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: From pillow to podium: a review on understanding sleep for elite athletes

authors: O'Donnell, Shannon Lea

subjects: exercise

abstract: Sleep is considered vital to human health and well-being, and is critical to physiological and cognitive functioning. Elite athletes experience high training and competition demands, and are often exposed to various factors, situations, and environments that can cause sleep impairments. Previous research has shown that athletes commonly experience sleep loss in the lead up to and following competition, which could have significant impacts on their preparation, performance, and recovery. In particular, the results from previous research show significant reductions in total sleep time (~1:40 h:min) and significant increases in sleep latency (~45 minutes) following evening competition. Napping is common in both the training and competition setting in athletes; however, research on the effect of napping on physiology and performance is limited. In contrast, research on strategies and interventions to improve sleep are increasing in the athletic population, with sleep hygiene research resulting in significant improvements in key sleep indices. This review investigates the physiological importance of sleep in athletes, current tools to monitor athletes’ sleep, the role of sleep for cognitive functioning and athletic performance, the prevalence of sleep disturbances and the potential mechanisms causing sleep disturbances, the role of napping, and different intervention strategies to improve sleep.

text: From pillow to podium: a review on understanding sleep for elite athletes Sleep is considered vital to human health and well-being, and is critical to physiological and cognitive functioning. Elite athletes experience high training and competition demands, and are often exposed to various factors, situations, and environments that can cause sleep impairments. Previous research has shown that athletes commonly experience sleep loss in the lead up to and following competition, which could have significant impacts on their preparation, performance, and recovery. In particular, the results from previous research show significant reductions in total sleep time (~1:40 h:min) and significant increases in sleep latency (~45 minutes) following evening competition. Napping is common in both the training and competition setting in athletes; however, research on the effect of napping on physiology and performance is limited. In contrast, research on strategies and interventions to improve sleep are increasing in the athletic population, with sleep hygiene research resulting in significant improvements in key sleep indices. This review investigates the physiological importance of sleep in athletes, current tools to monitor athletes’ sleep, the role of sleep for cognitive functioning and athletic performance, the prevalence of sleep disturbances and the potential mechanisms causing sleep disturbances, the role of napping, and different intervention strategies to improve sleep.

year: 2018

title: He Maimai Aroha mō Nātana Waka Takurua

authors: Manuirirangi, Hōri

subjects: Poroporoaki

abstract: He kupu whakamānawa nā Hōri Manuirirangi ki a Nātana Waka Takurua i tana matenga.

text: He Maimai Aroha mō Nātana Waka Takurua He kupu whakamānawa nā Hōri Manuirirangi ki a Nātana Waka Takurua i tana matenga.

year: 2012-05