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Customer retention management in the hospitality industry: a profile of the hotel industry in Donegal
Get PDFCustomer retention management (CRM) is imperative to the success of today’s hotel \ud
sector in Donegal, as it is more cost efficient to retain valuable customers than to gain \ud
new one’s and in the current economic climate this is of high importance. The \ud
Donegal hotel sector currently implements CRM strategies that have been updated \ud
since the economic downturn. The most common CRM strategy used in the hotel \ud
sector is Customer Loyalty Programs, which theory suggests that in the hospitality \ud
sector Loyalty Programs are common. There is confusion of marketing in the Donegal \ud
hotel sector and a factor influencing this is the reductions in marketing budgets and \ud
that marketing personnel tend not to be marketing managers but rather owners and \ud
managers. Customer retention management has important elements in order to be \ud
effective. Customer satisfaction, relationship marketing, loyalty programs, data \ud
collection, complaints handling services, recovery strategies and post purchase follow \ud
up. The research process carried out by two phases, one descriptive in approach and \ud
one exploratory in approach. The researcher identified that by using triangulation it \ud
allowed the data from both phases to be corroborated and analysed with reference to \ud
theory highlighted in the literature review. The apparent themes that arose from the \ud
research processes included that loyalty programs were the most common method of \ud
customer retention in the Donegal Hotel sector. It was also apparent that external \ud
initiatives available by Failte Ireland and other local and national bodies had high \ud
usage. Finally in relation to the measurement of marketing initiatives, 25% of hotels \ud
stated that they do not measure the performance of the marketing used. In phase two \ud
of the research process respondents commented that marketing metrics is where the \ud
Donegal hotel sector fall. The researcher recommends that hotels develop written \ud
marketing strategies that combine CRM initiatives with other marketing processes and \ud
to implement the use of marketing metrics to measure the performance of all \ud
marketing activities implemented in order to be cost efficient and effective in the \ud
marketing budget
Viability of a communication-based model of online distance learning
Get PDFThis research explored the v iab ility of a Iow-inv estm ent/low en ro lm ent model of\ud
on lin e lea rn in g and the factors that affected its viability through a single-case study\ud
analysis of the C om m u n ica tion -B a sed model of online distance learning currently\ud
implemented at the Institute of Technology, Sligo. This model promoted the theory of\ud
course viability with low -d ev e lopm en t costs and low -en ro lm en t levels, contrary to\ud
many theories that online learning was only viable with significant initial investment\ud
and high enrolment levels. This research also tested the proposition that online learning\ud
did not significantly increase faculty workloads through the conducting of faculty\ud
wo rklo ad su rveys.\ud
The case study concluded that online learning workloads were significantly higher than\ud
similar face-to-face workloads and that this was due to a multi-variable effect. The\ud
research also discovered that, through modular comparisons of similar online and\ud
traditional face-to-face evening courses using the G en e r ic Co st Model, that the\ud
Communication-Based model of online learning was only viable at low enrolment\ud
levels with high enrolment fees. This could be attributed, in part, to the existence of\ud
high tu to r in g r em u n e ra tion costs, which are paid to online faculty for the perceived\ud
added workload involved in teaching online courses.\ud
A number of co st-r ed u c tion te ch n iq u e s were also explored, which highlighted three\ud
primary variables that directly affected the cost and viability of online learning\ud
programs: enrolment levels, enrolment fees and tutoring costs
Phytoplankton precision trials in the enumeration and identification of marine microalgae through the scheme “Biological Effects Quality Assurance in Monitoring Programmes (BEQUALM)”.
Get PDFScientists are coming under increased pressure in recent years to show that results they obtain arising from their scientific work are quality assured and stand up to scrutiny by independent expert auditors. This has meant that the methodologies used by laboratories involved in making these measurements have to be validated and fit for purpose and has led to the adoption of internationally recognised standard protocols.\ud
These protocols must be underpinned by robust quality systems and must be accredited to an international standard. In order for laboratories to become accredited in particular methods, they have to fulfil a series of prerequisites but a compulsory one is the participation in a proficiency testing scheme. Proficiency testing schemes are independent assessor organisations which coordinate regular inter-calibration and intercomparative studies between laboratories with a common purpose. What happens, though when proficiency testing schemes do not exist for a particular scientific measurement? This study presents results from two inter-comparison exercises at European level between phytoplankton monitoring laboratories in the enumeration and identification of marine microalgae using the Utermöhl cell counting method. Microalgae are a very important ecological component of the marine ecosystem and have also become important ecological indicators of hydro-climatic change, ocean acidification and eutrophication. Member states of the European Union are obliged to monitor for toxic and harmful algae which can cause problems and devastation in the natural environment, have detrimental effects on human health if contaminated fish and shellfish are eaten, can cause huge economic losses to the aquaculture industry and impact directly in coastal communities. \ud
This study shows how an intercomparison of this kind is designed and organised, how samples are set up, materials homogenised and reference values obtained. It demonstrates the importance of using the right technique and best practice, based on experience, to analyse samples and how important it is to design the exercise to be statistically robust, both quantitatively and qualitatively. The taxonomy quiz in 2009 showed that there was no evidence that video clips were better audit trail tools than images or vice versa. The quantitative measure suggested that there was evidence of good agreement between virtually all the analysts and the reference value for all species except one (P.micans). However, there was evidence of lack of reproducibility between and within laboratories. The qualitative measure calculated indicated that analysts are more likely to identify a toxic organism as a non- toxic organism than the other way around. The results from the enumeration data in the 2010 exercise showed that there was lack of reproducibility across laboratories using different counting strategies and volume sub-sampled and analysed. These results when compared to a set of hypothesised means used as reference values suggested that cell counts were potentially underestimated by as much as 30% and that this underestimation was most likely due to test method effects
An investigation into the degree to which companies listed on the ISEQ comply with the independence requirements of the combined code 2008
Get PDFThe study of corporate governance and the most appropriate way to regulate \ud
it, first became a mainstream topic post the failure of Enron in 2002. Since \ud
then much discussion has taken place on the best way to regulate the \ud
governance of companies and to ensure that companies are governed in a \ud
manner that reflects the interests of its shareholders. America with the \ud
introduction of Sarbanes-Oxley took a legislative backed approach, whilst the \ud
UK and Ireland adopted a “comply or explain” approach. This “comply or \ud
explain” approach gives companies a choice of whether to apply the \ud
Combined Codes guidelines on corporate governance within their company or \ud
not. One area given prominence in the Combined Code is the appointment of \ud
independent non-executive directors to the board and committees within the \ud
company, their main role being to ensure that the directors run the company \ud
in the appropriate manner. This research looks at whether Irish listed \ud
companies are complying with the various sections of the combined code \ud
regarding the appointment of independent non-executive directors to the \ud
board and committees. \ud
\ud
This study has revealed that Irish listed companies are in most cases fully \ud
compliant with the Combined Code provisions and believe that proper \ud
corporate governance policies are important to their business. However the \ud
study has also revealed that many companies are compliant with the \ud
provisions of the combined code but not with its spirit. Although respondent \ud
companies have stated that they have appointed the appropriate number of \ud
independent non-executive directors, the criteria used for such appointments \ud
has being manipulate to such an extent that their appointment has become \ud
ineffective in achieving its desired goals. \ud
\ud
The study has revealed that the “comply or explain” approach is flawed and \ud
has allowed manipulation of the combined codes guidelines which has had a \ud
direct influence on some of Irelands recent corporate scandals e.g. Anglo Irish \ud
Bank
An investigation on a foreign direct investment company in the north west of Ireland, with regard to non-financial performance indicators and specifically knowledge as an asset
Get PDFThe objective of the research for this dissertation is to effectively capture the \ud
views of both management and staff on knowledge assets and non-financial \ud
indicators and to ascertain whether certain theoretical models hold in a \ud
contemporary organisational environment. To achieve this objective the case \ud
study method was chosen as the most appropriate research methodology. \ud
\ud
The Research Question answered through this dissertation is: \ud
To what extent does Company X value non-financial performance indicators, \ud
and what part does Company X perceive knowledge assets play in the \ud
success of the company? \ud
\ud
In terms of knowledge, Company X was actively involved in setting up \ud
meetings and forums for their staff to mentor each other and discuss different \ud
aspects of their work. A culture of knowledge sharing is critical to the \ud
successful intentional integration of knowledge as a competitive advantage. \ud
As Company X has demonstrated, they are positively inclined towards the \ud
potential benefits from knowledge capture and knowledge management; \ud
therefore they are an ideal candidate for this dissertations primary research \ud
focus. \ud
\ud
The Balanced Scorecard was found to be a most useful implement to engage \ud
during strategic decision making and analysis with regard to the financial and \ud
non-financial performance indicators. For this purpose themes from the \ud
balanced scorecard were employed for the data analysis so as to provide a \ud
coherent and cogent interpretation
Deer and identity in medieval Ireland
Get PDFThe concept that identity is inextricably linked with places, landscapes and objects has\ud
become familiar in archaeology (Thomas 1998, 80, 90; Bradley 2000, 155-61; O'Keeffe\ud
2001). It is only recently however that this idea has been extended to animals and their\ud
interaction with human society (Crabtree 2007, 237). This paper examines how deer\ud
hunting was used to maintain identity in medieval Ireland, a country in which two very\ud
different cultures co-existed. Until the twelfth century Ireland was predominantly\ud
Gaelic with the coastal cities such as Dublin and Limerick having been founded by the\ud
Vikings. This changed with the coming of the Anglo-Normans in the late twelfth\ud
century when they settled in Ireland and introduced their own culture (Barry 2003, 35-\ud
6). The paper will discuss the different arenas in which hunting took place in Gaelic\ud
and Anglo-Norman society before providing an overview of what is known about\ud
fallow deer and deer parks in Ireland. To illustrate the differences in approach between\ud
the cultures two case studies based on the author’s analysis of the faunal assemblages\ud
are presented, with Kilteasheen being a Gaelic site and Greencastle being AngloNorman
Deer in medieval Ireland: preliminary evidence from Kilteasheen, Co. Roscommon
Get PDFAnimal bones are among the most common finds from excavations in\ud
Ireland, and the majority of these are the remains of cattle, sheep and pig. While\ud
bones from other species are also found they rarely receive much attention in\ud
excavation reports where most of the discussion is focused on the economically\ud
important species. Deer bones are usually only excavated in small numbers but are\ud
common themes in medieval artwork, poetry and literature,1\ud
and so can be said to\ud
have a symbolic importance far beyond their economic value.\ud
A red deer skull and six fragments of antler from at least three individual\ud
deer were found during recent excavations at a high-status ecclesiastical site at\ud
Kilteasheen, Knockvicar, Co. Roscommon, on the shores of Lough Cé, and were\ud
analyzed by the author. These bones provided an opportunity to partially redress the\ud
lack of attention paid to the minor species by synthesizing what is known about\ud
deer and deer hunting in medieval Ireland, so hopefully providing archaeologists\ud
and historians with useful background information. The paper briefly reviews the\ud
biology of deer and the processes of deer hunting before discussing the material\ud
from Kilteasheen and its significance
The challenges of establishing the electric vehicle in Ireland
Get PDFThis thesis investigates the challenges of establishing the electric vehicle (EV) in Ireland and how the Irish government and industry are trying to meet them. It further seeks to provide information on Irish consumers’ attitudes towards the electric vehicle and their willingness to purchase it. The review of the literature showed that the Irish government is investing significant funds in trying to establish the market for the electric vehicle and position itself as a world leader in adopting the electric vehicle. The EV will also have an important role to play in how Ireland meets its targets for CO2 reductions towards 2020. Climate change and use of fossil fuels are driving the need for increased use of renewable energy and increased energy independence while reducing the greenhouse gas emissions that are the leading cause of climate change. The transport sector is almost completely dependent on the use of fossil fuel and resultantly is one of the largest sources of these GHG emissions. These issues are leading to the design and production of more energy efficient and environmentally friendly vehicles. The ultimate goal is to achieve a zero emissions vehicle.\ud
The electric vehicle is presently the only vehicle being mass produced that has the potential to be zero emissions. There are however issues that customers may not be willing to overlook such as the lower range of the vehicle and the length of time it takes to recharge. Vehicle cost is also an important issue that customers may not overlook. Knowing what the consumer’s attitudes are towards the EV and their willingness to purchase them is important as these new vehicles begin to appear in the showrooms. The consumers will be vital to how successful this market becomes. Using an online questionnaire methodology, in a sample of 118 consumers, the major conclusion to be drawn from the research is that the vehicle price, the convenience to recharge and vehicle range were the three most essential issues for the consumers if they were purchasing an EV. The success of the electric vehicle market may depend on what measures are taken to overcome them
The development of an 18 month sales and marketing plan for solar made simple
Get PDFSolar Made Simple is a newly formed company specialising in the solar thermal system, within the renewable energy industry. The renewable energy industry is an ever increasing industry with the technologies changing at a fast pace. It is for this\ud
reason that the researcher chose to undertake the development of an eighteen month sales and marketing plan for the company with the attempt to increase sales and gain an overall nationwide customer base. Due to the increasing pace of technological advancements in the renewable sector it is a necessity to acquire market share percentage from an early stage, if the company wish to succeed. The research required for the development of this eighteen month marketing plan\ud
undertakes a qualitative investigation into the renewable energy sector, the various technologies within the sector and in particular focusing on the solar thermal industry.\ud
There were numerous methods of research undertaken which were that of observation, the utilisation of secondary data and also the use of structured, semi-structured and non structured interviews with directors of the company and member of Westmeath\ud
County Council.In an attempt to develop the marketing plan the researcher had three objectives: to identify competition in the industry; attempt to identify the target markets and level of demand; develop a PEST and SWOT analysis and identify a marketing strategy that\ud
the company could utilise. The completion of theses objectives resulted in the researcher suggesting methods to reduce the impact of the threats and utilising\ud
opportunities to the highest standard a new company of this size could achieve. The overall findings of this research resulted in the completion of an eighteen month sales and marketing plan for SMS, complete with estimated sales projections for the next eighteen months and also an estimated budget for advertising and promotion of the company brand and image
Proposing a methodology for the outsourcing of the marketing function for SMEs and MEs: a case study approach
Get PDFGlobalization and competitive difficulty have forced firms to reduce their costs and to be more dynamic. Consequently, organizations should concentrate on their core competencies and outsource their other functions. Outsourcing has taken on three forms: manufacturing outsourcing, IT outsourcing, and business process outsourcing (BPO). In this paper, we focus on (BPO) and the different areas that should be investigated before a firm engages in outsourcing. Outsourcing has become a widespread business procedure that is having a significant influence on how many organizations run their global supply chains. In the face of this notoriety, undependable information from numerous highly regarded\ud
organizations suggests that many businesses fail to realize the benefits expected from their outsourcing activities. Spurred on by these observations, this study looks into those management practices during the outsourcing procedure that are key drivers of\ud
outsourcing performance. Analysis is used to investigate the sway that different processes like strategic evaluation, contractual completeness, and relationship management practices have on attaining anticipated outsourcing results. The analysis offers strong evidence that outsourcing performance is considerably predisposed by extensive strategic evaluation and hands-on relationship management practices. Furthermore, the influence strategic assessment has on outsourcing performance is\ud
not straightforward, but rather is in part mediated by the relationship between the parties. Finally, the results show that contractual completeness is a large part\ud
responsible for the successful and unsuccessful outsourcing efforts, and can be considered qualifying activity