Dissertations / Theses on the topic 'Business concept'

This study examined the process by which a technology company grows from a concept into a living enterprise in order to provide guidelines to technology entrepreneurs. A living enterprise is a mature and stable blue chip entity that is able to act on its own based on the structure of having a community involved in making business decisions. This study used a triangular selection process to narrow approximately 500 companies down to four companies. Using archival data to develop case studies, the growth processes of four technology companies (i.e., Apple, Microsoft, Oracle and Google) were investigated, analyzed, and compared. These case studies started by examining the backgrounds of the founders, development of the initial product, and beginning of operations to the point when each of them became a living enterprise.

The four case studies were used to build the model entitled General Growth Process: Concept to Living Enterprise. This model is a useful tool for entrepreneurs who want to start and grow their companies. The general growth process extended Larry E. Greiner’s models (1972), the model of organization development and the five phases of growth. In addition, Laurence Capron and Will Mitchell’s definitions of, build, borrow, or buy were incorporated as well as my addition and definition of abroad (i.e. international). Finally, this study provided detailed information on how each founder became a values-driven leader and built a living enterprise.

Keywords: concept, entrepreneurs, founders, growth process, growth strategy, growth options, living enterprise, organization life-cycle, product development, values-driven leadership.

Title SpotBox: The Concept Development of a Digital Jukebox

Authors Guilherme Gomes & Pauline Droz

Supervisor Jean-Charles Languilaire

Level Bachelor Thesis in Business Administration, Marketing

Key words Marketing, Concept Development, New-Product Development, NPD, Jukebox, Music, Spotify, Customer-Oriented business,Live streaming, mp3, Customer-Oriented Music System.

Purpose To Turn the new-product idea of the digital jukebox called SpotBox into a product concept.

Method In the method we explain the process to develop our concept. Based in three phases, we started by combining secondary data and primary data through a focus group in order to understand better the potential consumers of our product, then personal interviews are made with our customers and the technical requirements are measured in the end through an interview.

Theoretical framework Kotler´s and Cooper´s approach about New-Product Development are first introduced. Then the Concept Development theories of both authors are explained which allow us in a last paragraph to build and present our own approach of the process of concept development.

Conclusions The SpotBox concept developed through this work is presented and explained in detail: A digital jukebox in a futuristic shape which allows users to share, listen and program songs in a new, convenient and exciting way, giving to the music market a new customer-oriented dimension.

The issue that is dealt with in this paper is the concept of values-led business. The idea behind the term is that businesses has a responsibility to the people and the society that make its existence possible and that social problems can not be solved unless business accepts taking on a leadership role which requires that business starts acting in the interests of the common good. This is specifically important since companies today are the main source of influence in people’s everyday life and the area is specifically interesting because of all the business scandals in recent years. (Cohen and Greenfield, 1997). The concept of values-led business arose mainly from the two companies the Body Shop and our chosen company; Ben and Jerry’s.

The purpose of this thesis is to explore the concept of values-led business and find out how it is different from the procedures at a non-explicitly values-led organisation. We also aim to find out if there would be any benefits of introducing values-led business into the latter.

In this paper we compare an explicitly values-led company, Ben & Jerry’s Ice Cream, with a non explicitly values-led company, SIA Glass on their internal and external performance on the study areas of Marketing, Sourcing, and HRM and Organisational culture. A qualitative research method has been used as method. The collection of primary data was done with the help of interviews done at our companies’ main offices in Sweden. In the case of Ben & Jerry’s, additional secondary sources have been used. Theories used serve the purpose of both a tool of analysis but also of setting the stage of values-led business. Furthermore, the theory has been divided into the four areas of study mentioned above.

The first part of the conclusion states that we, throughout the thesis, have given a good overview of what the differences between values-led business and “ordinary” business really are. Also, we found that SIA Glass has the potential of becoming a values-led company as its foundation is not entirely based on financial goals but is to a large extent driven by a will to preserve something good for the local community. In order to develop a val-ues-led thinking a social mission should be formally put down in print and be held equal to the financial and quality missions. SIA Glass potentially has a lot to be gained especially in the marketing area as SIA Glass as it could create further leverage by using more creative marketing methods.

The starting point of this thesis is the importance of corporate social responsibility (CSR) in China. CSR can certainly not solve all of the social and environmental problems, but we believe that it can play a part, which is why we find it interesting to study the status quo of the concept in China. The research question of the thesis is “How is CSR depicted in China?”. The purpose of this study is to identify and describe Chinese views of CSR and analyze the differences between these views and CSR, as it is commonly understood in the West, in order to contribute to a better understanding of the CSR concept in China. We spent ten weeks in China conducting a qualitative case study. We interviewed companies, academics and governmental and non-governmental organisations, within the CSR area in China. Our material was then categorised into five views of CSR, where CSR is depicted as:

- CSR as labour law compliance

- CSR as law enforcement

- CSR as codes of conduct compliance

- CSR as a PR exercise

- CSR with Chinese characteristics

In addition to describe these views, we set out to analyze the differences between these views, and CSR as understood in the West. When analyzing the views we have mainly departed from CSR theory and translation theory. The main differences can be seen when it comes to the, from a Western point of view, limited scope of corporate responsibility, the lack of stakeholder dialogue, the lack of consideration for environmental issues, and in the concept of a harmonious society, which is not a part of CSR in the West. CSR with Chinese characteristics still seems to be an aspiration they are striving for, while the other four views rather are different aspects of the problems related to CSR in China at present. Our views are examples of how CSR has been translated in China, but none of them seems to be a suitable option for the further development of the concept. Put together, these views give a quite negative image of CSR in China, and it comes forth as rather ineffective. If the concept is going to have any impact on the social and environmental problems in China there is a need for further research. The development of the concept needs to be in accordance with the realities of the Chinese society, addressing the problems in the society as well as the problems with the concept.

This explorative study address the concept of organisational identity described by Albert & Whetten and takes their concept from the individual level to the industry level. When doing so the lack of empirical research and theoretical knowledge within this area becomes clear. Although an unexplored area we argue that if Albert & Whetten interpreted, the members’ perception to an organisational level we believe that it is also possible to aggregate the perceptions of the members/managers to an inter-organisational/industry level. When taking the identity to the industry level questions like, who are we at an inter-organisational level or with other words is there an industry identity and how does the industry identity affect the actions within an industry?

In this thesis, we will try to fill this gap of knowledge and contribute to theoretical concepts of industry identities, by gathering empirical data to substantiate the concept of industry identity. We will try to fill the theoretical gap concerning identities within an industry; explaining the content of these identities and how they are defined, in line with the contribution by Albert & Whetten, the same way as individuals organisational identity arises. Whenever he or she asks the question, who are we and what kind of business are we in (Albert & Whetten 1985), it is the same way as for an organisation within an industry to ask questions like – which industry do I belong to and what kind of industry are we in. The processes stressed by Hatch & Schultz also raises questions like how does the industry identity affect the interactions/actions between identities within an industry or how does the actions by one identity affect another identity within an industry? One industry that can be assumed to have developed an inter-organisational identity over time, due to a long history and clear cultural anchoring the last 10-years has been faced with both radical change and crisis is the Swedish alcohol industry. The empirical data in this study is based on eight semi-structured telephone interviews with importers (managers or top team) in the Swedish alcohol industry.

Consequently, we approach this explorative study by stating the following question; Is there an industry identity within the Swedish alcohol import industry, and if so, what is the content of this identity and how does this identity affect the actions taken within the industry? The main purpose is to answer the question stated in this thesis by; to describe the central and distinctive characteristics/aspects of the Swedish alcohol importers identity and to find commonalities and differences within these industry identities. To relate to these central and distinctive aspects of the industry identity in relation to the actions taken by the organisations within the industry.

The conclusion of this thesis is; yes, there is an industry identity based on two orientations; the product or market orientation and the content of these identities are based on how their importers believe that you as an importer should act in selling wine to the customers. Further conclusion is that; yes, industry identity (i.e. product or market) does affect action or rather some types of actions.

The possibilities to extend and further explore this industry seem endless. The changes in the industry and the settings of the environment that it exists in are continuously and a constant on-going process even though Sweden still has a monopoly. Our study has raised many questions that would be interesting to investigate in another study, for example if these two approaches can co-exist or if one of them would be dominant. Or if they actually need each other.