Dissertations / Theses: 'Australian manufacturing'

1

Chong, Han Hwee. "Imports and oligopoly behaviour in Australian manufacturing." Curtin University of Technology, School of Economics and Finance, 2003. http://espace.library.curtin.edu.au:80/R/?func=dbin-jump-full&object_id=14094.

Full text

Abstract:

Oligopoly behaviour by domestic firms faced with foreign competition in a small open economy is examined in the context of a market for differentiated products. This paper concentrates on the responsiveness of import flows to import price in the context of trade with imperfect competition. The empirical work analyses the behaviour over time of the interaction between domestic industry prices and domestic costs as well as foreign competitors' prices. A structural model is employed for estimation purposes with consumer demand derived from a CES (constant elasticity of substitution) utility function of domestic and foreign composites of goods. Domestic firms are assumed to face Leontief production functions and maximise profit independently subject to their conjectures about the reactions of rivals. Firm behaviour is modelled using conjectural variations to identify market power, distinguishing two models of oligopoly, namely, Cournot and Bertrand conjectural variations. This leads to the econometric specification of pricing, import and budget share equations consistent with oligopolistic equilibrium. The interrelationship between the budget share equations and the price-cost margin provides encompasses either Cournot or Bertrand conjectural variations. The econometric specification is applied to each of the two digit Australian manufacturing industries using quarterly data covering the period from 1984 to 2000. Results of the industrial behaviour indicate that industries that produce consumer products are generally react to price movements The classification of industry 21 to 24 is more proximate to consumer products as compared to higher industrial numbering. The regression results for industry 25 to 28 suggest quantity reactions. This is in line with the nature of the products produce by these industries, which are heavy industrial manufacturing products.
The elasticity with respect to foreign price is distinguished between the "partial" and the "total" effect. The partial elasticity of import demand ranges from .6205 to 4.9497, while the total elasticity of import demand ranges from .6505 to 19.8132. The elasticity of demand ranges from .0191 for Wood and Paper Product manufacturing to 3.4093 for Food, Beverage and Tobacco manufacturing.

APA, Harvard, Vancouver, ISO, and other styles

2

Chong, Han. "Imports and oligopoly behaviour in Australian manufacturing." Thesis, Curtin University, 2003. http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11937/857.

Full text

Abstract:

Oligopoly behaviour by domestic firms faced with foreign competition in a small open economy is examined in the context of a market for differentiated products. This paper concentrates on the responsiveness of import flows to import price in the context of trade with imperfect competition. The empirical work analyses the behaviour over time of the interaction between domestic industry prices and domestic costs as well as foreign competitors' prices. A structural model is employed for estimation purposes with consumer demand derived from a CES (constant elasticity of substitution) utility function of domestic and foreign composites of goods. Domestic firms are assumed to face Leontief production functions and maximise profit independently subject to their conjectures about the reactions of rivals. Firm behaviour is modelled using conjectural variations to identify market power, distinguishing two models of oligopoly, namely, Cournot and Bertrand conjectural variations. This leads to the econometric specification of pricing, import and budget share equations consistent with oligopolistic equilibrium. The interrelationship between the budget share equations and the price-cost margin provides encompasses either Cournot or Bertrand conjectural variations. The econometric specification is applied to each of the two digit Australian manufacturing industries using quarterly data covering the period from 1984 to 2000. Results of the industrial behaviour indicate that industries that produce consumer products are generally react to price movements The classification of industry 21 to 24 is more proximate to consumer products as compared to higher industrial numbering. The regression results for industry 25 to 28 suggest quantity reactions. This is in line with the nature of the products produce by these industries, which are heavy industrial manufacturing products.The elasticity with respect to foreign price is distinguished between the "partial" and the "total" effect. The partial elasticity of import demand ranges from .6205 to 4.9497, while the total elasticity of import demand ranges from .6505 to 19.8132. The elasticity of demand ranges from .0191 for Wood and Paper Product manufacturing to 3.4093 for Food, Beverage and Tobacco manufacturing.

APA, Harvard, Vancouver, ISO, and other styles

3

Wawryk, Alexandra Sophia. "The determinants of imports and profits in Australian manufacturing industries /." Title page, table of contents and introduction only, 1991. http://web4.library.adelaide.edu.au/theses/09EC/09ecw356.pdf.

Full text

APA, Harvard, Vancouver, ISO, and other styles

4

Harmstorf, Hugo Neil Arnold. "Interstate wage relativities as determinants of South Australian manufacturing : an interstate comparison /." Title page and introduction only, 1992. http://web4.library.adelaide.edu.au/theses/09EC/09ech2889.pdf.

Full text

APA, Harvard, Vancouver, ISO, and other styles

5

Doherty, Rohan T. "From styling to strategy : transforming an Australian manufacturing SME's perception of design." Thesis, Queensland University of Technology, 2014. https://eprints.qut.edu.au/77910/1/Rohan_Doherty_Thesis.pdf.

Full text

Abstract:

This thesis explores the shift in perception of design from a styling and product-focused tool, towards a holistic strategic approach within a small to medium sized manufacturing company. This research is significant because it demonstrates how design tools and approaches can be used within business to translate theory into operational, strategic and cultural outcomes. The outcomes of this research will encourage other businesses to take on similar design-led projects with the ultimate goal of employing design as a means to create a sustainable competitive advantage.

APA, Harvard, Vancouver, ISO, and other styles

6

Jeeva, Ananda Singgaram. "Procurement dimensions in the Australian manufacturing sector: flexibility issues in a supply chain perspective." Thesis, Curtin University, 2004. http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11937/1505.

Full text

Abstract:

The manufacturing sector is a highly dynamic environment subject to continuous change and environmental uncertainty as parts, components and materials are procured and sourced globally. To be competitive, manufacturers must respond to such uncertainties rapidly and with the greatest flexibility in order to procure and maintain the supply of raw materials resources to sustain their manufacturing operations. Thus, the understanding and measuring of the procurement flexibility are key steps in maintaining a competitive advantage. So, the present study examined the theoretical concepts of procurement flexibility and proposed a generalisable measurement scale for manufacturing procurement flexibility. The scale was based on five supplier-manufacturer procurement dimensions of information exchange, supplier integration, product and component delivery, logistics and organisational structure. Further, each of these dimensions was divided into three flexibility elements of range, uniformity and mobility. A measurement scale was developed fiom a review of extant literature on flexibility relationships, purchasing, procurement and supply chain management using Q-Sort methodology. A mail survey of the major industry groups in the Australian manufacturing industry was undertaken. Principal component analysis and multiple regressions were used to examine the relationships between the flexibility dimensions and their elements. The results indicate that there is still much theory formulation and research to be conducted on procurement flexibility measurement scales. The results also revealed that Australian manufacturers have a limited experience with the flexibility issue and in some cases do not have even a procurement strategy.These results provide important practical information and establish a range of relevant implications for the Australian manufacturing sector and its future competitiveness. This study also provides a basis for the continued development and distillation of procurement flexibility measures. One of the interesting outcomes of the Supplier Manufacturer Procurement Flexibility (ProcFlex) dimensions and the implication for overall Supply Chain Management (SCM) objectives and strateges is that ProcFlex is cumulative. Any inflexibilities and constrictions, like excess and lack of inventory, in procurement activities is accumulated and increases along the supply chain. It is like a 'stock-whip' effect that runs from suppliers to customers as to the reverse of the 'bull whip' effect.

APA, Harvard, Vancouver, ISO, and other styles

7

Jeeva, Ananda Singgaram. "Procurement dimensions in the Australian manufacturing sector : flexibility issues in a supply chain perspective /." Curtin University of Technology, School of Management, 2004. http://espace.library.curtin.edu.au:80/R/?func=dbin-jump-full&object_id=15521.

Full text

Abstract:

The manufacturing sector is a highly dynamic environment subject to continuous change and environmental uncertainty as parts, components and materials are procured and sourced globally. To be competitive, manufacturers must respond to such uncertainties rapidly and with the greatest flexibility in order to procure and maintain the supply of raw materials resources to sustain their manufacturing operations. Thus, the understanding and measuring of the procurement flexibility are key steps in maintaining a competitive advantage. So, the present study examined the theoretical concepts of procurement flexibility and proposed a generalisable measurement scale for manufacturing procurement flexibility. The scale was based on five supplier-manufacturer procurement dimensions of information exchange, supplier integration, product and component delivery, logistics and organisational structure. Further, each of these dimensions was divided into three flexibility elements of range, uniformity and mobility. A measurement scale was developed fiom a review of extant literature on flexibility relationships, purchasing, procurement and supply chain management using Q-Sort methodology. A mail survey of the major industry groups in the Australian manufacturing industry was undertaken. Principal component analysis and multiple regressions were used to examine the relationships between the flexibility dimensions and their elements. The results indicate that there is still much theory formulation and research to be conducted on procurement flexibility measurement scales. The results also revealed that Australian manufacturers have a limited experience with the flexibility issue and in some cases do not have even a procurement strategy.
These results provide important practical information and establish a range of relevant implications for the Australian manufacturing sector and its future competitiveness. This study also provides a basis for the continued development and distillation of procurement flexibility measures. One of the interesting outcomes of the Supplier Manufacturer Procurement Flexibility (ProcFlex) dimensions and the implication for overall Supply Chain Management (SCM) objectives and strateges is that ProcFlex is cumulative. Any inflexibilities and constrictions, like excess and lack of inventory, in procurement activities is accumulated and increases along the supply chain. It is like a 'stock-whip' effect that runs from suppliers to customers as to the reverse of the 'bull whip' effect.

APA, Harvard, Vancouver, ISO, and other styles

8

Xin, Edward Wei. "Entry mode strategy of Australian high value-added manufacturing companies and the Chinese market." Thesis, Queensland University of Technology, 1994. https://eprints.qut.edu.au/35803/1/35803_Xin_1994.pdf.

Full text

Abstract:

Recent interest in international marketing studies focuses on a 'frontier' issue - entry mode strategy. There are two major different views about market entry strategy - internationalization and contingency. Both of them have more than one theoretical model. The major difference between these two views is whether the company can choose an optimal entry mode. This research explores this important issue of entry mode choice by focusing on Australian high value-added manufacturing companies entering the Chinese market. This is a contemporary issue with great importance to Australia and China because Australian high value-added manufacturing companies are the fastest growing exporters in Australia and the Chinese market is an emerging market with enormous market potential. Therefore, the research problem of this research is: RP: How do Australian high value-added manufacturing companies develop their entry mode strategies for the Chinese market? The research reviewed the literature relating to the parent discipline of entry mode strategy, and supports the transaction cost model in particular. This model of entry mode choice believes that entry mode choice is closely related to a host country's external environmental factors and internal factors of companies entering the market. Moreover, entry mode choice is directly decided by trade-offs of four critical constructs - risk, return, cost and control. From the literature review, this research tends to support the idea that an optimal entry mode may be chosen instead of adhering to the sequential stagesapproach of the internationalization process. Therefore, four research propositions were developed on the basis of these discussions. Research proposition 1 examined whether the proposed four critical constructs capture most of the considerations in the choice of entry mode. Research proposition 2 examined whether each type of entry mode can be charted on the above four constructs. Research proposition 3 examined various external environmental factors of the Chinese market and their impacts on Australian high value-added manufacturing companies' entry activities. Finally, research proposition 4 examined various internal factors of Australian high value added manufacturing companies and their impacts on entry activities of these companies. Data was collected by using the exploratory and explanatory case study methodology, with two pilot case studies carried out in Brisbane to refine the research protocol and procedures. Thirteen Australian high value-added manufacturing companies from five industry clusters operating in Beijing were examined in the major stage of data collection. Data was analyzed by using both case descriptions and cross-case analysis methods. The research findings showed the importance of those four critical constructs for entry mode choice. Moreover, relationship networks emerged as another critical consideration. Research findings for research propositions 3 and 4 also identified some important external and internal factors for entry mode choice. Therefore, on the basis of research findings about the research propositions, an entry mode strategic model was developed to meet the special needs of managers in Australian high value-added manufacturing companies to develop their entry mode strategy. Practical implications of this model were discussed in detail. Furthermore, the impacts of the findings of this research on the parent disciplines of entry mode choice were also examined. Further research should focus on Australian service companies and other areas of China to replicate the research findings of this research.

APA, Harvard, Vancouver, ISO, and other styles

9

Rice, James Joseph. "An investigation into the effective implementation of quality assurance : its effects on Australian manufacturing industry." Thesis, Queensland University of Technology, 1992. https://eprints.qut.edu.au/36385/1/36385_Rice_1992.pdf.

Full text

Abstract:

This paper aims to examine several aspects of Quality Assurance in Australian manufacturing organizations. Firstly, it studies organizations that rely on traditional methods of Quality Control for managing Quality, and one finding is that the management of Quality in Australian organizations has generally not been a central strategy for organizational effectiveness. Secondly, it examines the benefits that effective Quality Assurance can give an organization. The results of the PIMS database were examined, and one finding was that there was strong correlation between relative Quality and business success. It was found that PIMS identifies Quality in terms of "attributes of importance to the customer", which is consistent with "conformance to requirements." Thirdly, the paper examines the implementation of a system of Quality Assurance in terms of Quality policy, Quality culture, managerial commitment to Quality, organization and Quality planning, as many of these are prerequisites for the effectiveness of the Quality Assurance system. Fourthly, the organization with an accredited Quality Assurance system is compared with an organization with a non-accredited system. The Australian Standard AS 3901-1987 /ISO 9001-1987 is examined in some detail, and the influence of the Queensland Government State Purchasing Policy on an organization's decision to implement a Quality Assurance system is examined.

APA, Harvard, Vancouver, ISO, and other styles

10

Harvey, Christopher John, and chrisharvey11@hotmail com. "Can learning save the sandcastle? A case study of facilitating change at an Australian manufacturing facility." RMIT University. Education, 2008. http://adt.lib.rmit.edu.au/adt/public/adt-VIT20080428.115950.

Full text

Abstract:

The focus of this work-based action research project was attempts to change practice in an Australian manufacturing facility. The setting is a medium sized light manufacturing operation responding to the new commercial realities of the globalised and deregulated Australian marketplace. The analogy of a sandcastle facing the rising tide is used to assist the reader associate with the destructive threat that globalisation brings to Australian manufacturing. In an attempt to maintain profitability amidst unprecedented competition, the organisation has published a manufacturing improvement strategy designed to raise productivity and assure its future viability. Consistent with the objectives of this strategy, the project examines processes for changing practice within the organisation. Specifically, the project aimed to implement change using the Global Manufacturing Strategy as a guide, to increase the capacity of the managers who were accountable for the implementation of the Strategy. to improve the productivity and profitability of the company and to make a contribution to professional knowledge, in particular, the way that change is facilitated in an Australian manufacturing setting. Set within this local context, constructionist-learning techniques are implemented and their effectiveness assessed. The influence of power relationships on practice are analysed from data derived through workplace conversations and questionnaires. The paper concludes that under the threat of job losses, change in practice was limited. Manager-researcher role tension and the associated knowledge, power, time and ethical conflicts impacted the processes of collaborative learning and the rate of change in practice. It is suggested that collaborative change may be limited to situations where there are tangible benefits for all parties. As the profitability squeeze continues to slowly and relentlessly tighten, a depressing outlook is envisaged for those employed at the factory.

APA, Harvard, Vancouver, ISO, and other styles

11

Wright, Christopher. "The rise of modern labour management : the formalisation of employment and work relations in Australian manufacturing industry, 1940-1972." Thesis, The University of Sydney, 1990. https://hdl.handle.net/2123/26295.

Full text

Abstract:

This thesis analyses the development of labour management practice in Australian manufacturing industry, focussing in particular on the period from the 1940s to the beginning of the 1970s. In so doing, the thesis aims first, to fill a gap within existing Australian research over the role of the employer in workplace industrial relations, and second to contribute to broader theoretical debates about management control of the labour process. The post Second World War period was one of substantial change for Australian management. Industry grew rapidly, and with such growth there evolved an increasing sophistication in management techniques. A managerial ethos developed, represented by the establishment of professional bodies, the publication of management journals, and the provision of management education. Australian industry also became increasingly aware of overseas developments. Multinational firms and management consultancies, with established links to American and British industry, disseminated and introduced new management practices.

APA, Harvard, Vancouver, ISO, and other styles

12

Dunn, Anne, and n/a. "Manufacturing audiences?: policy and practice in ABC radio news 1983-1993." University of Canberra. Professional Communicaton, 2005. http://erl.canberra.edu.au./public/adt-AUC20051123.132051.

Full text

Abstract:

This thesis sheds light on the ways in which audiences are made through the relationships between organisational policy and news production practice. It explores the relationships between news practitioners� perceptions and definitions of audiences, production, and organisational policies, using the radio news service of the Australian national public broadcaster, the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC). In so doing, the thesis demonstrates that production, in its institutional context, is a crucial site for the creation of audiences in the study of news journalism. In the process, it illuminates the role of public service broadcasting, in a world of digital media The conceptual framework utilises a new approach to framing analysis. Framing has been used to examine the news "agenda" and to identify the salient aspects of news events. This thesis demonstrates ways in which framing can be used to research important processes in news production at different levels, from policy level to that of professional culture, and generate insights to the relationship between them. The accumulated evidence of the bulletin analysis - using structural and rhetorical frames of news - field observation and interviews, shows that a specific and coherent audience can be constructed as a result of newsroom work practices in combination with organisational policies. The thesis has increased knowledge and understanding both of how news workers create images of their audiences and what the institutional factors are that influence the manufacture of audiences as they appear in the text of news bulletins.

APA, Harvard, Vancouver, ISO, and other styles

13

Corrie, Joan, and n/a. "The Management of Financial Resources: Post-Merger Structural Choice in a Blue Collar Union." Griffith University. Griffith Business School, 2007. http://www4.gu.edu.au:8080/adt-root/public/adt-QGU20070724.091823.

Full text

Abstract:

Union mergers have occurred since unions were first established. Research on this particular aspect of the union movement is well established in the UK and the US. However, there are few studies of Australian union mergers, despite the fact that many Australian unions took part in a 'merger boom' in the 1980s and 1990s. Two of the few Australian studies, Hocking (1996) and Campling and Michelson (1998), utilised resource dependency and strategic choice theories to ascertain the why and how of union mergers. However, these Australian studies, like their UK and US counterparts, cease with the completion of the merger and, consequently, there is little known of the post-merger operation of unions. How does the integration of the merger partners - with their traditions, structures and financial arrangements - occur? This thesis rectifies the gap in the literature by means of a qualitative, longitudinal study of the merger and post-merger activities of one of the largest and most prominent unions in Australia, the Australian Manufacturing Workers' Union (AMWU), as it moved towards complete amalgamation. The thesis examines the period 1995-2003. Four of the five pre-merger unions faced a serious and continued decline in membership and all faced mounting financial deficits. From 1995, the year the various mergers were completed, membership decline continued and financial resources dwindled further, providing the impetus for further and significant post-merger changes. The analysis demonstrates that, due to a continuing lack of financial resources, the AMWU leadership initiated a budgeting strategy which influenced the actions and changed the opinions of many of the Union's officials, guiding them towards accepting integration of the constituent divisions and near complete amalgamation. The thesis answers the questions of why and how a union moves from a negotiated federated structure towards amalgamation, post merger, with a particular focus on financial decision-making processes.

APA, Harvard, Vancouver, ISO, and other styles

14

Hernandez, Jose Arreola. "Vine copula modelling of dependence and portfolio optimization with application to mining and energy stock return series from the Australian market." Thesis, Edith Cowan University, Research Online, Perth, Western Australia, 2015. https://ro.ecu.edu.au/theses/1693.

Full text

Abstract:

This thesis models the dependence risk profile, investment risk and portfolio allocation features of seven 20-stock portfolios from the mining, energy, retail and manufacturing sectors of the Australian market in the context of the 2008-2009 global financial crisis (2008-2009 GFC) and pre-GFC, GFC, post-GFC and full sample period scenarios revolving around it. The mining and energy portfolios are the base of the study, while the retail and manufacturing are considered for benchmarking purposes. Pair vine copula models including canonical vines (c-vines), drawable vines (d-vines) and regular vines (r-vines) are fitted for the analysis of the portfolios’ multivariate dependence and their underlying sectors’ dependence risk dynamics. Besides, linear and nonlinear optimization methods threaded with the variance, mean absolute deviation (MAD), minimizing regret (Minimax), conditional Value-at-Risk (CVaR) and conditional Drawdown-at-Risk (CDaR) risk measures are implemented to examine the portfolios’ investment risk and optimal portfolio allocation features. The vine copula modelling of dependence aims at examining the dependence risk profile of the portfolios in specific market conditions; studying the changes of the portfolios’ dependence structure between pairs of period scenarios; and recognizing the vine copula models that best account for the portfolios’ multivariate dependence. The multiple risk measure-based portfolio optimization seeks to identify the least and most investment risky portfolios, single out the portfolio that offers the best risk-return trade-off and recognize the stocks in the portfolios that are good candidates for investment. This thesis’ main contributions stem from the “copula counting technique” and “average model convergence” perspectives proposed to handle, analyse and interpret the portfolios’ dependence structure and portfolio allocation features. The copula counting technique aside from simplifying the analysis and interpretation of the assets’ dependence structure, it enables an in-depth and comprehensive analysis of their underlying dependence risk dynamics in specific market conditions. The average model convergence addresses the optimal stock selection and investment confidence problems underlying any type of portfolio optimization, and faced by investors when having to select stocks from a wide array of optimal investment scenarios, in a more objective manner, through model convergence and model consensus. Both, the copula counting technique and average model convergence are new concepts that introduce new theory to the pair vine copula and multiple risk measure-based portfolio optimization literatures. The research findings stemming from the vine copula modelling of dependence indicate that the each of the portfolios modelled has dependence risk features consistent with specific market conditions. Out of the seven portfolios modelled the gold mining and retail benchmark portfolios are found to have the lowest dependence risk in times of financial turbulence. The iron ore-nickel mining and oil-gas energy portfolios have the highest dependence risk in similar market conditions. Out of the energy portfolios the coal-uranium is significantly less dependence risky, relative to the oil-gas. Out of the mining portfolios the iron ore-nickel is the most dependence risky, while the gold portfolio has the lowest dependence risk. The retail benchmark portfolio is significantly less dependence risky than the manufacturing benchmark portfolio in both, tranquil periods and non-tranquil periods. In terms of investment risk, the oil-gas energy portfolio is the most risky. The “copula counting technique” is acknowledged for simplifying the analysis and interpretation of the portfolios’ dependence structure and their sectors’ dependence risk dynamics. The average model convergence provides an alternative avenue to identify stocks with large weight allocations and high return relative to risk. The research findings and empirical results are interesting in terms of theory and practical financial applications. Portfolio managers, risk managers, hedging practitioners, financial market analysts, systemic risk and capital requirement agents, who follow the trends of the Australian mining, energy, retail and manufacturing sectors, may find the obtained results useful to design investment risk and dependence risk-adjusted optimization algorithms, risk management frameworks and dynamic hedging strategies that best account for the downside risk the mining and energy sectors face during crisis periods to the pair vine copula and multiple risk measure-based portfolio optimization literatures. The research findings stemming from the vine copula modelling of dependence indicate that the each of the portfolios modelled has dependence risk features consistent with specific market conditions. Out of the seven portfolios modelled the gold mining and retail benchmark portfolios are found to have the lowest dependence risk in times of financial turbulence. The iron ore-nickel mining and oil-gas energy portfolios have the highest dependence risk in similar market conditions. Out of the energy portfolios the coal-uranium is significantly less dependence risky, relative to the oil-gas. Out of the mining portfolios the iron ore-nickel is the most dependence risky, while the gold portfolio has the lowest dependence risk. The retail benchmark portfolio is significantly less dependence risky than the manufacturing benchmark portfolio in both, tranquil periods and non-tranquil periods. In terms of investment risk, the oil-gas energy portfolio is the most risky. The “copula counting technique” is acknowledged for simplifying the analysis and interpretation of the portfolios’ dependence structure and their sectors’ dependence risk dynamics. The average model convergence provides an alternative avenue to identify stocks with large weight allocations and high return relative to risk. The research findings and empirical results are interesting in terms of theory and practical financial applications. Portfolio managers, risk managers, hedging practitioners, financial market analysts, systemic risk and capital requirement agents, who follow the trends of the Australian mining, energy, retail and manufacturing sectors, may find the obtained results useful to design investment risk and dependence risk-adjusted optimization algorithms, risk management frameworks and dynamic hedging strategies that best account for the downside risk the mining and energy sectors face during crisis periods.

APA, Harvard, Vancouver, ISO, and other styles

15

Xydias, Maria. "Cost of quality reporting in manufacturing organisations in Australia /." Title page, contents and abstract only, 1997. http://web4.library.adelaide.edu.au/theses/09CM/09cmx91.pdf.

Full text

APA, Harvard, Vancouver, ISO, and other styles

16

MacIntosh, Malcolm Leslie. "The management of change in four manufacturing organizations." Title page, contents and abstract only, 2001. http://web4.library.adelaide.edu.au/theses/09PH/09phm15188.pdf.

Full text

Abstract:

Bibliography: leaves 350-402. This thesis is concerned with the process of change and adaptation in four Australian manufacturing companies in the period 1989 to 1996. The thesis seeks to explain the reaction of these companies to the pressures for change, and particularly for the adoption of 'best practice' management prescriptions in the organization of work and human resource management. The operating hypothesis adopted is that the pattern of changes undertaken by manufacturing organizations are shaped by a variety of factors both external to and within the company, but that management beliefs and orientations are a key element in understanding the pace and extent of change. The research is pursued through detailed case studies designed to explore at length pressures for change and continuity in corporate decision-making.

APA, Harvard, Vancouver, ISO, and other styles

17

Bohemia, Erik Industrial Design UNSW. "Lean manufacturing and its impact on the role of industrial designers in Australia." Awarded by:University of New South Wales. Industrial Design, 2002. http://handle.unsw.edu.au/1959.4/19087.

Full text

Abstract:

The aim of this research was to determine the extent of use, by Australian manufacturers, of lean manufacturing techniques, and the current and future implications for industrial designers. A survey was conducted to gather data on organisation demographics, the role of the industrial designer, production techniques and product development. The survey was distributed to 220 manufacturing organisations undertaking product development in Australia. The number of surveys returned was 134, representing a 60.9 percent response rate. The surveyed organisations represented a broad cross-section of Australian manufacturers by size, location and industry. Manufacturing organisations were categorised into three groups: lean manufacturers, emerging users of lean manufacturing and non-lean manufacturers. It was concluded that lean manufacturing is being adopted by Australian manufacturers and that lean manufacturing is impacting on the role of the industrial design. In general, the data obtained in this research confirms views expressed in the literature that describes current changes in the manufacturing industry. This literature suggests that design will become the next competitive 'weapon', and become a central part of organisational strategy. However, the data also suggests the design profession has still some way to go to adequately grasp its full professional potential, particularly in the area of product development management. The results indicate that industrial designers underperformed in five functional areas that could be considered fundamental to the service normally provided by industrial designers and they have not exceeded expectations in any of the functions included in the survey. It was found that overall, industrial designers were not regarded highly by organisations as a source of new product ideas. Another troubling finding was that industrial designers were generally not perceived as being suitable to manage product development groups. The results of this research could be used to guide educational institutions in regard to curricula for industrial design courses so that future graduates may more effectively fulfil industry requirements.

APA, Harvard, Vancouver, ISO, and other styles

18

Southwick, Alison. "Managerial goal congruence : an analysis of goal congruence theory and an investigation of practice in the Information Systems Division of a manufacturing company in South Australia /." Title page, contents and introduction only, 1996. http://web4.library.adelaide.edu.au/theses/09C/09cs728.pdf.

Full text

APA, Harvard, Vancouver, ISO, and other styles

19

Probohudono, Agung Nur. "A comparative analysis of voluntary risk disclosures." Thesis, Curtin University, 2012. http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11937/2132.

Full text

Abstract:

This thesis examines voluntary risk disclosures from 600 firm year annual reports in four countries’ (Australia, Indonesia, Malaysia, and Singapore) manufacturing listed companies for the 2007-2009 financial years. This is an important time span to investigate risk disclosures as it encompasses those years most directly impacted by the Global Financial Crisis (GFC). Longitudinal and cross country analyses test the veracity of agency theory to predict the level of firms’ risk disclosures. A comprehensive risk disclosure index (RDI) checklist is created and tested to explain the extent of such communication over time. T-tests, ANOVA, correlations and regression analysis are used for the statistical testing.The findings show that overall RDI scores over the economically-challenging GFC time period is relative low averaging 33.73%. The RDI rises every year ranging from 31.46% in 2007, 34.20% in 2008, and 35.54% in 2009. There is a vast disparity of communication across the various risk elements. The RDI item “Identifying, evaluating and managing significant risks” has the highest level of communication (91.17%), while “Effects of inflation on assets quantitative’’ is the lowest RDI item with no disclosure (0 %). The highest major sub-category for RDI is business risk (46.55%) while the strategy risk category (17.21%) is the lowest communicated.Multiple regression analysis provides evidence that size, managerial ownership, board independence, and profitability are positively associated with the extent of voluntary risk disclosure. There are also clear country differences, for instance, Indonesian companies have statistically lower levels of risk disclosure compared with Malaysia. These findings are useful for self-evaluation and benchmarking of risk communication by other corporations across the global landscape. The need for mandatory regulation regarding key risks elements is advanced. Overall, varying levels of risk disclosure over time and across countries are influenced by key firm characteristics and economic drivers consistent with agency theory tenets.

APA, Harvard, Vancouver, ISO, and other styles

20

Sawers, Ken M. "Import competition in Australian manufacturing industries." Phd thesis, 1988. http://hdl.handle.net/1885/12621.

Full text

Abstract:

The response of domestic factor markets to relative price adjustment is analysed with special emphasis on the role of import competition since industry policy in Australia is primarily concerned with intervention in import flows. Trade expenditure functions are applied to data for 35 Australian manufacturing industries for the period 1968/69 and 1982/83. The elasticity results show import flows to be more price responsive than suggested by previous studies, with implications for tariff policy formulation and the industry consequences of devaluation. Import flows are shown to be even more price responsive to domestic developments in industry product and factor markets. The industry output and employment consequences of domestic price changes are shown to be substantially larger than those for comparable import price changes. Domestic price policies are shown to be more effective in influencing industry output and employment than tariff or exchange rate policies. The import substitution elasticities show imports are not as substitutable for locally produced goods as previously thought, with implications for the calibration of computable general equilibrium models. Capital-labour substitution elasticities are shown to be close to unity for most industries. The labour demand and substitution elasticities show that output changes and not real wages are the main cause of changes in labour demand. The Australian tariff protects capital at the expense of labour in a majority of industries, but there is a small group of highly protected industries where income is distributed in favour of labour and at the expense of capital. The total intraindustry effects of a tariff change show that a tariff increase reduces employment and so tariff increases are antiprotective in the short run. Conversely, import price increases through a currency devaluation encourage contractions in output and employment in the short run and this result helps to explain the sluggish output and employment response of many manufacturing industries to the recent devaluation of the Australian dollar. The effects of tariff and exchange rate policies after the 1973 tariff cut are compared and it is concluded that tariffs and exchange rate effects had approximately equal effects on import flows, output and employment. Both tariffs and exchange rate effects were dominated by inflation in domestic output prices, the effect of the commodities boom on materials prices and the wage increases which occurred after 1973/74. The results emphasise the importance of domestic price developments rather than import competition in assessing the implication of tariff and exchange rate changes. The data also reject the existence of value added with implications for many productivity studies which use growth accounting techniques. More seriously, the lack of separability implies substitution is biased with adverse consequences for effective rate of protection measures. Using the elasticity estimates and capital intensity rankings, it is nevertheless possible to show that the directional properties of the effective rate of protection index are preserved for the most highly protected group of manufacturing industries. Despite the rejection of crucial theoretical assumptions, the index retains its usefulness for resource pull analysis provided reference is made to the substitution biases present and the capital intensity rankings for the industries being compared.

APA, Harvard, Vancouver, ISO, and other styles

21

Stewart, Jennifer Beryl. "Australian manufacturing industry policy : 1965-1985." Phd thesis, 1988. http://hdl.handle.net/1885/131454.

Full text

Abstract:

The thesis argues that Australian federal governments have failed to produce coherent policies for the development of manufacturing. It is further argued that the principal reason for this failure was fragmentation: industrial, bureaucratic, political and ideological. The argument is sustained by formulating a general empirical model of the policymaking system, and then showing how its particular structural form in Australia produced the effects described. A lack of collective will among industry organisations, poor bureaucratic coordination and ideological confusion combined to produce inconsistent and disjointed responses to changes in the economic environment. The study raises, and sheds some light on, a number of theoretical issues: the nature of policy, the problem of collective action, and the role of ideas in political systems.

APA, Harvard, Vancouver, ISO, and other styles

22

Henry, Adam. "Manufacturing Australian foreign policy 1950 - 1966." Phd thesis, 2012. http://hdl.handle.net/1885/150822.

Full text

Abstract:

The transition from the liberal foreign policy approach of the Chifley Labor Government to the more strident anti-communism of the conservative Menzies Government after 1949 is a significant event in 20th Century Australian history. During the period 1950-1966 the Menzies Government faced a range of challenges such as relations with the USA, responses to the USSR and China and the question of Indonesia and decolonisation in post-war Southeast Asia. In response the Menzies Government developed new foreign policies, encouraged a particular style of diplomacy and helped to establish a new Cold War attitude towards Australian international affairs. In the 1950s, the Cold War, the United Nations (UN) and the establishment of new overseas diplomatic missions (particularly in Asia) placed growing administrative and bureaucratic demands on the machinery of Australian diplomacy. From the mid 1950s the Department of External Affairs (DEA) was restructured in order to meet such demands. This process allowed the Department to establish what were considered to be the defining characteristics and attitudes of a new professional Australian diplomacy. The selection and training of new diplomatic recruits is one such area in which this occurred. This period saw growing interest from politicians, diplomats and academics for developing new types of foreign policy analysis about communism in South East Asia, or the Cold War in general. While some networks between politics, bureaucracy and academia linked to foreign policy analysis had existed in the 1930s and 1940s, from the 1950s new and more powerful relationships were being established. Various academics, many from the Australian Institute of International Affairs (AlIA) and the Australian National University (ANU) forged close and ongoing contacts with the DEA. The relationships between small groups of key individuals and institutions ultimately wielded significant influence on issues such as the Cold War and Australian foreign policy debates. By the 1960s this small foreign policy network had built a vital relationship with the Ford Foundation of New York. This relationship certainly helped to define dominant attitudes towards Australian foreign policy debates. The ANU, AIIA, DEA and Ford Foundation network established a style of foreign policy analysis that was openly (or at least cautiously) sympathetic to the policies of Canberra and Washington often accepting the official justifications at face value.

APA, Harvard, Vancouver, ISO, and other styles

23

Mason, Deborah M. "The Australian learning factory :." 2003. http://arrow.unisa.edu.au:8081/1959.8/80927.

Full text

APA, Harvard, Vancouver, ISO, and other styles

24

Cheewanan, Achariya. "Measuring organisation IS/IT effectiveness in the Australian manufacturing industry : an overview of IT manager perspectives." Thesis, 2004. https://eprints.utas.edu.au/19181/1/whole_CheewananAchariya2004_thesis.pdf.

Full text

Abstract:

The objective of this research was to examine the extent to which IS/IT effectiveness is measured in manufacturing industries in Australia. IS/IT (information system/information technology) is an integral yet costly investment for most organisation and its investment are substantial and growing. Since many companies have failed to achieve and maximise the expected benefits of their IS/IT investment, there is a need to ensure that it is providing its maximum. Accordingly, the measurement of IS/IT effectiveness is an essential process in organisations. From a review of related literature three main areas of interest were identified. These are the role of IS/IT in organisations, IS/IT investment management and IS/TT effectiveness measurement. A quantitative method was implemented in this research. In the absence of an available validated instrument, a questionnaire was developed, refined and administered to 300 engineering manufacturing industries across Australia. The key finding of this research was generally Australian manufacturing industries are not well prepared in relation to the measurement of their IS/IT effectiveness measurement. These organisations generally view their IS/TT as a necessary business expense and characterise their IS/IT as current in technology without getting too far ahead of their competition. Because of this, they are more likely to not allocate their time and money for measuring IS/TT effectiveness. As a consequence of the fmdings of this research, it is recommended that engineering manufacturing industries need to take into consideration of the measurement of IS/IT effectiveness. Appropriate time and funding should also be channelled to ensure that IS/IT brings the maximum of both tangible and intangible benefits to the organisation.

APA, Harvard, Vancouver, ISO, and other styles

25

Bradshaw, M. B. (Matthew Boyd) 1967. "An economic geography of a manufacturing/transport logistics association." Thesis, 2000. https://eprints.utas.edu.au/19094/1/whole_BradshawMatthewBoyd2000_thesis.pdf.

Full text

Abstract:

Australian Newsprint Mills Ltd (ANM) was formed in 1938 and is Australia's only manufacturer of newsprint. ANM's first paper machine was started up in 1941 at Boyer, approximately 30 kilometres up the River Derwent from Hobart, the capital city of Tasmania, Australia. In 1981 ANM's second newsprint mill was brought on-line at Albury on the border between New South Wales and Victoria. Until the early 1990s, weekly or fortnightly newsprint delivery put ANM well ahead of its traditional competitors, primarily mills in Canada, Finland and Norway. During the 1990s, however, new developments, particularly in South Africa, Indonesia, Malaysia and South Korea, brought issues of quality, volume and cost effective competition closer to home, threatening ANM's approximately 70 per cent share of the Australian newsprint market. ANM needed to improve its transport logistics if its inherent geographic competitive advantage was to be maintained. Following the philosopher of science Roy Bhaskar, my position in this study is a combination of ontological realism and epistemic relativity. My approach in the transitive dimension to producing knowledge of the intransitive dimension proceeds by way of an epistemological dialectic, drawn from Marx and inflected through dialectical critical realism, that also uses the work of Deleuze and Guattari to theorise relations between structures and agents, and necessity and contingency. My social theoretical entry point is anti-essentialist Marxism and I particularly discuss my understanding of the Marxist conception of ideology as it relates to culture. Research that contributes to understanding manufacturing — service linkages by investigating how manufacturing establishments are becoming increasingly dependent on service expertise to distribute their products more effectively is lacking in the economic geography literature. In this study, I focus on the economic geography of ANM's transport logistics. These transport logistics have been restructured, and are organised and operated, through SMART Distribution Pty Ltd (Service Means Action Responsiveness and Timeliness). SMART is an organisational service network believed by its partners to be unique in Australia as well as to be at the leading edge of world best practice in the coordination and the continuous quality and cost improvement of the transport logistics of its manufacturing enterprise partner, ANM. Through SMART, ANM is organisationally involved in and broadly controls, but does not actually operationally perform any part of, its transport logistics. ANM/SMART is less clear-cut and more sophisticated than simple two party internal-buyer — external-supplier input linkages, and is an example of capitalist enterprises further maturing in their approach to organisation by blurring or re-articulating the boundaries between enterprises through an output organisational network. Understanding an economic geography of ANM's transport logistics involves considering the decisionmaking logic (which is partly geographic), process (which is partly cultural) and structure (ANM/SMART) behind these transport logistics. In this respect, I relate ANM's two most innovative and world competitive initiatives of the last ten years, the SMART organisational network, and corporate culture change, exploring the manifestation of customer focus, continuous improvement and entrepreneurialism in ANM/SMART.

APA, Harvard, Vancouver, ISO, and other styles

26

Bhattacharya, Madhumita. "The specifications and testing of structure-conduct-performance relationships in Australian manufacturing." Thesis, 1997. https://eprints.utas.edu.au/19038/1/whole_BhattacharyaMadhumita1997_thesis.pdf.

Full text

Abstract:

Beginning with Mason (1939) and then continuing perforce with Bain (1956 and 1968) into the early 1970s, research in the mainstream of industrial organisation (10) was dominated by the structure-conduct-performance paradigm. The paradigm relates an industry's structural characteristics to the conduct patterns of its constituent firms, which determines an industry's performance. Specification of the relationships in this area is often largely ad hoc and its testing is subject to a number of difficulties. Considering an equilibrium oligopoly framework, mainly based on Cowling and Waterson (1976) study, the thesis derives short-run equilibrium profit, concentration and industry conjectures models. The empirical analysis will consist of two parts. Firstly, the above three equilibrium models are tested with different versions both in linear and logarithmic functional forms. Empirical testings includes testing the major criticisms against structure-conduct-performance studies with the profit model, distinguishing consumer-producer goods in explaining the structure-performance relationships and comparison of the hypothesised in4dels with ad hoc versions of profits and concentration. The profit model includes concentration, elasticity of demand, conjectures, product differentiation dummy, import intensity and capital intensity as explanatory variables. Concentration is determined by number of firms, elasticity of demand, product differentiation dummy, cost disadvantage ratio of small firms and conjectures. Industry conjectures is determined by levels and stability of concentration, growth in sales, product differentiation and import intensity. For each model, both linear and logarithmic functional forms (with some intermediate stages) are tested for empirical purposes. For the equilibrium profit model, oligopolistic structural and behavioural variables, viz, concentration, conjecturess, elasticity of demand and capital intensity are found to be significant in most of the cases. For the equilibrium concentration model, number of firms, elasticity of demand and cost disadvantage ratio of small firms are found to be significant in most cases. For the equilibrium conjectures model, none of the above factors, viz. levels and stability of concentration, growth in sales, product differentiation and import intensity is found to be significant in explaining conjectures. The empirical analysis deals with testing the importance of major criticisms against the structure-conduct-performance studies in explaining the relationships. These criticisms are: i) omission of the relevant explanatory variables, ii) measurement error in the variables, and iii) aggregation bias and iv) existence of simultaneous causality among variables and v) mis-specification of the functional form of the model. These are tested with the profit models. The first three criticisms, viz, errors of omitting relevant variables, measurement error and aggregation bias are tested with the profit model. Resulting estimates suggest the importance of dealing with each of these issues in explaining the structure-performance relationship. The existence of simultaneous relationships among the variables is tested with two systems of equations. The first system of equations consists of equilibrium profit, concentration and conjectures models. The second system of equations consists of disequilibrium profit and concentration models and the equilibrium conjectures model. Profits, concentration and conjecturess among firms are treated as endogenous variables. For both systems, the empirical findings support there is a simultaneous relationship between the profit and concentration equation. The second system of equations deals with the existence of sub-optimal behaviour. This is done by specifying disequilibrium models separately for profit and concentration. Partial adjustment model is considered with a constant rate of adjustment towards the equilibrium level, assuming that any deviation from equilibrium is corrected at the constant rate of adjustment. For the profit model, the signs of coefficients of the disequilibrium version are found to be same as the equilibrium model with a significant positive sign for initial profit. Also for the concentration model, the signs of the coefficients of the disequilibrium version are found to be same as the equilibrium model with a significant positive sign for initial concentration. The annual adjustment rate of profit and concentration are both found to be slow. For the equilibrium profit, concentration and conjectures models, empirical analysis is carried out against a sample of 102 Australian manufacturing industries at the Australian Standard Industrial Classification (ASIC) at the four-digit level data for 1984/85. For the disequilibrium profit and concentration model, the data are used for two periods (1977/78 and 1984/85), with a seven year lag for the above industries.

APA, Harvard, Vancouver, ISO, and other styles

27

Low, David R., University of Western Sydney, and College of Business. "Innovation and its interaction with market orientation : a study of Australian manufacturing SMEs." 2006. http://handle.uws.edu.au:8081/1959.7/15430.

Full text

Abstract:

In pursuing sustainable competetive advantage, firms undertake a range of strategic initiatives such as innovation, customer relationship management, entering new markets overseas, and competetive actions within current marketplaces. Studies that examine these initiatives generally investigate the firm's strategy by either: (i) focussing on one strategy only, and examining its impact on firm performance and the role of employees in the implementation of this strategy; or (ii) studying the interaction of two or more strategies. This study explores the interaction between two strategies, innovation and market orientation, and identifies key components of the market orientation construct that interact with the innovation process. This study utilised both quantitative and qualitative techniques. The quantitative data collection used scales which had been previously developed that show high reliability and have gained a level of acceptance in the literature. A survey was sent to companies that matched the target population characteristics. The survey measured five things : (a) the market orientation of the firm, (b) the innovativeness of the firm, (c) the firm performance, (d)aspects of the firm's competetive environment, and (e) changes in the firm's competetive environment. The data analysed was gathered using appropriate statistical techniques. The qualitative research comprised a sermi-structured interview with key informants from a sample of the organisations who participated in the participated in the quantitative data. This study crossed two distict general disciplines, that of marketing and management, and presents four key findings (a) that firm innovation and firm market orientation are strategic reactions to changes in the market environment, (b)that market orientation is a part of the firm's innovation process, (c) information about customers and competitors is used in the innovation process when assessing the need to innovate, and (d) the employee is the link between market orientation and the firm's innovation process.
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

APA, Harvard, Vancouver, ISO, and other styles

28

Agana, Bernard. "Factors required to enhance water recycling at two major Australian industrial manufacturing sites." Thesis, 2013. https://vuir.vu.edu.au/22349/.

Full text

Abstract:

This study presents the application of an integrated water management strategy at two large Australian manufacturing companies that are contrasting in terms of their respective products and wastewater generation. The integrated strategy, consisting of water audit, pinch analysis and membrane process application, was deployed in series to systematically identify water conservation opportunities. Initially, a water audit was deployed to completely characterize all water streams found at each production site. This led to the development of a water balance diagram which, together with water test results, served as a basis for subsequent enquiry. After the water audit, commercially available water pinch software was utilized to identify possible water reuse opportunities, some of which were subsequently implemented on site. Finally, utilizing a laboratory-scale test rig, membrane processes such as UF, NF and RO were evaluated for their suitability to treat the various wastewater streams

APA, Harvard, Vancouver, ISO, and other styles

29

Low, David R. "Innovation and its interaction with market orientation : a study of Australian manufacturing SMEs." Thesis, 2006. http://handle.uws.edu.au:8081/1959.7/15430.

Full text

Abstract:

In pursuing sustainable competetive advantage, firms undertake a range of strategic initiatives such as innovation, customer relationship management, entering new markets overseas, and competetive actions within current marketplaces. Studies that examine these initiatives generally investigate the firm's strategy by either: (i) focussing on one strategy only, and examining its impact on firm performance and the role of employees in the implementation of this strategy; or (ii) studying the interaction of two or more strategies. This study explores the interaction between two strategies, innovation and market orientation, and identifies key components of the market orientation construct that interact with the innovation process. This study utilised both quantitative and qualitative techniques. The quantitative data collection used scales which had been previously developed that show high reliability and have gained a level of acceptance in the literature. A survey was sent to companies that matched the target population characteristics. The survey measured five things : (a) the market orientation of the firm, (b) the innovativeness of the firm, (c) the firm performance, (d)aspects of the firm's competetive environment, and (e) changes in the firm's competetive environment. The data analysed was gathered using appropriate statistical techniques. The qualitative research comprised a sermi-structured interview with key informants from a sample of the organisations who participated in the participated in the quantitative data. This study crossed two distict general disciplines, that of marketing and management, and presents four key findings (a) that firm innovation and firm market orientation are strategic reactions to changes in the market environment, (b)that market orientation is a part of the firm's innovation process, (c) information about customers and competitors is used in the innovation process when assessing the need to innovate, and (d) the employee is the link between market orientation and the firm's innovation process.

APA, Harvard, Vancouver, ISO, and other styles

30

Bergami, Roberto. "Risk management in Australian manufacturing exports : the case of letters of credit to ASEAN." Thesis, 2011. https://vuir.vu.edu.au/16043/.

Full text

Abstract:

One of the fundamental considerations for exporters in international trade transactions is the aspect of payment. In the context of financial risk management, Letters of Credit enable the exporter to substitute the credit risk of the buyer with that of his bank. The Letter of Credit is a conditional payment guarantee, relying on one hundred per cent documentary accuracy to trigger the payment. Less than one hundred per cent compliance means the loss of the payment guarantee. Non-compliance is a significant problem as, according to the International Chamber of Commerce, worldwide documentary discrepancy rates against Letter of Credit transactions have been estimated to be between sixty to seventy per cent. The mechanics of Letter of Credit transactions comprise a complex web of interactions between banks, traders and their service providers, providing a fertile ground for discrepancies and existing literature acknowledges this world-wide problem. In the UK, in 2000, losses were estimated to be AUD 305 million (£ 113) through non-compliant documents being presented under Letters of Credit – this amount did not include lost opportunities and cash flow problems. In the same year, a separate USA study of Letter of Credit transactions confirmed the high discrepancy rate, but also claimed that as long as buyers want the goods discrepancies did not translate into financial losses. The findings were refuted by others. It is the potential loss of revenue caused by the mismanagement of risk that is foremost in this research. It is estimated that the annual value of Letter of Credit business for manufacturing exports to ASEAN is approximately AUD 3.5 billion, with losses estimated to be upwards of AUD 920 million. This research aims to assist in greater understanding of the usage of Letters of Credit and the dynamics that underpin these transactions leading to a greater understanding of the interactions between Australian exporters and ASEAN importers.

APA, Harvard, Vancouver, ISO, and other styles

31

McWilliams, AM. "A study of employee participation, employee voice and industrial relations climate in an Australian manufacturing organisation." Thesis, 2019. https://eprints.utas.edu.au/34061/1/McWilliams_whole_thesis.pdf.

Full text

Abstract:

This thesis aims to explore the development of voice in the workplace and how employee voice has been used in the case study organisation as it moves towards closedown and to determine what mechanisms have been put in place to enable employee voice in CarCo. Measures of employee voice will be used as indicators of management attitudes towards employee participation (Bryson,1999; Benson & Brown, 2010; Pyman, Holland, Teicher and Cooper, 2010). This thesis will also then compare results at two points in time to trace any changes in the type or extent of employee voice as well as employer attitudes during this period. The study will use an in-depth case study method to analyse the use of employee voice in the gradual closedown of manufacturing at CarCo.

APA, Harvard, Vancouver, ISO, and other styles

32

Royce, Philip. "Effects of AS/ISO-9000 on OH&S performance in Australian manufacturing organisations : 1990-1994." Thesis, 1995. http://researchonline.federation.edu.au/vital/access/HandleResolver/1959.17/164949.

Full text

APA, Harvard, Vancouver, ISO, and other styles

33

Rodriguez, Serna Lil. "Stakeholder management in business succession : a multi-source analysis of the Australian cake and pastry manufacturing industry." Thesis, 2021. http://hdl.handle.net/1959.7/uws:67111.

Full text

Abstract:

A stakeholder management approach is widely recognized as an important contemporary process that assists managers align organizational objectives with those of its stakeholders, which in turn helps the organization achieve its strategic goals. To date, stakeholder theory research has focused on exploring its usefulness and validity for managerial issues where stakeholder participation is imperative, for example in relation to the development of competitive advantage. Limited attention has however, been paid to the role stakeholder management can play in secretive internal issues such as business succession, where stakeholder participation is discretionary and, usually, not elicited. The thesis explores the stakeholder management practices used by owners of Australian manufacturing family business SMEs in relation to business succession. Consistent with other SMEs studies, this research focus on primary stakeholders. The study draws conclusions by comparing the perceptions of owners and other family members as decision-makers and other internal and external non-family stakeholder groups. The research was designed not only to understand current practices, but to identify best practices for the succession process derived from the views of multi-stakeholder groups interested in the process. Specifically, the objectives of this thesis were to understand how stakeholders key to the succession process are identified; how key concerns and demands in relation to succession can impact the existing business relationship and to understand how stakeholders can be engaged for the purpose of achieving a successful succession outcome. The central tenet developed from this research is that a stakeholder management approach needs to be tailored to a specific managerial issue. This research contributes to three streams of the literature. Firstly, by drawing from resource dependency theory and engagement theory, contributions are made to research on stakeholder theory by introducing theoretical developments to the sub-streams on stakeholder identification and stakeholder engagement. Secondly, this research contributes to the literature on family business by exploring and proposing best practices for stakeholder management in business succession. Lastly, by exploring the theoretical assumptions of the thesis in family business SMEs, this research contributes to the literature on Small and Medium Sized Enterprises. The findings of this research have implications for managerial practice in family businesses and professional practitioners who may be assisting during in the succession process.

APA, Harvard, Vancouver, ISO, and other styles

34

Graves, Christopher Raymond. "Venturing beyond the backyard : an examination of the internationalisation process of Australian small - to - medium - sized family - owned manufacturing enterprises." 2006. http://hdl.handle.net/2440/37865.

Full text

Abstract:

In recent years, the Australian government has opened the Australian economy to the global marketplace through tariff reductions and the establishment of free trade agreements with other countries. The ability of the Australian economy to benefit from these agreements is dependent on Australian businesses identifying international opportunities and exploiting their competitive advantage in the international marketplace. However, the family business literature suggests that complexities unique to family firms limit their ability take advantage of such opportunities and grow internationally. To date, the limited empirical testing of such claims has produced conflicting results. As a consequence, little is known about the international behaviour of family firms, what influences such behaviour and what effect internationalisation has on the owning family and the business. This study addresses this gap in the literature by using a mixed research method design. Using the quantitative analysis of small - to - medium - sized family - owned enterprises ( SMFEs ) contained within the most recently available longitudinal database of Australian businesses and the qualitative analysis of eight SMFEs, the internationalisation process of SMFEs in the manufacturing sector was examined. The findings of this study suggest that, compared to their non - family counterparts, Australian SMFEs are less likely to venture into the international marketplace. Furthermore, those that do, do so to a lesser degree when compared to non - SMFEs. Although the internationalisation behaviour of most SMFEs was similar to that of traditional international firms, some exhibited ?born-again? global internationalisation behaviour as a result of critical events within the firm. These included succession to the next generation and the appointment of non - family managers with the requisite expertise. The internationalisation of SMFEs was dependent on their ability to configure their resources to create globally relevant capabilities, and their willingness to exploit those capabilities in the international marketplace. In addition to the family ' s commitment to internationalisation, the production capabilities, international network relationships and overcoming a ' production mindset ' to build the requisite managerial and marketing capabilities were all found to be critical to the international growth of SMFEs. An SMFE ' s financial and human resources were found to have a substantial influence over their ability to build the organisational capabilities and international network relationships required for internationalisation. Compared to solely focusing on the domestic marketplace, there were some financial benefits to be gained by SMFEs in venturing overseas. However the extent to which they did so had no observable effect on financial performance. Overall, the financial benefits gained from internationalisation were dependent on having a long - term commitment to, and possessing the managerial capabilities required for, internationalisation. The changes brought about by internationalisation improved the overall competitiveness of SMFEs, enabling them to successfully compete with their domestic and international competitors. However, internationalisation was found to place substantial strain on the family unit, particularly when the firm had limited managerial capabilities, and was often a trigger for conflict within the family and the business. The implications of this study ' s findings for SMFEs, policy and future research are explored in the thesis.
Thesis (Ph.D.)--Adelaide Graduate School of Business, 2006.

APA, Harvard, Vancouver, ISO, and other styles

35

Sangsakul, Sangduan. "Measuring satisfaction of users and preparers in Australian manufacturing firms after the implementation of activity-based cost management (ABCM)." Thesis, 2003. https://eprints.utas.edu.au/21495/1/whole_SangsakulSangduan2003_thesis.pdf.

Full text

APA, Harvard, Vancouver, ISO, and other styles

36

Bain, Lynda M. "Choice of labour flexibility vehicle within the Australian clothing industry : a case study." Thesis, 1996. http://handle.uws.edu.au:8081/1959.7/508.

Full text

Abstract:

Existing theories and literature seeking to explain small business reticence to engage in enterprise bargaining, at times adopt a generalised approach which precludes or at least limits their relevance and ability to explain small business choice at the industry and even organisational level. Such explanations cannot be detached from the external contextual framework in which an organisation operates and its own, often unique, strategic corporate response to the environmental influences which are challenging it. Labour flexibility vehicles including bargaining, if chosen to facilitate broader corporate strategies, can thereby, be regarded as functionally dependent upon and interactive with the corporate orientations and objectives of the organisation which in turn are environmentally influenced and shaped. The research principally provides a focused description and analysis of the experiences of Clothingco, a small, up market, vertically integrated clothing manufacturer and retailer, which has undergone various strategic readjustments at the corporate and industrial relations level throughout the 1990s, in response to externally driven pressures. The research presents firm evidence to suggest that Clothingco has selected its labour flexibility mechanisms so that they are consistent with and able to accomodate prevailing corporate strategies and orientations. Its strategic corporate readjustments throughout the 90s, which can be perceived as falling along the continuum of cost minimisation to productivity enhancement, have in particular registered differing choices with respect to labour flexibility vehicle and strategies. In the light of the findings, the research as a preferred labour flexibility vehicle at Clothingco. These are identified as: an increasing corporate focus towards cost minimisation throughout the 1990s, coupled with an inability by management to countenance union intervention in enterprise bargaining procedures. The interaction of both these factors, rendered enterprise bargaining from the point of view of management, both a strategically and industrially inferior labour flexibility vehicle to the use of contract labour. The research's strength lies in these areas which have been highlighted and which can be monitored and tested more comprehensively in future research.

APA, Harvard, Vancouver, ISO, and other styles

37

Majeed, Omer. "Essays on Trade and Development." Phd thesis, 2017. http://hdl.handle.net/1885/132690.

Full text

Abstract:

The thesis consists of four core essays which focus on important issues relating to international trade, growth and inequality. The first essay examines the determinants of trade based on global production sharing (network trade) by building a theoretical framework and empirically testing it using a panel dataset covering 44 countries over the period 1996 to 2013. Over the past four decades, network trade has grown at a much faster rate than total world manufacturing trade. Identification of the determinants of this emerging trade pattern is, therefore, important for informing trade policy debates. The model used in the empirical analysis captures a number of important explanatory variables ignored in the previous literature. A range of panel data estimation techniques are used in the model. The results suggest that technology, institutions and macroeconomic stability all play a significant role in determining inter-country differences in network trade. The paper concludes with a discussion on the challenges for policy makers in their attempt to reap gains from global production sharing. The second essay studies the transmission of exchange rate changes into import prices (exchange rate pass-through) in the presence of global production sharing. The chapter builds and simulates a model, which postulates that exchange rate pass-through is lower for network trade compared to final goods trade. It is hypothesised that trade in parts and components, within network trade, is relatively sheltered from exchange rate movements because network trade is largely ‘relationship-specific,' including intra-firm trade. Empirically, exchange rate pass-through is examined using a new dataset of manufacturing import prices compiled from the trade price database of the US Bureau of Labour Statistics. The findings indicate that the degree of exchange rate pass-through into the import prices of parts and components is considerably lower than that for import prices of final goods. These results are robust to a number of sensitivity tests. The third essay examines patterns and determinants of global production sharing with an emphasis on how Australian manufacturing fits into global production sharing. Though Australia is a minor player in global production sharing, there is evidence that Australian manufacturing has a distinct competitive edge in specialised, skill-intensive tasks in several industries including aircraft, medical devices, machine tools, measuring and scientific equipment and photographic equipment. Specialisation within global production sharing in high value-to-weight components and final goods, which are suitable for air transport, helps Australian manufacturing to overcome the ‘tyranny of distance’ in world trade. Being predominantly ‘relationship-specific’, Australian network trade exports are not significantly susceptible to real exchange rate appreciation. Institutions and technological base also give Australia a competitive edge within global production sharing. The last essay examines the impact of inequality and poverty on economic growth. Recent research has highlighted a negative impact of inequality on economic growth. The paper re-evaluates this hypothesis, focusing on both inequality and poverty and their interaction. The econometric model controls for standard growth covariates including education, investment, trade, population growth and redistribution. The paper initially replicates previous results, showing that inequality has a negative impact on growth. However, it is shown that after taking into account both inequality and poverty, the negative effect of inequality on growth appears to be concentrated amongst countries with high poverty. This finding makes a case for policies targeted towards alleviating poverty, rather than policies that redistribute without addressing absolute poverty.

APA, Harvard, Vancouver, ISO, and other styles

38

Cook, Ian Charles. "An analysis of the competitiveness of the manufacturing sector in Australia between 1983 and 1996: implications for manufacturing and industry policy." 2007. http://hdl.handle.net/2440/44234.

Full text

Abstract:

This thesis seeks to establish whether Australia’s manufacturing competitiveness improved during the Hawke-Keating period of government (1983-1996), based on its performance prior to 1983. To achieve this aim it was necessary to identify what are the key characteristics impacting on competitiveness, and indeed, how do these factors interact? Importantly, the review was conducted from a broad-based strategic management perspective and not from an econometric standpoint. As a means of determining the above a detailed examination of the development of competitiveness was undertaken. It was found there was no single determinant insofar as, competitiveness cannot be attributed to one specific aspect, but is in fact influenced by a number of factors acting simultaneously. This involved a review of the informed contributions reflecting the development of competitiveness. Findings suggested the roots of competitiveness could largely be traced back to the doctrine of comparative advantage. However, much of this thinking was inevitably surpassed, when the correlation between competitiveness and strategy was better understood. Thus, in terms of manufacturing, this demanded the analysis of factors which appeared to independently and jointly influence competitiveness. It also showed within the manufacturing sector there was an inextricable link between productivity, increased competitiveness and growth. The contribution to the assessment of competitiveness by Professor Michael Porter was also studied in detail. The application of his work was examined with a view to the appropriateness of using his Determinants of National Advantage model in an Australian manufacturing context. Notably, this model provided a process which consistently explained the unique differences between participants within industrial environments. It also facilitated the identification of specific reasons for failure within an industry, which if left unchecked impacted on a nation’s competitiveness. Relative to competitiveness and, to the significance of Porter’s theories, an amended version of the ‘Diamond Model’ was considered more appropriate for this thesis. Historically, Australia’s manufacturing sector has been traditionally underpinned by tariff protection to sustain its existence. Political efforts to counter the impact of competition appeared to remain a central part of industry policy. For instance, politicians such as McEwen shaped Australia’s post-war interventionist role by the use of politically imaginative industry policies to help shelter manufacturing from the threat of growing international competition. In 1965, the manufacturing sector underwent its first major restructure, driven by the objective to make it less reliant on government subsidies and support. This was followed by similar reform initiatives such as the Jackson Report (1977) and Crawford Committee Report (1979). The Hawke-Keating Government came to office in 1983 amidst a shattered economy. Mid-way through its administration period, however, the Hawke-Keating Government had to contend with the internationalisation of world economies. This led to a deliberate change in industry policy, particularly at a microeconomic level to a free market persuasion. An accelerated tariff reduction program was also introduced. Whilst there was genuine support for the manufacturing sector to improve its competitiveness, many thought a more measured and strategic change was warranted. Research suggested Australian manufacturing was highly dependent on multinationals for technology and employment but by the same token, lacked specialization, and economies of scale and scope in terms of utilising its capabilities. Australia’s manufacturers similarly failed to capitalize on aspects of research and development and innovation, languishing in a climate devoid of competition. Moreover, the manufacturing sector was not considered a prime investment target for international finance. In order to test these assertions a number of key hypotheses were developed. Following analyses, with the exception of the impact of manufactured imports on the economy, it was determined that manufacturing had improved in each of the categories assessed. However, largely, the sector’s performance was well below that of its international counterparts. Overall, these results add to the body of knowledge of competition literature, and also contribute to a better understanding of the factors which influence growth, sustainability, and the competitiveness of Australia’s manufacturing in general.
http://proxy.library.adelaide.edu.au/login?url= http://library.adelaide.edu.au/cgi-bin/Pwebrecon.cgi?BBID=1268524
Thesis (Ph.D.) -- Adelaide Graduate School of Business, 2007

APA, Harvard, Vancouver, ISO, and other styles

39

Hagan, James Russell. "Aggregate demand and wage effects on manufacturing employment in Australia 1954-55 to 1984-85." Phd thesis, 1991. http://hdl.handle.net/1885/130855.

Full text

Abstract:

Interest in the relative roles of wages and demand in determining employment can be traced to Keynes' General Theory. This gave rise to research into the cyclic relationship between employment and wages, and also into the role of wages and demand variables as determinants of the demand for labour. This thesis pursues the second line of inquiry which can be categorised as a comparison of neoclassical and Keynesian explanations of the demand for labour in which the former stresses the role of wages and the latter the role of demand variables. There is no consensus in the literature about the relative imponance of wage and aggregate demand variables in labour demand models. The Australian manufacturing sector forms the data for this study. The demand for labour in Australian manufacturing rose from the mid-1950s to 1973-74. During this time employment in manufacturing behaved in much the same way as it did in the rest of the economy. From the mid 1970s employment in manufacturing began a sustained decline while that of the rest of the economy grew. There are four main features of the thesis. The first is that it analyses the demand for labour in Australian manufacturing over a long time period (30 years). Second, alternative specifications of the demand for labour are systematically compared, which includes testing the importance of appropriately modelling the capital stock and technical progress. Third, the role of aggregation in identifying an appropriate labour demand function is investigated. An integrated approach to investigating the relative importance of wage and demand variables, which includes testing the robustness of the specifications, forms the fourth feature of the thesis. The conclusions derived from a systematic study of the Australian manufacturing sector using a long time series of disaggregated data are that: - if technical progress and investment are jointly modelled as time trends, then the real wage is a highly significant determinant of labour demand (this result is very sensitive to the specification chosen); - the importance of the demand effects in the labour demand function are sensitive to the level of aggregation chosen: and, - if the method of modelling MFP and investment is accepted and the level of aggregation chosen appropriate, then both real wages and aggregate demand have significant effects on labour demand over the period studied.

APA, Harvard, Vancouver, ISO, and other styles

40

Lindsay, Amelia Ann. "Comparative advantage in manufacturing trade between Australia and Taiwan, 1965-94." Master's thesis, 1998. http://hdl.handle.net/1885/144525.

Full text

APA, Harvard, Vancouver, ISO, and other styles

41

MacIntosh, Malcolm Leslie. "The management of change in four manufacturing organizations / Malcolm L. MacIntosh." Thesis, 2001. http://hdl.handle.net/2440/21669.

Full text

Abstract:

Bibliography: leaves 350-402.
x, 412 leaves ; 31 cm.
This thesis is concerned with the process of change and adaptation in four Australian manufacturing companies in the period 1989 to 1996. The thesis seeks to explain the reaction of these companies to the pressures for change, and particularly for the adoption of 'best practice' management prescriptions in the organization of work and human resource management. The operating hypothesis adopted is that the pattern of changes undertaken by manufacturing organizations are shaped by a variety of factors both external to and within the company, but that management beliefs and orientations are a key element in understanding the pace and extent of change. The research is pursued through detailed case studies designed to explore at length pressures for change and continuity in corporate decision-making.
Thesis (Ph.D.)--University of Adelaide, Dept. of Economics, 2001

APA, Harvard, Vancouver, ISO, and other styles

42

Bohemia, Erik. "Lean manufacturing and its impact on the role of industrial designers in Australia /." 2002. http://www.library.unsw.edu.au/~thesis/adt-NUN/public/adt-NUN20031023.100518/index.html.

Full text

APA, Harvard, Vancouver, ISO, and other styles

43

Dean, Mark Bernard. "Manufacturing the future?: a critical analysis of policy responses to deindustrialisation in South Australia." Thesis, 2018. http://hdl.handle.net/2440/113265.

Full text

Abstract:

This thesis investigates the policy responses of federal, state and local governments to manufacturing deindustrialisation in Australia. Automotive manufacturing has provided a foundation for development and innovation in modern, industrial economies, including in Australia. The thesis asks why Australia is at risk of losing this capability, focusing analysis specifically on the impact of neoliberal economic ideas on policies developed in the present era of globalisation in response to deindustrialisation in South Australia, a local-state economy highly dependent on the automotive industry. The thesis answers this question by addressing the nature of Australia’s, and South Australia’s, engagement with global change. It provides a radical political economy and institutional examination of Australian governments’ policy responses to automotive manufacturing deindustrialisation in South Australia, finding at all levels, policy responses that have been profoundly influenced by neoliberalism. The thesis frames the research from a theoretical point of view that although neoliberalism’s ideological grounding prescribes a minimal role for the state in the economy, in reality state intervention has been central to the ‘actually existing’ neoliberal policy approach of governments. Governments at the federal level and in South Australia have implemented policies influenced by neoliberal economic ideas that have actively promoted market-based economic restructuring. However, this research also demonstrates that the impact of neoliberal ideas at federal, state and local levels has been shaped by a range of endogenous factors that are specific to the local political economy of each jurisdiction. The thesis begins by examining the central role of the state at federal and local-state levels historically in Australia and South Australia in the post-war boom period, demonstrating how Fordist-Keynesian intervention produced a set of foundational political, social and economic institutions that underpinned industrialisation at each level. It then analyses the policy responses of governments to post-boom deindustrialisation and demonstrates how the embedded institutional framework underpinning industrial development has been eroded, with governments at every level influenced by the increasing dominance of neoliberal policy approaches. However, the thesis argues that it is the dominance of a neoliberal framework at the federal level in Australia that has greatly constrained policy options for governments at state and local levels. The thesis makes an original research contribution in its analysis of the contemporary period of South Australian political economy under the Rann and Weatherill Labor Governments’ social-democratic state interventions. The policy responses of these governments provide examples of the emergence of ‘actually existing’ neoliberalism at the state level. This has resulted in specific local responses to manufacturing decline and economic crisis. This analysis is extended to the local regional level through an investigation of policy responses to the decline of the automotive industry in the City of Playford in Adelaide, South Australia’s urban north. In summary, the thesis concludes that the neoliberal policy responses of governments in Australia and South Australia to deindustrialisation have exacerbated its negative economic and social impacts. Opportunities for alternative responses at each level have been greatly reduced, though not eliminated completely. The impact of neoliberalism on state intervention has further entrenched manufacturing industry’s decline in South Australia, producing challenging social and economic implications for the region, and also the nation.
Thesis (Ph.D.) -- University of Adelaide, School of Social Sciences, 2018.

APA, Harvard, Vancouver, ISO, and other styles

44

Chadwick, David Justin. "Hear the Lion Roar: Trade unionism at General Motors-Holden’s in South Australia, 1930-1980." Thesis, 2020. http://hdl.handle.net/2440/130170.

Full text

Abstract:

The purpose of the thesis is to investigate and bring to light the role that trade unions played at Holden’s in South Australia. It argues that Holden’s relationship with its main unions was one that was developed over many years and was of mutual benefit. It does this by examining the development of Holden’s, the trade union movement, the unions involved at Holden’s and the growth of secondary industry in South Australia which facilitated the expansion of both. A series of case studies explore industrial action and their outcomes. To further demonstrate this uniqueness, comparisons will be made with General Motors operations in Britain and the US. This thesis reframes the typical narrative of labour and business historiography in Australia. Rather than approaching the question through a binary framework of labour versus business, it will analyse the role of Holden’s and the unions through their relationship of mutual benefit. For many years Holden’s was one of Australia’s largest and most profitable companies. From its entry into building motor car bodies in 1917, the company embraced unionism in its factories to improve industrial relations and ensure uninterrupted production. While this goal was not always achieved, as is shown in this thesis, strike activity was rare until a tumultuous period in the late 1960s and early 1970s that was paralleled throughout the world. However, for much of the time under investigation Holden’s worked closely with its unions, providing better wages and conditions than many other industries. Drawing on previously unused primary source material, this thesis explores an area of Australian history that has to date been overlooked. It argues that the relationship between Holden’s and its unions was unique, long-lasting and of mutual benefit.
Thesis (Ph.D.) -- University of Adelaide, School of Humanities, 2020

APA, Harvard, Vancouver, ISO, and other styles

45

Lopaticka, Vineta. "Occupational health and safety initiatives : an exploration of the National OHS Strategy in New South Wales' manufacturing industry." Thesis, 2013. http://handle.uws.edu.au:8081/1959.7/534170.

Full text

Abstract:

The introduction of the National OHS Strategy 2002-2012 into Australia signified a new direction in occupational health and safety (OHS) policy development. It represented the first policy in which Australia’s institutional stakeholders had reached a formal agreement to achieve targeted reductions in injuries and fatalities across Australian workplaces. However, despite its significance, the National OHS Strategy remains largely unexplored throughout the literature, as have national OHS strategies in other countries. This research seeks to contribute to narrowing this gap in knowledge by investigating the OHS policy process associated with the National OHS Strategy, with the intention of better understanding how OHS policies are developed, implemented, and evaluated. Applying a qualitative framework comprised of documentary analysis and semi-structured interviews with government, trade unions, employer associations, and manufacturing businesses in New South Wales, this thesis explores one of the National OHS Strategy’s five objectives – improving the capacity of employers to manage OHS. Ostrom’s Institutional Analysis and Development (IAD) framework, which is grounded in institutional rational choice theory, provides the key theoretical framework in which the research findings are analysed. The IAD framework has allowed for policy evaluation that is different from the traditional and descriptive approach associated with examining policy through various stages of the policy cycle. Rather than describing stages, the IAD framework guides analysis on stakeholder interactions and behaviours, and highlights the influence of external factors and rules. The analysis of Australia’s National OHS Strategy is deepened through international comparisons with the United Kingdom, New Zealand, Denmark, and Finland. The comparisons provide greater insight into the policy development, implementation, and evaluation possibilities that could have been undertaken for Australia’s 2002-2012 National OHS Strategy. As it is the intention of Australia to continue to develop and implement future strategies to improve OHS, the findings of this thesis help to identify the elements necessary for effective strategy making and implementation. In summary, the research highlights that the National OHS Strategy did not appear to have a significant impact in encouraging increased activity in improving employer capacity to manage OHS. The 2002 – 2012 Strategy’s shortcomings were uncovered in each aspect of the policy process. The main problems were, firstly, that stakeholders’ energy and attention was drawn away from the National OHS Strategy and into other areas of priority such as changing OHS legislation rather than implementing the Strategy. While stakeholders saw value in having the National OHS Strategy, it did not elicit sufficient motivation or commitment. Furthermore, a lack of clearly identifiable roles for each of the stakeholders resulted in responsibility for the Strategy being shifted to government, thereby diminishing the concept of the stakeholders ‘working together’. Knowledge and awareness of the National OHS Strategy diminished over the life of the Strategy; partly as a consequence of changes in personnel across the stakeholder groups, as well as a declining reference to the Strategy more broadly. The research also highlights the importance of resources to policy development. The National OHS Strategy was developed on weak foundations as the paring back of resources to Australia’s peak OHS body heightened jurisdictional responsibility for OHS, including implementation of the National OHS Strategy. The thesis’ contribution is multifaceted. It contains a history of the development of Australia’s first national policy for OHS, incorporating perspectives of employer associations, trade unions, and government relative to the Strategy’s objective of developing employer capacity. The thesis is particularly innovative in applying theory from the political science field to analyse the Strategy. Moreover, it utilises the IAD framework to evaluate the policy process relative to the National OHS Strategy’s goal of developing employer capacity. The application of a theoretical framework to analyse the National OHS Strategy brings rigour to the OHS discipline where there has generally been a dearth of theoretical policy evaluation of OHS policy. OHS has been an important area for public policy for decades. Through a thorough and theoretically informed evaluation of the National OHS Strategy’s impact on employer capacity to manage OHS, the thesis’ findings around institutional arrangements and the role of the actors provides guidance to improve policy development, implementation, and evaluation in future decades.

APA, Harvard, Vancouver, ISO, and other styles

46

Hu, Jigao. "Data visualization & TQM implementation : a study of the implementation of data visualization in total quality management in Victorian manufacturing industry." Thesis, 1995. https://vuir.vu.edu.au/18177/.

Full text

Abstract:

Introduction: Data visualisation (DV) is the process of creating and presenting a chart given a set of active data and sets of attribute and entity constraints. It rapidly and interactively investigates large multivariate and multidisciplinary data sets to detect trends, correlations, and anomalies. Data Visualisation is the latest analytical tool for both technical computer users and business computer users. Total Quality Management (TQM) is continuous improvement in the performance of all processes and the products and services that are the outcomes of those processes. In quality management, DV is one of the three new tools that complement the existing seven, which are flow charts, Ishikawa or cause and effect diagrams, Pareto charts, histograms, run charts and graphs, scattergrams and control charts. It lets quality control engineers readily see the real reasons for quality problems by presenting the data in up to six dimensions. Methodology: A survey by mail questionnaire was conducted to collect data from one hundred Victorian manufacturing companies. Responses were received from 52 companies out of the total of 100. The sample size for each analysis may vary from 52 to 49. The source for company information was Kompass Australia 1994/1995. The statistical analysis tool used was Statistica. Major Findings: The TQM program implementation tends to be more complete in companies with more employees. Wordprocessing software is adopted by all companies in TQM practice, mostly for producing a quality instructional manual. Spreadsheet and database packages are the second and the third most commonly used software. Companies that have completed their formal TQM program implementation generally use computer software in more aspects of their TQM practice than companies at lower TQM stages though not always. Two-dimensional DV techniques are more commonly used than three-dimensional ones with the 2-D colour and 2-D shade the most widely used by all. The 3-D animation tool needs to be explored. DV features are generally important for all the users. The ability to handle complex data is more important for companies at a higher stage of TQM program implementation than companies at lower stages.

APA, Harvard, Vancouver, ISO, and other styles

47

Rumpf, Paul. "Participation in employee involvement programs." Thesis, 1996. https://vuir.vu.edu.au/18209/.

Full text

Abstract:

The thesis examines issues associated with an employee's inclination to participate in an employee involvement program. The critical challenge confronting management of attracting and maintaining the effective participation of employees is central to the success of a participatory strategy. However, program impetus, design, formulation and execution is often of an ad-hoc nature and premised on achieving unrealistic outcomes derived from attempts to isomorphically replicate contemporary human resource management practices. This qualitative and quantitative study provides important lessons for managers of small to medium sized manufacturing organisations, particularly as it relates to governing issues associated with the participation of employees in decision making processes. First, the necessity to thoughtfully design the participative structure and its mode of operation in accordance with an organisation's strategic objectives. Secondly, to ensure that the premises and parameters of issues of governance associated with the participation of employees in decision making processes are clearly defined and understood by all participants and finally, on-going success depends on senior executive support and commitment.

APA, Harvard, Vancouver, ISO, and other styles

48

Heffernan, S. P. "Can vocational training be better structured to facilitate the acquisition of job related skills?" Thesis, 1997. https://vuir.vu.edu.au/18173/.

Full text

Abstract:

As Australia attempts to improve its global economic standing, each industry, and their respective enterprises, is necessarily undertaking considerable transformation as they embrace the need to adapt. Industrialised technologies and operating methods are changing more rapidly than at any other time since the inception of mass production. The imperative for a more efficient approach to manufacturing and the production of goods is paramount for organisations to enable them to obtain and to sustain a competitive position within a rapidly changing world economy. The linkages between competitive manufacturing and vocational education are widely recognised as important factors that contribute to sustainable business practices. This research explores the educative processes that are being used to bring new-start employees' skills and knowledge levels up to the required standard for a globally competitive manufacturing company. It also looks at vocational education, and examines the provision of service by the formal providers who are now altering their relationship and service arrangements at the enterprise level. The research comprised an extensive literature review, the application of a survey questionnaire (see Appendices A, B and C) and an analysis of the data which collectively comprised the body of a comparative opinion based study that was undertaken in a manufacturing environment. The research question was designed to explore the issues relating to the imparting of knowledge and skills to new start employees. An examination of the key providers' ability to deliver training, the relevance and applicability of the study materials used are also addressed. The study looks at the learning process in the context of the new employee and how they acquire skills and competencies for their new job; with a view to examining whether vocational education can be better structured to facilitate the acquisition of essential job skills.

APA, Harvard, Vancouver, ISO, and other styles

49

Wallace, Douglas Melvin. "Measurement of customer quality and service requirements in a paper converting company." Thesis, 1995. https://vuir.vu.edu.au/18222/.

Full text

Abstract:

Research into customer service in the manufacturing industry has lagged behind that in service industries, where superior service quality is the most important strategic priority and companies that focus on their customers will build a loyalty that will preclude competitors. In the service industry, customer service needs to be designed for the particular product and process, with measurable outcomes that deliver the results of consumer research. In the manufacture of consumer goods, the product needs to be augmented by customer service factors which fall into the areas of design activities to enhance physical quality, as well as non physical or service activities such as response times, delivery, installation and after-sales repairs. However it is dangerous for a company to try to compete by offering superior service on all dimensions simultaneously and trade offs must be made based on appropriate consumer research. The overall objective of this research was to provide strategic direction for improving quality and customer service in the paper converting industry. The research achieved that aim by determining the requirements of quality and service for different customers, different products and market segments, through a newly extended process which obtained feedback from corporate customers and two groups of end users, those purchasing premium products and those purchasing low cost products. In the business being considered, surveys had already been conducted by semantic network analysis and gap analysis by market research consultants. This research carried out additional surveys and compared them with those already available. The present research employed a cross-sectional causal field experiment using two questionnaires. Because responses were obtained from both national intermediary and representative napkin end users, each survey had a common core, applicable to all respondents and individual sections for corporate customer and end users. As a result of the surveys, it was concluded that considerable differences existed between intermediary users and end users in: - their ranking of elements of quality and customer service, - their ranking of the technical aspects of quality and, - their evaluation of the suitability of a napkin for their use. A series of specific differences were found, of which the most important are: - all the customers expect quality and there are no significant differences in their views, but low series napkin users have lower quality expectations. - premium product users require a wider range of napkins than corporate users, who have their own specific narrow range, and low cost users who expected a limited choice. - corporate customers want better stock availability and full quantity deliveries at the exact time and day specified. It was concluded that the detailed surveys, in the present research, had greater validity than previous ones because they covered a wider range of customer requirements, not limited to those already being offered. The research made a series of recommendations about, for example, softness and embossing standards in manufacturing, which it is hoped will be adopted. The aim, to obtain feedback across the whole range of customer requirements for future strategic direction, had been achieved.

APA, Harvard, Vancouver, ISO, and other styles

50

O'Connor, Bill. "Solutions to problems encountered during the adoption and management of new colour measuring and control technology in the textile industry." Thesis, 1995. https://vuir.vu.edu.au/18199/.

Full text

Abstract:

This research identifies the key factors involved in the successful adoption of a computerised match prediction system in the textile industry. The adoption of this technology has created big problems for many companies and few have succeeded without difficulty. Five companies adopting the technology were investigated to identify common problem areas. These areas were compared with the results of a literature review. A case study format was used to study in greater detail two companies in the carpet industry regarding their adoption of this system. One company was remarkably successful whilst the other company succeeded after much delay and difficulty. The literature relating to technological change and its effects on employees indicates the problems involve management, environmental, technical and social factors. Hence four research questions concerning prescriptive and contextual factors are tested by case study research and a cultural survey of all involved at both sites. Factors like the importance of strategy, management support and training are examined. The impact of culture, management style and fear of change are closely investigated. The results, whilst not conclusive, do give a good indication of the areas for special attention and the key factors, should the adoption of a computerised match prediction system be contemplated. The key factors form the basis of the conclusions that training, management support and the presence of a knowledgeable champion to drive the implementation were crucial whereas there was very little evidence of fear of the technology. Culture and management style were found to have an impact in so far as they direct the companies' approach to adopting the technology and influence h o w decisions are made and problems solved.

APA, Harvard, Vancouver, ISO, and other styles

Dissertations / Theses on the topic 'Australian manufacturing'

Create a spot-on reference in APA, MLA, Chicago, Harvard, and other styles