It is evident that human activity has an important impact on climate. Constantly increasing energy demand is one of the biggest causes of climate change. The fifth assessment report of the Inter-governmental panel on climate change states that decarbonisation of electricity generation is a key component of climate change mitigation. Increased awareness of this fact and escalating concerns around energy security has brought public attention to the energy industry, especially sustainable power generation systems. Future energy systems may need to include hydrogen as an energy carrier in order to achieve necessary levels of CO2 emission reductions, and overcome the challenges renewable energy systems present. Fuel cells could be a corner stone of future hydrogen inclusive energy solutions. New solutions like fuel cells have to compete with existing technologies and overcome the shortcomings of emerging technology. Though these shortcomings are well-recognised, fuel cells also have many advantages which makes continued research and development in the field highly worthwhile and viable. Key to their adoption is the identification of a niche market to utilise their advantages while overcoming their shortcomings with continuous research and development. This thesis aims to evaluate some of the stationary fuel cell applications and determine whether one could become the niche market as an entry point for fuel cells. This is achieved by economic evaluations of real and hypothetical applications. Results of the studies here imply that to decrease the total life cycle impacts of fuel cells to more acceptable levels, resource use in the manufacturing phase and recycling in decommissioning should be shown more attention. Results also present a picture showing that none of the applications investigated are economically feasible, given the current state of technology and energy prices. However, fuel cell-based combined cooling, heating and power systems for data centres show the potential to become the niche market that fuel cells need to grow. A further conclusion is that a broad market, longer stack lifetime, the possibility of selling electricity back to the grid and governmental subsidies are essential components of an environment in which fuel cells can permeate through the niche market to the mainstream markets. / <p>QC 20151210</p>

Fine art logistics concept is revealed by Innovative third party logistics services. However, fine art logistics concept is quite new topic of current logistics literature and existing resources, acquired knowledge are limited. Furthermore, innovative logistics services, which are provided by third party logistics service providers and their relation with niche market strategy, are not well researched. This study is prepared for making contribution to current logistics literature about fine art logistics and to investigate relation between niche market strategy and innovative third party logistics services. The method used is a qualitative case study at Benice Logistics, a fine art logistics service provider firm, located in Turkey. This study concludes and suggests how, third party logistics service providers should be more innovative for settle new business trend, and how they can create new opportunities and new specialization areas with their innovative services.

According to the Yearbook of Chemical Industry Statistics of Japan's Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry, the total sales of domestic cosmetics market in 2008 was approximately 1,507. 1 billion yen, slightly less than that of 2007. In Japan's mature cosmetics market, however, the sales of anti-aging skin care products has been growing every year. The reasons are the arrival of an aging society and females' increasing emphasis on their appearances. There are over 1,200 cosmetics manufacturers in Japan. The distribution of these companies according to their sizes appears to be M-shaped. The top five¡XSHISEIDO, KAO, Kanebo, Kose, and P&G Japan, have been in heated competition for years, but it does not stop new entrants from joining the battlefield. In the face of fierce competition among the cash-rich giants and the threats of aggressive new entrants, the smaller-scaled companies that lie in between are facing daunting challenges. This study intends to show how such medium-sized companies might come up with a competitive strategy to ensure their survival and profitability. Saishunkan Co. Ltd. is one of those medium-sized cosmetics manufacturers. Saishunkan has modest capital amount of 100 million yen, yet it is able achieve annual sales of over 20 billion yen. The company has unique ways of marketing and sales, clearly targeted customers, products with special ingredients, and a sound market segmentation strategy. This thesis intends to examine, through the case study of Saishunkan, how a smaller-scaled company might compete and survive in a theater filled with cash-rich big companies who enjoy the economy of scale.

Most of the patterns of distribution channel of eggs traditional industry are through the middlemen. Therefore the distribution channel classifies multiple-steps distribution channel system. The price relationship between producers and sales works out by the middlemen for a long time and consequently cause many different viewpoints and conflicts about the price decision. In spite of the middlemen realize and tacitly agree the system of price establishment is not reasonable. They still can not change the actuality because it goes all the year round. Up to now, the producers and sales can not create a win-win situation. The change of marketing channels will reform structures of the production, sales and price forms. Therefore this study takes the home delivery as main body for the eggs marketing channels research, and adopts in-depth interview method to get data and information. At the same time this study penetrates the marketing strategy of egg industry , the business developments and characteristics of home deliveries. This study proceeds to interview the above information as SWOT analysis. To find out the feasibility of eggs home delivery and the point of strategy and problems. Finally, this study would offer some solution aspects and suggestions. The results showed that from the viewpoint of return, the possible pattern of eggs home delivery could create producers much mighty possibilities and big changes by a series of ways to make difference. It means that this study adopts the niche market to be the strategy of market segment and finds the target market and proper marketing mix, the package variation, functional egg developments, confidence-building with home deliveries and regulated contract of products quality. So that producers could develop the private channels and private label brand to change the price-decision system to reach the sustainable development.

Large 3C distributers showed in Taiwan in 1992s. Since more and more large 3C distributers set stores across Taiwan, their economies of scale lead the whole 3C-channel market become ¡§the big is always the big and the small.¡¨ Many companies that do not have competencies have gone out the market. However, in this market, many outstanding small-middle 3C distributors are not affected, and have good performance. This fact reflects that these small-middle 3C distributors have some core competencies that can not be replaced by large 3C distributers. The business models and strategies of these small-middle 3C distributers are the main issues of this study. Considering the consistency and extensiveness of subjects in the 3C industry, this study selected three large 3C distributers as research subjects. Firstly, second-hand data was collected, and interviews with managers of the three distributers were also conducted. Then, five outstanding small and middle distributers were interviewed to compare their business modes and strategies with the three large 3C distributers. Based on these data, it is helpful to understand core competencies and advantages of small and middle distributers. The results show that although large 3C distributers have their main advantages, they do not do well in the development of niche markets, efficient responsiveness of environment changes, and kindly attitude to consumers. If small and middle enterprises can clearly understand their weakness, avid to directly fight with large 3C distributers, expand their potential advantages, and keep close with customers, they also could have living space and will be difficult be replaced.

This thesis summarizes some of the challenges and risks faced by new civil engineering or surveying business owners, as well as, engineering managers in Mississippi. Additionally, this paper will cover how these business owners take on those business challenges to become and remain successful. The data covered represents answers from the owners asked via phone conversations. The number of twenty employees or less was the criteria for a firm to be considered small. It was decided that approximately 20% of the firms listed, or a total of 20, would statistically represent the current state of affairs of small to medium sized firms in Mississippi. The answers given from the firms are presented anonymously for this report.

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Magister Artium - MA / Backpacker tourism is a niche market of tourism that has been rapidly growing, South Africa in particular has become an increasingly popular destination for backpacker tourism (Visser 2004). Academic interest in backpacker tourism research has grown in recent years, although the current literature on backpacker tourism has focused on the economic significance and impacts with little empirical research conducted on the characteristics, motivations and behaviors. Cohen (2003) stresses that future research should stop referring to backpacking as if it were a homogeneous phenomenon, and should rather focus on its diverse manifestations in terms of origins, age, gender, class, nationality and cultural backgrounds of backpackers. Since backpacker tourism is a growing market it is important for the destination to understand the specifics and capabilities of the market in order to create sustainable products. The main aim of this research is to segment the backpacker tourism market in South Africa, in order to ascertain if any significant sub-groups exist. Both qualitative and quantitative methods were utilised to collect data including a distribution of 202 questionnaire surveys to backpackers within backpacker hostels and also participant observation was employed to gain an in-depth understanding of the phenomena. Factor and cluster analysis was used to analyse the data. The following motive-based segments were identified: Self-developers/ Learners, Experience Seekers, Escapers/ Independence, Adventures/ Social Seekers. The results revealed that these segments do illustrate an increase in the heterogeneity of backpacker tourism. The reason these sub-groups of backpackers are depicted in South Africa is to address the underlying desires of backpackers in order to satisfy their needs.

Da Gama Textiles, based in the Eastern Cape has seen its sales of Jacquard products being affected in recent years by cheaper imported products. A study was required to enable its senior management to develop a branding strategy for its Jacquard products. In addition, senior managers required information about how to take advantage of the 2010 World Cup. Data collection was conducted in July to September 2009, using two population groups. The first one was bed and breakfast managers in KwaZulu-Natal, with the second one being top ten Jacquard customers by volume in South Africa. Results showed that awareness levels for Da Gama’s Jacquard products are low, although more than half of respondents would be willing to receive literature from Da Gama in the future relating to Jacquard products. Among the top ten customers, loyalty levels were found to be high, however customers were not satisfied with Da Gama’s price levels and felt that designs and delivery lead times could be improved. A suggested branding strategy was drafted, targeting both population groups. A strategy to build brand awareness and brand loyalty levels was suggested for bed and breakfast managers, while a strategy to improve brand loyalty levels was suggested for the top ten customers. / Business Administration / M. Tech. (Business Administration)

This study seeks to make a theoretical contribution to the rapidly growing field of International Entrepreneurship by investigating the process of internationalization of Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs). Bell, McNaughton, Young & Crick, (2003) emphasized the need for researchers to re-conceptualize their thinking on the internationalization process of smaller firms. While there has been substantial research done on the small business internationalization and how the participation of these firms in the global economy has fuelled economic growth in a number of countries (Audretsch & Thurik, 2003; Acs, Randall Morck, Shraver & Yeung, 1997; Storey, 1994; Alam & Pacher, 2003), there is tangible evidence that SMEs in Australia are not keeping up with global trends. Studies conducted on Australian firms allude to the following reasons for their constrained presence in international markets: (i) geographic and psychic distance; (ii) costs disadvantage; (iii) overdependence on inward FDI from large foreign multinationals; (iv) a history of inward-looking and narrowly focussed economic development policies of the Australian government. These factors had the combined effect of imbalanced economic growth which was particularly detrimental to the small business sector (Australian Trade Commission, 2002; Maitland & Nicholas, 2002; Alam & Pacher, 2003). Despite the identified obstacles, some Australian SMEs have succeeded in penetrating international markets. This study involved a preliminary qualitative investigation of selected Australian SMEs and their unique internationalization process. Evidence from the case study based investigation will indicate that the respondent firms have leveraged on entrepreneurial qualities to overcome the obstacles and enhance their success in international markets. As such, the internationalization process for these selected firms is seen as an extension of and integral to their entrepreneurial behaviour. Using the lenses provided by relevant facets of the entrepreneurship, internationalization and strategy scholarly fields, this exploratory qualitative study, while building the foundation for further empirical research into the internationalization process of SMEs, can serve as a guide to researchers for ascertaining future directions in this emergent field. The findings from the study are intended to contribute to a body of knowledge encompassing the cross-border operations of SMEs. The research also has value from a practical perspective as Australian SMEs can draw from this body of knowledge as they pursue opportunities internationally.