| Abstract [eng] |
126 pages, 45 tables, 14 pictures, 53 references The main purpose of this master thesis is to assess the determining criteria for optical components supplier selection in photonics industry organizations by interviewing 5 photonics industry experts and determining the importance of those criteria by conducting AHP (analytical hierarchy process) based survey with 14 photonics industry experts. The work consists of 3 main parts: Analysis of literature, the research and its results, conclusions and recommendations. Analysis of literature consisted of two main parts. The first part – review and analysis of literature about supplier selection methods, concluding the AHP method as the most popular method for research of supplier selection criteria. This is followed by literature analysis of 3 high-tech industries – semiconductors, defense and aerospace, light emitting diodes with the goal to determine which criteria are most important in those industries when selecting suppliers. After literature analysis the research methodology is mapped out and it is followed by research. The research consisted of two main parts – semi-structured interviews with 5 photonics experts and AHP (analytical hierarchy process) based survey with 14 photonics industry experts. The semi-structured interviews showed that set of criteria literature-based by analyzing 3 other high-tech industries (Quality, Price, Delivery, Service, Flexibility) fits for photonics industry as well, with some specific sub-criteria. The disqualifying factor (reason not to purchase from specific supplier) was also confirmed by all experts: Past events (history) and mistakes. Desirable optical components supplier description concludes the interview analysis. AHP-based survey results of only the most precise (total 7) experts (CR≤10%) showed that most important criteria (in order of priority) are: Quality (44,0%), Price (17,7%), Delivery (15,9%), Service (12,6%) and Flexibility (9,8%). Relatively accurate (total 11) experts (CR≤21%) showed the same order of priority, though very slightly different weights. The semi-structured interview and survey confirmed the fact that engineers (or other technical employees) are almost always more or less involved in optical components purchasing process. The results are compared with other 3 high tech industries. The author also provided practical recommendations for selling and advertising to three different types (laser manufacturers, optical components manufacturers, optical components resellers) of photonics industry companies. Some practical recommendations on how to self-evaluate organization based on customers priorities is also provided by author. Finally, author presented supplier selection model guidelines based on the research results. The conclusions and recommendations summarize the main concepts of literature analysis as well as the results of the performed research. The author believes that results could be useful to both companies who sell optical components (practical suggestions) and companies who purchase optical components (supplier selection model guidelines). |
