This purpose of the research is to investigate the relationship between the implementation of an Enterprise Risk Management (ERM) and corporate governance within the public sector. Furthermore, the study focused on the role of internal audit in ERM implementation as well as the relationship between ERM and risk communication. Questionnaires designed to collect data were e-mailed to risk managers; internal auditors and senior managers. The survey confirmed a positive association between the implementation of an ERM framework and corporate governance as well as risk communication. The majority of respondents further confirmed that corporate governance concerns were the main driving force behind the implementation followed by the impact of HIV/AIDS on their respective organisations. Of those surveyed 38% confirmed that their ERM process is embedded and they have also created the position of chief risk officer or similar. However, it is important to note that the role of internal audit in ERM implementation is not fully integrated.

The objective of this work was to identify the main presumptions of regional competitiveness and their application to partitular NUTS 3 regions of the Czech Republic with the main focus on the South-Bohemian region. In the first part of the thesis following crucial factors that influence regional competitveness were defined: economic and inovative efficiency, research and development, foreign investments, economic structure and human resources qualities. According to these factors the NUTS 3 regions were compared and their competitiveness were analysed in the second part. Disparities between NUTS 3 regions were found and regions were dividend into few groups in respect for their cometitiveness level. It was revealed that the competitiveness of South-Bohemian region is above the average of the Czech Republic in the most of aspects perused.

A questão ambiental se insere na mudança profunda em andamento na sociedade. Nessa trajetória, a lógica de maximização do lucro empresarial está sendo questionada quanto à obtenção de outros objetivos e da sua razão social, como a proteção do meio ambiente. Esta dissertação estuda a influência da gestão ambiental no sucesso e competitividade empresarial, investigando o grau de correlação e os fatores que a modificam. Para tanto, foram analisados os autores que estudaram estas correlações na literatura, utilizando-se ainda estudos, relatórios e dados existentes sobre o tema. Foram identificados os indicadores de sucesso empresarial e as estratégias competitivas consagradas na literatura, assim como as variáveis e ferramentas ambientais relevantes ao sucesso empresarial. Foi concluído que, de modo geral, o investimento em meio ambiente contribui para aumentar o sucesso empresarial e a vantagem competitiva, com resultados tangíveis (p.ex. eficiência operacional) e intangíveis (p.ex. valor de marca e reputação). No entanto, a força da influência depende de uma série de fatores, dentre os quais se destaca o tipo de processos-produtos-setores envolvidos e seus impactos ambientais, além do grau de preocupação e conscientização ambiental das partes interessadas. Verificou-se que a gestão ambiental afeta mais positivamente o sucesso empresarial na proporção do grau de integração entre seus objetivos e ferramentas, sendo que uma visão de sustentabilidade contribui neste sentido. Com relação às ferramentas da gestão ambiental, evidenciou-se que a produção mais limpa apresenta grandes oportunidades de redução de custos, devendo, porém, ser previamente avaliadas quanto à sua relação custo-benefício. Evidenciou-se, ainda, que a implementação e certificação dos sistemas de gestão ambiental, de acordo com a Norma ISO 14001, apresentam vários benefícios competitivos, dentre os quais se destacam as reduções de custos pela redução da poluição e consumo de materiais; o atendimento de critérios de clientes e investidores; melhoria da gestão global e auxilio a melhoria da imagem (condicionada à existência de outros fatores). Ao final, foi sugerida uma ferramenta para avaliação ambiental estratégica que permite a integração com os indicadores de sucesso e estratégias empresariais. Esta ferramenta foi testada em uma aplicação setorial para os fabricantes de veículos automotores. / Environmental subject is inside the deep change going on society. In this way, maximizing company profit logic is being questioned about looking for others company's objectives, including environmental protection. This work studies the environmental management influence over firm success and competitiveness, looking for its degree and the drivers that change it. It analyzed the authors that studied these relations, using existing studies, reports and data on this subject. It identified known literature of company's success indicators and competitive strategies, as such as relevant environmental drivers and tools for firm success. It concludes that, in general, investments on environmental protection have positive impact on company success and competitiveness, with tangible (e.g. operational efficiency) and intangible (e.g. brand and reputation value) results. However, influence degree depends on factors such as process-products-sectors types and its environmental impacts; and stakeholders' environmental concerns and awareness. Environmental management affects business success more positively as its objectives and tools integration degree raise, within a sustainability vision and framework. Among used environmental tools, clean production presents big cost reductions opportunities, but projects might be previously analyzed form the cost-benefit perspective. It concludes that environmental management systems implementation and certification according ISO 14001 standard brings competitive benefits such as cost reduction by pollution and resources consumption reduction; meeting clients and investors requirements; internal management improvement; and helping image improvement (conditioned to the existence of other drivers). At the end, it was suggested a strategic environmental evaluation tool, that allows for the integration with business success and strategies. This tool was tested at automakers industry.

The purpose of this study is to understand the technical and social considerations of implementing business to business processes integration. In order to do so, a study was undertaken of two processes used by a local vehicle manufacturer to integrate their operations with those of their suppliers. Structuration theory was used to situate the findings. It was found that technology is a powerful enabler, but can also constrain human agency in terms of process execution. Competitive advantage, identified as the main driver for business to business process integration, is enabled by technological and process structures, but can only be maintained by enabling human agency. / Dissertation (MPhil(Informatics))--University of Pretoria, 2008. / Informatics / MPhil / unrestricted

The dissertation deals with innovations and competitiveness of companies. It also depicts innovative environment in a real company.

The goal of this thesis is to determine how Canada's competitiveness is being affected by its commodity-based, US-centric export mix, if it is justified to talk about a ''resource curse'' and if efforts to diversify should be pursued. In the end, the aim is to understand how the chosen trade strategy will impact Canadian efforts to tap into the Asian markets. Chapter 1 will first look into the theory of comparative advantage which was first established by David Ricardo and then extended through several neoclassic theories (namely, the Heckscher-Ohlin model), the various assumptions made will be considered and put into today's context of globalized trade exchanges. As the 'case study', the economy of Canada and more specifically its trade exchanges will be analyzed in Chapter 2. As an oil-centric (and generally, commodity-centric) economy, the question of whether the Dutch Disease and the commodity 'supercycle' pose threats to Canada's trade strategy and competitiveness will be answered. Finally, in Chapter 3, the concepts gathered in Chapter 1 as well as the observations made in Chapter 2 will come together and explain how Canada can, through a diversified export mix, better seize the economic opportunities which Asia will represent in the years to come. The conclusion is that the endowment of resources should be exploited but not relied upon, and that government policies and active investments should be redirected towards innovative, value-adding industries.

Diploma thesis deals with tourism and its competitiveness in selected regions of France. The main aim of the thesis is to identify the main aspects of regional tourism competitiveness. The selected regions are Basse-Normandie, Bretagne, Chamagne-Ardenne, Pays de la Loire, Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur and Rhône-Alpes. The theoretical part is devoted to the importance of the position of tourism in terms of economics, society and regional development. Thesis also explains the concept of tourism competitiveness and its associated attributes such as comparative and competitive advantage. In detail various indicators of competitiveness of the WEF methodology are described. In the practical part there is defined set of indicators which can be used to measure the competitiveness of the tourism sector in regions. Indicators are based on publicly available data of selected regions. With using these indicators it is calculated tourism competitiveness index for each region. Final comparison shows that the most competitive tourism has region Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur. On the contrary, the least competitive tourism is in region Champagne-Ardenne. Five fundamental aspects of tourism development are defined, based on the results obtained. In conclusion, diploma thesis confirms direct relationship between the level of the index and incoming tourism in selected French regions. With respect to the defined set of indicators of tourism competitiveness the possibility of its use also within regions in other European countries it is offered.

The aim of this research was to analyse the competitiveness of the South African mining industry in order to assess the viability of mineral beneficiation. This study also aimed to establish what was required in the mining industry in order to provide an environment which enables competitiveness going forward. The Diamond Model of Industry Competitiveness developed by Michael Porter was utilised in analysing the mining industry's competitiveness. In the process of the analysis, the model was interrogated for validity in a developing and dynamic country via inference of the analysis of the South African mining industry. Based on the results of this research, a new model, built on the findings outlined by the Diamond Model, was developed. The research found that the mining industry is not competitive at present and will not be able to provide an environment conducive to beneficiation in South Africa. Investigation further revealed that, as a result of the importance placed on the elements of the model, the Diamond Model is viable in a developing and dynamic environment. The results further provided sufficient feedback regarding how to utilise the elements from the Diamond Model in redesigning the competitive analysis in a forward-looking manner. / Dissertation (MBA)--University of Pretoria, 2014. / zkgibs2015 / Gordon Institute of Business Science (GIBS) / Unrestricted

The main aim of thesis is to design a viable branding strategy for a company. The theoretical part consists of interpretation of branding and strategic brand management. The analytical part examines brand building strategy and position of the company in the market as well as its competitors and potential clients. Based on analysis, a branding strategy proposal is suggested in order to create a competitive and successful brand of the company.

The diploma thesis is focuses on the evaluating of the impact of product innovation on business opportunities and barriers in the European market. We gradually analyzed the external and internal environment of the company, which influences product innovation. Subsequently, a proposal was made to measure the company's performance using the Balanced Scorecard method. The last part of the work is focused on the evaluation of the created proposal.