Dissertations / Theses on the topic 'Dairy products Australia Marketing'

In this paper, we estimate dynamic versions of the Almost Ideal Demand System and the Linear Expenditure System in order to obtain an estimate of the demand elasticity for milk in British Columbia. This parameter has, to our knowledge, never been estimated for one province, but given the ongoning interest by the B.C. dairy industry in obtaining a larger allocation of Market Share Quota (MSQ), which is now allocated as a function of fluid milk consumption, it is timely to estimate the elasticity of demand for milk in British Columbia. Many have argued that the retail price of milk in B.C. is too high, especially when compared to prices in other western provinces, as well as the neighbouring State of Washington. The argument is that significant increases in consumption, and thereby increased allocation of MSQ could be achieved through decreases in prices. However, this depends upon the elasticity of demand which we herein estimate. Our estimate of the elasticity of demand for milk in British Columbia is -0.33, as estimated from the dynamic Almost Ideal System, and -0.40 from the dynamic Linear Expenditure System. We note that the dynamic Linear Expenditure System estimated in this study was statistically significant and met all theoretical restrictions, in particular quasi-concavity of the utility function at each observation point. We note, however, that this elasticity estimate may be interpreted as a short run estimate owing to our limited time frame for analysis. Clearly, with an elasticity estimate in the order of -0.40, "significant" increases in consumption cannot be achieved solely through decreases in prices. This paper, however, does more than simply relay elasticity estimates, for it also provides tips and techniques for estimating demand systems such as those estimated in this paper. These strategies are typically not found in textbooks or journal articles, and as such can be of great use to those estimating demand systems for the first time. In addition, this study makes use of a regional data source that has previously been unavailable to applied economists. Those who have attempted to estimate the demand for milk regionally have found that Statistics Canada does not publish regional consumption figures for most commodities. This is particularly true for the consumption of beverages in British Columbia. The data for this study were obtained privately and statistically represent bi-monthly sales of beverages in British Columbia. Thus, this paper is the first to estimate the demand for milk in British Columbia by using a demand systems approach employing data obtained from a private source (i.e. not Statistics Canada or other public sector organisations).
Land and Food Systems, Faculty of
Graduate

This thesis examines the effect on statutory marketing authorities (SMAs) in Western Australia of the implementation of the national Competition Policy Reform Act, 1995 as an amendment to the Trade Practices Act, 1974 (TPA). The original Act lacked the scope necessary to ensure that all business activity in Australia, and in particular the operations of statutory marketing bodies, was subject to its provisions. The main catalyst for reform of Australia’s competition policy came with the presentation of the Report by the Independent Committee of Inquiry headed by Professor Fred Hilmer in 1993. The recommendations of the Committee were later put to the Council of Australian Governments for discussion and, once the various agreements were drawn up, new Federal legislation was enacted bringing together the various reforms. The Competition Policy Reform Act, 1995 was designed to put into practice a more national and comprehensive approach to competition policy. Under this new legislation the activities of SMAs have been called into question, where those activities are found to be anti-competitive and are not in the public interest. In fact, where a SMA conducts ‘business’ activity it is now subject to the new legislation, without the former protection afforded by the ‘shield of the Crown’ doctrine. Unless it can be proven that their anti-competitive conduct is in the public interest, SMAs face the same penalties faced by private enterprises for breach of the TPA. Consideration of each of the seven Western Australian SMAs in this thesis highlights the point that in order to comply with the new regime their legislation will be either amended or repealed entirely. This thesis also examines the operations of the SMAs and shows how they frustrate the intention of competition policy. It then explains to what extent their legislation has been reviewed to date, what changes are expected to be made to the legislation by the respective review dates, and also the reasons why there exists resistance to change within some SMAs. This analysis is all set in the context of an economy-wide move to greater reliance on competitive markets rather than direct government regulation of economic activity.

Mestrado em Marketing
O presente trabalho de projecto traduz-se na realização de um Plano de Marketing para a Iogurteria do Bairro. Esta empresa foi criada por dois amigos e sócios e foi lançada em Março de 2012 no mercado da restauração, mais propriamente em frozen yogurt. Este Plano de Marketing tem como objectivos aumentar o reconhecimento da marca perante os clientes, fidelizar os clientes existentes e angariar clientes novos e aumentar as vendas e a notoriedade da marca perante os consumidores e o mercado. Para alcançar eficazmente estes objectivos, foram definidas as envolventes internas e externas da empresa, incluindo uma análise da concorrência e dos factores críticos de sucesso da empresa focal. Com a segmentação, definição do mercado-alvo e posicionamento, foi projectada a estratégia de marketing. São aqui apresentados também os objectivos de marketing e financeiros que se pretendem atingir em 2014. Por fim, este plano apresenta o marketing mix actual da empresa e uma proposta de marketing mix para o futuro, ambos foram definidos com base nos 7P?s, ou seja, Produto, Preço, Distribuição, Comunicação, Pessoas, Processos e Evidências Físicas, sendo que a comunicação será fundamental para atingir os objectivos aqui propostos.
The present project work is reflected in the design of a Marketing Plan for Iogurteria do Bairro. This company was started by two friends and associates and was released in March 2012 on the catering market, specifically of frozen yogurt. This Marketing Plan aims to increase brand recognition by customers, to retain existing customers and attract new customers as well as to increase sales brands awareness by consumers and the market. To achieve these objectives effectively, company's internal and external environment were analysed and an analysis of the competition and of the critical success factors of the focal firm were carried out. A Marketing strategy was designed, by segmentation, definition of the target market and positioning. The plan also presents the marketing financial objectives to be reached by 2014. Finally, this report presents the current marketing mix and a proposed marketing mix for the future, being both defined on the basis of the 7P?s: product, price, distribution, communication, people, processes and physical evidence.

Thesis (PhD)--Macquarie University, Division of Society, Culture, Media & Philosophy, Dept. of Media, 2007.
Bibliography: leaves 281-305.
Introduction -- Advertising, branding & consumerism: a literature survey -- Methodology: from Barthes to Bushells -- A taste for tea: how tea travelled to and through Australian culture -- Class in a tea cup -- A tale of two brands -- Thrift, sacrifice and the happy housewife -- 'He likes coffee SHE likes tea' -- 'Is it as good?': Bushells beyond Australia -- 'The one thing we all agree on' -- Conclusion.
Since its introduction in 1883, the Bushells brand of tea has become increasingly identified with Australia's national identity. Like Arnott's, QANTAS and Vegemite, Bushells has become a part of the nation's cultural vocabulary, a treasured store of memories and myths. This thesis investigates how Bushells acquired this status, and the transformation by which an otherwise everyday item evolved from the ordinary to the iconic. In short, through Bushells, I will demonstrate the cultural logic of branding. -- Bushells is ideally suited for an historical analysis of branding in Australia. Firstly, tea has been a staple of the Australian diet since the time of the First Fleet. So, it proves a fitting example of consumer processes since the early days of White settlement. From this, I will consider the rise of an environment sensitive to status, and therefore conducive to branding. In the late nineteenth century, Bushells was challenged to appeal to the burgeoning corps of middle class consumers. To this end, the brand integrated those ideals and associations that turned its tea into one that flattered a certain sensibility. Secondly, having established its affinity with a particular market group, the middle class, Bushells was well positioned to track, acknowledge and incorporate some of the most dominant trends of the twentiethcentury; specifically, the rise of a particular suburban ideal in the 1950s, and changing conceptions of gender, labour and technology. Finally, in the last two decades, Bushells has had to concede decisive shifts in fashion and taste; as Australia's population changed, so too did tea's place and prominence in the market. This thesis thus canvasses all these issues, chronologically and thematically. To do this, I will contextualise Bushells' advertisements in terms of the contemporary conditions that both informed their content, and underpinned their appeal. -- Considering the breadth and depth of this analysis, I argue that in the case of Bushells there is a cultural logic to branding. As brands strive for relevance, they become screens off which major societal processes can be identified and examined. As such, I will show that, in its address to consumers, Bushells broached some of the most significant discourses in Australia's cultural history.
Mode of access: World Wide Web.
v, 305 leaves ill

Tyrimo objektas - ekologiškų pieno produktų pardavimai. Tyrimo tikslas - nustačius ekologiškų pieno produktų pardavimų Lietuvoje būklę, pateikti jų pardavimų skatinimo sprendimus. Tyrimo tikslui įgyvendinti numatyti tokie uždaviniai: 1. atskleisti ekologiškų pieno produktų ypatumus ir jų pardavimus įtakojančius veiksnius; 2. išanalizuoti ekologiškų pieno produktų rinką ir jų būklę; 3. parengti ekologiškų pieno produktų pardavimų skatinimo veiksmų planą. Tyrimo metodai - Lietuvos ir kitų šalių autorių mokslinės literatūros analizė, sisteminimas ir apibendrinimas, anketinė apklausa, duomenų grupavimas statistiniai duomenys. Duomenys rinkti anketinės apklausos metodu. Respondentai 2014 m., sausio – kovo mėn. tyrime dalyvavo internetu. Iš viso atsakyta 404 anketos. Tyrimo rezultatai pateikti trijose baigiamojo darbo dalyse. Pirmojoje darbo dalyje atlikta ekologiškų pieno produktų pardavimus įtakojančių veiksnių teorinė analizė. Antrojoje darbo dalyje pateikta ekologiškų pieno produktų rinkos ir būklės analizė bei ekologiškų produktų vartojimo tyrimo rezultatai. Trečiojoje darbo dalyje pasiūlytos naudotinos ekologiškų pieno produktų pardavimų skatinimo priemonės ekologiškais produktais prekiaujančioms elektroninėms parduotuvėms ir prekybos centrams. Darbo pabaigoje pateiktos išvados. Baigiamojo darbo rengimo metu gauti rezultatai buvo pristatyti ASU 2014 04 24 vykusioje konferencijoje Aleksandro Stulginskio universiteto studentų mokslinėje konferencijoje „Jaunasis... [toliau žr. visą tekstą]
Research methods – analysis, systematization and generalization of scientific literature by Lithuanian and foreign authors, questionnaire survey, data grouping and statistical data analysis. The respondents participated via Internet during the period from January to March, 2014. There were totally responded 404 questionnaires. Research outcomes are presented in three parts of the final thesis. In the first part of the thesis the theoretical analysis of the factors, that impact the sales of ecological dairy products is completed. In the second part of the thesis, the analysis of market and condition of ecological dairy products, and research outcomes of ecological dairy product consumption are presented. In the third part of the thesis, applicable sales promotion measures of ecological dairy products for e-shops and supermarkets, that sell ecological products are proposed. At the end of the thesis the conclusions are drawn. The outcomes gained during the final thesis preparation were presented at the students’ scientific conference ‘Junior Scientist 2014’ at Aleksandras Stulginskis University that took place on the 24th April, 2014 at ASU and were published in the set of the conference articles (‘Production and Sales Trends of Ecological Products in Lithuania’. Annex 1).

This study analyses trends in demand for dairy products in Malaysia, characteristics of the Australian dairy industry, the marketing strategies of Australian dairy companies, the marketing strategies of major competitors, public policy influencing dairy industry development in Malaysia and concludes with a SWOT analysis of the market for dairy products in Malaysia from an Australian perspective.

This thesis focuses on an analysis of factors influencing Australia's dairy product exports to Thailand. To the author's knowledge, such an analysis has not been conducted so far. The research consists of literature reviews of the theories and empirical studies of comparative advantage and export demand, the econometric estimation of Thailand's demand for Australia's exports of dairy products to analyse the determinants of Thailand's demand for Australian dairy products, and an investigation of experience of selected Australian exporting companies in exporting dairy products to Thailand based on the interviews of export managers. Australia exports dairy products such as, milk dry (skim milk powder or SMP and whole milk powder or WMP), butter, cheese and curd, and whey products to Thailand. SMP is the principle ingredient of Thailand's milk processing industry. Australia's main competitors in Thailand for exports of dairy products are New Zealand, the EU and to some extent the U.S.A. Thailand has heavily protected its local dairy industry by high tariffs and regulation. The Thai government promotes local dairy production and the use of local milk products. However, the dairy sector of Thailand is still incapable of meeting the demand from the domestic dairy processing industry and consumers. Hence, Thailand has to import a large volume of dairy products each year. The Australia-Thailand free trade agreement (FTA) started to operate in January 2005. Thailand's import tariffs on Australia's dairy products will decline to zero to 32 per cent, and be phased out by 2010 or 2020. The quotas on Australia's exports of milk powders and milk and cream to the Thai market will be increased by 2025. The analysis of revealed comparative advantage and revealed competitive advantage identify that among the dairy product exporting countries, Australia has comparative advantage and competitive advantage of all of the dairy products (milk evaporated, milk dry, whey preserved and concentrated butter and cheese and curd). Thailand has comparative advantage and competitive advantage only in milk condensed and evaporated. Thailand has comparative disadvantage and competitive disadvantage in the other dairy product categories. Australia's competitors in the Thai market (New Zealand, and the selected EU countries) have comparative and competitive advantages in most of the dairy products. These results suggest that Australian dairy exporting companies and policy makers could focus on increasing the volumes of all of the dairy products exported to Thailand, except milk condensed and evaporated. The results from the estimation of econometric models of Thailand's demand for Australia's exports of milk dry shows that in the short run, the quantity of Australia's milk dry exports demanded in Thailand declines when Australia's export price relative to that of competing countries increases, while it is not responsive to Thailand's real national income. In the long run, the quantity of Australia's milk dry exports demanded in Thailand declines when Australia's export price relative to that of competing countries' price increases. The estimated long run price elasticity of export demand is -2.76. In the long run, the quantity of Australia's milk dry exports demanded in Thailand does not change significantly in response to changes in Thailand's real national income. In the short run, the quantity of Australia's butter exports demanded in Thailand falls when Australia's export price relative to that of competing countries increases, but it is not responsive to Thailand's real national income. The quantity of Australia's butter exports demanded in Thailand declines when the Thai baht depreciates against the Australian dollar. In the long run, the quantity of Australia's butter exports demanded in Thailand decreases when Australia's export price relative to that of competing countries' price increases. The estimated long run relative price elasticity of demand is -1.13. In the long run, the quantity of Australia's butter exports demanded in Thailand does not change significantly in response to changes in Thailand's real national income. The quantity of Australia's butter exports demanded in Thailand declines when the Thai baht depreciates against the Australian dollar. The estimated long run exchange rate elasticity of demand is -6.34. In the short run, the quantity of Australia's cheese and curd exports demanded in Thailand is not responsive either to the relative price of exports or to Thailand's real national income. In the long run the quantity of Australia's cheese and curd exports demanded in Thailand changes significantly in response to changes in Thailand's real national income. The estimated long run income elasticity of demand is 1.84. During the interviews, the export managers of Australian dairy export companies agreed that Thailand is a significant importer of Australia's dairy products, particularly for SMP, WMP, whey powder, butter and cheese. Thailand's stable economic and political environment is one of the reasons that they are attracted to the Thai market. The principal factors that make Australia's products successful in the Thai market are competitive price and 'clean, green and natural' products. However, limited Australian dairy product varieties and distribution channels are major factors that contribute to Australia falling behind New Zealand and the EU in the Thai market. The Australian dairy Corporation (ADC) is not involved in promoting Australian dairy products in the Thai market at present, but has done so in the past. Thailand's tariff and import quota protection and support to local dairying industry is one of the barriers encountered by Australia's exports to Thailand. All the managers are hopeful of expanding opportunities for their dairy exports in the Thai market. These findings imply that Australian dairy export companies could expand the dairy product varieties they export and offer for sale in the Thai market. They could also take advantage of the established sales distribution network in addition to exploring the possibilities of setting up their own distribution channels. They could be looking into the possibilities of setting up of joint ventures with local dairy processing companies in Thailand so that their dairy exports could be expanded. The Australian dairy export companies as well as the ADC have to actively promote in various ways the Australian dairy product exports in the Thai market in order to take advantage of the window of opportunities open to them within the trade liberalisation framework of the Australia-Thailand free trade agreement (FTA).

This thesis focuses on an analysis of factors influencing Australia's dairy product exports to Thailand. To the author's knowledge, such an analysis has not been conducted so far. The research consists of literature reviews of the theories and empirical studies of comparative advantage and export demand, the econometric estimation of Thailand's demand for Australia's exports of dairy products to analyse the determinants of Thailand's demand for Australian dairy products, and an investigation of experience of selected Australian exporting companies in exporting dairy products to Thailand based on the interviews of export managers. Australia exports dairy products such as, milk dry (skim milk powder or SMP and whole milk powder or WMP), butter, cheese and curd, and whey products to Thailand. SMP is the principle ingredient of Thailand's milk processing industry. Australia's main competitors in Thailand for exports of dairy products are New Zealand, the EU and to some extent the U.S.A. Thailand has heavily protected its local dairy industry by high tariffs and regulation. The Thai government promotes local dairy production and the use of local milk products. However, the dairy sector of Thailand is still incapable of meeting the demand from the domestic dairy processing industry and consumers. Hence, Thailand has to import a large volume of dairy products each year. The Australia-Thailand free trade agreement (FTA) started to operate in January 2005. Thailand's import tariffs on Australia's dairy products will decline to zero to 32 per cent, and be phased out by 2010 or 2020. The quotas on Australia's exports of milk powders and milk and cream to the Thai market will be increased by 2025. The analysis of revealed comparative advantage and revealed competitive advantage identify that among the dairy product exporting countries, Australia has comparative advantage and competitive advantage of all of the dairy products (milk evaporated, milk dry, whey preserved and concentrated butter and cheese and curd). Thailand has comparative advantage and competitive advantage only in milk condensed and evaporated. Thailand has comparative disadvantage and competitive disadvantage in the other dairy product categories. Australia's competitors in the Thai market (New Zealand, and the selected EU countries) have comparative and competitive advantages in most of the dairy products. These results suggest that Australian dairy exporting companies and policy makers could focus on increasing the volumes of all of the dairy products exported to Thailand, except milk condensed and evaporated. The results from the estimation of econometric models of Thailand's demand for Australia's exports of milk dry shows that in the short run, the quantity of Australia's milk dry exports demanded in Thailand declines when Australia's export price relative to that of competing countries increases, while it is not responsive to Thailand's real national income. In the long run, the quantity of Australia's milk dry exports demanded in Thailand declines when Australia's export price relative to that of competing countries' price increases. The estimated long run price elasticity of export demand is -2.76. In the long run, the quantity of Australia's milk dry exports demanded in Thailand does not change significantly in response to changes in Thailand's real national income. In the short run, the quantity of Australia's butter exports demanded in Thailand falls when Australia's export price relative to that of competing countries increases, but it is not responsive to Thailand's real national income. The quantity of Australia's butter exports demanded in Thailand declines when the Thai baht depreciates against the Australian dollar. In the long run, the quantity of Australia's butter exports demanded in Thailand decreases when Australia's export price relative to that of competing countries' price increases. The estimated long run relative price elasticity of demand is -1.13. In the long run, the quantity of Australia's butter exports demanded in Thailand does not change significantly in response to changes in Thailand's real national income. The quantity of Australia's butter exports demanded in Thailand declines when the Thai baht depreciates against the Australian dollar. The estimated long run exchange rate elasticity of demand is -6.34. In the short run, the quantity of Australia's cheese and curd exports demanded in Thailand is not responsive either to the relative price of exports or to Thailand's real national income. In the long run the quantity of Australia's cheese and curd exports demanded in Thailand changes significantly in response to changes in Thailand's real national income. The estimated long run income elasticity of demand is 1.84. During the interviews, the export managers of Australian dairy export companies agreed that Thailand is a significant importer of Australia's dairy products, particularly for SMP, WMP, whey powder, butter and cheese. Thailand's stable economic and political environment is one of the reasons that they are attracted to the Thai market. The principal factors that make Australia's products successful in the Thai market are competitive price and 'clean, green and natural' products. However, limited Australian dairy product varieties and distribution channels are major factors that contribute to Australia falling behind New Zealand and the EU in the Thai market. The Australian dairy Corporation (ADC) is not involved in promoting Australian dairy products in the Thai market at present, but has done so in the past. Thailand's tariff and import quota protection and support to local dairying industry is one of the barriers encountered by Australia's exports to Thailand. All the managers are hopeful of expanding opportunities for their dairy exports in the Thai market. These findings imply that Australian dairy export companies could expand the dairy product varieties they export and offer for sale in the Thai market. They could also take advantage of the established sales distribution network in addition to exploring the possibilities of setting up their own distribution channels. They could be looking into the possibilities of setting up of joint ventures with local dairy processing companies in Thailand so that their dairy exports could be expanded. The Australian dairy export companies as well as the ADC have to actively promote in various ways the Australian dairy product exports in the Thai market in order to take advantage of the window of opportunities open to them within the trade liberalisation framework of the Australia-Thailand free trade agreement (FTA).

Cooperatives are commonplace in the dairy sector throughout the developed world. A cooperative is an organization whose patrons are those who contribute the capital. Two features that distinguish a cooperative are: profits are distributed by member patronage, and member control is democratic. In theory, this organizational form cannot sustainably capture economic rents. Members adjust their production until any captured rents are eliminated, restoring the competitive solution. In British Columbia, the dairy industry is regulated by supply management. Production quotas control output, while fanner returns are guaranteed by restricting imports and administering the price. All milk is pooled, and processors need not deal directly with dairy producers. A simple model of the BC dairy industry, with farm production or processor input as the only variable, shows that the ‘competitive yardstick’ is not maintained. The industry wide milk pool decouples the cooperative from its membership. When this cooperative maximizes its patronage dividend, supply management totally separates it from its members incentives. Given that the administrative price is not set to eliminate all processing rents, the positive patronage dividend is an incentive for all farmers to join the cooperative. Simultaneously, a competing IOF can capture rents because it is buying milk at the pooi price and does not compete with the cooperative for its input needs. The financial statements of the Fraser Valley Milk Producers Cooperative Association lend support to the model. Based on performance ratios, this cooperative is behaving similar to other firms in the dairy industry, and may be capturing rents on behalf of its members. The one area of discrepancy is in the source of financing, and this can be largely explained by changing member investment preferences. Our model predicts that in B.C. the price of quota should be dependent on the return generated by our theoretical cooperative. We find that the present perfonnance of the cooperative is not a useful predictor of the quota price. However, quota price appears to be closely linked to indicators of future economic performance, and the sign of this linkage is consistent with our model.

Over the last two decades, a great many farmers in the Adelaide Milkshed (the region supplying Adelaide with its liquid milk) have left the dairy industry which has led to a decrease in milk production relative to demand. Reasons are explored and improved management of the farm, and relocation of dairies to the south east and mid north are considered as possible options for increased milk production. How the dairy farm system operates and the means by which can adopt to malfunctioning or breakdown within the farm system is also discussed.
Thesis (M.A.) -- University of Adelaide, Dept. of Geography, 1993

The objectives of this paper are to: • quantify the market size for chilled samosas; and • evaluate the feasibility of manufacturing chilled samosas in Australia. For this purpose, feasibility was determined on the following indices: • minimum return of investment of 10% per annum; and • minimum net profit of $A100,000 per annum from the fifth year of operation. The research was completed through literature review and field research. The research concluded that food products which offer greater convenience are becoming popular in Australia. This trend appears to be the outcome of changing demographics such as increased participation in the labor force (particularly by women), a trend towards two income households, smaller households and increasing ethnic composition in the population. Additionally, greater health-consciousness has increased the demand for fresh, healthy, high quality and conveniently available foods requiring minimal preparation. This research suggests that the consumers of chilled samosas will come from diverse ethnic backgrounds and will have the following characteristics: • High consumers of take-away foods; • Australian or second generation Australian; • 20-54 year age class; • Open minded attitude towards their food; • Seekers of 'Fresh' food; • Live in the inner suburbs. The research posits that because Indian foods have a strong flavour and smell, the key purchase determinants will include the consumer's familiarity with Indian foods and their attitude towards the taste and flavour of Indian foods. Supermarkets in Australia are conveniently positioned in most suburbs to service customer needs However, the majority of convenience foods products sold in supermarkets are frozen products. Generally the marketing of chilled foods is in the embryonic stage. The market is localised and the product range is limited. The analysis shows that the demand for chilled samosas in Australia can range from 19.5 million units (best case scenario) to 600,000 units (worst case scenario). This study suggests that with start-up annual sales of 450,000 units, this business generate a return of investment of 11.55% per annum on an investment of A$1.3 million. This study recommends that the market for chilled samosas be segmented into six distinct target markets - variety seekers, healthy choice, lifestyle, Indian children, Authentic Indian and conservatives. However the positioning of chilled samosas should not be developed over too narrow a market due to the small Australian population. Consequently the positioning of chilled samosas through supermarkets should initially cut across a number of the identified segments (variety seekers, healthy choice, lifestyle, Authentic Indian and conservatives) by focusing on the large consumer segment in the marketplace of people who are time poor, seeking fresh quality foods with flavour that are easy to prepare prior to consumption in their home, and w h o are prepared to spend their income on purchasing such conveniences (subsets of the segments listed above). The product should be positioned by focussing on quality, freshness and authenticity. Packaging should be distinctively Indian and clearly branded. The chilled samosas should initially be sold through the delicatessen section of supermarkets by utilising food brokers to distribute the products nationally and manage in store logistics. Samosas should be sold in packs of two and four at approximately 60 cents per samosa for the first three years to facilitate product trials. Promotions should focus on regular taste testing in supermarkets.

The aim of the study is to develop an understanding of production and demand of dairy related products in China with a view to providing a basis to determine the export potential of dairy products from Australia. In order to achieve this aim, the following specific objectives were addressed: • To provide an outline of the Chinese dairy industry including favourable developmental factors and developmental constraints; • Taking into account the influence of history, culture and dietary preference on production and consumption, to examine how current demand for dairy products in China has been met through local production and or imports; • To develop an understanding of the Australian dairy industry and its capacity to satisfy any existing shortfall in supply or contribute to any future growth in demand for dairy products which is unlikely to be met through China's domestic dairy industry.

Historically, consumer perceptions towards dairy products have been measured using a rational cognitive approach. However, recent consumer insights suggest that emotions play a dominant role in consumer decision making. The South African dairy industry therefore identified a need to determine emotive reactions to educational messages in addition to the reasons underpinning dairy consumption. Using a mixed method research approach, reactions from 81 South African dairy consumers were obtained, using three different, but interrelated measuring instruments. Descriptive statistics, hierarchical ladder maps and correlation analyses were used to examine emotive and cognitive consumer reaction to a number of generic dairy messages and products. The findings indicate that certain communication messages appear to have a stronger impact on consumers due to specific emotions that these messages elicit. Personal values underpinning dairy consumption decisions were also identified within the context of emotive reactions to the selected dairy products.
Business Management
M. Com. (Business Management)

In response to the establishment of the East Gippsland Vegetable Industry Board, a major new initiative in fresh vegetable production, marketing and a research program was initiated. It was to examine a number of factors highlighted by the Boston Consulting Group that were inhibiting the industry from becoming world competitive. These factors included the size of individual production units, transport and handling procedures, postharvest care, yield and a poor understanding of the handling chain and market intelligence (Boston Consulting Group, 1992c). As part of the research program, this study was initiated to analyse the handling chain for fresh horticultural produce. Its purpose was to provide a detailed understanding of the conditions affecting the development of a quality management program. As will be seen in the following literature review, well controlled and operated handling chains are difficult to establish in Australia. Therefore, it is important that this aspect of horticulture be thoroughly understood so that it can be operated efficiently. Such a requirement is rendered more important when it is considered that East Gippsland is at least 300 km from any major port or distribution centre. This report through the use of a range of methods (i.e. pilot study, survey and case study) puts forward the thesis that for the long term sustainability of the fresh produce industry in Australia, it is necessary that procedures be established to enable market signals to be better disseminated to all players along the handling chain. This lack of information flow makes it difficult for suppliers to ensure that the product consistently satisfies consumer requirements. Other problems related to material handling, transport efficiency, storage facilities, training needs and quality control procedures are related to the fragmented nature of the industry. The survey showed a correlation between how well a producer understood the complexity of the handling chain and how he resolved other quality related problems. In overcoming this central issue, three case studies were undertaken to define different kinds of solutions. While this study makes a number of recommendations, the real challenge for operators in this industry is to put into place as quickly as possible a series of actions that will integrate customers needs into the whole production-distribution-supply system. This suggests the need for a more coordinated approach to quality management such as TQM (Total Quality Management). To be successful in implementing such a program in this industry frequent communication and co-operation within the whole handling chain would be needed. In order to achieve the desired industry commitment to quality, there are four major which need to be addressed when implementing TQM: (a) Importance of regular timely customer feedback (b) Formalisation of handling procedures for the entire handling chain (c) Importance of education and training (d) Avoid the confusing aspects of Quality Assurance (QA) and Total Quality Management (TQM) in quality management.

Manufacturing structures have partly changed from high levels of vertical integration to outsourcing during the past twenty to thirty years. As a result, outsourcing has often become the preferred choice for labour intensive products. In Australia, many companies have increased their outsourcing of components and finished products to developing countries, particularly mainland China, primarily to take advantage of lower labour and other production costs. Thus decisions in outsourcing are fundamental to organisational restructuring. However, although outsourcing can achieve many significant benefits, it presents a variety of new risks and problems due to the extension of supply chains, and needs solutions.

A presente tese de Mestrado consiste num projeto numa empresa, detida por um Grupo económico, que decidiu investir na indústria dos laticínios. Esta empresa acabou por projetar e construir uma unidade industrial de raiz que permitisse satisfazer a procura total dos seus clientes com os mais altos níveis de serviço e posicionar-se na vanguarda da inovação. A necessidade que esta tese adereça passa por desenvolver um modelo para otimização do planeamento e sequenciamento de produção da nova unidade industrial, pois na unidade antiga estes eram realizados por empirismo e experiência da operação. Este modelo terá impacto em quatro linhas de produção e repercute-se em cerca de oitenta produtos diferentes por ano que a unidade industrial produz. A metodologia utilizada na presente tese de Mestrado é a de estudo de caso, proposta por Yin (2014), fazendo uso de diversas fontes de informação como documentos, ficheiros arquivados, entrevistas e observação. Foi desenvolvido um modelo matemático em programação linear com o objetivo de encontrar a solução ótima para o planeamento e sequenciamento de produção num intervalo de tempo de quatro semanas. O valor acrescentado que este modelo fornece ao Grupo passa pela sua implementação em paralelo com os sistemas de informação já existentes no Grupo, o que possibilitará a criação de um optimizador do planeamento e sequenciamento da produção. O presente estudo tem como limitações a ausência de implementação e testes quantitativos para provar os benefícios que este optimizador irá trazer para o Grupo, no entanto já obteve acolhimento pelo Grupo.
This Master thesis consists of a project in a company, owned by an economic group, which decided to invest in the dairy industry. This company ended up designing and building an industrial unit from scratch that would satisfy the total demand of its customers with the highest service levels and position itself at the forefront of innovation. The need for this thesis is to develop a model to optimize the planning and production scheduling of the new industrial unit, as in the old unit these were carried out by empiricism and experience of the operation. This model will have an impact on four production lines and will affect about eighty different products per year that the industrial unit produces. The methodology used in this Master thesis is a case study, proposed by Yin (2014), making use of several sources of information such as documents, archived files, interviews and observation. A mathematical model in linear programming was developed with the aim of finding the optimal solution for planning and scheduling production in a four-week period. The added value that this model provides to the Group is due to its implementation in parallel with the information systems already existing in the Group, which will enable the creation of an optimizer for planning and scheduling production. The present study has as limitations the absence of implementation and quantitative tests to prove the benefits that this optimizer will bring to the Group, however it has already been welcomed by the Group.