Thesis (Ph.D.)--University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 2008. / Source: Dissertation Abstracts International, Volume: 69-11, Section: A, page: 4420. Advisers: Melvin M. Wagner; Kent B. Monroe. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 137-142) Available on microfilm from Pro Quest Information and Learning.

Thesis (Ph.D.)--University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 2009. / Source: Dissertation Abstracts International, Volume: 70-06, Section: A, page: . Adviser: William J. Qualls. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 153-163) Available on microfilm from Pro Quest Information and Learning.

Thesis (Ph.D.)--Indiana University, 2005. / Source: Dissertation Abstracts International, Volume: 66-08, Section: A, page: 3009. Adviser: Rosann Spiro. Title from dissertation home page (viewed Oct. 5, 2006).

Thesis (Ph.D.)--Indiana University, Kelly School of Business, 2006. / Source: Dissertation Abstracts International, Volume: 67-04, Section: A, page: 1442. Adviser: Shanker Krishnan. "Title from dissertation home page (viewed May 9, 2007)."

Thesis (Ph.D.)--Indiana University, Kelley School of Business, 2006. / "Title from dissertation home page (viewed June 26, 2007)." Source: Dissertation Abstracts International, Volume: 67-06, Section: A, page: 2242. Adviser: Robert E. Smith.

Globalisation has been a subject of intense debate and continual investigation in academic circles for almost 20 years. However, the opinions on what it is and what impact it makes on national systems are still as diverse and divided as ever. This research is an endeavour to contribute further to the understanding of the processes and outcomes of globalisation by undertaking a cross-national historical study of four university systems and four elite universities over an extended period of time. By comparing and juxtaposing the changes in university objectives, provision, funding and regulation between 1946 and 1996, it seeks to establish whether globalisation has reduced national variations and led to convergence in university policies and practices. This research is structured in three parts. Part I incorporates three chapters: one on the analysis of globalisation and its driving forces; one on the concept of convergence and its manifestations in higher education; and one on the methodology of research. These three chapters together advance an understanding of the mechanisms constituting the convergence hypothesis and its investigation. Part II is comprised of four case studies which provide empirical evidence on the impact of globalisation and the investigation of the hypothesis. Part III provides an integrated analysis of the outcomes as well as a final appraisal of the study itself. Findings show that global forces do have a strong homogenising tendency causing a high level of convergence across cultures and nations. But convergence is not an inevitable outcome of globalisation. A complicated picture of convergence and divergence is found. It is shown to be possible to have convergence in one aspect of the same policy and divergence in another, as in the examples of female participation and medium of instruction. It is also possible to have convergence among some countries but not others, as in the case of university regulation. The actual result depends on, one, the aspect of policy selected for study; and, two, the dynamic interactions of the following factors: the driving impetus of economic globalisation, the powerful influence of hegemonic states and mighty economic and trade supranational organisations, and the willingness and ability of the nation-states to make the changes. That is to say, the impact of global forces is context-bound. The evidence of both convergence and divergence present at the same time vindicates the complexity and contingent nature of the globalisation process. A more accurate assessment of global effects requires a proper conceptualisation of convergence, the necessary investigation of the global-national-institutional interfaces, and longitudinal comparative studies of different cultures and nations, as illustrated by this study. / Subscription resource available via Digital Dissertations only.

The focus of this research is on the role of manufacturer brands for resellers within retail channels. This topic is important because of the strategic value of manufacturer brands and the increasing influence of resellers within channels of distribution. Much of the branding research has emphasised a customer brand knowledge perspective, however emerging perspectives suggest that brands are also relevant to other stakeholders including resellers. In contrast channels research has recognised the manufacturer sources of market power, but has not considered the impact of manufacturer 'push and pull' strategies within channels. A comprehensive theoretical framework therefore did not exist that addressed the reseller perspective of the brand. As a result, a multi-method research design was adopted and consisted of two phases. The first phase involved in-depth interviews, from which a conceptual framework was developed. In the second phase this framework was tested by means of a survey of supermarket buyers on major and minor brands in several product categories. Structural equation modelling was used to analyse the survey responses. The structural model showed very good fit to the data and good construct validity, reliability and stability. Brands have several sources of value to resellers including manufacturer support, brand preference and customer demand which influence the reseller satisfaction with the brand. Reseller satisfaction in turn influences other channel outcomes such as trust, commitment and performance. Minor brands are better able to influence trust and commitment than major brands. A key contribution of this research is the development of a validated conceptual framework on the value of the brand in inter-organisational relationships from the point of view of a reseller. This research shows that it is the resources associated with the brand, not just the brand itself that creates value for resellers in channel relationships.

<p> The purpose of this multiple case study was to explore strategies that managers in the retail grocery industry use in reducing short-tenured employee attrition in the West Midland states in the United Kingdom. Participants were 4 store managers who had managerial experience in the retail grocery industry, worked as a retail store manager in the West Midlands, and had experience implementing effective strategies to reduce employee attrition. The Herzberg 2-factor theory was the conceptual framework. Semistructured interviews were used to collect data. Data were analyzed using Yin&rsquo;s 5-step data analysis process. The major themes were: training and development, enriched job responsibility, human resources intervention, and employee recognition. Participants relied on training and development, enriched job responsibility, human resources intervention and, employee recognition to reduce employee attrition. The results may provide retail grocery leaders with strategies for reducing short-tenured employee attrition in grocery stores, which may reduce adverse effects on the industry&rsquo;s profitability. Implications for positive social change include improving the quality of life of the community and citizens; improved levels of satisfaction in quality of life translate into developing and maintaining positive relationships with family and friends, as well as helping the local communities and the economy.</p><p>

<p> This research examined the impact of the choice of the corporate cause-related marketing partner the nonprofit's brand personality as well as consumers' perceptions of the nonprofit when participating in cause-related marketing campaigns. A field experiment was conducted with 433 participants using different for-profit partners in a cause-related marketing campaign I developed. Dependent measures included brand personality type and attitude toward the nonprofit. Results showed that consumers' perceptions of the nonprofit brand personality do move in the direction of the brand personality of the corporate partner. However, results also showed that the consumer's perception of the nonprofit was not enhanced when participating in a cause-related marketing campaign. </p><p> <i>Keywords:</i> cause-related marketing, nonprofits, brand personality, nonprofit brand personality</p><p>

<p> Small business owners who fail to apply effective Internet marketing strategies could negatively affect customers&rsquo; purchasing decisions, and business profitability and sustainability. The purpose of this multiple case study was to explore effective Internet marketing strategies online fashion jewelry business owners used to maintain or increase profit levels. Competitive advantage theory was the conceptual framework for the study. Data were collected via semistructured interviews with 3 online fashion jewelry business owners located in the northeastern region of the United States who were in the same business for more than 5 years and generated at least $100,000 in annual revenue. Additionally, data were collected with a review of company documents pertaining to the profit levels of the businesses. Data were analyzed using word frequency and coding to determine themes. Six key themes emerged from the data: (a) Internet marketing strategies, (b) social media marketing strategies, (c) market research and retargeting strategies, (d) brand building strategies, (e) e-mail marketing strategies, and (f) marketing strategies for customer relationship management. The implications of this study for positive social change include the potential to create jobs and economic growth. The findings of this study could increase the quality of life for stay-at-home parents or assist disadvantaged individuals who host online businesses by offering proven Internet marketing strategies to increase their business longevity, profitability, and potentially lead to stronger and safer communities.</p><p>