This study examines U.S. exports and imports to/from its major 15 trading partners and Russia. To analyze U.S. export and import flows the gravity model approach is used. Factors affecting U.S. bilateral trade flows with its 16 trading countries are evaluated using Generalized Method of Moments (GMM). Annual data from 2000 to 2009 are used for this study. Goods traded between the U.S. and its trading partners are disaggregated into three groups based on the Standard International Trade Classification (SITC). Results show that major factors affecting both U.S. export and import flows are distance and change in polity score. Also U.S. exports are influenced by U.S. trading partner Gross Domestic Product (GDP) for agricultural (AGR) and middle sector (MID) groups. U.S. foreign direct investment is a complement for U.S. exports of final (FIN) group and at the same time it serves as substitute for U.S. exports of AGR. On the other hand, U.S. imports of AGR and foreign direct investment (FDI) from 16 trading partners to the U.S. are substitutes. This study also reveals that the U.S. and Russia bilateral trade could be improved through economic growth in both countries, improving political cooperation and increasing inward and outward FDI.

Since 1973, the European Union has been expanding its borders from its six founding members - West Germany, France, Italy, the Netherlands, Luxembourg, and Belgium, to include all of Western Europe and parts of Scandinavia by 1995. However, with the fall of the Soviet Union in 1990, the EU made a difficult but beneficial choice of paving the road for the Eastern and Central European (ECE) to become EU members. However, there was a need for the EU to determine the goals and guidelines that would format the transition of these former communist states into productive members of the EU. This paper will analyze the evolution of these guidelines - formally outlined by the Copenhagen Criteria - that set the precedent for these states to become members. The main issue of this paper will take these criteria a few steps forward, comparing states that were given membership based on the criteria and those who have been established by the EU as at least "potential EU members" but have not been deemed as satisfying these criteria enough to become candidates or full members. Both qualitatively and quantitatively, the comparisions of the 2004 and 2007 new EU members and other states of the Western Balkans and Turkey will be conducted to determine if the political and economic guidelines established by Copenhagen are the only guidelines being met, or if areas such as cultural values and "Europeanness" are also contributing to membership levels.

There is a complex set of variables influencing a country's potential for economic growth. One of these is investment, and in order to attract foreign capital flows a country needs, amongst other things sound macro-economic policies and solid financial institutions. Solid financial institutions must be coupled with an attention on integration of a country's financial markets. Through the building of these institutions and a focus on integrating its financial markets a country is likely to become more attractive in the eyes of the investors. The reason for this being important is that investment carries with it promises of economic growth and the subsequent social upliftment. Therefore, closer cooperation between the IBSA members is likely to offer great opportunities for India, Brazil and South Africa. It has been highlighted that a closer integration of their financial markets might lead to them also becoming competitors in the quest for the attention from the investors of the North. However, the loss in terms of competition is likely to be outweighed by the benefits found in not having to face unilateralism as separate entities. New Regionalism stresses the importance of regionalisation as a counter measure to the harmful effect of globalisation for the marginalised countries of the world, and the topic of investment aptly illustrate this point. Furthermore, a closer collaboration between the IBSA members as well as a continuous focus on further integrating their financial markets into the world economy could offer great benefits. Moreover, the trickledown effect could also broaden the scope of these benefits to include other emerging markets. Because of this, investment is, amongst other very important sub-sectors of focus in terms of IBSA cooperation, one of the most important one - both in terms of benefits for the individual countries, but also due to what a successful cooperation could come to mean for the developing world in general. The next chapter, the conclusion, will draw together the various discussion of this thesis in order to highlight the arguments put forward and to suggest ways forward for the IBSA coalition, as well as possible fields of further study / Political Science / M.A. (International Politics)

Many studies concerning multinational corporations {MNCs) are replete with theoretical models and case studies that treat MNCs as stand-alone entities. Very little time and effort is given to understanding the context in which MNCs operate. This context includes not only the fact that MNCs transcend national boundaries (political as well as geographical), but also the meaning of work and being part of a multinational work force for those employed within MNCs. This thesis is an effort to elucidate how the political/societal/cultural contexts of different host countries affect the attitudes of those workers most directly involved with foreign-owned MNCs. By shifting the focus from the MNC to the political/societal/cultural environment of host countries, foreign-owned MNCs can be compared across national boundaries (foreign-owned MNC workers from three different countries are compared in this thesis -- Canada, Brazil, and West Germany). Finally, by grounding the workers' attitudes within social identity theory, divergent attitudes between the workers from the different countries are not only explained, but expected as well.

There is a complex set of variables influencing a country's potential for economic growth. One of these is investment, and in order to attract foreign capital flows a country needs, amongst other things sound macro-economic policies and solid financial institutions. Solid financial institutions must be coupled with an attention on integration of a country's financial markets. Through the building of these institutions and a focus on integrating its financial markets a country is likely to become more attractive in the eyes of the investors. The reason for this being important is that investment carries with it promises of economic growth and the subsequent social upliftment. Therefore, closer cooperation between the IBSA members is likely to offer great opportunities for India, Brazil and South Africa. It has been highlighted that a closer integration of their financial markets might lead to them also becoming competitors in the quest for the attention from the investors of the North. However, the loss in terms of competition is likely to be outweighed by the benefits found in not having to face unilateralism as separate entities. New Regionalism stresses the importance of regionalisation as a counter measure to the harmful effect of globalisation for the marginalised countries of the world, and the topic of investment aptly illustrate this point. Furthermore, a closer collaboration between the IBSA members as well as a continuous focus on further integrating their financial markets into the world economy could offer great benefits. Moreover, the trickledown effect could also broaden the scope of these benefits to include other emerging markets. Because of this, investment is, amongst other very important sub-sectors of focus in terms of IBSA cooperation, one of the most important one - both in terms of benefits for the individual countries, but also due to what a successful cooperation could come to mean for the developing world in general. The next chapter, the conclusion, will draw together the various discussion of this thesis in order to highlight the arguments put forward and to suggest ways forward for the IBSA coalition, as well as possible fields of further study / Political Science / M.A. (International Politics)

Thesis (MBA)--University of Stellenbosch, 2009. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The South African automotive industry has enjoyed unsurpassed growth over the past 15 years and the majority of its successes are attributable to the efforts of the Motor Industry Development Plan (MIDP). Unfortunately, the MIDP cannot be a permanent solution for accelerating growth and the longevity of industry role players such as vehicles and component manufacturers is of great concern. The Chinese automotive industry on the other hand is booming and millions of vehicles are churned out annually. Internal market forces, overproduction and government initiatives compel Chinese manufacturers to cross the Chinese borders in search of alternative and mostly less developed markets for their motor vehicles. These vehicles can now be found in most African countries south of the Sahara, including various brands on the South African roads. South Africa's roads accommodate almost a hundred models against which the Chinese vehicles need to compete. What is attractive about the Chinese vehicles is their price, but unfortunately the vehicle quality is not up to standard yet. Chinese vehicles have however improved so much over the past few years that it is expected they will soon be able to compete with well-established local brands such as Toyota, Volkswagen, Honda, etc. Although the price tag of these vehicles is increasing the mobility of the average South African consumer, the effect it might have on the existing automotive market is uncertain as the Chinese vehicle has already proven to gain market share in a declining economy. So where the average consumer will benefit from the Chinese vehicle, the industry workforce might not be so lucky. It is thus crucial for the industry to establish ways to create international dependence on South Africa's automotive industry. The opportunities are endless and various management approaches can be taken to leverage the industry's shortfalls. A serious shortfall is the global shortage of innovators and as South Africa is known as one of the most innovative countries in the world, it could easily gear itself in supplying innovating concepts and leading-edge technology to the global industry. To be able to do so successfully requires a concerted effort of all role players in the local industry. The local industry needs to expand its reach into the world to guarantee its longevity. Possible ways of doing so are to increase the level of value-adding activities and so too the exportation of value-adding components and fully built-up vehicles. By proving itself as a value-adding strategic partner, the industry can attract additional global manufacturers to invest in manufacturing facilities in South Africa, which does not exclude Chinese manufacturers. Last but not least, the South African government needs to develop a manageable instrument with a single objective, which is to grow and sustain an internationally competitive automotive industry in order to attract and keep global investors within the industry and the country. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die Suid-Afrikaanse motorindustrie het ongekende groei ervaar oor die afgelope 15 jaar en die suksesse daarvan word grotendeels toegeskryf aan die Motor Industrie Ontwikkelings Plan (MIDP). Ongelukkig kan die MIDP nie die permanente oplossing wees om die groei van die industrie aan te hou stimuleer en versnel nie. Die toekomstige lewensvatbaarheid van huidige spelers in die industrie wek egter groot kommer. Die Chinese motorindustrie aan die ander kant bars uit sy nate en miljoene motors word jaarliks vervaardig. So is dit ook dat interne markkragte, oorproduksie en regeringsinisiatiewe Chinese motorvervaardigers dwing om oor hul grense heen te gaan op soek na ander, minder ontwikkelde markte vir hul motors. Hierdie motors kan nou in meeste Afrika lande suid van die Sahara gevind word en sluit in talle modelle op Suid-Afrikaanse paaie. Die Suid-Afrikaanse paaie akkommodeer tans amper 'n honderd motormodelle teen wie die Chinese motors sal moet kompeteer. Wat egter aantreklik is van hierdie motors is hul prys, maar ongelukkig is die kwaliteit nog nie op standaard nie. Chinese motors het egter oor die jare so verbeter dat dit verwag kan word dat hul binnekort met meer bekende make soos Toyota, Volkswagen en Honda sal kan kompeteer. Alhoewel die besonderse prys van die motors die mobiliteit van die gemiddelde Suid Afrikaanse verbruiker verhoog, is die effek daarvan op die huidige motormark onseker omdat Chinese motors alreeds bewys het dat hut markaandeel kan wen in 'n dalende ekonomie. So waar die gemiddelde verbruiker mag bevoordeel word deur die Chinese voertuig, kan die werkersmag in die huidige motorindustrie nie so gelukkig daaraantoe wees nie. Dit is dus van kardinale belang dat die industrie maniere vestig om internasionale afhanklikheid van Suid-Afrika se motorindustrie te kweek. Die geleenthede is legio en talle invalshoeke kan geneem word om die industrie se tekortkominge te bestuur en uit te balanseer. 'n Belangrike tekortkoming is die globale tekort aan innoveerders en omdat Suid-Afrika gesien word as een van die mees innoverende lande ter wereld, kan die industrie maklik voorberei word om innoverende konsepte en baanbrekerstegnologie aan die globale industrie te verskaf. Om so iets suksesvol te doen het egter die gesamentlike insette nodig van alle rolspelers in die Suid-Afrikaanse motorindustrie. So ook het die industrie dit nodig om sy wereldwye impak te vergroot om sodoende sy lewensvatbaarheid te vergroot. Moontlike maniere om dit te vermag is om die aantal waardetoevoegende aktiwiteite te vergroot asook die uitvoere van waardetoevoegende komponente en klaarvervaardigde voertuie. As die industrie hom self kan bewys as 'n strategiese vennoot wat waarde toevoeg, kan die industrie addisionele internasionale vervaardigers aantrek om te investeer in vervaardigingsfasiliteite in Suid-Afrika, wat natuurlik nie Chinese vervaardigers uitsluit nie. Ten laaste is dit nodig vir die Suid-Afrikaanse regering om 'n bestuursinstrument te ontwikkel met een doel voor oe en dit is om die industrie se internasionale kompeterendheid te bevorder en te behou sodat globale investeerders in die industrie en Suid-Afrika in geheel kan investeer.

Thesis (MBA)--Stellenbosch University, 2001. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Bruce Sherr, commodities research expert, asked the question: "What are the three things that drive global agriculture today?" "China, China, China", he quoted in answering his own question. China has 1,2 billion people with tremendous purchasing power and has maintained an economical growth rate of more than 8% over the past five years. All indications are that this growth rate will be sustained in the immediate future. This naturally makes China an export market worth considering. The South African citrus industry underwent material changes during 1997, which lead to the deregulation of a single marketing structure from the 1st of January 1998 that previously forced citrus producers to deliver all their citrus for export to Outspan, now Capespan. This caught the majority of citrus producers off-guard, as they suddenly had to decide among numerous agents/buyers who joined the industry as role players. A few of the smaller citrus producers even embarked on the direct marketing of their citrus to cut out the "middle man" in an attempt to save costs and negotiate higher prices, with mixed results. It is generally believed that better prices can be achieved by embarking on a direct marketing strategy, but is the process really that simple? This study will investigate the possible exportation of citrus to the People's Republic of China (PRC) by analysing the Chinese market as citrus exports to China has yielded acceptable returns in the past and is certainly an export market to consider. The analysis of the Chinese market will be followed by the broad design of an export marketing plan for citrus to the PRC using a medium sized citrus export company as an example. In conclusion and as a summary certain important issues impacting specifically on the export of South African citrus to the PRC will be addressed and the findings on the viability of implementing an export strategy for citrus to the PRC recommended. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Bruce Sherr, 'n kenner op die gebied van navorsing van kommoditeite het eendag die vraag gevra: "Watter drie dinge dryf die wêreldlandbou deesdae?" "China, China, China" het hy self sy vraag geantwoord. China beskik oor 1,2 biljoen inwoners met 'n ongelooflike koopkrag en handhaaf 'n ekonomiese groeikoers van meer as 8% per jaar oor die laaste 5 jaar. Alle aanduidings is dat hierdie groeikoers volhou sal word vir die afsienbare toekoms. Hierdie feite maak van China 'n vanselfsprekende mark om te oorweeg vir die uitvoer van produkte. Die Suid-Afrikaanse sitrusbedryf het geweldige veranderings ondervind gedurende 1997, wat gelei het tot die afskaffing van 'n een-kanaalbemarkingstruktuur vir sitrus vanaf 1 Januarie 1998, wat voorheen sitrusprodusente verplig het om alle sitrus vir die uitvoermark aan Outspan, nou Capespan, te lewer. Hierdie wysiging het die meeste sitrusprodusente onkant gevang wat skielik 'n keuse moes maak tussen die menigte agente/kopers wat tot die Suid-Afrikaanse sitrusbedryf toegetree het. Sommige van die kleiner sitrusprodusente het selfs hul hand aan direkte bemarking gewaag in 'n poging om die "middelman" uit te skakel in 'n poging om koste te bespaar en hoër pryse te beding, met gemengde welslae. Daar word algemeen geglo dat hoër pryse behaal sal kan word deur 'n direkte bemarkingstrategie te volg, maar is die proses werklik so eenvoudig? Hierdie studie sal die moontlike uitvoer van sitrus na die Peoples Republic of China (PRC) ondersoek deur die Chinese mark te analiseer, aangesien sitrusuitvoere na China in die verlede 'n aanvaarbare opbrengs gelewer het, wat dit sekerlik 'n uitvoermark maak om te oorweeg. Die analise van die Chinese mark sal opgevolg word deur die breë ontwerp van 'n uitvoerbemarkingsplan vir sitrus na die PRC deur 'n mediumgrootte sitrusuitvoermaatskappy te neem as voorbeeld. Ter afsluiting en opsomming sal sekere belangrike aspekte wat 'n invloed kan uitoefen op die uitvoer van Suid-Afrikaanse sitrus na die PRC aangespreek word en sal daar 'n finale bevinding gemaak word oor die lewensvatbaarheid van die implimentering van 'n uitvoerbemarkingstrategie vir sitrus na die PRC.

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Thesis (MA)--Stellenbosch University, 2012. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Africa’s rising international profile and geopolitical significance as well as the continent’s relatively ‘under-exploited markets’ have been pull factors for many emerging economies. Globally, the developing and emerging economies of the world for the first time captured more than half of all global FDI in 2011. Changes in the global investment regime are a clear indication of the changing dynamics in the global economy. Since India and China’s FDI liberalisation processes began to gather steam in the 1990s, they have been amongst the most aggressive of the emerging economy investors. This study appraises the role of the government in facilitating investment by Indian and Chinese firms abroad, specifically Sub-Saharan Africa. The study analyses the motivations for such outward foreign direct invest flows, the sectoral trends, and the entry mode differences of Indian and Chinese firms’ investments in Sub-Saharan African markets. Yet, there is a lack of studies that focus on both Indian and Chinese investments in Sub-Saharan Africa. Drawing from theoretical constructs from political economy, International business /economics and International Political Economy - a framework is provided to assess the influence of these investments. The methodology is interpretive and qualitative and draws largely on secondary material from international organisations, government agencies, academic literature and the media. The study finds that the role of New Delhi and Beijing in facilitating and financing outward investments is strategic and pragmatic. These policies greatly influence firms, and the locations and types of their investments. South-South cooperation provides India and China with a framework for long-term political and economic investments and development cooperation with African states. India and China’s engagements in Sub-Saharan Africa share similar and dissimilar forms and motivations for FDI. Markets and resources are primary motivations for these two countries’ firms to invest in the region. India and China’s growing commercial activities in Sub-Saharan Africa provide the region with opportunities for further international market integration and development. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Afrika se ontluikende internasionale profiel en geopolitieke belang tesame met die vasteland se relatief ‘onderbenutte’ markte is ’n trekfaktor vir baie ontluikende ekonomieë. Terwyl vloeie uit buitelandse direkte investering (BDI) na Afrika, wat ’n hoogtepunt in 2008 bereik het, in 2010 steeds afgeneem het, was die ontwikkelende en ontluikende ekonomieë van die wêreld vir die eerste keer in besit van meer as die helfte van alle wêreldwye BDI in 2011. Veranderings in die internasionale beleggingsregime is ’n duidelike aanduiding van die veranderende dinamika in die wêreldekonomie. Sedert Indië en China se liberaliseringsprosesse met betrekking tot BDI in die 1990’s begin ontwikkel het, is hulle van die aggressiefste beleggers onder opkomende ekonomieë. Die gebrek aan streekstudies wat op Indiese en Chinese beleggings fokus, verg egter verdere aandag. Die doel van die studie is om die rol van die regering in die fasilitering van Indiese en Chinese maatskappye om in die buiteland te belê te ontleed. Die fokus val veral op Afrika suid van die Sahara, en op die motiverings vir hierdie BDI-vloeie, die sektortendense en wyse van toetreding van Indiese en Chinese maatskappye se beleggings in Afrikamarkte. Bestande uit teortiese konstakke uit internasionale sakestudie, internasionale politieke ekonomie en politieke ekonomie, word ‘n raamwerk waarin die invloed van hierdie beleggings op wat assesseer word is interpritiet en kwalitatiet en stan op sekondêre materiaal en data van regeringsagentskappe, akademiese literatuur en die media. Die gebruik van ’n veelsoortige teoretiese raamwerk wat ekonomiese en politieke beleggingsverskynsels uitbeeld, illustreer die versoenbaarheid van politiek, ekonomie en sakegebaseerde akademiese gebiede en die moontlikheid om grondliggende uitkomste uitkomste vir navorsing oor beleggingstendense en -strategieë in ontluikende ekonomieë te bied. Die studie bevind dat die rol van New Delhi en Beijing in die fasilitering en finansiering van buitelandse beleggings strategiese en pragmaties is, en dat beleide maatskappye grootliks beïnvloed ten opsigte van waar hulle belê en watter soort beleggings hulle maak. Verder, verskaf Suid–Suid-samewerking, ‘n raamwerk vir verbintenis langtermyn- politieke en ekonomiese beleggings en ontwikkelingsamewerking met Afrikastate. Indië en China se betrokkenheid in Afrika toon ooreenstemmende en verskillende vorme en motiverings vir BDI, en markte en hulpbronne is primêre motiverings vir hierdie twee lande se maatskappye in die streek te belê.

Thesis (MA)--Stellenbosch University, 2012. / Includes bibliography / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: China and Africa's increased interaction over the past decade has received attention from the media, academics, economists and politicians alike. The rise of China as a potential world economic power has sparked both concern and suspicion. Concern over China's impact in African states has been voiced by Western and African leaders. The Chinese economy has experienced robust growth since embarking on ambitious reforms to open up its economy to outside investment and trade, as well as policies geared towards encouraging Chinese enterprises to go abroad. China's rise in importance in the international arena has led to increased scrutiny of its foreign policies and internal policies. In order to gain a balanced view of China's engagement in African states it is necessary to examine the various components of their involvement. This thesis has chosen to focus on CADFund as its main unit of analysis, and has illustrated that the Fund fulfils both a political and economic role in China's relations with Africa. This study will explore the political and economic motivations behind China's interest in Africa. Conclusions are drawn from the structural organisation, investment approaches and projects of CADFund. The way in which CADFund fits into China‟s Africa policy will be determined by looking at the Fund's activities and how they fit into the principles set out in China's Africa Policy. The main question posed by this study was regarding the role which CADFund plays in China’s Africa Policy. The mandate of the Fund is to provide funding and advisory and support services to Chinese enterprises wishing to invest in African states. With 60 completed projects to date, the Fund has arguably indeed helped to progress the Chinese government's goal of encouraging Chinese enterprises to invest in Africa. Recommendations for future research are encouraged in order to build on this specific field. For example, more extensive research could be pursued concerning CADFund linkages with the Chinese government. Together with this, questions regarding the perceived effectiveness of CADFund could also be addressed – specifically by investigating how projects are managed and monitored by CADFund. In these follow-up explorations, theoretical frameworks such as the “principle-agent theory” could also be incorporated as frameworks with which to view CADFund‟s relationship with the Chinese government. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: China en Afrika se verhoogde interaksie oor die afgelope dekade het baie aandag van die media, akademici, ekonome en politici ontvang. Die opkoms van China as 'n potensiële wêreld ekonomiese mag, het gelei tot beide agterdog en kommer. Kommer oor China se invloed binne Afrika state is geopper deur Westerse sowel as Afrika leiers. Die Chinese ekonomie het ongekende groei beleef sedert hul vertek op ambisieuse hervormings, om hul ekonomie meer vry en oop te maak vir buitelandse belegging en handel, sowel as beleid hervormings wat daarop gemik is om Chinese ondernemings oorsee te bevorder. China se opkoms as 'n belangrike moondheid op internasionale gebied, het gelei to nadere ondersoek van sy buitelandse beleide. Om 'n gebalanseerde beeld van China se betrokkenheid in Afrikastate te kry, is dit noodsaaklik om verskeie komponente van hul betrokkenheid te ondersoek. Hierdie tesis kies om te fokus op China-Afrika Ontwikkelingsfonds (CADFund) as die vernaamste eenheid van analise en beskryf beide die fonds se politieke sowel as 'n ekonomiese rol in China se betrekkinge met Afrika. Hierdie studie sal die politieke en ekonomiese beweegredes agter China se belange in Afrika verken. Gevolgtrekkings word gemaak van strukturele organisasie, belegging benaderings en projekte van China-Afrika Ontwikkelingsfonds. Die manier waarop China-Afrika Ontwikkelingsfonds by China se Afrika-beleid inpas, sal vasgestel word deur te kyk na die fonds se aktiviteite en hoe hulle by die neergelegde beginsels van China se Afrika-beleid inpas. Die belangrikste vraag wat hierdie studie stel, is met betrekking tot die rol wat China-Afrika Ontwikkelingsfonds in China se Afrika-beleid speel. Die mandaat van die fonds is om finasiering, raadgewende en ondersteunende dienste aan Chinese ondernemings te bied wat in Afrika-state wil belê. Met 60 voltooide projekte tot op datum, het die fonds inderdaad gehelp om by te dra tot die Chinese regering se doelwit om Chinese ondernemings aan te moedig om in Afrka te belê. Aanbevelinge vir toekomstige navorsing word aangemoedig om voort te bou op hierdie spesifieke gebied. Byvoorbeeld, meer uitgebreide navorsing oor China-Afrika Ontwikkelingsfonds se bande met die Chinese Regering. Samehangend hiermee,vrae in verband met die vermeende doeltreffendheid van China-Afrika Ontwikkelingsfonds kan ook ondersoek word - spesifiek deur te ondersoek hoe projekte bestuur en gekontroleer word deur China-Afrika Ontwikkelingsfonds. In hierdie opvolg ondersoeke, kan teoretiese raamwerke soos die ”principle-agent theory” ook ingesluit word as raamwerke waarna China-Afrika Ontwikkelingsfonds se verhoudinge met die Chinese Regering gekyk kan word.