Welcome to Griffith Open

Griffith Open collects, preserves and makes freely available research publications by Griffith College staff and learners. These can include, but are not limited to, theses, peer-reviewed articles, book chapters, working papers and conference papers, professional presentations, exhibitions and teaching resources. Where material has already been published it is made available subject to the open-access policies of the original publishers. This service is maintained by Griffith College Library.

Recent Submissions

Protection of Personal Data in Digital Service: Analysing Coerced Consumers’ Consent and the relevant Legal Frameworks in the EU
(Griffith College, 2023) Hor, Shindy; Delap, Eoin
In the dynamic digital era, consent is a cornerstone of online interactions. This research delves into coerced consent within digital services, examining its ethical and legal dimensions and highlighting challenges. It underscores the importance of informed consent, which can be compromised by intricate technology and manipulative designs like dark patterns. The EU's regulatory framework, notably the GDPR and e-privacy laws, is central. The study assesses their role in privacy and data protection, but acknowledges their potential inadequacy in the ever-growing digital landscape. It also discusses the emerging regulations like the AI Act, Data Act, DSA, and DMA, which are proposed to complement the existing framework. However, due to their recent introduction and pending implementation, their immediate impact on coercion and dark patterns remains uncertain. Addressing coerced consent, the research highlights issues curbing user autonomy, transparency, and choices within the EU's regulatory scope. The study underscores the importance of adaptable regulatory frameworks while noting that dark patterns raise legal concerns due to their potential violation of regulations. The research significantly contributes to data privacy and consent discussions by critically examining coerced consent's complexity. It blends legal analysis with socio-legal insights, offering a comprehensive perspective. While robust, the study acknowledges that the impact of new regulations depends on their eventual enactment. It identifies avenues for future exploration and the potential implications of coerced consent in specific digital contexts such as social media. In essence, this research navigates the intricate terrain of coerced consent within digital services, highlighting ethical, legal, and practical dimensions. It underscores the need for transparent consent practices and adaptable regulatory frameworks to preserve users' rights amid the dynamic digital evolution.
The emergence of the right to identify in Ireland: addressing the 'historic wrongs' or ignoring the privacy interests?
(Griffith College, 2023) Gvimradze, Giorgi; Kiernan, Caoimhe
This thesis assessed the compatibility of Irish legislation on the right to identity of adopted persons with the obligations deriving from the European Convention on Human Rights (hereinafter 'ECHR'). The analysis took into account the existing socio-legal context of Ireland regarding the adoption practice. The peculiarities related to the right to identity were discussed - the interests protected by it and threats coming out from its realisation. Accordingly, the development of the European Court of Human Rights' (hereinafter 'ECtHR' or 'Court') case-law was also observed in detail. As a result, relevant conclusions were drawn regarding the scope of the obligations arising from the ECHR. Finally, the author argued that Ireland's Birth Information and Tracing Act (hereinafter 'BITA') is incompatible with the ECHR obligations due to the absolute nature of the right to identity. Consequently, recommendations were presented to align Ireland's legal framework with the ECHR.
Evaluation of Cross-Border Personal Data Transfer Mechanisms between Malaysia and the European Union
(Griffith College, 2023) Teh, Esther Sue Hui; Healy, Denis
In this paper, the author analysed the diverse mechanisms of cross-border personal data transfers under the European Union General Data Protection Regulation (“GDPR”). This paper further considered the suitability of adopting these mechanisms to the judicial landscape of Malaysia, including the Personal Data Protection Act 2010 (“PDPA”), by comparing the PDPA against the GDPR. In this dissertation, it was shown that the PDPA bears resemblance to the GDPR to a certain extent. This paper further revealed that the disparity between the PDPA and the GDPR was found to be the impediment of the PDPA in adopting cross-border personal data transfers mechanisms, which presented a potential trade hindrance in the advanced trade partnership between Malaysia and the European Union through their Partnership and Cooperation Agreement. The author proposed that the PDPA be amended to address the impediments portrayed in the PDPA to strengthen its personal data protection framework, facilitate the adoption of the cross-border personal data transfers mechanisms to the PDPA and to enhance the appeal of Malaysia as a global trading partner.
Reshaping the Irish Economy: The Impact of International Mergers and Acquisitions on the Irish Technology Sector (2021-2023)
(Griffith College, 2024) M Hassan, Sara; Whelan, Suzanne
This dissertation investigates the impact of international mergers and acquisitions (M&A) on the Irish technology sector, focusing on how these activities have reshaped corporate strategies, influenced organizational culture, and affected the broader economic landscape from 2021 to 2023. The research seeks to provide a comprehensive understanding of the key challenges and opportunities faced by Irish technology firms involved in M&A, with particular attention to strategic realignment, workforce integration, and regulatory influences. The study adopts a mixed-methods approach, combining quantitative survey data from professionals within the Irish technology sector with qualitative insights obtained through structured interviews with senior executives from companies that experienced M&A during the period. The surveys captured perspectives on organizational culture, strategic realignment, employee morale, and economic impact, while the interviews provided deeper context on leadership decisions, cultural integration, and strategic shifts post-acquisition. Key findings from the research reveal that strategic realignment is a critical driver of post-M&A success. Companies that effectively realigned their strategies towards global expansion, product innovation, and operational efficiency were better positioned to realize the benefits of M&A, such as increased market share and competitive advantage. These companies often leveraged synergies from the merger to innovate more rapidly, penetrate new markets, and streamline operations, leading to sustained growth. However, the research also underscores the complexities of cultural integration, with several companies struggling to maintain employee morale and cohesive corporate cultures following mergers. The research also highlights the supportive role of Ireland’s regulatory environment in facilitating M&A activities, enabling smoother transitions for firms while ensuring compliance with legal and financial standards. Nonetheless, the increased competition from global players entering the Irish market post-M&A presents both challenges and opportunities for local firms. This study contributes to both academic literature and business practice by providing actionable recommendations for companies to enhance post-M&A integration and for policymakers to sustain a regulatory framework that fosters both growth and fair competition in the technology sector. Future research directions are proposed, focusing on longitudinal studies of post-M&A outcomes and comparative analyses across different industries and regions.
The Importance of Protecting Trademarks For Small To Medium-sized Coffee Retailers in Dublin, Ireland
(Griffith College, 2024) George, Abhijith; Dayman, Charlie
This research investigates the current practices and challenges faced by small to medium-sized coffee retailers in Dublin in protecting their trademarks and examines the impact of trademark protection on their business performance. The study aims to explore the role of trademarks in safeguarding daily business operations, analyse the collaborative management of trademarks, and evaluate the impact of intellectual property (IP) strategic decision-making on competitive advantages through a survey conducted with key stakeholders. A positivism research philosophy was applied, supporting the collection and analysis of quantifiable data. A deductive approach was utilized, aligning with the quantitative research method, and a descriptive research design was chosen to focus on the importance of trademark protection for coffee retailers in Dublin. A total of 92 voluntary respondents participated in the survey, and the data were analysed using SPSS 25. The findings reveal that trademark rights are of significant concern for small and medium-sized coffee retailers in Dublin. While most retailers prioritize acquiring trademark rights in Ireland, a considerable portion also holds rights for the European Union, though few have pursued international trademark protection. The results indicate that 35.9% of respondents are uninterested in obtaining proper knowledge about trademark protection, while most participants express a desire to learn more about property rights. Additionally, the majority of respondents regularly seek legal advice, highlighting the importance of legal consultation in avoiding legal issues and gaining knowledge about property acts. This research underscores the crucial role of trademarks in the business strategy of Dublin's coffee retailers and the need for continued education and legal support in this area.