This thesis examined the role of supranational organisations (SOs) in the governance of tourism in a North-South context. Focusing on the issue area of development cooperation, this thesis investigated the question of how and why SOs got involved in tourism in developing countries, and more specifically, in small island developing states. Such involvement may occur either directly through aid funded projects or indirectly through international trade regimes that impact on tourism in the aid recipient countries. The thesis adopted a case study approach focussing on the European Union�s (EU�s) involvement in the governance of tourism in South Pacific island states. Grounded in a history of colonialism, the EU has been involved in the �development� of the South Pacific for more than three decades, which allowed to track changes in development philosophy over time. Focusing on the concept of power, the case was assessed in a multi-scalar manner, analysing the EU�s involvement from the global down to the local level. Never before has an entire multilevel polity been assessed in one coherent case study, incorporating actors situated at all levels and ranging from supranational organisations to national governments, businesses, communities, and individuals. The methods employed in this thesis included interviews, participant observation, document analysis (policy documents and newspapers), and subsequently critical discourse analysis. The latter served to highlight the so-called �third face of power� (Lukes 1974), which is closely related to the concept of ideological hegemony. Interviews were conducted in Fiji and Samoa with officials of the South Pacific Delegations of the EU, officials of tourism authorities, NGOs, tourism operators and community members. Elite interviews in Brussels were conducted with officials of the European Commission and the European Parliament. Under all scales and �faces� of power the EU was found to be the dominant actor, while the issue of self-interest appeared to play a key role. At a macro-level, the EU clearly dominated in most overt decision-making situations during negotiations on aid and trade agreements. As concerned the inclusion of tourism in the agreements, the relative importance of the sector was clearly dependent on the European Commission�s prevailing attitude on �tourism and development� at any point in time. At a meso- and micro-level, the EU�s influence was less obvious yet nonetheless existent, for example through funding rules and the use of European consultants. Indirect influence also occurred at the national level. In particular the substitution of a preferential trade regime with a free trade agreement (the Economic Partnership Agreements), which is currently being negotiated between the EU and the Pacific Islands, is likely to have a significant impact on the economic importance of tourism, as well as public policy in the South Pacific. In a mini case study of Samoa, it was found that the resulting changes in tourism policy would have a significant impact �on the ground�, in particular with regard to rates of local ownership and control. Overall, power relations were found to be highly unequal and self-determination and empowerment have largely not been achieved. However, more research is needed to examine the ability to generalise the findings to other geographic regions or other types of SOs. The key contribution of this thesis in the theoretical realm constitutes its bridging of agency and structure within multi-level governance, which may be conceived as a �third way� to either dependency theory-influenced studies (global/structure) or community approaches (local/agency).

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This research consists of a broad study in three parts of the social and environmental reporting practices of organisations operating in or sourcing products from a developing country, in this case Bangladesh. The first part of this study explores the social and environmental disclosure practices of the Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA), the body responsible for organising the activities of 4,200 entities involved in the export of garments from Bangladesh. By way of interview, this part documents the opinions of numerous senior executives from the BGMEA with regard to any changes in the degree of social and environmental pressures since 1985. Utilising a complementary theoretical perspective that includes legitimacy theory, stakeholder theory and institutional theory this part then performs an analysis of the BGMEA's annual reports (1987-2005), to explore the link between the perceived pressures and changes entailed therein and th e social and environmental disclosure practices of the BGMEA across the period of analysis. The results show that the disclosure practices of BGMEA appear to be directly driven by the changing expectations of multinational buying companies- the group deemed to be the most powerful stakeholder group. This section is the first known study to interview managers from a large organisation in a developing country about shifting stakeholder expectations and then to link these changing expectations to annual report disclosures across an extended period of analysis. The findings then directly lead to the second major part of this thesis which investigates the social and environmental disclosure practices of two major multinational buying companies: Nike and H&M. Adopting a joint consideration of legitimacy theory and media agenda setting theory, this second part investigates the linkage between negative media attention and positive corporate social and environmental disclosures over a 19 year period. The results supp ort the view that for those industry-related social and environmental issues that attract the greatest amount of negative media attention, these companies react by providing positive social and environmental disclosures. The results were particularly significant in relation to labour practices in developing countries-the issue that attracts the greatest amount of negative media attention for the companies in question. While the second part demonstrates that the media influences particular disclosure practices, the third part of the thesis shows what drives the media. Based on the speculation provided in the second part, the third part tests the proposition that the media is an important ally of NGOs in their quest to influence change in corporate accountabilities. Through the use of interviews, the results of this part of the study provide evidence to support previously untested perspectives about NGOs' utilisation of the media. The results reveal that NGOs use the media because the media is responsible for creating real changes in the operations and disclosure policies of organisations sourcing products from Bangladesh. The various pressures impacting the activities of organisations operating in or sourcing products from developing countries constitutes a fascinating area of investigation, and it is hoped that this study will motivate further research in this area.

<p>During our study trip to Tanzania we discovered one of the great issues for farmers to be need of running water. So we asked ourselves: How can water from Lake Victoria be transported to the small scale farmer’s household and farm in the most optimized way? During the stay in North West of Tanzania we made field trips to the rural areas in Mara Region in order to understand the farmers who are the potential users. We performed semi structured interviews and observations during the whole field study. We also came to the conclusion that wind is a good source of power which can be used to pump water. The wind comes in from Lake Victoria in the same direction everyday. So therefore we decided to construct a water pumping wind power station for small scale farmers.</p>

Résumé L’anémie est un problème de santé publique très répandu, avec des conséquences majeures sur la santé humaine et le développement économique et social. Elle affecte avec prédilection les jeunes enfants et les femmes enceintes. Ce travail avait pour objectifs d’analyser la situation de l’anémie chez les enfants âgés de 6-23 mois du district rural de Kongoussi (Burkina Faso), et de tester l’efficacité de stratégies intégrées de lutte. Il a consisté en deux enquêtes transversales et deux études d’intervention en population, menées entre janvier 2004 et juin 2006. La prévalence (IC à 95%) de l’anémie était de 98,8% (97,6 ; 99,9) parmi ces enfants, et la prévalence (IC à 95%) de l’anémie sévère de 29,5% (23,9 ; 35,0). Parmi les enfants présentant une anémie, 65,1% avaient une anémie hypochrome. Les enfants ne présentant pas de retard de croissance avaient un taux moyen (ES) d’hémoglobine plus élevé que les enfants présentant un retard de croissance : 81,1 (2,6) contre 77,2 (2,8) g/L, (p=0,026). La prévalence (IC à 95%) du retard de croissance était de 35,8% (29,4 ; 41,1). Le retard de croissance était associé aux pratiques d’alimentation de complément chez les enfants âgés de 12-23 mois. L’indice z-score de la taille pour l’âge était en moyenne (DS) de -1,33 (0,63), -1,61 (0,30), et -2,11 (0,32) chez les enfants pour lesquels étaient utilisées des céréales fortifiées, chez les enfants pour lesquels étaient utilisées des céréales non fortifiées, et chez les enfants qui ne recevaient pas d’aliments de complément, respectivement (p=0,018). L’infection à Plasmodium falciparum était présente chez 52,6% des enfants, 25,6% étant non fébrile et 27,0% fébrile. En comparaison aux enfants non infectés, les enfants ayant une infection fébrile, mais aussi ceux ayant une infection non fébrile avaient un taux d’hémoglobine plus faible, les différences (ES) étant de 7,86 (1,75) g/L avec p<0,001 et de 3,52 (1,74) g/L avec p=0,044, respectivement. Dans un contexte de prise en charge préventive et curative du paludisme et des géohelminthases, la supplémentation en fer pendant 6 mois a conduit à une augmentation moyenne (DS) du taux d’hémoglobine de 16,3 (13,6) g/L (p<0,001), alors que cette augmentation a été de 22,8 (14,6) g/L (p<0,001) pour la supplémentation en micronutriments multiples, soit une différence (IC à 95%) de 6,5 (2,0 ; 11,1) avec p=0,003. La supplémentation en fer conduisait à une réduction de la prévalence de l’anémie de 40,6%, alors que cette réduction était de 62,0% avec la supplémentation en micronutriments multiples, soit un ratio ajusté de prévalences de guérison [PRR (IC à 95%)] de 1,62 (1,22 ; 2,15), p<0,001. Une farine améliorée à été produite à partir d’ingrédients disponibles localement ; elle se composait de petit mil (51,7%), haricots (8,8%), arachide (7,8%), malt de sorgho rouge (9,0%), soumbala (9,3%), sucre (12,7%), et de sel iodé (0,8%). La bouillie améliorée préparée avec cette farine avec une consistance de 120 mm/30 s (distance d’écoulement dans un consistomètre de Bostwick) avait une densité énergétique de 103 kcal/100 g, une teneur en fer de 2,6 mg/100 kcal, et une teneur en zinc de 1,2 mg/100 kcal. La production de la farine et la préparation de la bouillie étaient reproductibles par les ménagères. La consommation de bouillie à chaque session était en moyenne de 29 ou 28 g/kg de poids corporel/repas, correspondant à 108 ou 105% de la consommation souhaitée, alors que la présence au centre de nutrition ouvert dans le village n’était que de 68 ou 58%, dans le groupe consommant la bouillie sans supplément de micronutriments et le groupe consommant la bouillie avec un supplément de micronutriment multiples, respectivement. Dans un contexte de prise en charge préventive et curative du paludisme et des geohelminthases la consommation de la bouillie améliorée sans supplément de micronutriments conduisait à une augmentation du taux d’hémoglobine de 14,8 (11,8) g/L (p<0,001), et la consommation de la bouillie améliorée avec des suppléments de micronutriments multiples entraînait une augmentation de 17,3 (15,8) g/L (p<0,001), soit une différence (IC à 95%) de 3,5 (-1,0 ; 8,1) g/L (p=0,13). La prévalence de l’anémie en fin d’intervention était de 67,9% et de 55,6% dans les groupes BA et BAM, respectivement (p=0,13) Ces résultats soulignent la nécessité de mesures permettant de réduire rapidement la prévalence de l’anémie chez les enfants âgés de 6-23 mois de ce district. La stratégie de supplémentation en micronutriments multiples combinée à la prise en charge préventive et curative du paludisme et des géohelminthiases est la stratégie à préférer. La supplémentation en micronutriments multiples pourrait être relayée progressivement par la stratégie basée sur une alimentation de complément améliorée au niveau des ménages, toujours dans un contexte de prise en charge préventive et curative du paludisme et des géohelminthases. Intégrés dans la routine des ménages et soutenus par une formation et une éducation nutritionnelles, les procédés de production de farine puis de bouillie améliorée devraient avoir une plus grande portée sur la prévention de l’anémie à moyen et long termes. Summary Anaemia is a widespread public health problem with major consequences for human health as well as social and economic development. Pregnant women and young children are the most affected. This work aimed at 1) analysing the anaemia situation among children aged 6-23 months of the rural district of Kongoussi (Burkina Faso), and 2) assessing the efficacy of integrated strategies. Two cross-sectional and two randomised, population-based studies were conducted over the January 2004-June 2006 period. The prevalence (95% CI) of anaemia was 98.8% (97.6 ; 99.9); that of severe anaemia was 29.5 (23.9 ; 35.0). Hypochromia was retrieved in 65.1% of anaemic children. Mean (SE) haemoglobin concentration was higher in non-stunted children [81.1 (2.6) g/L] than in their stunted counterparts [77.2 (2.8) g/L], p=0.026. The prevalence (95% CI) of stunting was 35.8% (29.4 ; 41.1). After adjustment for children, mothers and household characteristics, and for current and past breastfeeding patterns, the height-for-age z-score (HAZ) remained associated with the mode of complementary feeding among children aged 12-23 months. The adjusted mean HAZ (SE) was –1.33 (0.63), -1.61 (0.30), and –2.11 (0.32) among children consuming fortified cereals, unfortified cereals, or no complementary food, respectively (p=0.018) Plasmodium falciparum infection was noted in 52.6% of children with 25.6% being afebrile and 27.0% being febrile. Compared to uninfected children, children with febrile infection and those with afebrile infection had lower haemoglobin concentration, the differences (ES) being 7.86 (1.75) g/L (p<0.001) and 3.52 (1.74) g/L (p=0.044), respectively. Combined with malaria and geohelminths preventive and curative care, daily iron supplementation for 6 months led to a mean increase (SD) of haemoglobin concentration of 16.3 (13.6) g/L (p<0.001), whereas the increase was 22.8 (14.6) g/L (p<0.001) with daily multiple micronutrients supplementation. The difference (95% CI) of haemoglobin concentration at the end of intervention was of 6.5 (2.0 ; 11.1), p=0.003. Iron supplementation reduced the prevalence of anaemia by 40.6%, while the reduction was of 62.0% with the multiple micronutrients supplementation. The prevalence rate ratio [PRR (95% CI)] of children who were cured from anaemia at the end of intervention was 1.62 (1.22 ; 2.15), p<0.001. A new, local-ingredient-based flour was developed to prepare an improved mush for children. It was composed of pearl millet (51.7%), beans (8.8%), peanuts (7.8%), malted red sorghum (9.0%), soumbala (9.3%), sugar (12.7%) and iodized salt (0.8%). When this improved mush was prepared with a consistency of 120 mm/30 s (Bostwick flow distance), its volumetric mass, energy density, iron content and zinc content are 103 g/100 ml, 103 kcal/100 g, 2.6 mg/100 kcal, and 1.2 mg/100 kcal respectively. The flour production and mush preparation were reproducible by rural housewives. The average mush consumption was 29 and 28 g/kg body weight/meal, corresponding to 108 and 105% of the desired consumption, whereas the child’s presence at the nutrition centre that was opened in his village was 68 and 58%, in the group consuming the mush without micronutrient supplement (MG) and that consuming the mush with a multiple micronutrients supplement (MMG). Mean (SD) haemoglobin concentration increased of [14.8 (11.8) g/L, p<0.001] in the MG and [17.3 (15.8) g/L, p<0.001] in the MMG. The between group difference (95% CI) of 3.5 (-1.0 ; 8.1) g/L in mean (SD) endpoint haemoglobin concentration was not significant (p=0.13). The prevalence of anemia at the end of intervention was 67.9% and 55.6% in the MG and MMG, respectively (p=0.13) These results underline the need of urgent actions to rapidly reduce the prevalence of anemia. The multiple micronutrients supplementation combined with malaria and geohelminths preventive and curative care is the strategy to prefer. However, this strategy could be progressively replaced by that including complementary feeding improvement. To increase the mush consumption and better meet the needs of young children, flour and mush production must enter the routines of individual households. If this integration is to succeed, it should be supported by a large-scale program of training and nutrition education.

Abstract Construction investment is regarded as the leading cause in Real Estate industry for a long time. During the process, land development is an important factor for company's profitability. However, professions in this industry always rely on personal experience to estimate the land development potential. In most cases, owners or upper management are the ones to make the decision. Not only the decision conflict the open policy, it also lack of the base from lesson learns after the project wrap up. It limited the build up of experience with in companies. After interviewing industry experts, we found that the reasons people rely purely on experience among land estimate industry, besides the unique characteristic of land, accuracy and trust worthy of information, is limited to estimation during development; especially data of the direct cost, indirect cost, annual interest rate, and return ratio is missing the land estimation technical specification. Thus, people in current industry normally use personal experience or the reference material from government. Project budget in construction industry normally is pretty huge, management budget is occupied in a small percentage; thus, members normally do not want to spend time to analyze in detail in the beginning. This research base on documents and experts interview, it verifies and gather analysis of land development estimation. At the same time, it also gathers current ERP¡]Enterprise Resource Planing¡^ to get the real internal data. Using DSS system to assist members to process decision-making characteristics and What-If functions in which supports decision maker's decision. Utilize historical statistics and market fluctuation to process estimation and provide project data and comparison pie chart. This will provide the decision makers more effective comparison to different projects. Use land developing analysis estimate to establish an estimation structure and foundation for business to adjust accordingly when government regulation changes. An updated estimation way of Decision support system will provides an advanced tool for land developers. This will help decision makers in land development estimation to reduced the blind spots and mistake due to overly rely on personal experiences.

This paper analyses how corruption in a host country affects the amount of Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) it receives. It discusses a model in which FDI is explained by GDP, corruption and the distance between the host country and the origin of capital. It then runs a regression comparing FDI from developed to 46 developing countries, which shows that corruption is a significant variable and it does have a negative effect on total FDI. It then compares if there are any difference depending on the origin of Capital, comparing USA, Europe and Japan. Capital from USA is the most sensitive to corruption. It also shows that capital from Europe is the least responsive to distance, as a factor of explaining FDI. The paper also runs a base mark estimation of what could be expected if corruption levels changed. We can see that if Dominican Republic would have reduced the level of corruption to that of Uruguay, it could have increased the average FDI per year, from 0,8% of GDP to 1,4%. If Argentina, who has a higher FDI over GDP than expected given its level of corruption, would have reduced its level of corruption to the level of Chile, it could have increased the FDI over GDP from 2% to 3,6%. The implications of the results of this paper are that public policies should aim to reduce corruption levels because they have a negative effect on FDI and on the living standard.

Intellectual property rights (IPR) have become a major problem in the relationship between the industrialized West and the developing South, primarily because the West demands that developing countries adopt and enforce Western IPR. Since the relationship between US corporations and Chinese businesses is among the most successful and at the center of the current process of globalization, IPR have been a major cause of conflict and controversy between them and serve as an exemplar for this thesis. I argue, first, that the reason that a large number of Chinese businesses, especially privately-owned small and medium-sized enterprises, infringe foreign IPR lies in the nature of the difference between what have been mostly low-tech traditional Chinese businesses and high-tech industrial economies, to which intellectual property laws belong. Second, I demonstrate that the steady improvement of intellectual property protection in the more successful areas of development in the Chinese economy suggests that the solution for improved IPR protection in China and perhaps other emerging nations will follow, not precede, the development and transformation of a low-tech pre-industrial economy into an industrial high-tech economy.

Thesis (M.S.)--Auburn University, 2008. / Abstract. Vita. Includes bibliographical references (p. 57-58).

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Washington, 2001. / Vita. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 95-100).