This thesis aims at investigating the behaviour of airlines in recently liberalised markets, by making use of the Brazilian air transportation as a case study. In order to accomplish this objective, the following three essays were developed: a study of low cost carrier entry behaviour, an analysis of the pricing behaviour of the major incumbents in the industry, and, finally, an assessment of airline conduct in the most important market in the country. All essays contain empirical investigation performed by making use of data supplied by Brazil’s Department of Civil Aviation, DAC. In the first essay, the entry of Gol Airlines on several Brazilian domestic routes, in 2001 and 2002, is analysed in order to draw inference on the competition between a discounter in rapid expansion and the full-service carriers. A route-choice model is estimated by making use of a flexible post-entry equilibrium profits equation and accounting for endogeneity of the main variables. The second essay aims at empirically investigating the pricing behaviour of the legacy carriers in Brazil, with special focus on reactions to the entry of Gol, in 2001. A study of localised competitive advantage regarding the determinants of pricing power is performed along with the analysis of the pattern of price reactions by the incumbents. A single econometric framework is designed and estimated with panel data controlling for city-specific effects. And finally, the third essay aims at assessing the impacts of economic liberalisation on the route Rio de Janeiro - São Paulo. By making use of both a two-stages budgeting representation of the demand system, and a competition model with product heterogeneity among rivals, and based on the framework of the New Empirical Industrial Organisation, it was possible to examine the existence of a structural change on airlines’ conduct parameters due to the regulatory reform.

This thesis addresses the interface between producers of new media and their audiences/users as it manifests itself in production. It is based on a case study of NESTA Futurelab (a production-research laboratory in educational new media) conducted in its first year of existence, as its staff sought to define the endeavour —'what it is for' and, more importantly, 'whom it is for'. Drawing on science and technology studies (STS) and media theory, this study challenges models of the producer-user interface which endorse 'technical mediation' in proposing alternatives to its three components — the use bias, overstated co-design and the ontological divide between producers and users. In response to the use bias, the study of Futurelab demonstrates that the producers' perceptions of their audiences (both users and partners) determine from the outset decisions as to the organization's purpose, structure, methodology and outputs. Overstated co-design is countered by uncovering the producers' downplaying of direct user involvement and any pretension to scientific methodology through which they engage the users. This study stresses the more pervasive practice of mediation whereby they represent the absent users. This is further conceptualized through their portrayal as 'experience-based experts' — the producers claim the ability to contribute substantively to production by virtue of their social experience, while minimizing their technical competence. Lastly, the presumed ontological divide between producers and users is contested by illustrating that the spheres of production and reception overlap in the producers' experience, which is reactivated on an ad hoc basis in production. Through notions such as 'reflexivity', 'prior feedback', 'producer-user overlap', `mediated quasi-interaction' and 'experience-based expertise', the producer-user interface is thus inscribed in the continuity of producers' social experience rather than being seen as an interaction purposely and strategically instated at a discrete moment. The most notable instances of continuity are captured by the producers' playing of the synthetic role of producer-user, which rests on the claimed proximity between production and other relevant social situations.

THE TELEVISION MESSAGE AS SOCIAL OBJECT: A comparative study of the structure and content of television programmes in Britain (excluding public affairs, children's television and shorts). The thesis will be both a theoretical and empirical examination of the applicability of the varieties of analysis of symbolic orders which have been advanced by such writers as Levi-Strauss and Foucault. The thesis is an exploration, through the study of the narrative structure of a series of television drama programmes, of the relationship between television, myths and folktales. Following upon work done principally by Claude Levi-Strauss and Vladimir Propp, but also others writing in the field of semiological and structural analysis, a detailed examination of the video-recorded texts of a thirteen part drama series is presented. It is argued in the context of an examination of, respectively, television and language, television and the mythic, and of the nature of narrative, that the television drama preserves the forms which otherwise might be thought of as particular to oral culture and communication. Television, in its preservation of these forms, and in its generally mythic character, gains its effectiveness thereby and must be understood sociologically in such terns. The effect of such an understanding, it is argued, will be to challenge any comprehension of the medium simply as the particular product of a particular historical period and/or an imposition in culture of one world view on an other. The television message is both a collective product and a transhistorical one. It is argued that on both counts it needs to be understood as a genuine expression of a social need, though in its expression of that need it does not necessarily simply act to preserve existing social and cultural conditions.

The main objectives of this research are to investigate the interaction between the city of Edinburgh, Lothian Buses (Edinburgh's principal public transport provider) and people using specific bus routes within the city boundaries. A single overarching question dominated the nature of this research: ‘What can we know about the local character of the city from the vantage point of the bus?' The primary means of data collection were systematic participant observations along specific bus routes from 2004 to 2005. Consideration moves beyond solely examining the interaction between passengers, and treats the bus and the city as complex phenomena with which people have an interactive relationship. Through these observations, it explores the ways in which the bus is more than a mode of transport that links places, and instead maintains that the bus network forms its own multi-stranded signature within the city. Unravelling these strands reveals a mobile place where heterogeneous types of bus users engage in sense making procedures. In addition, the quotidian conversations that take place within the bus add their own unique rhythms and provide an added dimension to city life. Analysis draws on these systematic observations, delving beneath the surface of the familiar practice of bus travel, seeing the new in the familiar and subjecting these observations to philosophical enquiry. This research also considers the multifarious dimensions of the embedded experience of travel within its in-situ spatial and temporal imagination. The changing temporal and spatial nature of the bus creates a highly complex place within which contested identities produce knowable and recognisable corporal inscriptions upon the bus. Through the everyday practices and accomplishments within the lifeworld, we treat the city as a work in progress, in which there is an enduring tension between a community's need for inclusiveness and the concomitant practices that contribute to the process of exclusion. The embodied time spent travelling is the substantive life-blood of this thesis and the rich veins of the bus network present themselves as an essential part of the city's anatomy. In chorus, the theoretical foundation reflects upon itself as principled speech.

The aim of the research is to evaluate the possibility of transferring the Efficient Consumer Response (ECR) model developed in the Fast Moving Consumer Goods (FMCG) sector into the pharmaceutical sector and to propose an adapted model for the German market. The German pharmaceutical market is consolidating distribution channels and demand power is shifting towards pharmacies (Hofmann, 2013a). The manufacturers` aim for differentiation requires being closer to patients and pharmacists. Therefore, they increasingly do business directly with pharmacies (Insight Health, 2013). Wholesalers are caught between the strong supply power of manufacturers and increasing demand power of pharmacies (Hofmann, 2013b). Exploratory research was undertaken using the case study method to consider how the ECR model from FMCG can be adapted for the pharmaceutical wholesale business. A single case study was considered as different wholesalers would not participate due to their competitive market and because I am an employee of the case company (Celesio AG). The study was conducted in the German subsidiary (GEHE Pharma). Semi structured interviews with key account managers from FMCG and pharmaceutical manufacturers, Celesio AG management board, GEHE Pharma management and retail pharmacists were conducted. Additional data were generated linked to participative observation during manufacturer meetings between GEHE Pharma and pharmaceutical manufacturers, as well as from secondary and internal documentary material. Findings suggest that several similarities between the FMCG market and the pharmaceutical market exist. No aspect was found which would not allow implementing ECR principles into the pharmaceutical market in Germany. The model is adapted according to the research findings. The adjusted model considers that the pharmaceutical market shows more complexity in terms of the market actors. In this market three main participants exist: pharmaceutical manufacturers, pharmaceutical wholesalers and retail pharmacists. Whereas in the FMCG market the ECR model incorporates the relationship directly between FMCG manufacturers and grocery retailers; no wholesaler is considered in that model. Therefore, the adapted model needs some adjustments for the pharmaceutical wholesale market, which are presented in the research. Furthermore, the research delivers evidence that the ECR model is not static and can be adjusted in terms of the number of participants, content and different dimensions in the relationship between different stakeholders and can, therefore, also be implemented in other industries. exist: pharmaceutical manufacturers, pharmaceutical wholesalers and retail pharmacists. Whereas in the FMCG market the ECR model incorporates the relationship directly between FMCG manufacturers and grocery retailers; no wholesaler is considered in that model. Therefore, the adapted model needs some adjustments for the pharmaceutical wholesale market, which are presented in the research. Furthermore, the research delivers evidence that the ECR model is not static and can be adjusted in terms of the number of participants, content and different dimensions in the relationship between different stakeholders and can, therefore, also be implemented in other industries.

The increasing size and complexity of road vehicles used for the transport of day-old chicks has raised concerns about the thermal environment achieved within the load space of such transporters. Current designs have not been based on scientific infonnation or evaluation, making new development difficult for the industry. To address this lack of information, given the high cost of these vehicles, modelling of this situation would seem a viable option. The work presented in this thesis illustrates the effectiveness of experimental and numerical modelling. Results collected using an ultrasonic anemometer from a full-scale isothennal model of a particular load space and ventilation system are presented for different load configurations of empty chick boxes. These cases were also sinmlated using commercially available computational fluid dynamics software [PHOENICS with high-Re k-e turbulence model and hybrid convective differencing]. These numerical model results were then validated against the experimental data using a novel statistical method based on the repeatability of the experimental data. In further numerical sinmlations a heat load model representing the presence of the chicks, was also incorporated and the likely thermal environment assessed. These numerical results were used to assess the ventilation delivered to each chick box based on the predicted mean air velocities. These results indicated that experimental modelling was a time consmning process with difficulties of accessibility for instrumentation within a loaded vehicle. Numerical sinmlation gave a good approximation of the experimental data but required a nwnber of significant assumptions and simplifications to be made. The main area of disagreement with the experimental data was in the predicted turbu1ence levels. Ventilation rates and thermal conditions within the load space studied suggested an adequate environment is achieved for normal journeys but that the potential for heat stress exists. Further field work to validate these findings is suggested.

This research focuses on the link between strategic planning activities, and the development and implementation of strategic initiatives. It explores the activities and practitioners involved in the development and implementation of strategic initiatives during strategic planning. The theoretical lens applied in this research is activity theory (Blackler, 1993; Engestrom, 1987; Jarzabkowski, 2003), which is proposed to help explore the strategic planning process over time (Vygotsky, 1978; Jarzabkowski, 2003, Jarzabkowski & Balogun, 2009), in addition to the exploration of the internal dynamics of organisational continuity and change (Jarzabkowski, 2003). In order to achieve the research aim, a qualitative positivist paradigm (Burrell & Morgan, 1979; Easterby-Smith et al., 1991, Nutt, 1989, 2004) and multiple case study methods (Eisenhardt, 1989; Yin, 2003) were employed to guide the entire research process. Multiple data collection methods were employed, namely observations, interviews, and document analysis in three Saudi telecommunications companies over a period of more than 2 years. Eisenhardt (1989), Miles & Huberman, (1994), and Yin’s (2003) methods were employed for analysing the qualitative data. The outcomes highlighted the activities of the strategic planning process in general, and then on those specific activities that influence the development and implementation of strategic initiatives in the three cases. Subsequently, within and cross-case analysis explored further, the three stages of the development and implementation of strategic initiatives, i.e. of initiation, development, and implementation. The outcomes also explained how these specific activities influence the development and implementation of strategic initiatives, in terms of the sequences of activities, and the contradictions that have been found between their components. The study also provided solid evidence on the practitioners involved in the strategic planning process and on their role during the three stages, and on the tools used during these stages of strategic initiatives. This study makes several potential contributions including analysing strategic planning activities through the use of the activity theory model, understanding the influence of the strategic planning activities on developing and implementing strategic initiatives, and extending understanding in relation to the strategic planning process in the context of the Saudi telecommunications industry. This understanding is significant in the business environment due to the limited amount of existing research of the strategic planning process from a practice perspective and in the Saudi environment in particular.

The focus of this thesis is to provide hospitals and local authorities in an urban setting with a set of recommendations for sustainable methods of supply for healthcare institutions, to minimise the negative externalities of freight associated with urban hospitals. The structure and nature of the healthcare supply chain engenders unsustainable freight patterns as a result of the poor communication and unpredictability of inventory demand from hospitals to suppliers, resulting in high freight volumes (403 freight movements recorded over a 5-day period during a November 2011 survey), and the mixing of urgent and non-urgent goods within the same supply chain. In addition to this ancillary hospital services such as hospital laboratory couriers are found to be a large traffic generator with 476 individual services booked over a 3 month period (January – March 2014). In fulfilment of these issues three solutions are proposed to improve the economic and environmental sustainability of freight: mobile consolidation, to address the high numbers of deliveries received by hospitals; unattended locker bank delivery, to separate urgent goods from the supply chain; and, consolidation of laboratory courier services. Assessment of the mobile consolidation centre for GOSH only operating over 1 site to 4 sites, using 93 records from the 2011 freight survey indicated savings for the week between: 10,591 VKm (1 site operation) and 12,173 VKm (4 site operation); 181.53 – 225.05 journey time hours for 2 site and 4 site operations, respectively; and, 2 – 2.33 tonnes of CO2 equivalents between 1 site and 4 site operations. Implementation of a London-wide scenario indicated reductions of 64,204 VKm, 579 Journey Time Hours and 89 tonnes of CO2e. Assessment of the proposed electronic locker bank was assessed using a hill climbing model operating with a database of consignment movements; and qualitatively using staff interviews. Results indicated that a locker bank measuring 3.69m length, 1.7m height and 0.8m depth, comprising 19 partitions would be required to accommodate all urgent consignments for any given day. Staff perceptions of the concept were positive suggesting the locker would potentially improve the speed and quality of healthcare delivered to patients. Current hospital and courier service providers’ practices centre on collecting items as and when they arrive for outward journeys at the hospital. Using a database of 323 courier journeys at Great Ormond Street Hospital, 8 different consolidation scenarios, varying the length of time an item is delayed (ranging between 30 minutes to 10 hours). Findings indicated that consolidated approaches yielded reductions in vehicle numbers, between 120 and 255, compared to the current model of operation, but that the current model of operation is actually more environmentally efficient, generating 0.42 to 0.84 fewer metric tonnes of CO2 than consolidated approaches. Assessments of other hospitals such as University Hospital Southampton indicated that the three proposed solutions may be considered relevant to other hospitals. However, in the citywide context, the benefits for each solution when implemented at a single hospital site were minimal suggesting a greater number of hospital sites would be required to deliver larger gains.

Statistics show that the fatalities rate per 10,000 vehicles in the State of Kuwait is about three times that in the UK, and the number of traffic accidents in Kuwait is increasing each year. In 1992, there were 16,017 traffic accidents, with 279 killed. By 2005, the number of accidents had increased to 56,235 with 451 fatalities, although the size of the vehicle fleet was only 1,134,042. This thesis presents the findings of a study of a substantial road accident database for Kuwait and a supplementary questionnaire survey to further understand related driver behaviour. Police accident reports relating to fatality and injury for the year 2002 were collected from the General Investigation Administration at the Ministry of the Interior to obtain an overview of the situation. Human behaviour and driver error were considered to be the main contributory factors, as has been found elsewhere. A questionnaire survey was undertaken to obtain a more in-depth understanding of driver behaviour and attitudes towards traffic regulations, which might relate to road accidents, and the potential acceptability of remedial measures. The questions were developed to suit the traffic environment and culture in Kuwait, and 1,528 questionnaires were completed. Analysis has shown that there are significant associations between accident involvement and other contributory factors. A road accident prediction model was developed, linking behaviour and attitudes with a number of factors such as age, sex, nationality, education level, marital status, driver education, driver training, usual speed on motorways, number of dangerous offences per year, years of driving experience, and drivers’ perceptions of the effectiveness of enforcement on total accident rate. The Generalised Linear Model (GLM) approach was used. It was found that driver attitude towards traffic regulations, enforcement, the number of critical traffic violations, nationality and age were significant contributory factors. The results will be used to influence future policy towards driving education, training and enforcement in Kuwait.

Mobile phones afford the capacity to connect the majority of people across our globe, irrespective of demographic and developmental factors,through voice calls and text message (SMS).The mobile phone has,arguably,become the most powerful and pervasive information communication technology (ICT) innovation in human history,displaying a faster adoption rate than that of radio,TV or the personal computer.The mobile phone is even more prevalent in these countries than the supply of electricity and water. Least Developed Countries(LDCs)in sub-­‐Saharan Africa are significantly impacted by the introduction of mobile phones as they typically have little or no fixed line infrastructure.In sub-­‐Saharan Africa the mobile phone is the primary technology used to access the Internet,offering a gateway to the vast resources of digital content and services such as social networking,entertainment,and financial transactions. This leapfrogging from little or no communication infrastructure to near ubiquitous mobile penetration has the potential to empower people through access to information and affordable communication tools. This research investigates the drivers and dampeners of the “Adoption of Mobile Internet”(AMI)in sub-­‐Saharan Africa to enablegovernments,non-­‐profit organisations and commercial entities to plan strategic growth in this important developmental and capacity building technology.This thesis firstly draws on a literature review of the digital divide, empowerment and the implied key constructions influencing AMI in sub-­‐Saharan Africa. Secondly, fieldwork from five sub-­‐Saharan nations alongside findings from discussions with mobile experts into these AMI constructs are analysed using NVivo and presented. The literature review,fieldwork and expert discussion are then triangulated and bought together to develop a preliminary model using Systems Dynamic Modelling (SDM) which describes the main constructs and influences of AMI in Sub-­‐Saharan Africa. The AMI SDM model is then tested for goodness of fit with validated data sets using Structural Equation Modelling (SEM) and the standardizes regression weights used to inform the creation of a simulation model. The main findings of the thesis are that the exploratory model describingthe adoption of mobile Internet in sub-­ Saharan Africa is a reasonable fit to published data. The two key influencesfor the adoption of mobile Internet in SSA are Digital Literacy and DigitalContent. The two key indirect influences of AMI in SSA are the Service Provider and Literacy levels. The model predicts that both Education and Innovation are significantly impacted by an increase in the Adoption of Mobile Internet.The importance of Digital Content reinforces the conviction that the proposed BluPoint solution which offers free digital content to people living in constrained environments would be a suitable technology to offer in SSA.Adding the ability to publish and share local information freely would further enhance the need to develop this desktop prototype further. It is expected that the AMI model will act as a strategic tool for government policy makers in sub-­‐Saharan Africa seeking,to encourage their citizens to use their mobile phones to join the growing global on-­‐line community.