This study presents and analyses opinions of 5 seasoned professional M&A advisers on merger failures. It integrates the perspectives of business strategy, economics, finance, organisation theory, and HR management on performance and success factors of mergers and acquisitions. The author modelled the factors of M&A failures and interplay between them into an integrative framework based on thematic analysis of participants' narratives. To ensure research validity, the author triangulated findings with existing literature. In conclusion, the author identified three major themes across data -- potential for dis-synergies stemming from misalignment of merging businesses, knowledge and planning efforts as a determinant of strategic rationale and post-merger integration, and psychological factors influencing key decision-makers.

Consulting one's personal finance with a financial advisor should allow even the less financially educated to optimize their financial portfolio. The client-advisor relationship is however a strong case of information asymmetry, which can result in harm being made to the client by the advisor, either knowingly (when the advisor attempts to maximize their own utility, even at the client's cost) or unknowingly (e.g. when the advisor is inadequately qualified in the field). One of the ways to reduce such risks is a proper regulatory framework, which is the core subject of the thesis. At first, the thesis analyzes the current state of financial advisory in the Czech Republic (how it is performed, what part of the population benefits from it, what the main problems are etc.) and shows how the client-advisor interaction ought to be performed. The main part of the thesis describes what the main problems and risks for the client are and which legal measures exist that can reduce these negative effects. The current legal framework in the Czech Republic is then thoroughly analyzed and compared with best-practice of select EU states. Finally, legal measures which are currently being discussed or passed as laws are mentioned. In the very end, other measures which could help make the field of financial advisory in the Czech Republic more efficient are suggested. The aim of the thesis is to provide a compact overview of the regulatory measures currently affecting financial advisory in the Czech Republic, show them in the international context and test the hypothesis that the Czech market of financial advisory is still relatively immature and that further appropriate regulation would improve its effectiveness resulting in higher protection of clients.

The goal of this master's thesis is, through marketing research in the field of financial advisory, to gain knowledge of the three research areas, which are consumer behaviour on the financial market, consumer attitude to financial advisory services and consumer knowledge of the company OVB Allfinanz, a.s. and their experience with company's consultants. The thesis is divided into two main parts. The theoretical part describes general knowledge of the topic and focuses on consumer behaviour, marketing of services, marketing communication, marketing research and financial advisory market in the Czech Republic. In the beginning of the practical part, there are introduced the company OVB Allfinanz and their main competitors on the market. The main part covers quantitative research, where are analysed data obtained from a questionnaire survey. These data are then evaluated and based on them some recommendations are suggested to the company OVB Allfinanz.

The aim of the thesis is to carry out marketing research and to conduct an analysis of the financial advisory market followed by a brand study of the company Partners. The first part of the thesis is theoretical, and it is devoted to general information about marketing, marketing communication, marketing research, consumer behavior, and financial advisory. The beginning of the practical part is dedicated to the presentation of the company Partners, followed by the actual marketing research, whose results are further examined. Based on the results, the study then answers the main research questions. The practical benefit of this thesis are data to be used by the company Partners for planning of future marketing campaigns and for working with prospective as well as current clients.

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the performance of advisory boards serving schools of business. This evaluation is based upon perceptions held by business school deans, department heads, and advisory board members concerning the most significant objectives established for advisory boards and the extent to which they have been attained.

The research undertaken in this study is an attempt to determine the influence of farm advisory services, socio-economic factors, and physical factors on the aggregate toxicity of pesticides used by cotton and peanut farmers in the Albemarle-Pamlico Watershed of Virginia and North Carolina. An aggregate toxicity index is developed for all pesticides used on each farm site. Four different types of farm advisors are considered in this study, namely, hired staff, university and state extension agents, chemical dealers, and scouting personnel. Regression analysis is used to estimate how the aggregate toxicity index and the aggregate pesticide expenditures were affected by farmers' choice of the most important farm advisory services; the farmer's age, education, and farming experience; productivity of the soil; soil erosion index; distance of farm from nearest water source; and the state in which the farm was located. The results of this study indicate that hired staff, scouting personnel, and extension agents are associated with higher aggregate toxicity of pesticides on cotton farms, while scouting personnel and chemical dealers are associated with higher aggregate toxicity of pesticides on peanut farms. More years of farming experience is associated with a slight decrease in aggregate toxicity on cotton farms. Increasing age of farmers is associated with a slight increase in aggregate toxicity on peanut farms. Training of farm advisors should include information about potential environmental damage from alternative pesticides. Advisors should be informed about the effects of soil physical characteristics on potential for environmental damage from pesticide use. Farm advisors should also be trained in methods to disseminate information to farmers on pesticide toxicity to the environment. More information on pesticide toxicity could also be publicized on pesticide packages. Continued research on less toxic pesticides and alternative pesticides is also an important strategy to reduce pesticide toxicity. / Master of Science

This paper presents the development of a novel decentralized freeway merge assistance system using the Dedicated Short Range Communication (DSRC) technology. The system provides visual advisories on a Google map through a smart phone application. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first implementation of a DSRC-based freeway merging assistance system-integrated with smart phone application via Bluetooth-that has been tested in real-world on an interstate highway in an uncontrolled environment. Results from field operational tests indicate that this system can successfully advise drivers towards a collaborative and smooth merging experience on typical "Diamond" interchanges.

A THESIS SUBMITTED TO THE FACULTY OF EDUCATION At the University of Zululand in fulfilment or partial fulfilment of the Requirements for the degree of Master of Education in the DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATIONAL PLANNING AND ADMINISTRATION, 2000. / This research examined the role of parents and community leaders in the development and maintenance of school culture in the Inanda District schools. The study made use of interviews and questionnaires to determine whether parents and community leaders perceive themselves as role players in developing the school culture. On the basis of the views from respondents, the study concluded that although parents and community leaders are aware of their role but they do not seem to be willing to do it. The research project, however, established that a high percentage of community leaders are not aware of what is taking place in the school. A high percentage of community leaders responded that there was poor communication between the schools and the community. This seems to limit their contribution to the development of school culture. The study makes recommendations which may facilitate the role of parents in creating the appropriate school culture.

Background – This study discusses gender-based differences in investment behaviour and its economic consequences. Despite significant advancements in gender equality, inequalities such as the gender wealth gap exist. This paper explores the difference in investment behaviour and factors that influence said behaviour. These behavioural factors include risk, overconfidence, financial literacy, as well as hindrances based on bias and stereotypes. Financial advisory as a tool can aid in bridging the gap between men and women when it comes to risk assessment, confidence levels, and hindrances. This paper argues that patience, a traditionally feminine virtue, is a key factor in rational investing and encourages breaking gender-based stereotypes within finance to bridge the gender-based investment gap.   Purpose – This paper aims to investigate gender-based differences in investment behaviour to explain the investment gap. By combining several sources, this paper seeks to understand the foundations of investment behaviour and identify tactics to address wealth disparity. The research gap the report aims to address is the lack of a comprehensive understanding of the multifaceted issue of investment behaviour. Overall, the paper seeks to identify gender-based investment differences and investigate the factors behind the cycle of wealth inequality.   Method – A mixed-methods approach is used, which includes two sources of quantitative data. These consist of a survey and secondary data, where the survey is founded on semi-structural interviews. For the survey, a convenience sample is used, and descriptive statistics, t-tests, and univariate ANOVA make up data analysis.   Conclusion – This thesis highlights the casual acceptance of investment behaviour between genders and the adverse effects of the existing disparities in investments. The statistical tests, interviews, and secondary data show that women tend to view investments differently than men, start long-term investments earlier, and exhibit patience in their investment style. However, women lack confidence and willingness to try, which can be overcome with tools such as education and financial advisory.

Denna uppsats undersöker och analyserar transaktionsrådgivarrollen genom en jämförelse av transaktionsprocesserna fastighetsmäklaren respektive transaktionsrådgivaren verkar i. För den stora allmänheten är rollen som transaktionsrådgivare tämligen okänd. För att få en ökad förståelse för rollerna har en kortare beskrivning av den svenska kommersiella fastighetsmarknaden och dess utveckling utförts. Det huvudsakliga materialet för analysen utgörs av intervjuer med ett flertal personer verksamma på den kommersiella fastighetsmarknaden, antingen som rådgivare inom fastighetstransaktioner eller som kunder till dessa. Utifrån materialet tydliggjordes likheter och skillnader mellan de båda rollerna. Dock är skillnaderna större. Transaktionsrådgivaren roll är betydligt mer av en projektledare. Nätverkets betydelse framstår också som viktigare och processen i sin helhet har som exempel en avsevärt större komplexitet i den kommersiella transaktionsprocessen, vilket ställer andra krav på rådgivaren än fastighetsmäklaren. Vidare har teman och trender över tid för transaktionsflödet och rollen identifierats och beskrivits. / This paper investigates and analyses the role of the real estate transaction advisor through a comparison of the transaction processes that real estate agents and transaction advisors work in. For the greater public the role as a real estate transaction advisor is seemingly unknown. To get a greater understanding of the roles a shorter description of the Swedish commercial real estate market and its development has been presented. The main material for the analysis consists of interviews with a number of individuals working on the commercial real estate market, either as advisors within transaction advisory or as customers of these. From the material a number of similarities and differences between the roles were illustrated. However, the identified differences are greater. The role of the transaction advisor is significantly more that of a project manager. The importance of the network also appears crucial and the transaction process in its entirety, as an example, has a considerably greater complexity in the commercial real estate transaction process. Further, themes and trends over time for the transaction flow and the role have been identified and described.