Patterns of Buyer Behaviour in China. A mainstream interest of marketers is the study of buyer behaviour (i.e., brand choice, repeat-purchase, switching, loyalty, segmentation, etc.) Much is known. But virtually all of this knowledge comes from Western studies. Yet non-Western nations, such as China, are now immensely important trading partners for the West.
This is the first systematic study of buyer behaviour in China to be based on formal analyses of consumer panel data. An assessment wil ....Patterns of Buyer Behaviour in China. A mainstream interest of marketers is the study of buyer behaviour (i.e., brand choice, repeat-purchase, switching, loyalty, segmentation, etc.) Much is known. But virtually all of this knowledge comes from Western studies. Yet non-Western nations, such as China, are now immensely important trading partners for the West.
This is the first systematic study of buyer behaviour in China to be based on formal analyses of consumer panel data. An assessment will be made of how our analytical models, and associated findings, extend to new conditions (e.g., new geographical markets, sub-regions, traditional Chinese goods, different groups of buyers, etc.).Read moreRead less
A cognitive model for identifying optimal measures of beliefs. Belief measures are of high practical relevance. One current national example is measurement of beliefs about recycled water, which will affect state and territory governments' water conservation policies. Another is cultural values, measures of which can form the basis for initiatives to improve social harmony in Australia. The knowledge gained, however, is only as good as the validity of the belief measure employed. We will analyse ....A cognitive model for identifying optimal measures of beliefs. Belief measures are of high practical relevance. One current national example is measurement of beliefs about recycled water, which will affect state and territory governments' water conservation policies. Another is cultural values, measures of which can form the basis for initiatives to improve social harmony in Australia. The knowledge gained, however, is only as good as the validity of the belief measure employed. We will analyse the main types of measures used at present and develop improved belief measures which, when published, will increase the quality of research in the social sciences and enhance Australia's international scientific reputation.Read moreRead less
New Theory and Algorithms for Nonsmooth Optimisation with Application to Integer Programming. Mathematical optimisation plays a key role in a wide variety of applications in business, industry, engineering and science. For example, airlines cannot fly and radiation treatment for cancer cannot be delivered without solving (a series of) optimisation problems. Some classes of optimisation problem are very well solved, with clear mathematical foundations, efficient algorithms, and reliable software ....New Theory and Algorithms for Nonsmooth Optimisation with Application to Integer Programming. Mathematical optimisation plays a key role in a wide variety of applications in business, industry, engineering and science. For example, airlines cannot fly and radiation treatment for cancer cannot be delivered without solving (a series of) optimisation problems. Some classes of optimisation problem are very well solved, with clear mathematical foundations, efficient algorithms, and reliable software implementations. Both nonsmooth and integer optimisation problems have a good mathematical basis, but there are "gaps"; existing methods cannot always solve real industrial problems. This project will deliver better methods, built on better theory, and so will yield better solutions for important applications.Read moreRead less
Involving children in social research: balancing the risks and benefits. There is a growing consensus that children's involvement in social research is important, but considerable uncertainty remains around children's inclusion in research on 'sensitive' issues, reflecting concerns about how to balance children's protection with their participation. Key to this are deeply embedded assumptions and beliefs about children and childhood, especially concerning notions of capacity, agency, vulnerabili ....Involving children in social research: balancing the risks and benefits. There is a growing consensus that children's involvement in social research is important, but considerable uncertainty remains around children's inclusion in research on 'sensitive' issues, reflecting concerns about how to balance children's protection with their participation. Key to this are deeply embedded assumptions and beliefs about children and childhood, especially concerning notions of capacity, agency, vulnerability, dependency and the like. This project aims to better understand and address the tensions between the protection of children and their participation in research, and to explore how ethics committees, parents, other gatekeepers and children themselves manage and navigate these tensions.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
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
Water for Australia's future - reducing fears and increasing acceptance of alternative water sources through public information. Australia is in the midst of a water crisis. Available water sources are dwindling. Alternative water sources are key to Australia's sustainable water future. National and international experiences show that while alternative water treatment technologies are available, public acceptance is the most important factor to determining the successful implementation of altern ....Water for Australia's future - reducing fears and increasing acceptance of alternative water sources through public information. Australia is in the midst of a water crisis. Available water sources are dwindling. Alternative water sources are key to Australia's sustainable water future. National and international experiences show that while alternative water treatment technologies are available, public acceptance is the most important factor to determining the successful implementation of alternative water schemes. This project will study public acceptance of a range of alternative water schemes in Australia. It will identify barriers to adoption of these alternatives and highlight preferred options by the community. The information needs of Australians will be identified and optimal communication strategies developed.Read moreRead less
Latent variable modelling of discrete choice experiments. Discrete choice experiments and models are used to forecast consumer responses to changes in products policies and programs worldwide. Recent research suggests key model assumptions are violated because error variances covary with observed and unobserved factors. In order to address this, we will model systematic relationships between error variances and observed (eg, prices, survey length) and unobserved (eg, 'convenience', 'reputation') ....Latent variable modelling of discrete choice experiments. Discrete choice experiments and models are used to forecast consumer responses to changes in products policies and programs worldwide. Recent research suggests key model assumptions are violated because error variances covary with observed and unobserved factors. In order to address this, we will model systematic relationships between error variances and observed (eg, prices, survey length) and unobserved (eg, 'convenience', 'reputation') factors to improve model reliability and accuracy. This should lead to more accurate models/forecasts, benefitting business and government, which addresses the national priority of 'frontier technologies, promoting an innovative culture and economy'.Read moreRead less
Reducing irresponsible gambling: Changing a justification to an avoidance strategy. The results will aid policy makers in their assessment of harm minimisation strategies such as voluntary self-exclusion. Discovering when 'flawed' thinking about previous gambling episodes can be used to justify potentially irresponsible gambling decisions will assist in the design of new prevention measures for irresponsible gamblers and those at risk. The strategies developed here will be useful for gamblers to ....Reducing irresponsible gambling: Changing a justification to an avoidance strategy. The results will aid policy makers in their assessment of harm minimisation strategies such as voluntary self-exclusion. Discovering when 'flawed' thinking about previous gambling episodes can be used to justify potentially irresponsible gambling decisions will assist in the design of new prevention measures for irresponsible gamblers and those at risk. The strategies developed here will be useful for gamblers to empower themselves and avoid behaviour they will regret later. Australia will benefit from insights into how and why irresponsible episodes occur and how to prevent them. Read moreRead less
Measuring children's responsiveness to food advertising. This will be the first study, in Australia or elsewhere, that concurrently examines food promotions across a range of child-targeted media, in real-time, and investigates the way that these commercial messages are attended to, interpreted, and responded to by young people. This project will assist us in developing appropriate regulatory and social marketing responses to non-television advertising to children, will have valuable flow-on eff ....Measuring children's responsiveness to food advertising. This will be the first study, in Australia or elsewhere, that concurrently examines food promotions across a range of child-targeted media, in real-time, and investigates the way that these commercial messages are attended to, interpreted, and responded to by young people. This project will assist us in developing appropriate regulatory and social marketing responses to non-television advertising to children, will have valuable flow-on effects for measuring the effects of advertising of other types of products, and via other media, and will place Australia at the forefront of research in this area.Read moreRead less