Ph.D. Theses

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Application of marketing concepts and practices to the operations of private hospitals in İstanbul
(Thesis (Ph.D.)- Bogazici University. Institute for Graduate Studies in Social Sciences, 1982., 1982.) Sezgin, Selime D. (Özden); Koç, Ahmet N.
Customer satisfaction and related behavior of bank customer: |(a field study among the teaching staff of Boğaziçi University)
(Thesis (Ph.D.) - Bogazici University. Institute for Graduate Studies in Social Sciences, 1984., 1984.) Hassan, Ahmed Aly.; Koç, Ahmet N.
In this study, satisfaction and related. aspects of perception, attitude, Word-of-Mouth Communication (WOMC), and behavioral actions of retail bank customers among teaching staff at Boğaziçi University in Istanbul were investigated. A quota sample of 152 out of 337 teaching staff was taken. Tow hundred-two structured-disguised questionnaires were distributed and gathered personally to collect the informatio Testing for validity and reliability of questionnaire and scales were considered before gathering the data. The main objectives of the study are to discover: First: The relationships between feelings of customer toward specific bank attributes, and overall customer satisfaction or dissatisfaction. Secondi- The relationship between specific customer traits, and overall customer satisfaction or dissatisfaction. Third: The relationship between customer satisfaction or dissatisfaction, and attitudes. Fourth: The relationship between attitudes and WOMC Fifth: The relationship between WOMC, and customer behavior toward the prefered bank. Sixth: The relationship between severity of problem the customer faced in dealing with his prefered bank; and hiB perceived risk, satisfaction, attitude, WOMC, and related behavior. Seventh: The most meaningful factors related to bank attributes that affect customer in choosing a bank to deposit money in and inforcing positive conversations, and actions among others. The results of the study reflect positive relationships between the above mentioned variables. However, these relationships vary in its extent. Further, the results of the study clarify the most meaningful factors that influence the individual to deposit his money in a bank and to initiate positive WOMC about that bank. It is concluded that customer satisfaction contributes to strength or weaken attitudes. It is also deducted that customer attitude is related to WOMC. In addition, it is found that customers who were more involved in receiving and transmitting positive WOMC were more likely to encourage others to invest in their banks than customers who are leas involved in these types of WOMC. Furthermore, customers who were more involved in processing positive WOMC were more likely to: (1) increase the amount they invest in their banks, and (2) encourage others to invest in their banks than customers who were less involved in processing positive WOMC. On the other hand, it is found that customers who were more involved in receiving and seeking negative WOMC were more likely to reduce the amount of money deposited in their banks than those who were less involved in receiving and seeking negative WOMC. It is also concluded from this study that customers who had severe problems with their banks were more likely to complain to managers of those banks than those customers who had no problems. The main implication of the study is that a bank's success in the long run is dependent completely on considering oustomer satisfaction as the main goal of planning, imple mentation, and control of bank services. At the end, several recommendations have been suggested for better bank services, higher customer satisfaction, more favorable attitude, and more preferable behavior toward banks. These recommendations are directed to bank managers, bank employees, customers, customers' organizations Governmental agencies, and academicians.
Variable costing as a managerial tool
(Thesis (Ph.D.) - Bogazici University. Institute for Graduate Studies in Social Sciences, 1985., 1985.) Nuhoğlu, İrem.; Ertuna, İbrahim Özer,
In this study, the relationships between the method of cost accounting, the pattern of classification of costs, the preparation of financial reports, the managerial decision making, and the performance of companies are examined. With the general fact that effective managerial decision making leads to managerial and company success, the variables that will enforce effectiveness are explored in this work. Textile industry of Turkey is choosen as the sample and the data collection method consisted of the questionnaires and interviews by the sampled companies' top managers, and financial data gathered by the Chamber of Industry of Istanbul. The statistical methods employed in the research are one-way frequency distribution, joint-frequency distribution, Pearson correlations and Discriminant analysis. The results have showed that the employment of computer in the operations of the company has direct relationship with the classification of costs as variable and fixed costs, the application of variable costing in internal reporting, the usefulness of balance sheet and income statement in long-term planning, short-term planning, in pricing and purchasing decisions and the usage of ratio analysis for the evaluation of the company performance. Direct relationships have also been observed between the application. of variable costing, the usage of breakeven analysis in managerial decision making, the clsssification of costs, the usefulness of balance sheet and income statement in long-term planning, investment decisions, and the usage of ratio analysis in evaluations.
Liquidity management simulation model
(Thesis (Ph.D.)- Bogazici University. Institute for Graduate Studies in Social Sciences, 1988., 1988.) Akan, Mustafa.; Ertuna, İbrahim Özer,
The objective of the dissertation was to build a simulation model for liquidity management in multi-branch financial institutions in Turkey. TURBO-BASIC language was used. The model was tested with real data to determine its validity. Sensitivity of the model to various parameters was also tested. It was found that the output of the model was close to real numbers thus establishing its validity. Interest rates, level of liquid assets, and standard deviations of various flows turn out to be the most important parameters. Transaction costs, although they are very important in theoretical studies, turn out to be unimportant in applications in Turkey. This is due to the very high interest rates compared to transaction costs.
An export marketing analysis of Turkish women's ready to wear products in federal republic of Germany
(Thesis (Ph.D.)- Bogazici University. Institute for Graduate Studies in Social Sciences, 1990., 1990.) Bilgin, F. Zeynep.; Bodur, Muzaffer.
The objectives of this research were to investigate the strengths and weaknesses of Turkish WRW (women's ready to wear) products in the export market of FRG (Federal Republic of Germany), and to outline the structure of the distribution channel network. In order to specify the export market expectations and evaluations, the WRW products were analysed based on their physical-functional, aesthetic and social characteristics as well as their identification factors. The study includes the review of literature and a field survey. For the field survey, a questionnaire was given to distribution channel members in FRG textileapparel market. The findings of the research show that firms contacted mainly buy cotton and mixed fibre products through direct contact to producers in Turkey. For the different channel members at producer, wholesaler and retailer stages in the distribution channel network, material quality is more important than processing and durability quality among the physical-functional product attributes. In Turkish WRW products, the most frequently occuring quality problems are related to the solidity of colors and input products in material used, to the labor force in processing, and to sewing in manufacturing technique chosen. Related to the aesthetic characteristics, optic and haptic attributes of Turkish WRW products were rated to be at middle level. In case of social characteristics, product image of Turkish WRW products is not satisfactory, and fashion creativity attempts were rated to be still insufficient. The evaluations for the identification factors show that Turkish brands are not known in the FRG export market and label and package are evaluated positively.
International marketing responsiveness :|an exploratory study on the involvement of Turkish firms in the former USSR market
(Thesis (Ph.D.) - Bogazici University. Institute for Graduate Studies in Social Sciences, 1992., 1992.) Akiş, Yeşim Toduk.; Koç, Ahmet N.
This thesis is a pioneer study in exploring the issue of former USSR trade and business relations with a developing country (Turkey), so it can be classified under the area-oriented studies of international marketing. The purpose of the study was to explore the factors inherent in the Turkish business people,s' involvement with the USSR. The research for the study was carried at a unique time for the USSR which was (and still is) in transition from a centralized economy to a market oriented economy with significant changes at the state and administrative levels. The study includes background information on USSR market, Turkish foreign trade system, Turkish-USSR economic and trade relations, as well as a survey of international business literature on area-studies (USSR and the East) concerned with the "firms behaviour towards USSR". The findings of the study are based on a field survey carried out with 63 Turkish firms that were already involved with the USSR as of December 1991. Different aspects of the strategic involvement of these firms with the USSR are studied, which are USSR market involvement decisions, involvement types, countertrade, joint ventures, negotiation, and marketing strategies. The results of the exploratory research showed that entering into a new market such as the former USSR requires the consideration of a multitude of factors ranging from government support systems to various risks involved. The dissertation identified specific characteristics explaining the effectiveness of business relations. It is concluded that there are unique external and internal factors that speed up the Turkish companies' entry and lead to success in the former USSR market. Turkish firms enjoy various types of government support, have found different ways of coping with the risks involved, have learned to capitalize on some elements of comparative advantage (such as physical and cultural proximity to the new market), are making good use of specific country related characteristics (such as uncertainty handling, negotiation style, using formal risk assessment techniques), and are experienced in dealing with bureaucratic structures. Although the internationalization experience of Turkish firms is a recent phenomenon, they already have accumulated significant experience with respect to various forms of entry and involvement. New forms of trade, namely countertrade and joint ventures are found as attractive ways of tapping USSR market opportunities. The research indicates that joint venture type is the most satisfying form of involvement. It is hoped that this dissertation will provide a take off point for further studies and serve as a guide to firms contemplating entry into or growth in the former USSR market.
An assessment of life insurance marketing in Turkey
(Thesis (Ph.D.)- Bogazici University. Institute for Graduate Studies in Social Sciences, 1994., 1994.) Bolcakan, Ayşe.; Borak, Eser.
Life insurance is one of the most important sectors in developed economies. It assists capital accumulation, increases savings going into the economy, is a good saving device, and employs a considerable number of people. The individual affiliates with the society's resources in the cases of emergency, by transferring the risk related to the time of death to the insurer. This study provides an extensive literature on life insurance, including the concepts, history, development in the West, problems of the sector in the developing economies, marketing mix strategies and the present state of the life insurance market in Turkey. LA three level field survey was carried out to gain insight into the life insurance marketing in Turkey. The data was gathered during February - April 1994, through three different surveys, consisting of 15 insurance companies, 60 agents and 384 consumersJ The Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) was utilized to analyze data through Frequency Distributions and Cross-Tabulations. The major results of the study are: Most of the insurers are not marketing oriented and do not have formal marketing structure. Since the executives do not consider marketing ft major business function, they are unclear about marketing mix strategies. Mostly, insurers attribute all sectoral problems to consumers or agents. Nearly unanimously, the managers perceive the consumers' attitude to be negative toward insurers. Agents expect to receive brochures, training and marketing support from insurers, however, they do not get sufficient documents and regular and frequent training. Consumers' motives for purchasing life insurance are perceived differently by consumers and agents. In the study the consumers are found to be aware of life insurance but they do not have information about it. Consumers' attitudes toward life insurers, agents and products are negative. Consumers' main expectation from a life insurance policy is protection. Consumers prefer to purchase policies from insurers or banks, and prefer to pay through direct debitting of bank account. In the last part of the study, the implications are summarized for life insurance companies, consumers, state and for further research. This research, being the first extensive academic study in Turkey analysing the life insurance sector, will serve generative function for future research.
A study on consumer movement and consumer protection in the western countries and Türkiye
(Thesis (Ph.D.) - Bogazici University. Institute of Social Sciences, 1997., 1997.) Sağnak, F. Gül Aygen.; Borak, Eser.
The purpose of this study is to find out about the developmental issues of consumer protection in our country from the perspectives of consumers, the business world, and related institutions (public institutions, quasi-public institutions, private sector institutions and consumer associations). Views and opinions of each group with respect to the general subject of consumer protection are believed to reveal future expectations related to the subject and also opportunities and limitations we are likely to be confronted with, as a nation, in reaching a better life. The study is composed of two main parts: The first part consists of the historical developments and current trends in the area of consumer protection in the United States, the European Union, and Tiirkiye together with the literature review for the years 1960-1995. The second part is on the field survey inclusive of statistical analyses of questionnaires filled out by 385 consumers, 45 respondents in private sector companies, and 30 respondents in related institutions together with qualitative comparison of responses of the three groups. The computer program SPSS / PC (Statistical Package for the Social Sciences) has been used in analyzing the data. Frequency distributions, Chi-square, t-test, F-test, Mann-Whitney test, and KruskalWallis test have been employed for analysis of results. Qualitative comparison of the consumer, manufacturer, and related institutions samples revealed that in general the three parties shared opinions regarding the topic of consumer protection and consumer related issues in Tiirkiye. Among the three groups, consumers and respondents in related institutions appeared to share ideas to a greater extent than manufacturers. However, agreement rates of respondents in all groups were considerably high in case of importance given to consumer rights, importance attributed to subjects in the topic of consumer protection, evaluation of ways to improve the prevailing situation of consumers, choice of the most constructive programs in responding to consumerist pressures, expectations regarding the future of consumers with respect to certain issues, and ranking of the various groups a company was thought to be socially responsible to. Statistical analyses conducted in the case of the individual samples did not yield much difference within the samples, either with respect to attitudes related to the general topic of consumer protection or consumer related issues in our country. In the case of the consumer sample, most of the differences in opinions seemed to exist between respondents living in the different districts of the city, respondents with different education levels, and respondents with different income levels. In the case of the manufacturer sample, most of the differences in opinions seemed to exist between respondents who thought the impact of the consumer protection movement to be very much on their company versus those who thought this impact not to be very much. In the case of the related institutions sample, regardless of the institution they worked for, respondents shared the same opinions to a very large extent with respect to the subject of consumer protection, in general. The study ends with implications for consumers, the business world, the State and related institutions, and for further research.
Mentoring, gender and ideological perspectives: a case study
(Thesis (Ph.D.) - Bogazici University. Institute of Social Sciences, 1998., 1998.) Özen, Rana.; Kabasakal, Hayat.
The purpose of this study is to find out the differences of mentoring relationship in a different organizational setting than described in the literature. This organization is characterized by its strong values that are shared by its members who have ideological bonds among them. The organization operates in the education sector, and it is one of private preparatory institutions for central university examination. The sample for this study consists of a total 34 respondents (17 dyads) composed of 16 female and 18 male teachers. In-depth interviews with dyads are conducted in Turkish. Additional interviews are conducted with the General Manager, unit managers of the institution, 11 members of staff, and 50 students and 50 parents as customers of the institution. The results of this study indicated that different mentoring relationships and different mentor types may be defined in a different organizational setting. The research was also formed on the differences about mentoring, and related factors. Different concepts were defined, and some unexpected findings were found in the organization. There is a formal mentoring program and a study group system in the institution. "Performance" is important as well as "ideological similarity" in the relationship between mentors and proteges. "Dominance of men" and "sex segregation" are different properties of the institution. It is seen that, new concepts that are observed in this organization were related to the experience of mentoring relationship. The new concepts, such as "togetherness", "altruism", "self-sacrifice", "trying to be a pure-bred horse", "being wise leader", "trying to do good things", "to give alms for knowledge", "co-religionist perspective", "working for God's sake", "transferring moral and ethical values", "ideological fit" and "consultation climate" appears to bring new dimensions to mentoring relationships in the organization.
The internet as a marketing environment: consumer perceptions, attitudes and behavior
(Thesis (Ph.D.) - Bogazici University. Institute of Social Sciences, 2001., 2001.) Kımıloğlu (Türker), Hande Bahar.; Borak, Eser.
In this dissertation, we aim to discover consumers' perceptions of, attitudes toward, intentions about the usage and behavior on the Internet as a decision making and purchasing environment. One major objective of the study is to draw a general profile of Internet consumers. Although we have encountered attempts to disclose the demographics of the online consumer community, an overall picture consisting of both demographic and psychographic attributes is an important contribution we can make to the literature. The other objectives of the study are to provide an understanding of some of the contextual factors preceding the formation of consumers' dispositions toward and actual behavior on the virtual marketplace, to demonstrate consumers' perceptions about the characteristics of the Internet as a marketing environment, to determine the suitability attributed to the performance of different stages of the purchasing process in this medium, to assess the potential it carries for different types of products and services, and to identify consumers' perceptions about current and future usage and adoption levels. In the introduction, prominent issues about online consumer behavior have been explored and information is provided about how the Internet changed the world of marketing, how it challenged established theories, and what the most conspicuous differences between traditional and contemporary marketing practices are. Then, a comprehensive review of the literature has been presented. In this section, a framework that serves as a guideline to categorize the major titles and subtitles of the topic has been constructed. We expect this cla<;sification to reveal the numerous research avenues available about the subject and to disclose the missing spots that need to be investigated further. As for the theoretical base the study lies on., a comprehensive model including a conglomeration of the variables expected to affect the consumer-Internet encounter is constructed. After touching upon how each variable fits into the model, a selected part of it has been used for empirical purposes. The research methodology employed rests on a questionnaire that has been carefully designed and tested with a pilot study before application. The data collection instrument has been directed toward 503 members of the Turkish online community who are potential and actual users of the Internet as a decision making and purchasing environment SPSS 10.0 has been used for the statistical part of the study. Cross-tab, Pearson correlation., T -Test, OneWay ANOV A, regression and discriminant analyses have been performed for testing our hypotheses. Our findings suggest that the Internet is, yet, quite a novel environment for consumer decision making and purchasing activities. However, expectations about its future state are very positive indicating a high potential of growth especially for certain sectors. StiU, the Internet is apt to become one of the attractive marketing media among many others available to consumers and businesses rather than a development that eliminates traditional shopping channels and structures as a whole. It is currently preferred more extensively for informational and comparative purposes. Although consumers have developed positive perceptions about the major advantages of this medium, they have certain concerns toward the disadvantages it possesses, too. Finally, in light of the various interesting and original findings that we have obtained, numerous implications have been proposed for online and offiine businesses, consumers, governments and legal authorities, Internet service providers and for further research. In short, this study makes considerable contributions to the relevant literature by providing a theoretical framework that proposes a model to understand online consumer behavior and also utilizing the model for practical purposes, too.
Trust in buyer-supplier relationships: a small and medium sized enterprises perspective
(Thesis (Ph.D.)- Bogazici University. Institute of Social Sciences,2002., 2002.) İnelmen, Kıvanç V. Ö., 1969-; Kabasakal, Hayat.
The investigation of salience of trust in economic life was the main issue that was dealt with in this study. For this research, the antecedents of trust in interorganizational business relationships in small-scale enterprises were taken under scrutiny. The choice of small-scale businesses as the subject matter of this study was derived from the perceived need to investigate the potentials of these enterprises. Trust being a multifaceted concept, which could be said to be a mixture of feelings, rational thinking and cultural factors, has implications for all relationships ranging from day-to-day interactions to continuation of a reasonable amount of social capital in a society. In this study, the enterprise owners' (n=412) perceptions about their key suppliers trustworthiness were assessed with the developed questionnaire in 10 sectors from both service and manufacturing, in addition to a number of predictor variables. The purposes were two-fold: investigating the antecedents of trust production in dyadic buyer-supplier relationships, and the level of trust in characteristically different institutional contexts of conventional and novel sectors. The analyses showed that the owners' perceptions about the strength of their sectoral sanctions, the length of buyer-supplier relationship and buyer's propensity to trust were the main sources of trust production, but written contracts were not considered as a trust alternative. More importantly, the analyses showed that there were differences between the owners from the conventional and the novel sectors both in terms of the sources of their trustworthiness perceptions, and the institutionalized ways of making business and dealing with misconduct. In the light of these findings, an outline for a deliberate attempt to expand the radius of trust and effectiveness in business relationships through networks of small enterprises was prepared.
Modeling the constituents of the image of a country for the determination of priorities related to strategic image management: the case of Turkey
(Thesis (Ph.D.)-Bogazici University. Institute for Graduate Studies in Social Sciences, 2004., 2004.) Ebrem, İpek Altınbaşak.; Borak, Eser.
The main purpose of this study is to create a model representing the antecedents and the consequences of the country image. The model is operationalized through a scale developed for detecting the most significant factors in the formation of country image in order to create strategies for image management. The model is tested empirically by taking Turkey as a case. United Kingdom and Italy are selected as two countries to conduct the research. First, a qualitative exploratory investigation is carried out among participants from these countries, in order to determine the factors affecting the country image. In the following phase, a survey reaching a sample of 129 British and 129 Italian respondents in their home country is used. The research reveals that the historical relationships among countries play an important role in the country image formation. Although the respondents who visited Turkey are generally satisfied, issues related to security, hygiene, and ease of travel need to be reinforced in order to improve the image. The findings related to the fact that Turkey is known more and thus rated more favorably by the older respondents imply the need for promotion targeted to the younger segment of the market. The findings suggest that there is a lack of information especially related to the influence of religion on the life style in Turkey. Therefore, the research suggests the need for more emphasis on the secularism for all image management activities. Furthermore, the results point out that the human aspect and the modern face of Turkey have to be promoted more effectively. The study also highlighted that the creation of successful Turkish brands and their promotion worldwide would contribute to the improvement of country image. The main contributions of this thesis would be: the integration of the literature on image and brand image, country image and country-of-origin effect, positioning, strategic image management and different country image research including those related to Turkey, and furthermore to develop a unique model and a scale for assessing the country image.
Modelling stock market via fuzzy rule based systems
(Thesis (Ph.D.)-Bogazici University. Institute for Graduate Studies in Social Sciences, 2004., 2004.) Aksoy, Hakan.; Akgiray, Vedat.
A rule based fuzzy logic model is implemented to forecast the monthly return of the Istanbul Securities Exchange 100 (ISE100) Index by combining common stock market data analysis techniques. These are technical analysis, financial analysis and macroeconomic analysis.Starting with the technical analysis, an index level observation by using classifier systems is used as a long term input for the rule based modelling of the fuzzy logic. The negative correlation of the level of the ISE100 Index and the daily returns is obtained. The observation is statistically tested and found to be significant by using bootstrap method. A basic technical analysis rule using moving average is also modified as a short period input for the model.In the financial analysis that borrows from the methodology of the Altman's bankruptcy prediction analysis, a model for predicting next period's stock return is developed with the logistic regression by using 81 financial ratios before the factor analysis. It is shown in the ANOVA analysis that the output of the analysis is statistically significant as good companies perform better than bad companies. Thus, the weighted average of the logit score of the stocks is used to forecast the next period return of the index in the fuzzy logic model.After the calculation of the technical and financial inputs for the model, macroeconomic data is gathered in three main groups: real economy, FX market and TL market. The data is ruled and modeled within the period from 1996 to 2002 and optimized with steepest descent learning algorithm. The R-Square of the model is obtained to be better than those of other stock market return estimation models in the literature. The reasons are: a) the ISE is not a developed and an efficient market, thus, predicting future prizes are easier than the other developed markets; b) rule based fuzzy logic modelling with large enough data set improves the explanation of the future movements. Furthermore, the model is also tested for optimal investment decision in 2003. The algorithm is as follows: If the next month's predicted return of the index is positive, the model suppests to invest all of the existing money in the stock market. Otherwise, it is optimal to invest in repo only. The performance of the investor is compared according to the returns of the ISE100 Index, USD, repo and TL in the same period. Consequently the statistical comparison of the results by using the bootstrap method is promising and the model's suggestion performs better than the return of the repo and the ISE100 Index in 2003.
The Influence of individual values on managerial practices: implications for the Turkish Business context
(Thesis (Ph.D.)-Bogazici University. Institute for Graduate Studies in Social Sciences, 2004., 2004.) Karabatı, Serdar.; Say, Arzu İşeri.
The study aims to develop a map of values held by members of regional businessmen's associations in Turkey and to test the relationship of values to business network dimensions and to organizational practices in enterprises represented by these members. Organizational practices are also analyzed for their possible associations with firm-level characteristics and occupational descriptors conceptualized in an earlier phase of the study. The value dimensions specified for analyses are paternalism, conservatism, achievement, individualism, materialism, confrontation, risk taking, and novelty seeking. Values are measured through a 37-item Likert-type scale. Business network dimensions are derived after a three-step factor analysis of fourteen business contacts and eighteen managerial routines. Organizational practices are measured through a 26-item scale measuring six bipolar orientations, results-process orientation, job-employee orientation, professionalism-parochialism, closed-open system, tight-loose control, and pragmatic-normative orientation. Values used in the study can be collapsed into four major dimensions. Low levels of confrontation, low individualism, and high paternalism observed among mean scores for values verify the collectivistic characteristic of the Turkish culture. As expected, paternalism is associated with conservatism and these orientations tend to decrease with education. Findings suggest that six practice dimensions are too robust to explain organizational practices in the firms sampled. Collectively, however, practices strongly predict regional differences in socioeconomic development. Firms in underdeveloped regions are characterized with closed-system, job orientation, and pragmatism. Integration with a local network, on the other hand, signifies conservatism and materialism.
Development of a framework on ethical issues based on complaint data about electronic commerce
(Thesis (Ph.D.)-Bogazici University. Institute for Graduate Studies in Social Sciences, 2004., 2004.) Nasır, Aslıhan.; Borak, Eser.
Ethical business practices of a company create a relationship, which depends on trust and confidence, between the consumers and the company, and provides mutually rewarding consequences. However, since the electronic commerce (e-commerce) is a new business model it does not have adequate ethical standards. Consumer complaints about on-line stores are an effective tool for exploring and analysing the ethical risk areas of e-commerce. Therefore, in this dissertation, it is aimed to develop an ethical framework by exploring the potential ethical issues about on-line stores based on the consumer complaints in United States of America (USA) and in Turkey.In this study, first an in-depth literature review about business ethics, and the basic literature about consumer complaint behavior are presented. The objectives of the empirical research are: to find out the complaining tendency of American and Turkish consumers, to find out the frequency distribution of complaints among on-line businesses and among on-line stores, to identify the major complaint areas about on-line stores, and to explore whether there are any differences among on-line stores regarding the type of complaints that they receive, to classify the complaint areas, andto describe the feelings and attitudes of complainants. This is an exploratory research, which collects secondary data from the complaint web sites both in USA and Turkey. From USA 4019 complaint letters, and from Turkey 80 letters have been content analysed in order to detect the potential ethical risk areas. It is found that the Turkish complaints show an increasing tendency, while US complaints exhibit a peak point at 2001. There are differences between USA and Turkey about the distribution of complaints among on-line businesses and about the variety of on-line stores. In USA, complaints about Internet service providers constitute majority of total complaints, while in Turkey complaints about on-line stores compound the majority of complaints. In USA, there are 18 different store types, whereas in Turkey, there are only nine store types. It is found that there are 96 different complaint areas; and they are classified under 11 complaint categories through the content analysis process. After describing the feelings and attitudes of consumers through a series of research proposals, an ethical framework for e-commerce is presented. The study ends with the implications for consumers, for business managers, for legal and governmental entities, and for academia. This dissertation contributes to the literature in multiple ways. First of all, this study is unique, since it employs all the available on-line complaints as a tool to develop an ethical framework. Secondly, this thesis is one of the initial studies in the field of business ethics and electronic commerce. Finally, this is an interdisciplinary study, which contributes to business ethics literature as well as to literature on complaint behavior and electronic commerce.
Destabilizing effects of stabilization programs: the case of Turkish Corporate sector
(Thesis (Ph.D.)-Bogazici University. Institute for Graduate Studies in Social Sciences, 2004., 2004.) Özyıldırım, Cenktan.; Ertuna, İbrahim Özer,
This study aims to investigate the effects of stabilization programs on the financial performance of corporate sector. To figure out how the corporate sector is affected through the stabilization programs, a model, which looks into the disparities between exchange rate, interest rate and inflation created by these programs, is developed by combining the interest rate parity and purchasing power parity. It is illustrated that stabilization programs, which implement nominal anchors to tackle inflation and stabilize the economy, intentionally create a disparity among these factors and disturb the balance defined by the model. In other words, the stabilization programs try to stabilize an economy through a destabilizing mechanism. This thesis describes these disparities, illuminates how they are created by stabilization programs, and examines the role of them in the mechanism that generally leads to failures through these programs. Next, it is shown that Turkish Stabilization Programs implemented in the last two decades are also based on the disparities and try to use disparities to stabilize the economy. It is demonstrated that the weak TL to reinforce the exports in 1980s, the strong TL and high real interest rates to tackle the inflation in 1990s, and strong TL and negative real interest rates through the 2000 ERBS program, and high real interest rates and accordingly strong TL in the 2001 Strengthening Turkish Economy Program, are the basis or the outcomes of these programs. The research question of this study is how these disparities affect the corporate sector. Using a panel data set over the 1994-2003 period and covering 198 industrial companies issued in the ISE, it is shown that these disparities have deteriorating effects on the corporate sector. Specifically, an immediate negative effect of appreciation of domestic currency on the operational profitability and asset turnover of the corporate sector is observed. On the other hand, appreciation of domestic currency has a positive impact on the short-term solvency of the corporate sector. Real interest rates also have a negative impact on the profitability of the corporate sector. In addition, primary budget balance, which is crucial for a stable economy, has a negative impact on the profitability and asset turnover, and can be very destructive for the corporate sector when high primary budget surpluses are targeted. To summarize, this thesis proposes that a stabilization program should not involve mechanisms that lead to disparities. Ertuna (1999) demonstrates that a nominal anchor, violating the interest rate and purchasing power parities, leads to unsustainable mechanisms and vicious circles, and generally ends with economic crisis. This thesis reemphasizes this issue and also finds that the disparities among interest rates, inflation and exchange rate, have deteriorating effects on the financial figures of the corporate sector, even if they don't end with an economic crisis. It is also recommended that the corporate sector should be aware of the risks and impacts generated by disparities, take precautions, and hedge their risks, if they can, when they observe a disparity among these factors.
Effects of public ownership on corporate performance: empirical evidence from Turkish manufacturing industry
(Thesis (Ph.D.)-Bogazici University. Institute for Graduate Studies in Social Sciences, 2004., 2004.) Saraç, Mehmet.; Ertuna, İbrahim Özer,
This dissertation provides an empirical analysis of the changes in operating performance and certain financial characteristics of firms as they make the transition from private to public ownership through initial public offerings (IPOs). The expectations are tested on a sample of 81 Turkish manufacturing firms that went public between 1990 through 1998 inclusive. Eight-year-data of each firm around IPO year are included in the sample. First, operating return on assets, sales, capital expenditures, leverage and cost of financing of each firm in the sample are examined throughout an eight-year-window. Statistical analyses are performed to see if there are significant differences before and after IPOs. Then, the possible causes are investigated to explain the changes. Change in certain stock market indicators is also considered.The findings show that firms exhibit a substantial decline in post-IPO operating performance, assets turnover and capital expenditures on assets. There is an increase in leverage and decrease in cost of borrowing. Those firms retaining higher proportion of capital inside seem to exhibit less decrease in performance after IPO. Those firms that underprice their stocks at IPO seem to show higher decrease in post-IPO performance. These two findings, however, lack sufficient statistical significance. High-pre-IPO operating performance and market buoyancy around IPO date seem to lead investors to develop optimistic assessments of earnings growth.
The diffusion and institutionalization of professional personnel/human resources management discourse in Turkey: a narrative appoach 1900-1999
(Thesis (Ph.D.)-Bogazici University. Institute for Graduate Studies in Social Sciences, 2004., 2004.) Erçek, Mehmet.; Say, Arzu İşeri.
Construction, diffusion and institutionalization of managerial knowledge and/or discourse (CDIMD) represents a loosely coupled research track, which has been inspired by a reflexive concern among scholars (Alvarez, 1998). This thesis attempts to contribute to this prolific research track by engaging in a qualitative investigation in order to understand and explain the dynamics of diffusion/translation (Latour, 1986) and local institutionalization of professional Personnel/ Human Resources Management (PHRM) discourse in Turkey within the time frame of the 20th Century. A hermeneutical discourse analysis of selected professional management circles, archival documents of relevant civil associations and interviews with selected Turkish personnel/human resources elites is carried out and a local narrative of professional PHRM discourse paying special attention to contextuality and intertextuality is constructed (Czarniawska, 1999; Thatchenkery, 2001; Fairclough, 1995). Evidence from the narrative constructed in this thesis offers complementary views to the theoretical propositions developed by Sahlin-Andersson and Engwall (2002a; 2002b), who situate diffusion of managerial ideas in a more dynamic framework. Besides, some novel contributions regarding the labelling of managerial discourses (Tiratsoo, 2002) and knowledge carriers (Sahlin-Andersson and Engwall, 2002a) are also posited. Nevertheless, it can be argued that the Turkish narrative constructed in this thesis mostly contributes to the extant repertoire of knowledge concerning the processes of CDIMD by affirming the connectivity between events, activities, discourses and identities as these are located in time and space. While it puts forward the significance of symbolic processes alongside with structural aspects of CDIMD, it particularly emphasizes the embeddedness of the processes concerning CDIMD in the larger social context and temporality. Complementary to these discussions is the implications for neo-institutional theory, which address two important points. First point relates to the reconsideration of the notion of 'organizational fields' (DiMaggio and Powell, 1983; 1991). The second point, that this thesis provides an important contribution, refers to the disproportionate emphasis of neo-institutionalist thinking over stability and similarity rather than change and divergence. Following this theoretical debate, a theoretical model is posited based on the works by Hasselbladh and Kallinikos (2000) and Czarniawska and Jeorges (1996) in order to re-present how institutional change may occur.
An integrated frame work for marketing in an organizational :|the case of Turkey
(Thesis (Ph.D)-Bogazici University. Institute for Graduate Studies in Social Sciences, 2004., 2004.) Akkaya, Azize Ebru.; Borak, Eser.
In this dissertation, the main objective is to assess the relationships between organizational orientation, strategic orientation, organizational culture, organizational capabilities, organizational form, and organizational performance, employee responses and customer satisfaction. Second, it is aimed to discover whether the relationships between these organizational dimensions and organizational performance is moderated by organizational learning, innovation and by market turbulence, competitive intensity, technological turbulence and market growth. In the introduction, the importance of marketing in an organizational setting has been explored. The scope and objectives of the study are also provided in this section. A thorough and comprehensive review of literature has been presented in the second section. A comprehensive conceptual model, which includes various organizational dimensions together with their consequences and moderating factors, is presented in the third section. After discussing the importance of each variable for the model, a selected part of it has been used for empirical purposes. For the collection of empirical data, 152 managers of strategic business units in the Turkish market were directed a carefully designed questionnaire. SPSS 12.0 has been used for the statistical part of the study. Pearson correlation, One-way ANOVA, T-test, Fisher's Z-tests, and multiple regression analyses have been conducted for the test of the hypotheses.The findings suggest that market orientation, proactiveness, futurity and riskiness strategic orientations lead to higher business performance, more favorable employee responses and higher customer satisfaction. Organizational innovation and market turbulence moderate the relation between market orientation and performance whereas organizational learning and market-related factors moderate some parts of the relations between strategic orientation and performance. Adhocracy culture positively and hierarchy culture negatively affects performance, employee responses and customer satisfaction. Organizational innovation, organizational learning, competitive intensity and market growth are the moderating factors for the relation between some forms of organizational culture and performance. Organizational capabilities all contribute positively to performance and employee responses. Excel at spanning capabilities also improves customer satisfaction. Technological turbulence and market growth moderate the relation between spanning capabilities and performance. Relational and network forms affect performance and employee responses positively whereas hierarchical forms affect them negatively. Organizational innovation, learning, and market-related factors act as contingency factors for the relations between some organizational forms and performance measures. Finally, numerous implications have been proposed for managers, researchers and future research areas are designated. This study contributes to the relevant literature by providing a comprehensive literature review, theoretical framework, and empirical study on the selected topics.
Internationalization of Turkish manufacturing firms: foreign direct investment outflow
(Thesis (Ph.D.)-Bogazici University. Institute of Social Sciences, 2004., 2004.) Kaya, Harun.; Erden, Deniz Atiye, 1946-.
This thesis provides an empirical analysis of internationalization of Turkish manufacturing firms (TMFs) through foreign direct investment (FDI). Drawing from official sources and with the researcher's individual efforts, more than 200 TMFs that engaged in FDI are identified. With an extensive literature review, and by conducting interviews a survey questionnaire is developed and then pre-tested. After revision, the questionnaire is administered to a sample of 94 TMFs. About forty-five percent of these firms were among the largest companies of Turkey; and, rest of them were small and medium-sized firms.In exploring TMFs' FDI involvement; first, relative strengths of these firms and the importance of the strengths in their internationalization are identified. Second, perceived performance of TMFs' foreign equity ventures and its relationship with parent firm's capabilities are determined. Third, strategic pull (host country-related) and push (home-country-related) motives of these firms' internationalization are examined. Fourth, relevance and usefulness of eclectic, Uppsala and network theories for TMFs' internationalization are investigated. In examining the issues of TMFs' capabilities, performances, motives and other subjects, hypothesis are developed and tested (by means of factor analysis, logistic regression analysis, multiple regression analysis, t tests and analysis of variance) with respect to sample characteristics of age, size, industry type, choice of host country location, and entry mode. Findings are reported and discussed.

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