The World Trade Organization was created to promote free trade and govern multilateral trade agreements as a fair and non-discriminating body. Literature on participation challenges this assumption of partiality and suggests the presence of a bias within the organization’s dispute settlement system. Previous studies have proven that the fear of retaliation is the most decisive factor when considering litigation. Other studies have suggested that sizeable expected benefits from dispute settlement have a greater impact on participation. Given the emergence of new members such as China, Ukraine and Taiwan these results are subject to change. In order to test the suggested hypotheses, a new dataset ranging from 2001-2010 was build to account for some of the changing trends in participation. While the results from the sector specific analysis failed to provide significant support for fear of retaliation, they showed evidence that expected returns motivate the initiation of litigations. Findings also suggest that members, heavily dependent on agriculture, are more likely to join agri-food cases as third parties. This study will provide, through the analysis of agri-food cases, valuable insights on the changes in the behavior of participants over the last decade.

Liberalization of textiles and clothing was one of the pillars of the Uruguay Round under the WTO aimed at promoting economic growth, development and alleviating poverty. For over 40 years this sector had been separated from the established principles of liberal trade stemming mainly from protectionist sentiments. The new regime established by the Uruguay Round aimed at integrating the sector into GATT on the basis of its strengthened rules and disciplines in furtherance of its general objective to liberalize trade. This change in international trade rules is a phenomenal development that is bound to have an impact on trade in other areas. The paper explores the liberalization process by analyzing current trends in the textiles and clothing liberalization process. It identifies opportunities and also highlights challenges the process presents to participants in the sector. Although no precise picture of the trade following the full integration can be drawn at this stage, there are some indicators of potential winners and losers explaining both the praises and condemnation in the liberalization debate from the various commentators. (Abstract shortened by UMI.)

The sharp decline of tariff trade barriers has been one of the achievements of the world trading system. However, the reduction in tariffs has exposed the many non-tariff barriers that remain. As tariffs continue to fall, there seems to be a corresponding reliance on SPS measures as a source of protection for domestic producers. This underscores the need for a legal framework that can address the fundamental issue of whether a measure validly exists to protect consumers or is merely a 'sham' to protect domestic producers. This thesis argues that the protectionist use of SPS measures undermines the promised benefits of agricultural trade liberalization. Developing countries face numerous problems with regard to SPS measures. This thesis examines these problems and argues that there is a need to strengthen the capacity of developing countries to establish and implement SPS measures; meet the SPS requirements of trade partners; and participate fully in the work of standard setting organizations in the establishment of international standards, guidelines and recommendations. In addition, despite the proposed reductions in tariff barriers stipulated in the WTO Agreement on Agriculture, a lot remains to be done to fully liberalize trade in agriculture. Several issues still need to be addressed in order to enable developing countries to reap the benefits of trade liberalization in agriculture. These issues include market access, domestic and export support, food security and special and differential treatment.

<p>Government procurement is a very important aspect of international tradeas it can either promote or inhibit trade depending on laws and policies of a country. The study is confined to issues pertaining to the role of RTAs in establishing government procurement standards that resemble or conform to those of the GPA in developing countries. The study used Africa as a case study by evaluating selected RTAs that have been signed focussing on RTAs such as the procurementinitiativeof the Common Market for East and Southern Africa (COMESA) and US-Morocco Free Trade Agreement. The major objectives of the study were to examine the role of the existing international regulatory instruments towards the harmonisation of global standards on government procurement. The reserach aimed at analysing the role of the WTOs GPA as a possible global standard for government procurement and to investigate reasons of limited membership by developing countries.</p>

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The coming into force of "free trade agreements" across the Western Hemisphere since the late 1980s has been a historic change that is still in the process of development. This essay seeks to explain this development. To do so, it investigates examples of the historical development of social relations in the hemisphere. The political will to carry out such a plan can be found in each country in the social base that sees benefit in the course. While this political will exists, everywhere the process has been a contested one, both domestically and internationally. This policy will continue to find support especially from large capital interests and their representatives who will continue to find their opposition in a wide variety of labour and social movements and socialist tendencies. The balance determines the type of contract struck.

Franchising is expected to be the leading method of doing business in the new century. It is thus important to identify the motivational drives and characteristics of franchisees underlying the creation and management of franchising relationships which contribute to the success of franchising. To understand more fully the franchisees' purchase behaviour, the Fishbein and Ajzen theory of reasoned behaviour (TRA) was adopted to explore the important variables of Thailand's potential franchisees. In this study, the relationship between attitude toward purchasing a franchise based on perceived advantages of franchising, subjective norms with respect to purchase, personality traits (the Big Five model of personality dimensions), demographics and prospective franchisees' purchase intention were explored. / Data were collected at the national franchise exposition in Bangkok during 23-26 June, 2005. Questionnaires were given to 520 potential franchisees; however the number of valid questionnaires was 390. A descriptive correlational design was employed. Data were analysed using T-tests, ANOVA, and correlation analyses. Most of the respondents were female (53.9%) owing to the majority of female attendees to the franchise fair, 26-40 years old (64%), had graduated with a bachelor's degree and higher (81%), and were currently employed (89.6%). They also had prior self-employment experience (53.9%). Training provided by the franchiser, well known name, start-up and on-going support were found to be the greatest advantages perceived by the respondents. However, the fifth perceived advantage pertaining to job satisfaction indicates that potential franchisees also care about their job satisfaction which is internal rather than external. In terms of gathering information, the respondents would be more motivated by franchise consultants, franchise fairs, and existing franchisees respectively. As for personality traits, they were rated highly on Agreeableness, Conscientiousness, Intellect and Extraversion, while rating low on Neuroticism. / The findings showed a difference between age and intention to become a franchisee, and a difference between occupation and intention to become a franchisee. There was no difference between respondents with and without self-employment history, and intention to become a franchisee. Franchise applicants with different educational levels evidenced no difference in their intention to purchase a franchise. / Pearson's Correlation analysis showed attitude and subjective norms had the most significant correlation with purchase intention, followed by personality traits. Based on the likelihood of becoming a franchisee, the target group of prospective franchisees were retirees and individuals with the age range of 51 years and older, who had a favourable attitude towards franchising. They had professional advice from expert referents, especially from existing franchisees and franchise fairs, and were higher in Conscientiousness, Intellect, Extraversion, and Agreeableness. / The Fishbein and Ajzen theory of reasoned action was effective in explaining prospective franchisees' purchase intention. Enhancing positive attitudes toward franchising, incorporating appeals via expert references, such as existing franchisees, management consultants, franchise consultants, and other opinion leaders, targeting prospective franchisees with the age range of 51 years and older, who are retirees, possessing personal characteristics of Conscientiousness, Intellect, Extraversion and Agreeableness, may prove to be fruitful strategies to promote franchising in Thailand. / Thesis (DBA(DoctorateofBusinessAdministration))--University of South Australia, 2007.

Thesis (doctoral) --Tampereen yliopiston, 2007. / Includes bibliographical references (p. 178-195). Also available on the World Wide Web.

Thesis (M.S.)--Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, 1990. / Vita. Abstract. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 84-85). Also available via the Internet.