Dissertations / Theses on the topic 'Policy and policy administration, n.e.c'

The main purpose of this thesis is to empirically describe the extent to which and how countries affected by natural hazards refer to these natural hazards as drivers for policy change. In order to realize this, a systematic large-N extensive study with the innovative method of narrative analysis was used to analyze the national progress reports on the implementation of the Hyogo Framework for Action 2013-2015 by searching for the extent to which and how countries affected by natural hazards refer to these natural hazards as drivers for policy change. With a starting point in theories derived from previous research on policy change and natural hazards, focusing events, and policy windows, two positions on the connection of natural hazards and policy change are described. With one position on natural hazards as a driver for policy change and one position as a non-driver for policy change, they are opposing. The results of this study showed that there is an absence of a general pattern regarding the extent to which and how countries affected by natural hazards refer to these natural hazards as drivers for policy change in the national progress reports on the implementation of the Hyogo Framework for Action 2013-2015. Hence, partial support could be given to both positions on the connection of natural hazards and policy changes. These results are highlighting new potential research openings for future studies.

Starting in late 2013, new direct-acting antiviral medicines (DAAs) offered the chance of a cure for chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. In clinical trials, DAAs helped more than 90% of patients achieve sustained viral response (SVR), commonly considered to be a cure that will stop progression of related liver disease and prevent transmission of the virus to others. Prices for these medicines are now around $20,000 per treatment after discounts from manufacturers, due to competition.

In late 2016, the medical director for D.C. Medicaid asked what it would take to eradicate hepatitis C in the city. This dissertation focused on that question for Medicaid alone, to inform policy discussions and identify next steps. I profiled beneficiaries with chronic HCV infection based on medical claims from 2014-2016; interviewed medical providers and policymakers to learn more about their decision-making processes and to identify opportunities to expand treatment, as well as potential barriers; and created an Excel-based Markov model that estimates outcomes and costs under different scenarios.

Only 799 individuals, about 10% of the D.C. Medicaid beneficiaries identified as having chronic HCV infection, received treatment with DAAs in 2014-2016. Providers and policymakers are committed to treating this population, but treatment rates remained low through 2018. I estimate that roughly 80% of Medicaid beneficiaries with chronic HCV had not been treated at the start of 2019.

Beneficiaries with chronic HCV infection often have other physical, mental, and behavioral health conditions that might keep them from seeking treatment for an often-asymptomatic HCV infection. They often miss scheduled appointments and/or are lost to follow-up. Most live east of the Anacostia River, where there are fewer providers. Even if they engage in care, government or health plan policies might discourage or prevent individuals with low levels of liver damage from getting prior authorization for treatment.

Broader use of DAAs in D.C. Medicaid will allow more people to achieve SVR, potentially decreasing future healthcare costs for some and saving lives. A moderate (50%) increase in treatment rates among those with low liver damage could enable about 300 additional patients to achieve SVR over 10 years, at a net cost of $6.1 million. A 50% increase in treatment rates among those with moderate liver damage could enable more than 500 additional patients to achieve SVR over 10 years, keep more than 160 from severe liver damage, and avoid 19 early deaths. The net cost of the second scenario is $6.5 million, a smaller increase per person achieving SVR because curing those with moderate liver damage is more likely to avoid high healthcare costs.

The District must weigh the upfront costs of expanding use of DAAs against uncertain long-term benefits and inherent budget limitations. I recommend that D.C. develop a more complete profile of Medicaid beneficiaries with HCV infection; work toward universal screening and sustained monitoring of at-risk populations; collaborate with key stakeholders to develop policies, practices, and tools to engage beneficiaries in care; and reduce prior authorization requirements that might deter or prevent treatment when beneficiaries and health care providers are ready.

Older individuals overwhelmingly prefer to receive long-term services and supports (LTSS) in home and community-based settings. Medicaid elderly 1915(c) waivers have become the primary mechanism that states use to provide home and community-based services (HCBS) to older individuals. Given the positive effects elderly waivers have on the quality of life of older individuals, I examined why states adopt elderly waivers; the extent of the substantive differences in program quality across elderly waivers; and the factors associated with elderly waiver program quality, contrasted with the factors associated with elderly waiver program size (i.e., number of participants and expenditures). I examined how state contextual, institutional, and political factors, as well as factors external to the states, including neighboring state and federal policy activity, influenced state policy decisions pertaining to elderly waiver adoptions and program quality and size. First, I performed a retrospective analysis using state-level longitudinal data from 1992-2010 to conduct a discrete time-series repeated event history analysis (EHA) to identify the variables associated with state adoptions of elderly waivers. Second, I created a measure of elderly waiver program quality consisting of four equally weighted components of waivers thought to be associated with the provision of higher quality HCBS to older individuals, including: eligibility criteria, self-determination supports, range of services provided, and participant protections. Using correlational analyses, I examined the relationships between program quality and size. Third, I performed retrospective ordinary least squares (OLS) analyses using waiver program-level data from 2015 to examine elderly waiver program quality and size and fixed-effects OLS using data from 1993-2010 to examine elderly waiver program size. I identified 63 elderly waiver adoptions across 35 states between 1992 and 2010, which were significantly associated with state contextual and external factors. Consistent with previous research, I found that contextual factors, including the number of older individuals, the supply of long-term care facilities and whether the state already had an elderly waiver program, affected state decisions to adopt elderly waivers. There was significant variation in each of the four component and overall quality scores and weak associations between program quality and size. I found that state contextual factors, including market and Medicaid program characteristics, influenced elderly waiver program quality and size. In addition, program quality was shaped by the capacity of state policymaking institutions (e.g., governorships and legislatures), while program size was shaped by neighboring state and federal policy activity. The findings from this research suggest that elderly waiver adoptions and program quality and size are shaped through different policymaking pathways. Efforts to improve the quality of elderly waiver programs should consider the capacity of state executive officials in addition to contextual determinants and focus on improving existing elderly waiver programs. Given that most waivers scored well on eligibility and participant protections, efforts to improve the quality of elderly waiver programs should focus on expanding self-direction supports opportunities, the types of waiver services, and eliminating restrictions placed on service delivery (e.g., waiting lists).

Thesis (MEd)--Stellenbosch University, 2014.
ENGLISH ABSTRACT: In South Africa no formal training in school leadership or school management is currently required to procure a position as school principal. The sole condition is that a candidate should possess a professional teaching qualification, with some years’ experience in the teaching profession. School principals cannot be blamed if they comply with no more than these basic requirements, as no formal qualification for school principals had existed prior to 2007. The Department of Education answered to the need for formal training to equip principals for meeting their responsibilities by introducing the Advanced Certificate in Education: School Leadership and Management (ACE). This study explores to what extent school principals experienced an improvement in their managerial skills after obtaining the ACE qualification. To offer a better understanding of the background of South African school principals, the history of the available training over the past forty years is outlined. This is supplemented by an overview of various countries’ approach to preparing principals for 21st century schools. The responsibilities of present day principals differ dramatically from those of twenty years ago, as policy documents such as the South African Schools Act has since 1996 required that the principal, together with the school governing body, take responsibility for the management of the school. Accordingly, this study includes an enquiry into the ACE qualification with regard to the curriculum content, the purpose of the course and how assessment takes place at higher education institutions where this course is offered. Interviews were conducted with two principals who had obtained the ACE qualification to gain insight into their experiences relating to the qualification. By means of comparison, two principals who had not completed the qualification were also interviewed to establish to what extent this qualification does in fact equip principals for their daily responsibilities. The possible effects of the qualification were highlighted by comparing the two pairs of principals who function in similar communities with corresponding problems. By presenting this research as a case study, it was possible to obtain in-depth information and varied opinions about principal training, where principals had acquired the most useful skills and what could be added to enhance the value of the ACE qualification.
AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: In Suid-Afrika is daar tans geen verpligting om oor formele opleiding in skoolleierskap of skoolbestuur te beskik om as skoolhoof aangestel te word nie. Daar word slegs verwag dat ’n kandidaat oor ’n professionele onderwyskwalifikasie en ’n aantal jare se ondervinding in die onderwys moet beskik. Skoolhoofde kan ook nie kwalik geneem word indien hulle slegs aan hierdie basiese vereistes voldoen nie, aangesien daar tot 2007 geen formele kwalifikasie vir skoolhoofde bestaan het nie. Die leemte aan formele opleiding vir die verantwoordelikhede van ’n hoof is erken deur die Departement van Onderwys wat die Gevorderde Onderwyssertifikaat-kwalifikasie: Skool Leierskap en Bestuur (GOS) ingestel het. Met hierdie studie word ondersoek ingestel tot welke die mate skoolhoofde ervaar dat hierdie GOS-kwalifikasie ’n verskil maak aan hul bestuursvermoëns. Om die agtergrond van Suid-Afrikaanse skoolhoofde beter te verstaan, word die geskiedenis van skoolhoofde se opleiding oor die afgelope veertig jaar uiteengesit. Daar word ook ’n oorsig gegee van verskillende lande se benadering tot die voorbereiding wat benodig word vir hoofskap van ’n skool in die 21ste eeu. Die verpligtinge van die hedendaagse hoof verskil drasties van dié van twintig jaar gelede, waar beleidsdokumente soos die Suid-Afrikaanse Skolewet sedert 1996 vereis dat die hoof, tesame met die beheerliggaam, verantwoordelikheid moet neem vir die bestuur van die skool. Om hierdie rede word die GOS-kwalifikasie ondersoek om vas te stel wat die inhoud van die kurrikulum behels, wat die doel van die kwalifikasie is en op watter wyse assessering plaasvind by die hoëronderriginstellings waar dit aangebied word. Onderhoude is gevoer met twee hoofde wat die GOS-kwalifikasie voltooi het aangaande hul ervaring van die kwalifikasie. Om vas te stel tot welke mate die kwalifikasie hulle beter toerus vir hul daaglikse verantwoordelikhede word die ervaring van twee ander hoofde, wat nie die kwalifikasie voltooi het nie, ter vergelyking gebruik. Die verskil wat die GOS-opleiding moontlik mag maak, word uitgelig deur die vergelyking van die twee pare hoofde in soortgelyke gemeenskappe met ooreenstemmende probleme. Deur hierdie navorsing as ’n gevallestudie aan te bied, word indiepte-inligting verskaf oor hul opinies aangaande hoofde-opleiding, waar hulle die mees bruikbare vaardighede opgedoen het en wat na hulle mening bygevoeg kan word vir die verwerwing van die GOS-kwalifikasie.

Thesis (MPA)--Stellenbosch University, 2001.
ENGLISH ABSTRACT: This assignment is based on the principles of the sociolinguistic theory. Exponents of the sociolinguistic theory focus on the social dimension of language. They argue that language planning is part of social change, and as such it is subjected to the rules of social change. Language planning does not take place in a vacuum and therefore, the exponents of the sociolinguistic theory also focus on the broader societal factors such as the economic, political, demographic and psigological factors that influence language planning during the planning phase. This study investigates the manner in which the University of Stellenbosch dealt with multillingualism through its language policy. In this regard the investigation aims to establish whether the University of Stellenbosch is doing enough in terms of its language policy to promote multilingualism through developmental programmes, in order to make the university more accessible for non-Afrikaans speakers from the community it serves. This study also investigates the historic background of the university and nationalism in dealing with the lingusitic and Afrikaans character of the University. In this regard the focus is on the role of Afrikaner Nationalism, the role it played in the language policy, and also how it influenced the broader political goals of nation building and reconciliation. Against this backdrop a critical analysis is made of the language policy of the University of Stellenbosch based on the provisions of the constitution and language ideological models. Lastly this study aims to make recommendations for a language policy at Stellenbosch University which will promote multilingualism, by recognising all the official languages, through this the university will be more accessible for non-Afrikaans speakers, especially those in the Western Cape.
AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die werkstuk is gebaseer op die beginsels van die sosiolinguistiese teorie. Voorstanders van die sosiolinguistiese teorie plaas die fokus op die sosiale aard van taal. Taalbeplanning is deel van sosiale verandering, en is as sulks onderhewig aan die reëls van sosiale verandering. Taalbeplanning geskied nie in 'n vakuum nie, en daarom fokus voorstanders van die sosiolinguistiese teorie ook op die breër sosiale faktore soos die ekonomiese, politieke, demografiese en psigologiese faktore wat taalbeplanning beinvloed tydens die beplanningsfase. Hierdie studie is 'n ondersoek na die wyse waarop veeltaligheid aan die Universiteit van Stellenbosch hanteer word. In hierdie verband word ingegaan op die kwessie of die Universiteit van Stellenbosch in terme van sy taalbeleid, genoeg doen om veeltaligheid deur ontwikkelingsprogramme te bevorder sodat die universiteit meer toeganklik kan wees vir nie-Afrikaanssprekendes uit die gemeenskap wat dit dien. Die studie ondersoek ook die historiese agtergrond van die universiteit en nasionalisme in die hantering van die taal- en Afrikaanse karakter van die universiteit. In dié verband word spesifiek gefokus op die rol van Afrikanernasionalisme, asook die wyse waarop die breër politieke strewes van nasiebou en versoening die formulering van die universiteit se taalbeleid beïnvloed het. Teen hierdie agtergrond word 'n kritiese analise gedoen van die taalbeleid van die Universiteit van Stellenbosch aan die hand van die bepalings van die grondwet en taalideologiese modelle. Laastens word aanbevelings gemaak vir 'n taalbeleid aan die US wat veeltaligheid sal bevorder deur erkenning te gee aan alle amptelike tale veral in die Wes-Kaap sodat die US meer toeganklik kan wees vir nie-Afrikaanssprekendes.

Thesis (MEd)--University of Stellenbosch, 2011.
ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The reseach in this study focusses on how teachers express the forming of a role-identity amid historically disadvantage circumstances. The lense used to highlight and understand the underlying relationship between role-identity and school culture, is school context. The focus is on the biography and professional training of respondents in order to determine how teachers mediate their professional roles. We must understand teachers within the boundaries of a socio-cultural context, their biography and professional training. These factors, which contribute to the forming of role-identity, can negatively affect the receiving and implementation of policy. The assumption made by this study, is that there is a gap between transformation policies and school culture, which has an influence on the role of the teacher. A better understanding of teacher circumstances can inspire a multi-dimensional approach to teaching. The result was that my thesis tried to generate empirical evidence to understand teachers in under-privilege schools more fully. Teachers develop their self-identity within the framework of experience and expectations about themselves and their teaching. The professional identity of teachers consists of being skilled in subject area, level of training, preparedness and formal qualifications. Respondents construct their one-dimensional professional identity within an under-privilege context. The school climate hinders the simultaneous execution of the three roles that I refer to in this study. Some of the hindrance factors are the manner in which the school accepts the lack of learning area knowledge, racism and the abuse of contact time. Poor management and lack of community control, tolerates the shortcomings and one-dimensional approach of teachers. The study makes use of a theoretical framework, supported by literature. I used qualitative indepth-investigation for the collection of data. I used semi-structured interviews as an instrument to answer the research question and to achieve the proposed outcomes. I achieved my main finding by using empirical-interpretive techniques. The finding was that personal socialisation and professional training, together with contextual factors influence the foundation of teacher identity. The base identity is the foundation upon which teachers formulate their role-identity. My research shows how the respondents position themselves in relation to the prescribed teacher roles. Their identity forming takes places within the context of under-privilege circumstances, moral diffusion and transformation in education. I describe the construction of their conceptual space of role-identity. I furthermore present analyses of how the respondents form their role-identity. I base the most important finding of this study on one-dimensionality. Each of the selected teachers expresses their professional mediation of their roles within the context of a specific exposed school culture. The study shows the complex variations of this one-dimensionality amongst the four teachers.
AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die navorsing in hierdie studie konsentreer op hoe onderwysers gestalte gee aan hulle identiteitsvorming te midde van histories benadeelde omstandighede. Skoolkonteks is die lens wat gebruik word om die onderliggende verwantskap tussen rol-identiteit en skoolkultuur te verstaan. Die fokus is op respondente se biografië en professionele opleiding ten einde vas te stel hoe hulle die voorgeskrewe onderwyserrolle medieër. Onderwysers moet verstaan word binne die grense van 'n sosio-kulturele konteks, hulle biografiese verhale en professionele opleiding. Hierdie faktore is bydraende aspekte wat 'n invloed het tydens die vorming van rol-identiteit, sowel as tydens die ontvang en implementering van beleide. Die aanname wat deur hierdie studie gemaak word, is dat daar 'n gaping tussen hervormingsbeleide en skoolkultuur bestaan wat die rol-identiteit van die onderwyser beїnvloed. 'n Beter begrip van onderwyser-omstandighede, kan 'n multi-dimensionele benadering tot onderwys inspireer. Gevolglik het my tesis gepoog om empiriese bewyse te genereer wat kan bydrae tot 'n vollediger begrip van onderwysers in minder-bevoorregte skole. Onderwysers ontwikkel 'n self-identiteit binne die raamwerk van ervarings en verwagtinge oor hulleself en hulle onderrig. Die professionele identiteit van die onderwyser bestaan uit vaardigheid op vakgebied, vlak van opleiding, voorbereiding en formele kwalifikasie. Binne die minder-bevoorregte konteks waarin hierdie respondente onderrig, konstrueer hulle 'n een-dimensionele professionele identiteit. Die skoolklimaat belemmer die gelyktydige uitvoering van veral die drie rolle waarna ek in hierdie studie verwys. Sommige van die belemmerende faktore waarna verwys word, is die skool se gelate aanvaarding van gebrek aan leerarea kennis, rasisme en die misbruik van onderrigtyd. Gebrekkige bestuur en gemeenskapsbeheer vergemaklik verder die onderwyser se tekortkominge en een-dimensionele benadering. My studie word onderskraag deur 'n teoretiese raamwerk wat met behulp van literatuurwerke saamgestel is. Die proses van data-insameling is met die hulp van 'n kwalitatiewe indiepte-ondersoek gedoen. Die semi-gestruktureerde onderhoude wat gevoer was, het gedien as instrument ter beantwoording van die navorsingsvraag ten einde die beoogde doelstellings te bereik. My kern bevindinge het ek verkry vanuit empiriese-interpretatiewe tegnieke. Hiervolgens is bevind dat persoonlike sosialisering en professionele opleiding tesame met kontekstuele faktore, 'n invloed het op die samestelling van die identiteitsbasis van die onderwyser. Hierdie identiteitsbasis vorm die grondslag waarop onderwysers hulle rol-identiteit formuleer. My navorsing wys hoe die onderwysers in my studie hulleself posisioneer in verhouding tot hulle voorgeskrewe onderwyserrolle. Hulle identiteitsvorming geskied binne die konteks van minder-bevoorregte omstandighede, morele diffusie en onderwys transformasie. Ek beskryf hierdie konstruksie as hulle konseptuele ruimte van rol-identiteitsvorming. Verder bied hierdie studie 'n analise van hoe respondente hulle rol-identiteit vorm. Die vernaamste bevinding van hierdie studie is dat die geselekteerde onderwysers elk op 'n een-dimensionele basis uiting gee aan 'n professionele medieëring van hulle rolle binne hierdie skool se kultuur. Die studie wys die komplekse variasies van een-dimensionaliteit onder die vier onderwysers.

This study examines the patterns of involvement in terrorist activities for the Revolutionary People’s Liberation Party/Front (DHKP/C) and Turkish Hezbollah members. The study is based on the assumption that terrorists differ in terms of their involvement in terrorist activities. In this sense, there are full-time and part-time terrorists. Full-time terrorists act professionally and do the assignments given by their commanders. Part-time terrorists, on the other hand, act on a non-professional basis and have their own motivations to participate in terrorist activities. For part-timers, there are various factors that may have an effect on their degree of involvement in terrorist activities. Their decisions regarding whether to participate in a specific terrorist act can be influenced by individual factors as well as the instructions and assignments given to them. In this study, these factors are categorized under four different headings; demographic, relative deprivation, frustration, and social learning. Data regarding the involvement in terrorist activities (as measured by arrest records) and demographics (age, gender, marital status, social class), relative deprivation (education, work status), frustration (school dropout, loss of a loved one in a counter-terrorism operation, family arrest), and social learning (family association to a terrorist group and recruitment method) was collected from terrorists’ autobiographies. Research hypotheses were tested using bivariate and multivariate statistical analyses. The findings indicated that relative deprivation, frustration, and social learning models can explain the differences in the degree of involvement in terrorism for DHKP/C members, but not for Turkish Hezbollah members (controlling for demographic variables). The results showed that these three models may account for some of the differences in involvement in terrorist activities.

In this study I examine the decisions to sign and later terminate the so called Saudi agreement, a military memorandum of understanding (MoU) between Sweden and Saudi Arabia, understood as a gateway agreement for future arms deals as well as exchange of defense technology knowledge. Comparing statements from the Social Democratic Party (SAP), who held government both in 2005 when the agreement was signed as well as in 2015 when it was terminated unilaterally by Sweden, I examine the ideological preferences of Swedish foreign policy. Could the shift in policy be explained by ideology?

A suicide attack is an extreme modus operandi of terrorism. This research examines the application of two similar sociological theories to terrorism and specifically, to suicide terrorism. Three models are built to test if Merton‘s strain theory can explain the propensities of provinces to produce terrorists and suicide bombers in the first phase. Next, in Phase 2 one model is built on a combination of altruistic and fatalistic type variables to test if Durkheim‘s anomie theory can explain the probability of a terrorist to become suicide bomber or not. The analyses of models 1, 2, and 3 are performed in Phase 1 using aggregate secondary data and the analysis of model 4 is performed in Phase 2 using individual level secondary data. While models 1 and 2 are employing multiple regression, models 3 and 4 use logistic regression analyses. Model 1 tests the propensity of a province to produce terrorists relative to six strain variables, while model 2 develops an optimum model, testing the same associations by using only three significant independent variables. Model 3 tests the probability of a province to produce a suicide bomber(s) using the same six indicators. Model 4 tests the probability of a terrorist to become a suicide bomber relative to anomie theory driven by seven indicators. The results reflect support for the overall model 1, while only the indicators of unemployment rate and political representation in the legislative assembly significantly contribute in explaining the propensity score of a province to produce a terrorist. However, the optimum model (2) includes three statistically significant indicators of unemployment rate, political representation in the legislative assembly, and quality of life. Although model 3 also emerged significant in its overall effect, only educational opportunity significantly contributes to explaining the probability of a province to produce a suicide bomber. Model 4 is also supported. The individual effects reveal that the indicators of age group, income level, and hierarchical position in the organization statistically contribute to explaining the probability of a terrorist to become a suicide bomber. In general, the research provides partial support for the application of strain and anomie theories to terrorism and suicide attacks.

A Lei Complementar no 123, de 14 de dezembro de 2006, trouxe no seu capítulo V uma série de benefícios e tratamentos diferenciados que devem ser dispensados aos pequenos negócios no acesso às compras governamentais. Esta pesquisa teve por objetivo analisar a influência dessa Lei no resultado dos pregões eletrônicos realizados na Universidade Federal do Paraná no período compreendido entre 2005 a 2013. Foram realizadas buscas nas atas dos pregões eletrônicos para identificar o quantitativo de microempresas e empresas de pequeno porte vencedoras dos certames licitatórios, e para verificar o número de pregões que continham itens relacionados a equipamentos de informática, suprimentos de informática e diversos outros materiais de informática para analisar o percentual de economicidade que esses pregões proporcionaram aos cofres da Universidade Federal do Paraná. A metodologia da pesquisa utilizada para a realização dessa pesquisa foi o estudo de caso e os instrumentos de coleta de dados foram a pesquisa em documentos como as atas dos pregões e um questionário que foi aplicado aos micro e pequenos empresários que venceram três ou mais pregões eletrônicos da Universidade Federal do Paraná no período de 2005 a 2013. Como resultado, constatou-se que a participação das microempresas e empresas de pequeno porte após a implantação da Lei Complementar no 123/2006 foi de 75,7% em média nos anos estudados. O índice de economicidade obtido mediante a participação das MPEs foi de 38,99%, 15,21% maior que a economicidade alcançada com empresas de outros portes participantes dos 26 pregões analisados. Averiguou-se que a Lei Complementar trouxe benefícios para os micro e pequenos empresários como incentivos à participação das micro e pequenas empresas nos pregões; inovação, modernização e facilidade de acesso aos pregões pelas microempresas e empresas de pequeno porte; vantagem competitiva, e possibilidade de competição com médias e grandes empresas. Conclui-se que a LC 123/2006 é um importante instrumento de políticas públicas para fomentar o crescimento econômico das micro e pequenas empresas.
Supplementary Law No. 123 of December 14, 2006, brought in Chapter V a number of benefits and differentiated treatments that should be dispensed to small business access to government procurement. This research aimed to analyze the influence of this Law result of electronic trading sessions at the Federal University of Paraná in the period from 2005 to 2013 were carried out searches in the minutes of electronic trading sessions to identify the amount of winning micro and small enterprises of bidding contests, and to check the number of trading days containing items related to computer equipment, computer supplies and other miscellaneous computer equipment to analyze the percentage of economy these sessions provided to the coffers of the Federal University of Parana. The research methodology used for this survey was the case study and data collection instruments were searching for documents such as the minutes of the sessions and a questionnaire was applied to micro and small entrepreneurs who have won three or more electronic auctions the Federal University of Paraná from 2005 to 2013. As a result, it was found that the share of micro and small companies after the implementation of Complementary Law No. 123/2006 was 75.7% on average in the years studied. The economic efficiency index obtained through the participation of SMEs was 38.99%, 15.21% higher than the economic efficiency achieved with companies from other participants sizes of 26 trading sessions analyzed. It was established that the Supplementary Law brought benefits to micro and small businesses as incentives to the participation of micro and small enterprises in the trading sessions; innovation, modernization and ease of access to trading floors by microenterprises and small businesses; competitive advantage, and the possibility of competition with medium and large companies. It is concluded that the LC 123/2006 is an important tool for public policies to foster economic growth of micro and small businesses.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--Public Policy, Georgia Institute of Technology, 2006.
Gregory B. Lewis, Committee Chair ; Douglas Noonan, Committee Member ; Sally Wallace, Committee Member ; Michael Rushton, Committee Member ; Bruce Seaman, Committee Member.

Sir George Grey (1812-1898) served as Governor of South Australia, of New Zealand twice, and of the Cape Colony. This thesis explains his policy for the first time for a history of the political ideas of colonization. Grey introduced the policy of racial amalgamation to settler colonies after the 1837 Report of the Select Committee into Aboriginal Affairs, that had advised the policy of segregation as had been North American policy under Sir William Johnson. This thesis demonstrates that Grey was a Liberal Anglican who had adopted neo-Harringtonian thought, and who introduced Jeffersonian native policy into British native policy. He practised the strategic theory of Antoine-Henri Jomini, applying it to native policy. Grey captured the monarchical constitution of the empire for what had been a settler policy of dissent to the segregation of indigenes that dated back to Tudor Ireland and early Viginia. Grey's distinctive intellectual practices were ethnograpical research and speculation, for which he enjoyed an international reputation, and the constitutional design of settler colonies, an activity he came to totally identify with. The thesis concentrates on his first New Zealand governorship (1845-53) and upon the resumption of his second New Zealand governorship (1861-68) because it was in that colony he first fully practised his native policy and participated in constitutional design, and into which he brought about a crisis of indigenous amalgamation on the eve of the Waikato War in 1863, having introduced full responsible government.

A cidade de Curitiba já foi tida como sinônimo de vanguarda em desenvolvimento urbano e equilíbrio ecológico. Porém, como na maioria das grandes cidades brasileiras, ela enfrenta problemas sociais, sobretudo, na área da propriedade urbana e da própria preservação ambiental diante das invasões urbanas. Entretanto, a Constituição Federal garantiu aos administradores municipais um elemento essencial para a gestão de suas cidades, o Plano Diretor. Este instrumento, regulamentado pelo Estatuto da Cidade, suscita um planejamento estratégico do município, do seu desenvolvimento e uma maior gestão democrática dos próprios interesses dos cidadãos habitantes da cidade. Esta dissertação de Mestrado tem como objetivo analisar a eficácia jurídica da lei do Plano Diretor de Curitiba 2015 (Lei nº 14.771/2015), no tratamento dado por seus idealizadores (Sociedade, Poder Executivo municipal e Poder Legislativo municipal) à função social da propriedade, sob a perspectiva dos direitos Urbanístico e Ambiental. Por meio de pesquisa em bases de dados acadêmicos, na literatura especializada e na jurisprudência nacional, estabeleceu-se parâmetros para a classificação da eficácia dos ordenamentos contidos no plano diretor de Curitiba em plena (aplicável de imediato), contida (apenas parte pode ser aplicada) e limitado (necessita de uma regulamentação futura para ter eficácia). Entre os principais resultados da pesquisa, tem-se que de 96 artigos da lei do Plano Diretor de Curitiba, diretamente ligados à área do direito urbanístico, direito ambiental e à propriedade, 40% dos mesmos possuem eficácia limitada, 16% dos artigos possuem eficácia contida e 44% possuem a sua eficácia plena. Ou seja, 56% dos artigos, voltados ao tema da pesquisa, não possuem uma aplicabilidade plena de suas diretivas. Isto significa que a lei responsável pelo planejamento do desenvolvimento urbano da cidade, nos próximos 10 anos, não possui eficácia imediata e suficiente para transformar o aspecto nebuloso da distribuição justa e correta da propriedade e de sua função social dentro do território do município de Curitiba.
The city of Curitiba has been regarded as a forefront synonymous of urban development and ecological balance. However, as in most large Brazilian cities, Curitiba faces social problems, especially in the area of urban property and its own environmental preservation facing urban invasions motivated by that. However, the Federal Constitution guaranteed the municipal administrators an essential element for the management of their cities, the Master Plan. This instrument, the Master Plan, which was regulated by the City Statute, provided a strategic planning for the municipality, in its development and a greater democratic management of its own citizens interests, the townspeople. This Master's dissertation aims to analyze the legal force of Curitiba’s Master Plan 2015 (Law No. 14,771 / 2015) in the treatment given by its creators (Society, Municipal Administration and Municipal Legislature) to the social function of property. It was elected as a paradigm for analysis of this work the Urban Law and Environmental Law and their determinations that guide the use, exploitation of urban land and the preservation of the natural and urban environment within the legal orders generated by the approval of the project law update of the master plan of the city of Curitiba. Through research in academic databases, in specific literature and in national jurisprudence, parameters were established for ranking the effectiveness of the orders contained in the full master plan of Curitiba (immediately applicable) contained (only part can be applied) and limited (it needs a future regulation to be effective). The results obtained throughout this work are posted at the end of this paper and they express that from the 96 articles directly related to the urban law area, environmental law and the property contained in the new law of Curitiba’s Master Plan, 40% of them have limited effectiveness, 16% of the articles have contained efficiency and 44% have their full effect, that is, 56% of the articles focused on the theme’s work does not have full applicability of their policies, which imposes thinking to the external observer that the law responsible for the urban development of the city for the next 10 years, at this moment, does not have sufficient efficacy to transform the nebulous aspect of the fair and correct distribution of property and its social function in the municipality of Curitiba.

D.Litt. et Phil.
If the hypothesis is correct, there will be a reciprocal effect between the military budget and the Gross Domestic Product. The higher the technological level of arms and arms production, the more this reciprocal effect will be interwoven with the process of economic growth. It is measured by input-output figures and the applicable industrial multiplier, calculated from them. Production of high technology arms stimulates growth, the higher the technology, the larger the miltary contribution to the GDP and to economic growth. From the resultant increase in in the GDP, the income of the State by way of taxes will also grow, subject tro a time lag. The increase in State revenue will return to the Treasury part of the State's original expenditure on defence. My study indicates that the applicable multiplier for defence spending is 3.70 and that the multiplier for arms production is above 4. The part of military expenditure returned to the State will therefore be sizable. Military expenditure is often viewed as competing with socially desirable civil expenditure, as a case of opportunity cost. I argue that oppotunity costs do not apply and that the stimulus economy derived from military expenditure via the multiplier, helps funding social projects along with other civil expenditure. The reasoning in this study can be extended to the funds invested in increasing the capital and technology intensity of the defence force, a modern trend which can be economically justified by the part of the investment that will be returned via the GDP. The way to escape the limitations imposed on defence strength by the availabiluity of manpower is exactly this modernisation of its technology. In this way a medium power can increase its relative strength to the leyel of the "strength threshold" at which an independent deterrent can be credibly presented. In these terms a critical value can be defined, expressed as a pecentage of GDP budgeted for defence, above which a country could be considered militarily safe.

The primary aim of this study is to describe and explain the extent of which school managers and primary healthcare facility managers possess knowledge and awareness of their roles in the implementation of the Integrated School Health Policy in Region C in the Gauteng Provincial Department of Basic Education. The study used a qualitative research method by which semi-structured interviews were conducted using a descriptive and explanative design. A sample of ten respondents was elected using a purposive sampling strategy and conventional or content analysis was utilised in the interpretation and analysis of data. The main findings of the study revealed that managers know their role in the implementation of the policy. Although managers are aware of their important roles; they are unable to fulfil them due to a lack of skills. Therefore, the study recommends that the Department of Health and the Department of Basic Education should ensure that managers are skilled and more knowledgeable in implementing the policy objectives.
Public Administration and Operations Management
M. Admin. (Public Admiistration)

Text in Afrikaans with summaries in Afrikaans and English, and English title page
This thesis is an attempt to give a penological evaluation relating to A comparative penological investigaion regarding Correctional Policy and Legislation, which is the aim of this research. This penological literature study will focus on an historic overview of the prison as an institution for punishment. Besides the historical background of the South African prison system it is also thereby placed on the policy and legislation of countries such as the Netherland's and England's prison institutions. After the implementing of policy and legislation in the prison systems the basis for an improved prison system was formed. Important core understandings of policy and the application of lawful prescriptions were checked and the different levels of the policy were included in the South African correctional system. Features of the policy and legislation were continually adapted after the changing needs and circumstances on social, economic and political environments. Consequently indicating in this comparative penological investigation it has come to the conclusion that no penalty institution can function normally and efficiently without a well-considered policy and legislation. It has been found that the formulation and implementation of the policy and prescriptions are an important part of the planning process of the correctional system. Rational for the search for correctional policy and legislation are mainly examined in South Africa and consequently it was to identify the respective policy and lawful prescriptions. It was contracted against the background of the maintenance and protection of a just, peaceful and safe society as the Law enforces verdicts of courts to imposed, charge like all captive sentence safe conservation to while their human dignity is assured and same time around the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, No 108 of 1996. This Act was also promoting the social responsibility and human development of all prisoners and persons subject to community corrections. The implementation of policy and lawful prescriptions were orderly emphasised to the advantage or disadvantage of the captive and the prison system. This comparative investigation gave recognisance to international principles over corrective events and is included in a penological perspective at the same time.
Hierdie proefskrif is 'n poging om 'n teoretiese-prinsipiele uiteensetting te gee oor 'n Vergelykende penologiese ondersoek rakende Korrektiewebeleid en Wetgewing ten einde die doelwit van hierdie navorsing te bereik. 'n Literatuurstudie oor die historiese ontwikkeling van die gevangenis as strafinrigting is ingestel en is gefokus op die gevangenisstelsels in Suid-Afrika, Engeland en Nederland. Benewens hierdie historiese agtergrond is die doel om die ontwikkeling van die strafbeleid en wetgewing in oorsese lande en in Suid-Afrika te identifiseer ten einde die verandering binne die gevangenisstelsels te verstaan. Hierdie gebeurtenisse van vroeer en hedendaags het die grondslag gevorm vir 'n verbeterde gevangenisstelsel. Belangrike kernbegrippe van beleid en die toepassing van wetlike voorskrifte is nagegaan en die verskillende vlakke van beleid wat betrekking het op die Suid-Afrikaanse korrektiewe stelsel is omskryf. Wetgewing is as die hoogste vlak van beleid beskryf en gevolglik word beleid en wetgewing voortdurend aangepas na gelang van veranderde behoeftes en omstandighede op maatskaplike-, ekonomiese- en politieke terreine. In hierdie penologiese ondersoek is aangedui dat geen strafinstelling normaal en doeltreffend kan funksioneer sonder 'n deurdagte beleid en wetgewing nie. Daar is aangedui dat die formulering en implementering van die beleid en voorskrifte deel is van die beplanningsproses van die korrektiewe stelsel. Die rasionaal van korrektiewebeleid en wetgewing is hoofsaaklik in Suid-Afrika ondersoek en is onderskeie beleidsrigting en wetlike voorskrifte in oenskou geneem. Oit is gedoen teen die agtergrond van die instandhouding en beskerming van 'n regverdige, vreedsame en veilige samelewing wat deur die Wet voorgeskryf is om alle gevangenes in veilige bewaring aan te hou terwyl hul menswaardigheid verseker word. Dienooreenkomstig is daar uitvoering gegee aan die Grondwet van die Republiek van Suid-Afrika, No 108 van 1996 en bevorder hierdie Wet die maatskaplike verantwoordelikheid en die menslike ontwikkeling van aile gevangenes en persone onderworpe aan gemeenskapskorreksies. Die implemetering van korrektiewebeleid en wetlike voorskrifte is menigmale beklemtoon tot voordeel of nadeel van die gevangene en die gevangenisstelsel. Terselfdertyd is daar in hierdie vergelykende penologiese navorsing erkenning gegee aan internasionale beginsels oor korrektiewe aangeleenthede en is dit terselfdetyd in penologiese perspektief geplaas.
Criminology
D.Litt. et Phil. (Penology)

Text in Afrikaans
Die doel van die ondersoek was om 'n beplannings- en beheermodel te ontwikkel en beskikbaar te stel vir benutting deur welsynsorganisasies. Die ondersoek is onderneem binne die konteks van die ontwikkelingsnavorsings- en benuttingsparadigma. Die proses van die ontwikkelingsnavorsingsparadigma verloop volgens 'n analise-, ontwerp-, ontwikkelings-, evaluerings-, benuttings- en verspreidingsfase. Elke fase het ondersoeker in staat gestel om op sistematiese wyse te werk te gaan om 'n beplannings- en beheermodel te ontwerp en om gevolgtrekkings en aanbevelings in die verband te maak. In die analisefase wat 'n teoretiese beskrywing van beplanning en beheer as bestuursfunksies behels het, was dit duidelik dat daar nie 'n beplannings- en beheermodel bestaan wat op welsynsorganisasies van toepassing gemaak kon word nie. Bestaande beplannings- en beheermodelle is ontleed en sleutelkonsepte is ge1dentif iseer met betrekking tot beplanning en beheer as bestuurfunksies. Aan die hand van die sleutelkonsepte is 'n empiriese ondersoek na die stand van beplanning en beheer by agt welsynsorganisasies gedoen. Agt kantoorhoofde, 16 supervisors en 32 maatskaplike werkers was met behulp van 'n onderhoudskedule by die navorsing betrek. Hierdie empiriese ondersoek en die literatuurstudie bet die ondersoeker in staat gestel om in die ontwerpfase 'n beplanningsen Leheermodel te ontwerp wat op welsynsorganisasies van toepassing gemaak kan word. 'n Beplannings- en beheermodel is iii ontwerp wat voorsiening maak vir die uitvoering van take op 'n strategiese-, bestuurs- en operasionele beplannings- en beheervlak. Die model maak voorsiening vir die betrokkenheid van al die personeellede van 'n organisasie in die beplannings- en beheerproses. Die model is vir 'n periode van agt maande by een welsynsorganisasie geYmplementeer en geevalueer. Daar is tot die slotsom gekom dat die beplanning- en beheermodel wel deur welsynsorganisasies benut kan word. Die waarde van die model le daarin dat die gebruik daarvan 'n welsynsorganisasie in staat stel om sy eie strategiese, bestuurs- en operasionele beplannings en beheerplan te kan saamstel. Di t sal 'n welsynsorganisasie in staat stel om proaktief op interne sowel as eksterne omgewingsveranderings te reageer
Social Work
D. Phil. (Maatskaplike werk)

Discussion of 'economies in transition' often assumes movement from socialist planning to free market capitalism. Vietnam has moved significantly in this direction, but the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) claims the long-term transition is to a higher form of socialism than in the past. CPV cadres list a variety of aspects that differentiate their 'socialist-oriented market economy' from a 'capitalist market economy'. What this orientation consists of, and whether there is anything "socialist" about it, is however much debated. This dissertation focuses on the state-owned enterprises as one way to assess whether any authentic socialist orientation exists. It finds considerable complexity in state enterprises, so the assessment is not straight forward. But the complexity includes significant socialist substance. Their decisions regarding investment or profit distribution are not purely commercially driven, and their purported "inefficiency" is often connected to socially beneficial activity, not only for their own workers but within society at large. This helps explain the stubborn tenacity of the state sector, despite years of "liberalising" legislative changes. This is not merely elites who "oppose reform" due to their vested interests. Significant sectors of society also have an interest in opposing the kind of "reform" that would be detrimental to their interests and the social good overall. These conflicting pressures on and in state enterprises are reflected in the debates within the CPV about socialist orientation. One central feature of this orientation is that public forms of ownership must predominate even while capitalism forms part of the economy. But challenging this is a minority who blur the distinction between the socialist-oriented and a capitalist market economy. These two broad tendencies are often labelled "conservatives" and "reformers," implying a value judgement. I propose to rename them the Socialist-Orientation Tendency (SOT), and the Market-Orientation Tendency (MOT), signifying opposing emphases within the "market economy with a socialist orientation" equation. They do not represent hard and fast factional groupings, but rather tendencies of thought; many cadres incorporate elements of both, and both have sprouted sub-tendencies. The role of the state enterprises is often central to the debate between these tendencies and among analysts of Vietnam's political economy. Much has been written showing that they fall short of their socialist purpose. That they allegedly have little relation to social progress is often seen as evidence that the Socialist Orientationists are merely elite ideologues or corrupt officials who use the socialist label to cover their intransigence or malfeasance. This dissertation takes issue with this view.

O crescimento económico na Índia tem sido objecto de atenção. Enquanto o governo prevê uma trajectória de crescimento económico, a população sente-se economicamente ameaçada. Este estudo pretende captar esta dicotomia. Começa-se por definir um agente como um Sistema Económico Molecular (SEM). É um sistema termodinâmico com uma valorização líquida em termos de entalpia, medida na moeda nacional e com um ciclo de vida preciso. As suas actividades vivem em torno de Alimentação, Abrigo e Paixão, sendo estas a génese de todas as economias. Pretende-se demonstrar que a entalpia do SEM na Índia cresceu, em termos reais, em consonância com o crescimento nominal do país entre 1970 e 2010. Desenvolve-se o modelo e conceitos de quocientes fiscais que servem de instrumentos simples para avaliar a economia indiana. Demonstra-se que os indicadores da política fiscal indicam a existência de erosão como o aumento da despesa pública total, a acumulação da dívida e a inflação, tudo factores que destroem a entalpia, quer a inicial, quer a gerada. Testa-se ainda a relação entre os parâmetros fiscais e a inflação e conclui-se que a relação Impostos-Despesa-PIB está a causar unidireccionalmente a inflação. A implicação prática do modelo é a sua aplicabilidade universal ao campo da gestão, permitindo o planeamento do crescimento e da sustentabilidade da entalpia do SEM. Os resultados indicam que a entalpia do SEM na Índia está em erosãocontínua. Para que a erosão cesse é necessário um retorno de 12.5% a 16.5% do investimento, quer a nível individual, quer a nível empresarial. Assim, RRI precisa de ser determinado depois de ajustada a inflação de 10%.
Economic growth in India has been a subject of attention. While the government projects the economy to be on a growth trajectory, the populace is feeling economically strained. Study intends to understand this dichotomy. We start by defining an agent as Molecular Economic System (MES). It is a thermodynamic system with its net worth as enthalpy, valued in currency of the domain, having a definite lifecycle. Its activities revolve around its need of Food, Shelter and Passion (FSP) making it as genesis of all economies. We want to prove that the enthalpy of MES in India has grown in real terms, in consonance with the nominal growth of enthalpy of Indian domain, for the period 1970 to 2010. We develop the model and concept of fiscal quotients as simple tools for monitoring the economy of a domain. We show that fiscal policy indicators point to erosion; increase of total government expenditure, debt accumulation, inflation lead to erosion of enthalpy, both initial and generated. We test the relation between fiscal parameters and inflation and find that Tax- Expenditure-GDP is unidirectionally Granger causing inflation. The practical implication of the model is its universal applicability in the field of management for planning the growth and sustainability of enthalpy of MES. Our conclusion indicates that the enthalpy of MES in Indian domain is continuously eroding. Just to stem this erosion there is a need of 12.5% to 16.5% return on investment, at individual/corporate level respectively. Therefore, RRI needs to be determined after adjusting for inflation of 10%.

Despite the long-standing cooperation between Portugal and Russia, the current bilateral trade values do not commensurate the two and a half decades of cooperation. The current trade values trend based on data between 2006 and 2019 shows somewhat unstable trade relations characterized by both rising and falling in different years. While different scholars have explored the challenges that should be addressed, such as trade protectionism and opportunities that can be exploited to enhance trade relations, there still exists a gap in literature exploring various measures that can be employed to improve the Russian-Portuguese trade relations. Therefore, this research aims to explore the current situation in the trade relations between Russia and Portugal and also the measures that can be employed to improve the international trade standing between the two countries. Analysis of data from secondary sources shows that Portugal and Russia have traded for approximately 240 years. Russia mainly sells crude oil products and farm inputs to Portugal, while Portugal mainly provides agricultural commodities to Russia. The key success factors required to improve the Russian-Portuguese trade relations include favorable trade policies, increased foreign direct investment, and preferential bilateral agreements. Presently, there is a mismatch between Russia's and Portugal’s trade policies, whereby Russia is more protectionist than Portugal. Moreover, there is only one identifiable bilateral trade agreement whose impact on countries’ trade relations is remote. The level of foreign direct investment is still low to impact trade relations between Russia and Portugal. This study proposes a three-fold strategy to improve Russian-Portuguese trade relations. Firstly, the relaxation of trade policies such as ease of trading across the border, tariffs, and economic freedom is necessary. Secondly, the nations should take measures to boost the level of foreign direct investment amongst them. Thirdly, preferential trade agreements are necessary to address the trade barriers and position the countries as strategic trade and investment partners.
Apesar da cooperação de longa data entre Portugal e a Rússia, o acordo comercial bilateral em vigor não é proporcional de parte a parte nos últimos 25 anos de cooperação. Os valores de transação comercial, relativamente aos anos de 2016 e 2019 demonstram relações instáveis de comércio caracterizadas por subidas e descidas em diferentes anos. Enquanto que alguns especialistas tenham explorado alguns dos desafios que devem ser encarados, como medidas protecionistas e oportunidades que poderiam ser exploradas para aumentar as relações de comércio, ainda existe uma disparidade na literatura no que concerne às diferentes medidas que poderiam ser tomadas para melhorar as relações comerciais entre Portugal e a Rússia. Por isso, esta pesquisa procura explorar a situação atual de comércio internacional entre os dois países e focar nas medidas que podem ser tomadas para melhorar o comércio internacional. A análise de dados de fontes secundárias mostram que o comércio internacional entre Portugal e a Rússia datam de, aproximadamente, há 240 anos. A Rússia vende maioritariamente produtos petrolíferos e matérias primas agrícolas a Portugal, enquanto que Portugal exporta produtos agrícolas à Rússia. Os fatores-chave de sucesso necessários para melhorar as relações de comércio incluem políticas comerciais favoráveis, aumento do Investimento Direto Estrangeiro (IDE) e acordos de preferência bilateral. Atualmente existe um desfasamento entre as duas políticas comerciais, de onde a Rússia denota uma postura mais protecionista do que Portugal. Além disso, é possível identificar apenas um acordo bilateral cujo impacto no comércio internacional de ambos os países é pequeno. O nível de IDE ainda não é suficiente para ter impacto no comércio internacional entre os dois países. Este estudo propõe uma estratégia de três etapas para aumentar as relações russo-portuguesas: em primeiro lugar, é necessário a flexibilização de políticas comerciais, como, por exemplo no sentido de facilitação de comércio bilateral, tarifas e liberdade económica; em segundo lugar, as nações deveriam tomar medidas para aumentar os níveis de IDE; por fim, acordos de comércio preferenciais são necessários para enfrentar as barreiras comerciais e posicionar os países como parceiros estratégicos de comécio e de investimento.

All activities of an enterprise are directly or indirectly related to entrepreneur's individual capabilities. Entrepreneur's learning ability is the basis for enterprises to conduct organizational learning and innovation activities (Wu, Gao, and Wei (2007). Scholars and business practices alike have addressed the importance of entrepreneur's learning ability and its effect on innovation performance. This essential characteristic of entrepreneurs promotes resource integration and resource creation ultimately benefiting innovation performance. The main objective of this thesis is to study the influence of entrepreneur's learning ability on innovation performance and the mechanisms that may accelerate this effect, namely the mediating role of absorptive capacity and the moderating effect of market orientation and policy support. Based on comprehensive literature review a conceptual model was designed and six hypotheses are proposed. A pilot questionnaire was administered to 100 respondents to finetune the questions and the scales, and then distributed to 450 participants. After screening, 278 valid questionnaires were obtained. Regression analysis was then employed to test the path of entrepreneur’s learning ability, absorptive ability and innovation performance and the bootstrap method was used to test the mediation and moderation effects. Results show that entrepreneur's learning ability positively affects innovation performance which is consistent with Wu, Gao, and Wei (2007) and Nonaka, Toyama, and Nagata (2000). Meanwhile, absorptive capacity positively mediates the relationship between entrepreneur’s learning ability and innovation performance. Market orientation negatively moderates the relationship of entrepreneur's learning ability and innovation performance, which is consistent with Bennett and Cooper (1981). In addition, results show that policy support negatively moderates the relationship under study, indicating that this construct inhibits the positive impact of entrepreneur's learning ability on innovation performance.
Todas as atividades de uma empresa estão direta ou indiretamente relacionadas com as capacidades individuais do empreendedor, incluindo a capacidade de aprender, que é a base da aprendizagem organizacional e da inovação (Wu, Gao, and Wei (2007). Esta característica essencial dos empreendedores promove não só a integração de recursos, mas também a sua criação beneficiando o desempenho da inovação. Esta tese tem como objetivo principal estudar a influência da capacidade de aprendizagem do empreendedor no desempenho da inovação e os mecanismos que podem acelerar esta relação, designadamente o papel mediador do construto “capacidade de absorção” e o efeito moderador da “orientação para o mercado” e de “políticas de apoio”. Com base numa extensa revisão de literatura, elaborou-se um modelo conceptual e propuseram-se seis hipóteses. Para recolha de dados foi primeiro administrado um questionário piloto a 100 respondentes, na sua maioria empreendedores, para tornar as perguntas e as escalas não só mais entendíveis como mais adequadas. O questionário foi depois enviado a 450 participantes e obtiveram-se 278 respostas válidas. Os dados obtidos foram sujeitos a análise de regressão para testar as relações dos contrutos "capacidade de aprendizagem do empreendedor", "capacidade de absorção" e "desempenho da inovação". Para testar os efeitos de mediação e moderação propostos nas hipóteses foi utilizado o método de inicialização (bootstrap). Os resultados mostram que a capacidade de aprendizagem do empreendedor afeta positivamente o desempenho da inovação o que é consistente com resultados anteriores (e.g. Wu, Gao, and Wei (2007) Nonaka, Toyama, and Nagata (2000) e que a capacidade de absorção tem um efeito mediador entre a capacidade de aprendizagem do empreendedor e a capacidade de inovação. Os dados da amostra estudada mostraram ainda que a orientação para o mercado modera negativamente esta relação o que é consistente com os resultados obtidos por Bennett and Cooper (1981). O mesmo acontece com o efeito moderador do construto "políticas de apoio" indicando que ele exerce um efeito inibidor no desempenho da inovação.