Thesis (Ph.D.)--Deakin University, Victoria, Australia. / "May 2004." Title taken from title screen (viewed October 4, 2007). Includes bibliographical references (p. 273-296) and appendix.

This dissertation explores the intricacies associated with the use of distance functions in empirical studies. It focuses on the measurement of advertising efficiency and investigates the properties of the models that seek to approximate the abatement costs of socially undesirable outputs. The first manuscript is devoted to the development of the algorithm that can be used to measure the efficiency with which firms market their brands in the presence of advertising by rivals. An empirical illustration is carried out using the data from the U.S. brewing industry. The second study analyzes the difficulties associated with the accurate approximation of the abatement costs of socially undesirable outputs. It contrasts the results from a variety of different shadow-pricing models, each of which relies on a different type of distance functions that are used to approximate the polluting technology. The shadow prices of sulfur dioxide are computed using linear programming techniques and the data from the U.S. electric utility industry. The third manuscript shows how a generalized method of moments (GMM) algorithm can be used to estimate the parameters of certain types of distance functions; the empirical illustration is carried out using the data set from the second study. The first manuscript illustrates that advertising spillovers are important in brewing and shows that the estimates of marketing efficiency are inaccurate when spillover effects are present and ignored. The second study shows that the shadow price estimates of socially undesirable outputs are not invariant to the assumptions regarding the parametric form of production technology and can in fact be predetermined by selecting a specific model. Finally, the third study established the legitimacy of the GMM procedure as a choice of an algorithm for the shadow pricing of undesirable outputs. / Graduation date: 2005

This paper examines the transferability of supermarkets into developing countries by using Saudi Arabia as a case in point. Results of an empirical study comparing the grocery shopping habits of Saudi and Western expatriates are presented. The paper provides insights into the diffusion of supermarkets among the local population in Saudi Arabia and offers strategies to facilitate the diffusion process.

Based on research into the area of financial service delivery it has become obvious that convenience and simplicity are the keys to success in the future as far as delivering financial services to consumers. This thesis discusses how this convenience and simplicity will be accomplished. It also covers the changes that need to be made and the financial impact on the institutions.

The purpose of this project is to gain a better understanding of the different market opportunities available to credit unions. The project differentiates the markets by age: Net Generation 2 to 22, Generation X 23 to 34 and the Baby Boomers 35 to 53. Each of these groups are important to the ongoing health of credit unions.

The objective of conducting primary research for the Summit Place Apartment Homes is to create a profile of people that are presently living in Summit Place. When dealing with apartment properties, marketing plans are definitely a necessity, as well as a good crisis plan. The residents' main concerns were safety and better customer service.

The purpose of this project is to gain a better understandng of the sales opportunities available to credit unions through business-to-business relationship selling. This cluster-based approach will focus on techniques and tactics to increase sales. The project differentiates the market by companies in Riverside and San Bernardino Counties, referred to as the Inland Empire. The project will reveal the benefits of instituting a territory based sales program similar to Arrowhead Credit Union's that encourages sales professionals to learn about their region's nuances. More importantly, it addresses the advantages of relationship selling over numbers based selling.