Digitized by Kansas Correctional Industries

This paper tries to assess the Ethiopian monetary policy, in order to investigate the prospect of inflation targeting. The paper starts by reviewing the literature on the evolution of Ethiopian monetary policy and Macroeconomy. This is followed, by the requirements of adopting inflation targeting and the practical experience of inflation targeting countries; finally the paper focuses on the requirement to have a stable and persistent relationship between the policy instrument and price level. Vector auto regression model with some monetary policy instrument and macroeconomic variables was used. To explore different transmission mechanism i have analyzed the Granger causality, impulse response, and Variance decomposition. Result showed that, there is a weak relationship among prices, interest rate and exchange rate channel. The paper, therefore, recommended it is not the right time to adopt the full-fledged inflation targeting. Rather, better try to adopt inflation targeting as an implicit policy.

No description available.

Abstract not available

Modern lifestyle has increased the amount of solid and liquid waste that humans create. There are issues associated with pollution and disposal. Adaptation of technologies from the developed world often does not provide the required solutions. This thesis describes an attempt at finding an ecologically and economically sustainable solution for waste management that is appropriate for poorer regions and remote areas. The proposed natural system is close to natural resources and uses biological waste processing methods that have proven to be saustainable. Available resources and low cost give an edge for such processes to be practical and realistic. The system is based on vermicomposting. Composting worms survive in the harsh environments found in most parts of the developing world. Areas for further research and process optimisation were identified that would pave the way for future endeavours towards development of a fully working model. The treatment system is shown to work and achieve the objectives of treating waste to usable products including worms for feed supplement, compost fertilizer and irrigation water. / Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

<p>The recent emergence of Multinational Companies (MNCs) from developing countries as players of major role inside their industry has led the academic agenda to dedicate a lot of efforts on better understand the internationalization particularities of companies from this kind. This research aims on contributing to the already existent theoretical bodywork by highlighting the differences between firms from developed and developing countries by performing a cross-country comparison between two firms from the same industry: a Brazilian company, which will be called Beta due to confidentiality issues, and a Swedish company, which will be named Alpha. Although being joint-managed by Swedish and Swiss assets, this study focus on the Swedish part of the society, which is constituted by the firm which will be named Gamma. Both companies operate on the electric motors, power and automation technologies segment. The theoretical framework used was built under traditional International Business theories, such as the Nordic Research School in International Business and the Eclectic Paradigm. The method used constituted in a multiple case-study and data were collected from companies’ reports  as well as other publications, and primary data were collected by applying a questionnaire with both firms. Results highlight how the self-experience was more important for Beta while partnerships affected more the case of Alpha. Different ownership advantages structures held each firm point out that the developed country MNC enjoys greater brand equity, making the developing country firm to provide adapted solutions to its customers in order to compete in the market. The orientation on seeking for localization advantages can be described as an extent as their capacities developed in the home market, and the drivers for producing abroad are similar among the firms.</p>

Radioactive ion beams (RIBs) provide a method for studying the properties of increasingly exotic nuclei. For many nuclei, the intensity of the RIB available in the isotope separation on-line (ISOL) technique is limited by the relatively long delay time in the target/ion source system (TISS). New techniques are needed to decrease this delay time, thereby increasing the intensity of the RIBs available for study. The sulfide molecular sideband was discovered in 2001 as a way to greatly enhance the quality of Sn beams. Holdup measurements were performed at the Holifield Radioactive Ion Beam Facility (HRIBF) to determine the extent to which the delay of Sn in the TISS is improved by the introduction of sulfur. The results clearly demonstrate that SnS has a shorter delay time than Sn and indicate the improved release efficiency for short half-lives. The results also indicate that improvements to the formation and release of SnS molecules from the TISS are possible. To this end, modifications were made to the standard HRIBF design to improve the formation and release of molecules from the TISS. The modified TISS design will provide greater control over the TISS parameters by enabling independent and controlled heating of the transfer line and by moving the gas feed line so that it is inserted directly into the target holder. With these improvements, it should be possible to improve the release of Sn isotopes in the sulfide molecular sideband by enabling the formation of the molecule earlier in the release process and by increasing the probability that the molecule will form.

The recent emergence of Multinational Companies (MNCs) from developing countries as players of major role inside their industry has led the academic agenda to dedicate a lot of efforts on better understand the internationalization particularities of companies from this kind. This research aims on contributing to the already existent theoretical bodywork by highlighting the differences between firms from developed and developing countries by performing a cross-country comparison between two firms from the same industry: a Brazilian company, which will be called Beta due to confidentiality issues, and a Swedish company, which will be named Alpha. Although being joint-managed by Swedish and Swiss assets, this study focus on the Swedish part of the society, which is constituted by the firm which will be named Gamma. Both companies operate on the electric motors, power and automation technologies segment. The theoretical framework used was built under traditional International Business theories, such as the Nordic Research School in International Business and the Eclectic Paradigm. The method used constituted in a multiple case-study and data were collected from companies’ reports  as well as other publications, and primary data were collected by applying a questionnaire with both firms. Results highlight how the self-experience was more important for Beta while partnerships affected more the case of Alpha. Different ownership advantages structures held each firm point out that the developed country MNC enjoys greater brand equity, making the developing country firm to provide adapted solutions to its customers in order to compete in the market. The orientation on seeking for localization advantages can be described as an extent as their capacities developed in the home market, and the drivers for producing abroad are similar among the firms.

In Mexico, transportation planning deals with unique social, political, financial and cultural elements when promoting mobility solutions. These elements include the opportunity costs of public investments, institutional barriers and changes in the political agenda. Other important element is the influence of existing private bus operator. Bus provision is offered by a disproportionate number of small private enterprises, single concessionaries and unregulated providers. Today, many of these entities have gained political power and, often, resist attempts to improve public transportation. The recommended solution to overcome political problem created from the opposition from private providers includes the introduction of franchise systems. Franchising systems under strict institutional regulations support the incorporation of current private providers in the proposed projects. However, incorporating bus operators into any form of system under franchise system implies major changes in private providers’ business and routines. Franchising implies moving from concession-owner-driver to simple employee or shareholder of the new system. Franchising also results in having to change routines associated with the operation. Understandably, these changes generate resistance, delaying implementations. In this thesis it is argued that a framework from which the influence of these private providers on transport improvements may be evaluated is critically important. This framework can contribute to knowledge about the political feasibility of projects. Private bus operators can exert an influence on system technology and on the selection of areas for improvements. Based on qualitative and quantitative methods, this thesis frames, analyzes, formalizes and quantifies the impact of private bus operators in government attempts to improve transit provision. A fieldwork methodology was employed to identify the factors that influence private bus operators’ reactions to transit improvements. Using a logistic regression, these factors are statistically evaluated. Results show that several variables in which the government exert a direct influence (that related with trust, the legal recognition to operate and taxation) on private bus operators’ willingness to participate in transit improvements. Other important variables include those associated with the (i) characteristics of private bus operators; (ii) the nature of the business activity; and (iii) private bus operators’ perceptions about business having created for extensive period of time. Rationalizing the influence of private bus operators’ influence on the planning process of transit improvements contributes to maximizing the political feasibility of completion.

The internationalization of SMEs can be expected to gain further momentum because the world economy is becoming increasingly integrated with continuing declines in government-imposed barriers and continuing advances in technology. Meanwhile, more and more SMEs from developing countries start to increase their overseas business. The purpose of this thesis is to study or investigate how SMEs develop and implement their internationalization strategies. To be able to illuminate this question in more detail, essential factors will be looked upon in this paper. We choose the export business as a main entry mode due to SMEs general lack of resources. Generic strategies and marketing mix analysis will also be discussed in the paper in order to obtain essential factors which influence performance of SMEs from developing countries which internationalize their business.Only a qualitative study was carried out to help determine the purpose of the paper, where data was collected through a real case study which was an Exporting Company from a developing country. The primary data was collected through interviews via email with the company founder, accounting manager, manufacturing manager and sales managers, complemented with secondary data collected from internet sources.The empirical findings and analysis has brought to light some interesting conclusions. Export can be a smart choice for SMEs, because they lack of resources at the initial period. Whether the choice is direct export or indirect export, the driving force of SMEs from developing countries are their natural dispositions. Mixed generic strategy can help SMEs conquer disadvantages. While marketing mix theory can also help SMEs aim at niche markets more clearly.Thus, exporting as the most suitable entry mode for SMEs, while mixed generic strategies and marketing mix theory also should be taken into consideration. Therefore the success of internationalization process will be increased for SMEs from developing countries.