The dearth of context-based research in leadership studies and the absence of satisfactory research on the behaviour of leaders in the airline industry provided the rationale for this study. Data was collected from twenty-one senior executives in the airline industry who provided rich stories from their leadership experiences in the airline industry. Twenty-seven airlines are represented in the study. The data collected was analysed using Sternberg’s Tacit Knowledge Framework, which has been used to research leadership behaviour in sales and in the United States Military. Thus, the airline industry provided a context to extend the use of the Tacit Knowledge Framework. Tacit knowledge was identified in the responses from the participants, and captured in tacit knowledge items boxes, which are presented in chapters seven to nine. The tacit knowledge items formed the basis of the tacit knowledge inventory for airline leadership, a major contribution of this research study, presented in Appendix Seven. In this way, the thesis extended and deepened Sternberg’s Tacit Knowledge Framework. The results from the study highlight the important characteristics of airline leadership, to include self-reflection, resilience, ability to motivate team members, ability to communicate effectively with diverse audiences, and the importance of political intelligence. The study also reveals the need for airline leadership to be able to adapt to the changing environment and also shape the environment. It is expected that this timely research will contribute to leadership development of executives in the airline industry and will stimulate further leadership and management research into the airline industry.

Historically, hostels have been purposely designed to provide the kind of environment that fosters communication and interaction between guests. Hostel guests are typically provided with dormitory-type rooms, shared washrooms, a shared kitchen and communal living areas, thereby offering less privacy and more opportunity for interaction than other accommodation types. However, recent studies have highlighted that due to changes in backpacking trends, there are opposing views of how different aspects of hostel design and services contribute towards guests’ evaluation of their hostel stay. On the one hand, it is suggested that a hostel environment which encourages social interaction adds value to the service experience, while on the other hand an environment that offers extra privacy is more valued. These conflicting demands, in terms of the facilities and services expected within hostel accommodation, demonstrate that some aspects of the current design and core services of hostels may now be redundant. Empirical evidence is needed to illustrate the extent to which hostels are providing the right services and facilities to meet the current requirements of their target market. Such information could potentially be used by hostels to secure more guests, gain market share and keep ahead of the competition. Building on the concept of servicescapes, this research suggests that both the physical and human dimensions of the hostel servicescape have an impact on the guests’ service experience. As hostelling is commonly viewed as a social experience, an investigation of how social interaction among guests enhances the service experience is also vital in understanding the expectations of guests. Additionally, it is also proposed that the hostel servicescape plays an important role in promoting social interaction among its guests. The main contribution of this research is therefore to offer a deeper understanding of the influence of servicescapes on guests’ social interaction and consequently, their evaluation of the overall service experience. In order to achieve the research objectives, a multi-method approach was carried out. The Critical Incident Technique (CIT), adopted during the preliminary study, provided substantive data for the development of the questionnaire survey for the main study. The findings revealed that guests evaluate their service experience favourably when they have a positive perception of not only the physical aspects of the hostel building, but also the behaviours of hostel employees and other hostellers. Their hostel experience is also further enhanced by the opportunity to socialise with other hostellers, therefore indicating that service providers should take the initiative in providing them with the opportunity to do so. The research also showed that it is the trip-related factors, rather than demographic characteristics, that influence how individuals perceive the servicescape, social interaction and service experience of staying in hostels.

This thesis contributes to our understanding of the sociolinguistics of globalization by examining a tourism site in Yangshuo County, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region in southern China. A former residential neighborhood street West Street (Xi Jie) in Yangshuo has been gaining increasing popularity among domestic Chinese tourists, known as a 'global village' and 'English Corner', as Yangshuo transformed from an agriculture-based into a tourism-based economy during the past three decades. This observed tourism development in West Street differs from existing research in other tourism communities (see e.g. Heller 2003; Coupland, Garret and Bishop 2005; Thurlow and Jaworski 2010) in that its sociohistorical transformation involves the re-evaluation of non-local, instead of local, linguistic resources. This study investigates this socio-historical change as an issue for the sociolinguistics of mobility (Blommaert 2010), wherein the English language, along with other semiotic resources, is appropriated and commodified for domestic Chinese tourists. Specifically, it seeks to address how has West Street become a 'global village' and 'English Corner'? What are the tensions arising from this socio-historical change? And what is the role of language and communication in the tensions that arise from the re-imagination of West Street as a global village and English Corner? To address these questions, I look at data collected both online and during three-month fieldwork. These include tourism promotional discourses, tourist writings online, (participant) observations, interviews, field notes, documents, and signage. In analyzing these data, I draw on insights from sociolinguistics, tourism studies, human geography, and applied linguistics to provide multidimensional analytical perspectives into the 'global village', including place-making, tourist identity and stance, multifunctionality of space, and educational tourism. It is shown that the observed socio-historical transformation cannot be simply explained as an inevitable result of globalization in the sense of westernization; the touristic significance of the 'global village' corresponds to the changing ideologies of tourism and language in a globalizing China where touring has become a consumer activity and the English language a marker of social status. Nevertheless, it is also shown that there are tensions arising from this socio-historical change, as shown in the contested negotiation of the meaning of the 'global village' among tourists, local people, and English language learners. More specifically, the 'global village' appeals to emerging middle class Chinese people with xiaozi aspirations, who are nevertheless mocked and criticized by people claiming to be more knowledgeable and sophisticated (see Chapter 4); the commercial development of the 'global village' during the second wave of mass commercialization is also fraught with tensions in the use and functionality of space among different groups of people (see Chapter 5); and English language learners seeking to talk with foreigners is caught in what I call interactional straining (see Chapter 6). These tensions indicate that the English language, as one important semiotic resource commodified in this global village, has contested meanings as a language of globalization and upward social mobility, and the globalization experience in this 'global village' is characterized by class and taste based dynamics.

The value of Diasporas to homeland development is a key research area in tourism development literature. The African Diaspora has been contributing to homeland development in a number of ways, but especially as tourists. Tourism research on sub-Saharan Africa has focused little on the supply side issues such as the nature and impact of African American tourists’ spending behaviour whilst holidaying in the continent. This is important because it is of great concern in tourism development literature whether vulnerable people such as local craft traders receive a livable share of visitor spending. So using the concept of Diaspora relations and homeland development as a platform, the thesis assesses the benefits of African American tourists’ expenditure on the livelihoods of local craft traders in several tourist sites in southern Ghana, whilst also examining the impacts of tour operators who manage these tourists on their expenditure patterns. The study found that though African American tourists provide a significant input into traders’ total incomes, their market alone does not provide traders with a survivable or livable income. They do not spend enough to provide the sole source of traders’ incomes. Tourist expenditure on handicrafts such as beads and fabrics, although infrequent, was nonetheless a key source of income for craftsmen and has enabled them to sustain themselves, their homes, their businesses and their families. The study also traces the commodity chain involved in the production of one particular handicraft, beaded crafts, providing insights into the global and local factors which influence who benefits from their production and trade before they reach the final point of sale to tourists. Beaded crafts are heavily patronized by Diaspora tourists. Sales from these were found not only to benefit larger scale businesses but also to reach smaller one-man businesses, helping them to sustain themselves. As the beaded craft industry is international and sources many of its beads from China as well as other sub-Saharan African markets, tourist expenditure in Ghana is also aiding bead sellers and manufacturers in neighboring African countries.

The central purpose of this thesis is to explore broader issues related to Chinese environmental awareness through examining a new form of tourism - urban (eco)tourism in China. More specifically, the thesis focuses on investigating two parallel themes: Chinese (eco)tourists’ attitudes towards nature/the environment and how political-economic conditions shape environmental practices as exemplified by two selected case studies. This is undertaken through examining two very different contemporary experiences of urban (eco)tourism: Shen Zhen Wetland Park and Hong Kong Wetland Park, and by applying three different conceptual approaches: Chinese cultural/religious influences on nature (’Chinese Philosophy’), Western approaches to modernity (Disneyisation and Ecological Modernisation). Disneyisation, Ecological Modernisation and ’Chinese’ models of nature are not usually associated with research on environmental awareness. Combining these approaches suggests that research can stimulate researchers and policy professionals to explore the value of combining and comparing different conceptual models of nature and the environment, to better understand underlying forces of environment-related behaviour and practices.

In the interest of understanding the nature and degree of competition within off-patent molecule markets and improving purchasing efficiency, this thesis uses IMS Health data to analyse dimensions of competition within the off-patent omeprazole and paroxetine molecule markets in the USA, UK, France and Germany during the 2000q-2005ql period. The main theoretical findings include: Regulation in homogeneous markets may inhibit generic price competition. Generic manufacturers may also product differentiate, resulting in a Bertrand-like model of "softened" price competition. Other forms of product differentiation in off-patent molecule markets may include strength segments and the OTC market. The main empirical findings include: Generic price competition appears stronger in the USA and the UK than in Germany and France, although it is imperfect in all four countries. The USA and the UK achieve some of the lowest generic prices, while the UK is the most effective at actually purchasing its lowest prices. Generic penetration appears weak in less common strength segments, allowing original brand manufacturers' the opportunity to retain relatively large market shares. This results in higher purchased prices and, hence, significant purchasing inefficiencies. There appears to be competition between over-the-counter and prescription omeprazole in the USA, but not in the UK. OTC prices are relatively low in the US, offering the opportunity for cost savings. In the UK, patients may face a financial disincentive to purchase OTC omeprazole, possibly masking the opportunity for improved self-care. Certain countries may want to re-evaluate their generic reimbursement schemes in the interest of more price competitive markets and increased purchasing efficiency. Countries could also benefit from encouraging generic entry in less common strength markets. Finally, in approving an OTC switch, regulators should ensure that demand-side financial incentives are consistent with the goals of achieving cost containment and/or facilitating increased patient self-care.

The eighteenth century was the golden age of silk weaving in London. This thesis shows that the expansion and success of the silk industry was dependent upon connections with other regions around the world. Supplies of raw materials and labour came into London from Europe, the Levant and India. London silk weavers faced competition from silk fabrics produced overseas. The capital also sent its silk out into the world where it found a ready market in North America and the West Indies. These connections are mapped and compared to those produced for other global luxury commodities. A different picture of early globalisation emerges here, in terms of geography and chronology. Europe and the Mediterranean were as important as the North Atlantic and South Asia. Both imperial and non-imperial connections were important, whilst state and market activities reinforced each other. Far from being a gradual long-term process, early globalisation was disruptive and required management. Finally, labour is given far more prominence than is usual. Skilled workers were as mobile and dynamic as the flows of exotic commodities. They also played an important role in constructing the regulatory framework that oversaw the globalisation of London silk.

The heavy engineering industry (principally process based activities such as sewage treatment, chemical, pharmaceutical, oil and gas facilities) is one of the major contributors to the British economy and generally involves a high level of investment. Clients of this (or in this) industry are demanding increased accuracy with project cost estimates. This includes structured analyses of out-turn costs and their related cost escalation. In addition, clients are calling for high quality continuous risk assessments throughout the entire project life cycle. A review of current practices in the industry has suggested that there is a lack of structured methodologies and systematic cost escalation procedures to achieve an appropriate cost analysis at the outset of projects and throughout their progression. In this context, the prime objective of this research work was to develop a structured methodology for predicting cost escalation with the aim or improving estimating management and control for construction activities in the heavy engineering industry. The methodology is primarily composed of a forecasting model, to predict the cost indices of major items, and a risk knowledge base model for identifying and quantifying causes of cost escalation. In order to achieve the objective of the research work, a number of tasks were undertaken. The initial tasks included the review of existing literature on cost estimation, forecasting methodologies, knowledge based systems and knowledge elicitation strategies. The principal research tasks incorporated the development of an appropriate forecasting methodology (a variation on the classical time series decomposition method) and a knowledge elicitation strategy for collating, presenting and processing knowledge in the area of the research work. The knowledge elicitation strategy consisted of questionnaires, semi-structured interviews and workshops. finally. a prototype was developed to encapsulate these methodologies. This forms the main deliverable of the research work. A number of actual case studies were carried out to illustrate and justify the methodology. These are presented in detail. It is concluded that the utilisation of such a methodology in the industry has the potential to make a major contribution to meeting the need for delivering projects to client requirements with minimum cost escalation, through the identification and quantification of risk factors.

Electronic business (e-business) is rapidly spreading across many industry sectors. It is likely that business to business and business to consumer communication will be increasingly conducted via the Internet. However, while the potential of the Internet is recognized, the conditions for successful e-business using the Internet remain to be explored in many industry sectors and different parts of the world. Firms that adopt this innovative way of selling and delivering products and services as well as managing customer relationship must undertake technological and strategical changes. Issues such as organizational readiness, the suitability of the industry sector, the nature of the transactions in terms of security standardization, the effect of culture and the requirements for changed organizational infrastructure must be considered, addressed and locally adapted. Firms in the same industry adopt e-business at different rates. Why do some companies actively adopt e-business while others take a more cautious attitude? The pharmaceutical industry provides a rich platform for the exploitation of e-business as a means of improving the reply and reducing the costs of the business process and communication among its stakeholders. This research analysed issues that may influence and explain the varying attitudes and behaviours in the adoption of e-business within the Portuguese subsidiaries of the pharmaceutical industry. This study is set out to fill a gap in knowledge not covered by previous research in the area of e-business and the local subsidiaries of the pharmaceutical industry. The conceptual lens proposed in this research introduces the cognitive mapping and the notion of institutional theory of organizational communication (ITOC) to the ICT field in order to understand the perspectives and social relationships amongst the key actors involved in the process of e-business adoption. The adopted conceptual lens helps us to examine a longitudinal case study undertaken in four Portuguese subsidiaries of multinational pharmaceutical companies. A total of 24 interviews were conducted. The findings of this research’s analysis drawn upon the cognitive mapping were validated by comparison using existing theories and the institution theory of organizational communication (ITOC) was found to provide a coherent explanation of the results of the empirical work.

This thesis represents a practice-led enquiry into contemporary illustration from a UK perspective. This thesis argues for illustration to be recognised as an inductive practice-led research process, within both education and developing criticism. The methods and methodological discussion to support this are derived from the practical aspect of the enquiry. The inductive approach outlined through the methods chapter focuses on the benefits of removing the known outcome from projects, and of illustrators maintaining their own practice alongside commissioned work. The discussion of methods proposes that the commissioned strand of illustration adopts research in illustration as research for illustration. The discussion of performative forms adopted within illustration contributes to the discourse surrounding practice-led research outcomes, in particular Brad Haseman’s performative paradigm for creative arts research. The methodological approach is proposed as a supplementary strand of teaching, which equips illustrators with long-term skills to generate their own projects and employment. These enable illustrators to be flexible and able to adapt to economic and technological changes to industry practice. The thesis examines research processes within illustration which are transferable to different contexts. These include the increase in digital screens and their time-based communications, and the development of three-dimensional objects and environments within the field. The practical work undertaken employed these processes and generated a contribution to the growing discourse surrounding contemporary illustration in the UK. Illustration suffers from a lack of published analysis and as a result its critical discourse is limited. Therefore this study bases its argument upon themes identified within existing illustration commentary, the work of key practitioners, and my studio practice. The focus of research undertaken is mainly on self-initiated projects, but includes commissions where the outcome is not prescribed from the outset. Conversations with Matthew Richardson, Luise Vormittag, Steve Braund, Andrzej Klimowski and Henrik Drescher provide supplementary primary research. The outcome is a contribution to the development of a critical framework derived from practice, which acknowledges the shortcomings of existing frameworks available. The thesis proposes that the concept of time be adopted as a key characteristic of illustration, the discussion of which references Henri Bergson, comics and artist’s books. The utility of time lies in its productive application to both the production and analysis of work. Illustration’s unique negotiation of time through spatial manifestations is used to situate the field in relation to key shifts within culture such as Fredric Jameson’s postmodernism and Nicolas Bourriaud’s altermodernism. The thesis outlines the diversity of temporal achievements within illustration in this regard, and calls for greater recognition of illustration practice and discourse within such discussions of the time we live in.