Cross-border acquisitions (CBAs) have extensively been used by Multilatinas as a preferred entry mode in foreign markets, quickly providing access to resources, competencies and local intelligence without the burden of starting up a greenfield investment and bearing its associated risk to face the liability of foreignness. Using fixed-effects, generalized least square (FEGLS) regressions applied on a panel data sample of 602 CBA deals announced during the 1989-2011 period by 182 Multilatinas competing in 74 industries and headquartered in Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Mexico, Peru and Venezuela, the impact of cultural and psychic distances (as perceived by investors) on the performance of these CBA deals (measured by acquirers\' shareholders\' short term announcement returns) was evaluated. Key emerging conclusions are that: a) the national cultural distance composite index, based on Hofstede\'s four dimensions seems to better predict investors\' reaction to CBA announcements in comparison with the other \"psychic\" distance concepts, such as the administrative and geographical distances between home and host countries; b) investors\' perceptions regarding the cultural dissimilarities between these countries are factored in their response as an anticipation of the expected difficulties that acquiring firms\' will have during the post-merger integration process, as predicted by the several theoretical streams that focus on the role of culture in M&A; c) due to the positive and significant moderating effect of the uncertainty avoidance dimension, investors seem also to perceive that acquirers from home countries characterized by high uncertainty avoidance scores will be able to better handle the challenges that they will face in the post-merger integration stage, to the extent that these firms, as recognized in the cross-cultural research literature, have been associated with a preference for organizational rules and procedures that increase the chances of a successful completion of the merger or acquisition deal; d) although its role is recognized in the cross-cultural literature, power distance levels have no significant moderating effect on the cultural distance-M&A performance relationship. The models are robust to varying lengths of event windows and to alternative measurements of cultural distance, such as those based on the framework developed by the GLOBE project (House, Hanges, Javidan, Dorfman, & Gupta, 2004) and on the country cultural cluster maps proposed by Ronen and Shenkar (2013). Limitations of this study are pointed out and future research directions are suggested in order to advance our knowledge and understanding of the antecedents of the performance of the cross-border acquisitions made by Multilatinas. / Aquisições internacionais têm sido extensivamente usadas por Multilatinas como um modo preferencial de entrada em mercados estrangeiros, permitindo um rápido acesso a recursos, competências e inteligência locais, sem as desvantagens tipicamente associadas a investimentos greenfield e os riscos inerentes ao passivo de ser estrangeiro (liability of foreignness). Utilizando modelos de regressão de efeitos fixos e estimadores de mínimos quadrados generalizados, aplicados a uma amostra de dados em painel referentes a 602 aquisições internacionais anunciadas durante o período de 1989-2011 por 182 Multilatinas competindo em 74 setores econômicos e sediadas na Argentina, Brasil, Chile, Colômbia, México, Peru e Venezuela, foram avaliados os impactos das distâncias culturais e psíquicas (tais como percebidas pelos investidores) sobre o desempenho destas aquisições (medido pelos retornos de curto prazo aos acionistas das empresas adquirentes). Da análise dos resultados emergem as seguintes conclusões: a) a distância cultural calculada com base nas quatro dimensões de Hofstede parece melhor prever a reação dos investidores aos anúncios das aquisições internacionais, em comparação com os outros conceitos de distância \"psíquica\", tais como as distâncias administrativa e geográfica entre os países de origem hospedeiro; b) a percepção dos investidores em relação às diferenças culturais entre estes países são aparentemente levadas em consideração, como uma antecipação das esperadas dificuldades que empresas adquirentes enfrentarão durante o processo de integração das empresas adquiridas, tal como previsto pelas várias correntes teóricas que focam o papel da cultura em transações de fusões e aquisições; c) devido ao efeito moderador positivo e estatisticamente significante da dimensão relacionada à aversão à incerteza (uncertainty avoidance), os investidores também parecem perceber que adquirentes localizados em países caracterizadas pela elevada pontuação nesta dimensão serão capazes de melhor lidar com os desafios que enfrentarão na fase de integração pós-aquisição, na medida em que estas empresas, conforme reconhecido pela literatura empírica, têm sido associadas a uma preferência por regras e processos organizacionais que permitam aumentar as chances de uma bem sucedida aquisição; d) embora o seu papel seja reconhecido na literatura pertinente, a dimensão tolerância ao poder (power distance) não apresenta efeito moderador significante sobre a relação distância cultural e desempenho das aquisições. Os modelos são robustos para diferentes durações das janelas de eventos, bem como a conceitos alternativos de distância cultural, tais como as baseadas no modelo proposto pelo projeto GLOBE (House et al., 2004) e pelos mapas de classificação cultural dos países desenvolvidos por Ronen e Shenkar (2013). Limitações desta tese são apontadas e direções futuras de pesquisa são sugeridas no sentido de avançar nosso conhecimento e entendimento dos fatores que efetivamente afetam o desempenho das aquisições internacionais realizadas pelas Multilatinas.

Made available in DSpace on 2016-03-22T17:27:24Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 nara regina silva.pdf: 1417805 bytes, checksum: 3e145a559fed40ce9947c95e01bce215 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2014-07-14 / The present work focus on the investigation concerning the demands received, the services provided and the and the possibilities and limits found in twin cities in the gaúcha border for the access to Social-assistance Rights from SUAS, by families/individuals in a situation of vulnerability and social risk, considering the demands for the access to some benefits and services, which conflict with the absence of documents of people who remain in a foreign situation. In order to do so, this dissertation presented the results through a qualitative approach, oriented by the dialectical-critical method. It started with data collecting through a documental study in printed sources and online for the characterization of the twin city researched and the existing social-assistance network. The town of Barra do Quaraí/RS was selected for the application of the research, located on the gaúcha border, where a systematic observation, documental research and interviews were carried out with the municipal manager, a representative of the technical team which, in the field research period, responded for the Basic Social Protection Services (PSB) and Special Social Protection (PSE) and a representative of the Social Assistance Municipal Council (CMAS), in order to obtain the opinion of different actors from the Social Assistance Policy (PAS) concerning the demands received and services provided to crossborder citizens, the barriers found for the guarantee of social protection for these people and find alternatives used to implement the service. The research application showed some situation of informal service to cross-border citizens before limits imposed by the citizenship issue coupled with the nationality and, therefore, deriving from compliances of the Social Assistance Policy (PAS) for the access to programs and services, which hinder the implementation of social protection of those citizens. Thus, despite the advances, there are still difficulties for the elaboration and implementation of public policies not only nationwide but also in MERCOSUR member countries to favor the social development, reduce historical socioeconomic inequalities and assure to cross-border and non-documented citizens from the neighboring country the protection to fundamental social rights, including the access to basic and special, when needed. It is expected that this dissertation may reinforce the importance of continuing the studies and researches concerning this Idea of rights to citizenship and process of intervention in the field of Social Assistance Policy on the border, which may formally and empirically identify what the limits are for the extension of social protection to non documented citizens and, on the other hand, the possibilities for such implementation, considering the territory characterized as a twin city, and the existence of the program SOCIAL AND PARTICIPATIVE MERCOSUR / O presente trabalho versa na investigação sobre as demandas recebidas, os serviços prestados e as possibilidades e limites encontrados nas cidades gêmeas da fronteira gaúcha para o acesso dos Direitos Socioassistenciais do SUAS, por famílias/ indivíduos em situação de vulnerabilidade e de risco social, considerando as exigências para o acesso a alguns benefícios e serviços, os quais conflituam com a ausência de documentação de pessoas que permanecem em situação de estrangeiro. Para isto, esta dissertação apresentou os resultados por meio de uma abordagem qualitativa, orientada pelo método dialético-crítico. Iniciou com o levantamento de dados através de estudo documental em fontes impressas e online para a caracterização da cidade gêmea pesquisada e da rede socioassistencial existente. Para a aplicação da pesquisa foi selecionada a cidade de Barra do Quaraí/RS, localizada na fronteira gaúcha, onde foi realizada observação sistemática, pesquisa documental e entrevistas com o gestor municipal, um representante da equipe técnica que no período da pesquisa de campo, respondeu pelo Serviços de Proteção Social Básica (PSB) e Proteção Social Especial (PSE) e um representante do Conselho Municipal de Assistência Social (CMAS),a fim de obter a visão de diferentes atores da Política de Assistência Social (PAS) sobre as demandas recebidas e serviços prestados a cidadãos transfronteiriços, os entraves encontrados para a garantia da proteção social a estas pessoas e descobrir alternativas usadas para efetivar o atendimento.A aplicação da pesquisa mostrou algumas situações de atendimento informal a cidadãos transfronteiriços frente a limites impostos pela questão da cidadania atrelada à nacionalidade e, consequentemente, decorrentes das condicionalidades da Política de Assistência Social (PAS) para o acesso a programas e serviços, as quais impedem a efetivação da proteção social aqueles cidadãos. Portanto, apesar de avanços, ainda há dificuldades para elaboração e efetivação de políticas públicas não apenas em âmbito nacional, mas também entre os países membros do MERCOSUL para favorecer o desenvolvimento social, reduzir históricas desigualdades socioeconômicas e assegurar aos cidadãos transfronteiriços e indocumentados do país vizinho a proteção aos direitos humanos fundamentais, incluindo o acesso a proteção social básica e especial, quando necessário. Espera-se que esta dissertação possa reforçar a importância da continuidade de estudos e pesquisas em torno da ideia de direitos de cidadania e processos de intervenção no campo da Política de Assistência Social na fronteira, que possam identificar formal e empiricamente quais são os limites para a extensão da proteção social a cidadãos indocumentados e, por outro lado, as possibilidades para esta efetivação, tendo em vista o território caracterizado como cidade gêmea, e a existência do Programa MERCOSUL SOCIAL E PARTICIPATIVO

A gestão dos resíduos gerados pela sociedade, que envolve seu tratamento, valorização, aproveitamento e/ou disposição final, é um tema global que demanda de governos, empresas e cidadãos soluções adequadas. O transporte transfronteiriço de resíduos considerado tráfico quando realizado ilegalmente tornou-se uma realidade a ser enfrentada, visto que transfere os impactos de resíduos perigosos de países geradores para países que frequentemente dispõem de meios escassos para lidar eficientemente com os mesmos, aumentando a probabilidade de problemas ambientais e de saúde pública. A Convenção da Basiléia, promulgada em 1989, estabeleceu regras e limites internacionais ao trânsito de resíduos perigosos. O Brasil, como signatário da Convenção, assumiu sua implementação através do Decreto nº 875 de 19 de julho 1993. À revelia das normativas existentes, ocorrem casos de tráfico de resíduos irregulares nas fronteiras e portos brasileiros. As importações irregulares identificadas são tratadas na forma da lei pelos órgãos competentes, gerando processos administrativos, autuações e notificações. Neste trabalho realizamos um levantamento descritivo dos casos de tráfico ilegal de resíduos identificados nas fronteiras e portos brasileiros e analisamos a eficiência e eficácia do governo brasileiro, através de seu órgão ambiental IBAMA/MMA, em coibir e impedir essa prática criminosa. Utilizamos para tanto os seguintes indicadores: a identificação das cargas irregulares pelos entes governamentais; a devolução das cargas aos países de origem; a autuação dos responsáveis pelo tráfico; a comunicação ao Secretariado da Convenção da Basiléia e as ações visando coibir esta prática. A análise dos dados levantados permitiu verificar a evolução dos procedimentos governamentais afetos à problemática e apontar lacunas existentes que limitam a eficácia e eficiência das ações empreendidas. / The management of the waste generated by society, involving its treatment, recovery, and/or final disposal, is a global issue that demands of governments, businesses and citizens appropriate solutions. Cross-border transport of dangerous waste considered illegal trafficking when performed irregularly became a reality to be faced, since it transfers the potential impacts of harmful wastes from generator countries to other regions which generally have limited means to handle efficiently with them, increasing the possibility of environmental and public health problems. The Basel Convention, enacted in 1989, established international rules and limits on hazardous waste transit. Brazil, as a signatory of the Convention, assumed its implementation through Decree nº 875 of July 19, 1993. Despite the existing regulations, there are cases of illegal waste trafficking identified at the Brazilian borders and seaports. Identified irregular imports are treated by the competent national bodies according to existing laws and rules, generating administrative proceedings, fines and notifications. In this work, we conduct a descriptive survey of cases of illegal waste trafficking identified at the borders and seaports and analyze the Brazilian government efficiency and effectiveness, through its environmental agency IBAMA/MMA, in curbing and preventing this criminal practice. For this intent, we analyzed the following indicators: the identification of irregular cargos by governmental agencies; proceedings adopted against those responsible for trafficking; the return of the irregular cargos to the countries of origin; communication to the Secretariat of the Basel Convention and the actions to curb this practice. The analysis of the collected data has shown progress in government procedures pertaining to the issue and point out gaps that limit the effectiveness and efficiency of the actions.

Ce travail de thèse a pour objectif d’étudier l’évolution de l’« Europe des régions » au sein du Conseil de l’Europe de 1957 à 2010. L’histoire du fait régional au sein de l’Organisation de Strasbourg est caractérisée par trois périodes clés. La première période débute en janvier 1957, avec la première réunion de la Conférence européenne des pouvoirs locaux (CPL) et dure jusqu’en 1975, quand elle devient un organe permanent du Conseil de l’Europe et reconnaît officiellement lesrégions en son sein. Une deuxième période se dessine ensuite de 1975 jusqu’en 1994, date de la création du Congrès des pouvoirs locaux et régionaux d’Europe (CPLRE). Le Congrès a un nouveau rôle politique et une place bien déterminés dans l’architecture institutionnelle du Conseil, et il dispose de deux Chambres, à savoir une Chambre des régions et une Chambre des pouvoirs locaux. Une dernière période s’étale enfin de 1994 à 2010. Il s’agit pour les régions et le Congrès de contribuer à la stabilité démocratique du continent européen par les activités de suivi de la démocratie locale etrégionale, des élections et de la réalisation de plusieurs programmes de coopération. / This research studies the evolution of the “Europe of the regions” in the Council of Europe from 1957 to 2010. The history of regions in the Council of Europe can be divided in three key periods. The first one starts in January 1957, with the first meeting of the European Conference of Local Authorities (ECLA) and ends in 1975, when it becomes a permanent organ of the Council of Europe and recognizes officially the regions. The second period starts in 1975 and ends in 1994, when theCongress of Local and Regional Authorities is created. The Congress has a new political role and status within the institutional architecture of the Council of Europe. Two Chambers are created within the Congress, one for regional authorities and another one for local authorities. The last period spreads from 1994 until 2010. From 1994, the regions and the Congress work to achieve the new statutory role, which is contributing to the democratic stability of the European continent by monitoring local and regional democracy, observing local and regional elections and implementing new cooperation programs.

Le paludisme est un des maladies vectorielles les plus communes qui est situé principalement dans les régions tropicales. La zone étudiée est la région transfrontière Guyane française-Brésil. Le niveau et la dynamique intra-annuelle de la transmission y sont variables, avec un taux d’incidence qui est relativement élevé dans l’Amérique du Sud. Les facteurs environnementaux, en particulier l'occupation et l'usage du sol, influent significativement sur la présence, la densité et la distribution spatiale des moustiques du genre Anophèles, vecteurs de la maladie. Les données sur l'environnement, la population et les systèmes de santé sont rarement comparables de part et d’autre de la frontière Guyane-Brésil, excluant une vision bilatérale homogène. La télédétection permet de caractériser spatialement l’environnement de manière quasi continue et complète. L’objectif de ce travail est de caractériser par télédétection des milieux favorables au développement des vecteurs et les interactions hommes-vecteurs pour la zone transfrontalière Guyane-Brésil. Un indicateur spatialisé d’aléa de transmission du paludisme a été développé à l’échelle locale. Il permet de spatialiser la contribution de l'interaction entre milieux forestiers et non-forestiers sur la transmission du paludisme. Ce modèle a été mis en œuvre à l’échelle de la région amazonienne. Cet indice permet de quantifier et d’expliquer l’influence du paysage dans les interrelations homme - vecteurs adultes. L’identification des gîtes larvaires potentiels a été testée à une échelle régionale, à partir de la fusion d’images satellites optiques et radar, afin de mettre en évidence la distribution spatiale de zones humides pérennes et de grandes tailles (lacs, rivières, étangs, etc.) et les interfaces avec les milieux urbaines et forestiers. La distribution et la densité des vecteurs sont affectées par les propriétés physiques et chimiques des gîtes larvaires potentiels qui sont liées à la typologie des sols. Un modèle conceptuel de l’évaluation des sols adapté à la zone amazonienne présente que les caractéristiques géomorphologiques (altitude, courbure, etc.) sont indicateurs de l’évolution des sols. Une typologie des sols a été réalisée à l’échelle régionale à partir de données altimétriques et de ce modèle conceptuel. Les méthodologies, les cartes d’occupation et d’usage du sol, les cartes d’aléa du paludisme mises en place dans le cadre de cette thèse seront intégrés à l’Observatoire transfrontalier (Guyane-Brésil) qui est en cours de création. Ce travail de thèse contribue ainsi à l’exploitation des nouvelles connaissances sur le mécanisme de transmission du paludisme qui peuvent être utilisées pour définir les nouvelles stratégies de prévention aux échelles locale et régionale. / Malaria remains one of the most common vector-borne diseases what is predominantly located in the tropics. The study area is the cross-border area between French Guiana and Brazil where the level and intra-annuel dynamic of malaria transmission are variable, with the incidence rates which are relatively high in South America. The environmental risk factors, in particular, land use and land cover, significantly influence the presence, density and spatial distribution of disease vectors, Anopheles mosquitoes. Environmental information, population data and health systems database are rarely comparable on both sides of the Guyana-Brazil border which exclude the homogeneous and bilateral vision. Remote sensing permits to spatially characterize the environment on both sides of the border in an almost continuous and complete manner. The objective of this study is to characterize the favorable environment for the development of vectors and the vector-human interaction in the cross-border area between French Guiana and Brazil using remote sensing. A spatial landscape-based hazard index of malaria transmission was developed at the local scale. Such index allows spatializing the contribution of interaction between forest and non-forest areas on malaria transmission which was then implemented in the entire Amazon region. It quantifies and explains the influence of landscape on the interaction between human population and adult vectors. The identification of potential breeding sites of vectors was tested on a regional scale using the optical and SAR fusion for highlighting the spatial distribution of perennial and large wetlands (lakes, rivers, ponds etc.) and the interfaces with urban and forest environments. The distribution of vectors’ density is affected by physical and chemical properties of potential breeding sites which are related to soil typology. A conceptual model of soil evolution adapted to the Amazon region presents that geomorphological characteristics (altitude, curvature, etc.) are indicators of soil evolution. A soil classification was realized at the regional scale using altimetry data and the conceptual model. The methods, land use and land cover and malaria hazard maps established in this thesis will be integrated in the Observatory Sentinel of cross-border which is being built. This study also contributes to the exploitation of new knowledge about malaria transmission mechanism which can be used to define novel prevention strategies at the local and regional scales.

This thesis presents three essays on the main determinants and regulations of international capital flows. The essays contribute to an ongoing significant debate among scholars and practitioners on what determines international capital flows by examining the following issues: Global liquidity, market sentiment and financial stability indices; Global liquidity and capital flow regulations; and Global governance and gross capital flows dynamics. In the first essay, we explore the main determinants of global liquidity, measured using cross-border claims of banks, and establish the link between a variety of financial stability indices and global liquidity. For a sample of 149 countries between 2000 and 2016, we find that Bloomberg Financial Stability Indices are more powerful in explaining global liquidity than FRED Financial Stress Indices and the Euro Area Systemic Stress Composite Indicator (CISS). Moreover, both market sentiment indices, namely the US Conference Board Leading Economic Index (LEI) and the US IBD/TIPP Economic Optimism Index are economically and statistically significant on cross-border bank flows. The research provides useful insights on what market sentiment and financial stability indices are better to employ for financial markets surveillance and as such practice of investment management. We argue that anyone interested in using financial stability indices as indicators of financial conditions and the level of financial stress would benefit from tracking several indices and not just one. The second essay examines the effectiveness of capital controls and macroprudential policies as ways to manage the volume of international capital flows, controlling for other determinants. The findings show that capital controls imposed on inflows generally prevail over controls imposed on outflows in reducing the magnitude of capital flows. The results are consistent with the pecking order theory on capital flows and are connected with the riskiness of different asset classes. For a sample of 112 countries over 2000 and 2016, we find that FX and/or countercyclical reserve (RR_REV) and general countercyclical capital buffer requirements (CTC), reserve requirement ratios (RR) and concentration limits (CONC) are the most effective macroprudential policies for managing countries' exposures to global liquidity fluctuations. Moreover, progress is being made to reduce the systemic risks created by systemically important financial institutions (SIFIs) using macroprudential policies. The results reflect recent developments in Basel III regulations and shed light on the effective calibration of capital flow regulations to country-specific circumstances. The final essay examines the link between global governance indicators and patterns of gross capital flows, controlling for other determinants. For a sample of 67 countries between 2000 and 2016, we contribute to explain the existence of the Lucas paradox (1990) on "why doesn't capital flow from rich to poor countries" and the Feldstein-Horioka puzzle (1980). The findings show that institutional quality rather than the effect of diminishing returns of capital is a key explanation for the Lucas paradox. Finally, we provide new evidence on the relationship between the multidimensional nature of financial development and gross capital flows. The findings show the importance and predominance of financial institutions versus financial markets in the dissemination of international capital flows across counties.

Cross-border information technology (IT) outsourcing continues to rise due to the demand for business process outsourcing. Issues such as miscommunication and management problems have emerged because of cross-cultural disparities between clients and vendors across national borders. The theoretical framework of this study was based on the organizational culture model studies of Meek, Spradley, Smith, and Draft for examining and understanding complex organizational practices. The purpose of this mixed-methods explanatory sequential case study was to qualitatively identify and quantitatively determine the management approaches that are effective in managing cross-cultural differences and the constitution of the elements of global adjustment, motivation, mindset, and communication patterns involving outsourcing business leaders in the United States. Ten IT leaders participated in-depth face-to-face interviews, while 120 IT outsourced service providers from the United Kingdom, Canada, Singapore, and India completed the survey. Pearson's correlation analysis was performed on quantitative survey data. Qualitative data from interviews were organized, coded, and the results generated 6 themes. The themes included no management issues in the current processes, a lack of formal management approaches to resolve cross-cultural issues, an intent to provide a strong management partnership platform, and a positive relationship between approaches. Quantitative results showed that formal management approaches positively correlated with global adjustment, motivation, mindset, and communication pattern. Results could be socially significant to IT business leaders, as these results will equip them with knowledge of effective practices and management approaches to address cultural diversity issues, programs, and policies in the industry.

日治時期台灣人與日本人的通婚並非如同今日的國際婚姻關係，而是日本帝國國民之間的異民族通婚行為，是謂「內台共婚」。比起一般婚姻，「內台共婚」可說是一跨越多重「邊界」的結合。 所謂的「邊界」，除了意指地理空間中的境界，同樣也包括社會學意義上的文化、價值觀等方面的差異與隔閡；並且由於當時日本人與台灣人之間制度性地存在「支配者─被支配者」的殖民統治位階關係，使得矗立於「大日本帝國」與「殖民地台灣」之間的「邊界」更形巨大而難以跨越。然而，內台共婚者卻以個人之力跨越厚重的界限，並且將「邊界」兩端的差異、矛盾與衝突濃縮於一個家庭的日常生活之中。 本研究試圖回答以下三個問題：(一)、跨界流動如何可能？綜觀日治時期，乃是一內地與殖民地間「距離」縮短的過程。所謂「距離」，不僅意指地理空間上的差距，更包括內台人在「社會距離」與「心理距離」上的接近程度。藉由觀察各種「距離」變化的過程，探究使得跨界流動的日台人通婚由「不可能」至「可能」的社會背景因素。(二)、是「誰」跨界通婚？由共婚者個人背景之分析，進一步探討存在於「內台共婚」的特殊階級性格。此外，影響共婚者決定結婚的關鍵性因素也是一個有趣的議題，其中包括愛國情操、利益追求，以及嚮往愛情這三種理由。(三)、跨界之後：共婚生活之分析。共婚家庭不僅必須面對來自外部的障礙，例如體制上的不友善以及社會輿論壓力等，也必須克服許多經營家庭生活的艱難課題。此外，跨界的流動也為共婚者本身及其混血兒子女的自我認同與定位帶來許多衝擊。 「內台共婚」者跨越多重的社會位置，其認同也依照不同的社會時空、生活處境而有所轉變，本研究基於史料耙梳、文獻蒐集與經驗訪談等資料，試圖理解共婚者跨越邊界而結合的流動與其複雜的認同軌跡。 / During the Japanese colonial period, the marriage between Taiwanese and Japanese was called "Nai-Tai marriage." The "Nai-Tai marriage" could be seen as an integration that crossed the boundaries between Taiwan and Japan. This study attempts to answer the following three questions: (1) Was the "Nai-Tai marriage" possible? The "distance" meant that not only the the distance from Taiwan to Japan, but also including the "social distance" and "psychological distance" between Taiwanese and Japanese. By observing the ways of "distance" changed, this research try to explore the social background factors of the "Nai-Tai marriage". (2) "Who" did it? This research analyzed the personal backgrounds and the social class of the "Nai-Tai marriage." In addition, the key reason of people decided to "Nai-Tai marriage" is also an interesting question. (3) How about their family life? The families of the "Nai-Tai marriage" had to overcome a variety of problems. In addition, for the "Nai-Tai marriage" people and their mixed-blood children, the mobility of cross-boundary also brought many shocks to their self-identity, and made them feel unsure of themselves in social situations. The "Nai-Tai marriage" people crossed multiple social positions, their identity also changed with their different social space, living conditions and social class. This study explained the "Nai-Tai marriage" people how to live their lives, and how their complex identity had changed.

European Patents are granted through the European Patent Office. Although such right is unitary, the European patents will break down into a bundle of national patents; each governed by the domestic law of the States which the holder of the right has designated. Since infringement stands in the crossroads between patent enforcement and patent validity, infringement litigation generally touches on the issue of validity as it is impossible to infringe a right that does not exist or no longer exists. The nullity component in infringement litigation gives rise to additional difficulties with respect to the selection of the forum and the applicable law. As a result, the validity challenge is discussed in detail with respect to the application of the relevant rules on international jurisdiction and with respect to the identification of the relevant applicable laws. Cross border litigation in relation to registered intellectual property rights in Europe has been extremely controversial over the years. The jurisdiction of the courts to deal with foreign intellectual property rights is after all not entirely obvious or straightforward in the light of the exclusive jurisdiction provision in the Brussels system. The judgment which the Court of Justice delivered on 13th July 2006 in case Roche and GAT result substantial conflicts. Divergent views had been expressed concerning cross border jurisdiction over intellectual property cases on Article 6(1) of the Brussels I Regulation; and Article 16(4) of the Brussels Convention 1968, what is now Article 22(4) of the Brussels I Regulation. This thesis focuses on the jurisdiction and applicable law on European patent disputes.

<p>ABSTRACT</p><p>Can Danish experience explain why Sverigedemokraterna had a higher support among voters in Skåne, than among other Swedish voters?</p><p>Essay in Political Science, C-level</p><p>Author: Jenny Wood</p><p>Tutor: Gregg Bucken-Knapp</p><p>Autumn 2006/ Spring 2007</p><p>The key question of this essay concerns the outcome of Sweden’s latest election. When all the votes where counted, the county of Skåne showed an exceptionally high support for the right wing nationalist party Sverigedemokraterna. Why then, did Sverigedemokraterna have a higher support among voters in Skåne (as part of the larger and transnational Öresund region), than among other Swedish voters? My hypothesis is the following: the regional interaction within Öresund has not only had positive effects concerning the values that the people of Skåne hold. In other words, Danish experience has changed the way in which the people of Skåne view immigrants and radical right wing parties.</p><p>Before I go on any further I will explain what is meant by the Öresund region. This region encompasses both parts of Sweden and Denmark (most notably Skåne and Själland), and the interaction between the two countries have increased considerably since a physical bridge between the two border regions was opened in July 2000.</p><p>Now, let us go on to the purpose of this essay, which is to answer the key question, and also to determine if the regional cooperation in the Öresund region has led to changes in the way the people of Skåne view right wing nationalist parties. Therefore, I explored the effects of the interaction between the Swedish region Skåne and the Danish region Själland, in order to discern if the Danes negative views towards immigrants and their strong feelings of nationalism, have effected Swedes and their values. In other words, was it possible that the Danish hostility towards immigrants and their unproblematic view of right wing nationalist parties, had been transmitted to the people of Skåne? Last but not least, it has also been the purpose of this essay to prove that traditional variables, concerning the question of why people vote for right wing nationalist parties, do no longer explain this phenomenon. By traditional variables I mean unemployment and a high density of immigrants of the population in a specific area.</p><p>In order to research the above mentioned issues, I have gone through letters to the editor, sent to the newspaper Sydsvenskan, and analysed the material using qualitative text analysis. I have also studied literature within the field of cross-border studies.</p><p>After ten weeks of research, I came to the conclusion that the traditional variables do not explain why Sverigedemokraterna received such a high proportion of the votes in Skåne. However, this essay also sheds light on the possibility of Danish experience as a plausible variable when it comes to explaining the outcome of the last election, but based on my limited study I can neither confirm nor dismiss the hypothesis. However, my study does provide some evidence that supports the hypothesis. In order to draw any conclusions however, it would have to be broadened in itself and replicated in other sections of Sweden or nationally.</p><p>The results of my study might leave the key question unanswered, but in itself can be viewed as an important step towards obtaining a clearer overview of what has driven the increased vote share for Sverigedemokraterna.</p>