Vårterminen 2006.

Machine-to-machine (M2M) communication is a phase in the digital revolution connecting computing devices with each other bringing along new business opportunities for companies. Although being a fast growing field it has not been researched to any greater extent, particularly not within the academical literature. Consequently, information on how M2M can affect organisations seems strongly needed. This thesis uses three perspectives, derived from already recognised business benefits of M2M, as an aid to select proper theoretical tools to investigate the phenomenon. The purpose of this thesis is to gain knowledge of how an M2M adoption affects a firm?s organisation, customer offerings and customer relations.

Word-of-mouth marketing (WOM) has been considered as one of the most effective marketing tools, yet the least understood. While its lucrative effects have been well proven in academic studies worldwide, little is yet known of why consumers engage in WOM, and what factors actually drive this sought-after behavior, particularly in an online context. While today's research lacks holistic views on the simultaneous effects of multiple WOM-drivers, this paper takes on a meta-analytic approach by building on the pertinent literature to construct an aggregated model, including several previously acknowledged drivers divided into two categories: (1) Brand related drivers and (2) Personal and situational drivers. The authors then empirically examine what drivers are the most influential on WOM in an online social media context. By doing so, this thesis does not only contribute to marketing managers' better understanding of online communications management, it also sheds light on the theoretical knowledge of the behavioral drivers of WOM.

Abstract Title: How Shops Influence the Customer to Purchase Authors: Lisa Hegestrand, Jonna Olandersson and Anna Sjödahl Advisor: Leif Rytting Course: Marketing C, 61 ? 90 ECTS Purpose Our purpose is to analyze and clarify how a number of shops work to influence their customers? in-store buying behaviour. We would also like to analyze and reflect on how and to what extent these shops use the customer?s senses when trying to influence buying behaviour. Method We have combined a deductive and inductive approach.

In recent time, agile methods have been devoted much attention, and the concept is widely used in the IT industry in particular. An increasing number of companies are interested in this way of working. The following report is the result of a study on the ability to create value for customers in business development through the use of agile methods. We ask what the advantages and limitations of agile methods are in the creation of customer value. Grounded Theory and an initial literature review was used to answer this question.

Our purpose was to examine how social workers, within the child- and youth psychiatry, works with aggressive children and which theoretical perspectives they use. The questions we wanted to examine were how they worked with these children, how they motivated their work and which theoretical perspectives they used. The method that was used was a qualitative interview, where six social workers were interviewed. The result showed that their work foremost was based on conversation methods and all social workers emphasized the importance of a near cooperation with the parents since they considered that parents had the strongest influence on the children. Some social workers focused foremost on altering children's aggressive behavior while others focused on understanding the meaning of the behavior.

Behavioral problems are one of the leading reasons for re-homing and euthanasia in dogs. It is estimated that between 40 ? 87 % of dogs suffer from some sort of behavioural problem, making it an important animal welfare issue. Separation anxiety is one of the most common behavior problems encountered in dogs after problems related to aggression. This thesis is aimed at examining the etiology behind separation anxiety related behavior in dogs based on existing literature as well as comparing and evaluating the efficiency on suggested treatment protocols.

This report is focused on a research to find out if the Customer Relation Management (CRM) of Quicknet AB works and if their customers are satisfied with it. During this investigation I tried to see if the customers had a need for taking the CRM and use a tool called Social CRM. The report will conclude if the clients of Quicknet think that there is something that can be done in the relation between both parts and how it can be improved. At the same time I am going to build an application which relates to the problems of this report.To solve the problem I am going to do a survey which will include the CRM and also try to find out if the customers of Quicknet share the same thoughts about having a Social Customer Relation Management. Also if this survey shows what the customers think about the CRM, it could improve the relation between Quicknet and themselves. The result from the survey showed two things.

The fitting room is an important part of a clothing store, it's often where the customer decides if they want to buy the garment or not. Therefore it is important that the customer can feel safe and comfortable when they are trying the clothing. A typical fitting room in Sweden today has only one bright spotlight that emits light either towards the face or from the ceiling above. This study explores possible lighting solutions that take into account the customer's experience in the fitting room.The study aim to increase understanding of the importance of a good light in fitting rooms, so that customers gets a nice experience and that clothes, body shape and facial features are shown in a natural way. The issue therefore included how lighting can affect the customer's perception of the clothing and how the perception of body shape, facial features and the clothes change in different lighting solutions.To answer these questions, observations were made in various clothing stores, followed by an experimental study divided into two parts.

Hållbarhetsfrågan i klädbranschen är fortfarande i en utvecklingsfas och tidigare forskning visar att det finns ett flertal möjliga faktorer som är bidragande till att kunder i dagsläget inte konsumerar på ett sätt som går i linje med deras värderingar. Syftet är att utforska hur kunder kan engageras att främja hållbarhetsaspekten vid klädinköp. För att uppfylla syftet utformas två forskningsfrågor. Metoden är en flerfaldig strategi med ett huvudsakligt kvalitativt fokus. Angreppssättet är abduktivt genom kombination av deduktion och induktion. Studien består av en kvantitativ enkätundersökning följt av kvalitativa semistrukturerade intervjuer.

AbstractC-level essay in political science, by Frida Orlinder, spring semester 2008Supervisor: Susan Marton?Good contracting? ? A study of contracting in public procurement regarding the transportation of school children?Over the last decades models influenced by the market have been gaining influence in public administration all over the world. New Public Management has been presented as a theoretical ?shopping basket? from which concepts can be applied to the administration of municipal services. The purpose of this essay is to investigate in an explorative way how New Public Management (NPM) views contracting and the role of the internal customer in contracting.

An increasingly globalized market is leading to hard competition among manufacturing companies, which means that they are forced to become more customer focused to survive in the market. A Customer Relationship Management system is a system that will be of assistance to help companies succeed in building long term relationships with their customers. Best of Breed and ERP-based are two types of CRM systems. The study has focused on analyzing and examine the need for CRM systems at manufacturing companies. Our question formulation has been:? What need do businesses want to satisfy with a Best of Breed-based and ERP-based CRM system?? Are there any differences in the use of Best of Breed-based and ERP-based CRM system?In this study, we have chosen to carry out interviews and quantitative surveys with manufacturing companies to get their view of CRM-systems.

In this qualitative study the authors explores, by studying several quality-development models what quality in leadership is. The models are: Total Quality Management; SIQ?s model for customer-oriented organizational development; the EFQM excellence model; the ISO 9000:2000 standard; and Six Sigma. These models will be compared from Deming?s list for upper management; the Situational Leadership Theory; and the Contingency Theory.

Society has seen a tremendous increase in threats, violence and especially unprovoked violence perpetrated by youths. Violence and more seriously unprovoked violence has become a major problem for many service corporations as it gives them bad image and reputation. Corporate Social Responsibility CSR encourages many companies to engage in social activities as they realize that the company is part of the society and the environment. What affects society may sooner or later affect the corporate. For any business to prosper and create a long-term relationship with its customers, it needs a safe environment both for the customers and staff.Feedback from customers and staff is survival and these two (customer and staff) are the most vital assets any firm could have.

The definition of procrastination can be described as a behavior with deliberate postponement of tasks or commitments despite expected negative consequences for the individual and his or her environment. This study examined how widespread this behavior is among students in higher education in Sweden. Using a web-based survey, data was collected for analysis. A statistical program, SPSS, was used for evaluation of the collected data. The purpose of this study was to examine whether there are differences in the degree of procrastination between students located on campus versus students who do their education at distance.