The purpose of this study is to extract the Key Success Factors for Ericsson Mobile Platforms (EMP) by analyzing its value chain and possible areas of improvements. Furthermore, the aim of this study is to test the Value Grid concept as tool for strategic planning using the analysis of EMP’s value chain.
Methodology:This master thesis is a case study of Ericsson Mobile Platforms (EMP) from an inside-out perspective. The data is collected from documentation and from semi-structured interviews with people from EMP. The theoretical framework is a combination of traditional theories such as value chain analysis and newer approaches like value networks and added-value chain.
Conclusions:The value chain analysis and the research model used in this study demonstrated to be useful to identify the KSFs for EMP. Four KSFs were identified for EMP: ability to bring TTM cost-optimized platform with new technology; ability to integrate, test and deliver stable complex technology solutions in short time; excellent competence in radio technology; and finally, to have customers that generate high volumes. The KSFs for EMP resides in the fact that it has managed to define correctly the boundaries of the value chain activities, that is, it only does activities where it has core competences. After a deep analysis of the value chain and value system, the Value Grid concept proved to be an heuristic tool for finding opportunities of improvements for EMP. Finally, Value Grid framework seems to be suitable for firms who have value chains built on modular activities that can be re-used independently for creating other types of products.
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Author: Mauricio Aracena Kovacevic
Source: Blekinge Institute of Technology
Contents
1 Introduction
1.1 Background
1.2 Aim
1.3 Delimitations
1.4 Outline of the study
2 Theoretical Foundations
2.1 The Value Chain and the Value System
2.1.1 Introduction
2.1.2 Value chain
2.1.3 Linkages
2.1.4 Drivers in Competitive Advantages
2.1.5 Competitive scope in the value chain
2.1.6 The Value System
2.2 Value Network
2.3 The Added-value Chain
2.4 The Value Grid
2.4.1 Value Grid framework
2.4.1.1 The vertical dimension
2.4.1.2 The horizontal dimension
2.4.1.3 The diagonal dimension
2.5 Key Success Factors (KSF)
2.6 Research Model
3 Methodology
3.1 Research Design
3.1.1 Scientific motivations behind this research design
3.1.2 Case Study
3.1.3 Qualitative research
3.1.4 Methodological Reflections
3.1.5 Critique on Source of Information
4 Empirical findings
4.1 The Mobile platform Industry
4.2 Ericsson Mobile Platforms (EMP)
4.2.1 The EMP’s Value Chain and Value System
5 Analysis
5.1 Value Chain Analysis
5.2 Test of Value Grid
5.2.1 Vertical Dimension
5.2.2 Horizontal Dimension
5.2.3 Diagonal Dimension
5.2.4 Summary and Analysis of EMP’s Value Grid
5.3 Key Success Factors for EMP
6 Conclusions
7 Suggestion for further research
8 References
9 Appendix
9.1 Questionnaire
9.2 Terminology