Dissertations / Theses on the topic 'New products Economic aspects'
To see the other types of publications on this topic, follow the link: New products Economic aspects.
Create a spot-on reference in APA, MLA, Chicago, Harvard, and other styles
Consult the top 50 dissertations / theses for your research on the topic 'New products Economic aspects.'
Next to every source in the list of references, there is an 'Add to bibliography' button. Press on it, and we will generate automatically the bibliographic reference to the chosen work in the citation style you need: APA, MLA, Harvard, Chicago, Vancouver, etc.
You can also download the full text of the academic publication as pdf and read online its abstract whenever available in the metadata.
Browse dissertations / theses on a wide variety of disciplines and organise your bibliography correctly.
1
Peak, Geoffrey Colin. "Product innovation and differentiation, intra-industry trade and growth : a thesis submitted in fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy." Title page, contents and abstract only, 2001. http://web4.library.adelaide.edu.au/theses/09PH/09php357.pdf.
Abstract:
Includes bibliograhical references (leaves 239-251) Concerned with the influence that the production of innovative goods has on the economic growth rate of a country. Proposes that amongst the developed economies, the higher the level of production of innovative goods within a country, the higher the GDP growth rate, all else being equal.
2
Paumgarten, Fiona. "The significance of the safety-net role of NTFPS in rural livelihoods, South Africa /." Thesis, Rhodes University, 2007. http://eprints.ru.ac.za/871/.
3
Williams, Rachael M. "Do geographical indications promote sustainable rural development? : two UK case studies and implications for New Zealand rural development policy." Lincoln University, 2007. http://hdl.handle.net/10182/585.
Abstract:
Geographical indications (GIs) are one form of protective labelling used to indicate the origin of food and alcohol products. The role of protected geographical indicators as a promising sustainable rural development tool is the basis for this research. The protection of geographical indications is a rather controversial subject and much research is still required for both sides of the debate. The research method employed for this study is qualitative critical social science. Two Case studies are used to investigate the benefits brought to rural areas through the protection of GIs. The case studies include the GIs Jersey Royal and Welsh Lamb both from the United Kingdom a member of the European Union (the EU is in favour of extended protection of GIs for all agro-food products under the 1994 WTO/TRIPS agreement on geographical indications). Twenty-five indepth interviews were conducted for this study the duration of the interviews was approximately one hour. The study identifies predominantly indirect links between GIs and sustainable rural development, through economic and social benefits bought to rural areas by the GIs investigated - less of a connection was found to ecological elements. No considerable cost for GI protection was discovered. This finding suggests that GIs are worthwhile for implementation in New Zealand as a rural development tool.
4
Low, Ming Kaan. "Design and financial aspects of the end-of-life management of telecommunications products." Thesis, Loughborough University, 1997. http://ethos.bl.uk/OrderDetails.do?uin=uk.bl.ethos.362670.
5
Pornprasitpol, Pornwan Mechanical & Manufacturing Engineering Faculty of Engineering UNSW. "Selective disassembly for re-use of industrial products." Awarded by:University of New South Wales. School of Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering, 2006. http://handle.unsw.edu.au/1959.4/24274.
Abstract:
As a result of rapid product development, the product life cycle has become shorter, and thus the amount of waste from discarded industrial products has risen dramatically. An awareness of the world???s environmental problems has stimulated researchers to explore the opportunities to reuse, recycle and remanufacture end-of-life products. Disassembly is a systematic approach to separating products into components or subassemblies in order to facilitate recovery of components or materials. However, the full disassembly of a product tends to be unproductive due to technical and cost constraints and product conditions after usage. Therefore, selective disassembly has been introduced as a more practical approach, where only a limited number of disassembly paths that lead to selected parts with recovering potential are considered. This research focuses on the development of a selective disassembly methodology by reversing an assembly sequencing approach. The methodology uses a step-by-step approach to generate a disassembly sequence diagram. This involves listing all the parts within the product, generating a liaison diagram to illustrate part relationships and then establishing precedence rules describing prerequisite actions for each liaison. This is followed by segregating disassembly paths that lead to the removal of selected parts or subassemblies. Then a winnowing process is applied to these paths to eliminate invalid disassembly states and transitions. The last step is to select the optimal disassembly path by using the time requirement as the main selection criterion. In order to shorten the time for carrying out the sequencing process, a javabased program that is capable of performing the first three steps has been created. The program requires three basic inputs in forms of precedence rules, and user-required part (s) and disassembly rules, prescribing which liaison (s) should be done subsequent to a particular liaison. The viability of the methodology and the program is proved through seven case studies conducted on a fishing reel, a single-hole punch, a kettle, an entire washing machine and three washing machine subassemblies. The application of the program allows the users to determine an optimal disassembly sequence in a very short time and with only basic product information as the input.
6
Otto, Kevin, Victor Tang, and Warren Seering. "Establishing Quantitative Economic Value for Features and Functionality of New Products and New Services (CHAPTER N)." PDMA Toolbook II, 2003. http://hdl.handle.net/1721.1/3821.
Abstract:
This chapter has two key themes: (1) a list of customer needs is interesting, but insufficient for many development decisions, (2) establishing a quantified, dollar value for each requirement is more helpful. To that end, we present an approach and method to establishing the quantitative monetary value for new product features and performance. This approach is targeted to product development managers and engineers engaged at the “front-end” of the product development process when the decisions about selection and trade-off of product functions and features are made. This approach examines the customer’s business operations and essentially establishing their business case for your product down to the feature and performance levels. This provides for much better trade-off decisions in new product development. This approach also helps to identify whitespace opportunities, those new product and/or service opportunities that are not being served by any current product. Moreover, because the methodology is fine grained, the whitespace opportunities are resolved into clear and actionable product development projects.Center for Innovation in Product Development
7
Cohen, David H. "The adoption of innovative wood processing technologies in the building products industry." Diss., Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, 1989. http://hdl.handle.net/10919/54508.
Abstract:
The strategic importance of the adoption of innovative processing technologies was analyzed for building products businesses. This study examined the two components of wood building products businesses: the structural panel industry and the softwood Iumber industry. To ensure that the relevance of adopting of innovative processing technologies was examined within an accurate contextual environment, additional important strategies and performance were also measured.
A mail survey of the seventy-five largest North American producers of these two products provided the primary data necessary to investigate the strategic importance of process technology adoption, forward vertical integration, relative market share, grade sector focus, and investment intensity on firm performance as measured by profitability surrogates and changes in relative market share. This survey collected direct measures of the proportion of 1987 production produced by respondent firms that used controlled distribution channels and each of twentythree processes indicative of innovative technologies in the manufacture of building products. Information concerning the other strategic and performance factors was collected from secondary data sources.
Results indicate that the adoption of innovative processing technologies has a positive impact on firm profitability. Investment intensity and grade sector focus also contributed to superior profitability. Forward vertical integration, and relative market share had no impact in differences between performance levels for the firms studied.
Technologies were examined for underlying dimensions that group different process technologies together. Firms were clustered according to their level of adoption of innovative processing technologies and these clusters were then described according to a variety of firm-dependent characteristics, strategies, and performance measures. A strategy-performance model was developed for standardized, industrial product-markets and empirically tested using the data collected for the building products industry as an industry representative of this type of competitive environment.Ph. D.
8
Dahl, Darren W. "The use of visual mental imagery in new product design." Thesis, National Library of Canada = Bibliothèque nationale du Canada, 1998. http://www.collectionscanada.ca/obj/s4/f2/dsk2/ftp02/NQ34546.pdf.
9
Ozsut, Melda. "Rentier States and Conflict: New Concepts, Different Perspectives." Thesis, University of North Texas, 2018. https://digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metadc1157529/.
Abstract:
Since the 1970s, a curious phenomenon has emerged, suggesting that resource rich countries are "cursed" by their resources. Over the last couple of decades, researchers have argued that rentier countries are more likely to have educational underachievement, the Dutch disease, corruption, slower democratization, and conflict. Although current research has proven helpful and productive, some aspects still remain contested in both theoretical and empirical terms. This dissertation aims to fill certain lacunae in this literature. My dissertation examines how ordinary citizens turn into dissidents and then to rebels in rentier states. I build and test an innovative theoretical argument, which focuses on individuals' daily lives, and explains how policies by rentier governments discourage merit-based employment. This, in turn, yields a high level of grievance among segments of the population. I also develop a comprehensive theory that combines macro-level and micro-level explanations of conflict onset in rentier states. Finally, I analyze an important, but previously neglected aspect of civil wars in rentier states: conflict outcomes. I suggest that the existence of abundant natural resources would have a significant impact on conflict outcomes. Accordingly, government victory would be more likely, and negotiated settlement would be less likely in rentier countries compared to non-rentier countries.
10
Bonnet, D. C. L. "Integrating market factors in the design and development of technologically advanced new industrial products." Thesis, University of Oxford, 1985. http://ethos.bl.uk/OrderDetails.do?uin=uk.bl.ethos.371603.
11
Gaynor, Daniel Edward. "The pricing, provisioning, and tying of new technologies." Access restricted to users with UT Austin EID Full text (PDF) from UMI/Dissertation Abstracts International, 2001. http://wwwlib.umi.com/cr/utexas/fullcit?p3032397.
12
Fewell, Jason Edward. "The Effect of Lender-Imposed Sweeps on an Ethanol Firm's Ability to Invest in New Technology." Thesis, North Dakota State University, 2009. https://hdl.handle.net/10365/29634.
Abstract:
New federal legislation proposes to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions associated with biofuel production. To comply, existing corn ethanol plants will have to invest in new more carbon efficient production technology such as dry fractionation. However, this will be challenging for the industry given the present financial environment of surplus production, recent profit declines, numerous bankruptcies, and lender imposed covenants. This study examines a dry-mill ethanol firm's ability to invest in dry fractionation technology in the face of declining profitability and stringent lender cash flow repayment
constraints. Firm level risk aversion also is considered when determining a firm's willingness to invest in dry fractionation technology. A Monte Carlo simulation model is constructed to estimate firm profits, cash flows, and changes in equity following new investment in fractionation to determine an optimal investment strategy. The addition of a lender-imposed sweep, whereby a percentage of free cash flow is used to pay off extra debt in high profit years, reduces the firm's ability to build equity and increases bankruptcy risk under investment. However, the sweep increases long-run equity because total financing
costs are reduced with accelerated debt repayment. This thesis shows that while ethanol firm profits are uncertain, the lender's imposition of a sweep combined with increased profit from dry fractionation technology help the firm increase long-run financial resiliency.
13
Merry, Frank. "Improving domestic markets for the wood products of reforestation programs: a case study of eucalyptus in northwestern Senegal." Thesis, Virginia Tech, 1992. http://hdl.handle.net/10919/44159.
14
N'DIAYE, WALY ABOUBACAR. "MILK SUPPLY ADJUSTMENTS AND INVESTMENT BEHAVIOR IN ARIZONA AND NEW MEXICO." Diss., The University of Arizona, 1985. http://hdl.handle.net/10150/188007.
Abstract:
Government involvement in the production and marketing of milk and dairy products is more pronounced than in any other agricultural product. The U.S. government administers two major programs that affect significantly the production and marketing of milk throughout the United States. These are the Federal Milk Marketing Order Program and the Dairy Price Support Program. In Arizona, in addition to these two major programs, the United Dairymen of Arizona Cooperative operates a base system that determines how cooperative milk revenues are allocated among producer members. This dissertation discusses some theoretical models that provide some insights into the following questions: (1) How would the dairy industry perform without the historically administered prices? (2) What are the benefits and costs associated with the order program and the base system? Then, this inquiry focuses on the Arizona and New Mexico dairy sectors. The two production sectors are quite similar, as are the marketing institutions, except for the existence of the base system in Arizona. Milk supply response in Arizona and New Mexico is investigated. Two ways in which supply adjustments can be achieved are identified and empirically investigated. (1) Creation of new dairy facilities or relocation of dairy facilities from other markets. If the decision to invest in Arizona or New Mexico is assumed as given, it is found that the existence of base system is a significant factor in explaining the location choice of new producers. (2) Expansion in output of existing dairy farms. It is found that dairy farmers in Arizona and New Mexico respond to changes in the farm level price of milk. The last effort of the empirical investigation is on the consumers' welfare losses due to the regulations of the Arizona and New Mexico dairy markets. It is found that the milk marketing orders and the policies of the UDA Cooperative in Arizona and AMPI in New Mexico, on the average, enforce a tax on Arizona's consumers of fluid milk in the amount of 10 million dollars per year, or 13.5 percent of producers' total revenue, and a tax on New Mexico's consumers of fluid milk in the amount of 5.6 million dollars per year, or 12.6 percent of producers' total revenue. (Abstract shortened with permission of author.)
15
Gill, Tripat. "Composite products as conceptual combinations : issues of perception, categorization and brand evaluation." Thesis, McGill University, 2002. http://digitool.Library.McGill.CA:80/R/?func=dbin-jump-full&object_id=38486.
Abstract:
This dissertation addresses the issues pertaining to composite products (CPs). CPs are defined as products formed by combining knowledge from two distinct domains, for example, digital cameras, which combine knowledge from digital products and cameras. The three research questions addressed in the dissertation are: (1) how is knowledge combined from two distinct domains of a CP, (2) how are CPs categorized vis-a-vis their two components, and (3) what brands, among those associated with one of the two domains, are preferred in CPs? The thesis here is that CPs can be construed as conceptual combinations---that is, a combination of two concepts, wherein one concept (the "modifier") modifies the knowledge associated with the other (the "header"). Employing the literature in psycholinguistics, two combinatorial processes---namely, property mapping and relation linking---were identified for combining knowledge in CPs. These processes lead to modifications in knowledge associated with the header of a CP (e.g., knowledge about cameras is modified in digital cameras). The extent of these modifications is measured by the proposed construct of modification centrality. As per this construct, modifications in features critical to the function of a header (i.e., central modifications) are perceived as more significant than those in non-critical features (i.e., non-central modifications).Three experimental studies investigated the above research questions. These studies used 16 novel CPs that were created by combining two dissimilar concepts. Study 1 showed that subjects readily combined knowledge from two dissimilar domains, using property mapping or relation linking. In addition, the representation of these CPs varied along their modification centrality, even though the dissimilarity between the two combining domains was held constant. Study 2 showed that the categorization of CPs was contingent upon their similarity to the modifier and header categories. Study 3 showed that both modification centrality and the combinatorial process influenced the categorization and brand preferences in CPs. While CPs with non-central modifications (e.g., disposable cameras) were categorized as headers (i.e., cameras), and header-associated brands were preferred, those with central modifications (e.g., digital cameras) were categorized as both (i.e., digital product and camera), and the modifier brands (i.e., digital brands) gained equity.
16
Lewis, David. "Public Conservation Land and Economic Growth in the Northern Forest Region." Fogler Library, University of Maine, 2001. http://www.library.umaine.edu/theses/pdf/LewisDJ2001.pdf.
17
Grossmann, Volker. "Inequality, economic growth, and technological change : new aspects in an old debate; with ... 5 tables /." Heidelberg ; New York : Physica-Verl, 2001. http://swbplus.bsz-bw.de/bsz088958752cov.htm.
18
Lachs, Stephanie [Verfasser]. "A new family of universal products and aspects of a non-positive quantum probability theory / Stephanie Lachs." Greifswald : Universitätsbibliothek Greifswald, 2015. http://d-nb.info/1071834711/34.
19
Crowther, Kevin D. "Economic factors influencing industrial landowner assistance programs on private forest land in the south." Thesis, Virginia Tech, 1990. http://hdl.handle.net/10919/42416.
20
Chung, Wing-keung Bishop, and 鍾永強. "Economic analysis of land use planning and development in New Territories." Thesis, The University of Hong Kong (Pokfulam, Hong Kong), 1999. http://hub.hku.hk/bib/B31257136.
21
Khabele, Poloko. "Extending insurance products to the low-income market : broad guidelines." Thesis, Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2006. http://hdl.handle.net/10019.1/50606.
Abstract:
Thesis (MBA)--Stellenbosch University, 2006.ENGLISH ABSTRACT: This paper proposes broad guidelines that the formal insurance companies in South Africa should follow when entering the low-income market, specifically LSM 1-5. The guidelines follow on a SWOT analysis of the formal insurance providers present in the informal market. After discussing the risks that the poor face and the riskmitigating strategies that they employ, we identify the opportunities and threats of this market segment. The strengths and weaknesses of the formal institutions are deduced from observations of how the informal institutions supply the credit, savings on which the poor rely. Important lessons and principles that are conducive to servicing the needs of the poor are discussed. To break into this market requires new distribution channels, new products and premium collection methods. The guidelines therefore suggest that strategic alliances be established with informal institutions to enable leverage of their networks and knowledge and to streamline the process. New products designed should incorporate the social features of the informal institutions concerned. New technology, such as prepaid vouchers and vending machines, should be investigated as possible ways of collecting premiums through bank accounts.
AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Hierdie dokument stel voor 'n wye gids wat die formele sektor van versekeraars in Suid-Afrika moet volg binne die lae-inkomste mark, spesifiek LSM 1-5. Hierdie riglyne is baseer op 'n SWOT-analise van formele versekerings verskaffers binne die informele mark. Eers moet die risiko en strategie wat die lae-inkomste sektor volg bespreek word, daarna moet die geleenthede en bedreigings van hierdie deel van die mark ge'identifiseer word. Die sterk- en swakhede van die formele en informele instellings moet waargeneem word, spesifiek hoe hulle krediet en versekerings produkte verskaf. 'n Baie belangrike aspek hiervan is hoe dienstig dit is vir die lae inkomste groepe. Om binne hierdie mark te breek, benodig dit nuwe verspreidings kanale, nuwe produkte en premium kollektiewe metodes. Hierdie riglyne benodig 'n strategiese bondgenootskap met informele instansies sodat dit die kennis en netwerke kan versterk in 'n vaartbelynde proses. Nuwe produkte wat ontwerp word moet sosiale aspekte van die informele sektor in ag neem. Nuwe tegnologie soos vooruitbetaalde kwitansie en muntautomaat masjiene moet ondersoek word as moontlike maniere om premies te kollekteer deur bank rekenings.
22
Cabrera, Elizabeth Fraser. "Development and application of a new utility model for dichotomized criterion." Diss., Georgia Institute of Technology, 1995. http://hdl.handle.net/1853/29392.
23
Sentery, Kabengele. "Prospects for market diversification in SADC for selected South African agricultural and food products." Thesis, Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2014. http://hdl.handle.net/10019.1/86226.
Abstract:
Thesis (MAgricAdmin)--Stellenbosch University, 2014.ENGLISH ABSTRACT: This research provides South Africa's producers and exporters with information on new market opportunities for South Africa's selected agricultural and food products in the Southern African Development Community (SADC). There is increasing global competition and countries in Africa are increasingly targeted as export markets due to its population growth and its increasing per capita income. Both developed countries and developing countries such as the United States of America, China, Brazil, India, etc. are gradually increasing their exports to Africa. In Sub-Saharan Africa, this is also taking place in SADC. In this region, there has been a significant increase in total imports from the mentioned countries from 2001 to 2013. The International Trade Centre market selection method was used for product selection (using the Export Potential Index) and country selection (using the Market Attractiveness Index). Fourteen products were selected and Angola is the most attractive market in the region (SADC) and is ranked first in the Market Attractiveness Index for seven of the fourteen selected products. The top ranking markets for the 14 selected products were identified as: Mauritius for maize, sweetened milk powder, raw cane sugar and wheat or meslin flour; Angola for fresh apples, fresh or dried oranges, sparkling wine, bulk wine, refined cane or beet sugar, frozen bovine cuts, and frozen bovine carcasses and half carcasses; Mozambique for bottled wine; and Zambia for fresh grapes and soya beans. In most cases the countries with the second and third highest rankings in the Market Attractiveness Index also offer opportunities for market diversification. South Africa exports certain products to non-African countries, whereas these non-African countries export the same products to SADC. There are therefore opportunities geographically nearer to South Africa, because South Africa could export these products to SADC. Exporters should not necessarily abandon non-African markets in order to export to SADC; however they should be aware of opportunities close by and develop strategies to maximize profit and maintain sustainable markets.
AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Hierdie navorsing bied aan Suid-Afrika se produsente en uitvoerders inligting oor nuwe markgeleenthede vir Suid-Afrika se geselekteerde landbou-en voedselprodukte in die Suider Afrikaanse Ontwikkelingsgemeenskap (SAOG). Daar is toenemende globale mededinging en lande in Afrika word toenemend geteiken as uitvoermarkte as gevolg van bevolkingsgroei en die stygende per capita inkomste. Beide ontwikkelde en ontwikkelende lande soos die Verenigde State van Amerika, China, Brasilië, Indië, ens. verhoog geleidelik hulle uitvoere na Afrika. In Sub-Sahara Afrika, gebeur dit ook in SAOG. In hierdie streek, was daar „n betekenisvolle toename in invoere vanaf die genoemde lande van 2001 tot 2013. Die Internasionale Handelsentrum markseleksie metode is gebruik om produkte te kies (met die Uitvoer Potensiaal Indeks) en om lande te kies (met die Mark Aantreklikheidsindeks). Veertien produkte is gekies en Angola is die mees aantreklike mark in die streek (SAOG) en is bo-aan die lys in die Mark Aantreklikheidsindeks vir sewe van die veertien geselekteerde produkte. Die top markte vir die 14 geselekteerde produkte is geïdentifiseer as: Mauritius vir mielies, versoete melkpoeier, ruwe rietsuiker en mengkoringmeelblom; Angola vir vars appels, vars of gedroogde lemoene, vonkelwyn, grootmaat wyn, verwerkte riet- of beetsuiker, bevrore beessnitte, en bevrore bees karkasse en half karkasse; Mosambiek vir gebottelde wyn; en Zambië vir vars druiwe en vir sojabone. In meeste gevalle bied lande met die tweede en derde hoogste punte in die Mark Aantreklikheidsindeks ook geleenthede vir markdiversifikasie. Suid-Afrika voer sekere produkte uit na nie-Afrika lande, terwyl hierdie nie-Afrika lande weer dieselfde produkte na die SAOG uitvoer. Daar is dus geleenthede geografiese nader aan Suid-Afrika, want Suid-Afrika kan hierdie produkte na die SAOG uitvoer. Uivoerders moet nie noodwendig oorsese markte laat vaar om na die SAOG uit te voer nie, maar hulle moet bewus wees van nader geleenthede en strategieë ontwikkel om wins te maksimeer en volhoubare markte te handhaaf.
24
Budu, Ben Asare. "Economic feasibility of processing food waste and incorporating processed food waste products in least cost duck feeds." Thesis, McGill University, 2001. http://digitool.Library.McGill.CA:80/R/?func=dbin-jump-full&object_id=33067.
Abstract:
The focus of this thesis was to analyze the least cost of producing rations for ducks in three age categories from a mixture of conventional feed ingredients and three different processed food waste products and to examine the financial and economic feasibility of establishing an industrial plant to produce these food waste products in the Montreal region. The first part of the thesis was investigated through the use of a linear programming model. The effect of recognizing the variability of protein levels in the various feed ingredients was examined through the use of chance-constrained programming.The second part of the thesis was examined using economic and financial analyses for the investment. The basic plant requirements to produce the three processed food waste products were the same, however energy costs were different for the three products. Revenue was generated from tipping fees and the sale of the three processed food waste products. (Abstract shortened by UMI.)
25
Tackie, Richard. "Economics of bio-ingredients production from shrimp processing waste in Newfoundland." Thesis, McGill University, 2002. http://digitool.Library.McGill.CA:80/R/?func=dbin-jump-full&object_id=79139.
Abstract:
This thesis examined the economics of producing high value bio-ingredients such as chitin and carotenoprotein from shrimp processing waste in Newfoundland. The shrimp waste in the province was estimated to be at least 37000 tons annually. A survey of shrimp processing plants in the province revealed that the waste generated was relatively pure with little or no foreign material. The economic engineering approach was employed to estimate the production cost of chitin and carotenoprotein at the laboratory and pilot scale levels. At the laboratory scale where 480 kg/year of raw material (shrimp waste) was processed, the cost of chitin and carotenoprotein was found to be $159/kg and $315/kg, respectively. At the pilot scale level, the cost of chitin and carotenoprotem was estimated to be $125/kg and $244/kg, respectively based on volume of 4800 kg/year. Sensitivity analysis was carried out to establish the cost variations due to changes in the quantity of starting raw material, labor cost and cost of laboratory supplies (chemicals and enzymes). The cost of chitin and caroteinoprotein showed a decreasing trend with increasing scale of production. An expert opinion survey was conducted with a selected panel of 9 experts from the shrimp processing industry, chitin related industry, and the academic/research community to determine the potential market of the high-grade chitin/chitosan in Canada. The results showed that the health and nutraceutical industry is the most promising niche for high-grade chit in/chitosan. The survey also indicated that potential market would be high in Ontario and Quebec due to the presence of large health and nutraceutical companies in the big metropolitan areas of these regions.
26
Khwela, Gcwelumusa Chrysostomus. "Challenges of arms transfers facing the emerging supplier states in the new international political economy." Thesis, Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2003. http://hdl.handle.net/10019.1/53324.
Abstract:
Thesis (MMil)--Stellenbosch University, 2003.ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The fundamental motivation for emerging arms suppliers to produce arms was the desire to overcome their position of dependence in the system of arms production and transfers. However, their predicament as late entrants into the system castigated them to fail in this endeavour. This failure is based on three criteria, which also assist in the identification of emerging suppliers. Firstly, the weaponry they produce is far below the sophistication characterised by higher levels of technological advancement. Secondly, they can only produce one or two advanced weapon systems. Finally, they rely on the leading suppliers for certain sophisticated components of weapon systems which they cannot produce themselves and as a result, become so dependent that they, with an exception of a few, are unable to go beyond the simple reproduction or retrofitting of existing weapon systems. The capability to produce arms was restrictedly extended to certain states in the post-war era, and even those states that obtained such a capability were confmed to producing small arms and platforms for naval vessels. Those states that went beyond these capabilities did so with the assistance of other states or specialists, the initial intention being to meet domestic requirements, and ultimately to dispose surplus Second World War equipment in the re-transfer market. The emerging supplier states' intention to develop indigenous arms industries was driven by the political urge to reduce their reliance on the leading suppliers and to nationalise the arms production process for import substitution in order to meet domestic security needs. Since the emerging suppliers began the process of defence industrialisation from the importation of complete weapon systems to import substitution, and ultimately to the promotion of exports, they mainly relied on technology imported from the leading suppliers. On the one hand, the leading suppliers attempted to hinder the efforts of emerging suppliers to promote arms exports so as to protect their oligopolistic share of the arms market through tightening the controls and regulations on technological supplies. On the other, the emerging suppliers were impelled to promote their arms exports in order to overcome the saturation of their domestic markets, to utilise effectively their arms production capacities, and to positively affect their balance of payments through the procreation of foreign exchange returns. This study reached the following conclusions and inferences: 1. The arms trade has evolved to be characterised by the transfer of military technology, which did not feature in the arms transactions of the previous periods. 2. The gap between the leading and emerging suppliers is widening with regard to the sophistication of technological capabilities, and accordingly the stratification within the arms production and transfer system is sustainable and reinforced, thus making it hard for the lower tiers to progress beyond their current status. 3. The emerging suppliers' share of and contribution into the arms market is constricted, and as such they specialise in specific (often uncomplicated) weapon systems that constitute niches in the global market. 4. The unfolding arms production and transfer system is characterised by a fiercely competitive atmosphere, and consequently, only those states that can subsidise or integrate their efforts are enabled to sustain an advanced arms production faculty. 5. As the emerging suppliers begin to introduce more and more of their wares into the market, the costs of research and development begin to soar in the same manner as those of the leading suppliers, thus urging them to become more export-oriented. 6. Participants in the system will be compelled to relinquish their comparative technological superiority in order to survive, thus narrowing the gap between the capabilities possessed by both the leading and the emerging suppliers.
AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die onderliggende motivering van opkomende wapenverskaffers om wapens te produseer word toegeskryf aan 'n behoefte om hulle relatiewe afhanklikheid in die stelsel van wapenproduksie en - handel te oorkom. Boonop het die laat toetrede tot die stelsel hierdie opkomende verskaffers se kanse tot sukses verder belemmer. Die rede vir die onsuksesvolle toetrede word gebasseer op drie kriteria (wat ook dien as identifiserende eienskappe van opkomende wapenverskaffers). Eerstens, die wapens wat opkomende verskaffers lewer skiet tekort aan die vereiste gesofistikeerde standaarde van die gevestigde wapenprodusente. Tweedens, hulle kan slegs een of twee gevorderde wapenstelsels produseer. Derdens, sekere komponente van wapenstelsels word verkry by die gevestigde verskaffers, wat lei tot afhanklikheid tot so 'n mate dat die opkomende verskaffer se vermoëns beperk word tot eenvoudige reprodusering of herinstallasies van bestaande stelsels. Trouens, in die post-oorlog tydperk is die vermoë om wapens te produseer doelbewus beperk tot sekere state wat 'n afgebakende reeks van handwapens en uitrusting vir vloot vaartuie kon vervaardig. State wat verby hierdie vermoë beweeg het, het dit gedoen met behulp van ander state of spesaliste, oorspronklik met die oog op die huishoudelike behoefte maar ook om ontslae te raak van surplusse uit die Tweede Wêreldoorlog. 'n Politieke begeerte om in hulle eie sekuriteitsbehoeftes te voorsien deur middel van invoersubstitusie, het die opkomende verskaffers genoop om ontslae te raak van die afhanklikheid op gevestigde verskaffers en om die wapenproduseringsproses te nasionaliseer. Hulle het hoofsaaklik gesteun op ingevoerde tegnologie om die verdedigingsbedryf te industrialiseer. Die proses het so verloop: volledige wapenstelsels is ingevoer, daarna het invoersubstitusie plaasgevind, en daarna 'n bevordering van uitvoere. Gevestigde verskaffers het endersyds probeer om (deur middel van strenger kontrole en regulasies of tegnologiese ware) die opkomende verskaffers te verhoed om hulle oligopolistiese houvas op die mark te belemmer en andersyds moes opkomende verskaffers noodgedwonge hulle uitvoere bevorder om te voorkom dat die plaaslike mark versadig word. Die laasgenoemde aspek het ook die betalingsbalans van opkomende verskaffers positief beinvloed as gevolg van die inkomste uit buitelandse valuta. Hierdie studie kom tot die volgende aanames en gevolgtrekkings: 1. Wapenhandel het só ontwikkel dat die oordrag van militêre tegnologie die hoofkenmerk geword het in die stelsel - 'n ongekende kenmerk tot dusver in die ontwikkelingsgang van internasionale wapenhandel. 2. Die gaping van tegnologiese vermoëns tussen opkomende en gevestigde wapenverskaffers word groter en daarmee saam word die stratifikasie in wapenproduksie en -lewering volhoubaar en versterk, wat lei tot 'n beperking op die vermoë van opkomende verskaffers om vooruitgang te maak. 3. Opkomende verskaffers se aandeel in en bydrae tot wapenmarkte bly beperk en spesialiseer daarom op spesifieke (meestalongekompliseerde) wapenstelsels wat gemik is op sekere nisse in die wêreldmark. 4. Die ontluikende wapenproduksie en -handelsisteem is uiters kompeterend, met die gevolg dat slegs state wat hulle pogings kan subsidieer of integreer in staat is om gevorderde fasiliteite te onderhou. 5. Met die toenemende aanbod vanaf opkomende verskaffers, styg die kostes van navorsing en ontwikkeling vir beide die opkomende en die gevestigde verskaffer wat weer beide dwing om hulle uitvoere te beklemtoon. 6. Deelnemers in die stelsel sal gedwing word om hulle vergelykende tegnologiese voorsprong prys te gee om te oorleef in die stelsel, waarna die gaping tussen die vermoëns van opkomende en gevestigde verskaffers verminder sal word.
27
Gum, Russell L., and William E. Martin. "Economic Impacts of Biotechnical Innovations in the U.S. and Arizona Dairy and Cotton Industries." College of Agriculture, University of Arizona (Tucson, AZ), 1990. http://hdl.handle.net/10150/310801.
28
Winters, Jacqueline. "Women in Indian development : the dawn of a new consciousness?" Thesis, McGill University, 1987. http://digitool.Library.McGill.CA:80/R/?func=dbin-jump-full&object_id=66247.
29
Boshoff, Hercules Jacobus. "Sudan’s old and new conflicts : a comparative study." Thesis, Stellenbosch : University of Stellenbosch, 2005. http://hdl.handle.net/10019.1/3383.
Abstract:
Thesis (MPhil (Political Science))--University of Stellenbosch, 2005.Recent years have seen new ideologies and political factors being introduced into the Sudanese political landscape. The new war in Darfur has revealed that the traditional North-South conflict is not necessarily a religious war but rather a war that goes beyond religion and ethnicity. Several factors underpin the civil wars in Sudan; principally disputes over religion, identity, inequality, resources, governance, self-determination, autonomy and secession. The attempt is therefore to define the various actors, factors and issues underlying both the North-South conflict and the new war in Darfur, and to analyse and compare the differences and similarities between the two wars. Both the conflicts in Southern Sudan and in Darfur have their origin in the decay of the Sudanese state and in both cases did political marginalisation resulted in political exclusion. Another resemblance between the two wars is the acute identity crisis that resulted from the long history of stratification and discrimination. Both warring groups want to reassert their distinguishing characteristics in the respective conflicts where ‘Arab’ and ‘African’ have distinctive meanings and are used as racial, cultural, and political identities. The third similarity between the South and Darfur is the ethnic cleansing tactics and policies the Sudanese government has adopted. The differences between these two wars is that Southern Sudan has developed into a war over national resources while Darfur does not share the same strategic commodities. The second is secession. The South started as a secessionist war while neither of the rebel groups in Darfur have demanded any form of self-determination. Darfur has also seen relatively timely international attention compared to Southern Sudan. Comparing the two conflicts do reveal that neither religion nor race is at the heart of Sudan’s wars. Instead, the root of the insurgencies is largely founded upon culturally and regionally imposed economic and political marginalisation coupled with the politicization of ethnic identities. The challenge for Sudan will be to create a new consciousness of common identity and a new meaning of belonging that grants peace, dignity, development and fundamental human rights.
30
葉碧梅 and Pik-mui Irene Ip. "HK media's new battlefield: Afghanistan: the decisions of sending war correspondents." Thesis, The University of Hong Kong (Pokfulam, Hong Kong), 2002. http://hub.hku.hk/bib/B31972652.
31
莊崇秉 and Shung-ping Charles Chong. "A new era for the Hong Kong real estate agency industry." Thesis, The University of Hong Kong (Pokfulam, Hong Kong), 2000. http://hub.hku.hk/bib/B31256788.
32
Gentry, Terry A. "Sustainable Development in the Third World: A New Paradigm?" PDXScholar, 1995. https://pdxscholar.library.pdx.edu/open_access_etds/4905.
Abstract:
Over the past decade '"Sustainable Development" (SD) has emerged as the latest development catchphrase. A wide range of nongovernmental as well as governmental organizations have embraced it as the new paradigm of development. A review of the literature that has sprung up around the concept of SD indicates, however, a lack of consistency in its interpretation. More important, while the all-encompassing nature of the concept gives it political strength, its current formulation by the mainstream of SD thinking contains significant weaknesses. These include an incomplete perception of the problems of poverty and environmental degradation, and confusion about the role of economic growth and about the concept of sustainability. The purpose of this study was to identify common elements in a political economy of the environment, relating environmental change to the dynamics of ideology and policy, and at different levels of political complexity. The intention was to provide a structural analysis of the environment in which the development process illuminates environmental change at both a philosophical and material level. The problem in achieving SD was related to the overriding structures of the international economic system, which have arisen out of the exploitation of environmental resources, and which frequently operate as constraints on the achievement of long-term sustainable practices. Insufficient accounting of ecological aspects of economic growth and development has resulted from intellectual traditions, where solutions are formulated, point in different directions. Conclusions are drawn that SD involves trade-offs between biological, economic and social systems and is found in the interactive zone between these systems. There are a number of international factors that may be necessary, but insufficient, conditions for SD on a national level, including peace, debt reduction, and more propitious terms of trade. There was seen dilemmas relating to SD, including the role of growth as the unquestioned objective of economic policy.
33
Ishaque, Mohammed. "A new method for calculating the economic benefits of varying degrees of power factor correction for industrial plant loads." PDXScholar, 1992. https://pdxscholar.library.pdx.edu/open_access_etds/4322.
Abstract:
A comparative study of the economic benefits that can be obtained from different degrees of power factor correction for medium and small scale industrial installations is shown. A new approach for precise calculation of kws and kvars required at different power factors is presented. These calculated values are used to find the return on investments for the capacitors needed for power factor correction. The developed method is easy to use, cost effective, accurate and will help electrical engineers with minimum knowledge of power systems to precisely determine the savings available by improving the power factor of an industrial load.
34
Albrecht, Julia Nina, and n/a. "The implementation of tourism strategies : a critical analysis of two New Zealand case studies." University of Otago. Department of Tourism, 2009. http://adt.otago.ac.nz./public/adt-NZDU20090310.161051.
Abstract:
This thesis examines the implementation of tourism strategies in a rural community context. Applying public policy implementation theory to tourism research, this study investigates questions related to connections and collaborations between stakeholders, decision-making and inducing action and the relation between objectives in a strategy document and actual outcomes of a policy process. Two tourism planning strategies in rural peripheral communities of New Zealand�s South Island are investigated adopting a case study approach. While these strategies have in common their geographical and content foci, they differ in terms of commissioning agencies, stakeholder and community involvement, age, resource allocation and planning and implementation approaches. The strategies are four and eleven years old. One is a top-down strategy by a government agency, the other is the result of a community bottom-up process.
Using a pragmatic methodical approach and applying a framework that incorporates the implementation environment including stakeholders and decisive events during strategy making, this research assesses the two cases individually and comparatively. Thus applying a non-linear framework and examining strategies that allow for an investigation of longer implementation timeframes, this study overcomes long-standing issues in this type of research. It fills a gap in the literature as it is the first comprehensive analysis of tourism plan implementation to employ public policy implementation theory in one coherent case study approach.
The methods applied in this study include semi-structured interviews as well as content analysis of strategy and policy documents, internal documents such as minutes of meetings and newspaper articles. Starting with strategy makers and �key implementers�, a snowballing process was used to identify further interviewees and to also follow the policy process as perceived by the main actors in it. This combination of methods allowed for a discovery of the policy story; it assisted a process-oriented investigation of tourism plan implementation while at the same time providing factual information and verifying stakeholder statements through triangulating interview results with the content analysis of documents.
Overall, for both the top-down and the bottom-up planning case, implementation was found to be dynamic and highly dependent on the actors at the grassroots level. Many critical stakeholders are volunteer community members who have little or no experience in tourism planning. Most actors are tourism operators or are otherwise involved with the industry. However, as some actors are not actively involved in the tourism industry but represent interests related to the protection of the social and natural environment, their views and actions have the potential to be anti-tourism development and therefore they evoke conflict.
The two planning approaches do not differ significantly in terms of bureaucratic control and political guidance. Institutions such as, for example, district councils or economic development agencies, mainly impact on the availability of resources to plan and implement strategy goals. Whether or not goals are achieved therefore ultimately depends on the commitment and interest of all stakeholders involved. Other important factors for policy success are the stability of stakeholder relationships and the level of information and knowledge held by those stakeholders, particularly in situations where there is little support from agencies. This is evident where a stakeholder�s previous experience in community work and relevant know-how is considered an asset among the volunteers who are responsible for many of the projects. The potential for conflict and the necessity for implementers to �make do� with the funding, knowledge and information they have, accounts for high volatility of priorities and goals during implementation.
Key findings that relate to both the tourism planning and the public policy literature refer to the similarities of implementation processes for top-down and bottom-up strategies at a grassroots level, the significant role and decisive influence that inexperienced volunteer implementers have in such settings and the high degree to which policy change takes place during such processes.
35
Adefeso, Ismail Babatunde. "Techno-economic analysis of a gasification system using refuse-derived fuel from municipal solid waste." Thesis, Cape Peninsula University of Technology, 2017. http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11838/2753.
Abstract:
Thesis (Doctor of Engineering in Chemical Engineering)--Cape Peninsula University of Technology, 2017.The search for alternatives to fossil fuel is necessary with a view to reducing the negative environmental impact of fossil fuel and most importantly, to exploit an affordable and secured fuel source. This study investigated the viability of municipal solid waste gasification for a fuel cell system. Potential solid fuels obtained from the study in the form of refuse-derived fuel (RDF) had high heating value (HHV) between 18.17 MJ/Kg - 28.91 MJ/Kg with energy density increased from 4142.07 MJ/m3 to 10735.80 MJ/m3. The molecular formulas of RDF derived from Ladies Smith drop-off site, Woodstock drop-off site and an average molecular formula of all thirteen municipal solid waste (MSW) disposal facilities were CH1.43O1.02, CH1.49O1.19, and CH1.50O0.86 respectively. The comparative ratios of C/H were in the range of 7.11 to 8.90. The Thermo Gravimetric Analysis showed that the dehydration, thermal decompositions, char combustions were involved in the production of gaseous products but flaming pyrolysis stage was when most tar was converted to syngas mixture. The simulation of RDF gasification allowed a prediction of the RDF gasification behaviour under various operating parameters in an air-blown downdraft gasifier. Optimum SFR (steam flowrate) values for RDF1, RDF2 and RDF3 were determined to be within these values 2.80, 2.50 and 3.50 and Optimum ER values for RDF1, RDF2 and RDF3 were also determined to be within these values 0.15, 0.04 and 0.08. These conditions produced the desired high molar ratio of H2/CO yield in the syngas mixture in the product stream. The molar ratios of H2/CO yield in the syngas mixture in the product stream for all the RDFs were between 18.81 and 20.16. The values of H2/CO satisfy the requirement for fuel cell application. The highest concentration of heavy metal was observed for Al, Fe, Zn and Cr, namely 16627.77 mg/Kg at Coastal Park (CP), 17232.37 mg/Kg at Killarney (KL), 235.01 mg/Kg at Tygerdal (TG), and 564.87 mg/Kg at Kraaifontein (KF) respectively. The results of quantitative economic evaluation measurements were a net return (NR) of $0.20 million, a rate of return on investment (ROI) of 27.88 %, payback time (PBP) of 2.30 years, a net present value (NPV) of $1.11 million and a discounted cash flow rate of return (DCFROR) of 24.80 % and 28.20 % respectively. The results of the economic evaluations revealed that some findings of the economic benefits of this system would be viable if costs of handling MSW were further quantified into the costs analysis. The viability of the costs could depend on government responsibility to accept costs of handling MSW.
36
Deaton, Stuart A. "A comparison of potential agricultural and forestry investment returns for Virginia's marginal lands." Thesis, Virginia Tech, 1988. http://hdl.handle.net/10919/43747.
37
Henkel, Cathy. "Development of audiovisual industries in the Northern Rivers Region of NSW." Thesis, Queensland University of Technology, 2002.
Abstract:
The proposition that this thesis investigates is that the Northern Rivers region of NSW, the area from Grafton to Tweed Heads, is growing as a lifestyle and learning region with the potential for audiovisual industry activity to develop as a series of networked industry clusters. The cluster model is explored as an alternative approach to industry development that offers new opportunities for enterprise building and new options for government intervention in the cultural industries in the region. The concept of creative industries is also applied to scope new collaboration and economic development options for the cultural industries, creative arts, media and communications sectors and a new agenda for collective action amongst industry players in the region. The thesis confirms that audiovisual and creative industries' activity in the Northern Rivers region has reached a significant level in terms of representation in the workforce and economic and social benefit to the region. The research identified a total of 1,621 people involved in audiovisual industries in the region, representing a growth of 214%
since 1996. The total number of people involved in creative industries in the region in 2000 was conservatively estimated to be 3,500, which is 4.1 % of the local work force, a significant figure for a non-metropolitan region. The thesis questioned the usefulness of Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) data in providing an accurate picture of creative industries, and the research may be considered a pioneering work in its method of collecting data on creative industry cluster developments in Australia.
The thesis concludes that the Northern Rivers region has an active, significant and growing audiovisual industry within the creative milieu of a lively and growing creative
industries' sector, and has the potential to develop as a series of networked creative industries' clusters. However, considerable barriers and difficulties exist at both the local and national levels for these industries, and specific measures need to be taken urgently to support this developing sector and to provide the infrastructure and mechanisms needed to ensure that the current growth is sustainable.
38
Gao, Chunyuan. "China's new generation migrant workers and anomie social momentum and modes of adoption." HKBU Institutional Repository, 2016. https://repository.hkbu.edu.hk/etd_oa/264.
Abstract:
Using anomie theory, in this paper it is argued that the new generation migrant workers (NGMWs) in China are not only receptors under structures, but also a reactive force towards those structures. However, anomie theory has faced theoretical ambiguities, controversies and misunderstandings. It also lacks the power to explain micro-to-macro relationships. For these reasons, anomie theory is first clarified and refined in this study based on its classical roots. It is then further developed by introducing the concept of social momentum to mend its theoretical lacuna. It is argued that anomie naturally reflects structural discoordination at the macro level, and that deviance and normlessness, although typically seen as indicators of anomie, are only its symptomatic presentations. Furthermore, social momentum, determined by the quantity, solidarity and modes of adaption, reveals the capacity of a social category to influence structural relationships. This study demonstrates that China entered a comparatively anomic age after its economic reform. The NGMWs can be considered as a potential antithesis to anomie in China, as implied by certain qualities of their uniqueness indicated in earlier studies. The NGMWs’ social momentum is analysed according to a field study carried out by the author in 2015 in Shanghai and the 2011 Chinese Social Survey (CSS 2011). The data from the survey and study are used to discuss whether the NGMWs will help to remedy anomie. The findings show that (1) the NGMWs’ social momentum is strong but segmental and fragile due to the primary level solidarity of them, i.e., they lack a strong identity, and (2) the directions of their social momentum can be narrowed to two undetermined modes. The NGMWs tend to aggravate the symptoms of anomie, as they are weakly attached to cultural norms. However, they have an uncertain and not yet fully formed effect on the essence of anomie.
39
Steenkamp, Jacob Cornelus. "The effect of HIV and AIDS on the viability and management of forestry contracting businesses in South Africa." Thesis, Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University, 2007. http://hdl.handle.net/10948/735.
Abstract:
The aim of the research is to quantify the HIV prevalence in human resources of forestry contracting businesses and to develop a management framework to promote economic sustainability of forestry contractors. HIV tests were conducted in the forest industry on the employees of contracting concerns from 2002/2003 to 2004/2005 with an accompanying questionnaire to collect demographic data. The HIV test results were analyzed with the demographic data to determine relationships between HIV prevalence and demographic factors. Contractors responded to a questionnaire on the effect of HIV and AIDS prevalence on (their) contracting businesses. The questionnaire also collected information about HIV and AIDS interventions and assistance to HIV and AIDS affected employees. Key stakeholders of other forestry sub-sectors were interviewed to facilitate comparison of the different sub-sectors and to establish if there were major differences between the sub-sectors, however, the focus was on the human resources of the forestry contracting sub-sector. The research results indicated that the HIV prevalence was increasing for the research period and was, in some regions, exceeding 40 per cent. The highest prevalence was recorded in the Highveld and Zululand regions and the lowest prevalence in the North-Eastern Cape. The HIV prevalence for females was constantly higher than the incidence for males and the ratio of males to females (all regions) approximated 68 per cent to 32 per cent. The high prevalence of HIV results in major social and economic impacts. The economic impact is aggravated through regulation (due to perceived market failure) and a bid for more equal distribution of wealth in the economy. The result of the sum of the impacts alludes to a conversion from labour to capital; however, to make well-informed decisions, various scenarios should be simulated to establish the optimum labour to capital ratio. The research further established that appropriate staffing is increasingly difficult and that the development of human capital is under pressure due to the high prevalence of HIV and AIDS. HIV and AIDS mitigation programmes will make a significant contribution to the return on human capital assets, as the economic life and productivity of such assets will be enhanced by such interventions. The management framework developed was assessed to be visually acceptable and useful by domain experts; however, to realise the full potential of the framework it should be used with anticipation of the research results regarding prevalence and future estimated AIDS releases and in conjunction with industry cost simulation models.
40
Melloni, Mattia. "The principle of non-discrimination and the GATT/WTO jurisprudence of "Like Products"." Doctoral thesis, Universite Libre de Bruxelles, 2005. http://hdl.handle.net/2013/ULB-DIPOT:oai:dipot.ulb.ac.be:2013/211054.
Abstract:
The analysis of non-discrimination under Article III of GATT has shown weakness or flaws throughout more than fifty years. The language used by GATT/WTO panels and the Appellate Body in interpreting the two prongs of non-discrimination in the national treatment clause, namely, likeness and protection, lagged behind economic reality. The critical legal analysis carried out in here reveals, to some extent, this while offering a clearer and sounder analysis to non-discrimination based more on market analysis and its economic indicators.Doctorat en droit
info:eu-repo/semantics/nonPublished
41
Muir, Lauretta, and n/a. "The impact of economic theory on the art of clinical practice : a study of science, meaning, and health." University of Otago. Dunedin School of Medicine, 2006. http://adt.otago.ac.nz./public/adt-NZDU20060911.160405.
Abstract:
In being philosophically based this thesis is concerned with understanding the human condition with particular reference to matters of meaning and how these find expression in systems of government and social policy.
This study is based on the premise that concepts determine how the world is viewed and people use a variety of conceptual schemes to answer different classes of questions. Scientific endeavour is based in a scheme that enables questions about the material world to be answered. It cannot however answer classes of questions related to many features of human lives as its methods necessitate the development and use of abstractions and generalisations that are ill-equipped by design to determine what is important to people and what motivates and satisfies them. Therefore, the reality of any particular individual or group cannot be adequately understood in scientific terms.
The thesis examines the scientific conceptual framework and minimalist abstractions of the medical model and the quasi-scientific conceptual frameworks of economics and identifies their conceptual limits. It shows that if the medical model is assumed to provide a complete representation of realities in health and is uncritically used as the basis of medical practice it has the potential to overlook the patient as a person and distance medical practice from its social roots which can lead to adverse outcomes for both clinical practice and medicine itself. It also observes that the economic scheme has conceptual limits that create their own distorted representations of reality. A similar dislocation in the meaning of people�s lives occurs when abstractions are made by adopting concepts from other schemes based in science, such as the medical model, without any awareness of their conceptual limits. Further distortions occur when these other accounts are turned into economic ones. Not only is the patient as a person overlooked, so is the patient as an entity.
In light of these observations the thesis examines health reforms that have taken place in New Zealand, whereby the economic scheme has been given dominance in the development of public policy and set the parameters for rationality and what can acceptably be said. It shows that in not recognising features of meaning these parameters have led to health sector reforms that have had unintended and adverse consequences for clinical practice, as shown in the particular case of reforms of maternity services. Furthermore these reforms have severed the health sector from its social roots and moral frameworks and created barriers between it and government so that health sector problems that cannot be understood using economic parameters cannot be addressed in forums where public policy is developed.
42
Schneider, Christian Elias. "Orientation towards Asia Pacific or Europe - Political, economic and socio-cultural aspects of the current discourse on identity in New Zealand." St. Gallen, 2006. http://www.biblio.unisg.ch/org/biblio/edoc.nsf/wwwDisplayIdentifier/02604973001/$FILE/02604973001.pdf.
43
Okiror, Julius. "The impact of standardization (public and industry) on product innovation, market access and foreign trade: with specific reference to South Africa." Thesis, University of the Western Cape, 2007. http://etd.uwc.ac.za/index.php?module=etd&action=viewtitle&id=gen8Srv25Nme4_8574_1190368756.
Abstract:
Product innovation and its efficient diffusion are important to enhance factor productivity, market access, job creation and trade. Innovative firms remain competitive in an increasingly global environment. Product innovation add maximum economic value when the new knowledge and technical know-how are spread through the economy. Standardisation of products is regarded as a vital tool to enable the diffusion of product innovations. The economic rationale for standardisation is based on the theory market failure that requires some sort of correction. Standardisation is regarded as a public good, a form of technical infrastructure. It reduces transaction costs and information asymmetries
increased the willingness of consumers to pay, which in turn increases the success and diffusion of innovation. Lower transaction costs result in reduced production and distribution costs. For consumers it also results in reduced search and testing costs as well as reduced time and effort to evaluate quality. Studies on the impact of standardisation were done for some developed countries, but not for developing countries. Unlike most studies that have a narrow industry-focus, this report has a broader focus on the impact of various types of standards on product innovation, market access and trade. It presented specific case studies for various industries in South Africa as well as studies on the impact of standards internationally.
44
Araia, Mulugheta Ghebreslassie. "Revealing the forest hidden value : the case study of Eritrea." Thesis, Stellenbosch : University of Stellenbosch, 2005. http://hdl.handle.net/10019.1/2731.
Abstract:
Thesis (MScFor (Forest and Wood Science))--University of Stellenbosch, 2005.Like in many developing countries, forest and woodland resources contribute significantly to ensure the sustainability of livelihoods of rural people of Eritrea. However, the contribution made by forest and woodland resources has been masked due to the inability of the traditional economic valuation methods to reveal the hidden values of forest resources. As a result they do not reflect in GDP accounting, development planning and conservation policymaking. The underestimation of the importance of forest and woodland resources to the rural subsistence economy results in both market and policy failures. These in turn lead to escalated forest degradation, livelihood insecurity, value conflicts and ineffective conservation programmes. The forest and woodlands of administrative sub-zone Dighe were selected as a case study as they comprise trees, shrubs and other non-woody plants of outstanding importance both in terms of socio-economics and biodiversity richness. However, these resources are being rapidly depleted as a result of clearing for commercial agriculture and are under growing pressure due to resettlement of returnees and needs of other social actors. The study was carried out in three representative administrative areas of the sub-zone. A literature survey was carried out to identify the best of traditional neo-classical economic valuation methods to use in this study. Complementary methods from various streams of economics, ethnobotany, ecological anthropology and rural sociology were reviewed. The sub-set of selected marketable items were quantified and monetised based on market-based valuation approaches; and compared with non-marketable roles to indicate the magnitude of full values of the forest and woodland resources. Values that could not be quantified were described qualitatively. A production-consumption analysis of dom palm scrub leaf harvesting for household utensils was carried out. Forest health was investigated based on observation, semi-structured interviews and secondary information. The study revealed that local forests and woodlands provide essential goods and services for subsistence use, to generate income and to reduce vulnerability during times of hardships. Riverine forests, acacia woodlands and scattered trees and shrubs of grassland are the three vegetation types found in the study area. The riverine forest, dominated by dom palm, is a most valuable resource as it provides for multiple uses. Among the many marketable and non-marketable benefits, forests and woodlands provide wild food, construction material, livestock feed, household utensils, firewood, traditional medicine, shade, climate amelioration, erosion control, cultural heritages and scenic values. All members of rural households regardless of age, gender and wealth extract forest products, which minor variation between households and administrative areas. Variability of consumptive use values between households and between administrative areas and other non-marketable values are determined by relative wealth status, seasonality, resource availability and distribution, market outlets and local institutions. The study revealed that the riverine forests and woodland values of the Dighe administrative sub-zone alone have contributed economical values many times greater than US $ 1.43 million per annum for selected quantifiable items only. This would be higher if the other non-marketable forest values were monetised including the livestock grazing and access to watering points. Beyond any doubt, the high local values of forest and woodlands and consequently the contribution to the national economy justify the conservation of the remaining forest. Moreover, the production-consumption analyses showed that the present level of dom scrub leaf harvesting is sustainable. Forest health situation analysis indicates, however, that the entire forest is under immense pressure. Moreover, the findings of this study suggest that conserving forest resource for local values is compatible with the millennium global development agendas.
45
Grootes, Pieter Brian. "The labour market drop-out rate : a new approach to estimating the returns to government investment in higher education : the case for marine science in South Africa." Thesis, Rhodes University, 2005. http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1002684.
Abstract:
The private and social returns to education literature share the same conclusion: that education is beneficial for both the individual and society. However, the theoretical underpinnings are flawed as the literature does not account for the main feature that leads to the acquisition of education: the private demand for education. An understanding of the factors that motivate the individual to invest in education would lead to a deeper insight as to why both private and social returns to education exist, and would provide a clearer framework on which to base the government funding of education. This thesis provides a first attempt at filling this gap by introducing a method of estimating the returns to government investment in education, which is labelled the ‘labour market drop-out rate approach’. The approach focuses on the social return to education, not in terms of graduate earnings, but in terms of the interaction of the graduate with the economy. The approach introduces a measure of expertise utilisation, based on the premise that there is no social return to an individual acquiring education if he or she does not utilise the acquired knowledge base on entering the labour market. The approach is tested using the labour market for marine scientists in South Africa as a case study. In this case the private demand for education is found to be heavily influenced by the provision of student bursaries from the National Research Foundation, with a resulting estimate of the social return to a degree in marine science being a mere 20% to 25%. Owing to this, a new approach to government investment in marine science is introduced, that of graduate contribution schemes. Of broader significance is the ease of application of this approach, it may be adopted to analyse any funding programme in which a government may decide to invest. As such, the labour market drop-out rate provides an extension to the returns to education literature through its theoretical dealings of the private demand for education, as well as a practical tool which government agencies can use to evaluate the efficacy of any government funding of education.
46
Thorburn, Robert H. (Robert Henry). "Towards the new company : proactive corporate ethics in a globalised business environment." Thesis, Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2004. http://hdl.handle.net/10019.1/50202.
Abstract:
Thesis (MA)--University of Stellenbosch, 2004.ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The corporation is fast becoming, or may already have become, the prevalent structure in human society. As such, its successes and failures impact heavily on society as a whole. This study will endeavour to examine past shortfalls in corporate thinking and practice, explaining much of this by referring to lag between societal and corporate change in their respective responses to globalisation. It is furthermore argued that this change is still far from complete( d), if indeed it ever will be complete( d) with a fixed end. This global change, has to a large extent, caught corporations off guard, with their old management styles no longer providing results - with civil resistance to corporate activity resulting in some instances. The central aim of this study is to not only understand this situation, but also to explore potential remedies. In so doing two unique ideal states, namely the old and the new company, will be developed. With the old company representing corporate structure and thinking that no longer functions effectively. The new company, on the other hand, is not a present state but a future one. Thus it is the destination of the societal and corporate changes examined within this thesis. Consequently, the main subject examined will be a move away from the old company. Finally, it will be shown that dealing with problems within the corporate context no longer requires the heavy hand of yesteryear. Instead, a proactive approach should be adopted, both for financial and ethical reasons.
AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Dit kan geargumenteer word dat korporasies binnekort die dominante struktuur in menslike organisasie kan wees, indien dit nie reeds die geval is nie. As sulks, het die suksesse en mislukkings van die korporasie 'n merkbare impak op die menslike samelewing. Gevolglik beoog hierdie studie om voormalige tekortkominge in korporatiewe denke en praktyk te ondersoek en te verduidelik, grotendeels met verwysing na die verskil in tempo waarmee beide die samelewing en korporasies reageer op die nuwe uitdagings wat gepaardgaan met globalisering. Dit word verder geargumenteer, dat hierdie proses van verandering geen voorspelbare einde het in die klassieke sin nie. Juis daarom het die voortdurende verandering oudmodiese bestuurstyle en tegnieke onkant betrap, met nagevolge wat strek tot by burgerlike verset. Sentraal aan die ondersoek van hierdie situasie is nie net die intensie om dit te verstaan nie, maar ook die soeke na strategieë om dit reg te stel. Om die onderneming te fasiliteer word twee ideaal state, naamlik die ou en die nuwe maatskappy ontwikkel. Die ou maatskappy verteenwoordig uitgediende strategieë en bestuurspraktyke, terwyl die nuwe maatskappy 'n toekomstige staat is en dus nog nie gerealiseer is nie. Die fokus is dus op die beweging van die ou na die nuwe maatskappy. Laastens sal dit ook aangetoon word dat uiters outoritêre bestuurstyle en strategieë nie meer van pas, of suksesvol is in die hantering van korporatiewe probleme nie. Alternatiewelik word 'n proaktiewe benadering, op beide etiese en finansiële gronde, aanbeveel.
47
Chan, Lai-wah, and 陳麗樺. "An exploratory study on how new founders in the information technologyfield perceive the meaning of their current career pursuit." Thesis, The University of Hong Kong (Pokfulam, Hong Kong), 2001. http://hub.hku.hk/bib/B42576106.
48
SORENSON, ANN MARIE. "ETHNICITY AND FERTILITY: THE FERTILITY EXPECTATIONS AND FAMILY SIZE OF MEXICAN-AMERICAN AND ANGLO ADOLESCENTS AND ADULTS, HUSBANDS AND WIVES (BIRTHS, HISPANIC)." Diss., The University of Arizona, 1985. http://hdl.handle.net/10150/188137.
Abstract:
Because pronatalist sentiments may be an important aspect of Mexican-American ethnic heritage, this research focuses on cultural as well as socioeconomic factors which may contribute to higher Mexican-American fertility. Language use and nativity are used as indirect indicators of identification with an ethnic culture. Wives' characteristics are generally considered adequate to the study of couples' fertility, but in light of earlier research by the author indicating the importance of cultural factors to the fertility expectations of Mexican-American adolescent males, characteristics of husbands as well as wives are included in this analysis. For this reason, the sample, which is drawn from the 1980 Census data for Arizona, Texas, and New Mexico, is limited to Mexican-American and Anglo women who have been married only once and live with their husbands. Two complementary methods of analysis are used. Linear regression describes the significance of husband's and wife's language use, nativity, and socioeconomic characteristics to mean family size. Parity progression ratios are used to study the contribution of these variables to the likelihood of the addition of one more child at each stage of the family building process. While wife's characteristics are sufficient to account for most of the variation observed in Anglo fertility, husband's socioeconomic characteristics significantly contribute to variation observed in the fertility of Mexican-American couples. Husbands' identification with Mexican-American culture may be somewhat more important to couples' fertility than that of their wives. This is consistent with research which suggests that children are more central to male sex role expectations as they are expressed in the context of Mexican-American culture than in that of Anglos. The measures of ethnic identity used in this study are clearly associated with socioeconomic status. The differential fertility of Anglos and Mexican Americans could be attributed to these differences. The association of Spanish language use and fertility has been linked to the lower opportunity costs represented by additional children to women who do not speak English proficiently. However, the analysis of these data, which compares structural and cultural explanations of fertility differentials, provides evidence of cultural effects as well as the effects of socioeconomic status on fertility.
49
Mutamba, Manyewu. "Rural livelihoods, forest products and poverty alleviation: the role of markets." Thesis, Rhodes University, 2013. http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1006081.
Abstract:
There is growing acknowledgement that forests and forest products are central to rural livelihoods, but their role in lifting households out of poverty remains contentious. This study tested the assertion by proponents of forest based poverty alleviation that changing conditions in the use and management of forests and forest products has created opportunities for poor rural households to lift themselves out of poverty. The study used detailed annual income data from various household sectors in two contrasting sites in Zambia, namely Mufulira and Kabompo districts, analyzing the relative contribution of forest income to household livelihood, the effect of household wealth status on forest use, factors driving household participation in forest product trade, and the influence of distance to urban markets on trends in the use of forest products. The study found that forest based activities play a central role in the livelihoods of households in the two study sites, contributing close to half of total household income, and dwarfing the contribution of agricultural sectors such as cropping and livestock rearing which are generally regarded as the main income sources for rural households. Forest based sectors were also found to be particularly valuable sources of household cash, often coming at critical times to meet basic needs. The findings also revealed that without the contribution of forest income, the proportion of households that would fall below the poverty line would increase sharply in both study sites. Wealthier households earned higher magnitudes of both subsistence and cash income from forest based activities than their poorer counterparts. Even the share of total household income coming from forest based activities was also higher among these better-off households, confirming that these activities are lucrative and they are improving the wealth status of households. Household participation in forest product trade was found to be influenced by demographic factors such as number of productive household members, age and the education level of the household head. Economic factors such as the level of income from wage labour, household poverty level, and ownership of key assets such as a bicycle were found to be important. Distance of homestead from the forest was also found to be an important contextual variable. The influence of urban demand on the use of forest products by rural households was significant in the study area. Although local sales played an important part as a source of cash for households, the most preferred channels for trade were linked to urban markets, either through roadside markets, middlemen or direct sales to urban buyers. The study concluded that with improved local organization and support for product development and marketing, some forest based activities provide a viable poverty alleviation option for poor rural households who otherwise have limited economic opportunities to escape poverty.
50
Williamson, Quintus. "Partner compensation and profit share models in law firms : a new approach." Thesis, Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2006. http://hdl.handle.net/10019.1/80779.
Abstract:
Thesis (MBA)--Stellenbosch University, 2006.ENGLISH ABSTRACT: A, sometimes, very controversial concern in any professional service firm across the globe, be it a law firm, accounting practice or consulting engineering firm, is how to construct an equitable, performance-based reward system for executives and professional partners. This study project will address those key issues that affects partner compensation and profit sharing decisions within professional law firms on a daily basis, by establishing which factors influence the current and future legal environment as well as the factors which drive the decision making process when selecting a partner compensation system for a specific law firm, regardless of size and legal focus. This study project also establish which partner compensation systems are currently available and frequently being used by several law firms across the globe, by investigating and analysing their intrinsic features and operations. A total of eleven compensation systems have been identified and will be reported on. This includes the different lockstep models, the merit or performance–based model (also referred to as the discretionary model), the peer-review system as well as other least frequently used systems like the equal partnership, ownership percentage model, 50/50 subjective-objective system, the modified “Hale and Dorr”, simple unit and the team building systems. The study project, by focussing on the operations of a specifically selected South African law firm, will furthermore investigate what effects a possible firm-wide approach to profit sharing, instead of the traditional partner / owner profit sharing systems, might have on the overall operation and / or performance of a law firm. Several performance appraisal concepts and general remuneration principles will be addressed which forms the backbone of this firm-wide approach and which are the key issues to effectively evaluate a person’s overall performance and contributions to a firm – those elements that should be aligned with your firm’s remuneration system. In essence, the aim of this study project is to establish an information resource base on partner compensation and profit share models in law firms, to establish the viability of introducing a firm-wide approach as alternative to the traditional partner-only profit sharing models, to establish a formal framework and model for firm-wide profit sharing for the selected South African law firm and ultimately presenting an effective decision making tool and concept document when selecting a fair and equitable remuneration system for your legal practice.
AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Een van die mees kontroversiële aspekte in professionele dienste firmas wêreldwyd, hetsy binne ‘n regsfirma, rekeningkundige praktyk of konsulteringsfirma, is hoe om uitvoerende bestuur en professionele vennote op gelyke voet te vergoed gebaseer op hulle werklike algehele prestasie. Hierdie werkstuk sal daardie kern aspekte adresseer wat vennote vergoeding- en winsdelingstelsel besluite, binne regsfirmas, op ‘n daaglikse basis affekteer deur die lewensvatbare faktore te identifiseer wat die huidige en toekomstige regsomgewing sal beïnvloed, asook daardie faktore wat die besluitnemingsproses dryf wanneer dit kom by die keuse van ‘n vennote vergoedingstelsel vir ‘n spesifieke regsfirma, ongeag die relatiewe grootte en fokus van die regsfirma. Hierdie werkstuk sal verder vasstel watter vennote vergoedingstelsels tans op ‘n gereelde basis gebruik word deur regsfirmas wêreldwyd, deur ondersoek in te stel na die verskillende stelsels se inherente eienskappe en operasionele werking. Elf vennote vergoedingstelsels word in hierdie studie bespreek. Dit sluit in die verskillende tipe “Lockstep” modelle, die prestasie-meriete gebasseerde modelle, die “peer-review” model asook ander modelle wat minder konsekwent toegepas en aangewend word soos die gelyke vennootskap model, die eienaarskap persentasie model, die 50/50 subjektiewe-objektiewe model, die aangepaste “Hale and Dorr”, die “simple unit” en spanbou modelle. Die werkstuk, deur spesifiek te fokus op die werksaamhede van ‘n spesifieke Suid-Afrikaanse regsfirma, sal ook die effek van ‘n moontlike firma-wye benadering tot winsdeling ondersoek, in teenstelling met die tradisionele benadering van net uitvoerende bestuur wat kan deel in die wins, en sal fokus op die invloed van so ‘n stelsel op die algehele werksaamhede en prestasies van ‘n tipiese regsfirma. Verskeie konsepte van prestasie meting, asook die algemene beginsels van vergoeding word aangespreek wat die fondamente vorm van so ‘n firma-wye benadering – dus daardie kern aspekte wat effektiewe prestasie meting verteenwoordig en wat in lyn gebring moet word met die firma se gekose vergoedingstelsel. Die doel van hierdie werkstuk is dus om ‘n inligtingsdatabasis oor vennote vergoeding- en winsdelingstelsels in regsfirmas te vestig, om vas te stel of daar moontlike potensiaal daarin is om ‘n firma-wye benadering te ontwikkel as alternatief vir die tradisionele modelle waar net uitvoerende bestuur of eienaars deel in die winste, en vervolgens om ‘n formele raamwerk en model vir firma-wye winsdeling te ontwerp om moontlik geimplementeer te word in die spesifieke regsfirma wat ondersoek word. Die werkstuk sal dus dien as ‘n effektiewe besluitnemings- hulpbron wanneer daar op ‘n spesifieke vergoedingstelsel vir jou regsfirma besluit moet word.