The Identification of the Sources of Supply

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Critical Evaluation

In order to reduce the possibility of having the wrong answer signifies that attention has to be paid to two particular emphases on research design: reliability and validity (Saunders et al. 2011). The next two sections will present these two concepts.

Reliability

Saunders et al. (2011) defines reliability as the extent to which the techniques of data collected or the analysed procedures will yield consistent findings. The lower the degree of accuracy of a misconception in an instrument, the higher the reliability (Kumar, 2010). According to Kumar (2010) reliability can be seen from two different perspectives. The first side is related to when gathering the same amount of information more than once utilising the same instrument and have the same or similar results under the same or similar conditions, an instrument is considered to be reliable (Kumar, 2010). The second perspective has its focus on the degree of inconsistency in the measurement made by an instrument. That is to say, the extent of difference that exists in the measurements when the same amount of information is gathered more than once, using the same instruments under the same or similar conditions (Kumar, 2010). The researchers are aware that it is impossible to have exactly the same results if an interview is repeated, as the interview guide is made in form of discussion to involve the interviewees in the process.
Moreover, some aspects such as the respondent’s mood, the interviewer’s mood and the regression effect of an instrument can affect the reliability of a research instrument (Kumar, 2010). In order to enhance the reliability, both interviewers were present during the interviews where both took notes that were compared at the end of each interview. Another procedure used to augment the reliability was to respect the order of the questions in the interview guide where the same interviewer asked and formulate the same questions during each interview occasion. Also, the interview guide was sent to the respondents some days before the interview was arranged in order to offer the interviewees the possibility to follow the interview guide and read the questions at the same time they were addressed. This contributed to avoid misinterpretations and provided satisfactory results.

Validity

According to Saunders et al. (2011) validity is related to whether the findings are really about what they seem to be about. “Validity is the ability of an instrument to measure what is designed to measure” (Kumar, 2010, p. 178). Saunders et al. (2011) point out that validity can be divided into internal and external validity. The authors define internal validity as the degree to which the findings can be attributed to the interventions rather than any flaws in your research design, and external validity as the degree to which the results from a particular study are theoretical generalisation to all relevant contexts. In order to assure this paper’s validity, the majority of the terms, definitions and perspectives utilised in the literature review were compared, based on a number of different authors. This process permitted the researchers of this paper to include data with enhanced validity and at the same time reduce the reliance on, for example a single book, journal or report. As this paper was not produced to be applied to all populations, but in the furniture industry, the researchers intended to explain what was occurring in their particular setting. As long as the researchers do not claim that their findings, results and conclusions can be generalised, the researchers will not face any problem. (Saunders et al. 2011).

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Englesson Sverige AB

The family business, Englesson Sverige AB is a furniture manufacturer that makes furniture by having its own design for nearly 50 years. The company is located in Djursholm, one of four suburban districts in Stockholm County. Over the years the company has grown and today, the whole family is involved not only in product development, but also in the environment and other social issues. The production developed rapidly to include various types of tables, bookcases, mirrors and sconces of brass. (Englesson Sverige AB, 2012) The owners’ interest in interior design led to a number of collaborations with various architects and among others, has been part of decoration projects for Grand Hotel and Strand Hotel in Stockholm.
During the past few years, Englesson Sverige AB has been involved in a variety of interior design projects such as royal VIP lounge at the airport of Arlanda. In the early 90s, when John and Michael Englesson became part of the company, its focus changed from metal to wood furniture. In 2011, the company started a new production facility where also mattresses started being manufactured. Englesson’s business idea: “Furniture, that you enjoy longer, made for each room of your home” (Englesson Sverige AB, 2012).
Englesson Sverige AB has a plant of 10.000 m2 where wooden furniture, sofas, armchairs and beds are produced. All design and product developments take place within the company and its products are sold through furniture retailers in Sweden, Norway and Finland and in several countries in Europe (Englesson Sverige AB, 2012).

1 Introduction
1.1 Background
1.2 Problem Discussion
1.3 Purpose of the Paper
1.4 Disposition of the Paper
2 Frame of Reference
2.1 Supplier Selection Process
2.1.1 The Identification of the Sources of Supply
2.1.2 Supplier Selection Criteria
2.2 Internal and External Organisational Factors .
2.2.1 Internal Organisational Factors
2.2.2 External Organisational Factors .
2.3 Theoritical Synthesis
2.4 Research Questions
3 Methodology .
3.1 Research Approach
3.2 Selection of Study Objects
3.3 Interview Guide
3.4 Data Collection
3.5 Analysis Process
3.6 Critical Evaluation
3.6.1 Reliability .
3.6.2 Validity
4 Empirical Data
4.1 Englesson Sverige AB
Interview with Michael Englesson
4.1.1 Goals and Priorities
4.1.2 Centralisation/Decentralisation .
4.1.3 Political/Legal and Geographical Factors
4.1.4 Economic Factors
4.2 Lammhults Möbel AB .
Interview with Thomas Pettersson
4.2.1 Goals and Priorities
4.2.2 Centralisation/Decentralisatio
4.2.3 Political/Legal and Geographical Factors .
4.2.4 Economic Factors
4.3 Stolab
Interview with Martin Johansson
4.3.1 Goals and Priorities
4.3.2 Centralisation/Decentralisation
4.3.3 Political/Legal and Geographical Factors
4.3.4 Economic Factors
4.4 Limhamn Möbel AB
Interview with Sylvia Andersson
4.5 Johanson Design.
4.6 deNord
5 Analysis and Discussion .
5.1 Goals and Priorities .
5.2 Centralisation/Decentralisation
5.3 Political/Legal and Geographical Factors
5.4 Economic Factors .
6 Conclusions