title: Key points of value in B2B intermediated electronic networks

authors: Gibb, Jenny L.

abstract: The Internet is an electronic network with open standards that is associated with the exchange of information at heightened levels of reach, richness, transparency, and speed often directly between buyers and suppliers. The growing prominence of the Internet has led to the blurring of industry boundaries, as well as the emergence of new online intermediaries, and the disappearance of traditional ones. Happening simultaneously has been the development of new modes of business such as the B2B (IE) network. When combining the characteristics of these business models with the increased efficiencies and reduced information processing costs associated with the Internet, it becomes important to identify these new value creating opportunities. Though the advantages of the Internet and associated models have been widely espoused, to date there has been scant empirical investigation into these areas. Furthermore, as networked trade grows in popularity, whether entering into online or offline trade opportunities, an ongoing understanding is required of this mode of business. Hence, this thesis has examined the question "Where are the key sources of value in a B2B (IE) network?" 
Structuration theory, situated within the mid-range theorising perspective has been used in this thesis as an ontological lens due to its recognition of the duality of structure between man and machine, with the business intermediary and Internet respectively. This lens has served to facilitate an examination of these two brokering bodies in the development of processes, rules, regulations, and relationships that are embedded within this network structure. My analysis and theoretical development attempt to build a bridge between the existing strategy, networks, and B2B (IE) networks literatures through the use of the grounded theory development approach by moving between a skeletal empirical framework and the data from three case studies. The first case study, M-co is a network that operates in the highly volatile New Zealand electricity industry to provide a bid/offer price mechanism. The second case study is Ecomex, a network that is positioned within the more moderately volatile New Zealand timber industry. It offers a range of price mechanisms, of which the negotiated method appears to be the one most favoured by traders. The third case study is EDIS, a network embedded within a more stable environment, offering a service to general product traders using a fixed price method. 
The key theoretical contribution that this thesis makes is the development of a dynamic model that identifies the network as the primary unit of analysis, with three secondary units of analysis: the informational unit, the relational unit, and the central core unit, each with separate underlying dimensions. Though these secondary units are important as individual entities in their own right, what is more important is the understanding of how these units interact in order to realise the full value creation potential in a B2B (IE) network. This interaction process was found to be led by the business intermediary, positioned in the central core.

text: Key points of value in B2B intermediated electronic networks The Internet is an electronic network with open standards that is associated with the exchange of information at heightened levels of reach, richness, transparency, and speed often directly between buyers and suppliers. The growing prominence of the Internet has led to the blurring of industry boundaries, as well as the emergence of new online intermediaries, and the disappearance of traditional ones. Happening simultaneously has been the development of new modes of business such as the B2B (IE) network. When combining the characteristics of these business models with the increased efficiencies and reduced information processing costs associated with the Internet, it becomes important to identify these new value creating opportunities. Though the advantages of the Internet and associated models have been widely espoused, to date there has been scant empirical investigation into these areas. Furthermore, as networked trade grows in popularity, whether entering into online or offline trade opportunities, an ongoing understanding is required of this mode of business. Hence, this thesis has examined the question "Where are the key sources of value in a B2B (IE) network?" 
Structuration theory, situated within the mid-range theorising perspective has been used in this thesis as an ontological lens due to its recognition of the duality of structure between man and machine, with the business intermediary and Internet respectively. This lens has served to facilitate an examination of these two brokering bodies in the development of processes, rules, regulations, and relationships that are embedded within this network structure. My analysis and theoretical development attempt to build a bridge between the existing strategy, networks, and B2B (IE) networks literatures through the use of the grounded theory development approach by moving between a skeletal empirical framework and the data from three case studies. The first case study, M-co is a network that operates in the highly volatile New Zealand electricity industry to provide a bid/offer price mechanism. The second case study is Ecomex, a network that is positioned within the more moderately volatile New Zealand timber industry. It offers a range of price mechanisms, of which the negotiated method appears to be the one most favoured by traders. The third case study is EDIS, a network embedded within a more stable environment, offering a service to general product traders using a fixed price method. 
The key theoretical contribution that this thesis makes is the development of a dynamic model that identifies the network as the primary unit of analysis, with three secondary units of analysis: the informational unit, the relational unit, and the central core unit, each with separate underlying dimensions. Though these secondary units are important as individual entities in their own right, what is more important is the understanding of how these units interact in order to realise the full value creation potential in a B2B (IE) network. This interaction process was found to be led by the business intermediary, positioned in the central core.

year: 2004

title: A study of the digestion and metabolism of dairy cows differing in susceptibility to bloat

authors: Carruthers, Vicki Robin

abstract: The digestive characteristics of cows of high (HS) or low (LS) susceptibility to bloat were investigated. 

Sixteen HS and 16 LS cows were offered pasture or hay when pregnant but not lactating, and pasture or 75% pasture plus 25% hay when lactating. The susceptibility groups did not differ in voluntary intake or apparent digestibility of dry matter, organic matter, nitrogen or energy on either occasion. LS cows produced more milk of a lower protein content than HS cows but yields of fat, protein and lactose were similar for both susceptibility groups.

Subsequent experiments used 4 or 5 cows of each susceptibility group, each fitted with a fistula in the dorsal rumen and offered diets of hay or pasture.

On 3 of 8 diets offered, non-lactating LS cows had less digesta, measured by removal through the fistula, in the reticulo-rumen before feeding than did HS cows. Increasing or decreasing the quantity of digesta in the reticulo-rumen after feeding correspondingly increased or decreased both the quantity of digesta subsequently lost and the quantity remaining 21 hours after feeding, or before the next feeding, for both HS and LS cows. On all diets LS cows lost less fluid from the reticulo-rumen during feeding and more after feeding, than did HS cows. Altering the concentration of Na in rumen fluid by addition of water or electrolyte solutions did not affect the loss of fluid and DM from the reticulo-rumen of LS cows relative to that of HS cows. When offered 3 pastures differing in maturity, an increase in maturity of the pasture resulted in an increase in the quantity of digesta in the reticulo-rumen before feeding, but HS and LS cows did not differ in quantity of digesta on each of the 3 pastures. The quantity of digesta in the reticulo-rumen was greater in cows when offered a diet of low K:Na ratio than when offered a high ratio diet. On both diets, however, LS cows had less digesta in the reticulo-rumen, a lower concentration of K in plasma and excreted less K in their faeces than HS cows.

Lactating HS and LS cows offered pasture ad libitum did not differ in intakes of dry matter and water, in the quantities of fluid and dry matter in the reticulo-rumen or in the rate of digestion when estimated from the loss of dry matter from nylon bags incubated in the ventral sac of the rumen.

HS and LS cows did not differ in capacity of the reticule-rumen. The rumen fluid dilution rate, estimated using Cr EDTA, was similar for both susceptibility groups in 3 experiments and higher for LS than HS cows in one experiment.

Overall, these studies revealed few differences between HS and LS cows in the parameters measured, except that under some experimental conditions LS cows had less digesta in the reticulo-rumen than did HS cows.

text: A study of the digestion and metabolism of dairy cows differing in susceptibility to bloat The digestive characteristics of cows of high (HS) or low (LS) susceptibility to bloat were investigated. 

Sixteen HS and 16 LS cows were offered pasture or hay when pregnant but not lactating, and pasture or 75% pasture plus 25% hay when lactating. The susceptibility groups did not differ in voluntary intake or apparent digestibility of dry matter, organic matter, nitrogen or energy on either occasion. LS cows produced more milk of a lower protein content than HS cows but yields of fat, protein and lactose were similar for both susceptibility groups.

Subsequent experiments used 4 or 5 cows of each susceptibility group, each fitted with a fistula in the dorsal rumen and offered diets of hay or pasture.

On 3 of 8 diets offered, non-lactating LS cows had less digesta, measured by removal through the fistula, in the reticulo-rumen before feeding than did HS cows. Increasing or decreasing the quantity of digesta in the reticulo-rumen after feeding correspondingly increased or decreased both the quantity of digesta subsequently lost and the quantity remaining 21 hours after feeding, or before the next feeding, for both HS and LS cows. On all diets LS cows lost less fluid from the reticulo-rumen during feeding and more after feeding, than did HS cows. Altering the concentration of Na in rumen fluid by addition of water or electrolyte solutions did not affect the loss of fluid and DM from the reticulo-rumen of LS cows relative to that of HS cows. When offered 3 pastures differing in maturity, an increase in maturity of the pasture resulted in an increase in the quantity of digesta in the reticulo-rumen before feeding, but HS and LS cows did not differ in quantity of digesta on each of the 3 pastures. The quantity of digesta in the reticulo-rumen was greater in cows when offered a diet of low K:Na ratio than when offered a high ratio diet. On both diets, however, LS cows had less digesta in the reticulo-rumen, a lower concentration of K in plasma and excreted less K in their faeces than HS cows.

Lactating HS and LS cows offered pasture ad libitum did not differ in intakes of dry matter and water, in the quantities of fluid and dry matter in the reticulo-rumen or in the rate of digestion when estimated from the loss of dry matter from nylon bags incubated in the ventral sac of the rumen.

HS and LS cows did not differ in capacity of the reticule-rumen. The rumen fluid dilution rate, estimated using Cr EDTA, was similar for both susceptibility groups in 3 experiments and higher for LS than HS cows in one experiment.

Overall, these studies revealed few differences between HS and LS cows in the parameters measured, except that under some experimental conditions LS cows had less digesta in the reticulo-rumen than did HS cows.

year: 1986

title: Understanding the Happiness of Māori and the Role of Consumption: Experiences of the Millennial Generation

authors: de Thierry, Ebony

subjects: Māori Well-Being

abstract: Happiness is commonly perceived as the ideal state of being for  all of human kind. Although a universal definition of the term remains elusive, happiness is a goal that everybody wants to achieve. In understanding the different aspects that shape happiness, the literature has shown that this can vary depending on the cultural context. As such, this study investigates the essence of happiness as it is experienced by Māori. In understanding the experiences of the Millennial generation, the role that consumption plays is also explored. This group of young adults have been raised in an era when consumerism and cultural revitalisation are the norm.  

This investigation was guided by hermeneutic phenomenology using a kaupapa Māori research perspective. Through this, thirteen young Māori individuals were interviewed to gain their experiences of happiness. Photo elicitation techniques were utilised as a means to facilitate these interviews. Stories of the participants’ experiences of happiness were crafted and then analysed to explore the role of consumption.

Findings show that the happiness of Māori is shaped by the five themes of; sense of belonging, whānau and relationships, spirituality, achievement and success, and sense of freedom. These themes interrelate as they are underpinned by the collective values of Māori. In particular, the aspects of spirituality and sense of belonging appear to be specific to the Māori realm. These are based on customs, values and beliefs that are inherited from our ancestors yet are still prevalent today. In terms of consumption, happiness can be positively linked to experiential consumption. In this case, it can play three different roles on the happiness of Māori through either; a direct connection, an indirect connection, or a negative connection. For Māori, consumption is more likely to have an indirect connection. This implies that it is able to facilitate, maintain and enhance happiness, but is not essential to creating these feelings. This investigation contributes to the literature in four ways. First, this study serves as a starting point to developing a comprehensive framework of happiness that is specific to the culture, views and values of Māori. This will assist Māori through ensuring that they are accurately represented in policies, frameworks and statistics. Second, it proposes five guidelines for Māori which suggest how they can maximise happiness through consumption. Third, this study provides a more up-to-date understanding of the happiness of Māori at the individual level whilst incorporating the impact of collective values. Marketers, researchers and practitioners can utilise this information in an attempt to aid in improving the happiness of Māori society. Finally, it shows that consumption can continue to be positively related to happiness once basic needs have been met. The positive role that consumption can play on happiness is identified, showing that marketers and consumers can work together to achieve happiness.

text: Understanding the Happiness of Māori and the Role of Consumption: Experiences of the Millennial Generation Happiness is commonly perceived as the ideal state of being for  all of human kind. Although a universal definition of the term remains elusive, happiness is a goal that everybody wants to achieve. In understanding the different aspects that shape happiness, the literature has shown that this can vary depending on the cultural context. As such, this study investigates the essence of happiness as it is experienced by Māori. In understanding the experiences of the Millennial generation, the role that consumption plays is also explored. This group of young adults have been raised in an era when consumerism and cultural revitalisation are the norm.  

This investigation was guided by hermeneutic phenomenology using a kaupapa Māori research perspective. Through this, thirteen young Māori individuals were interviewed to gain their experiences of happiness. Photo elicitation techniques were utilised as a means to facilitate these interviews. Stories of the participants’ experiences of happiness were crafted and then analysed to explore the role of consumption.

Findings show that the happiness of Māori is shaped by the five themes of; sense of belonging, whānau and relationships, spirituality, achievement and success, and sense of freedom. These themes interrelate as they are underpinned by the collective values of Māori. In particular, the aspects of spirituality and sense of belonging appear to be specific to the Māori realm. These are based on customs, values and beliefs that are inherited from our ancestors yet are still prevalent today. In terms of consumption, happiness can be positively linked to experiential consumption. In this case, it can play three different roles on the happiness of Māori through either; a direct connection, an indirect connection, or a negative connection. For Māori, consumption is more likely to have an indirect connection. This implies that it is able to facilitate, maintain and enhance happiness, but is not essential to creating these feelings. This investigation contributes to the literature in four ways. First, this study serves as a starting point to developing a comprehensive framework of happiness that is specific to the culture, views and values of Māori. This will assist Māori through ensuring that they are accurately represented in policies, frameworks and statistics. Second, it proposes five guidelines for Māori which suggest how they can maximise happiness through consumption. Third, this study provides a more up-to-date understanding of the happiness of Māori at the individual level whilst incorporating the impact of collective values. Marketers, researchers and practitioners can utilise this information in an attempt to aid in improving the happiness of Māori society. Finally, it shows that consumption can continue to be positively related to happiness once basic needs have been met. The positive role that consumption can play on happiness is identified, showing that marketers and consumers can work together to achieve happiness.

year: 2012