Digital Commons Network^™

Determining Continual Improvement Process Methods Within Quality Management Systems, Diane M. Bové

Theses

Institutionalized standards require organizations to actively define and implement quality management systems, which includes active participation in continual improvement efforts. Interpretations and practices vary on implementation methodology.

Traditional views of quality do not integrate the technical disciplines into a defined science which would support a standardized approach for continual improvement implementation.

In order to optimize improvement efforts, a conceptual hypothesis is proposed to integrate quality through combining and collaborating implementation efforts of engineering, control, assurance, improvement and costs. The purpose of this thesis is to establish a roadmap to assist in choosing effective quality improvement methodologies and toolsets that assist …

Tourism And Terrorism - Is There A Pattern Of Recovery Following A Terrorist Attack?, Mary Rose Stafford

Theses

The purpose of this research is to ascertain if there is a pattern of recovery in tourism following a terrorist attack. If so, what measures can be taken to mitigate against such a significant downturn in tourism as experienced by the tourism industry following the terrorist attacks of September 112001. The research conducted is a multi-method approach combining secondary research with primary research (in-depth interviews, case studies and tourist surveys) to provide a synthesis of research findings.

The findings suggest that there are defining phases to the recovery process but no clear pattern has emerged. A number of factors are …

An Evaluation Of The Effectiveness Of Fear Appeals Used In Road Safety Campaigns, Darren O'Sullivan

Theses

This research project looks at Fear appeals as a method of communication. It is an evaluation of the use of this method based on a number of criteria. These criteria look at differing aspects of fear appeals which form the basis of the evaluation. Issues such as ethics, involvement of the audience, credibility and the level of fear used are all examined in a bid to determine the overall perceived effectiveness of this form of communication.

The first section of the project examines the research question and the objectives which the research hopes to achieve in order to arrive at …

An Analysis Of Lean Management Procedures In The Irish Audi And Volkswagen Dealer Network, Clive Atkinson

Theses

This study provides an analysis of lean management procedures within Irish motor retailers from the perspective of senior managers working in franchised Audi and Volkswagen dealerships. Richardson (2007) suggests the danger for some organisations operating in good economic conditions is the ability of poor performers to earn healthy profits through little effort, thereby creating a lack of urgency to improve processes within the business. This may be applicable to motor dealerships in Ireland since the advent of the “Celtic Tiger”. Advocates of lean management contend the implementation of lean techniques can increase efficiency within an organisation and create a sustainable …

Improved Sales Performance Through Effective Sales Training., Michael Falahee

Theses

Ireland’s economic success has been unprecedented between the period of 1993 and present. A number of internal and external factors accounted for this success. The economic performance was driven primarily by a relatively small number of foreign based firms who chose Ireland as their European base. Factors such as globalisation, an increasing domestic cost base and changes in EU legislation have lessened the Irish economy’s attractiveness to foreign direct investment.

Ireland has strong production and operational capabilities; it must develop expertise in two areas to ensure continued future success. These two areas are, building expertise in export sales and marketing …

Towards A Model Of Best Practice: An Irish Perspective On Employee Empowerment, Richard O'Connor

Theses

This dissertation examines the topic of Employee Empowerment within an Irish context. The aim is to provide a model of best practice for its implementation Empowerment is defined as a process whereby: a culture of empowerment is developed, information is shared, competency is developed, and resources and support are provided. Each of the components of empowerment—culture, information sharing, resource provision, and support—is examined in detail. The benefits of employee empowerment are noted and the theoretical foundations of both Employee Empowerment and Internal Marketing are examined in an extensive literature review. A model of best practice is proposed and conclusions, recommendations …

An Empirical Investigation Of The Role Of The Accountant In The Implementation Of An Integrated System: A Case Study In Cork County Council., Julie Griffin

Theses

The last decade has been a lime of continuous rapid change in the business environment. To survive in this environment, organisations have had to become more competitive and customer focussed. The promised benefits of integrated systems made their implementation a popular attempt at achieving success in the private sector. The implementation process for, and the benefits of integrated systems in the private sector are well documented.

Integrated systems are still a relatively new phenomenon in the public sector. The researcher was working, as an accountant, in Cork County Council, when it was tendering for and implementing a new integrated system. …

Is There A Mass Market For Ethical Fashion In Ireland?, Shirley Quinn

Theses

The following research dissertation was carried out with the intention of solving the question of whether there is a mass market for ethical fashion in Ireland. To answer this question, awareness of ethics in fashion among Irish consumers was investigated, along with general attitudes to ethical fashion, and whether ethics affects fashion purchase behaviour. The research was carried out over the space of six months and comprised a triangulated multi-method approach, consisting of primary and secondary research. Quantitative descriptive research was conducted through a questionnaire and the primary qualitative method used was a focus group. Secondary research took the form …

An Examination Of Relationship Marketing Strategies In Department Stores., Suzanne Hanley

Theses

The purpose of this thesis is to examine relationship marketing strategies in department stores. The objectives of relationship marketing strategies are to make customers feel special (Dwyer et al. 1987) to feel as though the company cares for them (Tzokas and Saren, 1997) and wants to satisfy their individual needs (Buttle, 1996). This thesis sets out to ascertain the effectiveness of various relationship marketing strategies adopted by department stores and to generate theory regarding future customer retention strategies for the industry.

Indications of the effectiveness of relationship marketing are derived through qualitative and quantitative methods employed in the study. In …

The Impact Of Changing Demographics On Mature Industries, Paul Culloty

Theses

The research plan is to conduct a qualitative questionnaire in order to determine the impact of changing demographics on the Irish telecommunications industry in general, and Eircom marketing strategy in particular. The resulting consumer behaviour analysis will assist in gauging respondent acceptance and utilisation of technology, brand selection and loyalty and effectiveness of corporate marketing strategy as measured by customer acquisition and increased revenue.

An Investigation Of Women’S Career Progression Decisions As A Significant Determinant Of The Under-Representation Of Women At Senior Management Levels In Ireland, Christine Cross

Theses

Recent decades have witnessed unprecedented changes both in the world economy and in the composition of workforces internationally, resulting in a significant rise in female economic activity rates. Women’s increased involvement in the labour force is, however, not paralleled within the management levels of organisations. The persistent nature of the dearth of women in executive roles provides the context for this study. The unique focus of this thesis is women in middle-level management positions, as managers at this level are viewed as successors to senior organisational roles. Thirty female managers were interviewed, from organisations representing a wide range of industry …