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1
Taghian, Mehdi, and mikewood@deakin edu au. "Market fit, market orientation, and business performance: An empirical investigation." Deakin University. Deakin Business School, 2004. http://tux.lib.deakin.edu.au./adt-VDU/public/adt-VDU20050915.135152.
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This thesis investigated the congruence of an organisation to its intended target markets. It was hypothesised that the internal activities of an organisation are, potentially, structured in response to its market dynamics with the ultimate aim of achieving the organisational objective(s). Market fit has been conceptualised to represent the fit of an organisation to its operating market environment. The information for this study was collected from senior marketing decision makers, using a self-administered questionnaire. The sample comprised 216 companies from a mix of industries and organisational sizes in Australia.
There is evidence to suggest that the association of market orientation and business performance is inconsistent under different business operating circumstances, due to the exclusion of the influence of key environmental moderators. The model of market fit attempts to overcome this condition. The results suggest that market fit is associated with measures of business performance, and the levels of association are different from those related to the market orientation measures, reflecting the influence of moderators. The categories of environmental moderators contributing at different levels to the market fit measure include: (1) marketing planning, (2) implementation of marketing decisions, (3) market orientation, (4) market strength, (5) generic strategies, (6) organisational culture, (7) familiarity with the marketing audit, and (8) the external environment. The marketing audit procedure has been recommended as a tool to assist with the establishment and maintenance of market fit. The results of this study indicate that organisational familiarity with, and the conduct of, the marketing audit periodically are low, and that market fit may be a better predictor of business performance, than is market orientation.
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Bäckius, Björn, and Jimmy Henriksson. "Earnings Management & Market Cap Borders : Indications of Opportunistic Management Behavior Motivated by Market Structure." Thesis, Uppsala universitet, Företagsekonomiska institutionen, 2011. http://urn.kb.se/resolve?urn=urn:nbn:se:uu:diva-155557.
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We investigate if firms close to entering, or exiting, a market capitalization list is more prone to manage their earnings upwards than other firms, due to the benefits of the extra liquidity and media coverage gained from being listed on a ‘larger’ list. In order to measure the level of earnings management in our focal firms we use the discretionary accruals as proxy with the Jones Model (1991) as base. Overall, the focal firms had higher discretionary accrual values. When correcting for size- and performance effect, we obtained significant results at a 10 % level that our focal firms manage their earnings in a wider extent. Also, firms close to the Small/Midcap border manage their earnings in a wider extent than the other firms listed on the Stockholm Stock Exchange.
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Mancini, Angelo J. "Dynamic release management| A market intensity approach." Thesis, The University of Chicago, 2015. http://pqdtopen.proquest.com/#viewpdf?dispub=3725520.
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Release management is the process by which a firm decides how to construct, sequence, and time new releases of its products. Given that it takes time to develop new functionality, release managers must weigh the benefits of adding features to the product against the necessary increase in development time. A prolonged development cycle postpones the time at which the manager's firm begins to extract revenues from the new release, and magnifies the risk that rival firms will preempt the manager's release by issuing products of their own. In this work, we study the release management problem from an operational perspective that accounts for ambient market intensity.
After a brief introduction in Chapter 1, we present a mixed-integer non-linear program (MINLP) formulation of the release management problem developed in collaboration with managers at a large software firm (LSF) in Chapter 2. The MINLP model accounts for market intensity through a modified discount factor, and we focus on the specification, viability, and consequences of this approach to modeling market intensity in Chapter 3. We reformulate the release management problem as a semi-Markov decision process (SMDP), and provide conditions under which there exists a modified discount factor that accurately reflects the impact of market intensity. This modified discount factor depends only on the statistical properties of the market intensity process, and can emerge naturally in a multi-firm equilibrium. In Chapter 4, we examine the methodological foundations of our approach to modeling market intensity, showing that our results extend well-beyond the confines of release management. We summarize our results and comment on further research in Chapter 5.
To our knowledge, this work is the first to study the release management problem from a combinatorial perspective that accounts for market intensity. Our results extend to any setting in which managers must make operational decisions and simultaneously cope with the aggregate market intensity of the manager's industry.
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Christiansen, Filip, and Matilda Tranell. "Data Management and Business Opportunities inEmerging Smart Metering Market." Thesis, KTH, Energiteknik, 2016. http://urn.kb.se/resolve?urn=urn:nbn:se:kth:diva-206975.
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Major changes in the energy systems throughout Europe have resulted in the implementation of new technologies such as smart grids and meters, enabling a two-way flow of information and electricity. This results in large volumes of metering data which needs to be efficiently managed for market and grid operational purposes. In addition to this, a new market for third parties seeking to enhance and convert data into valuable information has emerged. Current data management strategies vary between countries, resulting in a great diversity of data management models. To reach consensus, the European Commission has developed three theoretical reference models in order to cover all possible options. For the success of third parties, it is important to understand the rather complex mechanisms of these reference models. This can ease the process of recognizing the implemented data management model on a given market, as well as the interaction with related obstacles or barriers, in order to determine business opportunities. This report aims to present market conditions for third party actors in two European countries that have implemented different data management models. The Netherlands and Great Britain are selected based on certain conditions. With existing theories of the reference models, the actual models will be defined in each country. Key barriers are also identified. This report will then study how appropriate the implemented models are in relation to the barriers. Therefore, these two countries will also serve as case studies for evaluating the applicability of the reference models. In the Netherlands, case 1 of the reference models is identified per definition, although a transitioning towards case 2 can be observed. The major barrier consists of privacy concerns although customer engagement is becoming a central focus. In relation to these issues, targeted regulations seems to have more positive impact than the implemented model. The Dutch market is evolving and it is shown that the customers are open to new innovative services, although the intent to purchase such services is low. A central point of access to data facilitates efficient data management, however this only includes data with a 15 minute frequency. Data with a 10 second update interval can currently be accessed only via a physical smart meter port. In Great Britain, parts from both reference model 2 and 3 are implemented and the main barrier is currently customer engagement. The model has been developed with high emphasis on earlier privacy concerns, but it has potential to also address customer engagement by supporting innovation and new services. However, earlier restrictive regulations have only allowed certain feedback services, i.e. In Home Displays, to be offered to customers. As of 2015, other options are allowed which opens up a promising market for third party actors. Data can be accessed either centrally, with half-hourly updates, or via so called Consumer Access Devices providing data with updates every 10 second. A gap between the theoretical models and reality is observed; theoretical benefits are not always evident in practice. It is also observed how all possible data flows are not always properly described or included in data management model mappings. Therefore, it is important for third parties to look beyond such mappings to understand the access to certain data that fits their purpose. At last, privacy concerns can be eased through increased customer awareness and empowerment, which is also related to the receptivity to innovations among customers.Uppkomsten av smarta elnät och elmätare möjliggör ett dubbelriktat flöde av information i elnät. Detta ger upphov till stora datamängder och för marknadsaktiviteter och elnätsrelaterade åtaganden krävs därför en effektiv datahantering. Dessutom uppstår en ny marknad för tredjepartsaktörer som kan använda datan och göra om den till värdefull information. Strategier för hur datahanteringen ska gå till skiljer sig åt mellan länder och mångfalden är stor. Europeiska Kommissionen har tagit fram tre olika teoretiska referensmodeller för att uppnå konsensus inom detta område. Dessa modeller kan fungera som verktyg för tredjepartsaktörer i syfte att identifiera verkliga modeller för datahantering. Dessutom kan de ge värdefull information om relationen mellan datahantering och försvårande omständigheter; något som är viktigt att förstå för att bedöma marknadsmöjligheter. Målet med denna rapport är att presentera marknadsmöjligheter för tredjepartsaktörer i två europeiska länder som har olika modeller för datahantering. Utifrån särskilda kriterier väljs Nederländerna och England. Med hjälp av existerande teori kring referensmodellerna definieras de reella modellerna i länderna. Därefter utreder rapporten hur lämpliga de reella modellerna är i relation till identifierade barriärer. Därmed fungerar de två länderna även som fallstudier för utvärdering av applicerbarheten hos referensmodellerna. I Nederländerna identifieras den verkliga modellen för datahantering som en variant av modell 1 av referensmodellerna, och en utveckling mot modell 2 kan observeras. Den avgörande barriären är integritetsrelaterad, men kundengagemang blir ett alltmer centralt fokus. I relation till dessa problem kan det konstateras att specifika regleringar har större positiv genomslagskraft än själva modellen. Den holländska marknaden befinner sig i ett tidigt utvecklingsstadie men det har visat sig att kunder är positivt inställda till innovativa tjänster. Effektiv datahantering främjas av en central åtkomstpunkt, men detta inkluderar endast data med en uppdateringsfrekvens om 15 minuter. Data med uppdateringsfrekvens om 10 sekunder är tillgänglig via en fysisk port på själva elmätaren. I England identifieras den verkliga modellen för datahantering som delar av både referensmodell 2 och 3, och den största barriären är brist på kundengagemang. Tidigare utbredda integritetsproblem har delvis utformat modellen, men trots detta återfinns positiva funktioner sett till rådande utmaning då modellen främjar högre innovationsnivåer för tjänster. Regleringar har dock tidigare begränsat utbudet av sådana tjänster till endast s.k In Home Displays. Under 2015 förändrades denna reglering vilket medför lovande marknadsmöjligheter för tredjepartsaktörer. Datatillgång sker antingen via en central åtkomstpunkt, med en uppdateringsfrekvensen om 30 minuter, eller via s.k Consumer Access Devices där uppdateringsfrekvensen är 10 sekunder. Ett gap mellan de teoretiska modellerna och den verkliga implementeringen kan observeras eftersom teoretiskt beskrivna fördelar inte alltid förekommer i praktiken. En annan viktig upptäckt är att visualiseringar av datamodeller inte alltid beskriver eller inkluderar samtliga dataflöden. Därmed bör tredjepartsaktörer inte enbart förlita sig på sådana kartläggningar; andra metoder kan vara nödvändiga för att bedöma tillgången till nödvändig data. Till sist kan det konstateras att integritetsproblem kan motverkas med metoder som ökar uppmärksamheten hos kunder. Ett viktigt samband mellan detta och mottagligheten för innovation hos kunderna kan påvisas.
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Moye, Ashley. "Market Orientation in Government Markets and Veteran-Owned Small Businesses." Thesis, Walden University, 2016. http://pqdtopen.proquest.com/#viewpdf?dispub=10125164.
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Inadequate resources, poor market strategy, competition, contract regulation, and disparate performance outcomes are issues small business owners face while competing for government contracts. The purpose of this correlational study was to examine the market orientation-business performance relationship and the influence of market factors among veteran-owned small businesses competing for government contracts in the United States. A survey with adapted MARKOR and Government Regulation Lassez-Faire scales was administered to 203 veteran-owned small business owners. Resource-advantage theory served as the theoretical foundation for this study. The results of the multiple linear regression were significant, suggesting that market orientation relates to firm performance and total contract revenue. However, the regression models had a poor fit, with R2 values ranging from .019 to .094, suggesting that significant results of this study lacked the power to conclude predictive accuracy. Market orientation did not significantly relate to contract bid to win rate and number of years in the government market. The PROCESS moderation analysis provided mixed results for market factors’ influence on the market orientation relationship with business performance outcomes. Study participants were market-oriented, with few seeing corresponding success. The introduction of new variables is necessary to make future models useful. Implications for positive social change include guidance for better-fitting models, ones that will inform the efforts to improve the survivability of small businesses in the B2G market. Veteran-owned small business owners should not waste resources on market orientation as a sole strategic focus for capturing and winning government contracts.
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Bieger, Jasper, and Keegan Floquet. "The fundamental drivers of stock market liquidity : international, emerging markets and African evidence." Thesis, Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2003. http://hdl.handle.net/10019.1/53638.
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Thesis (MBA)--Stellenbosch University, 2003ENGLISH ABSTRACT: According to the World Bank's leading economists Beck and Demlrquc-Kunt one of the major competitive advantages of countries competing for long-term economic growth is the existence of an efficient and liquid domestic stock market. A number of studies have already been performed to examine solitary aspects of stock liquidity, however, rather little work has been done to comprehensively investigate its fundamental set of determinants. Furthermore, none of these studies has ever attempted to specifically focus on African stock markets. Consequently, this study aims to determine the fundamental set of drivers of stock market liquidity in general terms and to investigate the specific conditions of African equity exchanges as part of the group of emerging stock markets. Data for three different samples is collected - comprising a maximum of 46 countries and 17 annual data points - and regression analysis is employed to analyse the relationship between stock market turnover as a proxy for liquidity and a set a potential predictors. Several pure cross-sectional as well as dynamic panel regression models are designed and the results reveal that the four predictors, comprising: number of listed companies, country credit rating, severe restrictions on foreign investors and geographical location on the African continent constitute the fundamental set of drivers of stock market liquidity. In the specific case of African stock markets, domestic banking sector development tends to be the strongest determinant of stock liquidity. This study provides a great deal of value to governments and exchange managers alike; however, it should be regarded as a starting point for subsequent papers analysing the fundamental determinants of stock liquidity. For future research efforts it is recommended to expand the set of potential predictors and specifically focus on the contemporaneous component of the relation between stock market liquidity and its determinants.
AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Volgens die Wêreldbank se voorste ekonome, Beck en Dernirquc-Kunt, is een van die grootste mededingende voordele van lande wat meeding om langtermyn ekonomiese groei, die bestaan van 'n doeltreffende en likiede binnelandse aandelebeurs. 'n Aantal studies is reeds gedoen om die afsonderlike aspekte van effekte-likiditeit te ondersoek, maar redelik min werk is egter gedoen om die fundamentele bepalende faktore omvattend na te vors. Verder het geeneen van hierdie studies ooit probeer om spesifiek op Afrika-aandelebeurse te fokus nie. Gevolglik poog hierdie studie om die fundamentele stel drywers van aandelebeurslikiditeit in die algemeen te bepaal en om die spesifieke omstandighede van Afrika-aandelebeurse as deel van die groep ontwikkelende aandelebeurse te ondersoek. Data is versamel vir drie verskillende steekgroepe - bestaande uit 'n maksimum van 46 lande en 17 jaarlikse datapunte - en 'n regressie-analise is gebruik om die verhouding tussen aandelebeurs-omset as 'n aanduiding van likiditeit en 'n stel potensiële aanwysers te bepaal. Verskeie gewone kruisgewyse sowel as dinamiese paneelregressiemodelle is ontwerp en die resultate toon dat vier aanwysers, naamlik die aantal genoteerde maatskappye, die land se kredietgradering, ernstige beperkings op buitelandse beleggers en geografiese ligging op die Afrika-vasteland, die fundamentele stel drywers van aandelebeurs-likiditeit is. In die spesifieke geval van Afrika-aandelebeurse wil dit voorkom asof die ontwikkeling van 'n binnelandse banksektor die sterkste bepaler van effekte-likiditeit is. Hierdie studie is van waarde vir beide regerings en valutabestuurders. Dit moet egter as 'n beginpunt beskou word vir verdere studies wat die fundamentele bepalers van effekte-likiditeit analiseer. Vir verdere navorsingspogings word voorgestel dat die versameling moontlike aanwysers uitgebrei word en dat daar spesifiek gefokus word op die gelyktydige komponent van die verhouding tussen aandelebeurs-likiditeit en en sy bepalers.
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Yamamoto, Kan. "Kirin : business strategies for the Japanese beer market." Thesis, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 2015. http://hdl.handle.net/1721.1/99042.
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Thesis: M.B.A., Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Sloan School of Management, 2015.Cataloged from PDF version of thesis.
Includes bibliographical references (pages 100-103).
Some scholars argue that Japanese companies show excellence in developing operational effectiveness but rarely have strategies (e.g., Porter, 1996). One reason might be the persistent mindset (especially among large companies), formed during Japan's rapid growth period, which prioritized the pursuit of effective production and broad distribution of products to fully realize market growth, rather than adopting a distinct competitive strategy. Although the Japanese economy has been stagnant for more than two decades, the above-described mindset remains deeply embedded in the guise of "continuous improvement" or "customers are everything"- strategies that are still found across many Japanese industries. Another reason for the lack of strategies relates to the fact that, during the economic stagnation, an increasing number of companies have diversified their business portfolio in the search for new growth opportunities overseas. While globalization itself is a reasonable option even inevitable for some industries-implementing such a corporate strategy can lead some companies to vague business strategies. Moving into another industry can make management even more complicated (Markides, 1999), requiring that the strategy of each business must be given considerable attention when a firm embarks on globalization. This thesis explores Kirin's strategy for its Japanese beer business based on the factors described above. Although each player in the beer business worked hard to improve its product development and customer-facing skills in order to survive in a market that has been in decline for the past nearly twenty years, in the end every player competes fiercely for the same customers while offering similar products in the same fields. Ironically, this homogeneous effort maintains commoditization of the entire market over the long run. Product strategies or operational improvements are not enough to move away from this conundrum; Kirin needs a new business strategy, immediately. Therefore, the aim of this thesis is to explore what distinct strategic position(s) Kirin should adopt and what type of organizational system it should develop in the future. Through my analysis of Kirin using strategic frameworks and case studies, I found that Kirin has managed to survive the competition so far, cultivating many and varied capabilities in response to external changes. However, to deal with possible mid- and long-term changes in the beer market and the business model currently in place, Kirin has to review its strategic position and reform its organizational environment to focus on the development of new capabilities. Note: The views expressed in this thesis are solely my own and do not necessarily reflect the views of Kirin Holding Co. Ltd., my employer.
by Kan Yamamoto.
M.B.A.
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Hugill, Andrea Read. "Strategies for the Non-Market Environment." Thesis, Harvard University, 2015. http://nrs.harvard.edu/urn-3:HUL.InstRepos:16881894.
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ABSTRACT 1: This paper examines whether mobile telecom operators with access to different
kinds of knowledge pursue different strategies in politically risky markets. Using
data from 2000-2010 I find that firms with country-specific knowledge, gained
via presence in the local market, and general knowledge, gained through a long
history of operations, were more likely to increase or maintain investment and
operations even as political risk rose to the highest levels while peer firms drop
both investment and operations. Firms with market-risk knowledge, gained
through previous experience confronting political risk, drop investment similar to
peer firms but increase operations to capitalize on their short-term competitive
advantage. Therefore, country-risk knowledge and general knowledge are
associated with strategies that are durable to political risk, while market-risk
knowledge is associated with the distinct strategy for political risk of increased
operations. These results contribute to the literature by documenting distinct
market-based strategies for firms with differing knowledge sets that remain in a
market as political risk rises.
ABSTRACT 2: Scholars of corporate governance have debated the relative importance of country and
firm characteristics in understanding corporate governance variation across emerging economies.
Using panel data and a number of model specifications, we shed new light on this debate. We
find that firm characteristics are as important as and often meaningfully more important than
country characteristics. In fact, 16.8% percent of firms in emerging economies have been able to
exceed the 75th percentile of ratings in developed economies. Our results suggest that over
recent years firms in emerging economies had more capability to rise above weak home-country
institutions than previously suggested.
ABSTRACT 3: Outsourcing firms seeking to avoid reputational spillovers that can arise from dangerous,
illegal, and unethical behavior at supply chain factories increasingly rely on private social
auditors to provide strategic information about the conduct of their suppliers. But little is
known about what influences auditors’ ability to identify and report poor supplier
conduct. We find that individual supply chain auditors’ monitoring practices are shaped
by social factors including their experience, gender, and professional training; their
ongoing relationships with suppliers; and the gender diversity of their audit teams.
Providing the first comprehensive and systematic findings on supply chain monitoring,
our study identifies previously overlooked transaction costs and suggests strategies to
develop governance structures to mitigate reputational spillover risks by reducing
information asymmetries between themselves and their suppliers.
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Harness, Tina. "From markets to manpower : an investigation into market characteristics, business strategies and human resource strategies." Thesis, University of Huddersfield, 1998. http://ethos.bl.uk/OrderDetails.do?uin=uk.bl.ethos.285620.
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Qu, Riliang. "Market orientation of hotels and travel services in China's internaitona tourism market." Thesis, University of Nottingham, 2001. http://ethos.bl.uk/OrderDetails.do?uin=uk.bl.ethos.247130.
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Christie, Stephen Joseph. "The management of market risk : regulation versus practice." Thesis, University of Surrey, 2000. http://epubs.surrey.ac.uk/2192/.
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Hagba, Dorbor M. "Can market volume help in predicting share market volatility." Thesis, Stellenbosch : University of Stellenbosch, 2007. http://hdl.handle.net/10019.1/15043.
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Thesis (MBA)--University of Stellenbosch, 2007.ENGLISH ABSTRACT: This paper explores a number of statistical models for predicting the daily stock return volatility of an aggregate of all stocks traded on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange (JSE). The study is largely inspired by the work of Chris Brooks (1998). The volume of shares traded might be as important as the change in a market index since substantial price increases and decreases are often accompanied by heavy trading activity. An application of linear and non-linear Granger causality tests highlights evidence of bidirectional causality, although the relationship is stronger from volatility to volume than from volume to volatility. The out-of-sample forecasting performance of various linear and non-linear models of volatility are evaluated and compared. The models are also augmented by the addition of a measure of lagged volume to form more general ex-ante forecasting models. The results indicate that augmenting models of volatility with measures of lagged volume leads only to fairly small improvements in forecasting performance. The report also shows that the Johannesburg Stock Exchange is vulnerable to financial turmoil in other major markets.
AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Hierdie navorsingsverslag verken 'n aantal statistiese modelle vir die vooruitskatting van die daaglikse onbestendigheid in aandeleopbrengste van die totaal van alle aandele wat op die Johannesburgse Aandelebeurs (JSE) verhandel word. Hierdie studie is grotendeels geinspireer deur die werk van Chris Brooks (1998). Die volume aandele wat verhandel word, kan net so belangrik wees soos die verandering in 'n markindeks omdat beduidende prysverhogings en -verlagings dikwels met swaar verhandelingsaktiwiteite gepaard gaan. 'n Toepassing van liniere en nie-liniere Grangeroorsaaklikheidstoetse lewer bewys van tweerigting-oorsaaklikheid, hoewel daar 'n sterker verband van onbestendigheid na volume is, as van volume na onbestendigheid. Die buite-steekproef vooruitskattingsprestasie van verskeie liniere en nie-liniere modelle van onbestendigheid word geevalueer en vergelyk. Die modelle word aangevul deur die byvoeging van gesloerde volumes om meer algemene vooruitskattingsmodelle te vorm. Die resultate dui daarop dat aangevulde modelle van onbestendigheid met sloerings in volume slegs tot betreklik klein verbeteringe in vooruitskattingsprestasie lei. Die resultate dui daarop dat die Johannesburgse Aandelebeurs kwesbaar is vir finansiele turbulensie in ander belangrike markte.
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Coetzee, Nerisa. "The exploitation of niche markets : an evaluation of Huisgenoot's standalone titles in an already competitive consumer magazine market." Thesis, Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2013. http://hdl.handle.net/10019.1/95637.
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Thesis (MBA)--Stellenbosch University, 2013.The high costs of new product launches have forced consumer magazines globally to launch brand extensions as part of new product strategies. Costs can be reduced radically by using renowned brands and utilising their marketing and distribution competencies. The economic recession and a rapid leaning towards non-print media have caused a sharp drop in advertising as well as consumer spending in the print magazine industry. Nevertheless, tablet devices and ground-breaking technology offers opportunities for traditional media to grow. The product life cycle and the growth-share matrix for a mature brand such as Huisgenoot validate the necessity of new products and brand extensions to remain sustainable. Huisgenoot is the largest magazine in South Africa with a circulation of 281 045, reaching 2.2 million (AMPS 2012, Jul 2011 – Jun 2012) readers on a weekly basis. Publishers felt it necessary to develop a brand extension strategy to leverage the brand even further and to avoid stagnation of the title. However, although profiting from parent brand value sounds promising, the global failure rate of extensions is still great. Extending existing brands and launching new products is crucial to increase profits. Brand extensions address neglected consumer needs and simultaneously confront competition in the market. However, launching new products is costly, risky and time consuming. In 2010, Media24 decided to leverage content, one of its most valuable assets, by introducing additional standalone magazines (line extensions) for one of its strongest brands, Huisgenoot. Are magazines exploiting niche markets catering for the changing needs of the South African consumer and advertiser? What is the impact of Huisgenoot’s standalone titles on the business of Media24 Weekly Magazines in an already competitive consumer magazine market? This research report explores specifically Huisgenoot’s line extensions in order to evaluate if an extension strategy has long-term sustainability for the title or if it is inducing a cannibalisation effect on the core magazine brand. Growth of the extensions will be measured by analysing profit, circulation and point of sale data. A critical analysis of the current extension strategy will also be completed. The report also includes an overview of the South African media landscape, identifies the core brand (parent brand) values of Huisgenoot and includes interviews with important role-players within the publishing business. This was done by conducting a literature overview, completing a reader questionnaire and doing in-depth interviews. The qualitative data was supported by secondary circulation and advertising data. The researcher concludes by making recommendations to ensure sustainability in terms of Huisgenoot’s future line extensions.
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Mattsson, Linnea, Saschia Stoffers, and Patrik Björklund. "Scandinavian management on the Swedish market." Thesis, Jönköping University, JIBS, Business Administration, 2010. http://urn.kb.se/resolve?urn=urn:nbn:se:hj:diva-12382.
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Scandinavia comprises Denmark, Sweden and Norway. Twenty years ago, the concept of Scandinavian management was created (Grennes, 2003). Earlier research is referring to culture as the reason for different management styles around the world. It is also found that human resources are highly valued in Scandinavian manage-ment (Eriksen et al., 2006). This study aims at understanding what Scandinavian management is and see if this matches with the style of management actually practised in Sweden.
The purpose of the thesis is to, through empirical examples, study what Scandinavian management is and if it is practised on the Swed-ish market. Included in the purpose is also to investigate how Scan-dinavian management is addressed in prior research.
This study uses a qualitative method. Two earlier done case studies about Manpower and IKEA are used. Using a qualitative method, we have conducted five interviews to get accurate data to help us answer our purpose. Two of the interviews were conducted with representatives from both Manpower and IKEA. One interview was done with Schramm-Nielsen who is an expert in the field of Scandi-navian management. The last interviews were carried out with two persons with a wide range of experience in the field of management in Sweden.
The study concludes that the main focus of Scandinavian manage-ment lies within human resources. Equality, communication, coop-eration, trust and consensual decision making are vital elements in the concept of Scandinavian management. Managers in Sweden are focused on their employees and feel that they need to satisfy them in order to motivate them. This motivation has proven to lead to better productivity and performance of the organization. Swedish managers are indeed focused on human resources and are practising Scandinavian management. Scandinavian management is necessary on the Swedish market as it increases the chances for having a pro-ductive company with satisfied employees and customers.
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Oh, Chang Hoon. "Three essays on market penetration by multinational enterprises." [Bloomington, Ind.] : Indiana University, 2007. http://gateway.proquest.com/openurl?url_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info:ofi/fmt:kev:mtx:dissertation&res_dat=xri:pqdiss&rft_dat=xri:pqdiss:3274257.
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Thesis (Ph.D.)--Indiana University, Kelley School of Business, 2007.Source: Dissertation Abstracts International, Volume: 68-07, Section: A, page: 3030. Adviser: Alan M. Rugman. Title from dissertation home page (viewed Apr. 9, 2008).
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Swart, Collin. "Market analysis of the management consulting industry in South Africa." Thesis, Stellenbosch : University of Stellenbosch, 2010. http://hdl.handle.net/10019.1/6449.
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Ali, Shaher Yar. "Strategies For Pakistan Textiles Industry To Sustain The Business." Thesis, Högskolan i Gävle, Avdelningen för ekonomi, 2012. http://urn.kb.se/resolve?urn=urn:nbn:se:hig:diva-11914.
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Aim: The aim of this study is to investigate the challenges faced by Pakistan Textiles industry as an emerging market from MNCs of Bangladesh, China and India and to find out the appropriate strategies which should adopted by the managers of this industry to counter these challenges. Method: In this research qualitative data is used that is gathered through unstructured interview and questioners have been used to have desirable results. Results & Conclusion: It is reflected from results that internal problems of Pakistan textiles industry such as energy crisis, high input cost, political instability, low return on investment are the main problems of this industry. To counter these challenges, their strategic approach should be Collaboration in product development and strategic alliance with attacking firms. Suggestion for Future Research: This research is focused on the Problems and challenges faced by Pakistan Textiles Industry. For the future studies research could be done to find out the strategies for the firms from Pakistan Textiles industry to do the business in international market and how these companies can compete in International Market with presence of other MNCs of the world. Contribution of the Thesis: This study provides action plans for the managers of Pakistan textiles industry to design and implement the strategies that build core competencies such as high quality products for their firms. It can also be helpful for researchers and students those are interested to develop the strategies for the firms from emerging markets.
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Basson, Paul M. "International market entry : a South African SME perspective." Thesis, Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2005. http://hdl.handle.net/10019.1/50375.
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Thesis (MBA)--Stellenbosch University, 2005.ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Since many Small Medium Sized Enterprises (SMEs) have a lack of resources and knowledge of foreign markets, they tend to develop their activities in the domestic market ftrst. When the home market limits opportunities for expansion. pro-active SMEs naturally progress to international activities by exporting to foreign markets. This natural evolution culminates in decisions of how to enter foreign markets and which markets to enter. Selection of overseas markets and entry modes lies at the heart of any international strategy. The value of the small business sector is recognised in economies worldwide. The SMEs' contribution towards growth, job creation and social progress is valued highly and small business is regarded as an essential element in a successful formula for achieving economic growth. It is thus postulated that SMEs will be one of the driving forces to grow the South African economy. By gaining an understanding of the internationalisation process of International Active Enterprises it is hoped to provide the South African SMEs with a tool that can be used for their international expansion programs. The author starts by reviewing relevant and related literature. He then investigates and highlights the different schools of thought on intemationalisation by looking at process, models, strategy and motivation. The research then describes the different modes of market entry and continues by listing the basic factor categories for market entry mode selection. The penultimate step highlights the various factors for selection of foreign markets and applies these factors into a holistic market entry and mode selection model. Finally the internationalisation is focused on SME and more specifically South African SMEs. Their internationalisation behaviour is explained in the light of the model that was developed. The author explains the framework that will be used to model an international market selection and the mode of entry into that international market. This model can guide SMEs into initial international market entry and to make decisive choices as to which international market and mode of entry they select to penetrate international markets.
AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Klein en medium grootte sake-ondernemings het 'n tekort aan bronne en kennis van oorsese markte en dienooreenkomstig ontwikkel hulle eers hul besigheidsaktiwiteite in die binnelandse markte. Wanneer die binnelandse besigheidsgroei-geleenthede versadig word, sal sodanige pro-aktiewe klein en medium grootte sake-ondernemings huI produkte begin uitvoer in 'n poging om nuwe markgroei te stimuleer. Hierdie natuurlike evolusie dwing die onderneming om besluite te neem oor hoe om sodanige buitelandse markte te betree, asook die markkeuse op sigself. Die markkeuse en markbetredings metodiek is die kern van enige internasionale strategie. Die ekonomiese waarde van die klein en medium grootte sake-ondememingsektor word wereldwyd erken. Hulle bydrae tot groei, werkskepping, en sosiale ontwikkeling word wyd erken. So word klein en medium grootte sake-ondememings dan gesien as 'n kardinale bestanddeel om ekonomiese groei te behaal. Dit word dus gestel dat klein en medium grootte sake-ondememings een van die dryfvere vir ekonomiese ontwikkeling in Suid-Afrika sal wees. Die ondersoek van die intemasionaliseringsproses van buitelands-aktiewe ondernemings sal 'n model formuleer wat die Suid-Afrikaanse klein en medium grootte sake-ondememings kan bystaan met hul buitelandse markgroei. Die skrywer begin om die relevante literatuur te bestudeer en beklemtoon die verskillende denkwyses oor buitelandse groei deur te kyk na prosesse, modelle, strategiee en motiverings. Die navorsingstuk beskryf dan die verskillende metodes van markbetreding en Iys die verskillende faktore wat 'n invloed het op die betredingsvraagstuk. Die voorlaaste stap in die model beskryf die verskillende faktore wat 'n rol speel op die buitelandse markkeuse. Al hierdie mark- en betredingsfaktore word in 'n globale model gestruktureer. Laastens word daar gefokus op die Suid-Afrikaanse klein en medium grootte sake-ondememings en hulle internasionaliseringsoptrede word in die lig van die model geskets. Die skrywer verduidelik dus die raamwerk wat gebruik word om buitelandse markbetreding en markkeuse te modelleer. Hierdie model toon rigting aan klein en medium grootte sakeondememings se aanvanklike buitelandse belangstelling en ook hoe om daadwerklike besluite te neem oor buitelandse markbetreding en buitelandse markkeuses.
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Faure, Steven Gordon. "Developing a weather derivative market in South Africa." Thesis, Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2006. http://hdl.handle.net/10019.1/50596.
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Thesis (MBA)--Stellenbosch University, 2006.ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Weather derivatives, a new breed of financial assets, allow firms to manage weather risk that disturbs their activities and may lead to variability in earnings and operating cost. Considering that nearly 20% of the U.S. economy alone is directly affected by the weather, weather derivatives are an important development in the area of risk management. This study project explores the concept, functioning and pricing of weather derivatives by reviewing available literature on the topic. It then investigates international weather derivative markets to establish which markets are thriving and what lessons can be learnt from them. This then forms the basis for a set of requirements for developing a weather derivative market in South Africa. Finally, the study project makes a number of recommendations for developing a weather derivative market in South Africa. The findings suggest that, in the absence of a deregulated energy industry, South African suppliers of weather derivatives need to target small·medium size organisations, specifically within the agricultural industry, in order to grow market liquidity. Furthermore, these suppliers need to attract capital market investors either by marketing weather derivatives as a diversification tool to portfolio managers, or by issuing weather·linked bonds as a more familiar investment product for investors. It also suggests that weather data problems can be resolved through, among others, data cleaning and data enhancement techniques and should therefore not impede the growth of a weather derivative market in South Africa.
AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Weer opsies, 'n bundel nuwegenerasie finansiele instruments, stel maatskappye in staat om die invloed van weer op hulle besigheidsaktiwiteite, soos byvoorbeeld die variasie in inkomste en operasionele koste, beter te bestuur. Weer opsies verteenwoordig 'n belangrike ontwikkeling in die area van risikobestuur, inaggenome dat bykans 20% van die V.S.A. ekonomie deur die weer geaffekteer word. Hierdie werkstuk ondersoek die konsep, funksionering, en prysbepaling van weer opsies deur die oorsig en evaluering van die beskikbare literatuur oor die onderwerp. Verder word die internasionale mark vir weer opsies ondersoek om vas te stel waar die grootste suksesse behaal word en watter lesse daaruit geleer kan word. Laastens word daar 'n aantal aanbevelings gemaak vir die ontwikkeling van die weer opsie mark in Suid-Afrika. Die werkstuk bevind dat die verskaffers van weer opsies in Suid Afrika, in die afwesigheid van 'n gedereguleerde energie sektor, klein to medium sakeondernemings (veral in die landbou sektor) moet oormerk en teiken, ten einde mark likiditeit te verhoog. Verskaffers kan kapitaalmark beleggers betrek deur die produk te bemark as 'n diversifisering instrument vir portefeuljebestuurders, of deur die aanbieding van weer geassosieerde verbande as 'n meer alledaagse beleggingsproduk. Daar word verder bevind dat data kwaliteit probleme aangespreek kan word deur gebruik te maak van data-skoonmaak en - verbeterings tegnieke, en dat dataprobleme dus nie 'n effek behoort te hê op die groei van die weer opsie mark in Suid-Afrika nie.
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Childerhouse, Paul Howard James. "Enabling seamless market-orientated supply chains." Thesis, Cardiff University, 2002. http://ethos.bl.uk/OrderDetails.do?uin=uk.bl.ethos.273642.
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Ecchia, Giulio. "Managerial incentives, market structure and regulation." Thesis, University of Oxford, 1996. http://ethos.bl.uk/OrderDetails.do?uin=uk.bl.ethos.363515.
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Strauss, D. Niel. "The viability of crowdsourcing : a supply side market survey." Thesis, Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2011. http://hdl.handle.net/10019.1/79329.
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Thesis (MBA)--Stellenbosch University, 2011.Crowdsourcing is a new phenomenon, giving companies the ability to tap into the wisdom of crowds in order to solve complex problems, often at a fraction of the cost. In this document, the viability of crowdsourcing from the supply side is investigated with a market research questionnaire at the core of the research. Firstly, an overview of the current online crowdsourcing landscape is given with a focus on the big players, followed by a literature study on the motivation of solvers and their associated compensation needs. Because of the nature of crowdsourcing, an assumption is made that knowledge workers will be the biggest contributors in the form of solvers; this presumption is demonstrated by analysing responses to the questionnaire. The following research question is answered: What are the needs and profile of the solvers (supply side) of an internet platform that uses the principle of crowdsourcing to solve complex problems? It also answers the questions of many online crowdsourcing enthusiasts with regards to the typical solver and what their needs are, specifically with regards to compensation structures on these platforms. The typical solver profile was found to be predominantly male between the ages of 19 and 37, with a tertiary education or busy earning a degree of some sort and a strong will to become wealthy through applying this knowledge. These typical solvers have a primary objective to earn money with 100 per cent of the incentive paid to one „winner‟. They will participate more than three times even if they do not „win‟ the challenge and expect to earn more that R1 000 but less than R10 000 per day for this type of work. Certain limitations of the study are also addressed, like the clear self-selection bias and difficulty to generalise the findings to a well-defined group of people, as became evident from analysing questionnaire findings.
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Nohria, Nitin 1962. "Creating new business ventures : network organization in market and corporate contexts." Thesis, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 1988. http://hdl.handle.net/1721.1/14397.
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Mhanga, Sebastian, and Axel Berg. "Robo-advisors on the Swedish Market : From a Portfolio Management Perspective." Thesis, Högskolan i Jönköping, Internationella Handelshögskolan, 2019. http://urn.kb.se/resolve?urn=urn:nbn:se:hj:diva-43920.
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Robo-advisory is a new category in portfolio management and the investment management industry. Few studies have been done on how robo-advisors’ perform in the long run. The purpose of this research is to replicate and backtest the Swedish robo-advisors’ from 2010 to 2019 and analyse their performance. Data is collected from several assets that represent the actual robo-advisors’ underlying assets. The collected data is tested through a correlation test to ensure that it accurately represents the real robo-advisors’ portfolios and performance. The portfolios’ are recreated and then backtested through the use of the online software Portfolio Visualiser applying mean-variance optimisation and the Black-Litterman model to allocate the portfolio assets. The research successfully replicates the robo-advisors’ portfolios and finds that one robo-advisor, Lysa, outperforms the alternatives in most risk settings and continuously delivers one of the highest risk-adjusted returns. The main contributing factor to differences in performance is found to be the proportion of stocks and bonds in the portfolios.
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Okada, Takaaki. "Corporate culture and organizational efficiency in the competitive international market." Thesis, University of Phoenix, 2013. http://pqdtopen.proquest.com/#viewpdf?dispub=3571484.
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The research study involved an investigation into the relationship between corporate culture and organizational efficiency in the Japanese securities industry as it adapts to survive in the competitive international market. Using the materialist conception of history, a case study approach was used to examine the roots of Nikko’s corporate culture as it developed prior to the introduction of the modern management system. Working in compliance with a licensing system that served to preserve the status quo, Nikko officials experienced industry scandals, which encouraged Japanese securities executives to introduce American modern management systems. The purpose of the mixed method study was to understand the qualitative and quantitative changes in the management operations of Nikko Cordial affected by the corporate culture before and after the change in management. Insights into Nikko’s situation were gained from analyzing the records of Nikko Cordial with those of the Nomura and Daiwa securities companies.
Using a system of dialectics, organizational inefficiency and low profitability were discovered as triggers for the corporate scandals, despite the introduction of the modern management system. Based upon the analysis of Nikko’s case, an inductive conclusion was drawn that organizational efficiency and profitability were considered important factors to sustain a successful business model in the financial business field. The inevitability of regulation as one of the five cost factors necessary to enhance profitability for financial businesses was confirmed by the dialectical approach. The corporate culture is a key catalyst to reduce the costs involved in organizational efficiency and integrity.
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Gu, Lixin. "Environmental management in multinational companies, transnational and market-based economies." Thesis, Imperial College London, 2002. http://ethos.bl.uk/OrderDetails.do?uin=uk.bl.ethos.251900.
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Granleese, Michael. "Market organisation and the process of economic development : the case of the partially liberalised cocoa market in Ghana." Thesis, Bournemouth University, 2009. http://eprints.bournemouth.ac.uk/17115/.
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Within the last twenty years the link between market organisation and development has come under increased scrutiny in response to the implementation of World Bank liberalisation policies across many of sub-Saharan Africa's agriculture markets. Under the neoliberal teachings of the Washington Consensus, liberalised markets have replaced systems of government control, with disappointing results. Recognising the challenges created by the universal implementation of liberalisation policies, the attention of development economists, including the World Bank, has now turned to alternative modes of market organisation. In light of this, the following study aims to contribute to the post Washington Consensus understanding of market development through a detailed exploration of the Ghanaian cocoa market as an alternative model for market organisation within sub-Saharan agriculture. The Ghanaian cocoa market has been selected because, in contrast with its fully liberalised cocoa producing neighbours, Ghana has only undergone partial liberalisation. The Ghanaian Cocoa Board [Cocobod] maintains control over several functions across both the domestic and international dimensions of the Ghanaian cocoa chain. Given the span of the Cocobod's influence along the Ghanaian cocoa chain, it has been necessary to develop a cross disciplinary theoretical framework, using New Institutional Economics for a microanalysis of the domestic cocoa chain, and Global Value Chain analysis for a macro-analysis of the international cocoa chain. Building on a critique of the universalism inherent within the Washington Consensus, methodologically this study has attempted to achieve an in-depth understanding of the Ghanaian cocoa market. In line with the ontological approach of critical realism, this has involved the use of semi-structured qualitative interviews, throughout two independent rounds of research in Ghana. Interview data has been systematically organised and interpreted using the approach of template analysis. Based on the construction of six final templates it has been possible to deduce that direct government intervention in the areas of quality control, enforcement and a monopoly over cocoa exports appear to be having a positive impact upon market development in Ghana. Equally, it has been observed that the Cocobod may be failing to leverage the potential of private sector investment, as it struggles to adapt to partial liberalisation. In closing it is recommended that future research into models of partial liberalisation should be pursued based on the results of this study.
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Advani, Asheesh. "Market orientation : the case of airport privatization." Thesis, University of Oxford, 1998. http://ethos.bl.uk/OrderDetails.do?uin=uk.bl.ethos.284955.
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Raubenheimer, Heidi. "Managing portfolio managers : the impacts of market concentration, cross-sectional return dispersion and restrictions on short sales." Thesis, Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2012. http://hdl.handle.net/10019.1/20266.
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Thesis (PhD)--Stellenbosch University, 2012.The impacts on the active management of investment portfolios of a) market concentration, b) cross-sectional return dispersion and c) restrictions on short sales are explored in this thesis. The context is the fund sponsor’s management of their investment managers in a South African equity investment environment. Some of the findings here are developed analytically and some make use of multiple simulated investment views and their corresponding optimal portfolio solutions to document the size and nature of the inefficiencies that are created by these three factors. The cross-sectional volatility of asset returns in an investment universe represents a carrying capacity for active risk taking: the higher the cross-sectional volatility, the greater the opportunity for active risk taking. Cross-sectional volatility is shown to be an important consideration when setting active risk targets. It is shown that, to remain efficient, active risk should be reduced during periods of low cross-sectional dispersion and vice versa. The sensitivity of active risk estimates to changes in the cross-sectional dispersion of their investment universe is demonstrated and sponsors should therefore exercise caution when reacting to changes in the active risk estimates of their funds. Cross-sectional volatility is shown to be time-varying and is related to similarly varying dispersion in realised fund returns. The ex post performance of competing portfolio managers therefore require correction for this heteroscedasticity and an effective weighted adjustment is recommended. Active managers can only fully express their views in an environment where their mandated conditions accommodate their conviction and level of risk taking. The short sale restriction is shown to be materially binding when applied to a concentrated benchmark such as the ALSI where only a few of the stocks comprise most of the total investment weight. The more concentrated the benchmark and the higher the active risk target, the wider the distribution of individual asset weights in the portfolio will be and the more binding the weighting constraints will be. It is shown that constraints on short positions are more binding on assets with small weightings in the benchmark illustrating the asymmetrical sub-optimal effect of these constraints when they are applied uniformly across the investment opportunity set. It is argued that requiring long-only managers to increase their active positions and/or active risk in a concentrated investment environment further constrains them in their ability to express their best investment view and increases their competitive disadvantage relative to unconstrained funds taking similar risk. The research presented in this thesis measures the nature and size of the impacts of the market concentration, cross sectional return dispersion and restrictions on short sales that are implied by the investment mandate on the quality of the investment portfolio, providing analysis and techniques which can inform and improve the quality of the relationship between fund sponsor and fund manager. The more appropriate the investment mandate and the monitoring of the fund’s performance subject to this mandate, the more effective the manager’s risk-taking on behalf of their investors will be. This is the principle that this research aims to serve.
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Patil, Devadas V. "Business development trends and analysis for the data networking market." Thesis, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 2011. http://hdl.handle.net/1721.1/70804.
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Thesis (S.M. in Engineering and Management)--Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Engineering Systems Division, System Design and Management Program, 2011.Cataloged from PDF version of thesis.
Includes bibliographical references (p. 89-96).
The Internet has come a long way after the widely reported invention by Sandra Lerner and Leonard Bosack of the router, a device that can transmit data from one network to another based on certain protocols and principles. Despite a slow start in the mid 1980s, the Internet has emerged as one of the primary means of communication for people of all walks of life. Sophisticated, network-aware applications that integrate data, voice and video have helped fuel this growth. This thesis examines the latest technology trends and historical developments in various market segments of the Internet. Using technology trends as a backdrop, it analyzes business development at Cisco Systems, Inc., a major player in all Internet market segments. Well-known tools and concepts such as the Familiarity Matrix and Technology S-curve are used for case studies of business development at Cisco. Business Development is almost always a high-stakes endeavor requiring keen insight on both financial and strategy fronts. What are good strategies for corporate entrepreneurship? What are the challenges in business development by way of acquisitions? Will cyber anonymity continue to make us lonely and distanced, or will there be a new breed of Internet applications that will genuinely bring people closer? These are some of the questions this thesis explores, drawing on the wisdom and experience of industry experts.
by Devadas V. Patil.
S.M.in Engineering and Management
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Slabbert, Helgard. "Strategic vision for the South African ready to drink market." Thesis, Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2005. http://hdl.handle.net/10019.1/50453.
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Thesis (MBA)--University of Stellenbosch, 2005.ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The global RTD market was one of the fastest growing drinks categories in the world in 2002 and many brewers and spirits companies have entered the new market. The RTD category gained most of their volume from the young adult consumers and across the boundaries of wine. spirits and beer. The strategic vision of the RID market determine whether this is a short intense fashion or a permanent feature in the drinks market, given the historical precedence of the mid to late 1980's when the wine cooler boom and later the alcopops (alcoholic carbonates) phenomenon passed as quickly as it came. The purpose of the research report sets out to investigate the global RTD markets in order to determine the strategic vision for the South African market. The study did a review of the top tcn RID markets and then focussed on the strategies and performance of the Australian and United Kingdom markets, due to the level of development and similarities in culture of these markets with the South African market. The analysis of the global RID markets showed the three successful RTD models are female, androgynous and male RIDs and consumers perceived and use the three types of RTDs differently. Amongst the most important suggestions the author recommends that the biggest opportunity for the South African R TD category is to gain market share from the beer market in the male sector, which is by far the biggest seller of alcoholic beverages in South Africa. The current successes in the South African market came from female and androgynous brands, but it is very difficult to maintain brand loyalty within these segments due to the nature of the young adult consumers and female drinkers.
AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die wereld gereed·om-te-drink (RTD) mark was een van die vinnigste groeiende drank kategoriee in die wereld in 2002 en baie brouerye en spiritualieë maatskappye het tot die nuwe mark toegetree. Die RTD kategorie het die meeste van sy volume verkry van die jong volwasse verbruikers en van verskillende kategoriee soos wyn, spiritualieë en bier. Die strategiese visie van die RTD mark bepaal of dit 'n gier of 'n permanente kenmerk in die drank mark is, soos voorafgegaan van die middel tot laat 19805 toe die wyn verfrissers en later die "alcopops" (alkoholiese karbonate) verskynsel so vinnig verdwyn het as wat dit gekom het. Die doel van die navorsingsverslag is om die wereld RTD mark te ondersoek om 'n strategiese visie vir die Suid-Afrikaanse mark te bepaal. Die navorsingstudie het die top tien RTD markte ondersoek en toe gefokus op die strategiee en doeltreffendheid van die Australiese en Verenigde Koninkrykte markte as gevolg van die vlak van ontwikkeling en ooreenkomste in kulture van die markte met die Suid-Afrikaanse mark. Die analise van die wereld RTD mark het getoon dat die drie suksesvolle vorme van RTDs is vroue, tweeslagtige en mans RTDs en dat verbruikers verstaan en gebruik die drie tipes van RTDs verskillend. Van die belangrikste voorstelle wat die skrywer maak is dat die grootste geleendheid vir die Suid-Afrikaanse RTDs is om mark aandeel van die bier kategorie in die mans sektor te verkry omdat dit die grootste alkohol kategorie in Suid-Afrika is. Die huidige sukses in die Suid-Afrikaanse mark het gekom van die vroue en tweeslagtige markte, maar dit is baie moeilik om die verbruikers lojaal te hou vir die RTD produkte in die segmente as gevolg van die aard van die jong volwasse verbruikers en vroue drinkers.
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Tsaplin, Evgeny. "Market-Entry Strategies of Startup Owners." ScholarWorks, 2018. https://scholarworks.waldenu.edu/dissertations/5951.
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Russia's startups fail at high rates. The purpose of this multiple case study was to understand the market-entry strategies used by accelerated startup managers to succeed in business longer than the first 3 years. The target population for this study was 3 startup owners who completed an acceleration program from the Internet Initiatives Development Fund and continued to operate businesses that generated revenue. The participants in the study were located in 3 different cities in Russia: Moscow, Saint Petersburg, and Tomsk. The conceptual framework for the study was Raheem and Akhuemonkhan's theory of enterprise development and von Bertalanffy's general system theory. Data collection involved semistructured interviews, review and analysis of company documents, reflective journal entries, and direct observation of the management operations and processes. Data were analyzed using Yin's 5-step data analysis process. A thematic analysis of the data revealed 4 themes: evolution of an entrepreneur, sales strategy, acceleration impact, and recommendations for accelerators and incubators. The results of the study may contribute to startup survivability as well as exchanging successful experience among new entrepreneurs. For those people who plan to start a business, this study may contribute understanding the skills for initiating a startup.
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Paytakhti, Oskooe Seyyed Ali. "The Iran stock market : efficiency, volatility and links to the international oil market." Thesis, Kingston University, 2011. http://eprints.kingston.ac.uk/22360/.
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This study investigates the behaviour of stock prices or stock returns in an oil exporting developing country (Iran). Following an examination of the role of the Iran stock market and oil revenues in the Iranian economy in chapter 2, the extensive review of theoretical and empirical literature on stock market efficiency is provided in chapter 3. Chapter 4 empirically investigates the efficiency of Iran stock market in weak form. Empirical findings from employing conventional and nonlinear unit root tests even in presence of endogenous and exogenous structural break pOints indicate that the daily Iran stock prices index follow random walk theory and Iran stock market is efficient in weak form. In view of the distributional characteristics of stock returns, chapter 5 models the volatility dynamics of the Iran stock market. Due to existence of risk premium, in this market investors with long horizon are compensated with high returns for bearing high risk. On the other hand, the empirical analysis shows lack of asymmetric volatility in the behaviour of Iran stock return series. In view of the dominant role of oil export revenues in Iranian economy, chapter 6 examines the possible dynamic relationship between the Iran stock market and international oil market. The results from adopting symmetric and asymmetric mUltivariate GARCH models based on underlying data generating process indicate lack of return and volatility spillover between Iran stock returns and international oil prices.
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Orleans-Lindsay, Kofi L. "Market structure, competitive strategy and performance in banking." Thesis, Cranfield University, 1995. http://ethos.bl.uk/OrderDetails.do?uin=uk.bl.ethos.282408.
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Tuipende, Deoden. "Unemployment and labour market (in)flexibility in South Africa." Thesis, Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2001. http://hdl.handle.net/10019.1/52597.
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Thesis (MBA)--Stellenbosch University, 2001.ENGLISH ABSTRACT: When South Africa re-entered the global arena, her immediate priority was to search for and affirm her position in the global economy. In this process, South Africa has witnessed massive job losses that compounded the already existing problem of unemployment. South Africa is considered to be one of the countries with the highest levels of unemployment - a fact that has raised a great deal of concern among Government, Business and Labour. This study project examines the functioning of South Africa's labour market with the intention of establishing whether or not it is linked to the problem of unemployment. The study draws labour-flexibility comparisons between the world's most flexible and deregulated labour market (USA) and Europe; and, relatively, tries to find South Africa's position. The study has revealed that there is a relationship between flexibility and employment - countries with flexible labour markets, ceteris paribus, also have high levels of ~- employment and vice versa. The study has also revealed that a culmination of high levels of illiteracy, trade union activities and the new labour laws has resulted into labour market rigidities which are partly responsible for the high rate of unemployment in South Africa. The study has also revealed that any effort by South Africa to adopt the US-style of labour market flexibility should be accompanied by some other policy checks to ensure maximum benefits. This is based on the finding that flexibility per se could have devastating effects for the economy. It is not only the labour market rigidities that are responsible for the current high rate of unemployment in South Africa. Factors like persistent and systematic decline in labour absorption capacity vis-a '-vis persistent and systematic increase in labour supply, decline in economic growth and globalisation claim a lion's share.
AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Met Suid-Afrika se hertoetrede tot die internasionale arena was sy eerste prioriteit om sy plek in die wêreldekonomie te vind en te bevestig. Algaande het Suid-Afrika 'n grootskaalse verlies aan werkgeleenthede ervaar, wat die reeds bestaande probleem van werkloosheid vererger het. Vandag word Suid-Afrika beskou as een van die lande met die hoogste vlakke van werkloosheid - wat groot kommer by die regering, besigheid en arbeid wek. Hierdie werkstuk ondersoek die funksionering van Suid-Afrika se arbeidmark met die doel om vas te stel of dit met die probleem van werkloosheid verband hou al dan nie. Die studie maak vergelykings ten opsigte van arbeidsbuigsaamheid tussen die wêreld se mees buigsame en gedereguleerde arbeidsmark (VSA) en Europa, en poog om Suid-Afrika se relatiewe posisie te bepaal. Die studie toon dat daar 'n verband tussen buigsaamheid en werkverskaffing is - dat lande met buigsame arbeidsmark, ceteris paribus, ook hoë vlakke van werkverskaffing het, en omgekeerd. Die studie het ook bevind dat 'n hoë vlak van ongeletterdheid, vakbondaktiwiteite en die nuwe arbeidswette aanleiding gegee het tot arbeidsmarkonbuigsaamheid, wat gedeeltelik verantwoordelik is vir die hoë werkloosheidsyfer in Suid-Afrika. Die studie toon verder dat enige poging deur Suid-Afrika om die arbeidsmarkbuigsaamheid van die VSA toe te pas, met ander beleidsmaatreëls gepaard moet gaan om maksimum voordele te verseker. Dit is gegrond op die bevinding dat buigsaamheid per se verreikende gevolge vir die ekonomie kan hê. Dit is nie net die onbuigsaamheid van die arbeidsmark wat vir die huidige hoë werkloosheidsyfer in Suid-Afrika verantwoordelik is nie. Faktore soos 'n volgehoue en stelselmatige afname in die kapasiteit om arbeid te absorbeer teenoor 'n volgehoue en stelselmatige toename in arbeidsaanbod, 'n afname in ekonomiese groei, en globalisering is vir 'n leeue-aandeel verantwoordelik.
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Cheong, Chit Sun. "Contractors business development for overseas markets." Thesis, Loughborough University, 2010. https://dspace.lboro.ac.uk/2134/7142.
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The survival and sustainable development of construction contractors depends on their own capacity as well as their ability to cope with the ever changing environment. Hong Kong was once a large construction market by the world standards; but in the period 1998 to 2007 has suffered from long term market shrinkage. This shrinkage in the work load available in the market has demanded that Hong Kong contractors change their business strategy and consider expanding their construction business to the international marketplace. From surveys and studies of Hong Kong contractors, it is noted that traditionally the majority of contractors organizations were not active in participating in the international construction markets. The prime reasons were that the Hong Kong domestic market was large enough to sustain the contractors and that Hong Kong construction professionals are reluctant to work overseas. However due to the continuous shrinkage of the market, Hong Kong contractors were being forced to consider expanding their construction business to the overseas markets in order to survive. This thesis reviews existing theories and previous studies in overseas con-struction business development. It analyzes surveys of Hong Kong con-struction contractors and conducts a scientific study of a Hong Kong based contractor organization which expanded its construction business to overseas markets. This study was conducted through an integrated action research methodology. Based on the problems, impacts, difficulties and success this organization faced during its practical experience in the overseas business expansion, this thesis explores and recommends a structured approach for Hong Kong contractors to re-define and develop their business overseas. The focus of study is the pre-contract award stage of business development. It focuses on the entry modes, strategic planning, risk management and tender management of the organization. The author also presents various models for use in attaining width and depth of understanding of overseas knowledge. These include preliminary entry selection model, dynamic management, and a spiral model (a learning & knowledge based business development model), for use in the management of international construction business development at the pre-contract stage. The groundwork laid down in this thesis will form the basis for further studies and the development of theories / models. It is the expectation of the author that other contractors in Hong Kong and other nation s contractors may make use of this research as assistance to their overseas business development. The ultimate aim of the author has been to change the goal of contractors from being companies able to compete with international contractors in their domestic market to contractors that are able to compete in the international market place.
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Du, Toit Nicol Eduan. "Dividend policy and wealth maximisation : the effect of market movements on dividend-investing returns." Thesis, Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2013. http://hdl.handle.net/10019.1/80278.
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Thesis (MComm)--Stellenbosch University, 2013.ENGLISH ABSTRACT: This study sets out to evaluate the possible influence of increasing and declining markets on the returns of dividend-investing strategies. This study’s objective, therefore, was to evaluate the possible influence dividend pay-out policy has on share return. Secondary objectives serve to investigate how the size of cash dividend payments, measured in dividend yield (DY), influence share value, especially during bull and bear markets respectively. In order to address the stated objectives of this study and prevent possible survivorship bias, the sample included listed and delisted shares for the period 1995 to 2010. Initially, all firms that were listed on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange (JSE) during the period under review were considered, both that were listed at the end as well as firms that delisted. However, due to the nature of the financial structures of firms in the financial and basic industries, the study did not include their data. The final sample consisted of 291 firms, providing 22 927 monthly observations. Dividend-investing strategies were constructed using non-dividendpaying (Portfolio one) and dividend-paying firms (Portfolio two). Portfolio one and two were then further deconstructed into four groups based on monthly DY rankings. Portfolio one was represented by Group 1, whilst Portfolio two was grouped into the lowest, medium, and highest DYs and classified as Group 2 to Group 4 accordingly. The results obtained from statistical analyses performed in this study indicate that the level of DY appears to influence returns positively. Furthermore, after investigating the results obtained during opposing market scenarios, some important findings resulted. During bear markets no significant difference in abnormal risk-adjusted returns was observed for the portfolios and four groups, however, in bull markets the return for Portfolio two, specifically Group 4, was more than double the result for the non-dividend payers. This study, therefore proposes that firms should have a DY in the range of the highest market DY average for bull markets specifically. From the perspective of the potential investors, the study suggests that dividend-investing could allow for the generation of positive risk-adjusted returns during bull markets.
AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Hierdie studie evalueer die moontlike invloed van stygende en dalende markte aangaande opbrengs op dividend-investerings strategie . Die studie se primêre doelwit is om die invloed van dividend uitbetalings op aandeel opbrengste te bestudeer. Sekondêre doelwitte ondersoek hoe die grootte van ‘n kontant dividend, soos gemeet in dividend opbrengs, die aandeel-waarde beïnvloed, spesifiek tydens bul en beer markte. Om oorlewingsydigheid te voorkom, sluit die steekproef genoteerde sowel as gedenoteerde firmas in vir ‘n tydperk van 1995 tot 2010. Aanvanklik was alle sektore van die Johannesburg Aandele-beurs (JSE) ondersoek, maar weens die komplekse kapitaal struktuur van finansi le en die basiese nywerheid sektore was hul aandeel inligiting uitgesluit. Die finale steekproef het ‘n totaal van 291 firmas ingesluit en 22 927 maandelike waarnemings verskaf. Dividend-investerings strategie was saamgestel deur nie-dividend-betalende firmas (Portefeulje een) teenoor dividendbetalende firmas (Portefeulje twee) te vergelyk. Die twee portefeuljes was ook verder onderdeel in vier groepe volgens maandelikse dividend opbrengstes. Portefeulje een was verteenwoordig deur Groep 1, terwyl Portfeulje twee opgedeel was volgends laag, medium, en hoë dividend opbrengstes en geklasifiseer as Groep 2 tot 4 onderskeidelik. Die resultate van die statististiese ontleding van hierdie studie dui moontlik daarop dat die vlak van dividend opbrengs aandeel waarde positief beïnvloed. Nadat die spesifieke bul en beer markte ontleed is, was belangrike resultate waargeneem. Tydens beer markte was daar geen beduidende verskil tussen die risiko-aangepaste opbrengstes van die twee portefeuljes en vier groepe nie, maar tydens bul markte het die opbrengstes van Portefeulje twee, spesifiek Groep 4, meer as dubbel dié van die nie-dividend betalers getoon. Die studie stel dus voor dat ‘n firma tydens bul markte moet poog om ‘n dividend opbrengs te handhaaf wat die hoogste gemiddeld van die mark verteenwoordig. Vanuit die belegger se oogpunt, stel die studie voor dat dividend investering stategie moontlik gebruik kan word om positiewe risikoaangepaste opbrengstes te genereer, veral tydens bul markte.
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Clark, Steven James. "A market entry strategy of Metso for the biomass-based power generation solutions market in South Africa." Thesis, Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2011. http://hdl.handle.net/10019.1/80475.
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Thesis (MBA)--Stellenbosch University, 2011.The global energy industry is actively moving toward renewable energy sources in order to meet the ever-increasing demand for energy in a sustainable manner. The South African government, however, has only recently begun creating an environment which is truly conducive to investment into the renewable energy industry. Metso, a Finnish multi-national corporation, has a strong global position in the field of biomass-based power generation for heat, power or combined heat and power applications. The corporation has developed a modular biomass-based power generation solution for power generation in the 3MW to 10MW range, which is highly automated and can essentially operate without the need for extensive human intervention and is known as the Metso Bio-energy Solution. Considering the current state of the South African energy environment, Metso management requested the researcher to investigate the opportunities that exist in the South African market for Metso’s Bio-energy Solution, and to propose a market entry strategy which Metso should follow in order to enter the South African market. In the findings, the researcher observed that South Africa has a clear potential for the development of a bio-energy industry for power generation, although the limited availability of biomass in certain regions and the various harvesting methods in industries such as the forestry and sugar industries do restrict the access to this resource. The municipal solid waste industry appears to be an area of interest as well, although very little information exists regarding the volumes of waste available and sorting practices, which may be required in order to access these resources. Interviews were held with experts in the field of energy, renewable energy and energy policy in order to obtain opinions on the market potential for Metso’s Bio-energy Solution. The general perception of all interviewees was that the technology has its place within the South African energy mix. The interviewees, however, did confirm that there currently appears to be a major focus on wind and solar energy in the country, although biomass technology may well be a better solution due to its baseload capabilities. It was found that the local policy environment, the lack of government initiative on renewable energy licensing and unclear tariff structures have all inhibited the proliferation of the renewable energy industry. In many cases, frustration with power outages and policy delays has caused companies to invest in biomass co-firing facilities for their own consumption. The factors for success for biomass-based technologies in the South African market would appear to be directly linked to job creation potential, access to reliable and sustainable biomass resources and access to investment capital, from both private equity and the state. It is the recommendation of the researcher that Metso enters into a joint venture with a large international environmental finance company, which would base their business model on the technology provided by Metso, whilst securing the political and financial support for projects of this nature in the country.
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Lochner, Anelda. "Market orientation strategy for South African wineries." Thesis, Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2002. http://hdl.handle.net/10019.1/21216.
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Thesis (MBA)--Stellenbosch University, 2002.ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The South African wine industry has rich traditions, human and knowledge resources and ideal climatic conditions for producing wines. South Africa's wines ought to be a strong contestant on the overseas market; however, this is not the case. To complicate the matter further, the market is changing even while the South African wine industry is attempting to understand the global scenario. Wine producers are faced with numerous challenges: overproduction, a changing consumer demand, increased competition between the old and new wine countries and an increased effect of marketing and branding - all of which have an influence on the strategy that should be followed. This research project investigates selected South African wineries in order to determine if their strategies, management systems and processes are geared towards creating a globally market-oriented and competitive company. The document will focus on the wineries' strategies and will continue to compare the strategy to that suggested by Winetech's Vision 2020. The methodology followed was to do a literature study of the current status of the South African wine industry, which included looking at strategy, marketing and general information regarding the wine industry. Top management members of five wineries were interviewed by means of a questionnaire. The Winetech Vision 2020 document was used as a guideline in structuring the questionnaire. The questions focused on the wineries' wine strategy and the methods or processes the wineries are following to achieve their strategy. The study found that globaJisation has seen the power of buyers increasing to the point where it is forcing suppliers to change the way they do business - that is to become market-oriented. External forces have forced the wine industry to take a stringent look at itself and how it conducts business; as how it can, in fact, deliver consistent quality brands cost-effectively. Globalisation forced the industry to see that, though it may have many strengths such as good human capital, terroir, technology, good winemaking practices, established brands and innovative products, there are some weaknesses, namely inconsistent quality of product and service, lack Designing a market orien8iion for South African Wineries of marketing and business expertise and a lack of finance, which can potentially harm or threaten its business in the global arena. South Africa will have to make some adaptations to satisfy the market demand. This will require, among other things, changing vineyards to include more premium varietals and red wines and being innovative regarding new products and new markets. Besides focusing on the domestic market, the industry will have clearly to understand the segment it is serving to be able to deliver exactly what it demands. The industry has seen some positive changes and is definitely starting to move towards producing what the market demands, which, combined with the favourable exchange rate, is one of the reasons why exports are increasing. On the other hand, there still seems to be a lack of quality regarding distribution and logistics, marketing, finance, government support, human capital and a strong South African brand. Recommendations are made as to how quality can be sustained on all levels of the value chain. This means that strong strategic change management is required to offer consistent quality of product and service - the underlying factors in the creation of a sustainable, globally competitive brand.
AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die Suid-Afrikaanse wynindustrie het ryk tradisies, menslike bronne en kennisbronne en die ideale klimaat vir die produksie van wyn. Suid-Afrikaanse wyn behoort 'n baie sterk kompeteerder op die internasionale mark te wees en tog is dit nie die geval nie. Die situasie word gekompliseer deur die feit dat die mark besig is om te verander terwyl die Suid-Afrikaanse industrie probeer om die globale scenario te verstaan. Wynprodusente staar vele uitdagings in die gesig naamlik: oorproduksie, 'n verbruikers aanvraag wat verander, verhoogde kompetisie tussen die ou en nuwe wynlande en die verhoogde effek van bemarking en handelsmerke. Hierdie navorsingsprojek ondersoek geselekteerde Suid-Afrikaanse wynverkopers om vas te stel of hulle strategiee, bestuursisteme en prosesse gerat is om 'n firma te vestig wat globaal markgerig en kompeterend is. Die dokument fokus op die wynverkopers se strategie and vergelyk dit met dit wat voorgestel word in die Winetech Visie 2020 dokument. Die metodologie wat gevolg is, was om 'n literatuurstudie te doen oor die huidige stand van die Suid-Afrikaanse wynindustrie - dit sluit in om te kyk na strategie, bemarking en algemene inligting aangaande die bedryf. Daama is daar onderhoude gevoer met die topbestuur van vyf wynverkopers na aanleiding van 'n vraeboog wat gestruktureer is rondom die Winetech Visie 2020 dokument. Die vrae het gefokus op die wynverkopers se strategie en die metodes wat gevolg word om hulle strategie te bereik. Die studie het bevind dat globalisering die mag van verkopers so sterk gemaak het dat dit verskaffers forseer om te kyk na die manier waarop hulle besigheid doen - om markgerig te raak. Eksterne kragte het die wynindustrie forseer om nousluitend te kyk na hoe hulle besigheid doen; na hoe hulle handelsmerke met konstante kwaliteit koste effektief kan lewer. Globalisering het die industrie forseer om te sien dat, hoewel dit baie sterk punte, 5005 menslike kapitaal, terroil; tegnologie, goeie wynmaakprosesse, gevestigde handelsmerke en innoverende produkte, het, daar oak bale swakhede is. Dit sluit in onkonsekwente kwaliteit in beide die produk en diens, De.o;fgning a market orientation for South African Wineries 'n tekort aan finansiele ondersteuning en bemarkings- en besigheidskundigheid. Hierdie swakhede bedreig tans hulle besigheid in die internasional mark. Suid-Afrika sal 'n paar aanpassings moet maak am die mark se aanvraag te bevredig. Dit sluit in am wingerde te verander am meer premium varieteite en raoi wyne in te sluit en innoverend te wees rakende produkte en markte. Behalwe dat hulle sal moet fokus op die binnelandse mark, sal die industrie ook moet leer am die segmente wat hulle bedien deeglik te verstaan am sodoende te kan lewer wat die segmente vra. Die industrie het al positiewe verandering ondergaan sedert 1997 en is besig am te begin produseer wat die mark vra. Laasgenoemde, in kombinasie met die gunstige wisselkoers, is die rede waaram uitvoere aan die toeneem is. Aan die ander kant is daar steeds 'n tekort aan kwaliteit rakende verspreiding, logistieke, bemarking, finansies, regeringsondersteuning en 'n sterk Suid-Afrikaanse handelsmerk. Die aanbevelings wat gemaak is, dui aan hoe kwaliteit op aile vlakke van die waardeketting volgehou kan word . . Dit dui oak aan dat sterk strategiese bestuur nodig is om konstante kwaliteit te verseker in die praduk en diens - die
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Ren, Qun. "Market share competition in the Chinese online game industry." Thesis, Bournemouth University, 2010. http://eprints.bournemouth.ac.uk/17505/.
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This study investigates the impacts of pricing innovations and other non-pricing dimensions on the market share competition of dominant Chinese online game companies. The empirical context of my research is the strategic behaviour of online game operators (i.e. the companies who operate online games) in the Chinese online game market – the most active market in the world with strong network effects. According to the literature review, previous pricing studies have focused mainly on the evaluation of traditional pricing theories and their limited validity for the information economy. Velu (2005) pointed out how dominant firms in a market with strong network effects adopt business innovations to sustain their market dominance. This study first investigates the validity of Velu‟s theory and then aims to develop and expand the theory of pricing practice by discussing how dominant companies integrate pricing and other non-pricing dimensions during market share competition. With the application of an analytical synthesis, this study covers large parts of the traditional economy and information economy literature by linking the concepts of „within‟ and „across‟ theories of pricing and competition. It finally brings together different theories and adopts Bouwman and MacInnes‟ virtual web idea as an original conceptual framework to give an insight into how the pricing process and other internal and external factors impact differently on the market share competition. The study adopts a descriptive multiple-case study strategy including five dominant Chinese online game companies and employs qualitative data collected from 64 interviewees and reliable secondary data from documentations and archival records.The findings suggest that, instead of devoting all their efforts to pricing innovation, the companies have turned to an exploration of their internal resources to enhance their competitiveness. Superficially, as an influential external factor, government regulations have constrained the operation of imported games. The study also discusses two internal themes that influence each company‟s competitive strength. They are: how to deal with the exodus of talent and how to handle strategic alliance management. There seems to be no previous research concerning the relationship between pricing innovation and market dominance within a new economy‟s service sector. As a consequence, this research should provide insights into this academic blind spot and rationalize the diversity of strategic theory within the specific industry.
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Beard, Charles. "Market launch strategies for technology-intensive products and processes." Thesis, University of Manchester, 1988. http://ethos.bl.uk/OrderDetails.do?uin=uk.bl.ethos.254110.
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Dastbaz, Mohammad. "Design, development and evaluation of hypermedia courseware : market research." Thesis, Kingston University, 1998. http://eprints.kingston.ac.uk/20616/.
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This study focuses on the emergence of Multimedia technology and its subsequent application and effects on Computer Aided Learning. The growing interest in the pedagogical possibilities offered by Multimedia technology has highlighted the need for research in order to investigate those properties of Multimedia that may have an impact on instructional outcomes. The review of the literature indicated the key research issues as being the design, implementation and evaluation of courseware using the new technology. It is these key issues that form the core of the research presented here. More specifically the overall outcome of the research has been the proposal of a holistic model for the design, implementation and evaluation of hypermedia learning tools. The main objectives supported by appropriate hypotheses were defined as: Proposing a design process model for hypermedia courseware. Developing Market Research by Multimedia (MRM). Evaluating MRM as a means of course delivery. Evaluating the MRM design. MRM was developed based on the proposed Design and Development Process Model (DDPM) and subsequently evaluated. Using a summative method of evaluation based on observation and pre/post tests, 186 students from Kingston University's BIT and BABS courses were selected and randomly divided into the following four experimental groups. Group A - traditional lectures and tutorials, Group B- MRM only, Group C combined traditional lectures and Multimedia tutorials, and Group D - the Open Learning group . . A holistic model for the design, implementation and evaluation of Multimedia based courseware is proposed. The resultant model proposes the following four stages in the development of hypermedia learning tools as: 1. Defining the Learning Objectives - this research provides strong evidence to indicate that hypermedia offers flexibility as a learning tool and could be successfully implemented in a variety of learning programmes including: delivering courses, used as a tutorial tool, or replace open learning modes of delivery. This study has provided empirical support to suggest that MRM as a means of course delivery is as effective as traditional lectures and tutorials and significantly better than the Open Learning mode. 2. Defining the Design Strategy - the design issues are addressed by the DDPM and deal with systems specification, design specification, implementation and evaluation. Based on the research findings it is recommended that ease of use should be the key objective of the design. 3. Defining the Implementation Strategy - this research recommends that prtor to use directives to hypermedia courseware users both in terms of their time management and their navigational style should be offered. 4. Defining the Evaluation Strategy - two main forms of evaluations could be considered Le. formative and summative depending on the evaluation objectives. This research recommends that 'observation' of learners using hypermedia learning tools through built-in tracking systems could provide educators with invaluable information about the way the system is used. This research makes three important contributions to the body of knowledge on hypermedia aided learning. Firstly it proposes a holistic model for design, implementation and evaluation of hypermedia learning tools, secondly it proposes the DDPM as a specific hypermedia design model and thirdly it evaluates HAL as a means of course delivery.
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Ling, Zhejia. "Individual managers, financial reporting and the managerial labor market." Diss., University of Iowa, 2012. https://ir.uiowa.edu/etd/3339.
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This thesis comprises of three chapters. The first essay is titled ‘Managers: Their Effects on Accruals and Firm Policies' and is joint work with Douglas V. DeJong. The second essay is titled ‘Can the Capital Market Recognize a Manager's Financial Reporting Style?' and is sole-authored. The third essay is titled ‘Executive Compensation in a Matching Model’ and is joint work with Douglas V. DeJong, Elena Pastorino and B. Ravikumar.
Chapter one investigates whether top executives have significant individual-specific effects on accruals that cannot be explained by firm characteristics. Exploiting 37 years of individual executives and firm data, we find that individual executives play a significant role in determining firms' accruals. In addition, we examine whether executives' effects on accruals are related to their personal styles in investment, financing and operating decisions. Our results show that individual executives' effects on accruals are more correlated to their operating decisions than investment and financing decisions. We also compare effects exerted by CEOs to CFOs. We find CEOs are more likely to affect accruals through firm policy decisions and CFOs are more likely to affect accruals through accounting decisions. CFOs tend to report more "solid" earnings than CEOs, i.e., CFOs are more likely to push accruals to zero.
Chapter two examines whether investors can recognize idiosyncratic differences in managers' financial reporting behavior. Specifically, I investigate whether the capital market can recognize a manager's financial reporting aggressiveness and whether investors' recognition of a manager's style follows a Bayesian learning process. I use a manager's specific effect on discretionary accruals to measure her financial reporting aggressiveness. My results show that investors find earnings forecasts issued by aggressive managers to be less credible and thus respond less strongly. I also find investors follow a Bayesian learning process to identify a manager's individual style. As a manager's financial reporting history becomes longer, there is less uncertainty about the manager's true style. Consequently, the discount on the market reaction to earnings forecast news due to the manager's aggressiveness becomes larger. In sum, these results suggest that a manager's prior financial reporting history allows her to develop a financial reporting reputation, which can be inferred by investors through rationally processing historical information.
Chapter three outlines our future research plan to revisit the relative importance of returns to firm-specific tenure and to general labor market experience in the labor market for executives. We shed light on the importance of explicitly accounting for an executive's firm-to-firm and job-to-job mobility, within and across firms, over the course of the executive's career in order to measure the magnitude of each type of returns.
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Kim, Ikhwan. "A new direction and business plan for the golf business in Korea : strategies to attract customers to the domestic market." Thesis, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 2014. http://hdl.handle.net/1721.1/90748.
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Thesis: S.M. in Management Studies, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Sloan School of Management, 2014.23
Cataloged from PDF version of thesis.
Includes bibliographical references (pages 49-50).
The golf industry in South Korea has been flourishing and has maintained high profitability. However, the South Korean market is not adequately prepared for the increasingly globalized world economy and resulting changes in the business environment. There is a need for research to guide the Korean golf industry based on long-term projections of the Korean economy and future market trends. An increasing number of golf customers are traveling abroad to enjoy high quality golf services at more affordable prices. Golf courses in China and Southeast Asia are actively attracting golf tourists by promoting their competitive pricing. The Korean golf industry must identify and promote its competitive advantages to survive in this increasingly competitive environment. The main purpose of this study is to identify various strategies to increase customer demand for Korean golf courses. This paper also illustrates the correlation between economic trends and the golf industry in South Korea. Moreover, a business plan based on the factors that determine the choice of golf clubs, the competitive advantages of South Korean golf clubs, and potential marketing strategies indicate future directions for the Korean golf industry.
by Ikhwan Kim.
S.M. in Management Studies
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Van, der Westhuysen Gideon. "A critical evaluation of the use of concentrated portfolios in the South African market." Thesis, Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2007. http://hdl.handle.net/10019.1/21111.
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Thesis (MBA)--Stellenbosch University, 2007.ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The Brandes Institute and Global Wealth Allocation developed a measure of concentration to investigate whether more concentrated portfolios will give better returns. The Concentration Coefficient of a portfolio is defined as the inverse of the sum of the squares of the weights of the different shares within a given portfolio. As such it describes the concentration of the portfolio as if the investor invested in a number of equally weighted shares. Using the Concentration Coefficient the Brandes Institute investigated the relationship between a number of portfolio characteristics and portfolio concentration for a number of portfolios in the United States market. This study firstly looks at the literature available on portfolio concentration. To this end it discusses a number of different measures of portfolio concentration, and give the pros and cons of each. The author then attempts to recreate the study that was done by the Brandes Institute for the South African Market. The analysis shows that there are some similarities in behaviour between the South African and United States markets, even though the South African market is much smaller. The findings of the above analysis concurs with that of the Brandes Institute, in that there does not seem to be a significant relationship between return and portfolio concentration. The author further investigates how concentration would have impacted returns, had each portfolio manager used his chosen strategy, but only in a more concentrated fashion. In order to do this the return of the actual portfolio was calculated and compared with the return from an idealized portfolio. TIlls idealized portfolio was taken as consisting only of the top ten equity investments in which the portfolio manager invested for the gi yen period. Again the result showed no significant relationship between the perfonnance of the portfolio and portfolio concentration. The inruitive result thus holds, in that increased portfolio concentration does not necessarily lead to higher returns, but that it does lead to more volatility in perfonnance. In conclusion the author makes a number of recommendations for future research that will contribute to the understanding of the effect of portfolio concentration.
AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die Brandes lnstituut en Global Wealth Allocation het 'n maatstaf van konsentrasie ontwikkel om te bepaal ofmeer gekonsentreerde fondse beter opbrengste sal1ewer. Die Konsentrasie Koeffisient van 'n fonds word gedefinieer as die invers van die sam van die kwadrate van die gewigte van die verskillende aandele in die fonds. Dil beskryf dus die konsentrasie van 'n fonds asaf die beJegger in 'n aantal ewewigte aandele bele het. Die Brandes lnstituut het die Konsentrasie Koeffisient gebruik om die onderlinge verband tussen 'n aanta! fonds eienskappe en die konsentrasie van fondse in die markle van die Verenigde State van Amerika te ondersoek. Hierdie ondersoek deen eerstens 'n literatuur studie oor fonds konsentrasie. Die verskillende maatstawwe van fonds konsentrasie word bespreek, en rue voor- en nadele van elk word gegee. Die skrywer poog verder om die studie soos gedoen deur die Brandes Instituut te dupliseer vir die Suid Afrikaanse mark. Die analise toon dat alhoewel die Suid Afrikaanse mark heeJwat kleiner is as die van die Verenigde State van Amerika. daar tog duidelike ooreenkomste in die resultate is. Die bevindinge van die bogenoemde analise stroak met die resultate verkry deur die Brandes lnstituut, aangesien daar geen duidelike verb and tussen ophrengs en fonds konsentrasie blyk te wees nie. Die skrywer ondersoek verder hoe konsentrasie opbrengs sou be'invloed het indien elke fonds bestuurder sy gekose strategie gevolg het, maar net meer gekonsentreerd. Ten einde dit te doeo word die oprengs van die werklike fonds vergeJyk met die opbrengs van 'n geYdialiseerde fonds. Die geYdialiseerde fonds bestaan slegs uit die top tien ekwiteit aandele waarin die fonds bestuurder in die betrokke periode bele het. Weereens toon die reultate geen noemenswaardige verband tussen opbrengs en fonds konsentrasie nie. Die intuitiewe resultaat geld dus steeds, aangesien verhoogde fonds konsentrasie nie noodwendig tot beter opbrengste lei rue, maar dat dit wei hoer volatiliteit tot gevolg het. Ten slotte maak die skrywer 'n aantal aanbevelings vir verdere navorsing wat sal bydrae tot die begrip van die invloed van fonds konsentrasie.
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Fish, Therese. "The construction of African regional and all-Africa stock market indices." Thesis, Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2001. http://hdl.handle.net/10019.1/52498.
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Thesis (MBA) --Stellenbosch University, 2001.ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Africa's stock markets are considered by many emerging market specialists to have great potential for investors. Developing models which track share/financial indices provide a means of disseminating information about market performance. With the active move towards regional stock markets, regional indices will provide an important tool for performance of the region. Stock market indices provide information to investors and portfolio managers about the performance of various markets or groups of stocks. Investors can use the movement of indices as a way of assessing market trends and opportunities for investment. As economic integration increases in Africa, it will become increasingly important to have markers of regional market performance. This study project collected weekly market capitalisation data from the markets in the various regions, which were utilised to construct regional all-share indices for the year 2000. Regional indices for three of the four regions within Africa were constructed. The three indices are the EASDEX (for East Africa), the NADEX (for North Africa) and the WADEX (for West Africa). The weekly market capitalisation data were further utilised to construct an All-Africa index. The Johannesburg Stock Exchange (JSE) dominates the Southern African Development Community (SADC) regional market's total market capitalisation. Similarly the SAOG region dominates the total market capitalisation for Africa. The JSE contributes 59% to the total market capitalisation of Africa (January 2000). The All-Africa index moves together with the SADIX (SAOG regional index) confirming the high weighting of South Africa in the total market capitalisation of Africa. Encouraging economic growth throughout Africa and not just in Southern Africa will assist the continent as a whole to attract market capital. In the long term this should increase market growth in the other regions of Africa and enable investors to diversify into Africa. There are certainly opportunities for investors in Africa. The low correlation between Egypt and the other two North African markets allows for diversification within the North African Region. Nigeria has been the market that had the highest returns during 2000, one that outperformed many international markets. SADIX has low or negative correlation coefficients with the rest of the African individual as well as the regional market indices. Historically emerging markets are volatile and risky. The case for diversification into emerging markets originates from the high economic growth potential of emerging markets, together with low correlation with other developed markets. The development of All-Share indices, which track market performance on the African continent, will assist both potential institutional as well as individual investors.
AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Afrika se effektemarkte word deur baie opkomende markspesialiste beskou as potensieel gunstig vir beleggers. Deur modelle wat aandele/finansiële indekse volg te ontwikkel, word 'n middel voorsien om informasie oor markprestasie te ontleed. Met die aktiewe beweging na streeksaandelemarkte, sal streeksindekse 'n belangrike maatstaf vir die prestasie van 'n area voorsien. Aandelemarkindekse voorsien informasie aan beleggers en portefeulje bestuurders oor die prestasie van verskeie markte of aandelegroepe. Beleggers kan die beweging van die indekse gebruik om marktendense te ontleed asook om geleenthede vir investering te identifiseer. Dit sal belangriker raak om maatstawwe van streeksmarkprestasie te hê soos ekonomiese integrasie in Afrika toeneem. Hierdie studieprojek het weeklikse markkapitalisasie data van die markte in die verskeie areas versamel, wat gebruik is om 'n streeksindeks van alle aandele vir die jaar 2000 saam te stel. Streeksindekse vir drie van die vier streke binne Afrika is saamgestel. Die drie indekse is die EASDEX (Oos Afrika), die NADEX (Noord Afrika) en die WADEX (Wes Afrika). Die weeklikse markkapitalisasie data is verder aangewend om 'n Alle- Afrika indeks saam te stel. Die Johannesburgse Effektebeurs (JEB) domineer die totale markkapitalisasie van die Suidelike Afrika Ontwikkelingsgemeenskap (SAOG) se streeksmark. Insgelyk domineer die SAOG streek die totale markkapitalisasie vir Afrika. Die JES dra 59% by tot die totale markkapitalisasie van Afrika (Januarie 2000). Die Alle-Afrika indeks beweeg saam met die SADIX (SAOG streeksindeks) wat die gewigtigheid van Suid Afrika in die totale markkapitalisasie van Afrika bevestig. Deur ekonomiese groei regdeur Afrika en nie bloot in Suider Afrika nie, aan te spoor, sal dit die vasteland as 'n geheel steun om markkapitaal aan te trek. Op die lange duur behoort dit groei te bevorder in die ander streke van Afrika en beleggers in staat te stel om binne Afrika te diversifiseer. Daar is ongetwyfeld geleenthede vir beleggers in Afrika. Die lae onderlinge afhanklikheid tussen Egipte en die ander twee Noord Afrika markte laat diversifikasie binne die Noord Afrika streek toe. Nigerië is die mark met die hoogste opbrengste tydens 2000 en het selfs baie internasionale markte oortref. SADIX het lae of negatiewe korrelasiekoeffisiënte met die res van die Afrika individuele-, sowel as die streeksmarkindekse. Histories is opkomende markte onstabiel en riskant. Partydigheid vir diversifikasie in opkomende markte ontstaan vanuit die hoë ekonomiese groeipotensiaal van hierdie markte tesame met lae onderlinge afhanklikheid met ander ontwikkelde lande. Deur indekse van alle aandele wat markprestasie op die Afrika-vasteland volg saam te stel, sal beide potensiële institusionele, sowel as individuele beleggers se besluite/ontledings ondersteun word.
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Stewart, D. B. "Determinants of retail productivity : perspectives from the Canadian car market." Thesis, University of Strathclyde, 1987. http://ethos.bl.uk/OrderDetails.do?uin=uk.bl.ethos.284272.
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Hayward, Rob. "Towards a model of speculation in the foreign exchange market." Thesis, University of Brighton, 2013. https://research.brighton.ac.uk/en/studentTheses/28e195b4-7c9d-4a0a-b4e5-6bc2d5878407.
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The recent slowdown in global economic activity has shown that macroeconomic models without a well-structured representation of the financial sector will fail to provide understanding of the way that disruptions in credit markets, capital markets and banking can affect the rest of the economy. An investigation of foreign exchange speculation is used to get a better knowledge of the interaction between the financial sector and the economy as a step towards improving macroeconomic models and policy. The first part of this research looks at speculation at the macroeconomic level by using a structured vector auto regression (SVAR) to assess the relationship between capital flows and the US real exchange rate. The second assesses whether speculation can be used to identify price reversals in foreign exchange markets. The final section seeks to understand more about speculative risk with a detailed analysis of uncovered interest parity and the speculative attempt to take advantage of times when it does not hold. Speculative activity is a significant contributor to changes in the real exchange rate. No informational content is found in the extremes of speculative activity but it is shown that speculators are compensated for taking crash risk and that their activity may increase the amount of crash risk in the markets where they are operating. The main contributions of this work are applying a microstructure approach at the macro level; adding speculation to a model of international capital flows; the use of a unique series of options data to identify speculative sentiment; using a carry trade model to understand more about uncovered interest parity and the returns to speculation; using the event study method to investigate speculative extremes; and using all this to suggest ways to improve macroeconomic models and policy.
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Forbes, Dorothy. "Enterprising women : gender and business ownership in the market research industry in Britain." Thesis, University of Cambridge, 1998. http://ethos.bl.uk/OrderDetails.do?uin=uk.bl.ethos.268609.
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Tetzell, Cathrine, and Susanne Rothstein. "Chinese companies’ knowledge of brand management : Brand issues for establishing on the Swedish market." Thesis, Stockholm University, School of Business, 2005. http://urn.kb.se/resolve?urn=urn:nbn:se:su:diva-5987.
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The Chinese economy has gone through immense changes the last decade and they will most probably continue this changing process further. Chinese companies are now competing with multinational brands on their domestic market and are beginning to compete on other markets with the local brands that exist there. Their focus today is mainly on production and its process and not on intangible assets as brands, a view that needs to develop. The purpose of this thesis was to investigate the level of knowledge in brand management in Chinese companies. We have identified the factors that are important for successful brand management on the Swedish market. We have analysed our empirical findings in order to be able to give recommendations to what is of importance for Chinese companies to consider when going international. We have conducted a qualitative study with a hermeneutic approach. We built our theoretical framework on articles, books and expert interviews before we did our questions to the main study. Our main interviews were done both in Sweden and in China. The understanding of branding is fairly poor in most Chinese companies today. It will be very hard for them to compete on an international arena without a better knowledge. Chinese companies need to ask themselves why they are successful in their domestic market and take that knowledge with them when asking themselves if this is something that could work on a foreign (Swedish) market with or without adaptations to the new market. The mindsets and conceptual frames of Swedish consumers are very different from the Chinese and therefore it would probably be necessary for Chinese companies to take advantage of local knowledge in order to understand the culture and the market. We have kept a scientific approach in our thesis. It could also be a starting point for further studies within the field. The results could presumably be used by companies interested in knowing what to focus on in their further education of the staff or work as a guideline for the actual work with brand management in the companies’ different markets.