An analysis of the antecedents of satisfaction for superannuation fund members

The factors influencing the satisfaction of superannuation fund members are poorly understood at present, due to a paucity of research. This study looks at the relative influence that five key aspects of the offering of a mid-size Australian Superannuation Fund have on overall satisfaction. Despite the long-term nature of the product and efforts to educate members to think otherwise, short-term financial performance remains a strong influence on member satisfaction. With financial returns varying annually and to a large degree being out of the control of fund managers, the focus on this aspect as the main influence on satisfaction levels is problematic. The evidence suggests that shifting the focus of members towards longer period assessments (eg returns over the past five years) and towards aspects of the funds' offering that are points of differentiation (eg enquiry handling) is the only way to prevent large fluctuations in satisfaction levels and possible defections.

Experimental study of ostensibly shamanic journeying imagery in naďve participants I: antecedents

The purpose of the present study was to investigate experimentally the antecedents of ostensibly shamanic journeying imagery associated with the Lower World in naïve participants. Forty six participants completed a composite questionnaire consisting of demographic items and the Tellegen Absorption Scale (Tellegen and Atkinson 1974). Participants were randomly assigned to one of five conditions: Harner's (1990) shamanic journeying to the Lower World instructions coupled with monotonous percussion drumming at either 4 or 8 beats-per-second for either 10 or 15 minutes; and sitting quietly with eyes closed for 15 minutes. Participants' phenomenology was retrospectively assessed using the Phenomenology of Consciousness Inventory (Pekala 1991) and a mental imagery checklist. The results indicated that there was a statistically significant difference between conditions with regards to the number of ostensibly shamanic journeying images. After adjusting for Harner's (1990) instructions, a significant main effect was found for both beats-per-second and time with regards to the number of ostensibly shamanic journeying images reported. There was a statistically significant relationship between condition and the tendency to report mental imagery associated with rocky ravines, predatory creatures, and rivers. Religious devotion was found to be a significant predictor of the number of ostensibly shamanic journeying images reported. Religious exposure and trait absorption were significant predictors of altered experience. Implications of the findings are discussed and suggestions for future research advanced.

Antecedents of recommending infrequently purchased services: a conceptualisation and an empirical analysis

This project aimed to conceptualise and analyse empirically the antecedents of word-of-mouth in the context of an infrequently purchased service (tourism special events). The relationships examined included those between involvement, past experience, overall satisfaction, interest in attending next time, likelihood of attending next time, and the likelihood of recommending to others that they attend the event. There was some support for the overall model, in that the regressing of likelihood of recommending on the other variables produced an equation containing measures of most of the key variables, viz., revisit intention, satisfaction, revisit interest, and involvement. However, involvement appeared to operate in the opposite direction to that hypothesised.

Market virtues and public failures : antecedents to public sector reform in the contract state

This paper considers the historical factors that have contributed to the pressures for reform in the Australian State of Victoria which proved to be more radical than paths taken by the Commonwealth Government and any other Australian states. As public management in Victoria made tentative steps towards market orientated practices, the inexperienced public officials, together with a mixture of political, economic, administrative and social factors made the government more vulnerable to a perceived need for reform. Australia, like the United Kingdom and New Zealand with which it shares similarities of government structure, commenced the path of reform in a tentative manner with major reforms being implemented by powerful leaders. Powerful reformers were Margaret Thatcher in the United Kingdom, a group of like minded politicians from Treasury in New Zealand and in the Australian State of Victoria, Jeff Kennett. Each capitalised on a sense of crises to move their reform agenda forward at a rapid pace. Victoria is offered as an illustration of how the past provides a means of understanding why Premier Jeff Kennett was able during the 1990's, to implement public sector reform into Victoria in such a dramatic way.

A comparison of the satisfaction of first year members with renewing members : differences in antecedents and outcomes

In membership organisations it is common for a large number of first year members not to renew. The research reported here looks at members of a professional sporting organisation and compares the responses to a satisfaction survey of first year members with those of longer-term members. The results show that although the level of overall satisfaction was no different between first year and longer-term members, their overall satisfaction was influenced by different aspects of the package. Specifically, communications from the club, on-field performance during the year and the perceived level of personal involvement with the club were the aspects of the membership service that had a distinguishing influence on overall satisfaction. These findings imply that the experience of new members is different from that of existing members, and that there is sense in managers distinguishing between first year and other members when developing marketing tactics aimed at increasing renewals.

Development of a model of the antecedents and consequences of an inclusivie team climate

Exclusion due to the tendency of people to form subgroups based on perceived interpersonal similarities and dissimilarities still prevents many individuals and teams from reaching their full potential. Using research from the social psychology and organisational behaviour literature we examine the relationship between perceived dissimilarity, subgroup formation and team climate and individual team member's responses to the team and propose a model of the antecedents and consequences of individual team members propensity to perceive dissimilarity and an inclusive team climate.

Antecedents of brand credibility under asymmetrical information

This study focuses on the antecedents of brand credibility and validates part of the model presented by Erdem and Swait (1998). Following the signalling literature, we argue that under asymmetrical information, the importance of brand credibility stems from the capability of brands to inform consumers who are uncertain about product attributes. Indeed, firms may use brands to notify consumers about product positions and to assure that their product claims are credible. Using information economics as theoretical background, the proposed perspective determines how credibility is shaped. Data was collected across a number of consumers in Australia via a self-report survey and a structural equation model (SEM) was estimated. The results provide empirical evidence and support the work of Erdem and Swait (1998).

Antecedents to women's participation in international assignments in multinational enterprises

This paper reviews the literature on women participation in international assignments. Despite decades of equal opportunity legislation, and a focus on diversity issues by multinational enterprises, women's participation still remains low. Over the past 20 years women's participation has increased, however organisations still need to focus on many issues to increase this participation over the next 10 -15 years. Reasons were put forward in the paper that explains their participation. The paper covers macro, organisational, interpersonal and individual factors. These reasons were explored in the paper, and a model was developed that explains women's participation. Future research in the field was also proposed.

Expanding the buyer-supplier relationship definition: its antecedents and relationship with performance outcomes

This paper aims to contribute to current buyer-supplier relationship literature through conceptually examining associations between the buyer-supplier relationship itself, organisational antecedents and the external environment. Whilst the presence of relational components within the transaction has been acknowledged, there is, has been, and remains, great difficulty in defining and understanding the dynamics of the buyer-supplier relationship itself. This study aims to address current research limitations and further develop understanding of the dynamics between buyers and suppliers, through a grounded theory research approach. The core focus is to understand the basic motivations and considerations for organisations when potentially considering relationship development with a trade partner. Thus, the organisational attributes that must be apparent and those preferred by potential trade partners are studied. Development of a conceptual model leads to the recognition of three key research questions that are to be addressed in future empirical investigation of the model.

Psychic distance : antecedents, retail strategy implications and performance outcomes

The authors propose a conceptual model of the psychic distance–organizational performance relationship that incorporates organizational factors (international experience and centralization of decision making), entry strategy, and retail strategy implications. The findings suggest that when entering psychically distant markets, retailers should adopt low-cost/low-control entry strategies and adapt their retail strategy to a greater extent than in psychically close markets. However, the authors find that such strategic responses have an adverse effect on performance. They find that international experience, psychic distance, entry strategy, and retail strategy adaptation are significant drivers of organizational performance and factors that determine critical success in international retailing.