This item contains the agenda, minutes, and attachments for the Faculty Senate meeting on this date. There may be additional materials from the meeting available at the Faculty Center.

The focus of this thesis is on Advance Fee Fraud (419 scams) on how it is executed and more importantly, on how it can be prevented. The research addresses the origins of AFF, the nature and extent of this crime and how the perpetrators are able to defraud their victims. The research described, examined and analysed the crimes, the perpetrators, the victims, adjudication and the prevention strategies of this fraud. Information was gathered through literature and empirical research. A qualitative research method was used to gather information from AFF offenders who were incarcerated in South African prisons in 2005. The results of the empirical research were carefully examined, analyzed and integrated into the various chapters of this thesis. A theoretical framework was also developed in an attempt to explain this complex phenomenon. The findings and recommendations in terms of the crimes, the criminals, the victims, adjudication and prevention were also made and some suggestions for further research thereof were also cited. / Criminology and Security Science / D. Litt. et Phil. (Criminology)

Submitted by Adalto Acir Althaus Junior (adaltojl@yahoo.com.br) on 2017-03-20T19:06:20Z No. of bitstreams: 1 Tese2_AdaltojL-V_final_corrigida.pdf: 1890382 bytes, checksum: 4a35dbb3a389546a0654556227bf3070 (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Pamela Beltran Tonsa (pamela.tonsa@fgv.br) on 2017-03-20T19:09:02Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 1 Tese2_AdaltojL-V_final_corrigida.pdf: 1890382 bytes, checksum: 4a35dbb3a389546a0654556227bf3070 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2017-03-20T20:24:40Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Tese2_AdaltojL-V_final_corrigida.pdf: 1890382 bytes, checksum: 4a35dbb3a389546a0654556227bf3070 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2017-02-20 / This study aims to investigate the risk shifting behavior of mutual funds to test the hypotheses that managers have incentives to raise risk. We evaluated the effect of performance fees on the level of risk, risk shifting and mutual fund's performance to assess agency costs differences between both mutual funds - with and without performance fees. We observed the mutual fund's volatility level and its changes imposed by the managers. Volatility was estimated by a standard deviation of returns in the last 12 months. The change on the level of risk measured was the risk shifting, that is, the difference between a mutual fund's current portfolio holdings volatility and its past realized volatility, both estimated over past 12 months' period. We used a sample of 203 Brazilian mutual funds which covered the period from 2009 to 2015. We used data from stock prices, Brazilian bonds prices, BDRs prices and the characteristics of these funds. When funds have higher monthly returns, they tend to run negative risk shifting; when they have lower monthly returns, they tend to seek risk by doing positive risk shifting. When the funds decrease their risk (negative risk shifting), they tend to perform better. It is possible to ensure that the funds which charge performance fee have superior performance if compared to those that without performance fee. Also, they have greater positive risk shifting and lower negative risk shifting. However, funds that charged performance fees presented lower levels of risk. These findings suggest that the performance fee can contribute to align interests between mutual funds and their investors. These results are more in accordance to the behavior of risk-averse managers who used their stock selection or market timing ability to ensure a desirable minimum performance, rather than use maximum effort to looking for extraordinary returns. / Este trabalho investiga o comportamento do deslocamento de risco (risk shifting) nos fundos de investimento em ações e suas consequências sobre o desempenho, para examinar a hipótese de que os gestores têm incentivos para elevar o risco dos fundos. Estuda o efeito da taxa de performance sobre o desempenho, o nível de risco e o risk shifting dos fundos para identificar diferenças nos custos de agência entre os fundos que cobram e os que não cobram taxa de performance. Essa avaliação é feita observando-se o nível de risco dos fundos e as variações impostas pelo gestor em torno do nível de risco operado pelo fundo. O risco é medido pelo desvio padrão do retorno mensal realizado pelos fundos nos últimos 12 meses. O risk shifting dos fundos é medido como a diferença entre a volatilidade de um retorno mensal hipotético, estimado a partir das carteiras divulgadas pelos fundos, e a volatilidade do retorno mensal realizado, ambos sobre os últimos 12 meses. A amostra contou com dados de 203 fundos brasileiros de investimento em ações no período de 2009 a 2015. Foram utilizados dados de retorno das ações da BM&F Bovespa, títulos públicos, BDRs e cotas de fundos de investimento, além das características dos fundos. Quando os fundos têm maiores retornos mensais, tendem a fazer risk shifting negativo; quando têm menores retornos mensais; tendem a buscar risco, fazendo risk shifting positivo. Quando os fundos fazem risk shifting negativo tendem a ter desempenho melhor. É possível afirmar que os fundos que cobram taxa de performance têm desempenho superior àqueles que não cobram, fazem maiores risk shiftings positivos e menores negativos. No entanto, fundos que cobram taxa de performance apresentam menores níveis de risco. Esses achados sugerem que a taxa de performance é um instrumento capaz de contribuir no alinhamento de interesses entre os fundos de investimento em ações e seus investidores. Esses resultados estão mais alinhados com o comportamento de gestores avessos a risco, que usam sua habilidade de seleção de ativos ou market timing para garantir um desempenho mínimo desejável, em vez de imprimir esforços para buscar retornos extraordinários.

A dog owner does not only have rights, but also (and mainly) a lot of obligations. One of the aims of this work was to look at different areas concerning the ownership (holding) of a dog in relation to the actual public law regulations. Particular chapters reflect possible life situations, which have (especially from a point of view of public law) an effect on coexistence with a dog and (often negative) the impact (penalties) for a dog holder. Thematic areas are addressed, for example, purchasing a dog, his vaccination and other health and life conditions, the possibility of shortening a tail or ears, the admissible conditions and methods that permit the killing of a dog or the conditions and ways to bury a dog. Further mention is made of the possibilities of travelling with a dog (and also abroad), also described are the law regulations of dog fees and the generally binding ordinances of municipalities. Deeper consideration was essential in respect of the areas concerning misdemeanours and criminal offences, which can be commited both on a dog and by a dog (incl. veterinarian demands or animal cruelty). There are follow-up chapters concerning liability for damage and compensation for damage. A part of the work is dedicated to breed specific legislation concerning breeding some (so called "fighting" or...

L’objet de cette thèse est d’analyser l’évolution du marché des paiements de détail avec en toile de fond la constitution d’un espace unique pour les paiements en Europe. Notre analyse révèle notamment que ce marché évolue selon la théorie de la Reine Rouge ; en effet, sous le poids de la concurrence, les prestataires de service ne cessent de créer des moyens de paiement de plus en plus innovants afin de maintenir leur part de marché. Paradoxalement, la demande, elle, évolue plus lentement, essentiellement à cause des habitudes difficiles à changer. Pour la dynamiser, régulateur et industrie bancaire ont mis en œuvre de nombreux moyens. Notre étude révèle ainsi que bien que les facteurs sociodémographiques, technologiques et économiques déterminant les comportements de paiement varient et n’ont pas le même impact d’un pays à un autre, certains Etats présentent néanmoins suffisamment d’homogénéité pour appartenir à une même zone de paiement optimale. En outre, nous démontrons que l’harmonisation des pratiques bancaires et des réglementations mise en place pour la réalisation du marché unique a conduit à une convergence des comportements de paiement en Europe. Par ailleurs, en analysant le cas particulier des paiements par carte, nous développons un modèle multi-agents permettant de mettre en évidence l’importance des pratiques tarifaires telles que la commission d’interchange ou la règle de non-discrimination sur la concurrence entre instruments, intermédiaires et systèmes de paiement. L’expérimentation artificielle de ce modèle dévoile les conditions nécessaires à l’efficacité de la réglementation de ces pratiques par l’Etat. / The purpose of present thesis is to study the evolution of the retail payment market. This work is set against a backdrop of the creation of a single payment area in Europe. Our analysis reveals that this market is subject to the Red Queen dilemma; indeed, because of intense competition, payment service providers are forced to a constant evolution of technology in order to maintain their market share. Paradoxically, the demand for payment instruments tends to move slowly, basically because habits are difficult to change. To improve the dynamism of the demand response to innovation, regulator and banking industry have implemented new policies and procedures that encourage the development of trans-border payments. Thereby, although the sociodemographic, technological and economic factors which influence payment behaviours vary and don't have the same impact from one country to another, we find some remarkable homogeneity across countries that are eligible to form an optimal payment area. Besides, we show that the harmonization of the banking laws and products led to a convergence of the payment behaviours in Europe. In addition, by analyzing the case of the payment card industry, we develop an agent-based model which highlights the effects of the tariff practices such as the interchange fee or the no-surcharge rule, on competition within and between payment systems. The computational simulation of this model reveals necessary conditions to achieve the desired result of the regulation of these practices.

Contexte : La mauvaise qualité et la faible utilisation des services de santé contribuent aux taux élevés de morbidité et de mortalité dans plusieurs pays à faible et à moyen revenu. Face à cette situation, le gouvernement du Burkina Faso a testé une intervention novatrice qui combine le financement basé sur la performance (FBP) à des mesures d'équité en santé. Les formations sanitaires ont reçu des prix unitaires pour des services de santé fournis ainsi que des bonus conditionnels à la qualité des soins. Des comités communautaires ont sélectionné les indigents pour leur octroyer des exemptions de paiements des soins. Malgré le peu d’études sur le sujet, des acteurs en santé mondiale craignent que l’intervention puisse avoir des conséquences non intentionnelles importantes. Objectif : Cette thèse vise à accroître les connaissances scientifiques sur les conséquences non intentionnelles du FBP combiné à des mesures d'équité en santé dans un environnement à faible revenu. Méthodes : Nous avons développé un cadre conceptuel basé sur la théorie de la diffusion des innovations. Une étude de cas multiples a été réalisée avec neuf formations sanitaires au Burkina Faso. Cinq mois sur le terrain ont permis d’effectuer 104 entrevues semi-structurées, 266 séances d'observation et des conversations informelles avec un large éventail d'acteurs incluant les prestataires de soins, les patients et les vérificateurs. Les données qualitatives ont été codées avec QDA miner pour faciliter l’analyse thématique. Nous avons également utilisé des données quantitatives du système de gestion pour décrire l'évolution des services et trianguler les résultats. Résultats : La nature et la mise en œuvre de l'intervention ont interagi avec le système social et les caractéristiques de ses membres pour engendrer des conséquences non intentionnelles importantes, dont la plupart étaient indésirables. Les prestataires de soins ont démontré une fixation sur les mesures de rendement, ont falsifié les registres médicaux et ont enseigné de mauvaises pratiques aux stagiaires pour augmenter leurs subsides et bonus. Comme conséquence non intentionnelle désirable, certaines formations sanitaires ont limité la vente de médicaments sans prescriptions pour encourager les consultations. Les vérifications communautaires, durant lesquelles les patients sont retrouvés pour vérifier les services déclarés, ont entraîné la falsification des données de vérification, la perte de la confidentialité des patients et certaines craintes chez les patients, bien que certains étaient heureux de partager leurs opinions. Enfin, les prestataires de soins ont limité les services offerts gratuitement aux indigents, ce qui a déclenché des conflits. Discussion : Cette thèse contribue au développement des connaissances scientifiques sur la façon dont le FBP, combiné à des mesures d'équité, peut engendrer des conséquences non intentionnelles. Les résultats sont utiles pour affiner ce type d’intervention et éclairer une mise en œuvre efficace dans le secteur du financement de la santé. Plus largement, cette thèse démontre la faisabilité et la valeur ajoutée d'utiliser un cadre conceptuel pour étudier les conséquences non intentionnelles. Elle pourra guider les chercheurs à élargir leur angle d’analyse afin de rendre compte des conséquences intentionnelles et non intentionnelles des interventions complexes en santé. / Background: Poor quality and low utilization of healthcare services contribute to high levels of morbidity and mortality in many low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). In response, the government of Burkina Faso tested an innovative intervention that combines performance-based financing (PBF) with health equity measures. Healthcare facilities received unit fees for targeted services and bonuses conditional upon the quality of care. To reduce inequities in access to care, community-based committees selected indigents, i.e., the poorest segment of the population, to offer them user fee exemptions. Facilities were also paid more for services delivered to indigents. Despite the potential of this type of intervention, many global health actors argue that it could lead to important unintended consequences that influence its overall impact. Yet, little attention has been given to studying the unintended consequences of this complex intervention. Objective: This thesis aims to increase the scientific knowledge on the unintended consequences of PBF combined with health equity measures in a low-income setting. Methods: We developed a conceptual framework based on the diffusion of innovations theory. Using a multiple case study design, we selected nine healthcare facilities in Burkina Faso. Over five months of fieldwork, we collected multiple sources of qualitative data including 104 semi-structured interviews, 266 recorded observation sessions, informal conversations and documentation. Participants included a wide range of stakeholders, such as providers, patients, and PBF verifiers. Data were coded using QDA miner to conduct a thematic analysis. We also used secondary data from the PBF routine management system to describe the evolution of services and triangulate results. Results: Interactions between the nature and implementation of the intervention, the nature of the social system, and its members’ characteristics led to important unintended consequences, most of which were undesirable. Providers were fixated on performance measures rather than on underlying objectives, falsified medical registers, and taught trainees improper practices to increase subsidies and bonuses. As a desirable unintended consequence, we found that some facilities limited the sale of non-prescribed medication to encourage patients to consult. Community verifications, in which patients are traced to verify the authenticity of reported services and patient satisfaction, also led to unintended consequences, such as the falsification of verification data, the loss of patient confidentiality, and fears among patients, although some were pleased to share their views. Lastly, health equity measures also triggered changes that were not intended by program planners. For example, providers limited the free services and medication delivered to indigents, which led to conflicts between parties. Discussion: This thesis contributes to the development of scientific knowledge on how PBF interventions, combined with equity measures, can trigger unintended consequences in a low-income setting. The results are useful to inform effective implementation and refine interventions, particularly in the health financing sector. More broadly, this thesis demonstrates the feasibility and added value of using a conceptual framework to study the unintended consequences of complex health interventions. This thesis can inspire and guide future researchers to broaden their analytical horizons to capture both intended and unintended consequences of health interventions.

No description available.

This study explored school choice and school commuting in the town of Ladybrand in the Free State Province. A mixed research method (survey and qualitative interviews) was used. Grade 8 parents from all three public secondary schools in Ladybrand were surveyed. Members of the School Governing Bodies (SGB) and School Management Teams (SMT) were also interviewed. The study found that all three schools are dominated by Black African children, although Ladybrand High (a fee-charging, former Model C, whites-only school), had a multiracial learner profile. Most Black African learners in Ladybrand High came from lower to middle-class working homes in the neighbouring township. Lesotho nationals were also enrolled in this school. Most Ladybrand High learners had parents who are married, financially resourced, educated, and working in skilled or professional jobs. In terms of Lereng Secondary and Sehlabeng Secondary School (both no-fee township schools), most learners hail from poorly educated, single-parent homes, where the parents are either working in semi-skilled or unskilled jobs or are unemployed. None were from Lesotho. Their financial status is weak. These parents said they selected the school based on proximity and low cost, whereas quality of education drove enrolment in Ladybrand High. Thus, the schools in the Ladybrand area demonstrate that class segregation has replaced apartheid race segregation. Learners from Ladybrand High commute using a variety of transport modes, while learners in township schools either use a subsidised government bus or walk – in some cases long distances if they live on neighbouring farms. The township schools complained of poor learner discipline and feeling unsafe due to local gang activities, both of which negatively impact on the functioning of the schools. This was not the case with Ladybrand High. While all the schools offer extra lessons, the two township schools hold extensive extra-lesson sessions and matriculation study camps. / Environmental Sciences / M. Sc. (Environmental Management)

The final thesis deals with the issuance of Act No. 254/2020 Coll., On experts, expert offices and expert institutes. The aim is to analyze, describe and evaluate the impact of the law change on expert activities. The analysis took the form of a questionnaire survey addressing 1,002 experts. The evaluation of the results is processed using graphs, tables and free citations of experts. The thesis deals with the characteristics of individual provisions of the law, their negative effects and benefits. The output of the work is an analysis of the current situation. In the end, recommendations and proposals for measures are formulated.

This item contains the agenda, minutes, and attachments for the Faculty Senate meeting on this date. There may be additional materials from the meeting available at the Faculty Center.