published_or_final_version / Business Administration / Master / Master of Business Administration

The dissertation covers a spectrum of issues relating to the creation, acquisition and application of personal computers in the CEMA economies. Personal computing is examined through five stages, each a step in the process of integration of personal computing into the economies. They consider personal computing as: (1) Paradigm, how the Soviets and East Europeans view personal computing and how that relates to Western developments; (2) Technology, with discussion of indigenous capabilities of the CEMA members. Major topics are the Soviet microprocessor inventory, and the mechanisms whereby indigenous capabilities are increased, in particular via technology transfer; (3) Commodity, relating the technologies to actual products and production levels achieved. This stage also considers the availability of external sources (trade) for technology embodied as products; (4) Tool, discussing the products in application. The major application areas, including computer literacy education, are described. (5) Change, summarizing the current and expected social and economic effects of personal computing. The greatest emphasis is placed on the first three stages, which have progressed to the point where strong conclusions may be drawn. Achievements in personal computing application vary greatly across the CEMA community, and the coverage is directed to two case studies of Hungary and the USSR. Analysis of the last stage is necessarily largely speculative. Problems encountered in the promotion of personal computing, almost all arising out of economic and technological deficiencies, have rendered moot many questions related to the social effects of personal computing. The research shows that personal computing, in particular as it acts as a commodity, is largely alien to current CEMA economic management, and that the CEMA economies are having a difficult time in the creation or acquisition and support of PCs. This prevents their appearance in sufficient quantity to be useful as tools, or to effect change. The dissertation concludes with predictions of the nature of personal computing in the CEMA community over the next decade, and an analysis of the current and future relationship of the CEMA community to the rest of the world, especially for technology and commodity transfer from the developed West and newly-industrializing countries.

No description available.

by Kok Ming, Hung Nap-ho Francis. / Bibliography : leaves 120-121 / Thesis (M.B.A.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 1984

by Wu Yuk-Fai. / Thesis (M.B.A.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 1993. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 193-195). / ABSTRACT --- p.ii / TABLE OF CONTENTS --- p.iv / ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS --- p.vii / Chapter / Chapter I. --- INTRODUCTION --- p.1 / Title of the Project --- p.1 / Statement of the Problem --- p.1 / Purpose of the study --- p.1 / Industrial Background --- p.2 / Research Objectives --- p.5 / Justification --- p.5 / Scope of the Study --- p.6 / Overview of Following Chapters --- p.6 / Chapter II. --- LITERATURE REVIEW --- p.8 / Definition of Sales Promotion --- p.8 / Get Something for Nothing --- p.8 / An Element of the Promotion Mix --- p.8 / Extraordinary Selling Efforts --- p.8 / Out-of-the-ordinary Event Sales --- p.9 / Short-term Nature --- p.9 / """Idea"" behind Sales Promotion" --- p.9 / Conclusion --- p.10 / Growth of Importance of Sales Promotion --- p.10 / Sales Promotion Spending Outpaces Media Advertising --- p.10 / Reasons for Growth of Sales Promotion --- p.11 / Basic Goals of Sales Promotion --- p.11 / To Increase Number of New Customers --- p.11 / To Increase Consumption of Current Consumers --- p.12 / To Build Continuity of Purchase --- p.13 / Additional Role Play of Promotion Activities --- p.13 / Establish Shop Personalities --- p.13 / As a Tool to Persuade --- p.13 / Meet the Market Standard: Constant Promotion --- p.14 / Common Sales Promotion Activities --- p.14 / Sampling --- p.14 / Premiums --- p.15 / Contest and Sweepstakes --- p.15 / Customers as Selling Agents --- p.15 / Windows Display --- p.16 / Trading Stamps --- p.16 / Coupons --- p.16 / Trend in Sales Promotion --- p.16 / "No ""Sure-Winner""" --- p.16 / """Diminishing Marginal Impact"" Effect" --- p.17 / Conclusion --- p.17 / Chapter III. --- METHODOLOGY --- p.18 / Overview --- p.18 / Literature Review --- p.18 / Personal Interview with PC Retailers --- p.18 / Qualitative Focus Group Discussion --- p.19 / Quantitative Questionnaire Survey --- p.20 / Conjoint Analysis Interview --- p.20 / Chapter IV. --- QUALITATIVE RESEARCH RESULTS AND ANALYSIS --- p.22 / Overview --- p.22 / Customer Needs of Personal Computer (PC) --- p.23 / Usage of PC --- p.23 / Dissatisfaction of PC --- p.23 / Customer Needs --- p.23 / Purchase Behaviour of Personal Computer (PC) --- p.24 / Information Searching Process --- p.24 / Evaluation Criteria --- p.26 / Aftersales Satisfaction and Reinforcement --- p.29 / Reaction to different types of sales promotion activities --- p.29 / Overall Comparison --- p.30 / Guarantee-added promotion --- p.31 / Price-cut promotion --- p.32 / Value-added promotion --- p.33 / Conclusion --- p.34 / Market Situation --- p.34 / How Important of Sales Promotion is in Shaping the Purchase Behaviour? --- p.35 / Hypotheses Formulation --- p.36 / Chapter V. --- QUANTITATIVE SURVEY RESULTS AND ANALYSIS --- p.38 / Overview --- p.38 / Preference for PC Retail Outlets --- p.39 / Choice Criteria of PC Retail Shops --- p.40 / Consumer Preference of Different Sales Promotion Activities --- p.42 / Conclusion --- p.44 / Chapter VI. --- CONJOINT ANALYSIS AND INTERPRETATION --- p.46 / Overview --- p.46 / Evaluation of Relative Importance Among Sales Promotion Activities --- p.47 / Conclusion --- p.50 / Chapter VII. --- MARKETING IMPLICATIONS --- p.51 / Retail Outlets --- p.51 / Sales Promotion vs. Advertising --- p.52 / Price as the Only Factor? --- p.52 / Effective Sales Promotion Plan --- p.53 / Chapter VIII. --- RECOMMENDATION ON FUTURE RESEARCH --- p.55 / Limitations --- p.55 / Recommendations --- p.55 / TABLES --- p.57 / APPENDICES --- p.181 / BIBLIOGRAPHY --- p.193

Typescript (photocopy). / Digitized by Kansas Correctional Industries

Thesis (M.S.)--Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Alfred P. Sloan School of Management, 1982. / MICROFICHE COPY AVAILABLE IN ARCHIVES AND DEWEY / Bibliography: leaves 188-192. / by Gary Noble Farner. / M.S.

Typescript (photocopy). / Digitized by Kansas Correctional Industries

The social impacts of new information technology have attracted much attention in recent years. This study looked at the personal computer's impact on the public library's services and functions. Particular attention was paid to the public access personal computer. The method involved a Baseline survey to establish the availability and use of public access personal computers in Australian public libraries and a Delphi survey to consider possible futures. The researcher's framework was drawn from reviews of the literatures on futures research; new information technology and its social impacts; the development and current situation of the public library; and innovation research. The Baseline survey revealed that public access personal computers were becoming increasingly common in public libraries, though their provision was not yet widespread. Existing and planned uses included games, literacy and various other educational activities. Overall the public access personal computer was viewed as a favourable innovation with the part it could play in developing community computer literacy receiving particular attention. The Delphi panel was comprised of 25 public librarians selected on the basis of their knowledge about computers in public libraries. The 41 Event Statements postulated a wide range of changes in - (1) the nature and method of service provision; (2) the patterns of client demand and use; and, (3) financial allocations. The results revealed greater variability of opinion about the likely time of occurrence of the Events than about their desirability. A high level of opinion change between the two Rounds did not produce much movement toward consensus - indicating that the panel had varied views of the future. Comment on both surveys indicated that the librarians were keen to develop services relevant to their communities and if public access personal computers were such a service they would strive to provide them. The Delphi survey proved a good vehicle for encouraging consideration of the future and further research using the method seems warranted.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--Union Institute (Randolph County, N.C.), 1989. / eContent provider-neutral record in process. Description based on print version record. Includes bibliographical references.