title: The Effects of the Web as a Form of Stakeholder Communication: An empirical case study of a co-operative

authors: Zhao, Jennifer Yanan

subjects: Web

abstract: This research aims to add some understanding to the existing stakeholder management literature with a focus on the management of stakeholder communication. It explores how the Web can assist the management of the communication between a dairy co-operative and its farmer supplier-shareholders. An exploratory case study and semi-structured in-depth interview research design is used to collect, analyse, and present the perceptions of interview participants. 

This research highlights a paradox, which results from the inconsistent needs of the farmers as both suppliers and shareholders of the co-operative. A number of factors that have influenced farmer interviewees' decisions to either reject or embrace the Web are also identified. These factors are divided into two categories, those closely associated with individual characteristics, namely, perceived values, perceived self-efficacy, and awareness; and these outside the individual's control, namely, infrastructure and media conflict. 

These findings suggest that the Web adds flexibility to organisations' stakeholder communication strategies by offering an additional communication form. In particular, this research shows that the Web contributes to overall management of stakeholder communication through 1) increased accessibility to personalised and up-to-date information, 2) added flexibility to self-service programs, and 3) a recreated sense of 'conventional' community. 

Furthermore, the Web should be used as a complement to, rather than a replacement for, conventional communication forms in stakeholder communication strategies. Although the Web may not be the answer for all stakeholder communication challenges; what seems undeniable is the tremendous potential of the Web in facilitating and leveraging the management of stakeholder communication. Three considerations are proposed for organisations planning to include the Web as part of their stakeholder communication strategy: organisational needs, stakeholder characteristics, and communication media factors. Research limitations are discussed, and recommendations for further study are outlined in the conclusion.

text: The Effects of the Web as a Form of Stakeholder Communication: An empirical case study of a co-operative This research aims to add some understanding to the existing stakeholder management literature with a focus on the management of stakeholder communication. It explores how the Web can assist the management of the communication between a dairy co-operative and its farmer supplier-shareholders. An exploratory case study and semi-structured in-depth interview research design is used to collect, analyse, and present the perceptions of interview participants. 

This research highlights a paradox, which results from the inconsistent needs of the farmers as both suppliers and shareholders of the co-operative. A number of factors that have influenced farmer interviewees' decisions to either reject or embrace the Web are also identified. These factors are divided into two categories, those closely associated with individual characteristics, namely, perceived values, perceived self-efficacy, and awareness; and these outside the individual's control, namely, infrastructure and media conflict. 

These findings suggest that the Web adds flexibility to organisations' stakeholder communication strategies by offering an additional communication form. In particular, this research shows that the Web contributes to overall management of stakeholder communication through 1) increased accessibility to personalised and up-to-date information, 2) added flexibility to self-service programs, and 3) a recreated sense of 'conventional' community. 

Furthermore, the Web should be used as a complement to, rather than a replacement for, conventional communication forms in stakeholder communication strategies. Although the Web may not be the answer for all stakeholder communication challenges; what seems undeniable is the tremendous potential of the Web in facilitating and leveraging the management of stakeholder communication. Three considerations are proposed for organisations planning to include the Web as part of their stakeholder communication strategy: organisational needs, stakeholder characteristics, and communication media factors. Research limitations are discussed, and recommendations for further study are outlined in the conclusion.

year: 2007

title: Efficient Model Selection in Linear and Non-Linear Quantile Regression by Cross-Validation

authors: Jung, Yoonsuh

subjects: cross-validation

abstract: Check loss function is used to define quantile regression. In the prospect of cross validation, it is also employed as a validation function when underlying truth is unknown. However, our empirical study indicates that the validation with check loss often leads to choosing an over estimated fits. In this work, we suggest a modified or L2-adjusted check loss which rounds the sharp corner in the middle of check loss. It has a large effect of guarding against over fitted model in some extent. Through various simulation settings of linear and non-linear regressions, the improvement of check loss by L2 adjustment is empirically examined. This adjustment is devised to shrink to zero as sample size grows.

text: Efficient Model Selection in Linear and Non-Linear Quantile Regression by Cross-Validation Check loss function is used to define quantile regression. In the prospect of cross validation, it is also employed as a validation function when underlying truth is unknown. However, our empirical study indicates that the validation with check loss often leads to choosing an over estimated fits. In this work, we suggest a modified or L2-adjusted check loss which rounds the sharp corner in the middle of check loss. It has a large effect of guarding against over fitted model in some extent. Through various simulation settings of linear and non-linear regressions, the improvement of check loss by L2 adjustment is empirically examined. This adjustment is devised to shrink to zero as sample size grows.

year: 2016-04-19

title: Case roles / relations and discourse relations: A Maori language-based perspective

authors: Whaanga, Hēmi

subjects: case grammar

abstract: The overall aim of this research project is to explore case roles/ relations and discourse relations (referred to in this thesis as 'intra-propositional relations' and 'interpropositional relations' respectively) from the perspective of the Maori language. 
The thesis begins with an outline of the scope of the research and the approaches and methods used (Chapter 1). This is followed by a critical review of selected literature on case roles/ relations (intra-propositional relations) (see Chapter 2) and discourse relations (inter-propositional relations) (see Chapter 3) where it is noted that some of the relational theories and models appear to lack descriptive and/or explanatory adequacy. 
In Chapter 4, two models (an intra-propositional relational model and an interpropositional relational model) are developed on the basis of the critical review in Chapters 2 and 3, and these models are applied to a written corpus of Maori language texts, the primary aim being to track the ways in which intra-propositional and interpropositional relations are signalled in Maori. 
In Chapter 5, l supplement the corpus-based findings reported in Chapter 4 by reexamining the findings of two earlier studies from the perspective of the models introduced in Chapter 4. One of these earlier studies, reported in the early 1980s, is concerned with the distribution of prepositions in Maori in relation to case roles/ relations (intra-propositional relations); the other, produced much more recently (in 2001) is concerned with the signalling in Maori of a selection of what are referred to in that Work as 'semantico-pragmatic relations' (inter-propositional relations). 
Chapter 6 provides an overview of the research and a summary of the findings, together with an indication of its limitations, possible areas of application, and suggestions for future research.

text: Case roles / relations and discourse relations: A Maori language-based perspective The overall aim of this research project is to explore case roles/ relations and discourse relations (referred to in this thesis as 'intra-propositional relations' and 'interpropositional relations' respectively) from the perspective of the Maori language. 
The thesis begins with an outline of the scope of the research and the approaches and methods used (Chapter 1). This is followed by a critical review of selected literature on case roles/ relations (intra-propositional relations) (see Chapter 2) and discourse relations (inter-propositional relations) (see Chapter 3) where it is noted that some of the relational theories and models appear to lack descriptive and/or explanatory adequacy. 
In Chapter 4, two models (an intra-propositional relational model and an interpropositional relational model) are developed on the basis of the critical review in Chapters 2 and 3, and these models are applied to a written corpus of Maori language texts, the primary aim being to track the ways in which intra-propositional and interpropositional relations are signalled in Maori. 
In Chapter 5, l supplement the corpus-based findings reported in Chapter 4 by reexamining the findings of two earlier studies from the perspective of the models introduced in Chapter 4. One of these earlier studies, reported in the early 1980s, is concerned with the distribution of prepositions in Maori in relation to case roles/ relations (intra-propositional relations); the other, produced much more recently (in 2001) is concerned with the signalling in Maori of a selection of what are referred to in that Work as 'semantico-pragmatic relations' (inter-propositional relations). 
Chapter 6 provides an overview of the research and a summary of the findings, together with an indication of its limitations, possible areas of application, and suggestions for future research.

year: 2006