Land value capture (LVC) has been used to capitalize on the symbiotic relationship between rapid transit and its potential land value uplift (LVU) benefits for more than a century. For the public sector in particular, the rationale to engage in LVC to recapture the ‘unearned increment’ is strong. While interest in LVC has wavered over this time, planners and policymakers in Ontario and around the world are increasingly looking to value capture as a potential solution for raising more revenue to fund the construction and operation of rapid transit projects. However, significant theoretical, conceptual, and practical gaps remain in our knowledge of LVU and LVC that prevent the wider adoption of value capture as a strategy. First, a fundamental flaw in applications of LVC is that the value increment caused by rapid transit must to some degree be known a priori to set benchmark levels and ensure LVC tools capture the actual changes in land values caused by the project. Yet despite a rich history of research into the LVU benefits of rapid transit in cities around the world, a method for arriving at more empirical predictions of future LVU beyond simple approximation remains elusive. This leads to a second issue. Previous research into the LVU effects of rapid transit has produced a body of work that exhibits significant heterogeneity in results. Such diversity in research outcomes is due to a singular focus on expectations of LVU from rapid transit accessibility, which has led previous research to ignore the potential for additional land value impacts from sorting into different bundles of transit-oriented development (TOD) based on individual preferences. As such, the results of previous studies consider the value placed on a bundle of transit and TOD characteristics. This context-dependency makes them unsuitable for extensions to estimate the potential for LVC in future transit corridors. To overcome these issues, the present dissertation develops a value planning framework for rapid transit. This is accomplished through five objectives. First, Chapter 2 establishes a theoretical framework for understanding the LVU effects of rapid transit accessibility and TOD. Second, Chapter 3 develops a typology of station area TOD to reduce the complexity of station area heterogeneity and control for such contextual factors in further research. Third, Chapter 4 applies the TOD typology to unbundle the LVU effects of existing rapid transit in the City of Toronto. Fourth, Chapter 5 develops the value planning framework to better conceptualize the drivers of LVU benefits and capturable revenues, the policy interventions to maximize them, and the beginnings of a model to utilize unbundled estimates of LVU in other study areas to derive context-sensitive predictions of LVU in future transit station areas. Finally, Chapter 6 conducts a theoretical application of the value planning framework to the case of a light rail transit line in Hamilton, Ontario, to demonstrate a rationale for engaging in value planning to promote value capture. In accomplishing these objectives, the present dissertation makes a number of contributions to research and practice. However, it also raises a number of questions for future research. Nevertheless, this work presents a significant first step towards realizing research on rapid transit’s LVU effects that is more theoretically comprehensive and practical for better informing LVC planning and policy around the world. / Dissertation / Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

Background: With the emergence of smartphones being a novel and increasingly relevant occurrence, and both the Swedish and Japanese markets being highly prominent in smartphone usage and technological adoption, there exists an avenue of research that compares these two markets. This research examines the consumer value perception of smartphones in millennials, the first digital natives, comparatively between the two markets. Purpose: The purpose of this thesis is to explore the consumer value perception in Swedish and Japanese millennials, to possibly identify any differences between them. This is done in order to create a greater understanding on possible differences in how consumers in these markets perceive value and motivate purchases, which can aid marketing practitioners in creating sufficient value propositions and marketing strategies for these markets. The possible findings of this research can possibly improve upon existing theories and concepts and serve as a foundation for further research. Method: This exploratory research was conducted qualitatively using the data collected from semi-structured interviews with 16 millennials, 8 from Sweden and 8 from Japan, paired with abductive reasoning as well as a thematic analysis approach. Conclusion: The results show that there are a number of differences between consumers in these two markets. Using the Perceived Value Model (Boksberger & Melsen, 2013), as well as the smartphone value perception categories (Andrews et al., 2012), four global themes were identified: Derived Value of Smartphones, Product Quality Assessment, Affects of Satisfaction and Motivation for New Purchases and their underlying categories. Through analysis, the authors identified differences in what value the consumers of both markets derive from smartphones, how the participants view price as a quality indicator, how they derive satisfaction and develop brand loyalty from their purchases as well as what values motivate new purchases.

The aim of this project is to investigate the influence of AI on CBMs, specifically focusing on the aggregated dimensions of value proposition, value creation and delivery, and value capture. This study employs a qualitative research design inspired by a deductive approach. A systematic literature review was conducted from scientific articles. Interviews with manufacturing companies and AI experts are also utilized to enrich understanding and validate the theoretical model. A thematic analysis was conducted to extract and examine patterns and themes and from that a framework has been developed about how AI influences the circular business values of value proposition, value creation and delivery, and value creation. The key enablers and challenges are outlined, categorized into three main groups: Technological, Organizational, and Environmental factors. The conclusion is that AI enables CBMs in manufacturing by optimizing materials, enhancing predictive maintenance, improving recycling processes, and enabling dynamic pricing models. Key enablers include robust AI infrastructure, organizational support, and regulatory frameworks. Challenges encompass inadequate infrastructure, data issues, and skill shortages. Competitive pressures and regulations drive adoption but also pose hurdles.

Purpose: This study explores circular business models from the perspective of distributors, focusing on how they can create, deliver, and capture value within circular supply chains. Method: This study is an exploratory case study of a leading Nordic distributor. Qualitative data were gathered through 36 interviews conducted in three phases with the distributor, six customers, and six suppliers. Thematic analysis was utilized to analyze the data. Findings: The results indicates that there are multiple activities distributors can conduct to create, deliver, and capture value in a circular business model. Distributors can create value through these activities: create awareness, curate and develop products, ensure compliance with legislation and coordinate partnerships. Distributors can deliver value by manage transportation, manage warehouse logistics, provide reused, refurbished, and repaired products, provide rental and leasing models, offer service agreements, and recycle products and materials. Distributors can capture value by evaluate investments and costs, create pricing strategies, implement additional revenue streams, and manage warranties. Managerial implications: The result of this thesis concretizes activities that distributors can incorporate within a CBM regarding circular value creation, circular value delivery and circular value capture. The activities are either categorized as unique for distributors or activities that can be managed either by distributors or other parties such as suppliers, customers, or a third party. Distributors should execute activities unique for distributors within a CBM to contribute to a CSC. Furthermore, distributors can execute activities that are not unique for distributors when applicable and determined favorable for their CBM. Additionally, the listed activities concern different departments at distributors including sustainability, sales, purchasing, logistics, and management. The different departments should bear responsibility for their respective activities. Theoretical contribution: This study contributes to previously unexplored area within circular business models from the distributor perspective. First, it addresses the pivotal role of distributors in fostering collaboration within the circular supply chain, demonstrating how distributors are not just participants but enablers of the flow of goods, information, and money. Distributors can manage their own CBM or contribute to another party’s CBM. Secondly, it broadens the current understanding of value creation and value delivery in a circular business model. Our findings regarding circular value creation reveal that educating customers about the benefits of circular products is essential for fostering acceptance and driving circular value creation. Our findings regarding circular value delivery reveal critical and previously underexplored challenges in the logistics processes. Distributors face significant hurdles in handling products as specific units rather than in batches, complicating reverse logistics and exponentially increasing costs. Limitations and future research: The exploratory nature of our study highlights the nascent understanding of CBMs for distributors. Consequently, the results of this study are indicative rather than definitive. Future research can explore diverse company sizes to enhance generalizability. Additionally, deeper investigation into specific mechanisms of value creation, delivery, and capture within circular business models is recommended. Furthermore, the concept of whether distributors should create their own CBM or contribute to another party’s CBM could be further investigated since this a concept we introduced in this thesis. Additionally, further studies could therefore consider a perspective broader range of company sizes and types, of the research. Additionally, another area for future research could involve taking a global perspective, as practices and systems related to circular activities can differ significantly between countries.

This thesis sets out to examine the impact of marketisation on the value chains of a number of English post-1992 universities between 1992 and 2010. The research focuses on the relationships and interplay between knowledge and value in the context of the knowledge economy and the increasing marketisation of the higher education sector. While the extant global value chain (GVC) literature tends to focus on manufacturing networks and chains, this thesis will argue that (quasi-) public service sector value chains, especially those in higher education provide important cases for study. In-depth interviews with twelve members of the ‘institutional elite’ within the post-1992 sector of higher education, supported by rich documentary analysis, provides compelling evidence for modifications to the existing ‘value chain’ framework in order to better account for the particularities of (quasi-) public services and service work. The research proposes a typology designed to capture fragmented and commodified knowledge, and its practical manifestations, generated within the higher education sector. Beyond this, it attempts to rationalise the notion of value (in the context of the value chain framework) with the production, diffusion and dissemination of knowledge for higher education institutions. The study also develops a broad value chain for the post-1992 sector of higher education to explore the robustness of the conceptual ‘value chain’ framework for similar organisations. The research concludes that marketisation has indeed in part been responsible for encouraging universities to re-structure their value chains. It also challenges the conceptual reach of the existing ‘value chain’ framework by making a number of insightful observations regarding the nature of (higher education) service activities. Specifically, it identifies a number of underplayed factors including (1) the treatment of knowledge and value (2) ‘institutional elites’ (3) ‘ideology as governance’ (4) the (quasi-) public service sector and (5) place as having particular consequences for the conceptualisation of (quasi-) public service sector value chains.

Digitized by Kansas Correctional Industries

Call number: LD2668 .T4 1939 C45 / Master of Science

Call number: LD2668 .T4 1943 U5 / Master of Science

Using a sample of 45,283 firm year observations between 1993–2012, I examine the influence of different types of diversification and M&A accounting on firm value. I find that there are different explanations for earlier variations among documented discounts. I find different value effects for geographical and industrial diversification. These effects vary over time, with decreasing discounts for geographical diversification. Furthermore, I find different value effects of M&A accounting between industries. Controlling for firm fixed effects leads to insignificant results for most regressions, which indicates that underlying firm characteristics play an important role in the determination of the discount. Together, these findings explain earlier documented differences in the literature on the diversification discount.

Credit card fraud losses within the South African credit card market in 2006 exceeded R257M. A portion of these losses (R179M) are within the borders of South Africa and its common monetary area partners. This represents a startling 70% of credit card fraud on magnetic stripe cards used within the borders of South Africa. The South African credit card industry adopts floor limits at certain merchants and merchant categories. South Africa is one of a few countries in the world that still adopt floor limits on credit cards within its payment card industry. Credit card transactions on magnetic-stripe cards conducted below the merchant’s designated floor limit do not go to the issuing bank for authorization. The first time the issuing bank acknowledges these transactions is when they are settled on average two days later. The rationale for not adopting zero floor limits within the South African credit card market is the supposed inability of the existing telecommunications infrastructure to handle the volume and frequency of data submitted by merchants for authorization. The impact of reduced fraud and bad debt losses through adopting a zero floor limit in relation to merchant operational costs is the basis of the research. The research also aims to examine the Proposition that the existing telecommunications infrastructure is unable to support a zero floor limit proposal.