Business

Publication Search Results

Now showing 1 - 10 of 38
  • (2010) Robinson, Linda Jane
    Thesis
    Simultaneous achievement of both sales and service performance goals by retail service teams is of critical importance to retail organisations. The success of retail organisations as a whole is essentially reliant on the combined sales and service efforts of frontline service teams where issues of performance management and goal setting central to achieving high performing teams. Yet, with much of the current literature centred on the processes and outcomes of teamwork and team behaviours, little attention has been paid to the psychological foundations of teams that guide team performance. Thus, this study identifies team-level perceptions of ability (team efficacy) and motivation (team goal orientation) as critical components of retail service team performance and three key questions are addressed: (i) what are the antecedents of team efficacy?; (ii) what is the effect of team goal orientation on sales and service performance?; and (iii) how do the constructs of team efficacy and team goal orientation interact to influence the sales and service performance of retail service teams? This research reviews the retail service team context, social cognitive theory and goal theory to construct a conceptual model of retail service team performance. The model was then tested using data gathered from 13 in-depth interviews and the partial least square analysis of a quantitative survey of 319 retail service teams. Results indicate that integrating performance awareness tasks and promoting team connectedness develops strong efficacy beliefs that positively influence sales and service performance. In addition, the results support the argument for a three-dimensional model of team goal orientation through identifying differing effects of the two performance dimensions on team performance. Theoretically, the most significant contribution of this research is that it offers insight into team-level concepts only previously explored at the individual level of analysis, with the study presenting empirical evidence of team efficacy and team goal orientation as drivers of team performance in the retail services context. Managerial contributions of the research include guidance on how to direct resources towards improving team efficacy and managing team goal orientation to most effectively improve both the sales and service performance of retail service teams.

  • (2010) Mun, Xiuyan
    Thesis
    This dissertation is primarily concerned with mixture models for high-dimensional financial data. New flexible mixture models are introduced and implemented with fast and effective optimization routines. The stochastic gradient approach uses random gradients to update the parameters of the mixture model improving the chance of the iterates converging to a higher mode. Chapter 2 provides the details of the stochastic gradient optimization routines used. Chapter 3 suggests two new multivariate density estimators, namely the marginal adaptation mixture of normals and the mixture of normals copula. Their performances are compared with a few recent popular models such as the skewed-t model. Chapter 4 discusses covariance estimation for high dimensional data. The aim of the chapter is to improve the estimation of covariance matrices by using mixture shrinkage priors. This chapter also shows how to apply the priors to the simultaneous estimation of several covariance matrices such as in the case of mixture of normals models. Chapters 5 and 6 consider the estimation or fitting of models to time series data, when the models may experience a small number of structural breaks. Chapter 5 looks at univariate data and Chapter 6 considers multivariate data. In particular, Chapter 6 shows how to estimate a Gaussian vector autoregressive model subject to occasional structural breaks using a mixture of experts framework.

  • (2010) Restiani, Phillia
    Thesis
    This dissertation explores the issues of market design for emissions trading schemes by focusing on penalty designs and initial allocation mechanisms. Penalty design is defined in terms of penalty types and levels and the allocation mechanism compare free allocation with auctioning. The first essay employs a theoretical model to examine compliance incentives and market efficiency under three penalty types: the fixed-penalty rate (FPR), the make-good provision (MGP), and the mixed penalty design. Using a simple two-period model of firm’s profit maximisation, we analyse compliance decisions and the efficient penalty level under each penalty type. Our findings indicate that the penalty type does not affect compliance decisions provided that the efficient penalty level is applied. Market efficiency is retained regardless of penalty types. These findings are used as the hypotheses for the second essay. The behavioural implications of penalty designs on market performance are investigated in the second essay using an experimental method. Three penalty types and two penalty levels are enforced in a laboratory permit market with auctioning wherein subjects make compliance decisions by undertaking irreversible abatement investment decisions or by buying permits. In contrast to theory, we find that penalty levels serve as a focal point that indicates compliance costs and affects compliance strategies. The MGP penalty provides stronger compliance incentives than the other penalty types. Most importantly, a trade-off between investment incentives and efficiency is observed. Using a laboratory experiment, the third essay studies how the initial distribution of permits through free allocation or auctioning, may affect price discovery, allocative and static efficiency under the presence of three penalty designs. Price discovery is not influenced by the initial allocation mechanism. Permit prices remain above the efficient level due to the presence of irrational bidding and trading behaviour as well as risk aversion. Uncertainty regarding permit prices results in a modest allocative efficiency as over-investment prevails. Auctioning evidently generates higher static efficiency due to stronger price signals. This result supports the majority of literature which argues for auctioning. An appropriate auction design is crucial to avoid the risk of overbidding which will inflate the auction price and diminish efficiency.

  • (2010) Vespignani, Joaquin Leonardo
    Thesis
    This dissertation comprises three independent but complementary chapters, all of which use advanced time series and panel data econometric techniques to study asymmetries in consumer demand response to price changes, as well as industrial and state/territory responses to monetary shocks in Australia. The first contribution develops an autoregressive distributed lag model using Australian supermarket scanner data. Specifically, we use data from sales of similar products manufactured by the competitors Coca-Cola and Pepsi-Cola and find that demand response to price changes is not asymmetric for the market leader Coca-Cola but is strongly asymmetric for its competitor Pepsi-Cola. This suggests that consumers of the less expensive good stock up when prices go down but the consumers of the more expensive good do not. The second contribution analyses the industrial impact of monetary shocks in Australia. These impacts are quantified by constructing a structural vector autoregressive (SVAR) model for a small open economy. Our results show that construction and manufacturing industries exhibit a significant reduction in gross value added (GVAs) after an unanticipated rise in the official cash rate. In the finance and insurance; and mining industries, however, we find that there is a positive or neutral response to these shocks,. Based on the responses, we constructed a model to quantify which sources are more likely to be accountable for these different responses. The third contribution develops a SVAR and a structural vector error correction (SVEC) model to explore the impact of monetary policy across states and territories in Australia. Our results indicate that monetary shocks largely affect economic activity in Western Australia. In smaller proportion, those shocks generate contractions in New South Wales, Victoria and South Australia, while economic activity in Queensland and Tasmania is significantly less affected. In terms of state/territory exports response, our results indicate that monetary shocks contract exports in greater proportion in South Australia and Victoria than in other states and territories. Finally, the determinants of state/territory responses are studied. Our estimation indicates that the share of services, farm and mining exports is an important determinant of state/territory export responses.

  • (2010) Memon, Najeeb Ahmad
    Thesis
    This thesis analyses the use of Presumptive Income Tax (PIT) in developing countries with large informal economies dominated by small business. It asks the question: “Are the current PIT designs used to tax small business in large informal economies appropriate?” To answer the question, this thesis makes a qualitative analysis of the causes of large informal economies in developing countries. Then, common PIT designs are evaluated qualitatively against the principles of a good tax system. Finally, legal analysis of Pakistani PIT legislation is undertaken with particular reference to the principles of a good tax system. This thesis makes a number of important contributions to the existing body of knowledge. First this thesis identifies the bookkeeping and other procedural requirements for tax compliance as the major reason why small businesses operate informally. Second, this thesis identifies a single PIT (that is, an asset based PIT) amongst a range of PIT designs, which logically is the most appropriate design to meet the needs of small business and tax administration in large informal economies. This identification is achieved by comparative analysis of PIT designs against the causes of informality. Third, earlier literature has not made comparative analysis of existing PIT designs against the principles of a good tax system for assessing their adequacy to tackle large informal economies. This thesis performs this task and finds that an asset based PIT is the most appropriate among all PIT designs in this regard. Fourth, prior to the analysis of PIT designs against the principles of a good tax system this thesis makes a contribution in the existing literature in terms of redefining and prioritizing these principles in context of large informal economies. This thesis suggests ranking simplicity, efficiency and equity in that order. Lastly this thesis provides the first ever comprehensive analysis of the Pakistani PIT to assess its ability to tax the informal sector and the level of its adherence to the principles of a good tax system. This thesis finds that the Pakistani PIT does not satisfy the principles of simplicity, efficiency and equity because of its inappropriate design, poor legal drafting and its intricate relationship with the normal income tax. The thesis recommends an asset based PIT along with details regarding its base, valuation techniques etc to tax the Pakistani informal economy.

  • (2010) Abdellatif Khalil, Mahmoud Mohamed
    Thesis
    Strengthening the protection measures of Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) in compliance with the TRIPS agreement creates a need for an appropriate tax treatment of IPR by developing countries. This need is important to stimulate locally developed IPR and protect the tax revenue arising from IPR transactions. This thesis examines the tax treatment of IPR in Egypt and India. Accordingly, the thesis employs a mixed research methodology approach consisting of legal reasoning and economic analysis The thesis demonstrates that there are significant differences in the tax policy and legislation relating to IPR in Egypt and India. In particular, the pharmaceutical industry is disadvantaged compared with other industries in Egypt. By contrast, the Indian pharmaceutical industry is given a preferential tax treatment when compared with over other industries in terms of taxation. However, the tax burden on the pharmaceutical industry is approximately equivalent in both countries. Nevertheless, the use of the B-index indicator for tax competitiveness in terms of taxing IPR shows that India is more competitive compared with Egypt. The thesis identifies the role of withholding tax and transfer pricing measures in protecting the tax base related to IPR. These work as integrity measures which reinforce the role of tax incentives to stimulate locally developed IPR. India has a comprehensive definition of royalty within ITA1961 and stable international tax policy which reflected in its tax treaties with other countries. By contrast, Egypt has a narrow definition of royalty within ITL2005 and it does not set a definite international tax policy. In relation to transfer pricing measures relating to IPR, neither Egypt nor India has specific measures to deal with IPR licensing and cost sharing arrangements. India has specific measures for managing tax incentives for the development of IPR. Moreover, India has paid attention to exchange of information while Egypt does not has specific administrative measures for exchange of information. Neither Egypt nor India has proper mechanisms for advance pricing arrangements to simplify compliance. The thesis makes recommendations concerning tax treatment of IPR in developing countries. These include (1) targeted tax incentives are necessary to encourage locally developed IPR, (2) a broad definition of royalty and stable international tax policy, (3) proper transfer pricing measures for IPR, and (4) adequate administrative measures to enhance procedural simplicity.

  • (2010) Riantoputra, Corina Debora
    Thesis
    This thesis attempts to answer the question of why some top managers have the confidence that they can control their environments, while others do not. Based on two perspectives - information processing theory and managerial cognition -this thesis proposes that informational and perceived organizational contexts have different roles in influencing top manager's perception of control. To investigate this proposition, two studies were conducted focusing on Indonesia's competitive pharmaceutical industry. The first study examines how top managers' perception of control is influenced by the interplay of informational and perceived organizational contexts. Employing a quasi-experimental design, the study manipulated the types of environments that top manager's face, namely external and internal environments. Data was collected from 46 top managers through case scenarios-questionnaires and analysed through moderated multiple regression. Findings show that (1) informational context influences top managers' perception of control in a more complex way than previously understood, (2) perceived organizational context acts as a significant moderator between informational context and top manager's perception of control, and (3) different factors affect perception of control over internal and external environments differently. The second study endeavours to understand how organizational identity, which is a powerful aspect in perceived organizational context, is associated with top manager's perception of control. The study uses an interpretive approach to analyse 18 interviews with top managers and seeks to contribute to the literature by employing Bruner's schema accessibility principle. It finds that (1) decision integration, desired future image, and information sharing are keys in making identity dimensions accessible, thus enabling the activation of organizational identity concepts in the minds of top managers, and (2) top manager's perception of control is associated with the extent to which they are able to activate their organizational identity. The thesis integrates findings from the two studies and builds a framework to better understand top manager's perception of control. It concludes by discussing findings and the integrated framework in relation to strategic decision making and organizational action.

  • (2010) Crawford, Heather J.
    Thesis
    Humour is frequently used in advertising, but its effects on an audience and effectiveness as an appeal are not well understood. This thesis proposes a model of the use of humour in cross cultural advertising which accounts for the effects of culture and individual differences in need for cognition (NFC) and need for humour (NFH). The model is developed based on a comprehensive review of the literature on humour, culture and psychological differences at the individual level. The research examines the influence of national culture on advertiser choice of humour as an advertising appeal, comparing the frequency of its use in the United States, the People's Republic of China and Australia. Content analysis indicated that the USA and China had similar proportions of humorous television ads; however, the use of humorous appeals was significantly higher in Australia than in the other two countries. Results also provided support for the theory that the incongruity resolution mechanism of humour is universal. Responses to humour vary based on individual differences including individual-level cultural values and psychographics. The influence of these responses on measures of effectiveness of humour in advertising has been tested extensively within a national context, but little work has been published on the use of these measures in a cross-cultural context. Thus, an experiment conducted in three distinct cultural environments examined the influence of individual differences on response to a set of standardised humorous advertisements. Neither national nor individual-level culture generally had significant impact on audience response, but results indicate that idiocentrics perceive more humour in aggressive themed ads than in non-aggressive themes. The personality dimension of NFH moderates the influence of perceived humour on attitude to an ad but does not significantly impact on attitude to brand or purchase intention for unfamiliar brands. NFC was not a significant influence on the relationship between perceived humour and measures of ad effectiveness. This thesis provides support for advertiser belief that humorous appeals in television advertising can have a positive influence on consumer responses. Additionally, it is shown that standardised humorous communications can be used across national borders to target global consumer segments.

  • (2010) Qin, Di
    Thesis
    Multinational corporations (MNCs) have been conceptualized as worldwide networks of knowledge acquisition, transfer, and integration across countries (Gupta & Govindarajan, 2000; Szulanski, 1996). Within the MNC network, through knowledge transfer, subsidiaries are playing an increasingly important role in their contribution to the MNC’s firm-specific advantages (Birkinshaw et al., 1998). External to the network, national culture has been viewed as one of the most important environmental variables impacting on knowledge transfer (Bhagat et al., 2002; Holden, 2001). Yet, research into exactly how national culture influences knowledge transfer within MNCs and how MNC subsidiary roles might be affected by the culture distance between MNC home and host countries is scarce. Integrating theoretical perspectives in knowledge management, strategic management and cross-cultural management literature, this thesis investigates how national culture impacts, if at all, on knowledge transfer within MNCs, and examines the relationships between national culture, knowledge transfer, MNC subsidiary roles and subsidiary performance. Using the IT industry in China as its empirical context, the study employed a mixed methods approach to data collection in order to triangulate and elaborate the findings to reach consensus. Findings from the survey of 36 China-based subsidiaries, along with case studies in two of these companies, confirmed that national culture is an important factor in knowledge transfer. Cultural dimensions and values, and in particular specific values in Chinese culture, were found to have significant impacts on knowledge flows to and from China-based subsidiaries. Language barriers and trust were also found to be important factors in MNC knowledge management practice. In addition, the findings suggest that cultural distance between MNC home and host countries, measured by Hofstede’s (1980, 1993) framework, is significantly and negatively related to MNC subsidiary roles, and moderates the relationship between knowledge transfer and subsidiary performance. Different results were obtained when using Schwartz’s (1994) framework, highlighting the different focuses of the two cultural frameworks. Taken together, these findings have important theoretical and managerial implications for MNC knowledge management and strategic management in a cross-cultural setting.

  • (2010) Huang, Yimin
    Thesis
    Trust has been widely studied in the context of business relationships and is viewed as one of the drivers for relationship development. However, it has long been treated as a static construct explained in terms of other relationship variables. The way it changes over time and the drivers of this have been largely ignored and underexplored. The research reported in this thesis adopts an evolutionary perspective in understanding the dynamics of trust in dyadic business relationships. In particular, it addresses two research questions. Firstly, how does trust change and develop over the course of a relation? Secondly, what are the underlying mechanisms that drive the dynamics of trust in relationship development? Longitudinal case studies are conducted using event-based narrative analysis, assisted by the computer software of ETHNO. The event-based narrative analysis is still being developed and has not been used in marketing before. Collectively, these studies reveal important and interesting findings of the dynamics of trust in business relationships. A key conceptual distinction is made, that is often ignored in the literature, i.e. between trusting attitudes and trusting actions, though they are interconnected. The existence of trusting attitudes is a prerequisite for trusting actions to take place, but the occurrence of a trusting action is also impacted by trusting firms’ behavioral intentions subject to particular external, internal and relational environments at a given time. The trusting actions and their outcomes, in turn, reshape, redevelop and restructure the nature and extent of trusting attitudes held by partner firms in the relationship. Different sets of mechanisms are identified underlying changes in trusting attitudes and the emergence of trusting actions. Changes/non-changes in trusting attitudes are mainly explained by cognitive mechanisms, such as learning, adapting, stereotyping, evaluating, affective, transferring, and institutionalizing mechanisms. The emergence of trusting actions is more strategic and controlled and is affected by not only cognitive mechanisms but also by various types of economic, psychological and emotional mechanisms. Being one of the first efforts to investigate the dynamics of trust over time in real business relationships, this research fills an important knowledge gap. The research leads to the identification of several fruitful areas for future research including further studies of business relations and networks in other contexts and the development of agent based models of relationship and network dynamics and evolution. The results and the mechanisms identified are of value also to managers in terms of how to develop better strategies for developing, maintaining and using trust in business relationships.