In 1960 department stores were the sole form of large-scale retailing in Japan. The retail industry was otherwise comprised of a very large number of small firms. Two significant trends have occurred since 1960. First, there was the emergence of new large-scale retail formats and their subsequent growth. Second, there was the development of large organisations operating on a multiple store basis. New organisational forms evolved including superstore and supermarket chains, and speciality chain stores. Geographical and historical factors were first examined that have affected the structure of the modern Japanese retail industry. A framework embodying the concepts of threats and opportunities was then used to identify forces that have influenced organisational and technical change since 1960. The following "Threats and Opportunities" were analysed: The Economic Climate. The Changing Japanese Consumer. Technological Change. Relationships Between Retailers and Wholesalers. Changes in Commercial Land Use. Government Policy and Legislation. Major structural trends within retailing during the period 1972-1985 were then examined, through an analysis of 29 retail categories in the Census of Distribution for the period 1972-1985. A sample of nine categories was chosen for, a more detailed analysis, using thematic maps, to show the geographic distribution of outlets in 1985 and selected changes since 1972. One of these categories was comprised of large stores including superstores and many supermarkets. It figured prominently within the changes described in the analysis. The leading six superstore/supermarket companies, by sales February 1986, formed the subjects of case studies, with the objective of obtaining insights into the spatial implications of organisational and technological change within these examples of large-scale retail companies. Their development was described, including their expansion through diversification. The Chandler Thesis was selected, and found to be an appropriate model, in considering the organisational changes occuring within these companies. Finally, some international comparisons were made.

<p>The role that mentor and prot&eacute / g&eacute / play in transforming South African society in general and the business environment in particular, is important and lends new meaning to leveling of the playing fields. Fundamental to success of any mentorship programme is the relationship between the mentor and the prot&eacute / g&eacute / . Since mentors play a key role in shaping the prot&eacute / g&eacute / they have to employ strategies that offer practical and emotional support to the prot&eacute / g&eacute / while understanding the implication of mentoring in a particular social and political context. The mentor is also an intermediary between the prot&eacute / g&eacute / and the organization. This research report developed an exploratory analytical framework to understand mentoring relationships, with particular reference to the South African regulatory context and the internal organization factors that impact mentoring relationships, and the effect on affirmative action in South African organizations.</p>

"This thesis investigates the influence of company and executive characteristics on strategic alliance formation (decision to form alliances, alliance type selection and choice of alliance partners) and performance evaluation of alliances, in the Australian tourism industry sector of travel. The significance of forming strategic alliances as a way of achieving 'harambe' is emphasised throughout this thesis. 'Harambe' is a ki-Swahili term meaning "to pull together, or to work together or to pull the same rope together at the same time" in harmony. The idea here is that companies pool their resources together through strategic alliances to be able to achieve their strategic goals and objectives. The research focuses on three travel sub-sectors - travel agencies, tour operators and wholesalers and how these sub-sectors relate with those of transport and accommodation." - / Doctor of Philosophy

This thesis critically analyses the definitions of strategy within the management control literature, the relationship between resource-based view of strategy and the balanced scorecard, as well as the impact of these on manager's perceived performance. Contingency theory has been used as the overall framework for this thesis. A longitudinal case study of a technology company was undertaken, with a critical analysis of the implementation of the balanced scorecard at one of the business units. Both qualitative and quantitative research tools were used. The thesis discusses the interaction between changes in management control systems and organisational changes through the use of the Laughlin framework and the three mechanisms of institutional isomorphic suggested by DiMaggio and Powell. / Thesis (PhDBusinessandManagement)--University of South Australia, 2006.

"This thesis investigates the influence of company and executive characteristics on strategic alliance formation (decision to form alliances, alliance type selection and choice of alliance partners) and performance evaluation of alliances, in the Australian tourism industry sector of travel. The significance of forming strategic alliances as a way of achieving 'harambe' is emphasised throughout this thesis. 'Harambe' is a ki-Swahili term meaning "to pull together, or to work together or to pull the same rope together at the same time" in harmony. The idea here is that companies pool their resources together through strategic alliances to be able to achieve their strategic goals and objectives. The research focuses on three travel sub-sectors - travel agencies, tour operators and wholesalers and how these sub-sectors relate with those of transport and accommodation." - / Doctor of Philosophy

This dissertation presents the findings of an empirical study of the effectiveness of knowledge management practices in an environment of principal-agent and market testing conditions in the Australian Defence Organisation (ADO) during the period 2001-2005. Using a grounded theory research approach and a longitudinal case study, the ADO's workforce planning community of practice is the focus of the study. The research is conducted in the context of the knowledge-based view of the firm, which holds that organisational effectiveness and thus sustained competitiveness is dependant on the continual creation, application and protection of new and unique knowledge. Pertinent knowledge management theories are reviewed and reframed in terms of loose coupling concepts, which are then used to describe the variety of knowledge creating relationships and opportunities for workforce planning that become apparent during the course of field research studies. The impact of market testing, as a precursor to outsourcing, on the creation of new knowledge in workforce planning is examined progressively during field studies. The role of leadership in maintaining effective workforce knowledge management practices emerges as the primary category in the loose coupling analysis process. The paper suggests that in order to sustain competitive advantage in workforce planning that is conducted in a commercial support or market testing environment, trust-based leadership and the use of appropriate knowledge management practices are necessary. The dissertation has important implications for research and practice. Specifically, the loose coupling framework provides a focus for literature reviews in future research of knowledge management and, in terms of professional practice, the framework is developed into an aide-m??moire that can be used to enhance knowledge management practices to meet workforce planning objectives. The aide-m??moire potentially has wider application as a tool to assess the effectiveness of knowledge management within the organisation as well as informing the selection of remedial knowledge management practices. Limitations of the paper are acknowledged and recommendations are made for further research.

Dissertation (PhD)--University of Stellenbosch, 2005. / Bibliography. Also available via the Internet.

Thesis (D. Min.)--Dallas Theological Seminary, 2006. / Includes abstract. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 121-123).

Thesis (M.Sc.) (Hons.) -- University of Western Sydney, Hawkesbury, 2000. / A thesis presented to the University of Western Sydney, Hawkesbury, in fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science (Hons.), November, 2000. Bibliography : leaves 154-162.

Thesis (M.Comm. Hons.)-- University of Western Sydney, Macarthur, Faculty of Business and Technology, Dept. of Manufacturing and Quality Systems, 1996.