The objective of the study was to determine whether any relationships exist between personality and the performance of sales staff in a call centre environment. Personality type (measured by the Jung Type Indicator [JTI]) and sales personality type (measured by the Sales Preference Indicator [SPI]) were correlated with sales staff performance in an insurance call centre environment. A quantitative survey was conducted using a sample of N = 146. Correlational and inferential statistical analyses revealed statistically significant positive, although weak, relationships between personality type and the performance of call centre sales staff while statistically significant positive and negative correlations, although weak, were found between sales personality type and the performance of call centre sales staff. More female and black sales staff members were found in the higher performing clusters than in the average and poorer performing clusters. The best subset of personality scales from the JTI that predicted univariate measures of performance were the extroversion-introversion scale and the judging-perceiving scale while the best subset of predictors from the SPI personality scale were the consistent-adaptive scale and the cooperative-competitive scale. Call centre performance criteria are based mainly on quantitative performance criteria. It emerged from the literature review that the call centre sales position is synonymous with emotional labour and it is, thus, recommended that future research should emphasise the importance of emotionally intensive labour and its measurement combined with quantitative performance measures. / Industrial & Organisational Psychology / M.A. (Industrial and Organisational Psychology)

Online marketing communication provides some of the cutting edge tools that can be used by guest houses to communicate their product and service offerings. The purpose of this study was to determine which online marketing communication tools can be used, and are in fact currently used by guest houses in Pretoria East. The results obtained from this study can assist guest house owner/managers in Pretoria East with decision-making on the communication of off-line and online marketing communication tools to be included in their marketing strategy. Primary data was collected by means of a survey with guest house owners/managers in Pretoria East. Specific corpographic details of guest houses in Pretoria East were identified. Furthermore, the most frequently used off-line and online marketing communication tools were identified, as well as the number of guest houses that have websites and the content of these websites. The findings suggest that guest houses in Pretoria East have to invest more time and money in implementing certain online marketing communication tools, such as social networking and use of Search Engine Optimisation (SEO). By implementing online marketing communication tools like these, guest houses in Pretoria East could enhance customers‟ awareness of a guest house. This study verified the importance of electronic tools such as the Internet and Web as an integral part of an organisation‟s marketing strategy, specifically for small businesses in the service sector, such as guest houses. / Business Management / M. Com. (Business Management)

Made available in DSpace on 2015-04-14T14:46:11Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 443580.pdf: 1645783 bytes, checksum: 323f92c1405d1f1727222cfd05c81078 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2012-08-31 / The goal of this dissertation is to understand the context of work in organizations that use the system Call Center management. This interest is justified by the fact that this sector is booming in recent decades, besides being one of the service sectors that spreads more job openings for those interested in laboring with telework. Thus, discusses the evolution of large systems management work, from his contact with the significant technological advances applied to relations. As a result, we discuss about the plan's validity and effectiveness of contemporary organizational practices and their reflections in the work. It is used as a background, discussion of the case these relationships and their consequences for telework and their operators, which have been fully verified through sociological research based on the literature of the sociology of work and on field research carried out at the headquarters of an enterprise communication and multimedia in Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. / O objetivo desta disserta??o ? compreender o contexto de trabalho nas organiza??es que utilizam o sistema de gest?o de Call Center. Tal interesse justificase pelo fato deste setor estar em grande expans?o nas ?ltimas d?cadas, al?m de ser um dos setores de servi?os que mais dissemina vagas de trabalho tanto no Brasil, quanto em outros pa?ses. Dessa forma, aborda-se a evolu??o dos grandes sistemas de gest?o de trabalho, a partir de seu contato com o significativo progresso tecnol?gico aplicado ?s rela??es laborais. Em decorr?ncia disso, discute-se sobre o plano da validade e efic?cia das pr?ticas organizacionais contempor?neas e seus reflexos no ?mbito do trabalho. Utiliza-se como plano de fundo, a discuss?o de caso, dessas rela??es e suas consequ?ncias para as teleatividades e seus teleoperadores, que foram plenamente constatadas atrav?s de investiga??o sociol?gica, baseada na literatura da sociologia do trabalho, bem como em pesquisa de campo realizada na sede de uma empresa de comunica??o e multim?dia na cidade de Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, Brasil.

Made available in DSpace on 2010-04-20T20:20:34Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 163076.pdf: 2034926 bytes, checksum: 60a315d76616e896e22e23d24b92f54c (MD5) Previous issue date: 2007-01-02T00:00:00Z / No contexto dinâmico atual do mercado de telecomunicação celular, é importante que as empresas celulares 'escutem a voz do cliente' e entendam suas necessidades assim como os atributos que eles valoram. Adicionalmente, por trás destes atributos existem processos expandidos de fornecimento de serviços que embora sejam muitas vezes invisíveis para o cliente, são indispensáveis para atender suas necessidades. Nesse sentido, se faz necessário monitorar a qualidade nos processos, desde uma perspectiva do cliente, para poder garantir que os processos sejam reflexos dos atributos valorados por eles. Isto significa traduzir as necessidades do cliente em requisitos técnicos e de desenho mensuráveis, estabelecendo um processo de controle de indicadores de desempenho explícitos entre as partes participantes dos processos. A presente dissertação propõe um modelo de medição do grau de monitoramento da qualidade aplicado a empresas de telefonia celular que permite garantir que os atributos mais valorados pelos clientes sejam realmente atendidos, através de uma metodologia que inclui o levantamento e análise de todos os processos de apoio associados aos atributos mais valorados pelos clientes, a validação e priorização desses processos por um júri de expertos de telefonia celular, a proposta de um roteiro de qualidade e de indicadores de desempenho que visam identificar se os desejos dos clientes se refletem nos processos mais relevantes e finalmente termina com a aplicação do roteiro numa empresa especifica de telefonia celular. Os resultados obtidos demonstram que para os atributos escolhidos associados a atendimento no call center, atendimento na assistência técnica e faturamento pontual e preciso, os processos mais relevantes priorizados pelo Júri de executivos foram o encaminhamento sistêmico de acesso ao call center e o preparo dos atendentes na linha de frente no caso de call center, os de substituição temporal do aparelho e realização do diagnóstico do problema no aparelho no caso de assistência técnica e de processo de cadastro do serviço e processo de correção de erros detectados no controle de qualidade antes do faturamento no caso de faturamento. Finalmente, ressalta que no caso da empresa celular específica analisada, numa escala que vai de 0% até 100%, o roteiro de qualidade proposto deu uma nota de 72% no caso de call center, 22% no caso de assistência técnica e 68% no caso do faturamento. Isto indica que muitos dos processos analisados, que muitas vezes são transversais na empresa e envolvem muitas áreas, não são monitorados de forma completa para garantir a consecução dos atributos mais valorados pelos clientes.

Made available in DSpace on 2010-04-20T20:48:26Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 3 86579.pdf.jpg: 16730 bytes, checksum: 2fc12457af0ef7ff523a8a930b2bbc55 (MD5) 86579.pdf: 657024 bytes, checksum: d3512d402d7cd952232590198747874c (MD5) 86579.pdf.txt: 261961 bytes, checksum: ec98571b0d18a13c0e3e70beabfdbb32 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2006-05-08T00:00:00Z / For several purposes, including costs reduction and simplification of information delivery, many services companies adopt automated interaction technologies at their receptive call centers. Under the eyes of the users, they may have expectations about the service they will get and show preferences about the automated interaction resources. Using automated interaction technologies, call centers may or may not satisfy users’ expectations and preferences. For the determination of evidences that support the assumptions raised during the literature review, a research, divided in three parts, took place: a) a focus group with some call center users; b) a field study with call center users; c) interviews with specialists (experience survey). Using Conjoint Analysis we suggest a preference model related to call centers automated interaction. This model cannot be generalized due to the sampling method used in this exploratory study. Three distinct groups of users have been determined, in accordance with preference similarities. Forms of using automated interaction technologies have been determined, in tune with these preferences. Finally, based upon the Balanced Scorecard concept, we suggest a model for managerial evaluation of the use of automated interaction technologies at call centers in consumer services companies. / Com vários propósitos, inclusive o de redução de custos e o de facilitar a obtenção das informações desejadas pelo usuário, muitas empresas prestadoras de serviços ao consumidor adotam em suas CATs (Centrais de Atendimento Telefônico) recursos tecnológicos de automação da interação. Examinando-se sob a ótica dos usuários das CATs, estes poderão ter expectativas sobre o serviço que encontrarão e manifestar preferências com relação aos recursos de interação automática. As CATs, ao utilizarem tecnologias de automação da interação, podem estar ou não satisfazendo as expectativas e as preferências dos usuários. Para a determinação de argumentos que suportem as proposições levantadas durante a revisão bibliográfica sobre o tema, realizou-se uma pesquisa dividida em três partes: a) um focus group com alguns usuários de CATs; b) um estudo de campo com usuários de CATs; c) entrevistas com especialistas (levantamento de experiência). Com a técnica Análise de Preferência, propõe-se um modelo das preferências dos usuários em relação ao atendimento automático em CATs. Esse modelo, em princípio, não é generalizável devido às características do processo de amostragem utilizado nesse estudo exploratório. Determinaram-se três grupos distintos de usuários, de acordo com a similaridade entre suas preferências. Determinaram-se usos da tecnologia de atendimento automático que estão em sintonia com as preferências dos usuários. Finalmente, usando os conceitos do Balanced Scorecard, propõe-se um modelo de avaliação gerencial para o uso da tecnologia de atendimento automatizado nas Centrais de Atendimento Telefônico das empresas prestadoras de serviços ao consumidor.

Online marketing communication provides some of the cutting edge tools that can be used by guest houses to communicate their product and service offerings. The purpose of this study was to determine which online marketing communication tools can be used, and are in fact currently used by guest houses in Pretoria East. The results obtained from this study can assist guest house owner/managers in Pretoria East with decision-making on the communication of off-line and online marketing communication tools to be included in their marketing strategy. Primary data was collected by means of a survey with guest house owners/managers in Pretoria East. Specific corpographic details of guest houses in Pretoria East were identified. Furthermore, the most frequently used off-line and online marketing communication tools were identified, as well as the number of guest houses that have websites and the content of these websites. The findings suggest that guest houses in Pretoria East have to invest more time and money in implementing certain online marketing communication tools, such as social networking and use of Search Engine Optimisation (SEO). By implementing online marketing communication tools like these, guest houses in Pretoria East could enhance customers‟ awareness of a guest house. This study verified the importance of electronic tools such as the Internet and Web as an integral part of an organisation‟s marketing strategy, specifically for small businesses in the service sector, such as guest houses. / Business Management / M. Com. (Business Management)

CAVAIGNAC, Mônica Duarte. Relações de trabalho e relações no trabalho na lógica capitalista contemporânea: um olhar sobre atendentes do call center de uma empresa de telecomunicações. 2010. 327f. – Tese (Doutorado) – Universidade Federal do Ceará, Programa de Pós-graduação em Sociologia, Fortaleza (CE), 2010. / Submitted by Márcia Araújo (marcia_m_bezerra@yahoo.com.br) on 2013-10-21T12:44:18Z No. of bitstreams: 1 2010-TESE-MDCAVAIGNAC.pdf: 2574823 bytes, checksum: 71ba7345338010aeb7c1a75a766fe809 (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Márcia Araújo(marcia_m_bezerra@yahoo.com.br) on 2013-10-21T13:34:19Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 1 2010-TESE-MDCAVAIGNAC.pdf: 2574823 bytes, checksum: 71ba7345338010aeb7c1a75a766fe809 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2013-10-21T13:34:19Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 2010-TESE-MDCAVAIGNAC.pdf: 2574823 bytes, checksum: 71ba7345338010aeb7c1a75a766fe809 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2010 / This work is based on a critical approach to the reality experienced by attendants from a call center maintained by a telecommunications company whose change into a private business, when one is to consider the context of world domination by capital and the neoliberal reshaping of the State, brought unemployment, increase of third party job contracting, worsening of working conditions and weakening of labor union organizations. On their third party role, the so-called telemarketing operators exhibit work conditions on an unstable balance marked by subcontracts, high turnover, low wages, discrimination in relation to “first-party” workers and neglect of health issues. Work conditions adopted by promoting agents are shaped in such a fashion as to combine modern technology for controlling productivity and old practices of vigilance based on demanding results, levying psychological pressure, moral harassment and constant threat of dismissal. One is dealing with a category of “infoproletariat” formed mainly by female youngsters that have concluded high school and are in search of their first job attracted by the fact that they can work and have other activities considering flexibility of work journey that offers free weekends and holidays. Workers in this category have a short date validation, for in a very short span of time start showing signs of physical and psychological problems due to the intense pace of working. The call center becomes by force of this feature a temporary stay for operators until they find another job opportunity or are dismissed by the their employer which make it difficult the development of a collective identity which as a result reflects on the weakening of the organizational capacity of labor unions. Labor unions in face of third party practice and resulting disruption of the working class adopt a growing defensive and corporative position renouncing strong speech and practices to opposing the logic of capital. There are, however, resistance instances such as the strike staged by telemarketing operators in 2007 in which the category displayed its disputing power and, supported by social movements, tried to show to the society how the telecommunications services work following their merchandising process: by means of adopting an strengthened exploitation feature of work, and degrading living conditions of the “flexible” workers. Flexibility being, in fact, the process of a freer capital and more vulnerable workers who are put at risk and see their perspectives shrinking in the “new (and precarious) world of work”. / O presente trabalho consiste num olhar crítico sobre a realidade dos atendentes do call center de uma empresa de telecomunicações cuja privatização, no contexto da mundialização do capital e do ajuste neoliberal do Estado, trouxe consigo desemprego, aprofundamento das terceirizações, precarização das condições de trabalho e fragilização da organização sindical. Na condição de terceirizados, os chamados operadores de telemarketing mantêm instáveis relações de trabalho, marcadas pela subcontratação, alta rotatividade, baixos salários, discriminação em relação aos trabalhadores “primeirizados” e desrespeito à questão da saúde. Suas relações no trabalho se estabelecem sob um tipo de gestão que combina modernas tecnologias de controle da produtividade com antigas formas de vigilância do trabalho, baseadas na cobrança por resultados, pressão psicológica, assédio moral e constante ameaça de demissão. Trata-se de uma categoria de “infoproletários” formada, predominantemente, por jovens do sexo feminino, com ensino médio concluído e que buscam seu primeiro emprego, atraídos, muitas vezes, pela oportunidade de conciliar o trabalho com outras atividades, tendo em vista a jornada flexível, prolongada aos fins de semana e feriados. São mercadorias com curto prazo de validade, pois, com pouco tempo de uso, começam a desenvolver problemas físicos e psicológicos, devido ao ritmo intenso e estressante de trabalho. O call center torna-se, assim, um lugar de passagem na vida dos operadores, que por ali transitam provisoriamente, até conseguirem outra oportunidade no mercado ou serem descartados pela empresa, dificultando a formação da identidade coletiva e debilitando a capacidade organizativa dos sindicatos. Estes últimos, diante da terceirização e da conseqüente fragmentação da classe trabalhadora, assumem uma posição cada vez mais defensiva e corporativista, recuando no discurso e nas práticas de oposição à lógica do capital. Há, todavia, momentos de resistência, como a greve dos operadores de telemarketing de 2007, em que a categoria manifestou seu potencial contestatório e, apoiada por movimentos sociais, tentou mostrar à sociedade como funcionam os serviços de telecomunicações após a sua mercantilização: à base da exploração intensificada do trabalho e da degradação das condições de vida dos trabalhadores “flexíveis”. Flexibilização significa, de fato, tornar o capital mais livre e os trabalhadores mais vulneráveis, expondo-os a riscos e reduzindo suas perspectivas no “novo (e precário) mundo do trabalho”.

The objective of the study was to determine whether any relationships exist between personality and the performance of sales staff in a call centre environment. Personality type (measured by the Jung Type Indicator [JTI]) and sales personality type (measured by the Sales Preference Indicator [SPI]) were correlated with sales staff performance in an insurance call centre environment. A quantitative survey was conducted using a sample of N = 146. Correlational and inferential statistical analyses revealed statistically significant positive, although weak, relationships between personality type and the performance of call centre sales staff while statistically significant positive and negative correlations, although weak, were found between sales personality type and the performance of call centre sales staff. More female and black sales staff members were found in the higher performing clusters than in the average and poorer performing clusters. The best subset of personality scales from the JTI that predicted univariate measures of performance were the extroversion-introversion scale and the judging-perceiving scale while the best subset of predictors from the SPI personality scale were the consistent-adaptive scale and the cooperative-competitive scale. Call centre performance criteria are based mainly on quantitative performance criteria. It emerged from the literature review that the call centre sales position is synonymous with emotional labour and it is, thus, recommended that future research should emphasise the importance of emotionally intensive labour and its measurement combined with quantitative performance measures. / Industrial and Organisational Psychology / M.A. (Industrial and Organisational Psychology)

This master thesis deals with the elaboration of a business plan of a small educational company, that plans to do business in a field of portable planetariums. The thesis analyses a feasibility and a profitability of the business plan. Methods for external and internal analysis of a business were used and based on the results of these analyses, the specific business plan including an economic variation was developed. Based on the results of this work, it can be stated that if the company has a successful telemarketing, it is possible to do business in this area with a good profit.

The topic of the final thesis is a marketing analysis of the situation on the natural gas market in the Czech Republic, retail trade segment, including the development since its liberalization by the present time and future perspectives. Based on a market analysis an optimized model of company’s marketing strategy is developed, as opposed to its current marketing strategy. The optimized model focuses primarily on effectivization of acquisition channels of direct sale and aims at widening the customer portfolio, i.e. taking up a bigger market share and better utilization of the company’s dispositions.