A qualitative exploratory research on knowledge management was conducted using Adcock Ingram Homecare as a case study. Adcock Ingram Homecare trades in the fast moving consumer goods industry, an industry where consumer insight, brand loyalty and innovation are key to ensure market growth and sustainable top line profitability. Knowledge management was seen in the light of providing the organisation with the competitive advantage of meeting and sustaining its growth and profitability targets especially in a rapidly evolving environment. Informal interviews, with five company personnel, provided great insight on the topic of research. First and foremost, the structure of the research was discussed, including the motivating reasons for conducting the study, its value to the organisation, the objectives of the study, how these objectives were met, the research methodology used and the limitations of the study. Literature on knowledge management was then review and accompanied with strategic management tools, it was used to develop a knowledge management model for Adcock Ingram Homecare. A critical analysis of Adcock Ingram Homecare's external and internal environment was first carried out. The company's present and future business strategies were assessed and the knowledge management model was aligned to that business strategy. The knowledge management model focussed on crafting a knowledge-based strategy along the following dimensions: governance, culture and behaviour, content management, technology, application, measurement and communication. A three-stage strategy horizon for Adcock Ingram Homecare's implementation of knowledge management was also developed. An implementation and measurement proposal of the strategy was made. The knowledge management model and strategy was evaluated in the context of the Adcock Ingram Homecare environment. Finally, recommendations were made to the company regarding the implementation of a knowledge management strategy. / Thesis (MBA)-University of Natal, Durban, 2003.

Modularity is a means of managing product complexity by arranging components into hierarchical independent subassemblies of common purpose. It offers advantages to manufacturers and producers and is assumed to benefit users as well. The producers have received most of the focus, however. Designers must be able to ensure the needs of both parties are being met but too little is known about users' responses to modular designs and the designer's role in handling modularity. This thesis demonstrates that modularity has an impact on users. The research specifically focused on aspects of modularity available to users. It consisted of three phases: a review of existing literature, an interview phase, and a survey phase. The interview phase elicited common terms for discussing modularity in consumer products. The survey tested the traits that emerged. Both phases used object pairs with similar purpose but differing in degree of modularity. During the interview phase, participants were shown pictures of eight pairs of objects and asked questions about their use and maintenance. They were then asked to generate a series of word pairs, opposing descriptors that could be used to distinguish the two variants. The most commonly occurring pairs were transformed into survey questions. The survey used the same set of object pairs, each accompanied by descriptive phrases built around the traits elicited from the interviews. Survey participants were asked to identify which of the two variants was best described by each phrase and the strength of that association. The responses indicated that modularity generally increases users' perceptions of complexity, presence of replaceable parts, and versatility. Modularity also diminished perceptions of durability, ease of maintenance, and ease of use. Investigation of object groupings, both predefined and emergent in the data, revealed additional context sensitive relationships. Several traits also demonstrated strong correlations with each other. Establishing these relationships is necessary to convert assumptions into knowns before research can continue. This thesis offers designers insight into the expectations surrounding modular design. As manufacturers continue to push modular design, designers will need to understand its impact on end users to ensure the needs of all stakeholders are being met.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Missouri-Columbia, 2007. / The entire dissertation/thesis text is included in the research.pdf file; the official abstract appears in the short.pdf file (which also appears in the research.pdf); a non-technical general description, or public abstract, appears in the public.pdf file. Title from title screen of research.pdf file (viewed on January 2, 2008) Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Oregon, 1999. / Typescript. Includes vita and abstract. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 141-147). Also available for download via the World Wide Web; free to University of Oregon users. Address: http://wwwlib.umi.com/cr/uoregon/fullcit?p9948020.

A thesis submitted to the Faculty of Arts in fulfilment of the requirements for the Degree of Masters in Communication Science in the Department of Communication Science at the University of Zululand, South Africa, 2014. / Manufacturers, wholesalers and retailers of Fast Moving Consumer Goods (FMCG) have a social responsibility towards their consumer’s environment. Fast Moving Consumer Goods are consumed on a daily basis and their by-products are often discarded incorrectly, impacting negatively on the environment. However, many companies are beginning to take steps towards ensuring that their products are manufactured according to environmentally friendly conditions. The responsibility should not just be placed on labels, but consumers should be properly educated and guided on how to dispose of a product’s packaging such as bottles, cans and plastic bags. Producers, as well as retailers, of FMCG have an ethical responsibility towards their consumers. It has become fashionable and politically correct for FMCG companies all over the world to publicise themselves as “green companies.” However, the materials used in the packaging of these products are most often found thrown in streets and other open areas in the community. This research investigates the impact that FMCG have on the community’s green space and how companies and retailers can effectively communicate their green consumerism initiatives and demonstrate their CSR for both the environment and their consumers. This study revealed that 53.99% of the respondents do not recycle the unused packaging of goods. The primary reason was that recycling is inconvenient. The other conspicuous reason was lack of knowledge of recycling. Apart from that, they also mention that they do not have recycling bins in the community; they have not enough space in their yard and for the fact that they are not getting any incentives. This study focuses on how companies can assist in saving our planet by embracing the concept of green consumerism holistically. Further, the study exposes challenges faced by companies and social organisations with regard to green consumerism. It also tackles existing initiatives of entrenching green consumerism and the study goes on to offer suggestions and recommendations to effectively embrace green consumerism in a global society.

by Wong Ming-kuen. / Thesis (M.B.A.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 1991. / Bibliography: leaves 47-48. / INTRODUCTION --- p.1 / PURPOSE OF STUDY --- p.3 / Objective --- p.3 / Hypothesis --- p.3 / Definition of Consumer Product --- p.3 / LITERATURE REVIEW --- p.4 / METHODOLOGY --- p.11 / Literature Survey --- p.11 / Field Trip --- p.11 / Screening Telephone Interview --- p.12 / Structured Questionnaire --- p.12 / Additional Open-ended Questions --- p.14 / Design of Questionnaire --- p.15 / RESEARCH FINDINGS --- p.19 / Sample Profile --- p.19 / Importance of Marketing Elements --- p.21 / Effectiveness of Advertising and Promotion --- p.23 / Trade-Off among Advertising Tools --- p.24 / Different Promotion Activities --- p.27 / SUMMARY --- p.31 / Appendix --- p.32 / Biblography --- p.47

The topic of emotional intelligence and effective leadership has attracted considerable interest from researchers for many years. Most of the interest in the area is based on claims that emotional intelligence and organizational culture is linked to leadership effectiveness. Many studies have been conducted on the link between emotional intelligence and leadership effectiveness this studies examines the relationship between three concepts: emotional intelligence, leadership effectiveness and organizational culture. The study concludes with recommendations for further studies in this field.

Introduction: The product relaunch, in terms of the recycling of an existing product lifecycle, is a common marketing tool within the consumer goods industry. Cases like the reintroductionof Mondelēz Oreo cookie and the promotion of the facelift of the PorscheCayenne are examples how relaunch campaigns can successfully introduce existingproducts in a modified version and increase their sales and brand recall drastically.Advantages like lower flop risks, and lower research and development costs make thisalternative quite attractive when it comes to the decision between the introduction ofinnovations and revitalization of existing products.Method: In order to identify promising advertisement strategies, four potential successfactors has been stated, based on existing marketing communication models: media usage,message credibility, message appeal and scheduling pattern. Related to them, a survey wasconducted which asked the respondents to choose the applied alternatives within the fourdecision areas and indicate to which extent the set success goals were achieved. The surveycould give hints, which strategy alternatives are associated with the achievement of thecampaigns goals by using the correlation analysis. Furthermore, the frequency distributionwas used to identify handling patterns in practice.Results: The results of the survey, which was executed as self-completing questionnaire,revealed that two of the assumed success factors, namely media strategy and credibilitysource, indeed show a correlation to the perceived achievement of success goals. For thethird aspect, the decision about the message appeal, a clear usage pattern could beidentified in the non-durable goods industry. Finally, the two advertisement schedulingpatterns showed no correlation to the perceived success and there was also no preferredalternative identifiable in the durable and non-durable goods industry.Implications: Based on the study results it is to summarize that the usage of TV and onlineadvertisement, as well as POS material appears particularly appropriate for the durablegoods industry, whereas the application of Magazine advertisement showed a positiverelation to the perceived success of relaunch campaigns for non-durable goods. Regardingthe creation of awareness and trustworthiness, the link to the brand and or manufacturername seems more promising than the one to the previous product version, particularly forthe durable goods industry. Finally, the application of an emotional argumentation wasused by 80% of the non-durable goods firms, whereas the relaunch of durable goods wasequally communicated with emotional and informational messages.

The thesis covers topics related to railway transport of consumer goods. First, basic attributes of rail transport such as economic characteristics, history, development in time, infrastructure, and standards are presented. Second, major agents of rail transport and their functions are described. Third, international standards and rules applying to the railway transport are discussed, including the outcomes of EU initiatives as well as COTIF regulations. Fourth, a brief overview of consumer goods as an object of transport and further applications are presented. In the fifth part, a portfolio of quantitative instruments is described. Sixth, the final case study deals with application of the developed theoretical framework on a real business situation.

The topic of emotional intelligence and effective leadership has attracted considerable interest from researchers for many years. Most of the interest in the area is based on claims that emotional intelligence and organizational culture is linked to leadership effectiveness. Many studies have been conducted on the link between emotional intelligence and leadership effectiveness this studies examines the relationship between three concepts: emotional intelligence, leadership effectiveness and organizational culture. The study concludes with recommendations for further studies in this field.