<p dir="ltr">The U.S. food supply chain, particularly the beef industry, faces growing demands for transparency and traceability due to increased consumer awareness of environmental and social impacts. A lack of transparency and access to information, along with misinformation, pose challenges to brand trust and supply chain efficiency. Emerging information technologies like RFID and blockchain are being explored to enhance traceability and information transparency, forming the topic of this dissertation.</p><p dir="ltr">This study aims to understand how the growing demand for transparency in the U.S. beef industry could reshape its supply chain structure and dynamics. It comprehensively examines the potential of information technologies like blockchain to enhance traceability, reduce transaction costs and information asymmetry and shift the supply chain structure to vertical coordination.</p><p dir="ltr">To achieve these objectives, we employed System Dynamics (SD) to model the U.S beef supply chain from 2013 to 2022, leveraging on existing literature and statistical data. This methodology was selected because of its unique ability to capture dynamic complexities and feedback among variables, allowing us to assess market dynamics and evaluate potential changes in the beef supply chain under different information technology scenarios. The model was evaluated through a series of tests and demonstrated its efficacy in simulating and analyzing the dynamics of the beef supply chain.</p><p dir="ltr">We simulated a wide range of key policy initiatives on both supply and demand sides of the beef supply chain. Our findings reveal that blockchain adoption is influenced by various factors such as market dynamics, consumer preferences, and existing power imbalances within the supply chain. Scenario analyses suggest that larger firms may be less incentivized to adopt blockchain if the market isn't ready for transparency, due to high implementation costs. Conversely, smaller firms could benefit from reduced transaction costs. Also, our results show an increased willingness to pay for transparent beef boosts the market for smaller firms and raises beef prices. Regulatory intervention may be necessary to balance the power dynamic within the supply chain, especially considering the market power held by packers.</p><p dir="ltr">This study fills existing knowledge gaps and provides valuable insights for beef supply chain stakeholders. It organizes complex data into clear, communicable causal loop diagrams and then introduces a comprehensive U.S. beef supply stock-and-flow diagram, grounded in literature, data, and trends. Finally, by synthesizing complex data and providing practical tools for decision-making, this research offers a foundation for future studies and policy recommendations in the field of supply chain transparency.</p>

In a market that nowadays is based on the customers expectations there will always be new demands placed on distributors. Based on requests regarding how compliant and adaptive they can be found in aspects of good customer knowledge. In being able to accommodate those requests a requirement in management of large quantities of customer data and large and small scale decisions is needed. The problem this study investigates is the seen lack of visualization tools in market share analysis (MSA) ability to lower the risk of loss of relevant data. Scientific literature confirms an existing knowledge gap based upon visualization and its ability to solve problems given that research focused on presenting the problem and what constitutes it but not on what can be used to manage it. However this study seeks to investigate How visualization of market share analysis can be used in connection to decision making?. The study applies a quantitative research strategy and uses surveys with the grading method likert scale in the choice of selected data collection method. The result of the study shows the respondent groups high valuations of visualization but how the prioritization differentiates in respective MSA-phase. In regards to the mentioned information the study ́s four suggestions mainly aims to show how visualization of MSA can be used to present and clarify for each decision options and known ways forward, lowering the risk of loss of relevant data and clarification of relations. For future research demands of expanding research through geographic extent and an expansion of areas within marketing and business development are presented as suggested areas to look closer into.

Diese Dissertation setzt sich aus fünf Forschungspapieren zusammen. Jedes Kapitel enthält ein Papier. Das erste Kapitel untersucht den Zusammenhang zwischen der Größe des Kundenstamms einer Firma und ihrem Gewinn in einem Markt mit Wechselkosten. Entgegen unserer Intuition wird gezeigt, dass Firmen nicht immer von einer Vergrößerung ihres Kundenstamms profitieren, weil diese die Intensität des Wettbewerbs beeinflusst. Kapitel 2 führt eine ähnliche Untersuchung durch, aber für einen Markt, in dem die Konsumenten unvollständig über die Standorte der Anbieter informiert sind. Es zeigt sich auch hier, dass eine Firma nicht immer von einem großen Kundenstamm profitiert. Die zugrunde liegenden Mechanismen unterscheiden sich jedoch deutlich von denen in Kapitel 1. Kapitel 3 ist eine Erweiterung des Modells mit unvollständiger Konsumenteninformation hin zu einer vollständig dynamischen Version. Im Zentrum der Analyse stehen nun die dynamischen Eigenschaften des Modells. Unter den Annahmen über die graduelle Verbreitung von Information auf der Konsumentenseite entsteht Trägheit in den Marktanteilen der Firmen. Dynamik entsteht im Modell ausschließlich aufgrund der Verwendung von gemischten Preisstrategien. Kapitel 4 analysiert Wettbewerb in einem vertikal differenzierten Markt. Hier gibt es keine Trägheit auf der Nachfrageseite. Das Hauptergebnis der Analyse ist, dass Wohlfahrtsverluste, die im Duopol aus ineffizienter Qualitätswahl resultieren, in Märkten mit drei oder mehr Wettbewerbern fast vollständig verschwinden. Dieses überraschende Ergebnis resultiert aus einem Regimewechsel in der Art des Wettbewerbs, der beim Übergang vom Duopol zum Markt mit drei Wettbewerbern auftritt. Kapitel 5 ist eine Erweiterung von Kapitel 4. Während in Kapitel 4 ein quadratischer Zusammenhang zwischen Kosten bzw. Zahlungsbereitschaft und Qualität angenommen wurde, wird die Analyse nun für eine allgemeinere nicht-lineare Abhängigkeit durchgeführt. Es werden grundlegende Einsichten über das Funktionieren von vertikal differenzierten Märkten vermittelt. So zeigt sich, dass der allgemein postulierte Vorteil der Firma mit der höheren Produktqualität nicht allgemeingültig ist. Ob dieser besteht, hängt von der Art der strategischen Interaktion ab. / This dissertation consists of five independent research papers. Each chapter represents one paper. The first chapter analyzes the shape of the relation between the size of a firm’s customer base and profit in a market with consumer switching costs. Contrary to common wisdom, it is shown that a firm is not automatically better off with a larger customer base, as the size of its customer base affects the intensity of price competition. Chapter 2 performs a similar exercise, but for a market where consumers are not fully informed about the locations of the different suppliers. Once more, it is shown that firms do not always benefit from an increase in the size of their customer base. However, the underlying mechanisms are rather different than in the model with switching costs. Chapter 3 is an extension of the model introduced in chapter 2 to a fully dynamic game. The focus of chapter 3 is on the dynamics in a market with incomplete consumer information. Under the assumptions about the gradual diffusion of information among consumers, there is inertia in the market shares. Dynamics are generated solely by the firms’ usage of mixed pricing strategies. Chapter 4 analyzes competition in a vertically differentiated market. There is no inertia on the demand side. The main result of the analysis is, that welfare losses that stem from an inefficient choice of qualities in the duopoly case, disappear almost completely as soon as three or more competitors are in the market. This surprising result is related to a regime change in the nature of competition that occurs at the transition from duopoly to triopoly. Chapter 5 is an extension of chapter 4. Whereas the model introduced in chapter 4 was based on a quadratic relation between costs or willingness-to-pay and quality, the analysis is now extended to a more general non-linear dependency. The analysis provides fundamental insights into the functioning of vertically differentiated markets. Interestingly, the well-known high-quality advantage is not a robust feature of these markets. Whether it is obtained, depends on the nature of strategic interaction between the firms.

This study is set out to assess the effectiveness of customer relationship management (CRM) in the hotel industry. Relying on the integration of several CRM scholars, the study seeks to answer questions about the relationship between CRM and performance. A mixed research method approach was adopted. The research targeted 106 hotels in Pretoria. 47 responses were received from the hotel personnel who answered the questionnaire. The findings of the survey clearly indicate that hotel performance is dependent on CRM, as shown in the variance of performance levels in line with the level of CRM practised by a specific, named hotel. The study further suggests that hotels’ management should continuously embark on various CRM practices in order to improve their performance. Responses will be captured and analysed using the SPSS computer software. The results will be subjected to quantitative data analysis. It is expected that the findings will highlight important implications for hotels and other hospitality and tourism stakeholders in Pretoria and beyond. Stakeholders wishing to improve their understanding of the effectiveness of CRM in hotels will find this study helpful. / Business Management / M. Tech. (Business Administration)

This thesis investigates the factors that are associated with annual changes in the share price of Johannesburg Stock Exchange (JSE) listed companies. In this study, an increase in value of a share is when the share price of a company goes up by the end of the financial year as compared to the previous year. Secondary data that was sourced from McGregor BFA website was used. The data was from 2004 up to 2011. Deciding which share to buy is the biggest challenge faced by both investment companies and individuals when investing on the stock exchange. This thesis uses binary logistic regression to identify the variables that are associated with share price increase. The dependent variable was annual change in share price (ACSP) and the independent variables were assets per capital employed ratio, debt per assets ratio, debt per equity ratio, dividend yield, earnings per share, earnings yield, operating profit margin, price earnings ratio, return on assets, return on equity and return on capital employed. Different variable selection methods were used and it was established that the backward elimination method produced the best model. It was established that the probability of success of a share is higher if the shareholders are anticipating a higher return on capital employed, and high earnings/ share. It was however, noted that the share price is negatively impacted by dividend yield and earnings yield. Since the odds of an increase in share price is higher if there is a higher return on capital employed and high earning per share, investors and investment companies are encouraged to choose companies with high earnings per share and the best returns on capital employed. The final model had a classification rate of 68.3% and the validation sample produced a classification rate of 65.2% / Mathematical Sciences / M.Sc. (Statistics)

This study is set out to assess the effectiveness of customer relationship management (CRM) in the hotel industry. Relying on the integration of several CRM scholars, the study seeks to answer questions about the relationship between CRM and performance. A mixed research method approach was adopted. The research targeted 106 hotels in Pretoria. 47 responses were received from the hotel personnel who answered the questionnaire. The findings of the survey clearly indicate that hotel performance is dependent on CRM, as shown in the variance of performance levels in line with the level of CRM practised by a specific, named hotel. The study further suggests that hotels’ management should continuously embark on various CRM practices in order to improve their performance. Responses will be captured and analysed using the SPSS computer software. The results will be subjected to quantitative data analysis. It is expected that the findings will highlight important implications for hotels and other hospitality and tourism stakeholders in Pretoria and beyond. Stakeholders wishing to improve their understanding of the effectiveness of CRM in hotels will find this study helpful. / Business Management / M. Tech. (Business Administration)

La presente investigación tiene como objetivo determinar los factores que influyeron en las exportaciones de Pisco al mercado de Estados Unidos en el marco del TLC en el periodo del 2002 al 2018. Se describirán los conceptos principales para lograr una mayor comprensión de la presente investigación. Se revisarán los antecedentes del sector pisquero en el Perú y su evolución a lo largo de los años a nivel local e internacional para medir su crecimiento en el mercado de estudio, tanto en volumen como en valor FOB. Asimismo, se revisará teoría de propiedad intelectual para lograr comprobar si es que la denominación de origen Pisco se encuentra dentro de los factores que han influenciado directamente en la exportación del Pisco. Por último, se evaluará la competitividad y el nivel de cuota de mercado del producto en mención frente a su principal competidor, Chile. Los tres objetivos planteados en el presente estudio tienen como propósito comprobar si es que los factores antes mencionados tienen injerencia directa con el tema en estudio y comprobar las hipótesis planteadas, lo cual se probará con la ayuda de un software estadístico y por medio de entrevistas. Para ello, se recopiló información a través de diversas herramientas metodológicas tales como: datos estadísticos de la SUNAT y del portal de Adex Data Trade, y entrevistas a expertos en temas relacionados al sector vitivinícola, en específico en el sector pisquero. / The present investigation aims to determinate the factors that influenced exports of Pisco to the USA market within the framework of the Trade Promotion Agreement in the term from 2002 to 2008. The main concepts will be described to achieve greater compression of the present investigation. The background of the pisco sector in Peru and its evolution over the years at local and international level will be reviewed to measure its growth in the market of study both in volume and in FOB value. Likewise, intellectual property theory will be reviewed, in order to verify whether the Pisco designation of origin is among the factors that have directly influenced the export of Pisco. Finally, the competitiveness and the level of market share will be evaluated of the product in question against its main competitor, Chile. The three principals aims set out in this study are to verify whether the aforementioned factors have direct interference with the subject under study and check the hypotheses, which will be tested with the help of statistical software and interviews. Therefore, information was collected through several methodological tools such as: statistical data of SUNAT, and the portal of Adex Data Trade, and interviews with experts, specifically in the Pisco Sector. / Tesis

Τα τελευταία χρόνια παρατηρείται μια στροφή της αγοράς καλλυντικών προς τα φυσικά καλλυντικά, σε παγκόσμιο επίπεδο. Αυτή η στροφή είναι αποτέλεσμα του υποστηρικτικού Marketing των εταιρειών φυσικών καλλυντικών καθώς και της εν γένει αντίληψης του κοινού περί αγνότητας των φυσικών καλλυντικών. Διερεύνηση των οικονομικών μεγεθων της αγοράς καθώς και συμπλήρωση αντίστοιχου ερωτηματολογίου προς τεκμηρίωση της ανωτέρω στροφής. / In the past few year is observed a turn of purchase of cosmetics to the natural cosmetics, in worldwide range. This turn is result of supporting Marketing of companies of natural cosmetics as well as in general perception of public chastity of natural cosmetics. Investigation of economic sizes of market as well as completion of corresponding questionnaire to documentation of above turn

2004年4月，歐盟執委會頒佈了新的「技術授權協議集體除外規則」及其「指導原則」，以取代1996年開始實施的舊規則。這個規則係在規範技術授權行為於歐體條約第81條下之合法性。其改革所代表的意義，主要則體現於兩個層面。其一，本次改革顯示了歐盟官方對於智慧財產權與競爭政策之關係的態度。其二，則是涉及到歐體競爭法之集體除外制度，乃至於競爭法本身如何更驅現代化的發展軌跡。以前者而言，歐體競爭法在執法思考上傾向於更加尊重智慧財產權之行使；就後者而言，則不論是在競爭規範或執法上，均更強調經濟導向的思維模式。尤其在集體除外規則中設計了以市占率為門檻之安全區制度，將使主管機關更能專注於真正重大限制競爭之案件，並使事業有更大的彈性空間因應日益複雜化的授權實務。 在現今全球化的商業實務，授權活動不可避免地將更具跨國性。因此本文的目的，即在於剖析歐盟新的集體除外制度，希冀提供各界參酌。除此以外，並藉由對歐盟新制的探討，回頭檢視我國公平法對於授權活動之規範。尤其，係對照分析公平會技術授權處理原則之規範說明。希望藉由探討歐盟新架構下的規範思考，亦能夠帶給我國規範或執法上一些新的啟發。 / On 7 April, 2004, the European Commission adopted a new Block Exemption Regulation with respect to technology transfer agreements (TTBER) along with some detailed Guidelines. The new Regulation, which replaces the Reg. 240/96, addresses the evaluation on licensing activities under Article 81 of the EC Treaty. This reform shows the official attitude toward the interaction between Intellectual Property Rights and the Competition Law. Moreover, it demonstrates the path of the modernization of Block Exemption Regulations, and also the EC Competition Law itself. This article will illustrate the framework of the new TTBER with comparison to the old one and the U.S. approach. Furthermore, it will survey our position on licensing practices, especially focusing on our “Fair Trade Commission Guidelines on Technology Licensing Arrangements”. Based on the research, a proposed revolution for Taiwan FTC’s measures concerning the licensing activities will be provided at the end of this article.

This thesis focuses on the competition analysis of Zeelandia on the Czech market. In the literature review are indicated problems related to situational analysis, competition, competition analysis, SWOT analysis, SW analysis and Porter's five forces model. The practical part is composed of a list of competitors, compare financial indicators, determination of market shares, SW analysis with valuation, identification of key strengths and weaknesses and the subsequent overall evaluation.