This thesis examines how globalization poses immediate and long-term challenges and opportunities for small towns and, as a consequence, for local economic development policy. The authors' perspectives raise vital questions about the shape, substance, and function of small towns in an increasingly interdependent and competitive global economy. The thesis provide both retrospective and prospective insights into the ways in which poverty, industrial migration, economic globalization, and technological innovation affect public-sector choices for small towns approaching the turn of a new century. The central theme emerging from this thesis is that the responses of the past will not necessarily provide a path to the future. Cities must innovate and adapt when seeking solutions to problems caused by rapid changes in their environment. Flexibility and creativity are key to designing public policies to deconcentrate poverty, increase opportunity, and furnish a better quality of life. For example, the continuing loss of jobs and population in many large cities can be reversed only with public policies that profit from the emerging global economy. Cities must strategically adapt to the information age by mobilizing public and private resources to be successful in the new, highly competitive economic environment by coming up with new locally designed economic development interventions in what has been termed local economic development (LED). LED in South Africa's small towns will be driven increasingly by forces of global economic interaction in the 21st century. Whereas the export sector is thriving, international trade and investment creating more and better paying jobs for developed, better-prepared regions, South Africa's small towns have yet to adjust quickly to these and other international forces. As they are unable to grow and prosper, and take advantage of global economic benefits, they are currently faced with numerous challenges of improving their local economic system to attract international investment, provide services and infrastructure to support globally competitive firms, and develop stronger entrepreneurial and technological capacity among small and medium-size companies. Local economic development and community action are essential to expanding and modernizing urban and rural infrastructure, strengthening mechanisms of community cooperation within small towns and fostering public-private partnerships to expand opportunities for employment. Demands for integrating the poor into economic activities has proven to be a vital element of local economic development that build on business-oriented approaches to community development. Using a combination of qualitative and quantitative methodologies (triangulation), data was collected within the framework of participatory approach to social enquiry. Findings of this thesis provided a new perspective in dealing with local economic development and market failure. They also show that not all is worse, as community driven and locally designed economic regeneration programmes provide an alternative to global economic growth. / Thesis (Ph.D.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, [2005?]

Magistro baigiamajame darbe remiantis parengta metodika, įvertinti globalizacijos ypatumai Lietuvos ekonomikoje. Pirmoje darbo dalyje apibūdintas globalizacijos reiškinys ir jo ypatumai ūkinės veiklos kontekste, apibrėžta globalizacijos samprata, pateiktos pagrindinės koncepcijos. Taip pat pateikta pasaulio ekonomikos globalizavimo raida, išskirti globalizacijos ypatumai ir jų poveikis valstybei ir jos ekonomikai. Antroje darbo dalyje pateikta kaip vertinti globalios ekonomikos procesus, pateikti globalizacijos rodikliai, indeksai ir elementai. Trečioje darbo dalyje pateiktas globalizacijos ypatumų poveikio Lietuvos ekonomikai tyrimas, kuriama išanalizuotas Lietuvos patrauklumas investicijoms, užsienio prekybos balansas ir darbuotojų mobilumo analizė. Darbo pabaigoje suformuluotas magistrinio baigiamojo darbo išvados ir siūlymai. / In the master’s final work, based on the designed methodology, assessed globalization characteristics in Lithuanian economy. In the first work’s part described the globalization phenomenon and its’ characteristics in the context of economic activity, given concept of globalization, basic concepts. Also described world economic globalization development, excluded globalization characteristics and its’ impact to the economy state. The second part of final work assesses global economic processes, provided globalization indicators, indices and elements. In the third part analyzed globalization characteristics impact to the Lithuanian economy, attractiveness for investment, foreign trade balance and employee mobility. In the end of the Master's final work given conclusions and recommendations.

Thesis (Ph.D.)--Murdoch University, 2007. / Thesis submitted to the Division of Arts. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 296-309).

Thesis (M.A.) - Carleton University, 2006. / Includes bibliographical references (p. 122-128). Also available in electronic format on the Internet.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of California, San Diego, 2008. / Title from first page of PDF file (viewed June 13, 2008). Available via ProQuest Digital Dissertations. Vita. Includes bibliographical references (p. 218-236).

Thesis (Ph. D.)--Queen's University, Kingston, Ontario, 2006. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 367-394).

Thesis (M.A.)--University of Canterbury, 2009. / "National Centre for Research on Europe." Typescript (photocopy). Includes bibliographical references (leaves 98-108). Also available via the World Wide Web.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of California, San Diego, 2006. / Title from first page of PDF file (viewed September 19, 2006). Available via ProQuest Digital Dissertations. Vita. Includes bibliographical references (p. 160-175).

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of California, San Diego, 2007. / Title from first page of PDF file (viewed June 26, 2007). Available via ProQuest Digital Dissertations. Vita. Includes bibliographical references (p. 175-181).

xiii, 103 p. A print copy of this thesis is available through the UO Libraries. Search the library catalog for the location and call number. / NAFTA has had a significant impact on production, exchange, and labor throughout North America. An area significantly transformed by NAFTA is the maquiladora production region in northern Mexico. While once predominantly a female space of labor, we now see more male workers employed by industrial units there than in the past. This thesis interrogates what has happened to the women workers of the maquiladoras. In what ways have NAFTA, global economic restructuring, and the resultant legal atmosphere affected women's daily lives and employment opportunities? What strategies of resistance have these women developed to contend with the new economic landscape? I argue that women are adapting by moving away from the U.S.- Mexico border to work in garment industries and resisting the economic and social pressures resulting from globalization by engaging in subtle protests within in the maquiladoras, opting to participate in the informal economy, and utilizing community groups to facilitate social change. / Committee in Charge: Dr. Anita M. Weiss, Chair; Professor Ibrahim Gassama; Professor Marcela Mendoza