Container terminal plays an important role to serve container vessel¡¦s loading and discharging in seaport. Owing to high sunk cost and resource limited in operating ( e.g. rental, quay and yard cranes, berth window, yard and so on ), container terminals are mostly run by government or conglomerate of joint carriers . Practically, there are many container terminal operation types in the world. Among them, Kaohsiung Harbor Authority ( KHB ) leases out all terminals to several vessel carriers and the terminal lessee serves hers own vessels. In such operation type, Kaohsiung port terminal industries are faced with resource limited and berth window shortage problems. Above all, under the prevailing of global alliance tendency and ports serious competition, the terminal lessees will have the pressures of lack in resource sharing advantage and cost increasing. In such situation, the terminal performance and efficiency will be deteriorated in the long run. Thus, how to seek a better way, even changing the operation type, to enhance Kaohsiung port competitive ability is an imminent problem. Therefore, in order to maintain the Kaohsiung port¡¦s competitive advantage in international seaports, this thesis aims to discuss and evaluate the possibility of joint-venture type in Kaohsiung container terminal. We take Los Angeles¡¦s joint-venture case, which is a success cooperation, as an emulating example. And we act the expert investigation by AHP analysis to process this study. Finally, we expect this conclusion and suggestions can provide an opportunity to relating organizations for further study enabling them to come up with a suitable operation type in Kaohsiung harbor.

Thesis (Ph.D.)--York University, 2007. Graduate Programme in Business Administration. / Typescript. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 246-265). Also available on the Internet. MODE OF ACCESS via web browser by entering the following URL: http://gateway.proquest.com/openurl?url_ver=Z39.88-2004&res_dat=xri:pqdiss&rft_val_fmt=info:ofi/fmt:kev:mtx:dissertation&rft_dat=xri:pqdiss:NR29492

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Texas at Austin, 2003. / Vita. Includes bibliographical references. Available also from UMI Company.

published_or_final_version / Real Estate and Construction / Doctoral / Doctor of Philosophy

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This formation of new business arrangements, in the form of strategic alliances, is the topic upon which this thesis is focused. Two new types of business agreements, which have been observed, are strategic contract-based alliances and strategic fuzzy alliances. While, contract-based alliances are new, in that firms are choosing non-traditional partners, strategic fuzzy alliances are quite unique as they involve trust. / The aim of this thesis is to analyse these alliances and the role of trust in business-to-business relationships. This will be accomplished in two ways. First, using Shapiro et al.'s (1992) taxonomy of trust and a neo-classical framework, a theoretical model of governance choice involving strategic alliances is developed. Based on transaction theory, this model is then used to generate necessary and sufficient conditions for trust-based agreements and supports an empirical model. / The second component of this paper is an empirical model testing the above theory. Using a survey of horticultural and pork processing firms, a multinomial logit model that explains governance choice is developed. Results indicate that: (1) strategic fuzzy alliances are less common than previously thought; (2) asset and contract-based alliances continue to be the alliances of choice; (3) firm behaviour, vis-a-vis strategic alliances is consistent with neo-classical notions of the firm; and (4) risk is a major determinant of governance choice. (Abstract shortened by UMI.)

The research reported in this thesis investigated the factors affecting effective brand alliances, in which two brands from different product categories were featured together for introducing a co-branded brand. Despite the increasing use of brand alliances, little research has been done to examine the factors that determine the effectiveness of co-branded brand in brand alliances, or to evaluate the brand attribute of co-branded brand in brand alliances. Based on a critical review of the literature on alliances and brand extension theory, the author developed a conceptual framework to understand how parent brands with association, similarity, and complementary fit can affect the result of brand alliances. The conceptual framework captures the different degrees of similarity, association and complementary fit between parent brands (where one is a header brand and the other is a modifier brand). The research used five different measuring scales: function, performance, perceived quality, perceived image, and premium price to measure the brand attributes of the co-branded brand after the brand alliance to prove that association, similarity, and complementary fit between the parents brands are important factors in determining the brand attributes of the co-branded brand. The findings of the study differ from the findings of previous research in three important ways, and the findings are opposite to those predicted by brand extension theory. Firstly, the study shows that higher “brand association” between parent brands dilutes the “brand attributes” of the co-branded brand. Secondly, the study shows that the “brand similarity” between parent brands does not enhance brand attributes of the co-branded brand. Thirdly, this study shows that “complementary fit” between parent brands does not enhance the brand attributes of the co-branded brand. The theories are tested using a qualitative research method with genuine brands in conditions of high consumer involvement. The results show an interesting pattern of interaction among factors. This interaction has important implications for managers in co-brand marketing. The results also provide researchers with promising avenues for further research in brand alliance. / Thesis (PhD)--University of South Australia, 2005

Thesis (DBA(DoctorateofBusinessAdministration))--University of South Australia, 2005.

Thesis (MProjMgmt)--University of South Australia, 1998