Firm competitiveness is no longer an industry-specific or regional phenomenon, but it has evolved to have global impacts. The increase in intensity of regional and international competition, ineffectiveness of regional development policies and models has led to the focus on regional economic development. In particular, a focus on industrial cluster promotion, both in developed and developing countries has proliferated owing to their increased success as a sustainable source of economic growth and development. Industrial clusters are a geographically proximate group of inter-connected companies and associated institutions in a particular field, linked by commonalities and complementarities. In addition to industrial cluster formation, firms can also maintain competitiveness through internationalisation. Internationalisation ensures that firms are able to serve many markets from existing manufacturing bases without having to establish production plants in other markets. It reduces the over dependence on domestic markets and business risks associated with dependence on one market. This study identified industrial clusters for the North West Province (NWP) of South Africa using the Structural Path Analysis (SPA) method, as a strategy to enhance firm competitiveness. It contributes to the methods to identify industrial clusters by applying the Power of Pull (PoP) method to prioritise the number of clusters for the NWP. The ten identified industrial clusters and their respective PoP rankings were (i) communication; (ii) real estate; (iii) grain mill, bakery and animal feed products; (iv) building and other construction; (v) basic metal products; (vi) other food products; (vii) agriculture; (viii) non-metallic mineral products; (ix) trade; and (x) dairy products. This study identified the most important centres, in terms of the most contributions to output, employment and profit at the local municipal level across all the ten identified clusters. These centres were Madibeng, Rustenburg, City of Matlosana, Mafikeng and Ditsobotla. This indicates that efforts to stimulate cluster formation in this sector should be focused in these regions. This study also determined whether any association exists between the identified industrial clusters‟ products and services and the realistic export opportunities according to the DSM for products and the DSM for services. Four of the six product clusters were found to have REOs according to the DSM for products, namely grain mill, bakery and animal feeds products, agriculture, non-metallic mineral products and the basic metal products clusters. In terms of services, only two service clusters, namely communication and building and other construction services clusters, were found to have with REOs according to the DSM for services. This study further demonstrated the effects of industrial cluster formation on the regional economy, using social accounting matrix (SAM) multipliers. SAM multiplier analysis was used to demonstrate the output, employment, employment income and gross domestic product (GDP) supported by cluster formation for the NWP. The supported activity for the agriculture and trade clusters was less than the actual activity. The following clusters‟ supported activity was greater than the actual activity; communication; real estate; grain mill, bakery and animal feed products; building and other construction; basic metal products; other food products; non-metallic mineral products; and dairy products. The identified industrial clusters‟ REOs were explored further to provide more details on the products or services identified as having REOs. In addition, the countries to which the identified REOs (products and services) can be exported were discussed. In terms of product clusters identified to have REOs, the export potential values, cell classifications and market accessibility index scores were discussed. In terms of the service clusters identified as having REOs, countries, market access, market openness, import demand and cell classifications were discussed. / PhD (International Trade), North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2014

There is a great need for qualified MBL and MBA graduates in South Africa to support and maintain the current growth rate that the economy is experiencing. Diligent effort is required to ensure that the locally acquired MBA/MBL qualifications remain on par with international qualifications. As an initial step to ensure high standards, the Council for Higher Education (CHE) did accreditation evaluations and only 18 MBA courses are now accredited. Admission criteria for the MBA/MBL is one of the minimum standards being assessed as part of the accreditation process conducted by the CHE. / Department of Industrial & Organisational Psychology / M.B.L.

The airline industry has grown rapidly over the past few decades, recording a ten-fold rise in passenger numbers and a fourteen-fold increase in cargo volumes. This growth has created overwhelming value to airline passengers, employees, suppliers and the broader economy. Unfortunately, this industry has been affected by terrorism attacks, wars, revolutions, pandemic fears, earthquakes, volcanoes, failing economies and skyrocketing fuel prices all of which have negatively impacted on profitability and resulted in intense competition. Consequently, airlines have spent the last decade in survival mode having to adapt to harsh changes. Air Zimbabwe, a state-run organisation which operates in this highly regulated and turbulent industry, is faced with numerous micro and macro environmental challenges and has been purposively selected for this study. According to company statistics, the airline’s annual passenger uplifts have declined from a peak of over 1 million in the 1990s to less than 200 000 in 2011, with revenue generation declining in correlation. Whilst Air Zimbabwe has experienced depressed demand for its services, competitor airlines are recording brisk business. The aim of this study was to investigate how a struggling organisation, which operates in a turbulent environment, can improve its competitiveness and profitability by better understanding the impact of industry role players and adapting organisational strategies to industry variations. This study examined, from the point of view of the industry players themselves, the extent to which customers, suppliers, competitors, regulatory authorities, substitute products and new entrants have impacted on the competitiveness and profitability of the airline. Major findings reveal that an organisation cannot operate in isolation and be competitive or profitable, but constantly needs to analyse the industry environment in which it operates in and to amicably interact with other industry role players. The research outlines the need for competition in certain areas and cooperation in others. / Business Management / M. Com. (Business Management)

Thesis (MBA (Business Management))--Stellenbosch University, 2008. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The South African Government has set a target to halve poverty and unemployment by 2014. In an attempt to achieve this target a number of projects were initiated, one of which is the National Tooling Initiative (NTI). Local structures were established to encourage co-operation and competitiveness among the Small Micro and Medium Enterprises (SMMEs) by using the cluster concept. Consequently the Western Cape Tooling Initiative (WCTI) was formed to focus on and address the needs of the toolmakers in the Western Cape. It was highlighted during the interview with the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the WCTI that some of the toolmakers are limited in terms of the size of orders they could handle due to lack of capacity. Discussions and research showed that in addition to the cluster initiative, a model such as the Order Fulfilment Process (OFP) could be used to encourage toolmakers to play a role in the activities within the OFP which they are strong in and collectively tender for contracts which they cannot fulfil on their own. Coupled to the OFP, it was decided that activity based costing would be used to assist with the cost allocation of the activities along the OFP. Furthermore, some of the activities within the OFP would be centralised i.e. order taking and invoicing, while others would be decentralised i.e. manufacturing and distribution. The research study showed that although the office of the WCTI is fully established, there is a need to better understand and analyse the actual state of the toolmakers, their profile and capability. Once this information is available, the WCTI would be in a better position to make meaningful decisions about the appropriate plan of action. Concurrently, the WCTI need to also learn about the business opportunities that are available to the toolmakers and begin to exploit them. The aim of the study was to help improve the performance of the toolmakers through co-operation by using the order fulfilment process model complemented by activity based costing. The objective of the research project was to develop a framework that should be used by the WCTI to encourage co-operation among the toolmakers to improve their competitiveness. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die Suid-Afrikaanse regering het aan hulself die doelwit gestel om teen 2014 armoede en werkloosheid te halveer. In ‘n poging om hierdie doelwitte te bereik, is ‘n aantal projekte van stapel gestuur, waarvan die “National Tooling Initiative” (NTI) een is. Plaaslike strukture is gevestig om samewerking en mededinging aan te moedig tussen die klein-, mikro- en medium- sake-ondernemings (SMMEs) deur die gebruik van ‘n groeperingskonsep. Gevolglik is die “Western Cape Tooling Initiative” (WCTI) tot stand gebring om te fokus op die behoeftes van die gereedskapmakers in die Wes-Kaap en hul behoeftes aan te spreek. In ‘n onderhoud met die Hoof Uitvoerende Beampte van die WCTI is aandag daarop gevestig dat sommige van die gereedskapmakers beperk word in terme van die grootte van bestellings wat hulle kan hanteer as gevolg van hul gebrek aan kapasiteit. Gesprekke en navorsing het getoon dat ‘n model soos die bestellingvoltooingsproses (Order Fulfilment Process (OFP)) gebruik kan word om gereedskapmakers aan te moedig om ‘n rol te speel in die aktiwiteite binne die OFP waarin hulle sterk is en gesamentlik tenders in te dien vir kontrakte wat hulle nie op hulle eie kan hanteer nie. Tesame met die OFP, is daar besluit dat aktiwiteitsgebaseerde kosteberekening gebruik sou word om te help met die bepaling van koste-allokasie van die aktiwiteite binne die OFP. Verder sal sommige van die aktiwiteite van die proses gesentraliseer word, naamlik die neem van bestellings en fakturering, terwyl ander gedesentraliseer sou word, naamlik vervaardiging en verspreiding. Die navorsingstudie het getoon dat, alhoewel die kantoor van die WCTI ten volle gevestig is, daar steeds ‘n behoefte bestaan om die werklike toestand van die gereedskapmakers, hulle profiel en kapasiteit te begryp en te ontleed. Wanneer hierdie inligting beskikbaar is, sal die WCTI in ‘n beter posisie wees om betekenisvolle besluite te neem rakende die gepaste plan van aksie. Verder moet die WCTI ook hulself vergewis van die sakemoontlikhede wat vir die gereedskapmakers beskikbaar is en dit begin benut. Die oogmerk van die studie was om die werkverrigting van die gereedskapmakers deur samewerking te verbeter deur middel van die OFP wat ondersteun word deur aktiwiteitsgebaseerde kosteberekening. Die doel van die navorsingsprojek was om ‘n raamwerk te ontwikkel wat deur die WCTI gebruik kan word om samewerking onder die gereedskapmakers aan te moedig en hul mededingendheid te verbeter.

本研究旨在建構學校核心競爭力指標體系，以技專校院為研究主體，運用文獻分析、德懷術、訪談及問卷調查等4種研究方法進行探究。研究者首先蒐集核心競爭力、學校競爭力、學校核心競爭力、教育指標、技專校院的現況與發展等相關資料，透過文獻分析，初步建構學校核心競爭力指標體系草案後，再經由18位德懷術專家學者3次問卷往返的協助修正，最後建立技專校院適用之學校核心競爭力指標體系。研究過程中，另與6位專家學者進行深度訪談，瞭解技專校院現場實務工作者對研究問題之看法與建議，協助取得較完整的調查研究資料；最後，針對全國科技大學、技術學院與專科學校等93校，寄發465份指標認同程度調查問卷，以立意樣本進行教師意見調查，回收之有效問卷340份，回收率為73％。 根據文獻分析、德懷術專家問卷、訪談及技專校院教師問卷調查結果，經過整理及分析之後，本研究獲致之以下結論： 一、核心競爭力是多種類型能力所組成。 二、學校核心競爭力特徵具有獨特性、價值性、整合性、動態性、延展性、過程性與核心性。 三、學校核心競爭力是學校永續經營的重要根基。 四、學校核心競爭力探討的學校層級著重在高等教育領域。 五、技專校院正面臨再造發展的關鍵期。 六、本研究建構技專校院適用之學校核心競爭力指標體系，包括「科研核心競爭力」、「師資核心競爭力」、「學生核心競爭力」、「學校表現核心競爭力」等四構面，合計79項指標。 七、德懷術專家對於「科研核心競爭力」與「師資核心競爭力」層級各指標評價之共識程度，高於「學生核心競爭力」與「學校表現核心競爭力」層級各指標。 八、受訪談者肯定技專校院具有重要的價值與功能。 九、受訪談者對於提升技專校院核心競爭力的策略，認為應從「師資水準」、「學生能力」、「政府政策」、「學校經營策略」與「合作策略聯 盟」等層面推進。 十、技專校院教師對於「學校表現核心競爭力」層級各指標之認同程度較高，對於「科研核心競爭力」層級各指標之認同程度較低。 十一、技專校院教師對於本研究建構之指標評價，受不同性別、年齡等變項的影響較不顯著，受不同學校型態（科技大學、技術學院、專科學校）的影響較顯著。 十二、技專校院教師背景變項對於編號「A-2科研價值性」、「A-2-4技術移轉件數」、「B-1-2具有博士學位教師數」指標認同程度之影響較顯著，對於編號「C-1-1取得專業證照學生數」、「C-1-2通過專技檢定學生數」、「C-3-3學生公共服務表現」、「D-2-3學校建築物樓地板面積」指標認同程度無顯著影響。 根據上述研究結論，本研究分別提出對主管教育行政機關、技專校院與未來研究建議如下： 一、對主管教育行政機關之建議 （一）重視與應用技專校院之學校核心競爭力指標，並將指標納入技專校院資訊資料庫。 （二）強化技職教育的定位與功能，鼓勵技專校院發展學校優勢特色，協助技專校院增進核心競爭能量。 （三）積極協助競爭力較弱的技專校院，助益學校改善經營體質，建立妥適之技專校院進退場機制，激勵學校再造與整併。 （四）成立學校核心競爭力中心，協助技專校院進行核心競爭力評核，接軌國際教育核心競爭力潮流，辦理學校核心競爭力論壇與研習。 二、對技專校院之建議 （一）強化科學、技術、實務與應用整合的學校核心競爭力，發展技專校院「專業、專才、專項、專精、專攻」的五大核心競爭策略。 （二）建立師資領先的競爭態勢，積極改善師資的品質與結構，增進教師實務經驗與交流，鼓勵教師與業界產學合作。 （三）提升學生的多元競爭能力，協助學生取得專業證照，強化學生實用的專業技能，鼓勵學生參與專業競賽。 （四）以學校永續經營為本，資源有效運用為宗，積極展現優質學校的品牌形象，豎立學校不畏競爭的強勢地位。 三、對未來研究之建議 （一）增加研究對象人數，更採樣本抽樣方式，以使研究立論更為客觀，並擴大研究推論範圍。 （二）採用更多元的指標建構方法，以增進指標研究的適切與實效。 （三）針對不同的學校性質，建構分類的學校核心競爭力指標。 / This research aims to establish a system of school core competitiveness indicators with vocational and technical institute as examples, utilizing methodologies such as literature review, Delphi technique, interviews and questionnaire survey to conduct the research. The research first collects relevant development and information related to core competitiveness, school competitiveness, school core competitiveness and educational indicator of vocational and technical institutes. Consequently through initial establishment of school core competitiveness and subsequent collaboration with 18 Delphi technique experts, a school core competitiveness system suited for vocational and technical institutes are established. Through the process of the research, six other experts are interviewed to provide suggestions of practical understanding to researchers and assist in acquiring a more accurate research data. Finally, 465 indicator acceptance questionnaires are sent to 93 technological universities, technical and vocational institutes and purposive samples were utilized to investigate teacher opinions. 340 questionnaires were returned, giving an effective response rate of 73%. According to literature review, Delphi experts’ questionnaire surveys, interviews and teacher opinions surveys of vocational and technical institutes, the research reaches the following conclusions after integration and analysis: 1. Core competitiveness is composed of several types of abilities. 2. Characteristics of school core competitiveness include uniqueness, value, integration, mobility, extendibility, process and core. 3. School core competitiveness is the fundamental of sustainable management. 4. Discussion of school core competitiveness is focused on higher education sector. 5. Vocational and technical institutes are facing the critical phase of re-engineering. 6. There are 79 indicators in the process of building school core competitiveness system and they include: “R&D core competitiveness”, “teaching staff core competitiveness”, “students’ core competitiveness” and “school performance core competitiveness”. 7. Delphi experts have higher consensus and appraisal regarding “R&D core competitiveness” and “teaching staff core competitiveness” compared to “students core competitiveness” and “school performance core competitiveness”. 8. The interviewees have high affirmation regarding the function and value of vocational and technical institutes. 9. The interviewees thought effective strategies to promote core competitiveness of vocational and technical institutes include raising “teaching staff level”, “students’ abilities”, “government policies”, “school management strategies” and “strategic alliances”. 10. Teaching staff of vocational and technical institutes have overall higher approval level concerning “school performance core competitiveness” than “R&D core competitiveness”. 11. Evaluations of indicators established in this research are affected mainly by school types (technological university, technical institutes, and vocational schools) rather than gender or age group. 12. Variables of teaching staff of vocational and technical institutes have significant differences with respect to “A-2 R&D value”, “A-2-4 Number of technology transfers” and “B-1-2 Qualified Ph.D. teaching staff”, and less significant differences with respect to “C-1-1 Number of students with qualifications”, “C-1-2 Number of students who passed technical examinations”, “C-3-3- Students’ public service performance” and “D-2-3 Area of school buildings”. According to the above research conclusions, this research proposes the following relevant suggestions for education administration authority, the educational institutes and future research: 1. Suggestions for education administration authority (1) Place emphasis and employ practical application of the school core competitiveness indicators of vocational and technical institutes, and incorporate those data into school database. (2) Strengthen positioning and functions of vocational and technical institutes, develop their unique competitiveness and core competitiveness ability. (3) Actively assist weaker vocational and technical institutes to improve their management and establish appropriate exit strategies to encourage school re-engineering and consolidation. (4) Establish center for school core competitiveness to assist assessment of core competitiveness of vocational and technical institutes, follow international educational core competitiveness trend and host forums and research on school core competitiveness. 2. Suggestions to vocational and technical institutes (1) Strengthen scientific, technical, practical and integrative core competitiveness of schools to develop the five core competitiveness: professional, talented, training, expertise and specialty. (2) Establish teaching staff competitiveness edge by actively improving teaching staff quality and structure; promote practical experience sharing and encourage involvement with the industry. (3) Increase students’ multi-faceted competitiveness by assisting students in receiving their professional certifications, enhancing their practical skills and encouraging them to participate in professional competitions. (4) With sustainable management as key principle and effective utilization of resources as model, actively exhibit a positive image of quality education and strong competitive edge. 3. Directions for future research (1) Increase number of research targets and employ random sampling to make research conclusion more objective and have wider inference aspect. (2) Establish more multi-faceted indicators to enhance research appropriateness and effectiveness. (3) Establish different types of school core competitiveness for different types of schools.

Ce mémoire a pour but d’étudier si le fait d’avoir des élections compétitives au Brésil a mené à des politiques de redistribution de revenus plus efficaces. Le chapitre 1 présente les critères retenus pour mesurer la compétitivité électorale au poste de Gouverneur. À partir des 27 États du pays, on distingue un groupe de 5 États où la compétition électorale est forte et un autre groupe de 5 États pour lequel elle est faible. Pour chacun de ces groupes, un État a été retenu. Le chapitre 2 détaille les facteurs qui expliquent les inégalités au Brésil. La suite du mémoire se consacre à l’analyse des politiques favorisant une meilleure redistribution de revenus pour l’État retenu de chaque groupe (chapitre 3) et pour l’ensemble des deux groupes (chapitre 4). L’analyse révèle qu’un plus important niveau de compétition électorale ne mène pas nécessairement à de meilleures politiques de redistribution de revenus. / This study aims to look at whether electoral competitiveness in Brazil led to more efficient income redistribution policies. Chapter 1 takes a look at which criteria were used to measure electoral competitiveness for Governor. From the country’s 27 States, we have identified a group of 5 States considered to have a high level of electoral competitiveness and another group of 5 States with low levels of competitiveness. We have then outlined a single State for each of these two groups. Chapter 2 details the factors explaining income inequality in Brazil. The remainder of the study focuses on the analysis of policies favouring better income redistribution for the single State selected for each group (chapter 3) and for both groups as a whole (chapter 4). The analysis reveals that a higher level of electoral competitiveness does not necessarily lead to better income redistribution policies.

Les pôles de compétitivité sont un espace collectif dynamique. Par conséquent, la compréhension de l’intégration des organisations au sein de ce dispositif est stratégique. Cette recherche porte sur les logiques d’insertion des acteurs au sein des pôles. La méthodologie mobilisée est basée sur l’étude qualitative de deux cas : le pôle Mer et le pôle PASS basés en région PACA. Trois niveaux de résultats sont proposés. Un premier niveau concerne l’identification des ressources recherchées par les acteurs lors de leur entrée au sein des pôles, puis, un second niveau permet d’appréhender l’intensité des liens mobilisés par les acteurs lors de leur insertion. Enfin, en nous appuyant sur les ressources recherchées et les liens inter-organisationnels mobilisés par les différents acteurs, un troisième niveau de résultats nous permet d’identifier trois logiques d’insertion : technologique, économique et politique. / Clusters are a dynamic collective space. Therefore, understanding the integration of organizations within this system is strategic. This research focuses on logic then insert the actors in the “pôles”. Mobilized the methodology is based on the qualitative study of two cases: the “pôle” PASS and Mer based in the PACA region. Three levels of results are available. The first level concerns the identification of resources sought by the players when they enter in the pin, then a second level, capture both the intensity of ties mobilized by the actors during their insertion. Finally, drawing on the resources sought and inter-organizational linkages mobilized by different actors, a third level of results allows us to identify three logical integration: technological, economic and political.

台灣是一個健全的資訊傳播科技產品代工樞紐，而加拿大正試圖推動資訊傳播科技的創新同時也是台灣的一個主要貿易夥伴與合作者，兩國有機會增進在資訊傳播科技的合作。本論文將評估兩國資訊傳播科技在產業、企業、政府三個層次合作的現況，目的是要發掘台灣如何能夠透過與加拿大進一步的合作，以確保台灣在資訊傳播科技產業的競爭力。論文探討下述研究問題：加拿大與台灣的進一步合作，是如何可以增進台灣在資訊傳播科技產業的創新以確保台灣的競爭力。論文以質化分析兩國的資訊傳播科技產業，來查明優勢與限制和雙方合作的現況。研究結果顯示加拿大與台灣在資訊傳播科技產業是有互補性的夥伴，並有堅實的基礎推動合作、研發與加強創新，而透過開發新的產品、服務與技術，政府與企業合作可以加強台灣資訊傳播科技產業的競爭力。 / Taiwan is an established contract hub for the manufacturing of information and communication technologies (ICT). As Canada aims to promote innovation in its ICT industry and as a major trading partner and collaborator with Taiwan, there is opportunity for both countries to increase cooperation in this industry. This thesis will assess the current level of cooperation between the two countries’ ICT industries, ICT companies and governments. The purpose is to determine how Taiwan can maintain its ICT competitiveness through enhanced Canada-Taiwan ICT industry cooperation. The following research question will be analyzed: How can enhanced ICT cooperation and collaboration in research and development between Canada and Taiwan improve innovation in Taiwan’s ICT industry in order to remain competitive? The thesis will use a qualitative analysis of both industries to determine strengths and weaknesses. Current cooperation in bilateral relations between them will be examined. Findings demonstrate that Canada and Taiwan have complementary ICT industries for partnerships and strong foundations which can promote further cooperation, research and development, and bolster innovation. Strong government level and company level cooperation will enhance Taiwan’s ICT competitiveness by creating new products, services and technologies.

Småföretag utgör den ekonomiska motorn som påverkar nationers utveckling. Därför bör de kontinuerligt stödjas för att fortsatt kunna främja länders utveckling. 99 % av alla bygg- och anläggningsföretag är idag småföretag och på grund av branschens höga konjunkturkänslighet, låga inträdeshinder och hårda konkurrens löper de stor risk att misslyckas. Detta medför en efterfrågan på strategisk forskning som kan appliceras på deras speciella karaktärsdrag; flexibilitet och småskalighet. Strategisk forskning har genom historien haft olika fokus vid förklarandet av företags konkurrenskraft. Idag riktas forskningen mot ett internt perspektiv där den resursbaserade teorin är den mest använda. Då den externa miljön är i ständig förändring och kunders preferenser är volatila skapar inte det externa perspektivet en säker grund för att förstå företags konkurrenskraft.   Syftet med studien är att ur ett internt och externt perspektiv öka förståelsen kring hur konkurrenskraft kan stärkas för småföretag inom bygg- och anläggningsbranschen. Detta genom att identifiera centrala resurser samt studera hur dessa förnyas, tillämpas och utvecklas. För att besvara syftet har en kvalitativ studie genomförts där den primära datainsamlingen utgjordes av fem semi-strukturerade intervjuer. Två undersökningsföretag valdes ut efter ett strategiskt urval. Kriterierna var att företagen skulle klassificeras som småföretag och vara marknadsledande.  Utifrån studien kan det fastslås att det inte var tillräckligt att enbart analysera den resursbaserade teorin för att förstå hur småföretag inom bygg- och anläggningsbranschen stärker sin konkurrenskraft. Undersökningsföretagen belyste vikten av deras externa relationer med kunderna. Kundrelationerna hade en direkt koppling till företagens konkurrenskraft i form av avtal och rykte. Att endast analysera det interna perspektivet hade resulterat i en bristfällig analys av dessa resursers påverkan på konkurrenskraften. Således adderades det relationella synsättet efter analys av empirin. Utifrån dessa två perspektiv kunde det konstateras att små bygg- och anläggningsföretag stärker sin konkurrenskraft genom att skapa inbäddade relationer med kunder och anställda samtidigt som heterogena resurser måste förnyas, tillämpas och utvecklas. Genom detta kan konkurrensfördelar skapas. / Small businesses constitute the economic engine which affects nations’ development. That is why they continuously need support to further encourage the development of countries. 99 % of all the construction companies are today small businesses and due to the industry’s high sensitivity to economic fluctuation, low entry barriers and intense competition there is a high business failure rate. This leads to a demand of strategic research that can be applied on their special characteristics, flexibility and small scaled. Strategic research has throughout the history had a different focus in explaining businesses competitiveness. Today, research is more directed towards an internal perspective whereas the resource-based theory is the most used. As the external environment is constantly changing and customers’ preferences are volatile the external perspective cannot form a secure foundation to use in the understanding of business competitiveness.  The purpose of this study is from a resource-based view increase the understanding of how competitiveness in small businesses in the construction industry can be strengthened. This by identifying key resources and study how these are renewed, applied and developed. To answer the purpose of the study, a qualitative study has been used whereas the primary data collection consists of five semi-structured interviews. Two businesses where chosen by a purposive sampling. The criteria’s where that the businesses would be classified as small businesses and be leaders of the market.  Based on the study it can be established that it is not sufficient to only analyze the resourcebased theory in order to understand how small businesses in the construction industry strengthen their competitiveness. The research businesses highlighted the importance of their external customer relations. The customer relationships had a direct connection to the businesses competitiveness in terms of contracts and reputation. Only analyzing the internal perspective would have resulted in an inadequate analyze of these resources impact on competitiveness. Thus, the relational view was added to the study after analyze of the gathered data. Through these two perspectives it was noted that small construction businesses competitiveness strengthens through embedded relationships with their customers and employees while at the same time renewing, applying and developing heterogenic resources. Through this, a competitive advantage can be created.

Strong objections appeared in the Czech Republic, especially in the automotive industry, against the EU-Korea Free Tra de Agreement right after its adoption in October 2009. There were fears that the Agreement would endanger Czech competitiveness in the European market while new opportunity for Czech exporters in the Korean market would be limited. The thesis aims to analyze the impacts of the Agreement on the Czech sensitive sectors as the author does not agree with the results of the very first Czech country specific analysis made by the Association for International Affairs (AMO) that neglects any important endangering effects of the Agreement. The crucial difference between this paper and the study made by AMO is that the author considers Czech competitiveness in the European market as a decisive criterion while AMO analysts analyze the impacts on the Czech market only. They do not consider Czech exports to the EU member states and potentially strengthening competition in the European market for Czech producers. In the thesis the sensitive sectors are defined using the data from the International Trade Centre (ITC), the Czech statistical office, and the UN COMTRADE. Hariss index is used to measure restrictiveness of the rules of origin for the very first time in the EU-Korean FTA context, the methodology of the European Commission is utilized to estimate potential savings in effect of duty drawback, and a qualitative analysis of the non-tariff barriers is applied. The author points at a decisive function of non tariff barriers that plays even more important role in terms of liberalization then tariff reduction itself. Regarding the automotive industry, the thesis shows that Czech competitiveness within heading 8703 (cars) will not be endangered in effect of the Agreement while there might be some difficulties within heading 8708 (parts & accessories for motor vehicles). The Czech Republic does not perform any revealed competitive advantage in trade of services. The arguments of Czech car makers against the Agreement about the trade within heading 8703 are not admitted. However further research is needed to analyze if the Agreement will have harmful effects on Czech competitiveness in the European market within heading 8708. The Agreement will not bring up any notable opportunity for Czech exporters in the Korean market.