Despite concerted efforts at agricultural development over many years, millions of people in developing countries still suffer from poverty and under-nutrition. New crop varieties, such as those released during the green revolution in Asia, increased farmers' income and reduced the level of under-nutrition. In recent years, while the speed of the development of conventional breeding technology has slowed, biotechnology has developed rapidly. In 2005, about 8.5 million farmers in 21 countries grew transgenic crops. Transgenic rice has not been commercially released on a large scale, but progress has been made in developing varieties with potential to increase yield and reduce input costs. In this context, this research aims to provide empirical evidence on the potential effects of introducing transgenic rice on farm households' income and nutritional well-being in Bangladesh, including the impacts on their current nutritional status and nutritional vulnerability over time. To this end, two econometric models are constructed and estimated. A farm household model is employed to project farm households' production and consumption responses to introducing improved rice varieties such as transgenic rice. The model estimates the profit effect of introducing transgenic rice. The influence of the profit effect on farmers' consumption decisions is then considered. Due to the ex ante nature of this research and data limitations, the effects of transgenic rice are assumed to be similar to that of previous high yielding varieties (HYVs), and the impact of transgenic rice on farm household profit is assumed to be similar to the effect of the percentage of rice area in HYVs and the yield effect of transgenic rice is the same as HYVs. On the production side, the supply of three outputs- rice, all other crops and animal products- and demand of labor and fertilizer were estimated. On the consumption side, both poor and non-poor households' demand for rice, wheat/other food, pulse, oil, vegetables/fruits, meat/egg/ milk, fish, and spices were estimated. Based on the parameter estimates, the calorie intake and protein intake elasticities with respect to introducing transgenic rice were computed. The results indicate that the total profit elasticity with respect to the percentage of rice area in HYVs is 0.08. The calorie elasticity with respect to the percentage of rice area in HYVs ranges from 0.062 in non-poor to 0.074 in poor households, and the protein elasticity ranges from 0.075 in non-poor to 0.084 in poor households. The results indicate that transgenic rice is likely to play a positive role in improving farm households' nutritional status in terms of total calorie/protein intake. The magnitude, however, is likely to be moderate, if only the profit effect is considered. A consumption forecasting model is used to examine farmers' nutritional vulnerability a probabilistic concept defined as having a high probability now of suffering a shortfall in the future. It is assumed that when exposed to risk, farmers' consumption decisions have already considered their risk coping strategies. The effect of transgenic rice is reflected by its impact on farm income. Farm households' calorie intake in the future (hunger season) was predicted by a multivariate regression function with the logarithmic daily per resident calorie intake as the dependent variable. The independent variables include variables that represent households' income, flood exposure, assets, and demographic composition. Farm households' nutritional vulnerability profiles, based on the estimation of ex ante mean and variance, indicate that vulnerability exists among surveyed rice farm households. The model also predicts that the income increase induced by introducing transgenic rice will reduce each individual household's probability of suffering a future consumption shortfall and subsequently will reduce its vulnerability. The overall vulnerability profile of farm households improves in Bangladesh. / Ph. D.

The purpose of this study is to assist planners and scientists in assessing the economic implications of the USAID-funded Integrated Pest Management-Collaborative Research Support Program (IPM CRSP) research activities. The study presents a framework and a set of procedures for documenting, evaluating and communicating aggregate economic impacts of IPM technologies within targeted areas and across agro-ecological regions. Performing an economic impact assessment involves consideration of many factors, from the adoption patterns of IPM technologies to the level of benefits and costs producers and consumers can reap from their adoption. Adopting the framework and procedures outlined in this study will help ensure that economic benefits of IPM CRSP activities are consistently and comprehensively evaluated and documented. The assessment process involves identifying and defining alternative pest management strategies, data and information collection, and analytical procedures. Two case studies are carried out to demonstrate the functionality and practical nature of the framework. Partial budgeting and ex-ante economic surplus analysis are employed to estimate the aggregate benefits of IPM CRSP strategies in Bangladesh and Uganda. In Bangladesh, an altered schedule of hand weeding in cabbage production and Neem leaf powder as an insecticide for eggplants were selected for assessment. In Uganda, the maize variety Longe-1 and seed dressing with Endosulfan for management of bean fly and root rot on beans, are evaluated. Also, a Geographic Information System (GIS) is used to project the transferability of IPM CRSP strategies beyond the primary sites. Data on production, consumption, prices, price elasticities for demand and supply, and experiment costs are gathered and refined to derive aggregate benefits for each country. Expert questionnaires were developed to determine adoption rates, and to elicit information about yield and cost changes due to the adoption of these technologies. Agro-ecological and socio-economic data were collected to facilitate the spatial framework and examine adoption rate patterns. The GIS analysis gives insight into the spatial dimension of economic analysis and complements the effort of the IPM CRSP to globalize its activities. The research findings show that the IPM practices investigated gave a substantial amount of benefits discounted over thirty years to both consumers and producers. This study has shown that IPM CRSP-induced pest management practices in Bangladesh and Uganda are viable and more profitable production practices than existing farmer practices. Efforts to promote the adoption of these technologies will likely result in more efficient production and greater economic rewards for the farmers, consumers, and in turn for the country as a whole. Finally, the study presents recommendations for further research relating to gender and cross-border trade issues to strengthen the functionality of the framework. / Master of Science

Croisant la sociologie des relations internationales et la sociologie de l’action publique, et s’appuyant sur un travail d’enquête principalement qualitatif – observation participante, entretiens semi-directifs – mais aussi quantitatif – analyse statistique textuelle -, cette thèse analyse les ressorts de la diplomatie climatique du Bangladesh, ainsi que les acteurs qui participent à son élaboration et à sa mise en œuvre. Alors que la littérature sur la gouvernance mondiale du climat s’est longtemps d’abord intéressée au rôle des acteurs « dominants » du régime climatique, cette recherche enrichit ces travaux en étudiant, à l’aide d’un cas d’étude empirique, les capacités de négociation des États « dominés », mais aussi les obstacles à leur participation effective aux négociations climatiques. Elle met en évidence l’existence d’un weak power, qui correspond à la capacité d’un acteur « faible » de contourner et/ou de transformer en avantage comparatif son déficit de puissance structurelle, grâce notamment à des ressources « empruntées » à d’autres acteurs, en vue d’exercer une influence sur le processus et les résultats des négociations. Elle montre comment le Bangladesh est parvenu à acquérir une identité ambiguë dans le régime climatique, marqué par la reconnaissance à la fois de son statut de pays « le plus vulnérable » aux impacts du changement climatique, et de celui de « champion de l’adaptation », qui lui permet de faire entendre sa voix, de capter des financements internationaux et de légitimer ses revendications. Esquissant les contours d’un modèle d’analyse permettant d’analyser les conditions d’activation, les ressources, les stratégies diplomatiques et les types de leadership propres au weak power, cette thèse participe à une meilleure compréhension du « paradoxe structuraliste » identifié par William Zatman et à la place des États dominés dans les négociations internationales. / Cross-checking the sociology of international relations with public policy analysis and mobilizing qualitative – participant observation, semi-structured interviews – and quantitative – textual analysis – methods, this dissertation analyses the development and implementation of the Bangladesh’s climate diplomacy. For a long time, the literature on global climate governance has focused on the role of dominant players in the climate regime. But this body of work does not provide a comprehensive insight on the negotiation capacities of dominated players and the limits to their effective participation. Based on a detailed empirical study, this research aims to fill this gap. It demonstrates the existence of a weak power that is defined as the ability of a « weak » actor to circumvent and/or transform its lack of structural power into comparative advantage, thanks in particular to borrowing resources to other actors, to influence the process and results of negotiations. This research shows how Bangladesh has acquired an ambiguous identity in climate regime, being both “the most vulnerable” country to climate change impacts and the “adaptation leader”. This dual identity allows Bangladesh to raise its voice in climate negotiations, to attract international funding and attention, and to legitimise its claims. This dissertation sketches out the contours of an analytical model enabling to analyse activation conditions, resources, diplomatic strategies and forms of leadership specific to weak power. In doing so, it contributes to a better understanding of the “structuralist paradox” identified by William Zartman and to the role of dominated states in international negotiations.

No description available.

The objective of the research is to identify how information can influence development in the developing countries, especially in Bangladesh. A variety of information gathering stages were undertaken including documentary analysis, interviews with key officials, structured interviews with individuals living in rural and urban slum areas and focus groups. Officials at the central planning level responsible for community development and information services in Bangladesh were interviewed to ascertain their views of the relation of information and development in Bangladesh. At the grassroots level both information providers and users were interviewed to collect information relating to the impact of information services on development in rural and poor urban areas of Bangladesh. Structured interviews which allowed for quantitative analysis were undertaken in four remote villages and two poor urban areas. Analysis of the data collected has led to the development of a model for community information centres which might become central to information dissemination and provide a focus for information policy in Bangladesh.

Bibliography: leaves 126-131.

<p>Target Audience: The management of TeliaSonera is our main target audience. Also students from management, marketing and business administration are our secondary concern.</p><p>Problem Statement: “How suitable is Bangladesh telecom market for an internationalized telecom company (TeliaSonera), and what could be a preferable entry strategy for such market?”</p><p>Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to investigate Bangladesh telecom market in order to find out the potentiality of the market which could be considered by the company to think about starting a business there and also to determine a suitable entry strategy from the company depending on the factors have been investigated.</p><p>Methodology: The project is based on both primary and secondary information retrieved in connection with the theoretical framework. A qualitative approach of research and analysis has been considered to reach the desirable result.</p><p>Theoretical Framework: The theoretical framework has been created with Porter’s (1998) five forces and National Diamond together with factors that influence the international entry strategy described by Franklin R (1998)</p><p>Findings: While presenting the data, we have followed a structure. We have divided all our data in four parts. They are namely, The Focal Company Factors, Home country (Sweden) factors, the Focal country (Bangladesh) Factors, and the Focal country’s (Bangladesh) Telecom market factors. All data have been presented under the respective headings of these parts and also with some corresponding subheadings.</p><p>Analysis: The analysis is based on the result of a consolidated evaluation of relevant theory and empirical information collected accordingly. All the collected information has been observed through the gloss of theoretical framework and has been used for answering the problem statement.</p><p>Conclusion: After investigating the factors of Bangladesh telecom market, we can conclude that it will be a good idea for TeliaSonera to expand their business in Bangladesh as both the industry and the country has a lot of potential to offer. An Investment entry mode (Joint Venture) has been suggested. It is worth mentionable that this paper is a preliminary idea about the market to encourage TeliaSonera to expand in Bangladesh which reveals the opportunity for further research.</p>

Purpose: The purpose of this bachelor's thesis is to investigate the safety culture among employees within the garment factory industry in Bangladesh. This is made in order to increase the understanding of the need for improvements and how these can be made. Methodology: This qualitative thesis has an abductive approach. The empirical findings are based on semi-structured interviews with 26 garment factory workers. Theoretical framework: The thesis deals with two theoretical areas. It addresses the concepts of safety culture and safety climate as well as their relation to organizational culture. Thereto it addresses theories on method implementations and changes in organizational culture. Results: Five recurring themes were found in the semi-structured interviews with factory workers: a new focus among management, training, risk and dangers at work, speaking about safety at work and wish for changes at work. It is hoped that the recurring themes reflect distinctive patterns within organizational and safety culture among garment factory workers in Bangladesh. Conclusions: In the aftermath of Rana Plaza the safety culture within the ready-made garment industry have seen major improvements. However, the safety culture still possesses several of shortcomings. In order for international initiatives to succeed in their objective of creating a safer and healthier ready-made garment industry in Bangladesh these shortcomings must be acknowledged. Thereto a bottom-up perspective must complement a top-down perspective in the ongoing implementation process of an organization culture which aim to empower factory workers and support factory owners to take responsibility for safety and health at work. / Syfte: Syftet med kandidatuppsatsen var att undersöka säkerhetskulturen bland anställda inom textilindustrin i Bangladesh. Detta görs för att öka förståelsen om behovet av förbättringar och hur dessa kan göras. Metod: Denna kvalitativa uppsats har en abduktiv ansats. De empiriska fynden baseras på semistrukturerade intervjuer med 26 textilarbetare. Teoretiskt ramverk: Uppsatsen behandlar två teoretiska områden. Dels behandlar den begreppen säkerhetskultur och säkerhetsklimat samt deras relation till organisationskultur. Dels behandlar den teorier om metodimplementering och förändringar inom organisationskultur. Resultat: Fem återkommande teman återfanns ide semistrukturerade intervjuerna medtextilarbetare: ett nytt fokus hos ledningen, utbildning, risker och faror i arbetet, att tala om säkerhet på arbetsplatsen samt önskemål om förändringar på arbetet, Förhoppningen är att de återkommande temana speglar tydliga mönster i organisations- och säkerhetskulturen bland textilarbetare i Bangladesh. Slutsatser: I efterdyningarna av Rana Plaza har säkerhetskulturen inom textilindustrin sett stora förbättringar. Säkerhetskulturen lider dockfortfarande av flera brister. För att internationella initiativ ska lyckas nå sin lyckas skapa en säkrare och mer hälsosam textilindustri i Bangladesh måste dessa brister erkännas. Därtill krävs ett bottom-up perspektiv kompletterar ett top-down perspektiv i den pågående implementeringen av en organisationskultur som syftar till att skapa empowerment hos textilarbetare och att stötta fabriksägare till att ta ansvar för en säker och hälsosam arbetsmiljö.

No description available.

Target Audience: The management of TeliaSonera is our main target audience. Also students from management, marketing and business administration are our secondary concern. Problem Statement: “How suitable is Bangladesh telecom market for an internationalized telecom company (TeliaSonera), and what could be a preferable entry strategy for such market?” Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to investigate Bangladesh telecom market in order to find out the potentiality of the market which could be considered by the company to think about starting a business there and also to determine a suitable entry strategy from the company depending on the factors have been investigated. Methodology: The project is based on both primary and secondary information retrieved in connection with the theoretical framework. A qualitative approach of research and analysis has been considered to reach the desirable result. Theoretical Framework: The theoretical framework has been created with Porter’s (1998) five forces and National Diamond together with factors that influence the international entry strategy described by Franklin R (1998) Findings: While presenting the data, we have followed a structure. We have divided all our data in four parts. They are namely, The Focal Company Factors, Home country (Sweden) factors, the Focal country (Bangladesh) Factors, and the Focal country’s (Bangladesh) Telecom market factors. All data have been presented under the respective headings of these parts and also with some corresponding subheadings. Analysis: The analysis is based on the result of a consolidated evaluation of relevant theory and empirical information collected accordingly. All the collected information has been observed through the gloss of theoretical framework and has been used for answering the problem statement. Conclusion: After investigating the factors of Bangladesh telecom market, we can conclude that it will be a good idea for TeliaSonera to expand their business in Bangladesh as both the industry and the country has a lot of potential to offer. An Investment entry mode (Joint Venture) has been suggested. It is worth mentionable that this paper is a preliminary idea about the market to encourage TeliaSonera to expand in Bangladesh which reveals the opportunity for further research.