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Digital Darwinism : is traditional internet marketing losing ground to social media in firms in the North West
Get PDFThe purpose of this research is to establish if traditional internet marketing is losing\ud
ground to social media in firms in the North West of Ireland. This topic was chosen as the\ud
author became interested in the idea of Digital Darwinism and wanted to explore how this\ud
rapid change in technological advances was impacting upon local businesses.\ud
One huge change to the practice of Marketing has been the evolution of internet\ud
marketing and subsequently the emergence of social media as a marketing tool. Social\ud
Media is changing the way people find information, share knowledge and communicate\ud
with each other. The important factor contributing to the growth of these technologies is\ud
the ability to easily produce “user-generated content”. Blogs, Twitter, Wikipedia, Flickr\ud
and YouTube are just a few examples of Web 2.0 tools that are drastically changing the\ud
Internet landscape today.\ud
Social media is the new buzz word in Marketing. And for businesses it represents a\ud
marketing opportunity that transcends the traditional middleman and connects companies\ud
directly with customers.\ud
This is why nearly every business on the planet from giants like Starbucks and IBM to\ud
your local comer shop are exploring social media marketing initiatives. A year ago,\ud
businesses were uncertain about social media. Now it's here to stay and companies are\ud
rapidly adopting social media marketing. Much like email and websites first empowered\ud
businesses, social media is the next marketing wave.\ud
Along with new technology comes a responsibility for marketers to act ethically, social\ud
media has made it easier for disreputable marketers to unethically manipulate information\ud
in their companies favour, or provide information to consumers that they are aware is not\ud
100% accurate. This research also aims to identify if companies are aware of unethical\ud
marketing behaviour and if they are aware of rules and regulations governing internet\ud
marketing communications
The role of biomass and biorefineries in a sustainable future
Get PDFSome o f the biggest issues facing humanity in the 21st century include energy security,\ud
global warming and resource scarcity. These issues will affect every nation and Ireland is\ud
no exception. There is much research underway to uncover technologies that will allow the\ud
world to overcome such problems, but none offer the flexibility o f biomass. Unlike other\ud
sustainable technologies, which offer a solution to one or at most two o f the above\ud
problems, biomass as demonstrated by the author, can play a part in mitigating all o f the\ud
above problems. It has been known for some time that biomass can be used in various\ud
ways as a form o f renewable energy, but with the development o f biorefineries biomass\ud
can be used to produce material as well as fuel products.\ud
In this report the author has looked at the viability and benefits o f biomass, bioenergy and\ud
biorefining in Ireland. The author has demonstrated that such technologies when\ud
implemented correctly are sustainable from an economic, environmental and societal point\ud
o f view. The author has shown in this thesis that abundant supplies o f biomass make\ud
bio re fineries a viable business opportunity in Ireland and has shown how a number o f\ud
biorefinery scenarios have the potential to be extremely profitable. The author has\ud
evaluated the profitability o f material product-based bio re fineries as well as fuel productbased\ud
configurations. The author demonstrated that value-added co-products help to make\ud
bio refineries profitable even when excise-relief is not granted on bio fuels.\ud
In this thesis the author has revealed some o f the problems that bioenergy and biorefineries\ud
have had to overcome to date and examines challenges that remain for bioenergy and\ud
biorefining, and looks at the future opportunities for bio fuels.\ud
This report concludes that biomass and biorefining has exciting business potential while\ud
offering unique opportunities to mitigate the problems o f the future
Flood analysis of the clare river catchment considering traditional factors and climate change
Get PDFThe main objective of this thesis on flooding was to produce a detailed report on\ud
flooding with specific reference to the Clare River catchment. Past flooding in the\ud
Clare River catchment was assessed with specific reference to the November 2009\ud
flood event. A Geographic Information System was used to produce a graphical\ud
representation of the spatial distribution of the November 2009 flood. Flood risk is\ud
prominent within the Clare River catchment especially in the region of Claregalway.\ud
The recent flooding events of November 2009 produced significant fluvial flooding\ud
from the Clare River. This resulted in considerable flood damage to property. There\ud
were also hidden costs such as the economic impact of the closing of the N17 until\ud
floodwater subsided.\ud
Land use and channel conditions are traditional factors that have long been recognised\ud
for their effect on flooding processes. These factors were examined in the context of\ud
the Clare River catchment to determine if they had any significant effect on flood\ud
flows. Climate change has become recognised as a factor that may produce more\ud
significant and frequent flood events in the future. Many experts feel that climate\ud
change will result in an increase in the intensity and duration of rainfall in western\ud
Ireland. This would have significant implications for the Clare River catchment,\ud
which is already vulnerable to flooding.\ud
Flood estimation techniques are a key aspect in understanding and preparing for flood\ud
events. This study uses methods based on the statistical analysis of recorded data and\ud
methods based on a design rainstorm and rainfall-runoff model to estimate flood\ud
flows. These provide a mathematical basis to evaluate the impacts of various factors\ud
on flooding and also to generate practical design floods, which can be used in the\ud
design of flood relief measures.\ud
The final element of the thesis includes the author’s recommendations on how flood\ud
risk management techniques can reduce existing flood risk in the Clare River\ud
catchment. Future implications to flood risk due to factors such as climate change and\ud
poor planning practices are also considered
Using archived otoliths to determine stock structure and early life history of plaice (Pleuronectes platessa L.)
Get PDFPlaice (Pleuronectes platessa) are an economically important flatfish in European waters. However, there remains much to be learned about the life history of this fish especially for the earliest stages. This chapter presents an analysis of temporal and spatial variation in two aspects of the early life history of plaice: length of the larval life and larval growth rate. Archived otoliths (earstones) from adult fish were used for the investigation. Samples were obtained from collections held by the Marine Institute in Ireland, Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science (CEFAS) in England and the Animal Science Group in Wageningen University in the Netherlands.Three randomly selected year classes of plaice were examined; 1990, 1997 and 2001. Three areas in Western Europe were chosen for the investigation of spatial variability. These regions were based on international fishing divisions; ICES area Vila (Irish Sea), Vllb (west of Ireland) and IVb (North Sea). Otoliths were polished and image analysis conducted. Statistical analysis of the otolith microstructure revealed that there was no significant temporal difference in larval growth rate and duration over the ten year study period at any location. With regards to spatial differences, there was no significant difference between plaice from the Irish Sea and west of Ireland for both larval growth rate and duration. However, Vila (Irish Sea) and Vllb (west of Ireland) differed significantly from the North Sea plaice. Larval duration is shorter and growth rate is faster in plaice from Vila and Vllb. A possible link with sea temperature and food quantity is explored and the results are discussed in the context of climate change
Designing limited autonomous robotic systems
Get PDFThe aim of this research is to identify and select a cost effective platform and approach to the design and development of low cost autonomous mobile robotic systems. A requirement for such a platform is that it should be of reasonable cost, extendible and that its functionality allows for modification, with reasonable effort. Such an approach may enable organisations with limited resources in funding, limited specialist AI knowledge and scarce hardware expertise, to begin the design of robotic controllers and the application of AI to mobile robots. This solution should prove to be attractive to departments, not historically involved in developing robotic systems, to investigate this area of the application of AI allowing them to apply their own expertise to generate unique solutions to the problem sets. By providing such a platform this research will enable developers to provide more flexible solutions for various application areas for the entertainment, industrial and domestic product markets. \ud
The approach was to carry out an in-depth analysis of currently available solutions, modify them as appropriate and evaluate them wherever possible. Testing was carried out by designing robotic controllers for each of these platforms. The platforms investigated include both low cost hardware with embedded software solutions and software simulation environments. The research identified several hardware candidates which featured frequently in publications, these being LEGO’s MINDSTORMS RCX and iRobots Roomba platforms. The use of custom built hardware platforms was not considered for investigation. Eight different simulators were investigated and two main candidates were selected for comparison, “Webots” from Cyberbotics Ltd and “Pyro” an open source simulation project. These two simulators used different approaches and development work and evaluations were carried out on each of them. The thesis arrives at the conclusion that “Pyro” is the most flexible approach of the two environments, but “Webots” is the more established one
An exploration into how research and development is treated in Ireland, focusing on listed companies
Get PDFThe recession and current unfolding economic scandals have caused many businesses to \ud
become apprehensive and cautious with the money they spend and the service providers \ud
they chose. Accounting/auditing firms in particular are under severe scrutiny from the \ud
Irish and global media with regard to the detection of fraud and misappropriation of \ud
financial statements of their clients. As a result, non audit services provided by \ud
accounting firms are becoming increasingly popular with their clients as it is felt that \ud
these services can provide further assurance surrounding their financial statements. \ud
However, whilst trying to provide these non audit services and remain under scrutiny it is \ud
very difficult for accounting firms to maintain their client base and provide the services at \ud
a standard that is satisfactory to the client. \ud
There is a lack of empirical studies throughout the literature that match the provision of \ud
non audit services provided by accounting firms. Further, there are very few up to date \ud
studies that investigate how to meet the needs and expectations of clients whilst trying to \ud
narrow the expectation gap between the customer and the service provider. This \ud
dissertation provides a practical knowledge investigating the use of non audit services by \ud
PLCs provided by the Big Four whilst gaining an understanding as to whether or not the \ud
Big Four meet the needs and expectations of their clients. A conceptual framework based \ud
on the literature review has been developed. Further, it examines how the PLCs rate the \ud
use of these services provided and whether their needs and expectations are satisfied. The \ud
dissertation concludes that PLCs utilise non audit services on a regular basis and are \ud
satisfied with these services. However, at present they wish to receive the same standard \ud
of service at a much reduced price
Audit firm rotation - its impact on auditor independence: an irish perspective
Get PDFAuditor independence is a cornerstone of the auditing profession and recent\ud
challenges of the audit independence assumption have impelled the accounting\ud
profession to consider ways of improving the credibility of audit reports. This study\ud
examines the perceived impact of audit tenure on auditor independence and whether\ud
audit firm rotation should be introduced in Ireland. The associated benefits and\ud
drawbacks of the audit firm rotation are analysed, and possible recommendations for\ud
improvements to potentially further enhance an auditor’s independence are suggested.\ud
The results, based on a survey of the top 20 accounting firms and interviews with 3 of\ud
the Irish accounting bodies and two audit regulators, shows that audit firm rotation\ud
could be an excellent way to enhance the perceptions of an auditor’s independence.\ud
However, it was found that the associated benefits would not outweigh the costs of\ud
having this as a requirement. The findings would also suggest that there is a need to\ud
develop alternative measures to safeguard auditors’ independence, as there are\ud
evidently some weaknesses within the standards that are in place today, otherwise,\ud
none of the corporate scandals would have occurred. Further research should be\ud
considered regarding other possible recommendations for enhancing the independence\ud
of auditors. Some examples include, appointment of company auditors by the state or\ud
an independent oversight body, reducing the 10% fee threshold that an auditor must\ud
not exceed in relation to audit and non-audit services. Another possible enhancement\ud
for independence would be to introduce a government approved body to verify the\ud
auditors’ work year after year to ensure they are carrying out their duties to their full\ud
capability
Experimental studies on the effects of merging and deference behaviour on stair- floor landings
Get PDFThis study provides an investigation into egress behaviour via stairways to increase \ud
understanding and further investigate the factors, which impede safe occupant \ud
movement. Fire evacuation drills of three different buildings were monitored by video \ud
cameras positioned throughout the stairwells. The purpose of the evacuation drills was \ud
to enable the analysis of the behaviour of the occupants, the merging process and the \ud
speed of movement.\ud
Studies in Human Egress Behaviour have become increasingly important in fire safety \ud
engineering research. The focus of the study is the merging process of the occupants \ud
and their behaviour at the stair-floor interface (landing). An investigation was made \ud
into the merging and deference behaviour that occurred on the stair-floor landings. \ud
Results demonstrated that occupants on higher floors are at an increased risk due to \ud
stoppage because of merging and deference behaviour. An investigation of the stair \ud
floor geometry and entrances onto landings was undertaken. In addition, further \ud
research is required to investigate the capabilities of advanced computer egress \ud
models to accurately predict merging and deference behavior
A study of the market intelligence activities of selected SME's operating in the northwest of Ireland
Get PDFThe rationale for this study was to highlight the importance of scanning the competitive\ud
environment for intelligence to the success and smooth running of businesses today. In the\ud
words of Fredrick the Great (1740-1786), “it is pardonable to be defeated, but never to be\ud
surprised” (Calof and Wright 2008).\ud
It is not money that makes the world go around, but information. Successful global and\ud
domestic marketing strategies are built on a solid base of business information. Strategic\ud
intelligence is the backbone of effective global strategies, as it is of domestic marketing\ud
strategies (Hiam and Schewe 1998). Knowledge of existing and potential markets, business\ud
trends, competitors, and the effectiveness of marketing programmes is critical to the success\ud
of any company’s efforts. One popular text notes that “In carrying out marketing analysis,\ud
planning, implementation and control, marketing managers need information at almost every\ud
turn” (Kotler and Armstrong, Principles of Marketing 1989).\ud
SME’s do not conform to conventional textbook marketing theories, instead their business is\ud
characterised by the limited resources available to the firm. SME’s tend to be social entities\ud
and those who have placed themselves in industrial clusters have found that the collaborative\ud
relationships formed have been beneficial and a crucial method of keeping intelligence\ud
flowing into the organisation. Most SME owners act as owner managers and also play the\ud
roles of the company’s strategist. Their ability to set up and manage information /\ud
intelligence management solutions in their organisation sets the tone for the business and can\ud
be the critical success factor in the market monitoring activities of the firm.\ud
Enterprises today are constantly trying to outpace the competition while still keeping up with\ud
changing business cycles, security, globalisation and regulatory compliance. As companies\ud
struggle to respond more quickly and efficiently to business change, they are forced to\ud
examine the underlying architecture that supports their business to determine future strategy.\ud
SME’s in the northwest of Ireland have a range of different orientations to the competitive\ud
environment. This study is based upon 3 research objectives aimed at identifying the level of\ud
intelligence activities with the SME’s of the region. It is hoped that this study will enhance\ud
existing knowledge on the area
TraPSS methodology – a smart solution for manufacturing SMEs
Get PDFManufacturing SMEs are under high pressure coming from the market and from environmental legislation. They need the ability to rapidly and effectively change the business in response to opportunities and threats from the external environment, and to create and shape their own future through innovation. Product-Service System (PSS) is such an innovative concept. When competition on the basis of price, time, quality, flexibility or environment has become insufficient for the success of a company, the adoption of a PSS business model can have a beneficial impact on company competitiveness. However, the shift from product to product-service is a major strategic decision which has large implications on all the aspects of the business model. This paper proposes the TraPSS (Transition along the PSS route) methodology to define the PSS route and to support SMEs on the transition along the PSS route. Results from four SME case studies are discussed