2023_004

SIRQEL is a Norwegian based startup, which provides rental service for families with young children for example, bicycles. Customers can order products from our website and get it delivered at their doorstep. The service is subscription based and customers can change the size if it doesn’t fit or send it back to us for repair if something gets torn or broken. We are responsible for any repair and washing before the product collected is sent to a new family. Thus, it can be said that this is a Product-As-A-Service supply chain. Our aim is to replace single use purchase and make it easier for families to adopt sustainable consumption. However, through different tests and trials, some products are rented out more than others.

We want students who are interested in Circular Economy and Service logistics to help us with conducting research into one or more of the following topics:

- Identify the barriers and ways to mitigate them while transitioning traditional product categories into a product-service model.

- Explore which other product categories can be turned into a service model.

- Investigate if PAAS for bikes is better in regards to CO2 emissions.

- Currently, the repair and delivery are outsourced to another service provider. Explore whether one or both services can be managed in-house, in terms of costs and lead time.

- At present, we rent out the products we have already bought and is in our storage. Thus, it is limited and there’s a chance we might be understock if all products are rented out and we get a new order. However, buying a lot of inventory and storing them will also have some costs. Explore whether Just-in-Time inventory can be implemented, its challenges and ways to mitigate them.

Apart from these, students are also encouraged to propose their own research idea which might help the company.

2023_005

Covid-19 has impacted society, with the outbreak affecting all segments of the human population and altering human activities and behavior. E-grocery shopping is becoming a growing trend in the worlds and the trend in Norway shows growth in the e-grocery with more Norwegians using the channel. Previous studies showed a growth in the demand for E-groceries in Norway, when pre and during COVID-19 periods were compared. Therefore, this thesis aims to understand how much of the consumer’s habits were maintained in a post pandemic period. Additionally, gain information on the consumer behavior and choice of the channel in grocery shopping in Norway. The data for the study should be collected in a form of revealed and stated preference questionnaires. Econometric analysis and logistic regressions are the base for analyzing the collected data.

2023_006

Purchasing and supply management is a critical business function that plays a significant role in the success of an organization. In today's fast-paced and highly competitive business environment, organizations are under constant pressure to improve their purchasing function's efficiency and effectiveness to stay competitive. Innovation has become a vital driver of this transformation, with organizations increasingly seeking new and innovative ways to optimize their purchasing processes, reduce costs, and improve their overall performance. However, many organizations struggle to integrate innovative technologies and practices into their purchasing function.

Despite the importance of innovation in the purchasing function, there is still limited research on the subject. There is a lack of understanding of the key factors contributing to innovation's success or failure in this area. This knowledge gap calls for research to explore issues related to innovating the purchasing and supply function and identify best practices for effective implementation.

Objectives:

The primary objective of this research will be to explore the innovation of the purchasing function and its impact on the organization's overall performance. Among other aspects, the study may:

· Identify the key technological innovations and practices allowing the purchasing function to increase its impact.

· Explore the challenges of implementing innovation in the purchasing function and identify best practices for effective implementation.

· Identify the critical success factors for innovation in the purchasing function.

· Develop a framework for guiding the process of innovating the purchasing function.

NB: These are just suggestions; one will be free to decide the focus of their thesis.

Suggested methodology:

Deploying qualitative research methods is recommended. In that case, the research will begin with a comprehensive literature review of the current state of knowledge. Data can be collected through interviews with purchasing professionals and organizational leaders to gather their experiences and perspectives or through surveys. The analysis of interview-based data should be performed using qualitative analytical approaches, while survey data should be analyzed using statistical methods.

NB: This is just a suggestion; one will be free to implement other suitable methods.

2023_007

Buyer-supplier relationships are critical to the success of many organizations. Over the years, organizations have focused on improving these relationships to drive better performance, reduce costs, and increase efficiency. However, the traditional approach of developing and maintaining long-term relationships with suppliers may not always be effective, given the increasing pace of change and disruption in the business environment. Exaptation is a concept that offers a potential solution to this problem by enabling organizations to repurpose existing buyer-supplier relationships for new or different purposes.

Despite the potential benefits of exaptation in buyer-supplier relationships, there is a lack of research on the subject. As a result, research is needed to provide insights on how to navigate exaptation in buyer-supplier relationships and identify best practices for effective implementation.

Objectives:

The primary objective of this research will be to explore the exaptation of buyer-supplier relationships. Among other aspects, the study may:

· Explore the process of exaptation in buyer-supplier relationships.

· Identify challenges and the critical success factors for exaptation in buyer-supplier relationships.

· Identify potential implications to sustainability practices.

· Develop a framework for enacting and managing exaptation in buyer-supplier relationships.

NB: These are just suggestions; one will be free to decide the focus of their thesis.

Suggested methodology:

Deploying qualitative research methods is recommended. In that case, the research will begin with a comprehensive literature review of the current state of knowledge. Data can be collected through interviews with purchasing professionals and organizational leaders to gather their experiences and perspectives. The analysis of interview-based data should be performed using qualitative analytical approaches.

NB: This is just a suggestion; one will be free to implement other suitable methods.

2023_008

Public procurement is vital for governments to achieve policy objectives and deliver public services. However, the traditional approach to procurement is often criticized for being inflexible and focused on cost reduction rather than value creation. However, public buyers may have some leeway in the procurement process, which they can use to achieve better outcomes. Despite the potential benefits of capitalizing on the available discretion and flexibility in the public procurement process, there is limited research on the topic. Many public buyers may be unaware of their options or lack the skills and knowledge required to use them effectively. As a result, there is a need for research to explore how public buyers use their leeway to achieve better outcomes.

Objectives:

The primary objective of this research will be to explore how public buyers use their leeway to achieve better outcomes. Among other aspects, the study may:

· Identify the key factors influencing public buyers' use of the available leeway.

· Explore the potential benefits and risks of using such leeway.

· Evaluate the impact of using leeway on the efficiency, effectiveness, and overall performance of public services.

· Develop a framework to guide public buyers on how to use the available leeway.

NB: These are just suggestions; one will be free to decide the focus of their thesis.

Suggested methodology:

Deploying qualitative research methods is recommended. Data can be collected through interviews with public buyers to gather their experiences and perspectives. The analysis of such data should be performed using qualitative analytical approaches.

NB: This is just a suggestion; one will be free to implement other suitable methods.

2023_009

This thesis is supported by manufacturer of prefabricated concrete structures ElementPartner AS, located at Åndalsnes (focal company), Norway and provider of rail freight services OnRail Scandinavia.

The focal company currently ships concrete structures manufactured at Åndalsnes to customers around the country by road, with articulated trucks with a special kind of semi-trailers, called In-loaders (see picture below). This type of transport is rather costly, and also has a significant environmental footprint. The company wants to explore the potential for transferring part of these transport to more environmental-friendly rail solutions, and has partnered with rail-freight operator OnRail to assess both technical solutions and the market such a concept might have. Since these structures are too big to be transported on regular trailers, and would not fit into standard containers, tailormade solutions for handling, transporting, and securing the cargo is a key technological challenge. However, this thesis will focus on a market analysis and an environmental impact analysis under the assumption that feasible technical solutions could be found.

A master’s thesis in logistics will be defined related to the project, mainly focusing on the potential market adoption of the concept and a mapping of the environmental benefits that could be harvested if the solution is successfully implemented. The detailing of the content of the thesis will be done in co-operation with the focal company during the autumn of 2023, but a preliminary list of research questions to be answered could be:

1. How much of the current transports of the focal company could be transferred from road to rail if the concept is fully adopted?

2. What is the likely market potential within the prefabricated concrete structure industry in Norway/Scandinavia for this new solution?

3. Are there other industries (e.g. manufacturers of large glass structures) that could also be interested in adopting such a solution?

4. What is the environmental footprint of the current solution?

a. What is the current environmental footprint of the annual transports of the focal company?

b. What is the likely current environmental footprint of annual Norwegian transports of concrete structures on road?

5. What is the environmental footprint of these transports under a rail-based solution?

a. What is the likely environmental footprint of the annual transports of the focal company if the new concept is fully adopted?

b. What is the likely environmental footprint of annual Norwegian transports of concrete structures if all actors adopt the new solution?

Contact person HiMolde: Professor Harald M. Hjelle (harald.hjelle@himolde.no)

Contact person at ElementPartner AS: Consultant Odd Tore Finnøy (odd.finnoy@element-partner.no)

Homepage of ElementPartner AS (Norwegian text only): https://elementpartner.no

Homepage of OnRail: https://www.onrail.no/home-english

2023_012

The world’s economy operates largely upon linear economic principles. A traditional linear economy follows the “take-make-dispose” approach where the natural raw materials are extracted and then manufactured into products, which when not needed anymore, eventually discarded as waste. This model encourages improper use of limited natural resources and causes abundant waste production resulting in severe harm to the environment. A circular economy (CE) is a sustainable, restorative, and regenerative alternative to the current linear economy and is gaining popularity worldwide.

Amongst various digital technologies, Artificial intelligence (AI) is a crucial enabler for CE and can aid significantly with the adoption and implementation of CE in real-world applications. Combining the power of AI with a vision for a CE represents a significant, and as yet, largely untapped opportunity to harness one of the great technological developments of our time. It will support efforts to fundamentally reshape the economy into one that is regenerative, resilient, and fit for the long term.

However, despite a great deal of discussion around the use of AI in CE, there is actually little clarity on how AI is being used in a practical sense within the CE. To address this research gap, students will be required to investigate how AI can accelerate the transition towards a CE.

It is recommended to apply AI in two value chains of your choice and look at how AI is being used, or could be used in future, to enable and accelerate the CE transition in these sectors.

2023_013

Industrial symbiosis (IS) is a commercial collaboration where companies exchange residual and surplus products such as water, energy, or materials. Normally, the companies are located in close proximity to each other, as long distances can impede the exchange of resources, or remove the business and environmental case for doing so. For companies, it can be advantageous to participate in the symbiosis, as it helps them achieve their environmental objectives (such as reduce CO2 emissions), reduce costs and find a market for their residual and/or by-products.

Circular economy (CE) and IS are often flagged as political objectives but despite good intentions, there are few significant examples of the CE and IS operating in practice. Most material production value chains are still linear, creating side-streams, wastes and energy flows that are not optimally utilized.

This strategy fits perfectly in a country like Norway, with large distances and a small population, where national infrastructure and markets for circular materials can be demanding in terms of profitability and access to secondary raw materials. Bringing together companies that are located in close proximity to collaborate can therefore be crucial to achieving circularity.

Based hereon, the thesis aims to study how such an IS can be established in achieving CE. The focus should be on the collaboration among the companies in Møre og Romsdal county.

2023_014

The use of plastics has increased twentyfold in the past 50 years[1]. While the material has many benefits, there are negative consequences if it becomes waste or pollution. In 2016, the Ellen MacArthur Foundation published a report which showed that most plastic packaging is used only once, and only 14% is collected for recycling. 95% of the value of plastic packaging material, worth USD 80-120 billion annually, is lost to the economy. In yet another report published in 2017 on plastics, it is stated that without fundamental redesign and innovation, about 30% of plastic packaging will never be reused or recycled.

How can such a situation be avoided? In this master thesis, students will investigate how companies can apply circular principles to the plastic packaging in a way that it never becomes waste or pollution.

Potential cases: companies in the food, maritime and healthcare industries.

[1] https://archive.ellenmacarthurfoundation.org/explore/plastics-and-the-circular-economy

2023_015

A digital twin (DT) is a virtual replica of an object, being, or system that can be continuously updated with data from its physical counterpart. The physical element or system being twinned can also be called a physical twin (PT). A DT is updated from real-time data, and uses simulation, machine learning, and reasoning to help decision-making. The main advantages of using a DT are: the possibility of create and predict future scenarios, predict changes in a system already functional and, to test performance capabilities prior to implementation.

By allowing simulating and predicting the behavior of systems, these models can help system’s developers and managers make better decisions. To mirror the real world, the model receives input from sensors that register variables of interest. The accuracy of the input received from the system is key for the reliability of the model. However, malfunction and the action of malicious agents can introduce errors into the data, which may result in errors in the model. In this proposal, we are specifically interested in the risk of deliberate attacks to digital twins systems and how to address these threats.

2023_017

In the rapidly evolving landscape of logistics and supply chain management, the integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) has emerged as a transformative force, offering the potential to optimize operations, enhance decision-making, and improve overall efficiency. However, the deployment of AI systems in logistics often faces a significant challenge – the lack of transparency and interpretability in AI models, which can hinder trust, accountability, and effective collaboration among stakeholders.

Machine Learning (ML) models, which are integral components of AI systems, are often perceived as "black boxes." It can be difficult to explain how these models arrive at particular predictions or recommendations, especially in complex logistics and supply chain contexts. This opacity in AI decision-making raises concerns about the reliability and comprehensibility of AI-driven processes in critical logistical operations.

Explainable Artificial Intelligence (XAI) offers a solution to this pressing issue. XAI is the development of AI systems and models that can provide clear, understandable, and interpretable explanations for their decisions and actions. By enabling humans to comprehend why a particular decision was made by an AI model, XAI aims to bridge the gap between the powerful predictive capabilities of AI and the need for transparency and accountability in logistics and supply chain management.

This master's thesis would aim to investigate the need and implications of integrating XAI in supply chain optimization and logistics. It will delve into the challenges posed by the current lack of transparency in AI models, exploring the potential consequences of such opacity in critical logistics operations. This study would seek to demonstrate how XAI can enhance transparency, accountability, and collaboration among stakeholders in logistics, ultimately leading to more effective and reliable AI-driven decision-making processes.

2023_018

The integration of digital technologies such as the Internet of Things (IoT), blockchain, artificial intelligence, and big data analytics has transformed traditional supply chains into digitized and digitalized models, promising enhanced efficiency and competitiveness. These technologies offer numerous opportunities, including streamlined logistics, cost reduction, and improved sustainability. However, they also introduce a host of challenges and ethical dilemmas, spanning data privacy, cybersecurity, labor displacement, environmental impact, algorithmic bias, and fair trade practices.

This master's thesis would seek to provide a comprehensive understanding of the social and ethical consequences arising from the digitalization of supply chains. By delving into the intricate relationship between digitalization, society, and ethics in the context of supply chains, this research would aim to shed light on an essential aspect of our evolving world. It is intended that this thesis would meaningfully contribute towards more ethical, socially responsible, and sustainable business practices in the digital age.

2023_022

Thesis opportunities for Rambase; https://www.rambase.com/

Studies related to identifying «best practice» as they are described in literature.

Retrieving information from our customers or companies that are in our target segment by (limited to a specified key area):

· Studying business processes in one or several companies

· Conducting structured interviews or surveys

Subjects of interest:

· Sales and operations planning processes

· Demand planning and forecasting

· Inventory management and procurement

· Customer and supplier integration practices in specific industries

· Distribution planning for multi facility manufacturing and warehousing

· Service delivery in manufacturing organizations

· Costing and control practices in job shop (discrete) and repetitive (batch) manufacturing

· Planning and control practices in job shop (discrete) and repetitive (batch) manufacturing

· Benefit realization –ERP-system implementation

· System implementation practices