The aim of this project was to provide sound scientific underpinning for the development of new weed management strategies in sugar cane by exploring competition from the major weeds, and explaining the different mechanisms of weed interference from Paspalum paniculatum and P. urvillei. Critical periods of weed control (CPWC) were studied in six field trials. In ratoon cane, CPWC with natural weed infestations started between 228 and 916 growing degree days (GDD), and ended between 648 and 1311 GDD, depending on the site and cane variety. These results represented a maximum CPWC of 12 to 28 weeks after harvest (WAH). In plant cane, the CPWC started earlier (6 WAP) and was longer than those in ratoon cane. Relative competitiveness ‘q’ values of eight common weed species showed that sugar cane was a stronger competitor than most of the weeds tested. The adverse effect of weed competition in sugar cane is not experienced before several weeks following weed emergence. Weeds transplanted 10 WAP caused no significant change in cane yield response as compared to those transplanted 4 WAP. Paspalum paniculatum was often found to be more competitive than P. urvillei, although the latter produced more leaf area and grew taller to intercept more light within the canopy. This indicated that other mechanisms of weed interference were involved and competition for light was more important during the earlier (tillering) growth stages. Root competition was shown to be as important as shoot competition. Root competition effects were observed several weeks after imposing competition, suggesting that it was more important than competition for light in the post-tillering phase. Application of root exudates from the two grasses to sugar cane confirmed an allelopathic effect on the root biomass of sugar cane. One chemical identified in the leachates from both Paspalum species for the allelopathic effects was 2-propenoic acid, 3-(4-methoxyphenyl). The main implications of the above findings for the Mauritian sugar industry would involve a change in the timing of application of herbicides. A new tank-mix consisting of trifloxysulfuron + ametryn and amicarbazone has been found to meet this objective. This strategy will enable a saving of at least one herbicide treatment per season. / Thesis (PhD)--University of Pretoria, 2011. / Plant Production and Soil Science / unrestricted

Master of Science / Department of Agronomy / Kassim Al-Khatib / Field experiments were conducted near Manhattan, KS in 2005 and 2006 and Sabetha, KS in 2005 to determine the efficacy of S-metolachlor tank mixed with fomesafen on common waterhemp in soybean. Preemergence treatments included S-metolachlor + fomesafen at 0.91 + 0.22, 1.21 + 0.28, 1.52 + 0.36, and 1.82 + 0.43 kg ha-1 and S-metolachlor + metribuzin at 0.55 + 0.14 kg ha-1. These treatments were applied alone or followed by a postemergence glyphosate application at 0.88 kg ha-1. Ratings were taken 2, 4 and 8 weeks after treatment. The study showed that S-metolachlor + fomesafen gave excellent early season control of common waterhemp at both Sabetha and Manhattan. S-metolachlor + fomesafen at the 1.52+0.36 kg ha-1 rate gave greater weed control than S-metolachlor + metribuzin. A separate study was conducted to determine the competitiveness and fitness of a protox-resistant common waterhemp biotype. Protox-resistant and protox-susceptible biotypes of common waterhemp were grown under noncompetitive and competitive arrangements in the greenhouse. In the noncompetitive study a single plant of both biotypes was planted in 15-cm-diam pots. Photosynthesis, leaf area, and plant biomass were measured 10, 20, 30, and 40 day after transplanting (DATP). In general, photosynthesis rate and plant biomass was similar between biotypes. However, the protox-resistant biotype had higher leaf area then the susceptible biotype at 20, 30, and 40 DATP. Under competitive conditions, a replacement series study, photosynthesis, leaf area, plant height, and plant biomass were measured 7, 14, 21, and 28 DATP. In general protox-resistant and –susceptible common waterhemp values were similar 28 DATP. Relative crowding coefficient values 28 DATP were 0.86, 0.89, 1.09, and 1.13 for photosynthesis, leaf area, plant height, and plant biomass, respectively. Suggesting, protox resistance did not change the ability of common waterhemp to grow normally under competitive conditions.

Ph.D. (Business Management) / This study is premised on the recognition that small and medium enterprises have a potential to significantly contribute to national economies through job creation, economic growth and innovation. However they have limitations with regard to resources that are required to achieve a competitive advantage, a prerequisite to survive and be successful in the globalised economy that is epitomised by intense competition. The potential that these enterprises hold can only be realised when they can compete effectively in the globalised market. The literature review conducted identified that there are a number of resources and capabilities that enterprises require to achieve a competitive advantage. There are however specific resources and capabilities that are pertinent to achieving and retaining competitive advantage under the prevailing intense competition emanating from the globalisation process. These are technology know-how, finance, human resources and leadership capabilities, the independent variables in this study. Given the resource limitations experienced by small and medium enterprises, literature reviewed further indicated that interorganisational relationships can be a source for resource gaps experienced by enterprises. In particular the relationships with large enterprises are considered to be an effective platform for accessing resources and capabilities by small and medium enterprises. However, it is recognised in literature that the identified resources and capabilities must enable small and medium enterprises to innovate, produce quality products and/or services, be efficient and effectively respond to customers if competitive advantage is to be achieved. In this study innovation, quality, efficiency and customer responsiveness were identified as mediating variables. In view of the problem identified above, that is achieving and maintaining competitive advantage in the globalised economy by small and medium enterprises, the primary objective of this study is to establish how interorganisational relationships with large enterprises influence the competitive advantage of small and medium enterprises. Competitive advantage is the dependent variable in this study and was measured in terms of cost reduction and unique and/or improved products and/or services.

The main aim is to describe the competitiveness of the European union not only from the view of single member countries but also as a whole. As I meassuring instrument to identify competitive advantages of EU countries I used the Global Competitiveness Report from World Economic Forum. In the last chapter I describe the forming of Lisbon agenda, goals and progress so far.

The main objective of this thesis is to analyze the competitiveness of the EU countries. First chapter is about the competitiveness, first theoretically, then in numbers based on the the competitiveness index of WEF and IMD and Doing Business of the Worl Bank. The second chapter describes the Lisbon Stategy and analyses the Lisbon score. The last chapter compares the European and the US economy. The conclusion contains recommendations to the next development of the competitiveness of the European union.

Ferencová, Mária: Lisbon strategy and relationship to development policy. Prague, Department of World Economy, Faculty of International Relations, University of Economics Prague, 2008, 67 p., Diploma Thesis, Head: Němcová, Ingeborg. The thesis deals with the issue of EU competitiveness and development policy. The aim of this thesis is to prove the existence of the relationship between the external dimension of EU competitiveness and development policy. The thesis consists of five chapters. The first charter defines development policy with its main goals, and the second charter describes competitiveness and ways to measure it. The third chapter studies internal dimension of EU competitiveness as expressed in the Lisbon strategy. The fourth chapter is dedicated to external dimension of EU competitiveness including the assessment of relationship of individual trade policy tools of the Global Europe strategy and development policy. The fifth chapter shows the position of the Czech Republic which will be holding the EU Presidency in the Council. The thesis ends with several recommendations for further studying. The thesis comes to conclusion that the relationship between the external dimension of EU competitiveness and development policy exists.

The goal of this thesis is to analyze what the impact of current financial crisis and economic slowdown will be on Czech exporting companies. Firstly the causes of financial crisis are described. it is followed by the analysis of the primary impact of financial crisis in the Czech Republic - the impact on banking sector and liquidity. The economic slowdown on foreign markets is considered as the secondary impact. Finally some possible solutions on how to improve the competitiveness are offered.

This thesis analyzes the development of competitiveness of the Czech Republic after its EU accession and comparison with mainly other EU members. Individual chapters include definitions of competitiveness presented by different institutions, evaluation of the position of the Czech Republic from the view of one-criteria approach and multicriteria approaches of the WEF and the IMD. The thesis tries to create a general view of the competitiveness of the Czech Republic and to evaluate advantages and disadvantages of particular assessing concepts.

The diploma thesis is engaged in the companies' innovation and their support from the stuctural funds. Its aim is to analyse impacts of support on the competitiveness of companies who implemented the innovative projects cofinanced by OPPP (programme Innovation). The general part is focused on basic concepts of innovation, their types and relationship with the companies' competitiveness. Then the study attempts to approach the actual conception of the innovation policy of the European Union and to present tools of this policy, especially OPPP. The practical part attends to analyse the indicators of competitiveness of supported companies in comparison to companies in the same industry and sector. Consequently, it evaluates the supports' effectiveness of companies groups with the biggest growth of competitiveness. In conclusion, the concrete example illustrates the way that a company can increase its competitiveness on the market thanks to innovation financed by the programme Innovation.

The thesis deals with the issues of the rival tourist destinations and the question concerned with the measurement of competitiveness. The objective is to propose tactical measures for the Destination management company of the town Český Krumlov and thereby strengthen the competitive position of this destination. To meet the goals of the thesis it proceeds from the research of foreign approaches to measure competitiveness that is modified in conditions of the Czech tourist destination. It specifically uses AHP method to determine the importance of the competitiveness's factors and combination of different techniques for gathering information to assess the degree of fulfilling these factors. The data obtained from Český Krumlov are compared with other competing destinations in the Czech Republic and on its basis it formulates appropriate recommendations (measures).