances. Regarding transportation, e-commerce and especially home delivery, emitted least CO2e emissions. It was also shown that electric cars were the most environmentally friendly option considering consumer trips. Regarding packaging, it was shown that e-commerce resulted in larger packages and thus more CO2e emissions and waste. 

Originality: The study contributes to an understanding of the environmental implications of e-commerce, and therefore, it can support companies in their progress toward becoming a more sustainable business.

Limitations/delimitations: The study is limited to one case company and focuses on domestic deliveries within Sweden. Returns of products will not be included in any calculations. Emissions resulting from producing more packaging material, or the transportation of packaging material before usage, are not considered. 

Theoretical implications: The study contributes to existing research within the area since it covers a different context by studying a manufacturer and adds a new perspective by considering different fuels for consumer trips in the calculations. 

Managerial implications: Based on the result of the study practical suggestions for companies to reduce their environmental impact are presented, for example, implement a standard packaging procedure and outsource logistics activities to 3PL companies. 

Abstract

Manufacturing companies in today’s modern society are facing challenges since the demand on higher efficiency gets more prominent. But during a manufacturing company´s working day problems might arise that demand a stop in the production to resolve the problem. Therefore, it became of interest to this study to find out which impact these stops might have on production efficiency. The purpose of this study is thereby to increase knowledge about how stops in the production might affect production efficiency. To fulfil the purpose of this study, the following research questions have been designed: 

1. Which stop causes have the biggest impact on the production efficiency? 

2. Which actions can be made to improve the production efficiency? 

To answer the research questions and therefore fulfil the purpose, a case study was conducted. This case study was conducted at a manufacturing company that wanted to investigate the stop times in their production. Through a document study, literature review and interviews, the empirical material was collected. This case study, together with the findings in the theoretical material, has been the basis for the analysis and discussion that were made to reach a result and find improvements. 

Findings 

Findings show that there are several individual and contributing factors that may cause stops in a production line. The study found that downtime in production may be the biggest and most complex stop cause in a production and that companies might need to put in plenty of effort to improve it. By fulfilling this study´s purpose the study serves to make these corrections easier and provide suggestions that might come in handy for companies in similar situations. 

However, due to unforeseen events, such as the pandemic of Covid-19, the study had been limited to production efficiency by OEE calculation. The results and suggestions of approvement is limited to machine availability, therefore the study will not research other parts of the production that might affect production efficiency.

Abstract

Purpose - The aim of the study is to investigate how consolidation of orders and transports lead to reduced transport costs and environmental impact. Based on the purpose of the study, three questions have been raised:

•          How does order- and transport consolidation affect the number of transports?

•          What factors facilitate order- and transport consolidation?

•          What factors hinder order- and transport consolidation?

Method – A single case study with a mixed methodology was used. Both qualitative and quantitative data were collected. The data were collected by means of observation, interviews, and document studies to collect the empirical results. To create a connection between this study and theories, a theoretical framework is created. The theoretical framework and the empirical result were analyzed to create study results.

Results - The study showed that the use of order and transport consolidation can reduce the number of transports per order lines. The efficiency of order and transport consolidation is affected positively and negatively several factors such as the length of the planning horizon, the quality of the logistics system and the customers' requirements and capacity.

Implications - The results of the study can be used to create and increase the understanding of order- and transport consolidation. The study also identified factors that affect companies that use or want to implement order- and transport consolidation. The results of the study can be used by companies with similar problems.

Limitations - The study was limited by the current war in Europe, which limited access to key informants. The study is only based on a case company, which undermines the generalizing the results of the study. However, theories were used to strengthen the external validity.

Keywords - Consolidation, logistics, logistical costs, order consolidation sustainability, transport consolidation