PhD theses from the School of Management and Business, AU http://hdl.handle.net/2160/569 2013-05-25T18:00:19Z 2013-05-25T18:00:19Z Chen, Xiaomin http://hdl.handle.net/2160/7755 2012-01-23T12:24:01Z 2011-01-01T00:00:00Z

Exploring retail franchise relationships in China Chen, Xiaomin

2011-01-01T00:00:00Z Ekeke, Hamilton Ekemena http://hdl.handle.net/2160/7004 2011-06-08T10:01:00Z 2011-01-01T00:00:00Z

Knowledge Management in the Nigerian Public Service Ekeke, Hamilton Ekemena This study investigates how knowledge is transferred in the Nigerian public service, the features of its bureaucratic culture, as well as, the effects that this culture has on knowledge transfer. The motivation to undertake this study is borne out of the identified gap in the literature, which bothers on the dearth of studies in the area of knowledge transfer, as well as, the specific features inherent in that of the Nigerian public service bureaucratic culture. Qualitative and quantitative research methods (i.e. semi-structured interviews and survey) are combined in gathering data for this study. Both the interviews and survey sample frames undertaken with key players of the public service covering the three cadres, (senior, and junior and management/directorate staff), were representative of all the aspects of the public service covered. Seven ministries out of a total of seventeen in the Bayelsa state public service forms the sample frame used for this research The overall empirical results indicate that there is knowledge transfer in the Nigerian public service in view of the available mechanisms used for the transfer of knowledge. In addition, the Nigerian bureaucratic culture has more negative effects than positive on knowledge transfer. The application of Hofstede’s theory reveals a high level of inequality, masculinity and autocracy as features of the Nigerian public service bureaucratic culture. The study also reveals that there is the use of very high sounding military fashion language in the public service, due to the long period of military rule. This research finds that there is reasonable awareness amongst public servants about knowledge and its sources that is needed to run the public service, but that access to knowledge, particularly tacit knowledge by authorised staff is difficult. Public servants agree that certain kind of knowledge transfer activities persist, although the terminology is relatively new to Nigeria. They agree that under the current democratic environment in which the public service operates, government should make concerted efforts to establish a knowledge transfer culture so as to make knowledge readily available. It recommends the entrenchment of a leaning, training and collaborative culture, as well as, the de-emphasising of hierarchy and creation of a more flexible public service. The contribution of this study to knowledge is in the area of putting in place a framework for the effective implementation of knowledge management practice (transfer) in the Nigerian public service.

2011-01-01T00:00:00Z Al-Ghamri, Sami Salah Abdulla http://hdl.handle.net/2160/4610 2010-04-26T16:00:09Z 1988-01-01T00:00:00Z

Industrial development in Saudi Arabia Al-Ghamri, Sami Salah Abdulla The aim of this thesis was to survey the three main sectors of the heavy industries of Saudi Arabia to see what part they play or could play in an economy which is heavily dependent on oil. Several aspects of the iron and steel, petrochemical, and cement industries have been considered, including geographical location, the links and cooperation between their component parts, markets and the repercussion of their rapid development on Saudi culture and society. Despite the speedy growth of these industries most of the country's revenue still emanates from oil. It seems clear that the Saudi economy will continue to depend heavily on oil for the foreseeable future and despite planning and attempts to develop the industrial sector it will contribute only a small percentage of GNP, (presently 4 per cent). It is important to be aware that the aim of the Saudi Arabian government in developing these industries was not solely economic but was to extend the base of Saudi society. These industries were seen as part of the overall package of development which included, for example, education, health and communications. It is to the credit of the Islamic culture and influence that Saudi Arabia has been able to achieve such rapid industrial development and modernisation without destabilising its society. This is an achievement which, when compared with many developing countries deserves proper recognition.

1988-01-01T00:00:00Z Lindop, Sarah Joanne http://hdl.handle.net/2160/4580 2010-04-17T01:00:19Z 2009-12-01T00:00:00Z

'Shareholder Dividend Tax’ Capitalisation in UK Equities Lindop, Sarah Joanne This thesis develops and tests a number of hypotheses examining the relationship between ‘shareholder dividend taxation’ and market value of a sample of UK firms’ equity. Specifically, this thesis tests for evidence of ‘shareholder dividend taxation’ impounded into share prices. This issue has many corporate financial implications. Understanding what affects corporate distributions is central to the understanding of the firm as there are potential implications regarding the allocation of resources and investment decisions. If share prices incorporate dividend taxation, this affects firms’ cost of equity capital. An ongoing ‘shareholder dividend tax’ capitalisation debate in the US has produced conflicting results as to existence or degree of capitalisation. This lack of consensus in the US raises the issue of the position with respect to UK companies, particularly with the clear differences between the two countries tax systems. The common element linking the majority of the US models is that they are derived from the Ohlson (1995) valuation model. Ohlson (1995) demonstrates that given certain restrictive assumptions equity value can be modelled by the book value of equity (BV) and the level of net earnings (NI). The model predicts that BV and NI are positively related to equity value; however issues of ‘shareholder dividend tax’ capitalisation may affect the relative importance of the relationship between equity value and the components of BV (ISC and RE). To relax some of the restrictive assumptions of the Ohlson (1995) model, the valuation models used in this thesis include a number of control factors. In addition, the sensitivity of the results has been assessed by using a range of deflators to control for scale factors and models were estimated over RE/BV quintiles and dividend payout ratio based quintiles. The sample comprises all non-financials from the Financial Times All Share Index for the period 1994 - 2000. This period was chosen to include the Finance Act (1997) abolition of repayment of dividend tax credits to tax exempt shareholders. Imposing a survivorship requirement is designed to overcome criticisms of prior research. Similarly, estimating over a balanced sample maintained a constant industry composition, which in turn controls for earnings persistence. The results are mixed; there is some evidence in support of ‘shareholder dividend tax’ capitalisation in UK equities but this is sensitive to the year examined, the specific model used and the hypothesis tested. Two sub-hypotheses were developed to test the main hypothesis of this study; one provides considerable evidence in support of ‘shareholder dividend tax’ capitalisation, the second very little. The supporting evidence relates to the hypothesised relative changes in the RE coefficients pre and post 1997, but little support is evident for the absolute magnitude hypothesised i.e. comparison of the RE and ISC coefficients pre and post 1997. Although unequivocal the evidence in this thesis adds to the understanding of the effect of shareholder level taxes on share price.

2009-12-01T00:00:00Z