The effects of the March 1990 deregulation policy on the marketing of agricultural products are examined in terms of price levels, price variability and market integration for maize, tef, noug and sorghum for the Bako, Tibe and Shoboka markets of the Wollega and Shoa regions of Ethiopia. Weekly price data from 1986 to 1993 are used. The price level and price variability changes are tested using a T-test and F-test respectively while market integration is tested using traditional price correlation analysis and Granger's and Johansen's methods of cointegration analysis. Deregulation has resulted in an increase in real prices which has also, in most cases, been accompanied by an increase in price variability. The price correlation and Granger methods indicate improvement in market integration under deregulation while Johansen's method indicates similar levels of market integration for both regulated and deregulated marketing systems. Increased price variability might thwart the perceived benefits of deregulation and further research is needed to identify its causes and to provide appropriate policy recommendations.

Baigiamojo magistro darbo „Komandinio darbo tobulinimas pramonės įmonėse” tikslas – išanalizuoti teorinę mokslinę literatūrą, atlikti empirinį maisto pramonės įmonių grupės komandinio darbo organizavimo tyrimą. Nustatyti galimas tobulinimo galimybes bei pateikti komandinio darbo tobulinimo modelį. Baigiamajame darbe pateikiami susisteminti duomenys apie komandinio darbo teorinius aspektus, šių aspektų pritaikymą maisto pramonės pavyzdžiu. Darbe yra mokslinės literatūros apžvalga, kuri apima komandinio darbo charakteristikas, Lietuvos maisto pramonės sektorių. Pateikti atlikto tyrimo, maisto pramonės įmonių sistemos komandinio darbo organizavimo, rezultatai. Išnagrinėta ir aprašyta tyrimo metodika, tyrimo duomenų analizė, išskirti įmonių sistemos komandinio darbo privalumai, veiksniai, kurie turi įtakos komandiniam darbui ir skatinimo priemonės. Sukurtas ir pateiktas komandinio darbo tobulinimo modelis. Magistro darbe taikomi tyrimo metodai – teorinė analizė ir jos apibendrinimas, statistinių duomenų analizė, lyginamoji analizė, empirinė analizė ( apklausa anketavimo būdu). Darbo apimtis – 83 p. teksto be priedų, 45 iliustr., 6 lent., 48 bibliografiniai šaltiniai. Atskirai pridedami darbo priedai. / Final master work "Improvement of teamwork industry's goal - a theoretical analysis of scientific literature and empirical food group teamwork organization investigation. Identify potential areas for improvement and to provide teamwork improvement model. The final paper presents systematic data on the theoretical aspects of teamwork, these aspects of the adaptation of the food industry as an example. The paper is a literature review that includes teamwork characteristics of the Lithuanian food industry. The study, the food industry system of teamwork organization results. Analyzed and described mrtodika research, data analysis, developing enterprise systems teamwork, the factors that have an impact on teamwork and incentives. Designed and presented teamwork improvement model. Master's thesis applied methods - theoretical analysis and summary, statistical analysis, comparative analysis, and empirical analysis (survey questionnaires). Pages - 83 p. text, 45 pictures., 6 tables., 48 references. Appendixes.

The corporate political activity field has focused on the study of political capabilities that allow firms to influence governments and regulators. Building on previous studies, this thesis examines a set of capabilities that allow host firms to adapt to rather than influence political environments. Specifically, this set of adaptive political capabilities can be used by firms to confront host country political contexts in emerging economies that share two characteristics: authoritarian regimes and weak institutions. The findings of this thesis show that host firms can develop and use adaptive political capabilities rather than political capabilities to start and sustain their operations in this type of political contexts. This entails attuning firm processes, structures, and practices to local norms and political behaviors, rather than attempting to shape the host country political environment in its own likeness. Our results suggest host firms can develop adaptive political capabilities to enhance their strategic repertoire when starting or sustaining operations in emerging economies with such characteristics. Our contribution is that by using mixed methods, we provide and test several exploratory propositions that support the conceptualization of a framework to guide the development of adaptive political capabilities by host firms and we make explicit a taxonomy of corporate adaptive political strategies that can enable firms to envision how they can adapt to host political contexts.

近年來，速食業在台灣的營收約占餐飲業的三成以上，已成為台灣最具影響力的餐飲業之一。有許多文獻在探討有關影響速食店設點策略的因素，其中包括在地市場的情況以及與其他廠商之間的競爭條件。除此之外，多篇文獻亦指出，為解決總公司與分店之間的資訊不對稱問題，加盟系統是速食業者最常使用的解決方案。雖然競爭與加盟議題對於台灣速食業相當重要，但大多數的實證文獻都聚焦在歐美地區的案例。本研究藉由實證上探討台灣速食業的獨特性，以補足文獻上的缺漏。結果顯示，人口越密集和平均年齡越低的地區，存在越多的速食店。除此之外，本研究也發現摩斯漢堡在較大及有高比例兒童人口的市場，傾向遠離麥當勞以避免競爭。最後，實證結果亦指出，台灣麥當勞傾向加盟那些位於人口較少的地區，但是加盟與否和該分店提供的附加服務較無關。 / With shares over 30% in the restaurant market, the fast-food industry has recently become one of the most influential restaurant businesses of Taiwan. The literature has much discussed factors that affect the location strategies of fast-food companies such as the state of local competition conditions. In addition, some studies mentioned that a franchise system is the most common solution to the problem of asymmetric information between headquarters and restaurants for the fast-food industry. Although competition and franchising issues are significant in the Taiwanese fast-food industry, most empirical studies focus on cases in Europe and America. This study fills that gap by exploring empirically the unique features of this industry in Taiwan. The results show that more fast-food outlets are concentrated in more crowded districts or those where the population is averagely younger. The analyses also indicate that MOS Burger tends to move away from McDonald’s when the market size is large or when proportion of children in the district is high. Finally, McDonald’s in Taiwan tends to franchise the outlets in districts which are less populated, but have a low correlation with the auxiliary services provided by outlets.

The dynamic and often hostile competitive landscape of the twenty-first century has created significant threats to existing patterns of successful competition. A review of the extant literature and research about innovation and entrepreneurship identifies their importance to ensuring corporate vitality and wealth generation in today’s global economy. For over one hundred andfifty years the foundation of Australia’s prosperity has been from resource based industries such as agriculture and mining. Changes in the world economy clearly require a much broader range of globally competitive industries to sustain Australia’s strong economic position. It is proposed that the older more traditional industries must also undergo rapid transformation if they are to maintain their competitive advantage. This thesis describes an action research study conducted over four years (2002-2006) in the Australian red meat industry. The study aimed to extend the body of knowledge on innovation and entrepreneurship in the industry. It also sought to explore options for improving practice through interventions which would accelerate the development of firm innovation capabilities and a culture of innovation more broadly across the industry.The thesis articulates a comprehensive contextual framework of the sector’s innovation and entrepreneurship system and an associated model of firm innovation and entrepreneurial capability. In addition, a new methodology for mapping the effectiveness of an innovation system is developed based on the emerging concept of system failures. By applying this methodology, a new SI-Intervention Framework is developed and a suite of intervention projects is tested for acceptance and potential impact with industry participants.It is proposed that the thesis offers a contribution to knowledge through convergence of the related fields of innovation and entrepreneurship into a single conceptual framework. In addition, the development of new theoretical and analytical models and methodologies build on and extend the work of previous researchers. Evidence of improved practice is demonstrated in relation to incorporation of the new framework and methodologies into the industry’s future innovation strategy, building internal capability in the innovation intervention agency, and acceptance by industry participants of the new approach.It is acknowledged that the models and concepts articulated in this thesis are at an early stage of development and that there is a significant amount of further research required. Similarly, as the study is focused on a single case, no attempt is made to offer broad generalisations. The value of the study will ultimately be determined by the specifics of future research contexts and can only be evaluated to the extent that it seems accurate, appropriate and authentic from the reader’s own perspective.

The dynamic and often hostile competitive landscape of the twenty-first century has created significant threats to existing patterns of successful competition. A review of the extant literature and research about innovation and entrepreneurship identifies their importance to ensuring corporate vitality and wealth generation in today’s global economy. For over one hundred andfifty years the foundation of Australia’s prosperity has been from resource based industries such as agriculture and mining. Changes in the world economy clearly require a much broader range of globally competitive industries to sustain Australia’s strong economic position. It is proposed that the older more traditional industries must also undergo rapid transformation if they are to maintain their competitive advantage. This thesis describes an action research study conducted over four years (2002-2006) in the Australian red meat industry. The study aimed to extend the body of knowledge on innovation and entrepreneurship in the industry. It also sought to explore options for improving practice through interventions which would accelerate the development of firm innovation capabilities and a culture of innovation more broadly across the industry.The thesis articulates a comprehensive contextual framework of the sector’s innovation and entrepreneurship system and an associated model of firm innovation and entrepreneurial capability. In addition, a new methodology for mapping the effectiveness of an innovation system is developed based on the emerging concept of system failures. By applying this methodology, a new SI-Intervention Framework is developed and a suite of intervention projects is tested for acceptance and potential impact with industry participants.It is proposed that the thesis offers a contribution to knowledge through convergence of the related fields of innovation and entrepreneurship into a single conceptual framework. In addition, the development of new theoretical and analytical models and methodologies build on and extend the work of previous researchers. Evidence of improved practice is demonstrated in relation to incorporation of the new framework and methodologies into the industry’s future innovation strategy, building internal capability in the innovation intervention agency, and acceptance by industry participants of the new approach.It is acknowledged that the models and concepts articulated in this thesis are at an early stage of development and that there is a significant amount of further research required. Similarly, as the study is focused on a single case, no attempt is made to offer broad generalisations. The value of the study will ultimately be determined by the specifics of future research contexts and can only be evaluated to the extent that it seems accurate, appropriate and authentic from the reader’s own perspective.

Thesis (M.Sc. (Hons)) -- University of Western Sydney, 2003. / "February 2003" Bibliography: leaves 260 - 277.

La présence de micro-organismes pathogènes dans les produits alimentaires représente un risque important de santé publique. La réglementation régit leur contrôle en imposant, dans la majorité des cas, la recherche d’une faible quantité de ces bactéries. Les méthodes de détection de référence sont simples à mettre en œuvre mais chronophages et nécessitent un temps d’analyse de plusieurs jours. Aussi, un des enjeux majeurs dans le domaine du contrôle alimentaire, est la mise au point de méthodes sensibles et rapides pour la détection d’un ou plusieurs pathogènes dans des matrices alimentaires. Ces nouvelles technologies ont pour but de réduire le nombre de toxi-infections alimentaires tout en augmentant la durée de commercialisation des produits et en limitant les impacts économiques négatifs pour les industries (longues périodes de stockage, rappels de lot, etc.).Dans ce contexte, nous nous sommes intéressés à la mise au point d’une méthode alternative aux méthodes de références, basée sur un biocapteur présentant une transduction de type résonance des plasmons de surface (SPR). Cette technologie présente de multiples avantages : simplicité de mise en œuvre, analyse en temps réel, absence de marquage, etc. Des preuves de concept de son utilisation, pour la détection de bactéries pathogènes ont été présentées dans la littérature, utilisant principalement des récepteurs de type anticorps.Au cours des travaux présentés dans cette thèse nous nous sommes intéressés à la détection de bactéries pathogènes alimentaires majeures en termes de prévalence ou de gravité de l’infection, qu’elles soient Gram positif ou Gram négatif. La production d’anticorps performants a également été optimisée pour obtenir des anticorps polyclonaux sensibles et spécifiques de plusieurs genres bactériens. Les cinétiques de croissance bactérienne ont été analysées par SPR afin d’identifier les principaux phénomènes impactant la détection. Des techniques en haute résolution ont permis une meilleure compréhension des événements se produisant à la surface du biocapteur. Ces études ont menés à l’obtention d’un système permettant la détection multiplexe d’un faible inoculum de bactéries pathogènes dans des matrices alimentaires (salade et poudre de lait infantile) en moins de 24h. / The presence of pathogenic micro-organisms in foodstuff is a major concern for health safety. Regulations impose, in most cases, the research of low levels of these bacteria. Although reference methods are simple, they are time-consuming and can require several days before obtaining results. This is why one of the major challenges in food hygiene science is the development of sensitive and rapid methods, for the detection of one or more pathogens. These new technologies aim to decrease the occurrence of foodborne infections, while improving both the shelf life of food products and industrial production costs (long storage times, recalls …).In this context, the development of an alternative method has been carried out in this work, using a biosensor with a transduction based on surface plasmon resonance (SPR). Such optical technology offers multiple benefits: ease-of-use, real-time analysis, label-free process… Proofs of concept for the use of this technology in basic conditions, for the detection of model bacteria, have been described in the literature, mostly using antibodies as receptors, but the full operation in "real" conditions encountered in industrial facilities still has to be tested and optimizedThis manuscript thus describes the detection of foodborne pathogenic bacteria playing a major role in terms of prevalence and/or severity of the caused infection, whether Gram positive or negative. The production of efficient antibodies was optimized, resulting in polyclonal antibodies sensitive and specific for multiple bacterial genera. Dynamics of bacterial growths were analysed by SPR in an effort to identify the main factors having an impact on the detection. High resolution SPR was used for a better understanding of reactions occurring at the surface of the biosensor. These studies lead to the development of a system capable of multiplex detection of low bacterial inoculum in food samples (lettuce and powdered infant formula) within less than 24 hours.

This study is intended, first, to describe and analyze the channels of distribution for food products in the State of Kuwait, second, to pinpoint the problems that exist in the food-distribution system, and, third, to make specific recommendations for the alleviation of the problems. Consistent with the objectives of the study and based on the description and analysis of the food-distribution system in the country, it is concluded in the study that Kuwait depends on imports for virtually all of its food; the government plays a major role in the food-distribution system; and the majority of food wholesaling and retailing establishments are small, inefficient, and lack modern marketing and physical distribution techniques. Product shortages and rising food prices plague the food-distribution system in the country. Also, the findings indicate that consumers in Kuwait are generally ignorant and uninformed in the areas of food nutrition and food shopping, and the lack of standardization and grading of food products makes the shopping task of the consumer more difficult.

Indispensability of electricity in all areas of life, including industry, requires enterprises to be prepared for possible power outages, which would minimize impacts on the population. The aim of this thesis titled "Impacts of a power outage in great food - processing companies in the South Bohemia county" is to analyze possible impacts of power cuts in the awareness system of large food enterprises and to assess the effects it would have on the protection of the population when power outage occurs. To obtain the data for the thesis, I used a qualitative research in the form of structured interviews with employees of five large food enterprises, who are responsible for the given area. SWOT analyse was used to evaluate the interviews and a KARS method was used for the analysis of the most significant impacts of an electric power outage in the system of awareness of enterprises and in the protection of the population. The results of the research revealed a basic fact that electricity outage would mean an immediate interruption of production for the food enterprises in South Bohemia. None of the enterprises surveyed owns a standby electric power source, so the sustainability of the standby energy supply does not exist. This fact is alarming mainly from the point of view of the crisis management, because two of the surveyed enterprises are included in the Crises plan of South Bohemia and implement corresponding measures. An important factor influencing the current state of food enterprises awareness for electricity outage is undoubtedly the fact that there is no legislation in the Czech Republic at the moment, which would impose an obligation for food enterprises to prepare for electric power outages. To increase the awareness of the food enterprises for electricity outage, for example in the form back up power sources, would require considerable investments. I hope that this thesis will serve not only as a study material, but also will be a subject of discussion for food enterprises, presenting a model for a case of electric power outage.