Exploring Channel Evolution with History

This paper discusses the evolution of the distribution channel of the Australian Information Communication Technology (ICT) industry over a 21 year period, introducing an effectiveness of the methods used to investigate this. The paper opens with a discussion of the value of historical analysis, arguing that ‘applying history helps us by identifying the reasons for important transitions’. A historical focus both allows us to interpret the past via the identification of key events that triggered change; and by considering the patterns that these form; we are able to surmise the impact of present and future events. The practical problems associated with extended longitudinal research have been well documented and include substantial resources required, drop out, poor choice of focus (as one cannot foresee if research subjects will evolve in ways of interest to the researchers), etc. This paper illustrates an effective way of overcoming at least some of these problems by using archival material in combination with narrative event analysis and any necessary clarification and augmentation provided via depth interviews with industry experts. Narrative event analysis enables consideration of the important explanations that can emerge from considering timing, order and interaction of events over simple correlation between variables. The analysis enables consideration of ‘moving pictures’ of networks as they evolve rather than only static pictures. The analysis of archival data avoids problems of imperfect recall and because the material used (articles in trade journals published during the review period) is from the perspective of many different observers, we also avoid dependence on the perspectives and interpretations of only a few observers. The paper focuses on a description of the classification and coding of the archival data for events using structural conditions topography. One of the key findings is that the following mechanisms/conditions are appropriate for classification and interrelating of the processes and the events of the channel’s evolution. Market conditions which relate to preferred structure of the optimum channel network, size of market, industry growth, competition relating to number of vendors and distribution partners in the channel, long term strategic trends and the frequency of mergers and acquisitions were important drivers. Product conditions are connected to market conditions and these play a particularly important role in the information technology market where there is a constant emergence of new products and technology with products superseding other products and with short product life-cycles. Influence conditions (i.e. social mechanisms) are concerned responses to product and market conditions, in particular with how vendor distributor relationships are managed by vendor distributor management. This involves fit in terms of organisation culture and expectations between vendor and distributor, fit of personality of account manager on vendor distributor side, inter personal skills of account manager, communication frequency, interpersonal skills and how conflicts are managed. Commercial agreement conditions (risk/return profile of distribution) are the final key mechanism. This relates to the vendor commercial distributor agreement, basic functions, channel strategy, nature of commercial relationship, performance targets and formal reporting. The paper presents a portion of the analysis of the archival data using this frame to show the interrelationships of these four categories. Structural conditions have a significant impact on the structural evolution of the channel and on the relationships within the channel of distribution. Structural evolution is driven in part by market conditions. Mergers and acquisitions have resulted in increased channel consolidation and the emergence of fewer channel partners and this has moved the relationship processes from high conflict and adversarial to highly collaborative forms – though these do often include considerable conflict. Product conditions relating to convergence of new product technology over time have also impacted on channel structure expanding the channel further into retail and online alternatives. However this greater complexity of tasks (in conjunction with adversarial history) has resulted in the need for increasing levels of channel coordination to manage and resolve the considerable conflicts that continue to emerge. Evolution of commercial conditions has resulted in more professionalism and a formalised partner planning process which in turn is impacting on the influence conditions. The paper concludes with a discussion of further development of this methodology and the further analysis that will be undertaken.The symposium is organised on behalf of AAHANZBS by the Business and Labour History Group, The University of Sydney, with the financial support of the University’s Faculty of Economics and Business

The impact incentive types on organisational performance in anglo cultures: a reply to Drake, Haka and Ravenscroft (1999)

Experimental research suffers from biases introduced by experiment design choices, such as the choice of alternative incentive and reward structures. We propose that framing rewards in a broader typology when researchers make decision about which reward structures to use in an experiment will minimise the potential for a false choice bias. To highlight this problem we replicate Drake, Haka and Ravenscrofts (1999) incentive structure experiment using a simpler, more theory driven design. Drake et al (1999) propose that organisational performance maybe be better if group compensation is given in preference to individualistic compensation, within the context of an information rich environment (using activity based costing). In particular, Drake et al (1999) apply an experimental research design to test that proposition using U.S. MBA students. Their results suggest that, ceteris paribus, given a group in preference to an individualistic incentive scheme, innovation, efficiency and profitability may improve. We argue that this conclusion is inconsistent with the incentive structure choices faced by managers, the societal values of the U.S., culture and agency theories in general. A possible explanation for Drake et als (1999) result is the use of a tournament incentive scheme as the basis for individual compensation. As such, we replicate the Drake et al (1999) experiment using Australian university students and an individual profit incentive scheme as the basis for individual compensation. Our results, in contrast to Drake et al. (1999), indicate that given an individual in preference to group incentive scheme, task performance improves in an information rich environment. This experiment highlights the false choice bias that reduces the generalizability of experimental research in general and highlights the value of propositions couched in a broader reward typology

Tips for Teaching Non-Traditional Audiences

One of the greatest thrills for an Extension educator is being asked, When\u27s the next one? at the end of a session. To keep that question coming when teaching non-traditional audiences, these county educators share their tips for designing programs that increase the learner\u27s comfort and create a non-threatening atmosphere. Relationships, cultural differences, use of time and resources, and finding new ways to measure learning progress can all influence programming success

Reentry guidance with extended range capability for low L/D spacecraft

Thesis (S.M.)--Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Dept. of Aeronautics and Astronautics, 2006.This electronic version was submitted by the student author. The certified thesis is available in the Institute Archives and Special Collections.Includes bibliographical references (p. 181-182).A generalized reentry/precision landing algorithm using bank angle modulation control was designed for a low lift-to-drag ratio (L/D) spacecraft that enables precision landing for target locations between 2,400 km and 10,000 km downrange of Entry Interface (EI). The Crew Exploration Vehicle (CEV) design concept was used as the main test case for this algorithm, but the algorithm is general enough to be extensible to similar vehicle concepts with different vehicle characteristics. The algorithm was tested against various reentry scenarios including perturbations in initial entry conditions, vehicle mass and aerodynamic properties, and atmospheric density. The algorithm was shown to be robust to these uncertainties to allow a landing error of less than 3.5 km for the entire 2,400 km - 10,000 km landing footprint. The guidance algorithm is based on the Apollo entry guidance algorithm. The guidance phases pertaining to short range reentries have remained essentially unaltered.(cont.) The phases relating to longer range reentries, which rely upon skip trajectories, have been upgraded using PredGuid, a numeric predictor-corrector aerocapture algorithm developed by Draper Laboratory for the Aero-assist Flight Experiment in the late 1980s. In addition, the reference trajectory used for the final phase of reentry was recalculated to apply to the CEV vehicle concept. These upgrades were sufficient to allow precision landing of skip reentry trajectories for target ranges of up to 10,000 km. In addition, it was shown that the steepness of the skip can be controlled by modulating the time at which the PredGuid guidance phase takes over; starting earlier results in a steeper, higher altitude skip whereas starting later results in a shallower, lower altitude skip.by Sarah Hendrickson Bairstow.S.M

Prevalence of unjustified emergency department x-ray examination referrals performed in a regional Queensland hospital: a pilot study

Introduction: The underpinning principles of radiation protection are justification, optimisation and limitation. Each medical imaging referral that uses ionising radiation must balance the justification of exposure to radiation against the benefits of the examination. Scrutiny of justification is the role of radiographers, for general radiography, and is usually performed using the clinical details provided on the referral. International studies report up to 77% of medical imaging examinations are unjustified or inappropriate. In regional Queensland, justification seems to involve a subjective assessment and enforcement is ad hoc. This study aimed to determine the number of unjustified emergency department x-ray examinations performed in a regional Queensland hospital. Methods: An audit of the clinical details provided on x-ray referrals and in the medical records was performed on x-ray examinations undertaken within an 11-day period. Justification was determined by compliance with the Government of Western Australia's diagnostic imaging pathways. Results: Of the 186 referrals assessed, 75.3% were categorised as not having complied with the imaging pathway and were considered unjustified. When the clinical details in the patient's medical record were reviewed, in conjunction with the referral, the unjustified rate reduced to 49.2% of examinations. Conclusion: Results demonstrate a lack of information transfer by referring clinicians and a lack of compliance with justification requirements for imaging by medical imaging staff. Improved communication regarding the need for imaging, and the refusal of referrals that are not justified, will ensure that patients are only exposed to radiation when clear benefit has been demonstrated

Effectiveness of integration of system-level optimization in concurrent engineering for rocket design

Thesis (S.M.)--Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Dept. of Aeronautics and Astronautics, 2006.Includes bibliographical references (p. 110-111).Integrated concurrent engineering is a method for rapid conceptual design. Previous study has suggested that integration of system-level optimization techniques into integrated concurrent engineering can benefit the design process. In order to confirm and strengthen these results further study was carried out. A two-stage liquid rocket software model was created to serve as a complex multi-disciplinary design problem. Several design session trials were run with the goal of optimizing the rocket in performance and cost. Some design teams used optimization along with integrated concurrent engineering, while others only used integrated concurrent engineering. The results from the two design methods were compared in several metrics, and including optimization alongside concurrent engineering shows a marked benefit in some areas.by Brian Kenichi Bairstow.S.M

Internal marketing and the enactment of sexual identity

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to explore issues surrounding the enactment of a lesbian, gay or bisexual person's sexual identity and their role as an internal customer of mainstream service organisations. Design/methodology/approach – This article is written from a critical marketing perspective, the prefix “critical” signifying adoption of what may be considered somewhat radical philosophies and theories, allowing questioning of not only generally accepted theories of marketing, but also the assumptions upon which they rest. The “radical” approaches, i.e. the lenses through which the critique is offered, are postmodernism and queer theory. The theoretical perspectives critiqued in this article are internal marketing and emotional labour, and the assumptions questioned are those surrounding the importance of the role of the internal customer's identity in consumption of the work role. Findings – The findings suggest a link that needs to be made between an individual's status as an internal customer (particularly in a front‐line service job), their identity (as defined by the individual themselves), and its impact upon their consumption of work (which viewed through a postmodern lens can be seen to help create, maintain and communicate such identity). Practical implications – For those charged with the management of people in organisations, this paper offers critical insights into the complex practical regulation of organisational diversity in service industries. Originality/value – The paper has drawn together various perspectives in the literature that have not previously been linked. If an external customer consumes products and services in order to create or display an identity, and if we accept the argument that employees should be treated as internal customers then the logical conclusion of this perspective is that these internal customers also create their identity through the consumption of work, and not just through their consumption of goods and services. The complexities of this proposition have been considered, using sexual identity management as one example, but the principle could equally apply to other areas of diversity among internal customers within the workplace

Growth pattern to the end of the mating period influences the reproductive performance of Merino ewe lambs mated at 7 to 8 months of age

The reproductive performance of Merino ewe lambs is highly variable and generally poor in comparison to older ewes. In this study, we determined the impacts of growth pattern to the end of the mating period and sire genetics on the reproductive performance of Merino ewe lambs. Five hundred ewe lambs with full pedigree records were managed under commercial conditions from weaning and weighed 43.5 kg at the start of the mating period with an average age of 224 days. The ewe lambs were offered a moderate or high feed allowance to achieve target growth rates of 100 or 200 g/day during a 46-day mating period. They were then recombined and scanned for pregnancy status 60 days after the mating period. At the individual animal level, a 5 kg greater live weight at the start of the mating period increased reproductive rate (foetuses per 100 ewes joined) by about 20% (P < 0.001). Regardless of their live weight at the start of the mating period, gaining an extra 100 g/day of live weight during the mating period further increased their reproductive rate by about 20% (P < 0.001). Ewe lambs from sires with higher Australian Sheep Breeding Values for fat measured post-weaning achieved a higher fertility (P < 0.05) and reproductive rate (P < 0.01) regardless of feed allowance treatment. The effects of sire fatness was significant even when the sire breeding values for live weight measured post-weaning were included in the model. The effects of managing growth pattern and sire genetics were additive, so improving the reproductive performance of Merino ewe lambs mated at 7 to 8 months of age requires improving their feed allowance and rate of live weight gain until the end of the mating period and using sires with higher breeding values for fatness

Krill biomass estimation : sampling and measurement variability

FB is funded by an EPSRC studentship (grant code: EP/R513337/1).Krill are the subject of growing commercial fisheries and therefore fisheries management is necessary to ensure long-term sustainability. Krill catch limits, set by Commission for the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources, are based on absolute krill biomass, estimated from acoustic-trawl surveys. In this work, we develop a method for determining an error budget for acoustic-trawl surveys of krill which includes sampling and measurement variability. We use our error budget method to examine the sensitivity of biomass estimates to parameters in acoustic target strength (TS) models, length frequency distribution and length to wetmass relationships derived from net data. We determined that the average coefficient of variation (CV) of estimated biomass was 17.7% and the average CV due from scaling acoustic observations to biomass density was 5.3%. We found that a large proportion of the variability of biomass estimates is due to the krill orientation distribution, a parameter in the TS model. Orientation distributions with narrow standard deviations were found to emphasise the results of nulls in the TS to length relationship, which has to potential to lead to biologically implausible results.Publisher PDFPeer reviewe