Theory of due repurchase : gaining more from using less : a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Business Studies in Marketing at Massey University, Albany, New Zealand

The aim of the thesis is to enhance the current knowledge on repurchase behaviour and provide a model that enables marketing practitioners to ‘gain more from using less’ through reallocating their resources and investing more in underutilised customer data. This is because producing the desired customer response using the least costly marketing actions is the key to success in today’s increasingly competitive marketplace. Although models predicting repurchase behaviour in non-contractual settings exist, their predictive and explanatory performances are poor. None of these existing models considers the roles of purchase quantity (PQ) and homogeneity of interpurchase times (IPTs) in predicting repurchase behaviour. Hence, Theory of Due Repurchase is developed in this thesis and suggests that the customer’s next purchase is highly expected under three repurchase conditions, which are that the customer is 1) a frequent shopper; 2) has upward-trending PQs; and 3) has homogeneous IPTs. These three variables are not only expected to be strong predictors of repurchase behaviour, but also correctly classify more customers than existing behavioural models, including recency, frequency and monetary value (RFM). Using a transaction dataset available in the literature, six studies were conducted to empirically test the Theory of Due Repurchase, examine its predictive accuracy and replicate the findings. The results support all of the hypotheses, developed as part of the conceptual model, and replicate the findings. Theory of Due Repurchase correctly classifies over 88% of customers across four samples, improving the current level of accuracy in predicting repurchase behaviour by approximately 19 percentage points. The thesis provides a number of academic and managerial insights on effective targeting

Acceleration computing process in wavelength scanning interferometry

The optical interferometry has been widely explored for surface measurement due to the advantages of non-contact and high accuracy interrogation. Eventually, some interferometers are used to measure both rough and smooth surfaces such as white light interferometry and wavelength scanning interferometry (WSI). The WSI can be used to measure large discontinuous surface profiles without the phase ambiguity problems. However, the WSI usually needs to capture hundreds of interferograms at different wavelength in order to evaluate the surface finish for a sample. The evaluating process for this large amount of data needs long processing time if CPUs traditional programming is used. This paper presents a parallel programming model to achieve the data parallelism for accelerating the computing analysis of the captured data. This parallel programming is based on CUDATM C program structure that developed by NVIDIA. Additionally, this paper explains the mathematical algorithm that has been used for evaluating the surface profiles. The computing time and accuracy obtained from CUDA program, using GeForce GTX 280 graphics processing unit (GPU), were compared to those obtained from sequential execution Matlab program, using Intel® Core™2 Duo CPU. The results of measuring a step height sample shows that the parallel programming capability of the GPU can highly accelerate the floating point calculation throughput compared to multicore CPU

A Case Study of EFL Teachers’ Perceptions and Practices in Written Corrective Feedback

Based on a mixed-method approach, this interpretive exploratory case study aimed to identify English as Foreign Language (EFL) teachers’ perceptions and practices in Written Corrective Feedback (WCF) in the Saudi context. The study analysed quantitative data gathered from an anonymous custom designed 15-question online survey and qualitative data from an open-ended question (at the end of the online survey) and semi-structured interviews. Participants were one hundred and eighty-four English as a Foreign Language (EFL) teachers (n =184) who responded to the online survey (113 females and 71 males) and 7 participants who responded to the semi-structured interview (5 males and 2 females). The study findings indicated no significant differences between male and female teachers in considering “time” as the main factor in following a particular strategy for written corrective feedback (93%). The results from the semi-structured interviews highlighted the need for further research in written corrective feedback in the Saudi context to address serious issues related to the teachers’ work-load. Some recommendations were identified for further research in written corrective feedback

Implementation of wavelength scanning interferometry for R2R flexible PV barrier films

Roll to Roll manufacture of nano-scale thinf ilm layers faces the challenge of micro/nano-scale defects appearing in the films. Atomic Layer Deposition (ALD) coatings of aluminium oxide, Al2O3 are used as barrier layers for photovoltaic (PV) solar modules where the primary function of the barrier layer is to prevent the water vapour ingress to the PV cells. Barrier layer defects have been shown to have negative impact on the performance of the barrier layers. Poor barriers cause module degradation resulting in reduced PV efficiency and lifespan. In order to ensure the quality of manufacture of the barriers, defects should be detected during the barrier production process and the information used to optimise the production process. This paper introduces, as part of EU funded NanoMend project, a full solution for inspection of entire surface regions of Al2O3 barrier films across large area substrates. The solution principle is based on implementing an opto-mechanical in-process inspection system to measure the significant defects using a wavelength scanning interferometer (WSI) embedded within the film-rewinder stage and integrated with the substrate translation and kinematic stages. The opto-mechanical system allows full surface measurement over full substrate widths of approximately 0.5m. The system provides an auto-focus for the WSI with an accuracy and repeatability better than 6 µm at optimum optical alignment conditions. The system is combined with a porous air-bearing conveyor used to hold the film web at fixed height within the focal depth of WSI objective lens and with height variation of 3 µm is also presented as a case study to highlight the system capability

Burg algorithm for enhancing measurement performance in wavelength scanning interferometry

Wavelength scanning interferometry (WSI) is a technique for measuring surface topography that is capable of resolving step discontinuities and does not require any mechanical movement of the apparatus or measurand, allowing measurement times to be reduced substantially in comparison to related techniques. The axial (height) resolution and measurement range in WSI depends in part on the algorithm used to evaluate the spectral interferograms. Previously reported Fourier transform based methods have a number of limitations which is in part due to the short data lengths obtained. This paper compares the performance auto-regressive model based techniques for frequency estimation in WSI. Specifically, the Burg method is compared with established Fourier transform based approaches using both simulation and experimental data taken from a WSI measurement of a step-height sample