The Impact of Customer-Focused Business Strategies on Organisational Performance in a Professional Service Context. The study poses important new questions about the impact well-established customer marketing approaches, such as value, have, within a professional service environment. It is unclear whether organisations focus on such concepts when developing strategy and, if so, how they use them when formulating strategy and this will be investigated. A second question, which is of academic and ....The Impact of Customer-Focused Business Strategies on Organisational Performance in a Professional Service Context. The study poses important new questions about the impact well-established customer marketing approaches, such as value, have, within a professional service environment. It is unclear whether organisations focus on such concepts when developing strategy and, if so, how they use them when formulating strategy and this will be investigated. A second question, which is of academic and practical importance, is the impact such strategies have on organisational performance, and this will also be examined. Understanding the link between strategy and organisational performance is vital as managers have difficulty assessing the relevance of their marketing activities.Read moreRead less
A Protocol for Customer Relationship Management Implementation and Evaluation. In 2001, companies worldwide invested US$20 billion (US$125 billion by 2004) in Customer Relationship Management (CRM). Despite the magnitude of this investment, the general consensus among practitioners is that most CRM systems have failed to live up to expectations. This is somewhat alarming, given that the theoretical underpinnings of relationship management are both well developed and intuitively sound. This pr ....A Protocol for Customer Relationship Management Implementation and Evaluation. In 2001, companies worldwide invested US$20 billion (US$125 billion by 2004) in Customer Relationship Management (CRM). Despite the magnitude of this investment, the general consensus among practitioners is that most CRM systems have failed to live up to expectations. This is somewhat alarming, given that the theoretical underpinnings of relationship management are both well developed and intuitively sound. This project investigates the contradiction between relationship theory and CRM practice. It will identify and synthesise critical factors in the success or failure of attempts to implement CRM as a preliminary stage to developing a protocol for successful CRM implementation and evaluation.Read moreRead less
An Investigation of Export Performance Determinants Across Service Types. The objective of this research is to investigate the export performance drivers of services firms, and consider how these drivers differ across service types. Previous research into export performance drivers has focused primarily on manufacturers. However, theory in services marketing suggests that there are not only key differences between service firms and manufacturers, but also key differences across different service ....An Investigation of Export Performance Determinants Across Service Types. The objective of this research is to investigate the export performance drivers of services firms, and consider how these drivers differ across service types. Previous research into export performance drivers has focused primarily on manufacturers. However, theory in services marketing suggests that there are not only key differences between service firms and manufacturers, but also key differences across different service types. This research is both timely and critical given the recently stated Federal Government objective of doubling the number of exporters over the next five years, and the fact that the services sector is the fastest growing export sector.Read moreRead less
An exploration of the development and effectiveness of word-of-mouth communication in financial services markets. Word-of-mouth plays a critical role in marketing. Organisations are continually seeking new ways to achieve competitive advantage and word-of-mouth represents such an opportunity. However, previous research is limited, for example using word-of-mouth intentions to test the outcome of a consumer model. The proposed study, however, addresses not only the factors that lead to word-of-m ....An exploration of the development and effectiveness of word-of-mouth communication in financial services markets. Word-of-mouth plays a critical role in marketing. Organisations are continually seeking new ways to achieve competitive advantage and word-of-mouth represents such an opportunity. However, previous research is limited, for example using word-of-mouth intentions to test the outcome of a consumer model. The proposed study, however, addresses not only the factors that lead to word-of-mouth but also the consequences of word-of-mouth We suggest perceived value is a core contributor to word-of-mouth and will examine the relationship between word-of-mouth development, value perceptions and purchase. The study has key practical implications for service providers, such as our financial service industry partner.Read moreRead less
An investigation into consumer perspectives on emotional, attitudinal and behavioural loyalty. Attracting and retaining loyal customers is central to the economic viability of organisations. Yet, scholars have not resolved how to define brand loyalty, what contributes to brand loyalty for different services, products and industries over time nor the appropriate application of brand loyalty measures in different contexts. Current conceptualisations overlook the role of emotion and its relations ....An investigation into consumer perspectives on emotional, attitudinal and behavioural loyalty. Attracting and retaining loyal customers is central to the economic viability of organisations. Yet, scholars have not resolved how to define brand loyalty, what contributes to brand loyalty for different services, products and industries over time nor the appropriate application of brand loyalty measures in different contexts. Current conceptualisations overlook the role of emotion and its relationship with the other dimensions of brand loyalty. The proposed project will be the first application of a prototype approach and one of the few studies to use quantitative longitudinal research techniques to further understanding of what brand loyalty is and how it develops.Read moreRead less
Bahavioural Determinants of the Adoption of Forward Market by Australian Wool Producers. It is estimated that 85% of Australian wool is sold in Auction, making it the dominant market system to sell wool. However, wool prices have fluctuated significantly in the auction system resulting in wool producers looking for alternative market systems. The Forward Market (selling wool in advance directly to the traders) is one such alternative market system which could offer guaranteed price to the wool p ....Bahavioural Determinants of the Adoption of Forward Market by Australian Wool Producers. It is estimated that 85% of Australian wool is sold in Auction, making it the dominant market system to sell wool. However, wool prices have fluctuated significantly in the auction system resulting in wool producers looking for alternative market systems. The Forward Market (selling wool in advance directly to the traders) is one such alternative market system which could offer guaranteed price to the wool producers. Despite its obvious advantages only 7% of wool producers sell wool through Forward Market system. This project investigates the behavioural determinants for the adoption of Forward Market system by the wool producers. We will develop a valid and reliable adoption model using Structural Equation Modelling approach through two rounds of data collection from the wool producers. The results will enhance wool industry's understanding of producers? response to the Forward Market system and thus help the policy makers to promote the alternative market system effectively. Read moreRead less
Building Better Brands: A Study of Australian Organizations and Consumers. The study is the first to be undertaken in the world to develop a knowledge management system of brand development and management. It focuses on understanding how branding strategies increase the competitiveness of Australian industry. The study also explores linkages of branding strategy to consumer perceptions of brand value. The model is firmly placed in a global market context, contrasting domestic, exported and im ....Building Better Brands: A Study of Australian Organizations and Consumers. The study is the first to be undertaken in the world to develop a knowledge management system of brand development and management. It focuses on understanding how branding strategies increase the competitiveness of Australian industry. The study also explores linkages of branding strategy to consumer perceptions of brand value. The model is firmly placed in a global market context, contrasting domestic, exported and imported brands. The focus is strongly orientated toward improving Australia's competitiveness and global performance. This study is vital as the economic superiority of strong nations is evident in the value and strength of their industries' brands.Read moreRead less
Customer Co-production in Ongoing Health Service Delivery: A Longitudinal Study. Customers do not merely receive services. Increasingly they are actively involved in their design and delivery even to the extent of being regarded as 'part-time employees'. Customer co-production is tipped to be the next frontier in competitive effectiveness. Benefits to customers,however, are largely unknown. Often customers fail in their co-production role with serious negative consequences. Given the important r ....Customer Co-production in Ongoing Health Service Delivery: A Longitudinal Study. Customers do not merely receive services. Increasingly they are actively involved in their design and delivery even to the extent of being regarded as 'part-time employees'. Customer co-production is tipped to be the next frontier in competitive effectiveness. Benefits to customers,however, are largely unknown. Often customers fail in their co-production role with serious negative consequences. Given the important role of customers (patients) in ongoing health care, and the potential for failure, it is critical that customer co-production be fully investigated. If performed well co-production should result in positive patient outcomes and significant cost savings for the healthcare sector.
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Turning Under-Used Geo-Referenced Data Sources into Business Success. This project focuses on market segmentation and planning strategy through the development of under-used geo-referenced data sources. Specifically, the project seeks to combine two key market intelligence software tools (Geographical Information Systems (GIS) and Data Mining Systems) with the primary focus being on the Australian automobile industry. Spatial data mining approaches will be used to sift through massive volumes o ....Turning Under-Used Geo-Referenced Data Sources into Business Success. This project focuses on market segmentation and planning strategy through the development of under-used geo-referenced data sources. Specifically, the project seeks to combine two key market intelligence software tools (Geographical Information Systems (GIS) and Data Mining Systems) with the primary focus being on the Australian automobile industry. Spatial data mining approaches will be used to sift through massive volumes of data, uncover patterns, and generate knowledge through effective database management techniques. This research will open new inter-disciplinary frontiers between marketing and GIS, with the outcomes expected to provide valuable information for decision makers at the academic, industry and governmental levels.Read moreRead less
A Study of Dynamic Capabilities in Australian and US Born Global Firms. Government policy recommendations for internationalising resources-constrained small and medium firms will be made. Practitioners will be informed of feasible paths for early and rapid internationalisation. Yet-to-internationalise small and medium enterprises will be advised on how to acquire, reconfigure and use capabilities to achieve positional advantages in international markets. The Australian and international academi ....A Study of Dynamic Capabilities in Australian and US Born Global Firms. Government policy recommendations for internationalising resources-constrained small and medium firms will be made. Practitioners will be informed of feasible paths for early and rapid internationalisation. Yet-to-internationalise small and medium enterprises will be advised on how to acquire, reconfigure and use capabilities to achieve positional advantages in international markets. The Australian and international academic community will be better informed of born global internationalisation, enriching teaching and learning practices in entrepreneurship, international business, international marketing, strategic management and small business management.
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