This thesis concerns case definitions for work-related stress; that is, the criteria used for the identification of a person as presenting a case. It has its focus on case definitions used as the basis for measurement in two related domains in the British context: large-scale nationally representative workforce surveys and personal injury litigation. Together, these contribute to informing policy and practice on tackling the challenge to occupational health presented by work-related stress. The thesis begins by placing the subject matter in its applied context through a consideration of research and policy imperatives for the development of case definitions for work-related stress. This is followed by a series of studies that employ a systematic review methodology and qualitative methodologies including template analysis and content analysis to explore the use, consequences and development of case definitions used in the two domains of interest. Relationships between both sets of case definitions are explored and implications for research, policy and practice considered. The studies culminate with a critical discourse analytic investigation into the media representation of the case definition used in personal injury litigation for work-related stress and its possible contribution to informing activities on tackling and defining work-related stress. The final chapter brings together the results and conclusions from preceeding chapters. It considers some possible ways forward in the study of case definitions for work-related stress that might contribute to improvements in the occupational health of the nation’s workforce.

The main objectives of this research are to enhance the academic understanding and managerial practice of the utilization of external marketing research information with special reference to British companies. To achieve these objectives, this thesis proposes a causal model of external marketing research information utilization and tests its hypotheses empirically in British industry. This model builds on and develops existing theoretical and empirical work. The research evolved through three major phases. The first phase of the research was conceptual concerned with demonstrating the practical and theoretical importance of researching the topic of utilization, determining the appropriate perspective to studying it and establishing a valid and reliable framework for its definition and measurement. This part has relied on review of the literature on utilization of information in marketing and other management areas along with available secondary data about the UK market research industry as the institutional context of this research. The second phase of the research was concerned with model building which concentrated on conceptually constructing the proposed causal model. Building the proposed model has drawn on exploratory work undertaken through a series of unstructured in-depth interviews at the outset of the research with key marketing personnel in various British industries, a review of previous similar models in the marketing area, and independent deductive reasoning. Variables thought to have a significant impact on the level and quality of external marketing research information utilization (causality dimension) were identified and classified according to the parties controlling them(controllability dimension).A set of empirically testable hypotheses were derived based on the causal model. The third phase of the research was concerned with empirical analysis, testing the proposed model's hypotheses empirically in a cross sectional context. This stage has involved the design of a structured questionnaire that was subsequently completed by senior marketing executives in 258 British companies. Measurement scales were developed by a combination of advice from further semi-structured interviews and the modification of relevant established scales and the questionnaire was piloted to determine its suitability. Additionally, some secondary data were collected about respondents companies in order to obtain a profile of such organizations. The measures used were generally found to be reliable and valid and multiple regression analysis was used to analyze the data and test the model empirically. The variables that were found to have the most significant impact on the level and quality of utilization were organizational culture, individual decision making style, nonprogrammability of the decision situation, technical quality of the research report, degree of competition, user experience in marketing decision making, exploratory research objectives and quantifiability of research information. The thesis concludes with some theoretical conclusions and policy implications with a view toward improving the academic understanding and managerial pursuit of the process of utilizing external marketing research information in British companies.

Schneider's Attraction-Selection-Attrition cycle (ASA; Schneider, 1987) is one of the most influential models in the person-organisation (P-0) fit literature. The main idea in this framework is that organisations attract, select, and retain those people who share their values. Schneider (1987) argues that this cycle creates homogeneity in the type of people employed by the organisation. He predicts that over time this homogeneity is dysfunctional for organisations as they become increasingly ingrown and resistant to change. The first part of this study contains a literature review. These chapters position Schneider's ASA cycle within the wider P-0 fit literature and review the studies that have considered features of the cycle. In brief summary, these studies have found the predicted homogeneity of values amongst organisational employees. The attrition phase of the cycle has received much research attention and researchers have demonstrated the attrition effect with people who do not share the values of organisations leaving them. In contrast, the attraction and selection phases of the cycle have received much less attention and there have been no direct tests of these propositions. The main study, which is reported in the third part of this thesis, is a direct test of Schneider's attraction and selection propositions. The results reject Schneider's attraction proposition that organisations attract people who share their values. However, the results suggest that the value congruence between people is more influential than the value congruence between people and environments in predicting selection outcomes. To enable these direct tests to be conducted a new instrument was developed that allows for the capture of work values in a format suitable for the calculation of fit with a geographically remote and distant set of respondents. The development and testing of this instrument is described in the five chapters in the second part of this thesis.

There is a growing recognition that the composition and behaviour of exports matter for development. However, empirical studies examining these issues focus primarily on develop countries and larger emerging economies. We therefore seek to fill a gap in the literature by examining the extent and the factors explaining export specialization, the dynamics of export growth and the duration of export relationships from the perspective of a small developing country, Trinidad and Tobago, for the period, 1996-2009. These issues are particularly important for trade policy formulation and export promotion. To examine the factors explaining export specialization, we use HS 4-digit export data and conduct our estimation using mainly Fractional Logit Generalized Linear Model (GLM). To explore the factors explaining the dynamics of export growth, we use HS 6-digit manufacturing export data and estimate our model using Ordinary Least Squares (OLS) and Poisson Pseudo-Maximum Likelihood Estimation (PPML). Finally, to explain to factors influencing export duration, we also use HS 6-digit manufacturing export data and employ Stratified Cox Estimation. We find several important results pertaining to Trinidad and Tobago’s exports. First and foremost, we find Trinidad and Tobago exports are highly specialized; the extensive margin contributes substantially to export growth (for manufactured goods) and the duration of export relationships is extremely short. We also find strong evidence that Trinidad and Tobago’s exports to larger markets is less specialized, increases both the intensive and the extensive margins of export growth and increases export duration. Further, we unearth strong evidence that greater distance from export markets increases export specialization, dampens both the intensive and extensive margins and reduces export duration. In addition, we find cogent evidence that regional integration with trade partners through CARICOM membership reduces export specialization, increases both the intensive and extensive margins and increases export duration. Moreover, we find some evidence that higher average tariffs of trading partners increases export specialization, reduce the extensive margin and increase export duration. Also, we discover evidence that WTO membership of trade partners increases the intensive margin and increases export duration. We also find substantial evidence that better institutional quality and governance in export destinations reduces export specialization, dampens the intensive margin but reduces export duration. Finally, our results show that the presence of Diplomatic Missions and Consulates in export markets increases the intensive margin and dampens the extensive margin. Relatedly, we find robust evidence that Trinidad and Tobago’s export duration is longer, the greater the expenditure per capita on trade promotion in export markets. Our research points to the need for the implementation of several trade policy measures to stimulate favourable changes to the composition and behaviour of exports. These measures require collaborative actions both at the regional and international to simulate more beneficial trade. They suggest the need to improve capacity among CARICOM countries to negotiate trade agreements with developed countries as well as the WTO to enable more beneficial trade to member countries. Our results also point to the need for increase spending on trade promotions and the engagement of more specialist staff to assist in trade promotions by Trinidad and Tobago’s diplomatic agencies in foreign markets. In addition, our findings suggest the need for added incentives for product discovery and innovation by Trinidad and Tobago’s manufacturers. Our findings could be of interest to policy makers in other small export dependent economies with economic structures very similar to Trinidad and Tobago.

This thesis studies the process of how experienced business professionals adjust to a new role. These experienced newcomers were Argentinean MBA graduates who made a career transition and were going through the first months at the new job. Through a grounded theory and constructivist approach, participants reflected on what was relevant to them during this period, in interviews and personal diaries. Developing the professional identity emerged as a strong theme, including how they developed relationships, how they managed conflict with colleagues and supervisors, how they changed their profiles to adjust, how they managed identity threats, how they experimented with possible selves, and how they constructed their dynamic professional identities. This doctoral project contributes to the understanding of how experienced newcomers socialise to a new role with a career perspective, considering both past experience and future aspirations. Data collection undertaken during four months for each participant enabled an understanding of process, especially in terms of how individuals develop relationships at work and ideas for possible selves, contributing to theoretical gaps in existing literature. In addition, it contributes to research on business professionals, and MBA graduates in particular, which is quite scarce in Argentina.

This study seeks to understand the practices of managing performance in a privatised pharmaceutical organisation. In particular, it examines the interplay of accounting, accountability and cultural practices in the everyday practices of managing performance in the organisation. Based on an intensive field study of five months, an ethnographic approach was selected and data collected through observations, interviews and reviews of documents. Drawing on practice theory, this thesis provides an insight into how accounting as part of the constituents of organisational control systems was implicated in the practices of managing dual accountability, cultural change and the process of goal alignment. Contrary to the notion that accounting is mainly associated with the exercise of hierarchical accountability, the case illustrates practical and general understandings of accounting were enacted through socialising accountability. Additionally, it describes the way in which accounting and strategising were implicated in the practices of managing dual accountability in the organisation. In light of the implementation of KPIs in the organisation, the mesh of accounting and other organisational practices are explored, the consequences of which are explained in two findings. Firstly, the study argues that the coexistence of change and stability of accounting practices is the outcome of the interplay between agency and subcultural practices. This study suggests that subculture resides in practices, which influences the way in which accounting is used in the organisation. Secondly, the thesis discusses the uses of performance measurement in managing the interdependence of practices and to promote goal alignment. The implementation of the management programme and the change of organisational structure are illustrative of the process through which accounting and non-accounting control relate in the process of goal alignment.

This thesis consists of three chapters of independent studies. In Chapter 1, I develop a finite two-stage game model where consumers in new export markets lack information about their own valuation for the quality of a new product. The model is then used to examine firms' quality choices. With asymmetric information, the need to establish a quality reputation may not be sufficient to induce firms to choose high quality. The likelihood that a firm will choose to export a high-quality product rather than a lower-quality variant increases with the number of experienced consumers. However, it decreases with the number of competing firms. A policy of subsidising exporters can encourage firms to select high quality and promote consumer experience, and thus establish an independently viable high-quality export market. Nevertheless, this will only work if the subsidy is conditional on quality choice. That is, the administrative monitoring of quality is required. Beside, the government may temporarily limit the number of competing firms. If consumers in new export markets possess information about their own valuation, it may be possible to promote the transition to a viable high-quality export market by competition policy alone. In Chapter 2, I employ a simple take-it-or-leave-it bargaining game with two-sided asymmetric information to reconcile the theoretical results with ob- servation. With two-sided asymmetric information, the probability of bargaining failure is positive. The likelihood that the domestic and foreign firm will collude increases with the probability of a high-type foreign firm but decreases with the bargaining power and concentration level of the domestic firm. The small number of private settlements indicates the inefficient outcome of the bargain- ing game with asymmetric information rather than evidence of the antidumping measure being less misused as a collusive tool. In Chapter 3, I examine the behaviour of firms after the implementation of an FTA by paying attention to the impacts of rules of origin on preferential trade ows and economic activities within the FTA region. It is found that a tightening of the rules of origin increases the volume of final goods import from RoW but decreases the volume of intermediate goods and raw material import from RoW, given the dominance of the final goods rules of origin effects. However, if the intermediate goods rules of origin effects dominate, the volume of intermediate goods import from RoW turns to increase, rather than decrease. These imply that preferential trade ows and economic activities among the member countries of an FTA may increase or decrease when the rules of origin are tightened. The findings, inter alia, suggest that the product-specific rules of origin that impose the restrictive rules to final goods but the loose rules to intermediate goods are more efficient in promoting preferential trade and economic activities within the region and also inducing investments from outside.

E-procurement has been heralded as a critical enabler in reducing procurement expenditure. However, many businesses report disappointing results from e-procurement implementation, partly because end-users fail to comply with systems or contracts. End-user perceptions of e-procurement quality are considered an important driver of both system and contract compliance. However, very little is written about what e-procurement quality is and how it might be measured. This thesis presents the findings of a study exploring e-procurement quality from an end-user perspective (Perceived EPQ). The researcher seeks to develop a scale to measure the construct. In doing so, it is necessary to identify the components and structure of Perceived EPQ, and to examine how measurement may be operationalised. The study presents analysis to answer three research questions: RQ1: What are the components of Perceived EPQ? RQ2: What is the structure of Perceived EPQ? RQ3: How can Perceived EPQ measurement be operationalised? Different areas of literature are examined to determine how Perceived EPQ may be theoretically and operationally defined. Disconfirmation theory, found in much of the Service Quality literature, conceptually underpins Perceived EPQ. At an operational level, the construct is partly informed by E-Procurement, Internal Service Quality, Information Systems Quality and E-Service Quality literature, but most importantly by empirical study. A case study approach, using mixed methods, is applied to identify the components and structure of Perceived EPQ. The main study has been carried out in four U.K. public sector organisations. The public sector has been selected, partly because government targets for e-procurement in 2005 mean that the issue is high on the agenda of local authorities nationwide. This has been a significant enabler in gaining access to suitable organisations. In addition, a replication study has been carried out in a Dutch university. Selecting a non-U.K. case allows an assessment of how well research findings hold up in a distinctly different research context. Empirical analysis suggests a construct made up of 30 components, which are incorporated in a proposed EPQ Scale. These variables group into six dimensions – Training, Professionalism, Processing, Content, Usability, and Specification. The research also examines contingencies for managers to consider when selecting the most appropriate method for measuring Perceived EPQ. This study is the first to empirically examine Perceived E-Procurement Quality and to develop a tool for its measurement. The conceptual model proposed illustrates the importance of Perceived EPQ in driving e-procurement compliance and ultimately procurement expenditure. The measurement tool – the EPQ Scale – is a useful diagnostic instrument which can highlight areas of weakness in e-procurement delivery. Finally, the contingency approach allows managers to select the most appropriate method of construct measurement based on their own objectives. The research has generated new research questions and the adoption of findings by a number of practitioners and academics suggests this is an area with great potential for future study. Further work is already underway testing research findings from this study and exploring new areas related to Perceived EPQ.

This submission demonstrates that the attached papers and book represent a significant contribution to knowledge in the field of information systems (IS) with a particular focus on small and medium sized enterprises. The theme throughout the publications is consistent: identifying strategic opportunities from information systems for small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs). This document presents the papers and evaluates their contribution. The papers and a copy of the book are included with this document. The papers and book demonstrate the research contribution in four ways. The first contribution is to IS strategy knowledge, where the research has identified that IS analytical models that depend on IS department-business relationships are not useful in the SME context. Additionally, the research identifies those IS models that can be used in all organisational contexts to analyse strategic management information systems requirements. Second, the research demonstrates IS concepts developed in the large firm context such as evaluation, flexibility and knowledge sharing may only have limited applicability in SMEs. Third, the research contributes by developing a new model, the Focus-Dominance model that provides insights into analysing opportunities for strategic IS investment in SMEs. The final research contribution identifies issues that influence SME growth from internet adoption and e-business opportunities. The papers represent development of the research theme over the last 13 years. The main themes of the papers are information systems strategy; exploring IS issues in the 2 SME context; strategic context of IS investment in SMEs and internet adoption and strategy in SMEs. The twelve papers and book represent a subset of the author‟s publications. These have been selected as they show the main contribution to knowledge. The book demonstrates a research led approach to understanding the information systems issues that can influence SME growth. It is the first book that has been written on this topic and provides a useful source for the growing number of researchers in the field. The submission is organised as follows. A brief discussion is included on the reasons why SMEs behave differently from large firms and what this means for information systems. The next section presents the papers. These explore the validity of IS concepts in the SME context. Following on from this the submission considers the drivers and enablers of IS investment in SMEs. Finally the development of new theories in analysing strategic IS investment is discussed. Within the discussion the significance of the contribution, and the role played by co-authors is highlighted. The final section reflects upon the research contribution, methodology, research impact and current and future research. Table 1 presents the list of papers for submission with a brief summary of their contribution. Appendix 1 includes the written statements by collaborators of joint papers. Appendix 2 presents the author‟s contribution to the submitted papers. Appendix 3 presents the known citations for papers included in the submission. Appendix 4 presents the author‟s full publication list.

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