AMPR Research Seminar series

March 2008  – Dr Stephen Cox, QUT

Title of presentation: Broadening the marketing researcher’s toolkit.

Name and title of presenter: Dr Stephen Cox, Faculty Research Advisor QUT

When:	7 March 2008
Where:	Z1124 – Level 11 Z Block
Time:	12pm – 1.30pm
Discipline:	Business
Further information:	For an outline of Dr Cox’s role within the faculty of business go to http://www.bus.qut.edu.au/research/researchsupp/researchadvi.jsp

A light lunch is provided before the seminar so please RSVP for catering purposes to the AMPR Research Seminar Series co-ordinator: rebekah.bennett@qut.edu.au

Presenter Bio:

Stephen Cox sits around the Faculty of Business waiting to talk to people about data. He is currently researching innovation within the film industry, and is hopeful of landing his first role in a zombie movie as a zombie extra.

Presenter Abstract:

Data analysis is supposed be follow on from the research design considerations, which are supposed to follow from the research questions. In actuality, the analysis techniques researchers have at their disposal impacts on the design of the research. To a larger extent than is explicitly acknowledged, it is likely that researchers design studies that conform to particular data analytic techniques. To the extent that knowledge of these techniques is limited, so too will be design choices.

The most common approach to analysing marketing research data is to apply the classical General Linear Model. Many popular techniques, including Analysis of Variance (ANOVA), (ordinary least squares) linear regression, factor analysis and Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) are all based upon the general linear model. This approach to data analysis has been, and continues to be, a powerful and useful model for data analysis.

The general linear model rests upon several assumptions about the data which are often not well met in marketing data. When these data conditions are not met, a frequent response by researchers is to transform the data. This approach can work well, but other approaches are now available that produce more accurate results. The approaches discussed  in this seminar provide tools for dealing with a range of data issues previously difficult to contend with. Importantly, these techniques are easily analysed using available software such as Stata, and SPSS since version 15. Knowledge of these techniques will allow for more flexibility in the design of research.

Two statistical approaches are discussed in this seminar that tackle the restrictive assumptions underlying the general linear model. The first approach is the choice of different standard errors in the testing of statistical significance of variables, depending upon the nature of the data. (Specifically I will examine the use of ‘robust standard errors’ to deal with several circumstances researchers might find themselves). The second approach discussed in the seminar is an extension of the General Linear Model, called Generalised Linear Models. This latter approach integrates a range of statistical approaches, including linear regression, logistic regression, and other limited dependent variable approaches from within the same framework. It is a powerful set of analyses that allow accurate analysis of a range of outcome variable types beyond normally distributed continuous variables (the only form the general linear model works accurately with). These other forms include count, categorical and ordinal data.

This seminar will gently introduce Generalised Linear Models, providing a base on which researchers can design studies incorporating a much broader range of outcome variables. It will be primarily conceptual, and be introductory in nature.

Powerpoint slides of presentation:

April 2008 – Professor Ingmar Heitmann

Title of presentation: Supply Chain Coordination with Compensation Payments: Investment Decision Making in Supply Chains

Name and title of presenter: Professor Ingmar Heitmann

When:	4 April 2008
Where:	Z1004 – 10th floor Z Block
Time:	12pm – 1.30pm
Discipline:	International Business
Further information:

A light lunch is provided before the seminar so please RSVP for catering purposes to the AMPR Research Seminar Series co-ordinator: rebekah.bennett@qut.edu.au

Presenter Bio:

Professor Heitmann began his academic career at the Georg-August-University of Goettingen (Germany) in 1999, where he studied business administration. While in Goettingen. he did two internships at B.Braun Melsungen AG, a global player and the European market leader in the medical care industry. During the national internship in 2002, he proactively supported the controlling division in achieving its goals by calculating transfer prices, analysing the corporate plants and equipment and running contribution margin calculations of different product groups. In 2003, he did an international internship in Allentown, Pennsylvania, USA where he received a well-rounded introduction to the Finance group, assisting in accounts receivable, credit and collections, planning and controlling, taxes, sales finance, compensation and cost center structure. Finishing his degree in 2004, he moved to Paderborn to start his current job as research assistant at the University of Paderborn. His main research activities concentrate on decision problems in vertical cooperating networks with a special focus on investment decision problems. His teaching focuses on issues in the area of business administration, in particular logistics, production and controlling.

Presenter Abstract:

Many corporate investment decisions have more significant consequences for the entire supply chain than for the company itself. In some of these cases, the use of traditional techniques of investment decision making, such as the net present value concept, lead to recommendations that come into conflict with the superior goals of the overall network management. Thus, companies reject investments that are profitable for the entire supply chain but not intrinsically value-adding for themselves. This investment problem in supply chains arises since cash flows do not necessarily occur at the initial investors account. This paper deals with the problem from a global point of view. Its initial argumentation is based on behavioral decision theory that is concerned with both descriptive and normative aspects. The further discussion integrates supply chain management philosophy with findings of investment theory. Relying on observations of actual investment decisions making in networks of organizations, the paper finally attempts to develop a normative model for rational decision making in polycentrically organized supply chains. I propose a paradigm that enables coordination of cash flows between vertical cooperating firms considering both, revenue and risk sharing. In particular, the present model shows an incentive compatible approach of dynamic compensation payments within a network. The modeling approach builds upon an envy-free fairness concept with asymmetric information. The results suggest that interventions in comprehensive investments on behalf of the supply chain are not only globally but also individually preferable.

Powerpoint slides of presentation:

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May 2008 – Professor Sandra Jones

Title of presentation: Writing ARC Linkage Grants: An art or a science?

Name and title of presenter: Professor Sandra Jones, University of Wollongong

When:	23 May 2008
Where:	Z1064 – Gibson Room 10th Floor Z Block
Time:	12pm – 1.30pm
Discipline:	Marketing/Advertising
Further information:

A light lunch is provided before the seminar so please RSVP for catering purposes to the AMPR Research Seminar Series co-ordinator: rebekah.bennett@qut.edu.au

Presenter Bio:

Professor Sandra Jones is the Director of the Centre for Health Initiatives and Associate Dean (Research) in the Faculty of Health & Behavioural Sciences at the University of Wollongong.  By combining an MBA and career as a marketer with an MPH and PhD in population health, she has developed expertise both in social marketing and in critical marketing; and is an internationally recognised expert in this area, particularly in relation to the effects of alcohol and food advertising and the development of social marketing campaigns in the area of cancer prevention and detection.  Prof Jones has published over 40 refereed journal articles and 60 refereed conference papers on mass media influences on smoking, alcohol, and illicit drug consumption; media coverage of breast cancer; and the impact of social marketing campaigns.  She has been awarded over $2 million in research grants and consultancies to further her work in this area, including four ARC Grants; and is regularly invited to contribute to public debate and policy making in the area of alcohol advertising and marketing.

Presenter Abstract:

Why is it that some people seem to find it ‘easy’ to get ARC Grants and other struggle year after year?

People regularly ask me for the ‘secret’ to assuring ARC success – both in my role as the Director of a successful research centre (and an applicant for ARC Grants), and in my role as Associate Dean (Research) with responsibility for mentoring research staff and assisting them with the preparation of grants across a diverse faculty.

The bad news is that there is not a secret box on the form that you can tick to guarantee success. The good news are that there are a number of strategies and techniques you can utilise to increase your chances. This seminar will provide you with tips for the planning, preparation, and writing of ARC Linkage Grants.

Attendees are encouraged to bring a draft of a current application, or a previously unsuccessful application, for discussion and specific suggestions for improvement.

Powerpoint slides of presentation:

July 2008 – Professor Kara Chan

Title of presentation: Research on advertising and young consumers

Name and title of presenter: Professor Kara Chan, Hong Kong Baptist University

When:	18 July 2008
Where:	Z1004 – level 10 Z Block
Time:	12pm – 1.30pm
Discipline	Advertising
Further information:

A light lunch is provided before the seminar so please RSVP for catering purposes to the AMPR Research Seminar Series co-ordinator: rebekah.bennett@qut.edu.au

Presenter Bio:

Dr. Kara Chan is Professor at the Department of Communication Studies, Hong Kong Baptist University. She teaches advertising, consumer behavior and campaign planning.  She worked in the advertising and public relations profession and as a statistician for the Hong Kong Government before she joined the University. Her research areas are about Hong Kong and China’s mass communication, advertising and consumer behaviors. She was a Fulbright Scholar at Bradley University, Illinois for 1999 to 2000 and a visiting professor at Copenhagen Business School in the summer 2006 and 2007. She is co-author (with James McNeal) of “Advertising to Children in China” (Hong Kong: Chinese University Press) and editor of “Advertising and Hong Kong Society” (Hong Kong: Chinese University Press).

Presenter Abstract:

This presentation will summarize the major findings of Prof. Kara Chan’s previous studies on advertising and children/adolescents in Hong Kong and China. Different research methods were employed including surveys, content analysis, case studies, and qualitative interviews. It also introduces the latest research agenda on children and adolescents, including advertising and materialism, as well as advertising and healthy eating.

Powerpoint slides of presentation:

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August 2008 – Professor Lloyd Harris

Title of presentation: It is Dysfunction during Service Dynamics: Welcome to the Dark Side…

Name and title of presenter: Professor Lloyd Harris, Warwick University (UK)

When:	15 August 2008
Where:	Z1004 – 10th Floor Z block
Time:	12pm – 1.30pm
Discipline:	Marketing
Further information:

A light lunch is provided before the seminar so please RSVP for catering purposes to the AMPR Research Seminar Series co-ordinator: rebekah.bennett@qut.edu.au

Presenter Bio:

Professor Lloyd C. Harris is currently a Professor of Marketing and Strategy at Warwick Business School, Warwick University.  Previously he was the Sir Julian Hodge Chair in Strategic Marketing at Cardiff Business School, Cardiff University.  He holds a First Class BSc. from Cardiff University and a Ph.D. from Cardiff University. 

Past research has focused on market orientation, the organizational culture/marketing interface, the initiation of strategic marketing, professional services marketing and other exploratory projects. Currently, he is working on variety of projects including projects on dysfunctional customer behaviour,  a project exploring and modelling e-Servicescape and e-loyalty as well as a number of other culture-orientated projects.  Lloyd’s research has been recognised with with awards for the AMA Best Services Marketing paper of 2007 and best paper awards in the Journal of Service Marketing amongst others.

Research results have been disseminated via a range of marketing, strategy, H.R.M. and general management journals. He has published widely in these fields and has published over one hundred pieces. Marketing-related papers have been published (or forthcoming) in the Journal of Retailing, Journal of the Academy of Marketing Science, Journal of Service Research, Journal of Business Research, Journal of Marketing Theory and Practice, Journal of Market-Focused Management, Journal of Services Marketing, Journal of Marketing Management and the European Journal of Marketing. 

Professor Harris serves on the editorial and advisory boards of several academic and practitioner-focused journals and is an active member of E.I.R.A.S.S., the Academy of Marketing Science, the (British) Academy of Marketing and the Institute of Learning and Teaching (ILT).  He has engaged in several major consulting projects in both public and private sectors, and led training courses for business executives on strategic marketing, marketing management and human resource management. 

Presenter Abstract:

Dysfunction during Service Dynamics: Welcome to the Dark Side…

Scholars have estimated that up to 96% of employees routinely behave in a manner that can be described as either deliberately deviant or intentionally dysfunctional.  While the costs of employee sabotage are difficult to calculate, it has been suggested that such behaviors could cost US businesses up to $200 billion annually.  Such insights appear particularly pertinent in the context of services where it is widely acknowledged that the behavior of frontline service personnel constitutes the most salient factor affecting customers’ perceptions of service performance and ultimately organizational survival. 

Similarly, the majority of research into customer–firm interactions is founded on the assumption that customers act in both a functional and a good-mannered way.  This contrasts with practitioner-oriented research that repetitively alludes to customers behaving badly and with intermittent scholarly studies that typically highlight the prevalence of a single form of customer misbehavior, such as theft, vandalism, and illegitimate complaining.  Such customer misbehavior profoundly affects employees, other customers, and firms. Employees routinely tend to fall victim to poor behavior by customers, mostly from daily incidents of emotionally grueling verbal abuse.  The costs of dysfunctional customers are also profound for the bottom line.  Indeed, a recent study finds that just one form of customer misbehavior (theft) costs US retailers $37.5 billion annually. 

This leads to the conclusion that e have neglected the dark side of service dynamics.  In the seminar, I will discuss my studies of these issues and highlight potentially fruitful avenues of future research.

Powerpoint slides of presentation:

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September 2008 – Dr Leeora Black

Title of presentation: New Frontiers in Stakeholder Research

Name and title of presenter: Dr Leeora Black, Australian Centre for Corporate Social Responsibility

When:	12 September 2008
Where:	Z1064 – 10th Floor Z block
Time:	12pm – 1.30pm
Discipline:	Public Relations
Further information:

A light lunch is provided before the seminar so please RSVP for catering purposes to the AMPR Research Seminar Series co-ordinator: rebekah.bennett@qut.edu.au

Presenter Bio:

Leeora D. Black, Ph.D, is founder and managing director of the Australian Centre for Corporate Social Responsibility, Australia’s leading specialist CSR services provider.

Leeora’s work focuses on analysing and solving complex CSR issues and problems, building organisational CSR capacity and strategy, stakeholder engagement and research, and CSR measurement.

She has consulted for global firms, government businesses and social sector organisations on integration of CSR into business operations and strategies, stakeholder engagement and communications, issues management and reputation, and has published and spoken widely on CSR and communications

Presenter Abstract:

Traditional market research techniques do not always yield the strategic insights necessary for effective CSR or community relations. In contrast, stakeholder research focuses on identifying shared issues and goals that are open to collaborative approaches. This session will show how corporations and their stakeholders can develop CSR solutions that simultaneously support business strategy and provide stakeholder benefits using an innovative, university developed stakeholder engagement and research framework called Stakeholder 360®. Using case studies from Australia and around the world, this session shows how measuring sources of social capital in firm-stakeholder relationships and mapping stakeholders and their issues can lead to innovative stakeholder collaboration.

Powerpoint slides of presentation:

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October 2008 - Dr Lynda Andrews

Title of presentation: Choosing to innovate in research techniques - a double-edged sword

Name and title of presenter: Dr Lynda Andrews, QUT

When:	10 October 2008
Where:	Z1004 – 10th floor Z Block
Time:	12pm – 1.30pm
Discipline:	Marketing
Further information:

A light lunch is provided before the seminar so please RSVP for catering purposes to the AMPR Research Seminar Series co-ordinator: rebekah.bennett@qut.edu.au

Presenter Bio:

Dr Lynda Andrews is a lecturer in marketing at the School of Advertising, Marketing and Public Relations Brisbane, Australia. Her research interests focus on investigating how consumers integrate information communication technologies (ICTs) into their consumption experiences and activities, particularly in marketing and marketing communications contexts.

Presenter Abstract:

While doing a PhD is a time for interesting exploration of methodological approaches and research techniques, is it wise to do so? This presentation discusses my own PhD journey with developing and applying two innovative research techniques, Q-methodology and a technologically delivered experience sampling method. I will also highlight the some of the perceived “double edged swords” to using innovative research techniques in a PhD thesis and their implications beyond that magical milestone called “completion”.

Powerpoint slides of presentation: