This study examines the cultural impact on consumer perception and attitudes towards advertising in Kuwait. A questionnaire was distributed to 520 consumers from three different nationalities; Kuwaiti and Arabic, East Asian and Indian, Western consumers from Europe, The United States of America (USA) and Canada. Representing three different cultures; the Kuwaiti will signify a conservative and social culture, the Eastern countries will represent a less conservative and social culture, and the Western element will stand for a less conservative and individual culture. Moreover, the questionnaire is aimed at answering three main questions. Firstly, what are the consumers’ attitudes towards advertising in Kuwait and whether the personal characteristics have an affect on consumers’ attitudes towards advertising? The second question is, whether the culture will be affected by advertising and whether advertising threatens the local culture? The third question tries to evaluate whether people from different cultural backgrounds will have different attitudes towards advertising? The results have illustrated that consumers in Kuwait, in general, have negative attitudes towards advertising. Kuwaiti and Western groups have negative attitudes whilst the Eastern contingent has a more positive attitude. In addition, the culture has a significant affect in shaping consumers’ attitudes towards advertising. This indicates that consumers, even though they received the same advertising in the same environment (Kuwait), still tend to perceive it differently based on their cultural background. Consumers from less conservative cultures (liberal cultures) hold the belief that advertising will not affect the local culture, while consumers from more conservative cultures have a negative attitude towards advertising as they trust that it will affect the local culture. The study indicate that attitude towards advertising cannot be generlaised to a different demographic group. It is suggested that education has the least effect on attitudes to advertising; however the number of children in the family and the monthly income have the strongest effect. Marital status did not occur related to any aspects of attitude. Furthermore, the study also indicates that negative attitudes seem to be associated with personal characteristics such as being female, under forty-five years of age, having more than one child, with limited education (diploma or intermediate), and an income greater than 400 Kuwaiti dinar per month.

Packaging occupies an indispensable part of everyday life. Even though packaging is meant to ensure that products arrive in excellent condition, so as to satisfy required needs, more often than not, consumers, as well as industrial users are more interested in the product itself than its packaging. However, if the packaging fails, the product is potentially unfit to serve its purpose. In order to meet the demands of industry, the packaging industry in Greece has evolved, mainly through new investment. This investing has boosted the market by adding quality to the products and affects corporate efficiency in a positive way. Industrial operations are subject to environmental legislation, such as the 94/62 EU Packaging and Packaging Waste Directive, which aims at optimising the various methods used in reprocessing the packaging materials after their having been used. The literature review enables comprehension of particular issues pertinent to the discussion on packaging, since it draws attention to various kinds of paper packaging. This research explores the role and importance of paper packaging in the supply chain and in proposing improvements that may ameliorate current packaging practices. This research project explores packaging operations, as well as the issues related to the packaging supply chain, with respect to the Greek market. Moreover, it seeks to identify the occurrence of impediments, which arise as a result of inner operating discrepancies between the European Union countries, regarding the implementation of Directives such as the Packaging and Packaging Waste Directive (94/62/EC). Key issues related to packaging are thoroughly scrutinised in this research. Among them, the relation between packaging and the environment is investigated, the overpackaging issue, along with packaging redesign, are examined, as they are all interrelated facets of the research, regarding the endeavour to enhance packaging performance. Therefore, packaging performance is examined in relation to some major aspects such as warehousing, storage, and transportation, as well as how to improve packaging expenditure. From this point of view, the issues examined are subsequently connected to the analysis of the current environmental problems and the ways to minimise them. This study includes not only a survey of both the market and the supply chain but also of the participants in them. A detailed case study of multiple respondents’ categories was developed for this reason. The data, which were collected through a specially designed questionnaire adjusted to the various categories of the respondents, were treated and analysed in order to assist the conclusions. Following the above, this research delves deeply into issues of paramount significance, such as overpackaging and packaging redesign, approaching them with laboratory methods. The research applies both theoretical methods, based on the literature, and common industrial practices. Originating from industrial sources, the data give evidence to the reliability of the results, adding insight into the issues investigated. Furthermore, this research points out the potential to significantly ameliorate a company’s packaging performance through analysing and conducting crucial modifications to packaging design. Problems such as the packaging legislation and the discrepancies related to it among countries, not only of the EU but also of those not belonging to it, are thoroughly investigated, showing the unstable market circumstances created due to the rivalry among countries, which stems from inadequate legislation.

The ready-made garments (RMG) manufacturing industry in Egypt is one of the main industries that supports the Egyptian economy through exports‟ earnings. Egypt‟s RMG exports are considerably less in quantity than other RMG exporting countries despite the advantages that Egypt has in terms of availability of high quality raw materials „cotton‟, the geographical proximity to main RMG importers and duty free trade agreements. Among the factors found to affect the competitiveness of Egypt‟s RMG exports are the lack of training, and the lack of skilled labour and management. This research develops a competency framework - a tool that can assist RMG manufacturing companies in Egypt to identify the skills needed for effective job performance and to define the skills deficiencies that would require training. This competency framework focuses on logistics executives in RMG manufacturing companies, as competent logistics executives have been shown to play a vital role in supporting the competitive advantage of organisations. The competency approach had not previously been used in research to identify the competencies needed for logistics executives in any industry, including the RMG industry. Moreover, very little work has been carried out on investigating the skills of logistics executives in developing countries, nevertheless in the Middle East. To create this competency framework, methodological triangulation was used through the use of questionnaires, content analysis and semi-structured interviews. The online questionnaire targeted a sample of logistics executives in RMG companies in Egypt to determine the tasks they consider important for effective job performance. The content analysis was performed on skills-related research to collect the skills and knowledge elements acknowledged in the literature to create logistics competencies. The output of the questionnaire and the content analysis was then used in a semi-structured interview with a senior merchandiser and development manager in an Egyptian RMG manufacturing company to provide an example of a completed competency framework. This thesis seeks to make an original contribution to knowledge by creating a competency framework template that RMG manufacturing companies in Egypt can use to identify the competencies and detect the skills deficiencies of logistics executives. This contribution would not only benefit the RMG manufacturing companies in Egypt, but it could also be of use to RMG exporters in developing countries which suffer from similar skills and training problems. This research is also a contribution in that it emphasises the role of logistics executives towards supporting Egypt‟s RMG exports, an angle which has not previously been explored, as earlier research focused on other aspects that supported the competitiveness of Egypt‟s RMG exports such as trade regulations. Moreover, acknowledging the role of logistics executives in this study could draw the attention of other industrial sectors in Egypt to consider the role of competent logistics executives towards supporting companies‟ performance.

Despite the fact that in a general logistics context, value-adding services (VAS) have been acknowledged in various publications, there is a dearth of available empirical works that have particularly investigated the competitive capacity of these services in the formulation of port strategy. Hence, the development of models that are useful to understanding and assessing the capacity of value-adding services in port strategies is necessary to bridge this knowledge gap. In the context of this study, value-adding services are defined as customised and additional services which complement the core or main offerings of a firm. A critical realist approach to research was deployed. Questionnaires were used to survey port users, while in-depth interviews were carried out with port management of the multiple case study ports. The case study ports were Rotterdam (The Netherlands), PD Teesport (United Kingdom), Damietta (Egypt) and Apapa (Nigeria) ports. Ten key value-adding services were identified. The research showed that value-adding services may provide a useful input into the competitive strategy of attracting and retaining port users to a port. The services were found to offer opportunities for the diversification of business for port authorities and port operators. Original contributions of the study include that it brings to the maritime logistics body of knowledge an understanding of the importance of the different value-adding services, principally based on port users‟ assessment. In sequence, the most important value-adding services were transport service, warehousing, water supplies and technical support, whilst the least important services were canteen/catering and advertising support services. Hitherto, there is no published study that has provided insight into the importance port users attach to various value-adding services. In port strategy formulation by the deployment of value-adding services, there is a stage in which dynamism sets in and the uniqueness of the services tend to wear-off, requiring concerted rejuvenation to sustain the potential of value-adding services in competitive strategies. The main challenging issues to port management in the deployment of value-adding services in strategy were found to be concerned with legislation, availability of traffic (cargo and vessel), duration of contracts, adequate land and space availability. The study also developed models, one to stimulate theoretical understanding of port value-adding services, the other to facilitate informed decision-making on the viability of offering value-adding services in ports.

The impact of air transport liberalisation suggested by economic theory and globalisation inspired Nigeria to adopt a more liberal policy towards its international Air Service Agreements (ASA). The policy involves implementing the Yamoussoukro Declaration with some African countries, an Open Skies Agreement with the US, and the easing of some market access regulations with several other countries. This study explores the extent to which international air transport liberalisation has impacted the Nigerian air transport market over the ten years (2001-10) since its commencement. The objectives of the study include, among others: to review the country’s ASAs and determine the level of liberalisation in those agreements, to study the performance of the ASA in terms of international air traffic demand in the market, to determine the impacts of liberalisation on passenger welfare in the market, and to evaluate the impact of further liberalising market access and carrier ownership. The study employed the use of secondary data relating to traffic volumes and socio-economic variables from the market. These were subjected to analytical methods commonly used in the study of liberalisation, including descriptive statistics, entropy and econometric modelling in order to establish relationships among the variables. Also, primary data were collected from a field survey and analysed to complement some of the findings. The empirical findings were able to fulfil the objectives of the study. It was discovered that most countries’ ASAs were not fully liberalised, but have some level of liberalisation. For a country to attain market access liberalisation, the ASA should grant fifth freedom rights, free pricing, multiple designations, and free determination of capacity and frequency. Another salient discovery was that liberalisation of market access and carrier ownership could spur traffic demand in all route markets, which could substantially increase total annual international traffic flows. The impact on traffic could trigger changes in air fares that would enhance consumer welfare. Nigeria’s airport infrastructure is found to be capable of accommodating the expected traffic increases as a result of the liberalisation. Although there were some adverse effects from the policy which include capital flight and the possible liquidation of home carriers, the thesis concludes that liberalisation could stimulate traffic demand in the market significantly, which could enhance revenue to the industry for sustainable development. The study concludes with recommendations and areas of further research.

Over the past few years, much attention has been given to the concept of Business Process Reengineering (BPR) and its implementation by various companies as a key strategy to regain or improve their competitive edge in the marketplace. BPR is a new business concept for organizational review that involves a fundamental rethinking and systematic redesign of core business processes supported by advance information technology to achieve sustainable step improvements in measures of performance . The aim of this research was to develop a BPR methodology for a commercial airline that could be used for the various levels and types of operation within the airline business today. The increasing complexity and variety of operations and processes within the airline industry and at the same time the increased interest in BPR as a way to change and improvement to meet current and future challenges are all facts that emphasis the need to tailor a generic BPR methodology to suit the particular requirements of a commercial airline. To achieve the research aim, an extensive review of literature was undertaken to understand the basics and roots of the BPR concept and to establish the need for a BPR methodology for airline companies. The research method also involved a review of current BPR practice and comparison of some famous BPR methodologies. This review and comparison had contributed to develop the basis for the proposed BPR methodology. A comprehensive review and comparative analysis of both American Airlines and Saudi Airlines BPR methodologies was undertaken to stress on their strengths and to overcome their shortcomings which used later to form the basis for the proposed BPR methodology for a commercial airline. In addition to the findings of each stage of this research, another factor was contributed to the development of the proposed methodology is the extensive experience gained by the author in managing and implementing the BPR projects in Saudi Airlines. The proposed BPR methodology represents a business process management model that ensures for the airline the achievement of process awareness, process ownership and process alignment with the airline vision and strategies. It helps to focus the airline effort on core business processes that add value to the end customer of the airline and maintain the required incremental improvement during the continuous improvement phase which is well defined and linked to the entire BPR effort . In addition, the proposed methodology was developed within the airline industry. This involves the application of the roots of this methodology in both American Airlines and Saudia in major BPR projects. Therefore, the proposed BPR methodology has the characteristic of being evolved and tested within airline industry which increase the probability of successful implementation of this methodology for any commercial airline. Indeed, this research has contributed a lot to the development and success of the BPR program within Saudi Arabian Airlines and produced many tangible benefits. Recommendations for further work with respect to some key tools and techniques that needed to support and facilitate the implementation of the proposed BPR methodology are provided.

This thesis demonstrates that the most popular periodical genre of the second half of the nineteenth century was the provincial newspaper. Using evidence from news rooms, libraries, the trade press and oral history, it argues that the majority of readers (particularly working-class readers) preferred the local press, because of its faster delivery of news, and because of its local and localised content. Building on the work of Law and Potter, the thesis treats the provincial press as a national network and a national system, a structure which enabled it to offer a more effective news distribution service than metropolitan papers. Taking the town of Preston, Lancashire, as a case study, this thesis provides some background to the most popular local publications of the period, and uses the diaries of Preston journalist Anthony Hewitson as a case study of the career of a local reporter, editor and proprietor. Three examples of how the local press consciously promoted local identity are discussed: Hewitson’s remoulding of the Preston Chronicle, the same paper’s changing treatment of Lancashire dialect, and coverage of professional football. These case studies demonstrate some of the local press content that could not practically be provided by metropolitan publications. The ‘reading world’ of this provincial town is reconstructed, to reveal the historical circumstances in which newspapers and the local paper in particular were read. Evidence from readers demonstrates the many ways in which they used the local press, both collectively and individually, including its use in sustaining local identities and sense of place. However, the local press was only one factor among many in the development and sustenance of local identities. The originality of the thesis lies in its introduction of empirical reading evidence into English newspaper history, its challenge to the taken-for-granted but problematic concepts of ‘local’ and ‘national’ newspapers in this period, its detailed study of the journalistic techniques used to capitalise on local patriotism, and its critique of many theories of nineteenth-century press history which have been based on a minority of the period’s newspapers, those published in London.

This thesis considers the nature and extent of union renewal in France through an ethnographic case study of the breakaway trade union movement 'Fidiration des Syndicats Solidaires, Unitaires et Dimocratiques' more commonly known as SUD. The research was conducted in a local level union of SUD-Rail, a union which emerged in the French public railway sector in 1996 from an ideological split with one of France's largest trade union confederations, the Confidiration Franqaise Dimocratique du Travail (CFDT). As with other SUD trade unions, SUD-Rail emerged with the stated aims to renew and revitalize French trade unionism. In the context of trade union decline and even 'crisis', this research considers to what extent and how the union was able to extend its membership base, replenish activists, maintain links with workers and develop and sustain collective organisation, interests and identity, in spite of the external and internal constraints. The research presents a thick description of trade unionism at the local level and the findings show how activists make attempts to confront and renew existing practices and structures in trade unionism. Overall, the evidence suggests that, in support of existing research on SUD trade unions in various sectors, there has been a partial renewal of trade unionism in the railway sector from the emergence of SUD-Rail. SUD-Rail has been able to influence the industrial relations context and challenge existing trade union identities, practices and organisation. The union has been able to organise previously unorganised workers, replenish activist members and combine an engagement in local as well as more global issues. The research demonstrates how this was achieved through a continuous set of frame alignment processes where activists sought to legitimise and encourage some level of support in the union. However, this research brings to light the tensions in the approach adopted by the SUD unions. To an extent the union could be seen to be reproducing features of the very form of unionism that it sought to confront, including low membership levels and tendencies towards institutionalisation and bureaucracy. This research shows that there are limits to renewal and revitalization which reflect the context of industrial relations and traditions in trade unionism in France. However, they also reflect the universal and perennial dualisms within trade unionism between democracy and bureaucracy and between movement and organisation. This research has shown how these tensions are dealt with in the day-to-day of activities in SUD-Rail. This thesis contributes an in-depth study of the social processes of developing and sustaining trade union renewal in France. The research develops the union renewal debate by helping to further understand how the choices and actions of actors mediate and influence the processes towards building and sustaining collective organisation and identity. The thesis demonstrates the utility of the framing processes concept for organising and analysing the ways in which collective interests and identity are or are not developed and sustained, which has important implications for the prospects of building and sustaining trade union renewal.

My research explores critical issues involved in emergency management in a front-line, emergency service – the fire brigade – in Greece, Germany and Britain. It is designed to identify the problems in the communication conduct among fire-fighters during emergency responses, to examine the causes of these problems and to suggest ways to overcome them that should allow European countries to adopt more effective policies. It aims to make a contribution to the academic study of crisis management in organizations through an analysis of actual, real-time, responses to emergencies such as industrial fires, plane crashes, road traffic accidents and train collisions. Organizations such as fire services are seen as communication events and a platform where shared cognitive meanings and shared value commitments shape the actions of the interactive agents. In this vein, emergencies are the outworking of communicative disruption in organizations, in which fire services face a triple jeopardy: they have to manage other organizations’ crises (such crises include those arising in large chemical and oil factories), their own crises (for example, failing to communicate because of inadequate radio spectrum) and natural disasters (such as earthquakes and forest fires).

The main contribution of this thesis is the LA mechanism - an intelligent, locationaware data aggregation mechanism for real-time observation, estimation and efficient dissemination of messages in VANETs. The proposed mechanism is based on a generic modelling approach which makes it applicable to any type of VANET applications. The data aggregation mechanism proposed in this thesis introduces location awareness technique which provides dynamic segmentation of the roads enabling efficient spatiotemporal database indexing. It further provides the location context to the messages without the use of advanced positioning systems like satellite navigation and digital maps. The mechanism ensures that the network load is significantly reduced by using the passive clustering and adaptive broadcasting to minimise the number of exchanged messages. The incoming messages are fused by Kalman filter providing the optimal estimation particularly useful in urban environment where incoming measurements are very frequent and can cause the vehicle to interpret them as noisy measurements. The scheme allows the comparison of aggregates and single observations which enables their merging and better overall accuracy. Old information in aggregates is removed by realtime database refreshing leaving only newer relevant information for a driver to make real-time decisions in traffic. The LA mechanism is evaluated by extensive simulations to show efficiency and accuracy.