Publications

<put in a picture of my dissertation>

Title:

Location:

University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, Alabama

Dissertation Emphasis:

Strategy, Channels, Retailing

Dissertation Area:

Restaurant Franchising

The purpose of this study is to develop and empirically test a conceptual framework which explains how the organizational variables of strategy-making processes and corporate climate interact to affect the relationship between the environment and channel behavioral patterns. The conceptual framework was tested by collecting data from the fast food franchise industry. The findings indicate the importance of including organizational variables into traditional channel models. The impact of a firm's strategy-making process exceeds the normal bounds of the organization through boundary-spanning personnel. Such individuals exhibit behaviors to external channel partners that are consistent with the internal corporate climate. In turn, these behaviors foster channel climates which will either strengthen or weaken the overall channel relationship.

Acknowledgments:

I have received assistance and support from many people in completing this dissertation. I am forever grateful to all of them.

I owe special thanks to Dr. Robert Robicheaux, my dissertation committee chair. His valuable advice and leadership during all phases of the dissertation were key determinants in the final product. His confidence and patience served as motivating factors throughout this process. I am most indebted to him for the time and effort he has invested in my work.

I would also like to thank the other members of my dissertation committee, Professors Robert Morgan, Toppy Ezell, Jay Sterling, Brian Gray, and Mark Weaver for their time and guidance. Each, in his or her own way, made the final product that much better. I would also like to thank Dr. Morris Mayer for his encouragement and support throughout my doctoral program. I was very fortunate to have had such an excellent teaching mentor over the last four years.

I also wish to thank Dr. Bob Brooks for the innumerable things he has done for me over the past four years. Bob has taught me how to truly have an impact in this profession by reaching out and caring for students. The Christian love he has extended me can never be repaid. I honestly believe that I would not have a Ph.D. today if were not for Bob Brooks. You will always be one of my closest and most dear friends.

I sincerely appreciate the moral support and encouragement provided by my parents, Russell and Linda White. They taught me that dedication and good old-fashioned hard work will prevail. They were right!

I owe special thanks to my wife, Laura White, for being my source of inspiration during my entire doctoral program. I particularly appreciate all the sacrifices she made over the last twelve months during the writing of this manuscript. In order to allow me the peace and quiet needed to complete this document, Laura has gone way beyond the call of duty in caring for our two sons, Daniel and Corey. Thus, it is to her that I dedicate this dissertation.

White, Darin, "The Impact of Environmental Uncertainty on Strategy Creation Style in a Franchise Channel Setting," Journal of Strategic Marketing (forthcoming in early 1999).

White, Darin (1997), "Determinants of Altruistic Volunteering: An Empirical Assessment," Journal of Ministry Marketing & Management,

Fall (Vol 4; Number 1).

Brooks, Robert and Darin White (1996), "Pricing of the Option to Delay the Purchase of Extended Service Contracts," Journal of Retailing and Consumer Services, October (Vol 3; Issue 4).

Brooks, Robert and Darin White (1996), "Don’t Copy the Competition, Lead with New Products," Bank Marketing, May (Vol 28; #5).

White, Darin and Robert A. Robicheaux (1995), "Strategy Formation in the Fast Food Industry," Franchise Update, June (Vol 5).

Rowan, Diana M., and Darin White (1997), "Reality Check 97," The Madison County Needs Assessment Final Report, United Way (October 1997).

Rowan, Diana M., and Darin White (1997), "A Report on the Needs of the Madison County Community," The Jackson Sun, October 1997.

Arendall, Steven and Darin White (1998), "Comparing Customer Requirements and Organizational Objectives in a Non-Profit Service Environment," Quality and Management Conference.

Holt, Kenneth, Don Lester, Brent Cunningham, and Darin White (1998), "Applying Porter's Five Industry Forces Model to the Development of Strategic Marketing Plans for College and Universities: May the Force Be with You," International Academy of Business Disciplines Conference; San Fransico, CA; Published in the 1998 Business Research Yearbook.

White, Darin and Robert A. Robicheaux (1995), "The Effect of Strategy Creation Processes on Firm Culture: A Distribution Channel Perspective," 1995 Southern Marketing Proceedings.

White, Darin (1994), "Charitable Advertisements: What is the Most Effective Way to Generate the Donation of Time?," AMA 1994 Educators' Proceedings.

White, Darin (1994), "The Impact of Environmental Heterogeneity on the Creation and Implementation of Distribution Channel Strategy," 1994 Academy of Marketing Science Proceedings.

White, Darin (1994), "Environmental Uncertainty and Influence Strategies in a Multinational Parent-Foreign Subsidiary Dyad: Some Research Propositions," 1994 Southern Marketing Association Proceedings.

White, Darin (1996), "The Voice of the Market", Chamber News, (Fall).

White, Darin ( 1996), "Extended Service Contracts: To Buy or Not to Buy; That is the Question," West Tennessee Business Journal, 2, Winter.

"Dining Out in Jackson," The Jackson Sun Newspaper; Sunday, September 10, 1995, (1D), article written with Scott Porch, business reporter; study conducted by Darin W. White.

White, Darin (1995), "Creating Strategy: It’s More Important Than You Think," Jackson Business Journal, (published in two parts), Spring & Summer editions.

Quoted in the Jackson Sun Newspaper over 40 times since arrival in Jackson.

Dr. White is widely sought as a commentator on contemporary marketing issues; among his media credits is a national radio news story detailing a major economic impact study he conducted. He has been a guest on multiple news/talk radio programs and is widely quoted in such publications as Jackson Sun, Chamber News, the West Tennessee Business Journal, and Light.

Mayer, Morris and Darin White, "Bromberg's: Consumer Advisory Board," in Cases and Problems in Contemporary Retailing, J. Barry Mason, Morris L. Mayer, and Hazel Ezell, 3rd edition, Houston, TX: Dame Publications.

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