Thesis (M.S.)--Auburn University, 2008. / Abstract. Vita. Includes bibliographical references (p. 41-43).

Thesis (M. Phil.)--Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, 2004. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 71-76). Also available in electronic version. Access restricted to campus users.

Thesis (Ph.D.)--University of Western Australia, 2008.

Thesis (M.S.)--Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, 1993. / Vita. Abstract. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 128-132). Also available via the Internet.

This dissertation examines the impact of advertising self-disclosures (present versus absent) and advertising message appeals (hard sell versus soft sell) which is moderated by innate personal traits within the context of financial services advertising. In particular this study investigates the impact of self-regulatory focus (i.e. innate personal traits) on self-disclosures and advertising message appeal with regards to cognitive (knowledge), affective (attribute evaluation) and conative (buying intention) responses of retail investors. The industry concerns private retirement schemes (PRS). The theoretical framework is based on Higgins (2012) regulatory focus theory on chronic personal disposition inherent in an individual (i.e. prevention/promotion), and how this disposition might mitigate with self-disclosures and message appeal contained in advertisements in terms knowledge, attribute evaluation (i.e. attitude) and buying intention. ANOVA results from a between subjects experiment indicated that the individual regulatory orientation interacts with the effects of advertising self-disclosures and message appeals. Specifically, when exposed to hard sell advertisements with self- disclosures (soft sell advertisements with self-disclosures) perceived knowledge, attribute evaluation and buying intention towards the PRS is favorable to prevention oriented investors (promotion oriented investors). In addition the effect is greater on prevention subjects in comparison to promotion subjects. This study proposes theoretical, managerial, public policy implications and future research directions.

The relationship between personality and work engagement and work engagement and demographic variables is investigated. The Riso-Hudson Enneagram Type Indicator (RHETI) was used to measure personality and the Utrecht Work Engagement Scale (UWES) was used to measure work engagement. In contrast to the literature findings, no significant relations were found between personality and work engagement. An increased sample size per personality type or triad may yield different results. Furthermore, the RHETI operationalising of personality differs from previous research. Gender and job tenure were related to work engagement whilst ethnicity, marital status, job level and age were not. In general, results from this sample recognise that work engagement is stimulated by more than personality type, acknowledging influences of job resources, gender and job tenure. Personality is stable across situations whilst work engagement may fluctuate across employment situations. Relevant recommendations to the organisation and for future research in this regard are highlighted. / Industrial and Organisational Psychology / M.A. (Industrial & Organisational Psychology)

Thesis (MTech (Quality))--Cape Peninsula University of Technology, 2010 / The aim of this study is to examine the level of utilisation of productivity software by staff of the Engineering Faculty of a South African University, and the impact it has on productivity. One of the primary effects of staff underutilisation is time wasted by staff who are doing tasks manually, instead of learning faster methods of doing tasks. It was thought that the use of computers would free staff up from the tedium of everyday manual tasks, effectively giving staff a shorter work day, however the actual impact has been to increase workload, as one can now simply do much more work. Staff have become so accustomed to using technology in every aspect of the daily work life, that they are not able to perform even the most basic function if that particular technology, such as e-mail or the internet, is not working. This study investigates the current skills level of staff in their use of productivity software, as well as what effect their current knowledge has on their ability to do their job effectively. Also to be investigated is how their level of training relates to their current level of knowledge, what tasks are staff not capable of doing, what additional skills do they need to improve their productivity, what type of training would they like to receive. A questionnaire will be used to gather required information about both the general skill level, as well as specific functions in Microsoft Excel and Word, as well as Novell GroupWise.

Orientador: Maria Alejandra Caporale Madi / Dissertação (mestrado) - Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Instituto de Economia / Made available in DSpace on 2018-08-19T00:59:44Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Loural_MarceloSartorio_M.pdf: 1374182 bytes, checksum: 673497f01d0d2d4fd27109d5277c56c3 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2011 / Resumo: No regime de riqueza financeirizado a lógica que pauta as decisões capitalistas revela a predominância da esfera financeira sobre a produtiva com impactos relevantes sobre diversos aspectos da sociedade e da economia, entre eles a precarização do trabalho. Nesse contexto, pretende-se com este estudo analisar a evolução do emprego formal nos serviços prestados às empresas no Brasil, considerando os impactos da financeirização sobre as estratégias empresariais. Tais decisões passam a se pautar, em muitos casos, pela terceirização de atividades-meio, com impacto no setor de serviços. O estudo indica que, no Brasil, o período de crescimento econômico pós-2003 até a crise global trouxe um aumento do emprego no setor de serviços prestados às empresas que, embora proporcional ao movimento observado no emprego industrial, apresenta características marcantes de precarização em relação ao emprego no setor industrial / Abstract: In the regime of financialization of wealth, the logic that guides the capitalist decisions reveals the predominance of the financial over the productive sphere with significant impacts on various aspects of economy and society, including precariousness of employment. In this context, the objective of this research is to analyze the evolution of formal employment in business services in Brazil, considering the impact of financialization on business strategies. Such decisions are guided, in many cases, by the outsourcing of some activities and this shows impacts on the services sector. The study indicates that in Brazil, the period of economic growth from 2003 to the global crisis has brought an increase in employment in the sector of business services that, although proportional to the movement observed in industrial employment, presents strong characteristics of precariousness when compared to the employment in the industrial sector / Mestrado / Economia Social e do Trabalho / Mestre em Desenvolvimento Econômico

M.Comm. / The Financial Services industry is in the throes of significant changes and challenges. Managers confronted with the metoric of the "information age" may experience a variety of emotions, ranging from excitement to suspicion or even outright scepticism. What has changed is that more and more businesses are defining their strategies in terms of information or knowledge. Today we hear and read much about "the learning organisation", "working knowledge", "knowledge networks", "business ntelligence", "competitor intelligence". These concepts may be popular to all but to executives they need to be clear — they make strategic decisions. Executives must realise these MIS, CIS and Expert Systems, are more than tools, they are a way of life, a way to gain strategic competitive advantage in a new market — called global isation. Managers need to rely on knowledge to make decisions and add value to the financial performance and use their collective experience without becoming bogged down in methodological or technological complexity. Biggest is no longer necessary the best. Today it is often more profitable to focus attraction the best customers than to attempt to reduce cost. Executives should be cautious, even suspicious; of the technological and software solutions being offered and sceptical that one concept can do it all. This is not surprising because we are dealing with knowledge, information and above all people. Add these together and we are to paraphrase the physicist, Freeman Dyoon, "infinite in all direction". Nevertheless companies understand that past experience has shown that common purpose, culture and focus can mobilise people for profitable and personally rewarding creativity and achievement. The future competitive landscape demands no less!

In a fragmented and competitive industry, it is likely for the smaller roleplayer to be challenged in terms of competitiveness and market share. It is, therefore, important for the smaller organisation to etch its position in the market, by increasing its competitive advantage. In a milieu where there is a shift in distribution dynamics and the balance of power, and an increase in consumerism, the need to react is a pressing issue to be addressed by the smaller player. In the context of this study, the small and medium-low-impact intermediary in the South African short-term insurance industry is under pressure from, among others, direct distribution models and the increasing volume of the medium-high and high-impact intermediaries. It is determined in this study that the intermediary is challenged by all five market forces, as postulated by Porter in the model of “the five forces that shape industry competition”. The intermediary organisation must adopt positioning strategies, and differentiate its offering, in order to stay relevant in the industry. The short-term insurance intermediate industry is classified as a service industry; and therefore, it has unique factors to attend to. The positioning and differentiation strategies must be implemented without compromising the service quality levels. Furthermore, in the development of positioning strategies, it is essential to investigate the traditional marketing mix, while amplifying the mix with contemporary views of the subject. These form the basis of the positioning strategy; and from there, differentiation offerings can be shaped. A survey analysis of the product suppliers aims to identify the most important strategies for success. The study relies on the industry knowledge of the executives of these organisations, to steer the positioning strategies of the intermediary to fit in with their own positioning in the marketplace.