Changing a supplier in China : the case of Prima Pet Premium Group
Lehtola, Heidi (2018)
Lehtola, Heidi
Tampereen ammattikorkeakoulu
2018
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Julkaisun pysyvä osoite on
https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:amk-2018113019237
https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:amk-2018113019237
Tiivistelmä
The commissioner for this thesis is Prima Pet Premium Group, the largest Finnish-owned wholesales company specialized in pet food. Thesis aimed on developing current process when a need to change supplier for an existing product or product range emerged and simultaneously pointed the need to improve collaboration with supplier to gain ad-vantage compared to competition. Research problems and questions were about how to show actualized benefits of said improved process and company’s ability to transform gradually and to become more receptive regarding change.
Main method chosen was a case study as recent history provided an excellent example for it. From May 2016 until October 2017 the company used 16 months in implementing a supplier candidate change. Through participant observation as well as analyzing exist-ing data these qualitative methods were utilized thoroughly. Questionnaire for selected persons was conducted and results from those were refined in to recommendations re-garding developing actions in the process.
The case study demonstrated that time, resources and money were wasted as activities were not streamlined. New role of Product Lifecycle Manager was suggested as a major improvement action alongside few minor but supportive proposals for improvement.
As a recommendation it was suggested to develop organizational trust in change, em-power current employees more and to believe in processes. To not see suppliers as dis-posable units but more as a possibility to further develop collaboration in to an engaging cooperation that will profit as improved product quality. In time the collaboration can also provide a chance to implement product development with the supplier. These com-bined with dedicated personnel the company will further strengthen its position in the fast-changing pet food business as a trustworthy partner.
Main method chosen was a case study as recent history provided an excellent example for it. From May 2016 until October 2017 the company used 16 months in implementing a supplier candidate change. Through participant observation as well as analyzing exist-ing data these qualitative methods were utilized thoroughly. Questionnaire for selected persons was conducted and results from those were refined in to recommendations re-garding developing actions in the process.
The case study demonstrated that time, resources and money were wasted as activities were not streamlined. New role of Product Lifecycle Manager was suggested as a major improvement action alongside few minor but supportive proposals for improvement.
As a recommendation it was suggested to develop organizational trust in change, em-power current employees more and to believe in processes. To not see suppliers as dis-posable units but more as a possibility to further develop collaboration in to an engaging cooperation that will profit as improved product quality. In time the collaboration can also provide a chance to implement product development with the supplier. These com-bined with dedicated personnel the company will further strengthen its position in the fast-changing pet food business as a trustworthy partner.