Esta dissertação tem como intuito entender a cooperação em segurança e defesa no espaço andino amazônico, a partir do arcabouço teórico de regimes e cooperação internacional, sendo enfocadas as abordagens do institucionalismo em sua discussão com as proposições do realismo, e o neofuncionalismo, bem como comunidades de segurança. Dessa forma, buscamos através da síntese teórica que compreende também as concepções acerca da cooperação transfronteiriça entender esta no espaço geográfico. Ademais, como observamos um alto grau de interdependência em relação aos problemas de segurança dos países amazônicos que se referem, basicamente, a ameaças transnacionais. Assim, nesta pesquisa propomos a partir da abordagem dos Complexos Regionais de Segurança de Barry Buzan e Ole Waever, trabalhar com a ideia de um Complexo Regional de Segurança Andino- Brasileiro. Tendo em vista as ações colaborativas demandadas pela arquitetura de segurança regional é desenvolvida uma análise a cerca dos processos de integração regional: a Organização do Tratado de Cooperação Amazônica e a União dos Países Sul-Americanos e o avanço mais significativo para a cooperação em segurança e defesa na América da Sul, a instituição do Conselho de Defesa Sul-Americano. Tendo em vista a relevância do Brasil na região analisamos as políticas deste país para as áreas de fronteira, pois este constitui um lócus privilegiado para observar processos de integração à medida que estas áreas são uma das mais afetadas pela integração. Neste sentido, observamos que no espaço andino- amazônico, especialmente no Brasil, houve um processo de securitização das fronteiras, com os países adotando políticas de defesa que prezam pela introspecção nacional, como observamos no caso brasileiro com políticas de aumento da vigilância das fronteiras. Porém, podemos observar que tais ações também podem ampliar o leque de ações colaborativas, podendo ser incorporadas aos processos de integração, por meio da articulação entre as políticas externa e de defesa. / This dissertation aims to understand cooperation in security and defense in the Amazonian Andean space, from the theoretical framework of regimes and international cooperation, and focused approaches of institutionalism in his discussion with the propositions of realism, and neofunctionalism and communities security. Therefore, we sought through theoretical synthesis that also includes conceptions of the Cross-Border Cooperation to understand this I that geographic space. Moreover, as we observed a high degree of interdependence with security problems of Amazonian countries, that basically concern transnational threats. Thus, in this research we propose using the approach of the Regional Security Complexes by Barry Buzan and Ole Waever, working with the idea of an Andean-Brazilian Regional Security Complex. Given that collaborative actions are demanded by the architecture of regional security, an analysis about the processes of regional integration is developed: the Organization of the Amazon Cooperation Treaty and the Union of South American Countries and most significant advance for cooperation in security and defense in of South America, the institution of the Council of the South American Defense. Given the importance of Brazil in the region, we analyzed the policies of this country to the border areas, because this is a privileged place to observe integration processes, as these areas are the most affected by the integration. In this regard, we note that in the Andean - Amazon region, especially in Brazil , there was a process of securitization of borders, with countries adopting policies to protect this areas which have the character of national introspection, as noted in the Brazilian case with policies increased border surveillance. However, we observe that such actions can also extend the range of collaborative actions by being incorporated into the integration processes, through the articulation between the foreign and defense policies.

Submitted by Elesbão Santiago Neto (neto10uepb@cche.uepb.edu.br) on 2018-04-13T18:23:44Z No. of bitstreams: 1 PDF - Hugo Gabriel Lima Nascimento.pdf: 43389476 bytes, checksum: 35039fd2c5e7d497920f6b657852cbf1 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2018-04-13T18:23:44Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 PDF - Hugo Gabriel Lima Nascimento.pdf: 43389476 bytes, checksum: 35039fd2c5e7d497920f6b657852cbf1 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2015-06-03 / CAPES / International relations between Brazil and France, with regard to the border region, have been outlined during the 1990s, having greater intensification in 1996, due to the signing of the framework agreement, which was attended by state representatives of the countries mentioned above. That agreement led to the emergence of several initiatives in the field of cross-border cooperation, such as the proposed construction of a binational bridge over the Oiapoqueriver, Amapá (Brazil), linking French Guiana (France). Thus, the present study aims to investigate the role represented by the binational bridge on a new dynamic setting of cross-border cooperation between Brazil and France". The bridge is situated on the Oiapoqueriver, in Amazonian border region, between the cities Oiapoque, Amapá, and Saint Georges de L'oyapock, French Guiana. In terms of research methodology, this bibliographic study, which was conducted survey of official documents (reports, agreements, presidential speeches, interviews, among others) from France and Brazil related to border area in focus. The relevance of this work lies in the fact that allow reflection on the Amazon, seen as strategic political and diplomatic relations between Brazil and France, on the South American scenario. The survey results indicate that the bridge, completed in 2011, has not yet opened, favored the emergence of new possibilities of interaction and physical union in the southern cone countries, which in turn can enable the consolidation of relations between both countries, bringing development to the border area. / As relações internacionais entre Brasil e França, no que se refere à cooperação trasnfronteiriça, foram delineadas ao longo da década de 1990, tendo maior intensificação em 1996, devido à assinatura do Acordo-Quadro, que contou com representantes de Estado dos países supramencionados. Esse acordo propiciou o surgimento de várias iniciativas, como a proposta de construção de uma ponte binacional sobre o rio Oiapoque, ligando o Amapá (Brasil) à Guiana Francesa (França). Assim, o presente trabalho tem como objetivo geral investigar o papel representado pela ponte binacional, resultante da nova dinâmica de cooperação transfronteiriça entre Brasil e França. A referida ponte está situada sobre o rio Oiapoque, na região amazônica, entre as cidades Oiapoque, no Amapá, e Saint Georges de l’Oyapock, na Guiana Francesa. No que tange à metodologia da pesquisa, trata-se de estudo bibliográfico, por meio do qual foi realizado levantamento de documentos oficiais (relatórios, acordos, discurso presidencial, entrevistas, entre outros) da França e do Brasil relacionados à área em foco. A relevância deste trabalho reside no fato de permitir a reflexão sobre a Amazônia, vista como espaço estratégico das relações políticas e diplomáticas do Brasil e da França, no cenário sul-americano. Os resultados da pesquisa indicam que a ponte, concluída em 2011, mas ainda não inaugurada, favoreceu o surgimento de novas perspectivas de interação e união física no cone sul, que, por sua vez, podem permitir a consolidação das relações entre ambos os países, trazendo desenvolvimento para a zona fronteiriça.

Esta dissertação tem como intuito entender a cooperação em segurança e defesa no espaço andino amazônico, a partir do arcabouço teórico de regimes e cooperação internacional, sendo enfocadas as abordagens do institucionalismo em sua discussão com as proposições do realismo, e o neofuncionalismo, bem como comunidades de segurança. Dessa forma, buscamos através da síntese teórica que compreende também as concepções acerca da cooperação transfronteiriça entender esta no espaço geográfico. Ademais, como observamos um alto grau de interdependência em relação aos problemas de segurança dos países amazônicos que se referem, basicamente, a ameaças transnacionais. Assim, nesta pesquisa propomos a partir da abordagem dos Complexos Regionais de Segurança de Barry Buzan e Ole Waever, trabalhar com a ideia de um Complexo Regional de Segurança Andino- Brasileiro. Tendo em vista as ações colaborativas demandadas pela arquitetura de segurança regional é desenvolvida uma análise a cerca dos processos de integração regional: a Organização do Tratado de Cooperação Amazônica e a União dos Países Sul-Americanos e o avanço mais significativo para a cooperação em segurança e defesa na América da Sul, a instituição do Conselho de Defesa Sul-Americano. Tendo em vista a relevância do Brasil na região analisamos as políticas deste país para as áreas de fronteira, pois este constitui um lócus privilegiado para observar processos de integração à medida que estas áreas são uma das mais afetadas pela integração. Neste sentido, observamos que no espaço andino- amazônico, especialmente no Brasil, houve um processo de securitização das fronteiras, com os países adotando políticas de defesa que prezam pela introspecção nacional, como observamos no caso brasileiro com políticas de aumento da vigilância das fronteiras. Porém, podemos observar que tais ações também podem ampliar o leque de ações colaborativas, podendo ser incorporadas aos processos de integração, por meio da articulação entre as políticas externa e de defesa. / This dissertation aims to understand cooperation in security and defense in the Amazonian Andean space, from the theoretical framework of regimes and international cooperation, and focused approaches of institutionalism in his discussion with the propositions of realism, and neofunctionalism and communities security. Therefore, we sought through theoretical synthesis that also includes conceptions of the Cross-Border Cooperation to understand this I that geographic space. Moreover, as we observed a high degree of interdependence with security problems of Amazonian countries, that basically concern transnational threats. Thus, in this research we propose using the approach of the Regional Security Complexes by Barry Buzan and Ole Waever, working with the idea of an Andean-Brazilian Regional Security Complex. Given that collaborative actions are demanded by the architecture of regional security, an analysis about the processes of regional integration is developed: the Organization of the Amazon Cooperation Treaty and the Union of South American Countries and most significant advance for cooperation in security and defense in of South America, the institution of the Council of the South American Defense. Given the importance of Brazil in the region, we analyzed the policies of this country to the border areas, because this is a privileged place to observe integration processes, as these areas are the most affected by the integration. In this regard, we note that in the Andean - Amazon region, especially in Brazil , there was a process of securitization of borders, with countries adopting policies to protect this areas which have the character of national introspection, as noted in the Brazilian case with policies increased border surveillance. However, we observe that such actions can also extend the range of collaborative actions by being incorporated into the integration processes, through the articulation between the foreign and defense policies.

Esta pesquisa da tese de doutorado tratou de compreender como a mulher brasileira e boliviana contribui para a (re)produção do espaço transfronteiriço das cidades-gêmeas de Corumbá, no Brasil, e das cidades de Puerto Quijarro e Puerto Suarez, na Bolívia. A abordagem geográfica sobre o trabalho produtivo e reprodutivo da mulher teve como pressuposto a produção do espaço, uma vez que a divisão social do trabalho implica em divisão sexual do trabalho, ou seja, o trabalho feminino é uma questão de análise do espaço (ROSSINI, 1988). Observou-se que a pesquisa de Gênero na Geografia tem como propósito entender a organização desse espaço transfronteiriço a partir do uso da força de trabalho feminino no comércio, onde as mulheres organizam a atividade concomitante a reprodução social. O princípio norteador do método da pesquisa foi a formação sócioespacial das cidades-gêmeas entre Brasil e Bolívia e revelou os vários períodos de ocupação desse espaço fronteiriço. Duas frentes de ocupação se destacaram no estudo, pois potencializaram as relações transfronteiriças ao longo das décadas de 1990 e 2000: a circulação de produtos industrializados provenientes de várias fronteiras, como a brasileira, a chilena, a peruana e a argentina; e a expansão do comércio popular, especialmente de confecção, para as fronteiras bolivianas com uso da força de trabalho feminina. Sobretudo, no que se refere à base teórica metodológica sobre o trabalho feminino na área de fronteira, a investigação orientou-se pelas análises socioeconômica, espacial e pelo conceito da divisão sexual do trabalho. A pesquisa evidenciou a importância das famílias, empresas e agentes governamentais consolidados nos territórios de fronteira, pois funcionam como organismos sociais do Estado ratzeliano. Adotou-se a pesquisa qualitativa por meio de observações, imagens fotográficas, reportagens e noticiários da imprensa local, bem como, de entrevistas semi-estruturadas e informais para a coleta de dados nas cidades-gêmeas de fronteira. Em termos gerais, constatou-se que as mulheres que trabalham no comércio do circuito inferior das cidades-gêmeas entre Brasil e Bolívia foram as responsáveis pela pulverização das relações transfronteiriças, mediante as formas de organização dos negócios e do trabalho e, principalmente, pelo estreitamento dos laços familiares. Portanto, revelou-se que a atividade comercial operacionalizada pela mulher faz dela importante articuladora dos arranjos territoriais da fronteira. / This doctoral dissertation deals with the comprehension of how the Brazilian and Bolivian woman contributes to the reproduction of the transboundary space from Corumba\'s twin cities, in Brazil, and in Bolivian cities Puerto Quijaro and Puerto Suarez. The geographic approach about the productive and reproductive work of woman supposes the production of space, once that the social division of work implies in sexual division of work, so the female labour is a matter of analysis of space (ROSSINI, 1988). The gender research in Geography has as purpose to understand the spatial organization of this cross-border space, from the use of the womens workforce in the trade, where the women organize the activity concomitantly with the social reproduction. The research method had as mainspring principle the socio-spatial of the twin-cities border between Brazil and Bolivia and revealed the several periods of occupation of this border space. Two occupancy fronts highlighted in the study, which potentiate the cross-border relationship, over the 1990s and 2000s: the circulation of industrialized products from several borders, as the Brazilian, Chilean, Peruvian, Argentinian; and the popular expansion trade, especially of clothing manufacture, for the Bolivian borders with the use of womens work. Especially as regards to the methodologic theoretical base about the womens work in the border area, the investigation was oriented by the socioeconomic analysis, spatial and by the concept of sexual division of work. The research evidenced the importance of the families, business and governmental agents consolidated in the border territory, since they work as social organisms of ratzelian State. The qualitative research were adopted by means of observations, photograph images, news and local press news, as well the semi structured and informal interviews for the data collection in the twin-cities border. Generally speaking, it was found that the women working in the trade of the low circuits from twin-cities between Brazil and Bolivia, were the responsible for the spraying of the cross-borders relationships, by means of organization modes from the business, work and manly by the narrowing of the family bond. Therefore, it was revealed that the business activity operationalized by woman makes her an important articulator of the border territorial arrangements.

Made available in DSpace on 2017-07-10T17:51:40Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Suelen_Terre_de_Azevedo.pdf: 2399266 bytes, checksum: 9339093583f75ad246939b1845de8039 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2015-06-26 / Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior / The information in this abstract analyzes the problem of care in the Unified Health System (SUS) on the Brazil and Paraguay s border, especially in the municipalities of Paraná members of the Integrated Health System Border (SIS-Fronteira), covering the municipalities of Entre Rios do Oeste, Foz do Iguaçu, Guaíra, Itaipulândia, Marechal Cândido Rondon, Mercedes, Missal, Pato Bragado, Santa. Helena, Santa Terezinha de Itaipu and São Miguel do Iguaçu. Cross-border cooperation proposals are presented as a strategy of integration between the communities of both countries. To develop the study of the dissertation the following methodological procedures were used: analysis of some territorial management instruments European borders as successful experiences of cross-border cooperation; literature review of health research at the frontier; analysis and collection of data through the electronic pages of the Ministry of Health; DATASUS and Ministry of Foreign Affairs; as well as qualitative interviews with health workers and border SUS users / A dissertação de que trata este resumo analisa a problemática do atendimento no Sistema Único de Saúde (SUS) na fronteira do Brasil com o Paraguai, especialmente nos municípios paranaenses que fazem parte do Sistema Integrado de Saúde nas Fronteiras (SIS-Fronteiras), abrangendo os municípios de Entre Rios do Oeste, Foz do Iguaçu, Guaíra, Itaipulândia, Marechal Cândido Rondon, Mercedes, Missal, Pato Bragado, Santa Helena, Santa Terezinha de Itaipu e São Miguel do Iguaçu. As propostas de cooperação transfronteiriça apresentam-se como estratégia de integração entre as comunidades dos dois países. Para o desenvolvimento do estudo da dissertação foram utilizados os seguintes procedimentos metodológicos: análise de alguns instrumentos de gestão territorial das fronteiras europeias, enquanto experiências exitosas de cooperação transfronteiriça; revisão de literatura sobre pesquisas de saúde na fronteira; análise e compilação de dados através das páginas eletrônicas do Ministério da Saúde; DATASUS e Ministério das Relações Exteriores; além de entrevistas qualitativas com agentes de saúde e usuários transfronteiriços do SUS

Made available in DSpace on 2017-07-10T18:55:44Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Thiago Melo.pdf: 1098810 bytes, checksum: f946c2adcb967df1d30bda75afb120d8 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2014-03-10 / Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior / This study aims to discuss and examine how are constructed, on the discursive practices, the identities and representations of the students studying in Brazilian schools, but reside in Paraguay. To achieve the proposed objective, were prepared and answered the following research questions: a) through own and others perspectives, how cross-border students construct their identities and represent themselves? b) how cross-border students through their own narratives, negotiate, repeal and manipulate their identities? c) what are and how are constructed representations about the social, cultural, linguistic and ethnic pluralism of the border scenario for students who live in Paraguay and study in Brazil? This paper is inserted under the Applied Linguistics, following the guidelines in order to break with the borders and disciplinary boundaries, towards an inter/trans/ indisciplinary perspective (PENNYCOOK, 2006; MOITA LOPES, 2006; SIGNORINI, 2006; CESAR/CAVALCANTI, 2007; COX e ASSIS-PETERSON, 2007; PIRES-SANTOS, 2011, 2012). Were used to generate records the principles of qualitative research/interpretive of ethnographic investigation (ERICKSON, 2001; BORTONI-RICARDO, 2008), having as support the perspectives of cultural and anthropological studies (BAUMAN, 2001, 2005; CUCHE, 2002; BHABHA, 2003; HALL, 2006, 2009; CANCLINI, 2011; BARTH, 2011), Educational Studies (HYPOLITO/ GANDIN, 2003; CANDAU, 2012) and sociology (BOURDIEU, 1989; 1997; ELIAS/ SCOTSON, 2000, FOUCAULT, 2002). The data used for the analyzes were derived from audio and video recordings, field notes and unstructured interviews realized with four focus groups, each group containing three students (twelve subjects interviewed in total). Were taken, the narratives (PENNA, 1998, MOITA LOPES, 2002; BARROS, 2011) from the interviewed subjects, as data for use in the research, the speeches, and the way they are constructed, are the first object of analysis. The research showed that issues of territoriality, ideology and power mark the identity constructions of cross-border students . Through the stories told, we can see that such students often can negotiate, revoke and manipulate their identities, having the possibility to choose the place where they want to belong and who want to be, highlighting the unstable and relative character of their identities. However, these individuals end up feeling pressured to choose just one ethnicity/nation and to use only one language in the school monocultural/monolingual context, marked by the predominance of the Portuguese language as hegemonic / O presente estudo tem como objetivo discutir e averiguar como são construídas, nas práticas discursivas, as identidades e representações dos alunos que estudam em escolas brasileiras, mas que residem no Paraguai. Para alcançar o objetivo proposto, foram elaboradas e respondidas as seguintes perguntas de pesquisa: a) por meio de olhares para si e pelos olhares do Outro, como os alunos transfronteiriços constroem suas identidades e se auto-representam?; b) como os alunos transfronteiriços , por meio de suas próprias narrativas, negociam, revogam e manipulam suas identidades?; c) quais são e como são construídas as representações acerca do pluralismo social, cultural, linguístico e étnico do cenário transfronteiriço pelos alunos que vivem no Paraguai e estudam no Brasil? O presente trabalho está inserido no âmbito da Linguística Aplicada, seguindo as orientações no sentido de rompimento com as fronteiras e limites disciplinares, em direção a uma perspectiva inter/trans/indisciplinar (PENNYCOOK, 2006; MOITA LOPES, 2006; SIGNORINI, 2006; CESAR e CAVALCANTI, 2007; COX e ASSIS-PETERSON, 2007; PIRES-SANTOS, 2011, 2012). Foram utilizados para a geração de registros os princípios da pesquisa qualitativa/interpretativista de cunho etnográfico de investigação (ERICKSON, 2001; BORTONI-RICARDO, 2008), tendo como amparo as perspectivas dos Estudos Culturais e Antropológicos (BAUMAN, 2001, 2005; CUCHE, 2002; BHABHA, 2003; HALL, 2006, 2009; CANCLINI, 2011; BARTH, 2011), dos Estudos Educacionais (HYPOLITO e GANDIN, 2003; CANDAU, 2012) e da Sociologia (BOURDIEU, 1989; 1997; ELIAS e SCOTSON, 2000, FOUCAULT, 2002). Os registros para as análises foram provenientes de gravações em áudio e vídeo, notas de campo e entrevistas não estruturadas realizadas com quatro grupos focais, contendo três alunos cada grupo (totalizando doze sujeitos entrevistados). Foram tomadas, assim, as narrativas (PENNA, 1998, MOITA LOPES, 2002; BARROS, 2011) dos sujeitos entrevistados como registro para a pesquisa, sendo seus discursos, e a maneira como eles se constroem, objeto primeiro de análise. A pesquisa evidenciou que as construções identitárias dos alunos transfronteiriços são marcadas por questões de territorialidade, ideologia e poder. Pelas histórias narradas, é possível perceber que tais alunos, muitas vezes, conseguem negociar, revogar e manipular suas identidades, tendo a possibilidade de escolher o lugar ao qual querem pertencer e quem querem ser, evidenciando o caráter instável e relativo das mesmas. No entanto, esses sujeitos acabam sentindo-se pressionados a terem que escolher apenas uma etnia/nação a qual pertencer e somente uma língua para utilizar no contexto escolar monocultural/monolíngue marcado pela predominância do português como língua hegemônica

Abstract This dissertation investigates the success of technology M&As. The research question is approached through four separate empirical essays, each of which assesses a different but interrelated issue of value creation of technology M&As. The approach used throughout the dissertation is to consider the motives of improving acquirer’s R&D activity through the acquisition of a technology firm and stress the role of the interaction between acquirer’s and target’s resources. The first two essays investigate the valuation consequences of M&As, while the following two essays examine pricing implications of M&As. The results indicate that technology M&As are successful in enhancing the acquiring firm’s R&D activities to the extent that it manifests as an increase in the stock market valuation of acquirer’s R&D spending and its higher future profitability. The results also demonstrate that investors do not fully recognize these benefits at the announcement of M&A. Therefore investors benefit from technology M&As in the long run when these benefits begin to materialize. Furthermore, the results show that even when compared to other possible motives, enhancing acquirer’s R&D activities is an important and successful motive for M&As, emphasizing the absorptive capacity of the acquiring firm in generating synergies from the combination of two firms. Overall, the findings of the dissertation provide more evidence on the success of mergers and acquisitions motivated by technology improvement. The thesis emphasizes the interaction between acquirer’s and target’s resources in creating synergies from M&As, with a focus on technological resources. The evidence also has important implications for the literature on the stock market valuation of R&D expenditures as it indicates that technology M&As can be considered an R&D investment with significant impacts on this activity.

In this thesis financial movements are considered in terms of foreign direct investment (FDI) and a related way to international banking. In Chapter 2 FDI is analysed in terms of the major G7 economies. Then this is further handled in Chapter 3 in terms of bilateral FDI (BFDI) data related to a broader group of economies and a main mode of analysis the Gravity model. Gravity models are then used in Chapter 4 to analyse bilateral cross border lending in a similar way. While the exchange rate effect is handled in terms of volatility and measured using models of conditional variance. The analysis focused on the bilateral data pays attention to the breakdown of crises across the whole period. With further consideration made of the Euro zone in terms of the study of BFDI and cross border lending. The initial study looks at the determinants of the inflow and outflow of stocks of FDI in the G7 economies for the period 1980-2011. A number of factors, such as research and development (R&D), openness and relative costs are shown to be important, but the main focus is on the impact of the real and nominal effective exchange rate volatility. Where nominal and real exchange rate volatility are measured using a model of generalised autoregressive conditional heteroscedasticity (GARCH) to explain the variance. Although the impact of volatility is theoretically ambiguous inflows are generally negatively affected by increased volatility, whilst there is some evidence outflows increase when volatility rises. In Chapter 3, the effect of bilateral exchange rate volatility is analysed using BFDI stocks, from 14 high income countries to all the OECD countries over the period 1995-2012. This is done using annual panel data with a gravity model. The empirical analysis applies the generalised method of moments (GMM) estimator to a gravity model of BFDI stocks. The findings imply that exports, GDP and distance are key variables that follow from the Gravity model. This study considers the East Asian, global financial markets and systemic banking crises have exerted an impact on BFDI. These effects vary by the type and origin of the crisis, but are generally negative. A high degree of exchange rate volatility discourages BFDI. Chapter 4 considers the determinants of cross-border banking activity from 19 advanced countries to the European Union (EU) over the period 1999-2014. Bilateral country-level stock data on cross-border lending is examined. The data allows us to analyse the effect of financial crises – differentiated by type: systemic banking crises, the global financial crisis, the Euro debt crisis and the Lehman Brothers crisis on the geography of cross-border lending. The problem is analysed using quarterly panel data with a Gravity model. The empirical "Gravity" model conditioned on distance and size measured by GDP is a benchmark in explaining the volume of cross border banking activities. In addition to the investigation of the impact of crises further comparison is made by investigating the impact of European integration on cross-border banking activities between member states. These results are robust to various econometric methodologies, samples, and institutional characteristics.

This thesis researches what effect the economic crisis of ’08-’09 had on the returns of M&A deals, and whether the type of diversification in the deal affected this relationship. In order to do this, a sample of 898 M&A deals announced between 2006 and 2011 is constructed. With this data an event study is executed, followed by an OLS regression. Both the event study and the regression find a significant negative effect of the crisis period on the abnormal returns of M&A deals, while no significant moderating effect of both cross-border and industrial diversification is found. The results show that it is important for other research on M&A returns to look at the state of the economic cycle at the point in time the M&A deal was announced, as this could influence the outcomes of these studies. Furthermore, the results should discourage firms to participate in M&A deals during crisis periods, as these will be value destroying compared to the same deals during non-crisis periods.

Submitted in fulfilment of the requirements for the Doctor of Nursing in the Faculty of Health Sciences, Durban University of Technology, Durban, South Africa, 2017. / Background In recent times, the internationalization of nursing education and the collaboration with international academic partners has become a priority of academic institutions’ strategic plans and visions. This coupled with the fact that the world has entered a critical period in terms of addressing health and preparing nurses to address health needs has made this study timeous. In view of these historical challenges, nursing education institutions, nursing colleges and universities with nursing faculties in South Africa have, in recent years, engaged in international partnerships. These collaborative partnerships have influenced the delivery and facilitation of transnational nursing education (TNE) or cross-border nursing programmes, both nationally and internationally. Challenges raised with regards to TNE delivery systems are often related to issues revolving around academic design and implementation. Further issues such as the differences between the host institution’s general goals, the academic programs, student characteristics and social and cultural dimensions as compared to the awarding institution, add to these challenges. Aim The aim of this study was to explore the perspectives and practices and experiences of nursing education institutions, academic leaders and graduates, who were involved in TNE. Based on the findings of this study, the ultimate aim was to develop guidelines for the implementation of TNE in NEIs. Methodology A qualitative multiple case-study approach was employed to explore institutional perspectives and practices related to TNE. The population comprised nursing education institutions, academic leaders and nursing graduates that were involved in TNE programs. In order to draw comparison between South African TNE practices and perspectives with international best operating practices relating to TNE, other global academic leaders and institutions involved in this type of education were invited to participate in the study. Institutional records were analysed for descriptions and patterns related to conceptual issues, structures and processes that are known to impact either negatively or positively on TNE. Results The study findings revealed that access to ‘importing’ and ‘exporting’ of nursing programs are still faced with many challenges by all stakeholders. It was also revealed that the lack of guidance during TNE ventures allude to cross-border nursing education being a ‘for profit’ arrangement. From the findings the researcher was able to propose and develop guidelines for the implementation of TNE for nursing education institutions, academic leaders and students. It is hoped that these guidelines will be considered as a tool to improve TNE delivery in terms of quality assurance, accreditation, registration, and qualification recognition. / D