International franchising success factors: A guide for Australian franchise systems. Australia is considered the most 'franchised' nation in the world. With 850 franchisors, it has over three times the number of systems per capita than the United States. However, Australian franchises are small due to the country's limited population, with 60% of systems holding fewer than 30 units. One third of Australian franchisors now operates internationally, however little is known about how they plan an ....International franchising success factors: A guide for Australian franchise systems. Australia is considered the most 'franchised' nation in the world. With 850 franchisors, it has over three times the number of systems per capita than the United States. However, Australian franchises are small due to the country's limited population, with 60% of systems holding fewer than 30 units. One third of Australian franchisors now operates internationally, however little is known about how they plan and implement their expansion strategies. It appears that franchisors are reacting to approaches made by overseas investors rather than proactively developing international expansion strategies. This research will examine the practices of successful exporters to develop a model of best practice for future activity in the sector.Read moreRead less
Identifying, attracting and retaining successful foster parents. This research project will improve Australian foster care systems. By developing tools to identify, attract and retain successful foster parents more effectively we will address two critical problems facing foster care organisations: decreasing numbers of foster parents and increasing numbers of 'placement breakdowns'. Improvements of these factors will (1) give foster children a more positive and healthier start to life; (2) reduc ....Identifying, attracting and retaining successful foster parents. This research project will improve Australian foster care systems. By developing tools to identify, attract and retain successful foster parents more effectively we will address two critical problems facing foster care organisations: decreasing numbers of foster parents and increasing numbers of 'placement breakdowns'. Improvements of these factors will (1) give foster children a more positive and healthier start to life; (2) reduce the extent to which foster children develop antisocial and emotional attachment problems; (3) reduce the incidence of criminal and antisocial behaviours among foster children; and consequently (4) have a positive long-term effect on the social fabric of Australia.Read moreRead less
Internet Companies and Consumer Behaviour: A Study of Consumer-Company Identification and Word of Mouth Communication. The emergence of Internet based companies has significantly changed consumer marketplaces within Australia. Companies using Internet related technologies are offering consumers new and better marketplace choices and, in turn, generating new revenue streams. This project seeks to understand the growth of such companies, to investigate the process of Internet related word of mo ....Internet Companies and Consumer Behaviour: A Study of Consumer-Company Identification and Word of Mouth Communication. The emergence of Internet based companies has significantly changed consumer marketplaces within Australia. Companies using Internet related technologies are offering consumers new and better marketplace choices and, in turn, generating new revenue streams. This project seeks to understand the growth of such companies, to investigate the process of Internet related word of mouth communication -- a process on which much of the success of these new companies rests -- and to build decision making tools for companies -- helping them to create, implement and modify strategies that are appropriate for this dynamic environment.Read moreRead less
Examining the impact of marketing communications on brand image, brand equity and behaviour outcomes. The results would help charities in brand building activities through improved marketing communications. For example, the Australian Red Cross Blood Service (ARCBS) can understand how to improve their brand equity (e.g. improving loyalty, enhancing brand awareness levels, achieving higher perception of quality as well as enhancing brand image) in their donor markets. Increased commitment from th ....Examining the impact of marketing communications on brand image, brand equity and behaviour outcomes. The results would help charities in brand building activities through improved marketing communications. For example, the Australian Red Cross Blood Service (ARCBS) can understand how to improve their brand equity (e.g. improving loyalty, enhancing brand awareness levels, achieving higher perception of quality as well as enhancing brand image) in their donor markets. Increased commitment from the donors is likely to result in benefits such as more blood donations for this charity organisation. This would mean better services provided by ARCBS which would mean promoting and maintaining good health among the Australian public.Read moreRead less
Customer Co-production in Ongoing Health Service Delivery: A Longitudinal Study. Customers do not merely receive services. Increasingly they are actively involved in their design and delivery even to the extent of being regarded as 'part-time employees'. Customer co-production is tipped to be the next frontier in competitive effectiveness. Benefits to customers,however, are largely unknown. Often customers fail in their co-production role with serious negative consequences. Given the important r ....Customer Co-production in Ongoing Health Service Delivery: A Longitudinal Study. Customers do not merely receive services. Increasingly they are actively involved in their design and delivery even to the extent of being regarded as 'part-time employees'. Customer co-production is tipped to be the next frontier in competitive effectiveness. Benefits to customers,however, are largely unknown. Often customers fail in their co-production role with serious negative consequences. Given the important role of customers (patients) in ongoing health care, and the potential for failure, it is critical that customer co-production be fully investigated. If performed well co-production should result in positive patient outcomes and significant cost savings for the healthcare sector.
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