Process Optimisation - An empirical study of process optimisation in Finland

The objective of this master’s thesis is to determine methods for improving a company’s business processes without investing in new technology and whether a relatively small company can benefit from investing in technology. This study determines the meaning of process optimisation and how it should be conducted. Using existing theory and the case of a logistics company operating in Finland, this research attempts to identify hindrances and find opportunities for the company to develop their processes through process optimisation without technology. Different public bodies in Finland (such as the Finnish government and Statistics Finland) have stated that Finnish logistics requires development and have recommended new technology as a solution to the issue. However, the lack of information on the Finnish logistics business sector makes such statements by public bodies difficult to analyse. Process optimisation has been revealed to be more complex than expected. Many theories available today examine and recommend different technological solutions to execute companies’ work processes. However, a theory is needed on how process optimisation can be carried out at a company lacking technology. Process optimisation consists of process modelling and process analysis. Process modelling appears to be the most significant and crucial aspect of process optimisation. Order-to-delivery processes cannot be optimised within a company if the company does not understand the entirety of such processes. Knowledge of the process has been highlighted as being key to understanding a company’s processes at a high level. The case company in this study showed that process optimisation is possible without implementing new technology; instead, optimisation required additional human capital and a stronger focus on a company’s internal business processes. Technology-based solutions for process optimisation are tempting to implement as doing so may be believed to save time, but no automated solution is able to reveal a company’s critical information if the company does not know what it is looking for and cannot identify its problem areas. This research includes a single case study. The results indicate that whether a relatively small company could benefit from investing in technology is unclear, and the lack of research on process optimisation at Finnish companies resulted in limited findings and analysis. Several different scientific articles presented technology implementation successes and failures, but did not reveal information on the steps taken by the companies