Diploma Thesis from the year 2002 in the subject Business economics - Business Management, Corporate Governance, grade: 1,3 (A), ( Middlesex University in London ), language: English, abstract: This report will demonstrate the importance of Loyalty Management in the competitive environment of the airline industry and will show that a successful approach to Loyalty Management consists of three different, interlinked aspects. These three 'pillars' are Customer Service, Frequent Flyer Programs, and Complaint Management; their interdependence will be analysed in depth, with special attention given to the perceived importance of Frequent Flyer Programs. Findings show that customers do indeed perceive these issues as vital with regards to their loyalty towards a particular airline. It was found that Customer Service can be regarded as the foundation for Loyalty Management; it can help an airline to gain competitive advantage by setting it apart from its competitors. Frequent Flyer Programs, if implemented and run properly, can provide the customer with added value. As such, they compliment Customer Service and can help to increase overall loyalty. Additionally, Complaint Management was found to be gaining importance among airlines. The number of complaints was shown to be rising gradually, stressing the growing significance of efficient Complaint Management and its strong after-effect on customer loyalty.

Seminar paper from the year 2003 in the subject Politics - Topic: International Organisations, grade: 1.6 (A), University of Manchester (Manchester School of Management), course: Manchester School of Management, language: English, abstract: What were the difficulties surrounding China's accession to the World Trade Organisation (WTO)? Why has it taken the People's Republic of China (PRC) over 15 years to join? What are the expected benefits and disadvantages of joining? What changes is WTO membership likely to bring to China's economy in the future?These are the question this paper will address. WTO accession by China is often seen as the most significant event about China in the last decade, even ahead of the Taiwan Independence issue, which continues to penetrate world news periodically. Since the end of the Cultural Revolution in 1978, China has been on a course of economic reform. Today, Chinese are richer than ever before in history, with the country itself having experienced extended periods of extraordinary growth. Specifically, this report will highlight China s first attempts to join the WTO more than 15 years ago in chapter two. Chapter three will focus on the main areas of difficulty surrounding WTO accession, while chapter four will comment on the final accession in December 2001. The expected economic advantages and disadvantages for China will be discussed in chapter five; finally, chapter six will offer a brief future outlook for China, again mainly from an economic perspective.

Seminar paper from the year 2002 in the subject Business economics - Economic Policy, grade: 1.3 (A), University of Manchester (Manchester School of Management), language: English, abstract: This paper adresses how the defence of local culture is becoming an increasing concern in the current era of globalisation, as diminishing transport costs and new forms of communication are enabling worldwide dissemination of products and ideas. The import of cultural goods from nations with disparate values and traditions is investigated, which could potentially cause the destabilisation of national or local communities. Indeed, these cultural goods may displace existing products and result in cultural homogenisation. Also, this paper looks at measures designed to protect culture which are exempt from WTO consideration and disputes between nations are negotiated bilaterally. As a result, fears that larger economies, such as the US, are able to dominate the cultural industries of smaller nations are investigated. Finally, this paper makes two main recommendations concerning domestic policy and concerning international trade policy. Through the development of a methodology which can develop agreements on more easily recognisable cultural interests - those less clouded by economic motivations - such a body would be able to tackle the more complex and problematic issues, with the aim of separating economic and political issues from genuine cultural concerns.

Essay from the year 2003 in the subject Leadership and Human Resources - Miscellaneous, grade: 2.1 (B+), The University of Hong Kong (-), language: English, abstract: This paper will consider how Johnson & Johnson (J&J) and Unilever recruit and select managerial staff, and how these companies focus on the development of managerial staff. Both similarities and differences will be highlighted in each section. Further, a critical examinination of the benefits and challenges of the overall strategies and policies are investigated. Finally, the last part of this paper is concerned with possible improvements to the training programs implemented at both J&J and Unilever, based on each company's unique position and value system.

Seminar paper from the year 2002 in the subject Business economics - Trade and Distribution, grade: 1.1 (A+), University of Manchester (Manchester School of Management), language: English, abstract: This paper addresses the classic case of the challenges Proctor and Gamble (P&G) faced in the 1970s and 1980s, both to its European organisational structure and to the imminent launch of its new Heavy Duty Liquid (HDL) Vizir. It will be argued that the company s European structure will have a direct impact on a possible Vizir launch and on future product launches, using an in-depth analysis of both the current P&G situation at that time and feasible alternative strategies available to the organisation. Chapter two will give a brief but concise overview of the P&G situation in the 1980s; chapter three will discuss three different approaches available to P&G in organising its European operations, and recommend the most suitable approach; chapter four will then examine the launch options for Vizir and present the most favourable strategy; finally, chapter five will summarise the findings and highlight the recommendations of this report, briefly considering possible implementations and evaluations of the suggested strategies.

Research Paper (postgraduate) from the year 2003 in the subject Business economics - Offline Marketing and Online Marketing, grade: 1.3 (A), The University of Hong Kong (-), language: English, abstract: This paper examines the concept of eCurrency and how it has been used globally, and then highlights how this could be applied in Hong Kong. The situation in Hong Kong was assessed, and it is believed that Octopus is able to take advantage of its strong brand name and wide use taking its business online to an extended business model, termed eOctopus. The eOctopus model suggests that Octopus becomes an intermediary in online transactions where the users will have the option to set up an online Octopus account on the web. Money will be deducted for online and offline transactions, and money can be added at current Octopus terminals or via Internet banking. It will also allow users to shop and pay bills online. Given the development concerning the introduction of a smartcard (including an eCertificate function) to replace the existing Hong Kong ID card, synergies are expected to exist if Octopus were to work together with the government on this issue. Since every resident in a Hong Kong is required to possess an ID card, Octopus would thus gain in trust and overcome security issues, as expressed by respondents. The Hong Kong government could benefit from this arrangement, since Octopus' technology and know-how regarding smartcards is advanced. If the eOctopus model is implemented in Hong Kong, it could then serve as a global role-model to the rest of the world, making eOctopus a successful eCurrency for online transactions possibly beyond the boundaries of HK.

Seminar paper from the year 2002 in the subject Didactics - Business economics, Economic Pedagogy, grade: 2.2 (B), University of Manchester (Manchester School of Management), language: English, abstract: At the beginning of any type of research, it is paramount for the researcher to determine the most appropriate methodology to carry out the study. While factors such as time and costs certainly play an important part in deciding how to approach a particular research problem, the subject of the research itself should ultimately determine the methods used. A good researcher will evaluate all available options prior to making a decision as to which methods to adapt in the light of being the most useful for the study at hand. This paper will focus on describing a variety of methods, namely questionnaires, interviews, and case studies. Each chapter will give a brief introduction about the method, and then highlight the main strengths and limitations of each approach. Attention is also given to induction, which is defined as a data-driven approach to research, while deduction is seen as theory-driven. As such, the notion of data-driven versus theory-driven will be explored briefly for each method.

Master's Thesis from the year 2003 in the subject Business economics - Economic Policy, University of Manchester (Manchester School of Management), language: English, abstract: The importance of the World Trade Organisation (WTO) for international free trade today has enticed China to join the WTO in December 2001. The significance of WTO membership for China cannot be underestimated, inevitably speeding up much-needed economic reform in the country. The gradual transition from a planned- to a market-economy is expected to continue in the future. The severity of the impacts for the economy will depend on how successful China is in providing policies that will assist the nation in the major adjustment problems that it faces in the future. The expected, actual, and needed implications for China s state-owned enterprises (SOEs) resulting from WTO membership will be investigated in detail; in the process, the significance of SOEs to the Chinese economy will be highlighted. SOEs are mostly ill- prepared for a post-WTO China, and the dismal state of these companies has already led to the decline of market share in the past decade. For the future, the retreat of the state is likely to continue. The main implications for SOEs from China s WTO membership are seen in the areas of competitiveness, corporate governance, privatisation, mergers and acquisitions, property rights, unemployment, and attracting and retaining qualified personnel. This dissertation offers one of the most detailed insights into the challenges facing China s SOEs and the implications of China s WTO membership for these companies, while also highlighting the areas that require future attention. The understanding of the role and meaning of SOEs for the Chinese economy is of immense importance for foreign investors wanting to invest in the country, already cooperating with China s SOEs, or looking into the possibility of such.

Diploma Thesis from the year 2002 in the subject Business economics - Business Management, Corporate Governance, grade: 1,3 (A), ( Middlesex University in London ), language: English, abstract: This report will demonstrate the importance of Loyalty Management in the competitive environment of the airline industry and will show that a successful approach to Loyalty Management consists of three different, interlinked aspects. These three 'pillars' are Customer Service, Frequent Flyer Programs, and Complaint Management; their interdependence will be analysed in depth, with special attention given to the perceived importance of Frequent Flyer Programs. Findings show that customers do indeed perceive these issues as vital with regards to their loyalty towards a particular airline. It was found that Customer Service can be regarded as the foundation for Loyalty Management; it can help an airline to gain competitive advantage by setting it apart from its competitors. Frequent Flyer Programs, if implemented and run properly, can provide the customer with added value. As such, they compliment Customer Service and can help to increase overall loyalty. Additionally, Complaint Management was found to be gaining importance among airlines. The number of complaints was shown to be rising gradually, stressing the growing significance of efficient Complaint Management and its strong after-effect on customer loyalty.

Seminar paper from the year 2003 in the subject Politics - Topic: International Organisations, grade: 1.6 (A), University of Manchester (Manchester School of Management), course: Manchester School of Management, language: English, abstract: What were the difficulties surrounding China's accession to the World Trade Organisation (WTO)? Why has it taken the People's Republic of China (PRC) over 15 years to join? What are the expected benefits and disadvantages of joining? What changes is WTO membership likely to bring to China's economy in the future?These are the question this paper will address. WTO accession by China is often seen as the most significant event about China in the last decade, even ahead of the Taiwan Independence issue, which continues to penetrate world news periodically. Since the end of the Cultural Revolution in 1978, China has been on a course of economic reform. Today, Chinese are richer than ever before in history, with the country itself having experienced extended periods of extraordinary growth. Specifically, this report will highlight China s first attempts to join the WTO more than 15 years ago in chapter two. Chapter three will focus on the main areas of difficulty surrounding WTO accession, while chapter four will comment on the final accession in December 2001. The expected economic advantages and disadvantages for China will be discussed in chapter five; finally, chapter six will offer a brief future outlook for China, again mainly from an economic perspective.

Seminar paper from the year 2002 in the subject Business economics - Economic Policy, grade: 1.3 (A), University of Manchester (Manchester School of Management), language: English, abstract: This paper adresses how the defence of local culture is becoming an increasing concern in the current era of globalisation, as diminishing transport costs and new forms of communication are enabling worldwide dissemination of products and ideas. The import of cultural goods from nations with disparate values and traditions is investigated, which could potentially cause the destabilisation of national or local communities. Indeed, these cultural goods may displace existing products and result in cultural homogenisation. Also, this paper looks at measures designed to protect culture which are exempt from WTO consideration and disputes between nations are negotiated bilaterally. As a result, fears that larger economies, such as the US, are able to dominate the cultural industries of smaller nations are investigated. Finally, this paper makes two main recommendations concerning domestic policy and concerning international trade policy. Through the development of a methodology which can develop agreements on more easily recognisable cultural interests - those less clouded by economic motivations - such a body would be able to tackle the more complex and problematic issues, with the aim of separating economic and political issues from genuine cultural concerns.

Essay from the year 2003 in the subject Leadership and Human Resources - Miscellaneous, grade: 2.1 (B+), The University of Hong Kong (-), language: English, abstract: This paper will consider how Johnson & Johnson (J&J) and Unilever recruit and select managerial staff, and how these companies focus on the development of managerial staff. Both similarities and differences will be highlighted in each section. Further, a critical examinination of the benefits and challenges of the overall strategies and policies are investigated. Finally, the last part of this paper is concerned with possible improvements to the training programs implemented at both J&J and Unilever, based on each company's unique position and value system.

Seminar paper from the year 2002 in the subject Business economics - Trade and Distribution, grade: 1.1 (A+), University of Manchester (Manchester School of Management), language: English, abstract: This paper addresses the classic case of the challenges Proctor and Gamble (P&G) faced in the 1970s and 1980s, both to its European organisational structure and to the imminent launch of its new Heavy Duty Liquid (HDL) Vizir. It will be argued that the company s European structure will have a direct impact on a possible Vizir launch and on future product launches, using an in-depth analysis of both the current P&G situation at that time and feasible alternative strategies available to the organisation. Chapter two will give a brief but concise overview of the P&G situation in the 1980s; chapter three will discuss three different approaches available to P&G in organising its European operations, and recommend the most suitable approach; chapter four will then examine the launch options for Vizir and present the most favourable strategy; finally, chapter five will summarise the findings and highlight the recommendations of this report, briefly considering possible implementations and evaluations of the suggested strategies.

Research Paper (postgraduate) from the year 2003 in the subject Business economics - Offline Marketing and Online Marketing, grade: 1.3 (A), The University of Hong Kong (-), language: English, abstract: This paper examines the concept of eCurrency and how it has been used globally, and then highlights how this could be applied in Hong Kong. The situation in Hong Kong was assessed, and it is believed that Octopus is able to take advantage of its strong brand name and wide use taking its business online to an extended business model, termed eOctopus. The eOctopus model suggests that Octopus becomes an intermediary in online transactions where the users will have the option to set up an online Octopus account on the web. Money will be deducted for online and offline transactions, and money can be added at current Octopus terminals or via Internet banking. It will also allow users to shop and pay bills online. Given the development concerning the introduction of a smartcard (including an eCertificate function) to replace the existing Hong Kong ID card, synergies are expected to exist if Octopus were to work together with the government on this issue. Since every resident in a Hong Kong is required to possess an ID card, Octopus would thus gain in trust and overcome security issues, as expressed by respondents. The Hong Kong government could benefit from this arrangement, since Octopus' technology and know-how regarding smartcards is advanced. If the eOctopus model is implemented in Hong Kong, it could then serve as a global role-model to the rest of the world, making eOctopus a successful eCurrency for online transactions possibly beyond the boundaries of HK.

Seminar paper from the year 2002 in the subject Didactics - Business economics, Economic Pedagogy, grade: 2.2 (B), University of Manchester (Manchester School of Management), language: English, abstract: At the beginning of any type of research, it is paramount for the researcher to determine the most appropriate methodology to carry out the study. While factors such as time and costs certainly play an important part in deciding how to approach a particular research problem, the subject of the research itself should ultimately determine the methods used. A good researcher will evaluate all available options prior to making a decision as to which methods to adapt in the light of being the most useful for the study at hand. This paper will focus on describing a variety of methods, namely questionnaires, interviews, and case studies. Each chapter will give a brief introduction about the method, and then highlight the main strengths and limitations of each approach. Attention is also given to induction, which is defined as a data-driven approach to research, while deduction is seen as theory-driven. As such, the notion of data-driven versus theory-driven will be explored briefly for each method.

Master's Thesis from the year 2003 in the subject Business economics - Economic Policy, University of Manchester (Manchester School of Management), language: English, abstract: The importance of the World Trade Organisation (WTO) for international free trade today has enticed China to join the WTO in December 2001. The significance of WTO membership for China cannot be underestimated, inevitably speeding up much-needed economic reform in the country. The gradual transition from a planned- to a market-economy is expected to continue in the future. The severity of the impacts for the economy will depend on how successful China is in providing policies that will assist the nation in the major adjustment problems that it faces in the future. The expected, actual, and needed implications for China s state-owned enterprises (SOEs) resulting from WTO membership will be investigated in detail; in the process, the significance of SOEs to the Chinese economy will be highlighted. SOEs are mostly ill- prepared for a post-WTO China, and the dismal state of these companies has already led to the decline of market share in the past decade. For the future, the retreat of the state is likely to continue. The main implications for SOEs from China s WTO membership are seen in the areas of competitiveness, corporate governance, privatisation, mergers and acquisitions, property rights, unemployment, and attracting and retaining qualified personnel. This dissertation offers one of the most detailed insights into the challenges facing China s SOEs and the implications of China s WTO membership for these companies, while also highlighting the areas that require future attention. The understanding of the role and meaning of SOEs for the Chinese economy is of immense importance for foreign investors wanting to invest in the country, already cooperating with China s SOEs, or looking into the possibility of such.