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Three essays on the impact of regulatory changes on firms’ operation : a dissertation presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Finance, Massey Business School, School of Finance and Economics
(Massey University, 2023-12-04) Nguyen, Van Phuc
This dissertation offers an in-depth exploration of how major and cross-country laws, such as anti-collusion, enhanced by a leniency program and the recently emerging free trade agreement, such as the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP), influence firms' operational efficiencies and strategies across various contexts. Employing rigorous methodologies, including advanced Difference-in-Differences (DiD) estimators and Propensity Score Matching (PSM-DiD), this research spans multiple countries and time periods to furnish a detailed understanding of regulatory impacts. The first essay investigates the implications of leniency laws on firms' operational efficiency across 64 countries from 1990–2020. Findings reveal that in response to leniency laws, firms adopt a dual strategy: they initially extend credit terms, which pose short-term risks to asset turnover, while also optimizing fixed asset utilization for long-term sustainable growth. The study uncovers considerable heterogeneity in the laws' impact, notably more pronounced in developing economies and within specific cultural frameworks. The study identifies that leniency laws, in particular, affect larger and more profitable firms by leading them to extend more favorable payment terms. Additionally, the laws have a more pronounced impact on developing economies and cultures characterized by specific traits such as low power distance, collectivism, high uncertainty avoidance, and long-term orientation, as outlined by Hofstede (2011). The second essay examines the influence of the CPTPP on Vietnamese firms from 2017–2021, a transformative era where Vietnam pivoted from an agrarian economy to a manufacturing powerhouse where operational efficiency plays a key role (Laiprakobsup & Chorkaew, 2018). This pivotal change, spurred by the “China Plus One” strategy, not only cements Vietnam’s status as a key player in global manufacturing but also warrants an in-depth analysis as to how its competitive labor and production costs, enhanced by a strategic location, contribute to its increasing economic allure. Our study reveals an initial dip in operational efficiency during the first year of the CPTPP, indicating a strategic realignment phase with increased fixed asset investments and trade credit extensions. However, subsequent years saw a substantial recovery in operational efficiency, marking the successful adaptation of the new trade conditions. The CPTPP's effects were particularly pronounced for high profitability, large-sized firms, those listed on HOSE, and, since 2020, those resilient to the impact of COVID-19. Financially constrained firms seek to use the CPTPP for revenue gains and stress relief but remain cautious about major investments due to debt management concerns. Our findings underscore the transformative role of major trade agreements, and the strategic shifts firms employ to harness these opportunities. The third essay explores the influence of the CPTPP on Research and Development (R&D) investment strategies within Japanese firms. The CPTPP's Chapter 18, with its comprehensive intellectual property protections, presents an opportunity for Japan to rejuvenate its innovation sector, especially as the nation seeks to reclaim its status as a technological leader amid a historical decline in patent registrations. The study presents a detailed impact of the CPTPP on R&D activities within Japanese firms. While enhanced intellectual property protections boost R&D investment, this is counterbalanced by opportunities for market expansion. Manufacturing firms aligned with Japan's cultural long-term orientation consistently increase R&D activities, while service-oriented and technology-intensive firms initially scale down, but eventually recover. Financially constrained firms and those with high sales growth exhibit similar, but distinct patterns in R&D investment. All these findings are framed within the Pecking Order Theory and Japan's cultural norms. Collectively, navigating through the intricacies of international industries and cultures, these essays shed light on the strategic adaptations of firms across the globe. They provide a valuable addition to the scholarly conversation and offer practical guidance for decision-makers worldwide.
Olivine-hosted MIs as recorders of processes and conditions of slab dehydration and magmatic differentiation in the subduction zones of northern Japan : a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Earth Science at Massey University, Palmerston North, New Zealand
(Massey University, 2021) Brahm Scott, Raimundo
Subduction zones are the controlling mechanisms of geochemical cycling between the Earth’s crust and mantle. Transfer of incompatible trace elements and volatile species from the subducted slab to the mantle wedge by an H₂O-rich component triggers hydrous melting of the metasomatized mantle. This mechanism produces the magmatism that gives rise to volcanic arcs across the globe. The analysis of basic volcanic products from arc settings thus provides a window to study the processes involved in arc magmatism, from the mass transfer of slab to mantle wedge, partial melting, transport, differentiation and storage. In particular, olivine-hosted MIs (OHMIs) provide a window to assess for early magmatic processes without the interference of the crystal cargo, as they are potentially less affected by differentiation processes. OHMIs have the additional advantage of having the potential to retain the volatile signatures (H₂O, CO₂, S, Cl and F) which are usually lost through degassing during ascent and eruption. The subduction zones of northern Japan make for an excellent natural laboratory for the study of arc variations as they have been well characterized by seismic tomography work, making for more accurate estimations of the geometry and PT conditions of the subducted slab. There is a significant variation in the distance of the volcanic front to the trench, and in addition there is back-arc magmatism, with one volcano located extremely far from thetrench. This produces a broad distribution of PT conditions of the slab below each volcano, making it feasible to study across-arc variations related to progressive subduction. This thesis addresses the problem of post-entrapment processes that can make the recovery of initial OHMI compositions difficult. In particular, the identification of complete Fe-Mg re-equilibration of long stored antecrystic olivine hosts impedes the recovery of the syn-entrapment melt composition from traditional reverse crystallization and diffusion models. The MushPEC algorithm is developed, a novel tool to recover original MI compositions from a set of cogenetic re-equilibrated OHMIs that evolved through simple fractional or equilibrium crystallization. Next, the storage conditions and differentiation process recorded by MI populations from five arc-front samples of northern Japan are addressed. Homogeneous olivine compositions with a wide range of SiO₂ contents indicate that most olivine-hosts in arc front systems of northern Japan are antecrystic and have been completely re-equilibrated. Application of the MushPEC algorithm shows that the differentiation trends that the MI follow within each sample are incompatible with simple fractional/equilibrium crystallization and require boundary layer fractionation, where interstitial differentiated melts formed in highly crystallized solidification fronts are progressively extracted and incorporated into the main un-differentiated magmatic body. The estimated P-T-H₂O conditions of the MIs agree with boundary layer fractionation processes, promoted in hydrous melts stored at >100 MPa, as proposed by previous studies. Further, the processes of material release from the slab to the source mantle are addressed, and how they vary with increased P-T conditions across the arc. Across-arc variations of large ion lithophile (LILE), rare earth (REE), high field strength elements (HFSE) and volatile ratios are correlated with the estimated PT conditions of the slab and the expected metamorphic reactions that release components enriched in trace and volatile elements. Constant LILE/HREE and volatile/HREE ratios in the arc front indicate homogeneous slab component compositions along the arc. Progressive enrichment of these ratios towards the back-arc indicates a new liquid source enriched in most LILEs and volatiles. This increase coincides with the expected initiation of the antigorite breakdown reaction in lithospheric serpentinites, providing enriched liquids involved in back-arc magmatism. Constant (Pb, Sr)/HREE from arc to back-arc points to lawsonite breakdown occurring at all depths. Progressive LREE/HREE increase towards the back-arc is explained by increasing LREE mobility with increasing T, which controls the solubility of LREE-rich accessory minerals (e.g., allanite). Finally, the composition of the slab liquid depleted of the LILE and halogen components released by serpentinites when serpentine is exhausted at c. 8 GPa, and strong enrichment of HFSE elements indicates the participation of supercritical liquids at these extreme depths of the slab. This thesis highlights the importance of assessing the re-equilibration of OHMIs during long storage times, a process that is seldom discussed in the literature, the widespread occurrence of boundary layer fractionation in arc magmatic systems that needs to be taken into account when modelling differentiation processes in hydrous magmas, as application of simple fractional crystallization models will result in estimations of inaccurate magmatic conditions. This work also highlights the importance of the hydrated lithospheric mantle on the production of back-arc magmatism in island arc systems and the potential of halogen volatile phases on the tracking of slab fluid compositions.
'Weeaboo Japanese' : exploring English-Japanese language-mixing in online Japanese popular culture fandom : a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master in Philosophy in Linguistics at Massey University, Albany, New Zealand
(Massey University, 2019) Gardiner, Rowan Elizabeth Arbuthnott
The complexities of a globalised modern society pose methodological and theoretical issues for linguistic research in areas such as Language Contact, Language-Mixing, and Sociolinguistics, due to the commodification and transmission of language and language features resulting in new language interactions. The boundary between definitions of language borrowing and code- switching is currently a matter of increased interest, particularly in terms of research identifying cases of language use involving unskilled participants. This study investigates and linguistically analyses the presence of Japanese language features within English language contexts that are produced by members of online discussion forums who are fans of Japanese popular culture, and for whom fluency in Japanese language is not assumed nor required for participation. Corpus linguistics techniques were employed on data gathered from two online sources in order to identify what linguistic features were present and establish their extent according to frequency. These same corpora were qualitatively analysed to establish community attitudes towards English-Japanese language mixing and what these results indicated in terms of policing and community norms, and overall what both the quantitative and qualitative results meant for how the language phenomena could be defined according to current theoretical paradigms. The results showed that the most frequent word class was nouns, and the semantic domains found were mostly related to Japanese fandom concepts that were topical to the forum, such as specific interests, clothing and fashion, food, media related terms, and religion and cultural terms. Most instances were single-word insertions, and where the few multi-word segments occurred they were specifically in reference to a negative stereotype within the community (weeaboo). This stereotype also indicated language policing was a factor affecting language use, and the results showed that while the Japanese language had high status, language use was socially restricted to specific situations and extents of use. The language phenomenon is described as mostly language borrowing behaviours, but as the words retain a high level of knowledge of related assignations and also occur concurrently with a few code-switching type behaviours, the usage-based approach where both elements are considered different aspects of the same continuum is seen as a preferable theoretical paradigm.
Corporate approaches to human sustainability : workforce wellbeing in large Japanese companies : a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirement for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Management at Massey University, Albany, Auckland, New Zealand
(Massey University, 2019) Kobayashi, Kazunori
Sustainability and Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) have become widely researched fields. In recent years, there has been a growing social concern about issues affecting workforce wellbeing and human sustainability. However, little is known about how companies resolve these issues. In particular, there is a dearth of empirical research in these fields examining how companies address workforce wellbeing and human sustainability issues under increasing social pressures. To fill this knowledge gap, this exploratory study examines how large Japanese companies address these issues. It is positioned within a social constructionism/interpretivism paradigm and employs qualitative research methodology, drawing upon interviews with managers from 31 companies, as well as their stakeholders and informants. The study begins by examining workforce wellbeing and human sustainability initiatives promoted by large Japanese companies. It identifies four interconnected areas addressed as integral parts of CSR practices: gender equality, flexibility at work, regulating overwork, and productivity improvement. However, while companies promote initiatives under increasing social pressures, they find it difficult to incorporate the initiatives into CSR strategy due to emerging dilemmas. Next, the study explores the business-society interface in which companies face these dilemmas. It identifies nine factors which constrain the implementation of human sustainability initiatives. The evidence indicates that these factors constitute the underlying system of responsibilities that characterises the existing workstyle, leading to externalised overwork and gendered roles in Japanese society. Finally, the study examines how some companies implement human sustainability initiatives as part of their business strategies, even within these constraints. The evidence shows that these companies seek to proactively align core business practices with human sustainability initiatives, in order to enhance business performance over the long run. The findings also suggest that companies seek to proactively engage with key stakeholders to work through existing stakeholders’ expectations. Overall, the outcomes of this thesis elucidate a conceptual framework of the corporate approaches to workforce wellbeing and human sustainability, incorporating the roles of key stakeholders. This may assist scholars and practitioners to address issues affecting workforce wellbeing and human sustainability more effectively within a given social context. Hence, the contributions of this study are both theoretical and empirical.
Lolita Latina : an examination of Gothic and Lolita style in the Mexican environment : a thesis submitted in fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Visual and Material Culture, College of Creative Arts, Massey University, Wellington, New Zealand
(Massey University, 2019) Hardy Bernal, Kathryn Adèle
This thesis, completed for the award of Doctor of Philosophy in Visual and Material Culture, Ph.D., examines the development of the fashion-based Mexican Gothic and Lolita movement, and its evolution from its subcultural Japanese roots. It asks, “What are the cultural conditions that encourage this movement to flourish in the Mexican environment?” In turn, “What does Mexican culture contribute to Mexican Gothic and Lolita style?” And, “What does Mexican Gothic and Lolita style say about Mexican culture, society, and beliefs?” The Gothic and Lolita movement is currently thriving in Mexico as an authentic, independent, creative, handmade fashion industry, yet to be co-opted into mainstream culture. With the do-it-yourself aspect of the movement comes its own, unique, cultural flavour. As such, it transforms and rearranges meanings of the original subcultural style in order to make new statements, which subvert the meanings, and understandings, of the Japanese Lolita identity. Analyses of Mexican Gothic and Lolita styles, in context with the Mexican environment, culture, and belief systems, as well as the operation of the Mexican Gothic and Lolita industry, are major focal points of this study. Also investigated are the ways the movement reflects, fits into, and departs from, the philosophies of the original subculture, especially regarding sociocultural and gender politics. These latter aspects are critiqued in context with “normative” gender positions, roles and hierarchies, within mainstream Japanese and Mexican societies.
Mooncake packaging design : an exploration of Mid-Autumn Festival symbolism and minimalist design : a thesis presented in partial fulfillment of the requirements for a Master in Design at Massey University, Wellington, New Zealand
(Massey University, 2019) Cui, Jinyan
In this Master of Design thesis project, I explore the excessive packaging of Chinese Mid-Autumn Festival mooncakes and the positive impact of minimalist design on the current packaging trends. In particular, I explore how minimalist design can be subtly applied to mooncake gift-box packaging so as to reflect the traditional values associated with the Mid-Autumn Festival while also offering today’s young Chinese a new approach to this symbolic packaging. I explain, through my design exploration of the legends and customs associated with this ancient and notable festival as well as the visual symbolism, colors, materials, and forms used in mooncake packaging, how this new approach draws inspiration from Japanese minimalist design and traditional Chinese motifs. Through this packaging design exploration, I hope to offer an alternative that maintains the integrity of this festival and its ancient customs.
An examination of new product diffusion in Japan and Taiwan : a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements of the degree of Master of Business Studies (Hons) at Massey University
(Massey University, 1999) Chen, Carol W. Y
The diffusion of new products and services is an important marketing issue given the vast number of new products, brands, and brand extensions being developed and launched every year. Shorter product life cycles mean companies have less time to recoup development costs and optimise elements of the marketing mix. Accordingly, any prior information about the particular innovation or market is essential in aiding decision making. As important is the development of models that can forecast sales and diffusion patterns prior to product launch and during the early stage of the product's life. Furthermore, understanding the diffusion dynamics of different geographic regions is a prerequisite for success in an increasingly global environment that retains many cultural nuances. All of these issues are addressed to some extent in this thesis, but it is the last of these which is the main focus. The Bass diffusion model of new product growth (Bass, 1969) is a mathematical model which focuses on the process by which an innovation is adopted within a social system over time. The original model has three parameters: external influence, p, which represents the impact of factors external to the adopting population such as mass media and advertising; internal influence, q, which includes both verbal and nonverbal interpersonal effects within the adopting population; and the expected total number of adopters or market potential, m. Being inherently non-linear, the model is able to duplicate the s-shaped cumulative adoption curve regularly observed for new products (Dodds, 1973; Sharif and Ramanathan, 1981; Mahajan, Muller and Bass, 1995).
An exploration of embeddedness : with special reference to Japan : a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Arts in Economics at Massey University
(Massey University, 2001) Bruin, Jan C. M. de
This thesis utilises the economic sociology concept of embeddedness as the theoretical underpinning to provide an alternative perspective to traditional explanations of economic growth. In general, the advantages of social embeddedness have been the main focus in the literature on the topic. The main purpose of this study is to explore, with special reference to Japan, how embedded relationships could both enable and hinder growth. The study examines the operation of embedded ties in four key areas: inter-firm interaction with an emphasis on the auto-industry; embedded relationships within the financial sector; networks in the internationalisation of firms and embeddedness between government and business, including a case study of the construction industry. It finds that while embedded ties have several advantageous facets, they also have the potential to be an impediment to growth, flexibility and adaptability to change. Network ties can expand and become so rigidly structured, especially in a Confucian society like Japan, as to become obstacles particularly in the face of changing economic circumstances. They can atrophy. This finding led to the development of the concluding notion of "atrophied embeddedness".
Oshio Heihachirō and his revolt of 1837 : a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Arts in Japanese at Massey University
(Massey University, 1986) Roberts, Geoffrey Dean
Although there is an abundance of resource material concerning Oshio Heihachiro in Japanese, there is very little in English. Thus, this thesis seeks to make available and analyse for English readers some of the rich offerings that exist in Japanese. It sets out to describe the life and times of Oshio and to analyse the influences that moulded his thought and that ultimately motivated him to take action against the heartless hierarchy and greedy merchants who refused to show any compassion on the desperately poor during the disastrous days of the Tempo Famine (1830-1837). The later life and death in an abortive uprising in 1837 of Oshio Heihachiro were a clear commentary on his thought and teaching, namely, the necessity of the unity of knowledge and action. He was a living embodiment of the Wang Yang-ming dictum, "To know and not to act is the same as not knowing at all". His first-hand knowledge of the situation impelled him to action. Oshio's morality and integrity were sincerely demonstrated in his final act of sacrificing his reputation, and even life itself, for his principles. He was a reformer, not a revolutionary as some historians call him. His motivation was moral, not political. His was the dilemma of being grateful for the favours and status that his family enjoyed through the Tokugawa Shogunate and of being grieved by the corruption and inefficiency exhibited by the Shogunate's representatives, of supporting the system in principle on the one hand and of being exasperated by the intransigence of the system's officials on the other. With scant planning and preparation, he foolhardily attacked the heartless bureaucrats and wealthy merchants of Osaka. This was tantamount to a challenge against the most repressive powers of the autocratic authority of his day, the Shogunate itself. His revolt was fated to fail but it sent ripples in ever-widening circles throughout Japan in the final decades of the Tokugawa period.
The QTKanji project : an analysis of the relationship between computer assisted language learning (CALL) and the development of autonomous language learners : a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Arts in Japanese at Massey University, Palmerston North, New Zealand
(Massey University, 2002) Corder, Deborah Mary
An analysis of the relationship between computer Assisted Language Learning (CALL) and the development of autonomous language learners Computer assisted language learning (CALL) software is being introduced into tertiary language programmes for a number of reasons. Research has indicated that CALL is effective for language learning, that it caters for individual learning needs and that it promotes independent learning. By providing structured learning, students can study in their own time without a teacher. Whilst it is now commonly accepted that CALL material must be carefully integrated into the curriculum for it to be effective, there is a move in CALL research away from just evaluation of software to a greater focus on the learner. It is maintained that understanding different learning styles and learner preferences is essential in the creation of CALL packages, and that packages are sufficiently flexible to cater for learners of different ability to manage their own learning. However, while an attraction of CALL is that it fosters independent learning, it is not clear what learners do when they are in the process of becoming independent learners, what CALL environments will foster the development of independent learning skills, and the type of learner who will benefit. This thesis examines the in-house development and trialling of kanji software at the Auckland University of Technology, taking into account the direction of current research into CALL. It provides an initial evaluation of the software design and use, within the framework of research into second language acquisition, learner differences and independent learning. Findings from this initial study will be used to modify the software where necessary and to provide the basis for further research into CALL and language learning.

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