Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Texas at Austin, 1999. / In "CH(v=2)" in the title, v is the Greek letter upsilon. Vita. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 85-88). Available also in a digital version from Dissertation Abstracts.

Thesis (M.S. in Software Engineering)--Naval Postgraduate School, June 2003. / Thesis advisor(s): Mantak Shing, Christopher D. Miles. Includes bibliographical references (p. 69-70). Also available online.

Thesis (Ph.D.) - University of Queensland, 2004. / Includes bibliography.

Title from title page of PDF (University of Missouri--St. Louis, viewed February 24, 2010). Includes bibliographical references (p. 29-30).

Thesis (M.S.)--Nuclear and Radiological Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, 2008. / Committee Chair: Stacey, Weston M.; Committee Co-Chair: de Oliveira, Cassiano R.E.; Committee Member: Hertel, Nolan; Committee Member: van Rooijen, Wilfred F.G.

Thesis (Ph.D.)--Chemical Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, 2009. / Committee Chair: Prof. Sankar Nair; Committee Co-Chair: Prof. Samuel Graham; Committee Member: Prof. Amyn S. Teja; Committee Member: Prof. Mo Li; Committee Member: Prof. Peter Ludovice.

A indústria do esporte tem despertado cada vez mais o interesse de acadêmicos e profissionais das mais diversas áreas. Não só pela importância social que o esporte sempre teve no mundo, mas agora, também, pela importância econômica que essa indústria vem alcançado. O esporte deixou, há tempos, de ser apenas uma atividade de lazer. Se, para o público, ele ainda o é, para aqueles que trabalham nele, é claramente uma atividade de negócios. E, para disputar o jogo dentro das quatros linhas é necessário ter um time competitivo fora delas. Neste trabalho, consideramos as equipes esportivas como organizações e analisamo-las como firmas, com sua estrutura organizacional estreitamente relacionada à sua forma de apresentação ao público consumidor. Assumimos como premissa que essas organizações (times) não devem ser apenas organizadas como um win-maximizer, mas como um profit-maximizing. Neste sentido, o patrocínio vem ganhando cada vez mais importância na indústria do esporte. É difícil imaginar um grande time ou evento esportivo sem patrocínio. De um lado, os eventos e equipes participantes dependem dos recursos financeiros oriundos dos patrocinadores. Do outro lado, os patrocinadores utilizam de forma significativa o patrocínio como uma ferramenta estratégica de marketing. Assim, da mesma forma que os gastos globais com patrocínio vêm aumentando ano a ano, os esforços acadêmicos para medir o efeito do patrocínio vêm acompanhando este crescimento. No entanto, grande parte da literatura sobre patrocínio considera a influência do patrocínio na perspectiva do negócio. Estudos que analisem uma estrutura mais completa, desde a identificação do torcedor com o time até a compra final de produtos dos patrocinadores são raros. E é aqui que essa pesquisa se encaixa. Entendemos que o consumidor passa por constantes mudanças, que afetam os hábitos de consumo das pessoas e, por consequência, afetam as organizações. Um exemplo está na crescente demanda dos consumidores esportivos por produtos e serviços melhores. Além disso, a utilização cada vez maior de dispositivos móveis com internet e acesso às mídias sociais exige que as empresas repensem seu ambiente de negócios. Essa mudança no comportamento dos consumidores vem proporcionando a eles um novo papel. Os times e equipes esportivas devem assumir uma visão na qual o torcedor seja visto como alguém que contribui significativamente para o valor do produto e do serviço e que, ao mesmo tempo, direciona as estratégias da organização. Assim, os times devem buscar estratégias para aumentar o envolvimento ativo dos torcedores com o time e com as empresas patrocinadoras, incentivando-os a ser embaixadores da marca. Neste contexto, o trabalho teve como objetivo verificar se a lealdade do torcedor com seu clube pode ser transferida para as organizações patrocinadoras. Para alcançar esse objetivo, propusemos e testamos um modelo teórico multidimensional que permitisse mensurar desde a concepção da identificação com o time até a etapa de compra dos produtos dos patrocinadores. Assim, a partir da análise crítica de modelos propostos por diferentes autores, de diferentes áreas do conhecimento, foram desenvolvidos o modelo teórico e seus respectivos itens de mensuração. Os construtos principais desta tese foram: identificação com o time, lealdade ao time e lealdade ao patrocinador. A aplicação da escala desenvolvida para este trabalho se deu em duas amostras distintas e em momentos diferentes (amostra pré-teste: n=263; amostra teste: n=787). Para teste e refinamento da escala e do modelo, utilizamos a técnica de modelagem de equação estrutural PLS-SEM, por meio da qual os dados foram analisados em termos de validade convergente, validade discriminante e confiabilidade. Para tal, adotamos o uso da análise fatorial confirmatória. O modelo estrutural também foi testado e retestado por meio dos coeficientes de caminho, R2, Q2 e f2. Os resultados deste estudo mostram haver impacto considerável das variáveis antecedentes, benefícios sociais/não financeiros propostos neste trabalho, na identificação com o time. Ao mesmo tempo, a identificação com o time afeta positivamente e de forma significativa à lealdade ao time, que neste trabalho é analisada como um construto multidimensional formado por lealdade atitudinal, conativa e comportamental. Os testes realizados confiram o objetivo principal deste trabalho e permite inferir que a lealdade do torcedor ao time pode, sim, ser transferida para as empresas patrocinadoras. Em termos gerenciais, o conhecimento de novos antecedentes da identificação do torcedor com o time, bem como a clara distinção entre identificação, fanatismo e lealdade, permitirá às equipes formular estratégias mais assertivas para gerenciamento de suas marcas e o direcionar esforços de comunicação de marketing de forma mais eficaz. Para as empresas patrocinadoras, apresentamos um caminho alternativo para mensurar a eficiência e a eficácia do patrocínio e rentabilizar melhor os altos investimentos nesta área. Por fim, os resultados contribuem para a ampliação do conhecimento e do corpo teórico nos estudos da vantagem competitiva, comportamento do consumidor, lealdade e patrocínio. / The sports industry has attracted increasing interest from academics and professionals from various fields. Not only because of the social importance that sport has always had in the world but now, also because of the economic importance that this industry has achieved. For some time now, sport hasn\'t been just a leisure activity. If, for the public, it still is, for those who work in it, it is clearly a business activity, and to play the game within the four lines, it is necessary to have a competitive team outside of them. In this paper, we considered sports teams as organizations and analyzed them as companies, with their organizational structure closely related to their presentation to the consumer. We assumed the premise that these organizations (teams) should not only be organized as win-maximizer but as a profit-maximizing. In this sense, sponsorship is gaining more importance in the sports industry. It is hard to imagine a great team or sporting event without sponsorship. On the one hand, the events and participating teams rely on financial resources from sponsors. On the other hand, sponsors significantly utilize sponsorship as a strategic marketing tool. Thus, just as global spending on sponsorship is increasing on a yearly basis, the academic efforts to measure the effect of sponsorship have accompanied this growth. However, much of the literature on sponsorship considers the influence of sponsorship on the business perspective. Studies analyzing a more complete structure, from the fan\'s identification with the team to the final purchase of the sponsors\' products, are rare, and this is the point of this research. We understand that the consumer goes through constant changes that affect the consumption habits of people and, consequently, affect organizations. An example is an increasing demand from consumers for sporting goods and better services. In addition, the increasing use of mobile devices with Internet and access to social media requires companies to rethink their business environment. This change in consumer behavior is giving them a new role. Teams and their staff must embrace the vision in which fans are seen as people who significantly contribute to the value of the product and service and, at the same time, direct the organization\'s strategies. Thus, teams must seek strategies to increase the active involvement of the fans with the team and with the sponsoring companies, encouraging them to be brand ambassadors. In this context, this study aimed to verify that the fan\'s loyalty to his club can be transferred to the sponsoring organizations. To achieve this goal, we proposed and tested a multidimensional theoretical model that allowed us to measure all the stages of the process that we call loyalty transfer, starting with the identification with the team and ending with the purchase phase of the sponsors\' products. Thus, from the critical analysis of models proposed by different authors from different areas of knowledge, the theoretical model was developed, and its respective items were measured. The main constructs of this thesis were identification with the team, loyalty to the team, and loyalty to the sponsor. The application of the scale developed for this study took place in two different samples at different times (pre-test sample: n=267; test sample: n=787). For testing and refinement of scale and model, we used the PLS-SEM structural equation modeling technique, whereby the data was analyzed regarding convergent validity, discriminant validity, and reliability. To this end, we have adopted the use of confirmatory factor analysis. The structural model was also tested and retested by the R2, Q2 e f2 coeficients. The results of this study show that there is a significant impact of background variables and the social/non-financial benefits proposed in this study in identifying with the team. At the same time, identification with the team affects positively and significantly the loyalty to the team, which, in this study, is considered as a multidimensional construct composed of attitudinal, conative and behavioral loyalty. The executed tests confirm the primary objective of this study and allow us to infer that fan loyalty to the team can indeed be transferred to the sponsoring companies. In management terms, the knowledge of new background of fan identification with the team, as well as the clear distinction between identification, fanaticism, and loyalty, will enable teams to formulate more assertive strategies for managing their brands and direct marketing communication efforts more efficiently. For sponsors, we present an alternative way to measure the efficiency and effectiveness of sponsorship and better monetize high investments in this area. Finally, the results contribute to the expansion of knowledge and theoretical background in the study of competitive advantage, consumer behavior, loyalty, and sponsorship.

Since the late 1990s the government of Malaysia has increased emphasis on its Intensification of Research in Priority Areas (IRPA) program, focusing scientific research in universities and government research institutes (GRIs) on activities most likely to enhance national economic performance. The IRPA’s main purpose is to fund commercially viable research for the benefit of business. However, its 2001 mid-term review showed its rates and volumes of commercialization and technology transfer (CTT) to be inadequate. This study aimed to explain the perceived low rate of adoption and commercialization of scientific knowledge in manufacturing in Malaysia by exploring the actions of companies, universities and GRIs. Two main models of technical change, the Technik and the STH ones, were used. Fieldwork was carried out in Malaysia. Purposive sampling led to selection of 60 interviewees: 23 managers and professionals from companies, 17 scientists, eight Technology Transfer Office officers, six senior research administrators, three venture capitalists, two journalists and a politician. The interviews were open-ended. It was seen that research findings were not always relevant to company interests, and companies often preferred their own or adopted, sometimes reverse-engineered, technology. Government CTT funds did not help much in with design, prototypes and pilot plants. Inadequate communication and lack of trust influenced the low uptake of research findings. The commercial relevance of much scientific research was questioned. More government support for company risk-taking appeared to be needed. Differences in attitude and poor understanding of policies and principles tended to contribute to low uptake. Managers, professional, scientists, Technology Transfer Officers, senior research administrators, venture capitalists needed more flexibility, knowledge and skills to respond to profit-driven research findings. A specifically Malaysian approach to CTT was advocated.

A indústria do esporte tem despertado cada vez mais o interesse de acadêmicos e profissionais das mais diversas áreas. Não só pela importância social que o esporte sempre teve no mundo, mas agora, também, pela importância econômica que essa indústria vem alcançado. O esporte deixou, há tempos, de ser apenas uma atividade de lazer. Se, para o público, ele ainda o é, para aqueles que trabalham nele, é claramente uma atividade de negócios. E, para disputar o jogo dentro das quatros linhas é necessário ter um time competitivo fora delas. Neste trabalho, consideramos as equipes esportivas como organizações e analisamo-las como firmas, com sua estrutura organizacional estreitamente relacionada à sua forma de apresentação ao público consumidor. Assumimos como premissa que essas organizações (times) não devem ser apenas organizadas como um win-maximizer, mas como um profit-maximizing. Neste sentido, o patrocínio vem ganhando cada vez mais importância na indústria do esporte. É difícil imaginar um grande time ou evento esportivo sem patrocínio. De um lado, os eventos e equipes participantes dependem dos recursos financeiros oriundos dos patrocinadores. Do outro lado, os patrocinadores utilizam de forma significativa o patrocínio como uma ferramenta estratégica de marketing. Assim, da mesma forma que os gastos globais com patrocínio vêm aumentando ano a ano, os esforços acadêmicos para medir o efeito do patrocínio vêm acompanhando este crescimento. No entanto, grande parte da literatura sobre patrocínio considera a influência do patrocínio na perspectiva do negócio. Estudos que analisem uma estrutura mais completa, desde a identificação do torcedor com o time até a compra final de produtos dos patrocinadores são raros. E é aqui que essa pesquisa se encaixa. Entendemos que o consumidor passa por constantes mudanças, que afetam os hábitos de consumo das pessoas e, por consequência, afetam as organizações. Um exemplo está na crescente demanda dos consumidores esportivos por produtos e serviços melhores. Além disso, a utilização cada vez maior de dispositivos móveis com internet e acesso às mídias sociais exige que as empresas repensem seu ambiente de negócios. Essa mudança no comportamento dos consumidores vem proporcionando a eles um novo papel. Os times e equipes esportivas devem assumir uma visão na qual o torcedor seja visto como alguém que contribui significativamente para o valor do produto e do serviço e que, ao mesmo tempo, direciona as estratégias da organização. Assim, os times devem buscar estratégias para aumentar o envolvimento ativo dos torcedores com o time e com as empresas patrocinadoras, incentivando-os a ser embaixadores da marca. Neste contexto, o trabalho teve como objetivo verificar se a lealdade do torcedor com seu clube pode ser transferida para as organizações patrocinadoras. Para alcançar esse objetivo, propusemos e testamos um modelo teórico multidimensional que permitisse mensurar desde a concepção da identificação com o time até a etapa de compra dos produtos dos patrocinadores. Assim, a partir da análise crítica de modelos propostos por diferentes autores, de diferentes áreas do conhecimento, foram desenvolvidos o modelo teórico e seus respectivos itens de mensuração. Os construtos principais desta tese foram: identificação com o time, lealdade ao time e lealdade ao patrocinador. A aplicação da escala desenvolvida para este trabalho se deu em duas amostras distintas e em momentos diferentes (amostra pré-teste: n=263; amostra teste: n=787). Para teste e refinamento da escala e do modelo, utilizamos a técnica de modelagem de equação estrutural PLS-SEM, por meio da qual os dados foram analisados em termos de validade convergente, validade discriminante e confiabilidade. Para tal, adotamos o uso da análise fatorial confirmatória. O modelo estrutural também foi testado e retestado por meio dos coeficientes de caminho, R2, Q2 e f2. Os resultados deste estudo mostram haver impacto considerável das variáveis antecedentes, benefícios sociais/não financeiros propostos neste trabalho, na identificação com o time. Ao mesmo tempo, a identificação com o time afeta positivamente e de forma significativa à lealdade ao time, que neste trabalho é analisada como um construto multidimensional formado por lealdade atitudinal, conativa e comportamental. Os testes realizados confiram o objetivo principal deste trabalho e permite inferir que a lealdade do torcedor ao time pode, sim, ser transferida para as empresas patrocinadoras. Em termos gerenciais, o conhecimento de novos antecedentes da identificação do torcedor com o time, bem como a clara distinção entre identificação, fanatismo e lealdade, permitirá às equipes formular estratégias mais assertivas para gerenciamento de suas marcas e o direcionar esforços de comunicação de marketing de forma mais eficaz. Para as empresas patrocinadoras, apresentamos um caminho alternativo para mensurar a eficiência e a eficácia do patrocínio e rentabilizar melhor os altos investimentos nesta área. Por fim, os resultados contribuem para a ampliação do conhecimento e do corpo teórico nos estudos da vantagem competitiva, comportamento do consumidor, lealdade e patrocínio. / The sports industry has attracted increasing interest from academics and professionals from various fields. Not only because of the social importance that sport has always had in the world but now, also because of the economic importance that this industry has achieved. For some time now, sport hasn\'t been just a leisure activity. If, for the public, it still is, for those who work in it, it is clearly a business activity, and to play the game within the four lines, it is necessary to have a competitive team outside of them. In this paper, we considered sports teams as organizations and analyzed them as companies, with their organizational structure closely related to their presentation to the consumer. We assumed the premise that these organizations (teams) should not only be organized as win-maximizer but as a profit-maximizing. In this sense, sponsorship is gaining more importance in the sports industry. It is hard to imagine a great team or sporting event without sponsorship. On the one hand, the events and participating teams rely on financial resources from sponsors. On the other hand, sponsors significantly utilize sponsorship as a strategic marketing tool. Thus, just as global spending on sponsorship is increasing on a yearly basis, the academic efforts to measure the effect of sponsorship have accompanied this growth. However, much of the literature on sponsorship considers the influence of sponsorship on the business perspective. Studies analyzing a more complete structure, from the fan\'s identification with the team to the final purchase of the sponsors\' products, are rare, and this is the point of this research. We understand that the consumer goes through constant changes that affect the consumption habits of people and, consequently, affect organizations. An example is an increasing demand from consumers for sporting goods and better services. In addition, the increasing use of mobile devices with Internet and access to social media requires companies to rethink their business environment. This change in consumer behavior is giving them a new role. Teams and their staff must embrace the vision in which fans are seen as people who significantly contribute to the value of the product and service and, at the same time, direct the organization\'s strategies. Thus, teams must seek strategies to increase the active involvement of the fans with the team and with the sponsoring companies, encouraging them to be brand ambassadors. In this context, this study aimed to verify that the fan\'s loyalty to his club can be transferred to the sponsoring organizations. To achieve this goal, we proposed and tested a multidimensional theoretical model that allowed us to measure all the stages of the process that we call loyalty transfer, starting with the identification with the team and ending with the purchase phase of the sponsors\' products. Thus, from the critical analysis of models proposed by different authors from different areas of knowledge, the theoretical model was developed, and its respective items were measured. The main constructs of this thesis were identification with the team, loyalty to the team, and loyalty to the sponsor. The application of the scale developed for this study took place in two different samples at different times (pre-test sample: n=267; test sample: n=787). For testing and refinement of scale and model, we used the PLS-SEM structural equation modeling technique, whereby the data was analyzed regarding convergent validity, discriminant validity, and reliability. To this end, we have adopted the use of confirmatory factor analysis. The structural model was also tested and retested by the R2, Q2 e f2 coeficients. The results of this study show that there is a significant impact of background variables and the social/non-financial benefits proposed in this study in identifying with the team. At the same time, identification with the team affects positively and significantly the loyalty to the team, which, in this study, is considered as a multidimensional construct composed of attitudinal, conative and behavioral loyalty. The executed tests confirm the primary objective of this study and allow us to infer that fan loyalty to the team can indeed be transferred to the sponsoring companies. In management terms, the knowledge of new background of fan identification with the team, as well as the clear distinction between identification, fanaticism, and loyalty, will enable teams to formulate more assertive strategies for managing their brands and direct marketing communication efforts more efficiently. For sponsors, we present an alternative way to measure the efficiency and effectiveness of sponsorship and better monetize high investments in this area. Finally, the results contribute to the expansion of knowledge and theoretical background in the study of competitive advantage, consumer behavior, loyalty, and sponsorship.

The unprecedented turbulence and uncertainty experienced in global economic and financial markets because of the 'credit crunch' has had a damaging impact on consumer confidence. Trust and credibility have been eroded as many customers feel let down by the banks suggesting the need for banks to rebuild constructive dialogue and long-term, meaningful relationships with their customers again. Though financial service, in this case, is considered a utilitarian service, based on the fact that money is needed to support people‘s daily activities, the present state of financial service has suggested the need for banks to appeal to consumers‘ emotions with the aim of improving their reputation. Also, the competition within the industry also could suggest the need to adopt an emotionally appealing advertisement strategy as emotions are known to play an influential role in building robust brand preference. This study builds on the communication theory, meaning transfer theory and consumer involvement theory, to understand the messages the banks are sending out and to elicit consumers‘ emotional reaction. One thousand, two hundred and seventy-four UK bank advertisements in nine national newspapers were content-analysed to identify the emotional appeals presented by the banks. The perception of these appeals and their associated meanings were sought through semi-structured interviews with 33 participants in London and Luton. The results of the analysis indicated that UK Banks are utilising emotional appeal in their advertisements to reach out to the consumers to convince them to upgrade their account, to open an additional account or switch their account. The most predominantly used appeals were relief and relaxation followed by excitement and happiness or satisfaction with the bank, and finally, security and adventure. However, variations were found in different financial products that employed emotional appeals. It was found that high-involvement products such as mortgages and loans used fewer emotional appeals. Both bank groups - high street banks, including the big four (Barclays, HSBC, Lloyds and RBS) and non-high street banks, such as the new entrants, supermarket brands, and online banks were using emotional appeals. However, it is acknowledged that the communication strategies between these banks could be different as the non-high street banks are more likely to repeat and publish the same messages across many newspapers, instead of publishing different emotionally appealing advertisements. Though consumers acknowledged these emotional appeals in the advertisements, they were more concerned about their relationship with the banks as they don‘t rely on advertisements to make a financial decision. Rather, recommendations from families, friends and associates and also branch location are more important when deciding on which bank to choose. The lack of congruency between financial services and emotional appeals in advertisements is also observed as customers are more likely to be persuaded by rational appeals however this study has not completely ruled out emotional appeals in bank advertisements as the use of both types of appeals is recommended. The study provides important theoretical and managerial contributions to understanding how the consumers understand meaning-embedded advertisements produced by the banks. Managers will be able to consider the implications of advertisements in enhancing their brand equity and building relationships with customers in anticipation that, by word of the mouth and established relationship, their bank‘s reputation will be enhanced. Limitations of the study and opportunities for future research are identified.