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Cases

Ohjelma
Bike Lease Finland

Bike Lease Finland

Leasing and maintenance of employee bicycles, digital services.

Ohjelma
Excelence Solutions

Excelence Solutions

Consulting and data analytics, expert services and consulting.

Ohjelma
Finnish Timber Oy

Finnish Timber Oy

Ecological log buildings and construction site processes, project business.

Ohjelma
Green Scape

Green Scape

Customized green wall services for B2B clients, service business.

Ohjelma
Marine Craft

Marine Craft

Customized motorboats, project delivery, manufacturing industry.

Ohjelma
Scandinavian Design

Scandinavian Design

Leasing and maintenance of company bicycles, digital services.

Task

Partners and Networks



In this task, the student examines the partners and suppliers of a case company and their roles in the business. They identify the key collaborators, assess their significance, and consider the strengths and risks of partnerships. Additionally, the student suggests ways to deepen or diversify relationships. The task helps to understand how networks and partnerships affect the company's daily operations, competitiveness, and ability to serve customers.

Learning objectives

After completing the task, the student:
1. Can identify the key partners and suppliers of the case company.
2. Can describe the roles and significance of partners in the company's business.
3. Can analyze the strengths and risks of partnerships from the case company's perspective.
4. Can suggest concrete ways to deepen or diversify partner and network relationships.

Step by step

  1. Partners and networks

    Objective:
    The objective of this assignment is for the student to identify the key partners and suppliers of the case company and describe their role in the business. The aim is also to reflect on how these partnerships could be strengthened or diversified in ways that support the company’s strategy.

    Material:

    • The case description of the selected case company from the learning material.

    • The assignment is based on the information in the case description and reasonable, logical assumptions about the partners and supply chain.

    Assignment process (instructions for the student):

    1. Briefly describe the case company and its core operations
      Write 5–8 sentences describing:

      • what the case company does and in which industry it operates

      • what kinds of products or services it offers

      • what kinds of customers it typically has.
        This provides the background for understanding the importance of partners and suppliers.

    2. Identify the key partners and suppliers
      List, based on the case description (and reasonable assumptions), 4–6 key partners or suppliers, such as:

      • raw material or product suppliers

      • logistics or distribution partners

      • subcontractors

      • technology providers or expert partners.
        Write a short description (2–3 sentences) of what each partner does for the case company.

    3. Describe the partners’ role in the business
      Select at least three of the most important partners/suppliers from your list and expand the description:

      • why they are particularly critical for the case company (e.g. delivery reliability, quality, expertise, price)

      • what would happen if the partner failed to deliver as agreed

      • how the collaboration is reflected in the customer experience (e.g. speed, quality, service level).

    4. Assess the strengths and weaknesses of the partnerships
      Briefly reflect (about ½ page):

      • which partnerships seem strong and functional

      • where potential risks exist (e.g. reliance on a single supplier, dependence on one expert, insufficient communication).
        Provide examples of how these strengths and weaknesses appear in everyday operations.

    5. Propose ways to deepen or diversify partnerships
      Develop 2–4 concrete improvement proposals, considering:

      • how collaboration with the most important partners could be deepened (e.g. joint development projects, long-term contracts, information sharing, joint planning)

      • how the partner network could be diversified (e.g. a backup supplier, a new logistics partner, collaboration with an operator from another industry).
        Write briefly for each proposal what benefits it could bring to both the case company and the partner.

    6. Summarise conclusions about the partner network
      Write a 5–7 sentence summary describing:

      • who are the most critical partners for the case company

      • what is the network’s greatest strength

      • what is the most significant risk or weakness

      • which single development action would be the most important to implement within the next year.

    Submission and evaluation:
    Submit a 1–2 page text including:

    • a brief description of the case company’s operations

    • identified key partners and suppliers

    • the role and significance of the key partners in the business

    • an analysis of the strengths and risks of the partnerships

    • concrete proposals for deepening or diversifying partnerships and a concise summary.

    Evaluation focuses on how well you:

    • identify and structure the case company’s partner network

    • understand the significance of partnerships for the company’s operations and customers

    • propose realistic and well-grounded ways to develop collaboration

    • write clearly and logically, drawing on the case description.

    Recommended working time: about 45–60 minutes, individually or in pairs.

Tasks by audience and theme

University of applied sciences

Polytechnics and higher education studies.

68 tasks