Thesis (Ph. D.)--Ohio State University, 2005. / Abstract available online via OhioLINK's ETD Center; full text release delayed at author's request until 2006 July 21.

Thesis (Ph. D. in Interdisciplinary Studies: Management of Technology)--Vanderbilt University, May 2007. / Title from title screen. Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis (MScEng (Industrial Engineering))--University of Stellenbosch, 2007. / Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) is defined as the business activity of managing a company's products across the product lifecycle. Product Data Management (PDM) systems are the primary system component of PLM. The focus of this research is on the implementation of PDM software within the context of PLM. Fifty percent of all PLM projects fail. Failure implies no bottom-line benefit is achieved with the implementation. The main reason for failure is not the technology but the implementation approach used. The research question addressed by this thesis is: How can it be ensured that bottom-line benefit is achieved with the implementation of PLM technology? The Necessary but not Sufficient (N&S) solution is based on Theory of Constraints principles and was developed to help achieve significant bottom-line benefit with the implementation of new technology. This is accomplished through focusing on the removal of limitations (something that prevents the company from better achievement of its goal of increasing profit) as well as addressing the necessary organisational changes (the N&S solution refers to the changing of customs, habits, policies, procedures, metrics and behaviour). This research applies the N&S solution to the PLM software environment in order to address the research question. The outcome of the project is an implementation methodology that will ensure bottom-line benefit will be achieved with the implementation of PLM software. This implementation methodology was applied to a practical case study from an analysis point of view and was validated with cause and effect logic.

Buscando suprir a necessidade crescente do mercado por novos produtos e soluções, as empresas buscaram alternativas em terceiros para desenvolverem seus produtos e reduzir o seu time to market; ampliando, desta maneira, seu mix e agregando conhecimento e novas tecnologias não presentes em seus negócios. No entanto, nos modelos econômicos atuais, a terceirização está se tornando onerosa aos custos do produto sendo inviável seu repasse ao preço de venda. Como resultado, as empresas necessitam internar a fabricação de alguns destes produtos, porém esbarram na falta de informações relativas ao seu desenvolvimento. Este trabalho tem como objetivo principal avaliar quais são os aspectos da internalização em desenvolvimento de produtos terceirizados. A pesquisa objeto deste trabalho foi conduzida sob o formato de múltiplos estudos de caso por intermédio de um questionário de perguntas fechadas. Foram avaliadas quinze (15) empresas da região nordeste do estado do Rio Grande do Sul que terceirizam o desenvolvimento de produtos. Dentre as quinze empresas entrevistadas, apenas três possuem um processo de desenvolvimento de produtos terceirizado consistente, garantindo a manutenção das informações relativas ao processo e perdas demasiadas de horas de desenvolvimento de produtos no momento da internalização deste desenvolvimento. / Submitted by Ana Guimarães Pereira (agpereir@ucs.br) on 2015-08-12T18:08:20Z No. of bitstreams: 1 Dissertacao Estevan Cioato.pdf: 1338548 bytes, checksum: 6a8e080bdef506fc705088c89710f966 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2015-08-12T18:08:20Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Dissertacao Estevan Cioato.pdf: 1338548 bytes, checksum: 6a8e080bdef506fc705088c89710f966 (MD5) / Seeking to meet the growing market need for new products and solutions, companies have sought alternatives on third parties to develop their products and reduce their time to market; in order to widen their product mix, adding knowledge and new technologies not present in their business. In the current economic models, outsourcing has become an onerous cost for the product being unfeasible to transfer it to the selling price. As a result, companies need to intern the manufacturing of some of these products, though they have to face a lack of knowledge and information related to their development. This work aims to evaluate the aspects of internalization in outsourced product developments. The object of this research was conducted under the format of multiple case studies through a questionnaire of closed questions. Fifteen (15) companies that outsource product development in the northeastern region of Rio Grande do Sul state. Only three of those fifteen interviewed companies have a consistent outsourced product development process, ensuring the maintenance of information regarding the process, and avoiding too many losses of product development working hours at the moment this development is internalized.

M.Ing. / This dissertation aims to identify the effects contributed by branding on organisational performance, as branding may contribute positively or negatively to the company sales performance. Many customers align quality products with certain brands only. Some organisations over price their products because they have guaranteed space in the market and had built solid relationships with their customers. Due to many different good products which do not do well in the market because of poor branding, the author identifies the problems aligned with branding and the author also looks at the possible causes of poor sales performance. This dissertation aims at presenting knowledge on branding, marketing strategies used by organisations to secure space for themselves in the market and strategies used by organisations to persuade customers into thinking their brand has the best products. The author provides overview on branding importance, criteria for choosing brand elements and brand tactics that has an impact on the customer‟s psychological aspects. The author then talks about the marketing strategies that can be used after building proper branding for the organisation. The marketing strategies may differ from organisation to organisation depending on the target market. The author then analyzes customer needs and buying behaviour and channels of distribution of products to ensure maximum sales. A case study in two television (TV) famous brands was conducted in order to find out the impact of branding on organisational performance. This case study compares the two TVs with each other and investigates their technologies. The case study also looks at TVs branding, their marketing strategies and the overview of their marketing results. A survey questionnaire was constructed, and this survey questionnaire was on the two TV brands discussed in the case study. The survey questionnaire was sent to different people of different life styles and age groups. The aim of the questionnaire was to find the extent into which branding influences customer‟s decision in buying a product, other things that attracts a customer and also how do customers perceive different brands.

M.Com. (Business Management) / The industrial product manager is responsible for the development and marketing of a product. This includes more than just the properties of the product. To be successful during the process of development and marketing of industrial products, there must be sufficient knowledge about the factors influencing it as well as the relative importance that is placed on it by the target market. The aim of this study was to identify critical factors for the success of new products in the industrial environment. These critical succfess factors were further verified, and their rank of importance determined, in the chemical industry of South Africa. The results of this study can be used by product managers in the industry to improve their new product programs in those areas which are considered as important during and by the development and marketing processes of enterprizes. Thirteen critical success factors, and their rank of importance, were established as th following: 1. A superior product 2. Solid up-front homework prior to development 3. Quality technological actions 4. Quality marketing actions 5. Innovativeness 6. A ttractive markets 7. A quality launch 8. Low-risk, important purchase 9. Familiar, known arenas 10. Sharp and early product definition 11. Cross-functional team approach 12. Non-product advantage 13. High synergy None of these factors can be ignored during the development and marketing...

D.Phil. (Marketing) / Despite the extensive research undertaken in the subject area of services marketing, much is still unknown about services internal marketing, specifically internal marketing mix elements and how they affect brand awareness in services organisations. This study attempted to address this limitation. The study revolved around eleven internal marketing mix elements and their influence on brand awareness dimensions in the South African car rental industry. Services organisations of which car rental companies are an example playa vital role in South Africa's economy, as services organisations contribute 74% to the country's Gross Domestic Product (GOP). Car rental companies like many other services organisations, are operating in a complex and extremely competitive environment. In order to attract and retain external customers, car rental companies need to focus on programmes to enhance their services delivery. Employees are the most valuable asset of an organisation, especially in the services environment. Internal marketing programmes aimed at employees are crucial to motivate them to improve service delivery to external customers. The four traditional internal marketing mix elements, namely internal product, price, promotion and place, as well as the three services internal marketing mix elements, namely internal people, process, and physical evidence are well known in product and services markets. However, this study contributed to the body of knowledge by adding four recent internal marketing mix elements, namely internal personal relationships, packaging, positioning and performance. Brand awareness refers to the strength of a brand's presence in the customer's mind. Awareness is measured according to the different ways in which customers remember a brand, ranging from recognition (exposure to the brand) to recall (What can be recalled about the brand) (Aaker, 2004:10). Brand awareness recall is associated with three dimensions, namely trustworthiness, overall evaluation and loyalty. In order to establish the influence of the eleven internal marketing mix elements on the brand awareness as perceived by the customers of selected car rental companies, an empirical investigation was conducted. The primary objective of this study was to determine the perceived influence of the different elements of internal marketing on the brand awareness as perceived by selected car rental customers in South Africa. Avis First Car Rental and Hertz were prepared to participate in this study. Combined they have a market share of more than 55%, thus it was believed that they were a fair representation of the car rental industry in South Africa. Probability sampling in the form of directly proportional stratified sampling was used in terms of selecting only customers of the three car rental companies, not including employees. The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of internal marketing on the brand awareness perceived by customers, therefore, only customers were selected for the purpose of the study. The sample unit included customers who rented cars from the Avis, First Car Rental and Hertz over a period of three months, namely November 2010 untit January 2011. The sampling elements were customers who rented vehicles at airports, nameLy OR Tambo, Cape Town, Durban, Bloemfontein, Port Elizabeth, East London, George, Nelspruit, Kimberley and Lanseria and city branches, including Johannesburg, Cape Town, Durban, Bloemfontein, Port Elizabeth, East London, George, Nelspruit and Kimberley. The required sample size of respondents was between 375 and 750 and the- actue* sample size was 581. The measuring instrument was a questionnaire that included a current and ideal situation. The main technique for analysing data was structural equation modelling and equivalence testing to determine if there was any difference between the status quo and ideal situation as perceived by car rental customers. The empirical investigation conducted among customers of Avis, First Car Rental and Hertz revealed that significant positive relationships existed between the services internal marketing element process and brand recognition, trustworthiness, overall evaluation and loyalty; as well as between the recent internal marketing element internal performance and trustworthiness, overall evaluation and loyalty. These relationships imply that if car rental companies improve their internal process and performance, the brand awareness of the car rental company would improve. Other internal marketing mix elements that positively influenced brand awareness were people (employees), physical evidence, personal relationships, packaging and positioning. Based on the positive relationships described above, as well as the strong influence internal process and performance have had on brand awareness, a model as guideline to car rental companies was developed. The purpose of the model is to emphasise internal marketing elements on which car rental companies should focus to improve brand recognition, trustworthiness, overall evaluation and loyalty amongst their customers. The model was tested and proved to be applicable to both the status quo and ideal situation. In addition to the model, the study indicated that car rental companies should implement strategies to improve their internal marketing programmes. These strategies will contribute to improvement of employees' satisfaction and subsequently customer satisfaction. Satisfied customers will remain customers of their car rental company and ultimately profits and competitiveness of the particular car rental company will prosper. Eventually employees, customers and car rental companies and the whole economy of South Africa will benefit.

M.Com. (Business Management) / Please refer to full text to view abstract

Buscando suprir a necessidade crescente do mercado por novos produtos e soluções, as empresas buscaram alternativas em terceiros para desenvolverem seus produtos e reduzir o seu time to market; ampliando, desta maneira, seu mix e agregando conhecimento e novas tecnologias não presentes em seus negócios. No entanto, nos modelos econômicos atuais, a terceirização está se tornando onerosa aos custos do produto sendo inviável seu repasse ao preço de venda. Como resultado, as empresas necessitam internar a fabricação de alguns destes produtos, porém esbarram na falta de informações relativas ao seu desenvolvimento. Este trabalho tem como objetivo principal avaliar quais são os aspectos da internalização em desenvolvimento de produtos terceirizados. A pesquisa objeto deste trabalho foi conduzida sob o formato de múltiplos estudos de caso por intermédio de um questionário de perguntas fechadas. Foram avaliadas quinze (15) empresas da região nordeste do estado do Rio Grande do Sul que terceirizam o desenvolvimento de produtos. Dentre as quinze empresas entrevistadas, apenas três possuem um processo de desenvolvimento de produtos terceirizado consistente, garantindo a manutenção das informações relativas ao processo e perdas demasiadas de horas de desenvolvimento de produtos no momento da internalização deste desenvolvimento. / Seeking to meet the growing market need for new products and solutions, companies have sought alternatives on third parties to develop their products and reduce their time to market; in order to widen their product mix, adding knowledge and new technologies not present in their business. In the current economic models, outsourcing has become an onerous cost for the product being unfeasible to transfer it to the selling price. As a result, companies need to intern the manufacturing of some of these products, though they have to face a lack of knowledge and information related to their development. This work aims to evaluate the aspects of internalization in outsourced product developments. The object of this research was conducted under the format of multiple case studies through a questionnaire of closed questions. Fifteen (15) companies that outsource product development in the northeastern region of Rio Grande do Sul state. Only three of those fifteen interviewed companies have a consistent outsourced product development process, ensuring the maintenance of information regarding the process, and avoiding too many losses of product development working hours at the moment this development is internalized.

This project for Crimson Eagle Global Enterprise is the initial step in developing a strategic business plan. The traditional business plan contains many sections (business description, marketing, competition, operating procedures, personnel, business insurance, and finacial data). Using a different style, this project simply highlights those sections, rather than going into detail.