The WordPress.com stats helper monkeys prepared a 2011 annual report for this blog.
Here’s an excerpt:
A New York City subway train holds 1,200 people. This blog was viewed about 3,800 times in 2011. If it were a NYC subway train, it would take about 3 trips to carry that many people.
Associate Professor Dr Robert Davissays Aloha from Kona, Hawaii where he is presenting work on entrepreneurship about Tonga and Vanuatu from the 15th Cross Cultural Research Conference, Kona, Hawaii, December 2011.
Reviewed by Peter Mellalieu. Peter teaches innovation and entrepreneurship at Unitec Institute of Technology.
This is the most urgent question New Zealand, America and all other nations face. According to Jim Clifton, the answer lies in the spirit of free enterprise — not central or local government policy-making.
In my opinion, this book should be compulsory reading for all political candidates and all those public servants busily preparing ‘Briefings to the Incoming Minister’ due for delivery after the forthcoming November election!
In his book ‘THE COMING JOBS WAR‘, Gallup Chairman Jim Clifton argues that job creation happens when start-ups and young companies flourish in cities. Local and central government can assist job creation, but Clifton argues that primary attention should focus on local business and city leaders. He advocates these leaders must:
The cities and countries that act first — that focus everything they have on creating good jobs — are the ones that will win.
Invest in entrepreneurs, not innovation. Reason: it is entrepreneurs (and intrapreneurs) who grow existing businesses and start new businesses. It is their businesses that create the wealth from innovation, research, and science. Furthermore, it is the wealth creation from these businesses that enables more people to be employed in ‘good jobs’, redeployed from low-contribution under-employment and unemployment, and enables re-investment in innovation and growth. A virtuous circle.
Double the number of engaged employees. Reason. Engaged employees add value to both new and existing customers through their creative response to customer needs. They help a business grow sales revenues, profits, and support the commercialisation of innovative ideas.
Encourage small-business start-ups. Reason: Most employment growth arises from start-ups and the growth of small-medium enterprise. Large businesses are often large employers, but they are not the source of employment growth.
Be smarter at winning global customers than anyone else. Reason: In New Zealand, we will never have the local market that provides the scale for supporting the specialised businesses we need to create for the jobs we need (See earlier postings on this blog by Paul Callaghan). America’s automobile industry rested on its laurels for decades whilst Japan, Europe, and Korea improved their product performance, process technologies, and productivity. The decline of Detroit and bankruptcy of well-known American motor companies was the result.
Put prevention at the centre of healthcare policy. Reason: Gallup’s data provides support for substantial deployment of ‘behavioural economics’ to reward those people who improve their health status and thereby work productivity through personal attention to diet and exercise.
Wage war on the school dropout rate. The recent report from the New Zealand Institute (Boven et al,2011) highlighted how our country’s dysfunctional educational system fails in terms of both relevancy to emerging workplace skill requirements, and student engagement in the educational process. Both facets are crucial in providing young job-seekers with the correct skills, with the correct talents and attitudes to undertake a ‘good job’.
A ‘good job’ is a job in the formal economy. It is a job with security, with a pay check, good prospects, and a manager willing and capable of developing your job engagement and talents. A full-time good job is thirty hours or more.
There are several reasons:
Authors
Neil Gautam
Master of Business Student, Department of Management and Marketing, Faculty of Creative Industries and Business, neil.gautam@gmail.com, Unitec Institute of Technology, Department of Management and Marketing, Private Bag 92025, Auckland, New Zealand.
Dr Robert Davis
Associate Professor, Department of Management and Marketing, Faculty of Creative Industries and Business, rdavis@unitec.ac.nz, Phone: +(649) 815 4321, Postal Address: Unitec Institute of Technology, Private Bag 92025, Auckland, New Zealand.
Exploring relationships between consumers and brand’s in a computer games environment.
Abstract
Marketing is rapidly evolving to meet the demands of the technologically savvy consumer. The advancement of computing technologies resulting in new entertainment media devices such as gaming consoles has introduced new consumer experiences in terms of how people interact with brands and how products and services are advertised and consumed.
In the past two decades electronic games have overtaken more traditional forms of entertainment such as television and movies. The result of this transition in entertainment consumption has led to businesses reconsidering their strategies on how to advertise to consumers. Digital content delivery platforms such as gaming consoles have enabled enhanced ways of distributing marketing material directly to consumers, and in more recent years the emergence of brand advertising within computer games has become more evident.
In this thesis the research question is answered by understanding how consumers develop relationships with brands within virtual or game environments where brands are often not only visual but also interactive. Qualitative interviews with participants provides experiential feedback and grounded theory is used to analyse the data collected. The purpose of conducting this research is to understand consumer-brand relationships and its impact on consumer behaviour and brand consumption experience.
Keywords: Brand Relationships, Computer and Video Games, Consumer Behaviour
Actual Adolescent & Alumni Behaviors in an Entrepreneurial Education Programme – A Longitudinal New Zealand Study
Daniel Peter Hunt PG Dip Business (2010)
Dr Robert Davis Doctor of Philosophy (1999)
Abstract submitted in requirements for Unitec 2011 symposium
Unitec Institute of Technology, Business Department of Management and Marketing, Master Programme, Auckland, New Zealand
“The best way to predict the future is to create it”
- Peter Drucker
Purpose –
To evaluation of 15 years of untried data captured from the Young Enterprise Scheme (YES) Entrepreneur Education Programme. Aims to uncover behaviours from circulating and alumni administering raw data and addresses the limited longitudinal field research.
Design/Methodology –
Data was collected between 1995 and 2010 with a total of 43,882 participants and includes 22 Alumni interviews in regards to post program behavior. Secondly, raw data allowed Grounded Theory thinking to approach a conceptual model to generate propositions through statistical editing, coding and categorizing.
Definitions –
‘Adolescent’ term refers to participants aged 11-17 years Secondary School Participants.
‘Alumni’ term refers to post programme participants.
Findings –
Career paths: Advance to specific position, industries and advances further academic education.
Greatest Achievements: Skills, Awards/Rewards, Qualification and Position.
Greatest Flops: Reaction Skills, Identification and future outlooks.
Career Change: Skills attributed, studying, position advancement and working environments.
Greatest Expectation: Contributing Skills, industry movement and employment position.
Limitations/Implications –
Any findings are generalized to New Zealand. Existing International and local research will be included in literature referencing.
Innovation/Value –
This paper may help to explain the attractiveness of participation, improve participation engagement and modify programmes towards encouragement of specific industries.
Conceptualising service dominant logic in not for profit marketing
Mary Lim
Research Assistant, Department of Management and Marketing, Faculty of Creative Industries and Business, mlim@unitec.ac.nz, Phone: ++(649) 815 4321, Postal Address: Unitec Institute of Technology, Department of Management, Private Bag 92025, Auckland, New Zealand.
Robert Davis
Associate Professor, Department of Management and Marketing, Faculty of Creative Industries and Business, rdavis@unitec.ac.nz, Phone: ++(649) 815 4321, Postal Address: Unitec Institute of Technology, Department of Management, Private Bag 92025, Auckland, New Zealand.
Abstract:
A literature and knowledge gap in not for profit (NFP) marketing in New Zealand prompted an exploratory research on the subject. Using grounded theory approach to flesh out emergent themes from data obtained through 20 in-depth interviews with marketing, communication, and fundraising executives from NZ organisations, the results support service dominant logic (SDL) as a suitable framework for NFP marketing.
Value co-creation, a key SDL construct, was evident in all the intra- and inter-key stakeholder relationships that NFPs have with their multiple publics. This added strength to foundational premise (FP) six, where customers are the co-creators of value. Evidence from the data richly supported FP1, which posits that service is the fundamental basis of exchange, as NFPs were producers of services, to create social value for communities in need. Therefore, as service-centred organisations, NFPs are inherently customer oriented and relational (FP8). Being cause- and value-driven, NFPs inherently place emphasis on their beneficiaries and donors, and there is ample evidence to support this view.
Compared to transaction marketing practices, relationship marketing, and a hybrid transaction-relationship stance, SDL is a viable framework for NFP marketing to gain competitive advantage in an increasing crowded market for the public’s affection and donor dollar.
Reference:
Dolnicar, S. & Lazarevski, K. (2009). Marketing in non-profit organisations: An international perspective. International Marketing Review 26(3), p 275-291.
Vargo, S. L., & Lusch, R. F. (2004). Evolving to a new dominant logic for marketing. Journal of Marketing, 68, p 1-17.
Vargo, S. L., & Lusch, R. F. (2008). Service-dominant logic: continuing the evolution. Journal of the Academy of Marketing Science. 31. p 1-10.
Reposted from NZ Institute of Economic Research (Inc), NZIER (Yang & Stephenson, 2011).
“Differences in productivity explain much of the growing income gap between Australia and New Zealand. Good policy responses rely on understanding the sources of these differences.
“Seventy percent of the aggregate gap in productivity between the two countries is due to under-performance of New Zealand’s industries rather than a difference in the industrial structure of the two countries.
“Despite often voiced concerns to the contrary, capital intensity is not the main thing we should be concerned with when worrying about the growing income gap with Australia, as that primarily reflects differences in economic structure. New Zealand’s principal problem is multifactor productivity – the quality of management, organisational innovation, the production process, and the quality of labour and capital. Simply investing in more capital is of secondary importance.
“There are sectors in New Zealand, sadly too few, which outperform Australia’s – in agriculture and energy and water supply. New Zealand has even been performing better in the one sector which many are quick to label the secret of Australia’s success – mining. Most of the income gap can be attributed to low labour productivity in the services sector. The sheer size of this sector means this is a problem that needs a serious second look.
“Our findings support the idea of studying and tackling the root causes of productivity differences at the sectoral level. The significant differences in multifactor productivity also indicate the need for more focus on the quality of labour, capital, and management, and regulatory environment.“
A note from DOMM: Need help improving your organisation’s productivity?
The Unitec Department of Management and Marketing offers courses in operations management, quality management, strategic thinking, innovation, new venture creation, and entrepreneurship.
Figure 1: Decomposing the New Zealand-Australia income gap (Source NZIER, OECD STAN Database)
Per cent contribution to next tier up, 2001-2006, at 2006 prices. Rounded to nearest decile.
Haven’t lost your sense of humour…..welcome back!
Letter from America #2: International conference for innovation in higher education
Peter Mellalieu continues his journey through America reporting on the conference of the International Council for Innovation in Higher Education (ICIE), Miami, Florida, 31 July – 4 August, 2011.
The video begins with a brief clip showing the wonderful features of the intercontinental Boeing 777 flown from Los Angeles to Auckland by Air New Zealand.
Maureen Paparella introduces her research discussing the value of digital signposts in an academic setting.
Created on my iPad at 36 000 feet, above Apia, Samoa!
Do you know businesses, people or are you yourself developing new idea and innovations into products and service. If so enter the the Innovators Awards competition closing on 12th of August.
The New Zealand Innovators Awards are designed to celebrate and recognise great kiwi innovations, inventors and organisations that have invested in developing new products, services and ventures as well as improving the performance of people and teams.
Organised by Bayer New Zealand, Tangible Media and Ideas Accelerator, the Awards will showcase innovative people and organisations and celebrate their achievements across a broad spectrum of New Zealand business sectors.
The following Award Categories for 2011 are now open for entry;
Key Milestones
Entries Open 7 June 2011
Entries Close 12 August 2011
Finalists Announced September 2011
Awards Evening October 2011 [Auckland]
Benefits of Entering
The New Zealand Innovators Awards is a prestigious awards that recognises New Zealand innovators and organisations for their contribution to innovation. As a winner of the awards you will receive:
To get more details go to http://www.innovators.org.nz and read the background
Internet Research
