This thesis looks at the interdependencies between corporate citizenship, social capital and tacit knowledge in the present epoch of global capitalism. External local communities and society at large are a very significant reservoir of social capital for any organisation and, in a global era of constant change, relations between organisations and these wider communities need constant replenishment and repair. The business literature gives insufficient attention to this vital connection between social and the other forms of capital that have traditionally been given regarded as the mainstay of business enterprise. Through a combination of theoretical debate and field research, this thesis asserts that tacit knowledge is embedded in social capital which is itself acknowledged as the principal source of all human and information capital within organisations. Corporate citizenship programs have a pivotal role to ensure and sustain the flow of social capital and knowledge between organisations and the communities in which they are embedded. Drawing on the prior established connection between social capital and tacit knowledge, the thesis establishes that corporate community involvement by employees has the potential to develop or enhance the propensity to trust, leading to greater effectiveness in teams. Multinational Banks are widely viewed as the agents of transnational capital. The Australian banking sector has also been under constant community pressure in Australia because of rising fees and charges and a few prominent scandals. Using secondary data, practices in one Canadian bank are compared to corresponding programs at two major Australian banks to gauge relative investment strategies in social capital generation. This thesis then proceeds to present primary research data on corporate citizenship practices in two Australian banking institutions, one an Australian multinational bank and the other a self-styled 'community' bank. Literature surveyed on corporate citizenship and community involvement has not revealed awareness by corporations of the possibilities of community involvement by employees as being sources of new knowledge, skills, creativity and innovation. This is further confirmed by the field research which showed communication as being a major hurdle internally and externally. This thesis shows that in the knowledge era where learning organizations will have a definite competitive advantage, structured employee involvement in corporate community initiatives can yield long lasting dividends and sustainable competitive advantage in terms of knowledge acquisition. This can be made possible by investment in social capital of local communities and societies through employee involvement. In turn this can aid recruitment, morale and retention of staff. However, a new approach, perhaps a new 'state of mind' needs to be cultivated in business enterprises and in the business education programs of business schools worldwide.

Thesis (M.Comm.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 2007.

The subject of this thesis is the depiction of Chinese women warriors in the cinemas of Hong Kong, Taiwan and Mainland China since 1980. Women warriors have been a popular feature of Western media since the 1970s influenced by the second wave women's movement, and have become a significant topic of academic study. However, Chinese women warriors are combined with and referred to as 'Asian' women without consideration of their cultural differences. Furthermore, although representations of women warriors in the cinemas of Hong Kong, Mainland China and Taiwan may share some similarities, they also exhibit different regional features. This thesis attempts to reveal regional differences in the representations of women warriors in Chinese language films and their sociocultural contexts since 1980. An important goal of such research is to contribute to the study of the 'woman warrior' phenomenon in Chinese cinemas, in the hope that it will arouse interest in the field. This thesis also aims to focus attention on the changing status of Chinese women in different communities. Since gender is a global issue, it is hoped that the feminist perspective adopted here will stimulate interest among film specialists, not only in Chinese women in films, but also in the broader field of gender studies.

L'auteur n'a pas fourni de résumé.

In recent years, Pastoral leadership has been in crisis as a result of globalisation and its far reaching effects. Added to this is the stereotypical, social image of the word 'pastor' and what it takes to be considered successful in ministry. Related to these factors, the key problem that stands out in this research is that pastoral ministry has been governed by success and of the wrong kind: consumerism and relevance. The objective of this research is to examine the concept of pastoral ministry effectiveness. New Testament texts, and not excluding contributions from the Old Testament, indicate models of pastoral ministry that support the need to redefine and refine our understanding of pastoral leadership effectiveness in ministry in the face of globalisation. In order to accomplish this study, the central theological argument was that pastoral ministry is most effective in a global society when it is rooted in the Imago Dei. The questions raised are: What is the doctrine of the Imago Dei? What role might it play in a concept of pastoral effectiveness now? The importance of the Christian faith and core beliefs cannot be ignored, in particular that we are created in the Image of God. On the fundamental basis of Christ's events it is argued that unless pastors internalise the teachings and examples of Imago Christi by the works of the Holy Spirit in continua, pastoral ministry is not only ineffective but is also a misrepresentation of the theological aspect and also, a distortion of the historical literature of humankind. A precise meaning is sorely needed of what it is to be successful as a pastor, of the limits of human capacity and of the fallen nature and redeemed status of humankind. On this topic, it is posited that the pastor who is set apart by God to shepherd His sheep according to what Jesus Christ has shown and done, is a proper and superior measure of whether Christ incarnate in us correctly characterises the successful and effective pastor. That pastoral conviction and action is essential to true discipleship to God is exemplified through a description of Paul the pastor-apostle. This essence of true discipleship emerges after examination of linguistic material available on the subject; for example, lexicon, commentaries, theological dictionaries and the theological methodology employed. Without denying the advantages brought to human living, the negative impact of globalisation and of pastoral thought and actions are discussed. Investigation into certain of the current practices of pastors and of what has confused and distorted humankind made in the Imago Dei indicates that the assumptions of this thesis are apt. Recommendations are provided to explain the transformation and reformation changes required to counter the potential danger inherent in the corruption of mankind made in the Image of God. Equally significant is the idea that it is the generous sharing of God in Christ and the power of the Spirit in His ministry to the world that form the highly valuable aspects of Pentecost and revival times, not the disciple's effort. Finding is achieved by revisiting these times and by analysis of the literary contributions employed in these two events: Pentecost and revival times. The resultant contributions are integrated into the ongoing development of the Central Theoretical Argument in order to indicate that pastoral ministry effectiveness and success are dependent on the works of the Spirit in continue Furthermore, examination is undertaken of the concepts and models of contemporary scholars who have contributed to the idea of the final restoration of the church and believers and to the idea of the 'very good' of humankind being created in the Image of God and for the glory of Jesus Christ. The ultimate, God's reign and our acknowledgement that our chief purpose is to glorify our Creator, imply our understanding of the nature of pastoral effectiveness in globalisation. The inquiry concludes with the assertion that Jesus Christ, incarnate in us, effects successful ministry and that this is how we become promising pastors who will globalise and become globalising Images of Christ in a rapidly changing world. Findings in this research are considered within the framework of a fresh and comprehensive formulation of pastoral ministry. A concise model is presented in the unique proposal of this research: pastoral ministry is most effective when rooted in the Imago Dei / Thesis (Ph.D. (Pastoral))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, in association with Greenwich School of Theology, U.K., 2009.

In recent years, Pastoral leadership has been in crisis as a result of globalisation and its far reaching effects. Added to this is the stereotypical, social image of the word 'pastor' and what it takes to be considered successful in ministry. Related to these factors, the key problem that stands out in this research is that pastoral ministry has been governed by success and of the wrong kind: consumerism and relevance. The objective of this research is to examine the concept of pastoral ministry effectiveness. New Testament texts, and not excluding contributions from the Old Testament, indicate models of pastoral ministry that support the need to redefine and refine our understanding of pastoral leadership effectiveness in ministry in the face of globalisation. In order to accomplish this study, the central theological argument was that pastoral ministry is most effective in a global society when it is rooted in the Imago Dei. The questions raised are: What is the doctrine of the Imago Dei? What role might it play in a concept of pastoral effectiveness now? The importance of the Christian faith and core beliefs cannot be ignored, in particular that we are created in the Image of God. On the fundamental basis of Christ's events it is argued that unless pastors internalise the teachings and examples of Imago Christi by the works of the Holy Spirit in continua, pastoral ministry is not only ineffective but is also a misrepresentation of the theological aspect and also, a distortion of the historical literature of humankind. A precise meaning is sorely needed of what it is to be successful as a pastor, of the limits of human capacity and of the fallen nature and redeemed status of humankind. On this topic, it is posited that the pastor who is set apart by God to shepherd His sheep according to what Jesus Christ has shown and done, is a proper and superior measure of whether Christ incarnate in us correctly characterises the successful and effective pastor. That pastoral conviction and action is essential to true discipleship to God is exemplified through a description of Paul the pastor-apostle. This essence of true discipleship emerges after examination of linguistic material available on the subject; for example, lexicon, commentaries, theological dictionaries and the theological methodology employed. Without denying the advantages brought to human living, the negative impact of globalisation and of pastoral thought and actions are discussed. Investigation into certain of the current practices of pastors and of what has confused and distorted humankind made in the Imago Dei indicates that the assumptions of this thesis are apt. Recommendations are provided to explain the transformation and reformation changes required to counter the potential danger inherent in the corruption of mankind made in the Image of God. Equally significant is the idea that it is the generous sharing of God in Christ and the power of the Spirit in His ministry to the world that form the highly valuable aspects of Pentecost and revival times, not the disciple's effort. Finding is achieved by revisiting these times and by analysis of the literary contributions employed in these two events: Pentecost and revival times. The resultant contributions are integrated into the ongoing development of the Central Theoretical Argument in order to indicate that pastoral ministry effectiveness and success are dependent on the works of the Spirit in continue Furthermore, examination is undertaken of the concepts and models of contemporary scholars who have contributed to the idea of the final restoration of the church and believers and to the idea of the 'very good' of humankind being created in the Image of God and for the glory of Jesus Christ. The ultimate, God's reign and our acknowledgement that our chief purpose is to glorify our Creator, imply our understanding of the nature of pastoral effectiveness in globalisation. The inquiry concludes with the assertion that Jesus Christ, incarnate in us, effects successful ministry and that this is how we become promising pastors who will globalise and become globalising Images of Christ in a rapidly changing world. Findings in this research are considered within the framework of a fresh and comprehensive formulation of pastoral ministry. A concise model is presented in the unique proposal of this research: pastoral ministry is most effective when rooted in the Imago Dei / Thesis (Ph.D. (Pastoral))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, in association with Greenwich School of Theology, U.K., 2009.

For the past thirty years the Malaysian economy has been said to contribute well to the progress of the nations. However, the intensification of global economic activity and the extensive use of ICTs in recent years are challenging government's effort to further develop Malaysian society. The competition posed by the low wage economies such as China and Vietnam have made the government realise the importance of engaging in high-skill and high technology industries. It is hoped this will be the basis of attracting more FDI (foreign direct investment) in order to help the country to compete in a globalised world. Using Vision 2020 as its targeted vision, the government has decided to engage in the use of ICTs and introduce many policies pertaining to it. This thesis is mainly concerned with the study of ICT policy in Malaysia and its consequences for both the economy and society. The investigation focuses on the three dimensions: 'ICTs and economic growth', 'ICTs and inequality' and 'the element of neo-colonialism'. Two approaches are used to achieve the objectives of the study. They are secondary analysis and semi-structured interviews. This thesis is largely dependent on library research and secondary sources such as government official policies and data. Semi-structured interviews are used as a means to support or test some of the arguments and evidence collected throughout the analysis and discussion. For the interviews, three groups of people were identified: policy developers, implementers and evaluators. These people are those involved directly and indirectly with ICT policy establishment and implementation. The findings show that policy pertaining to ICTs in Malaysia contributes to economic growth, but the consequences of this have resulted in greater division within society. Although some of the divisions such as gender and ethnicity are narrowing down, the gap in important areas such as regions and class differences, is becoming wider. The widespread use of ICTs might contribute to the further establishment of democracy in Malaysia, but the increasing number of foreign entities such as FDI and foreign workers, cultural hybridisation and to some extent cultural doniination are contributing to neocolonialism in Malaysia. This has obvious consequences for the government's effort to create a Malaysian national identity. An important finding of this work is that there are contradictions within ICT policy between the effort to develop the economy and society.

This thesis is an examination of the forces behind the increasing levels of intra-regional economic integration in East Asia. Economic integration in Europe, and to a lesser extent in North America, was preceded by an adaptation of political agreements and institutions which, in turn, largely determined the further pattern of economic regionalisation. Economic integration in East Asia did not experience such a prerequisite settlement. East Asian economic integration, unlike economic integration in other regions around the globe, is being driven by the growing interdependence between transnational corporations (TNCs), and in many instances, small-medium sized enterprises (SMEs), strategies, and regional governments policies. / The thesis examines the process of intra-regional economic integration in East Asia from three levels of analysis: state-state, state-firm and firm-firm. The discussion seeks to go beyond the “state versus market” analysis of regional economic integration and aims to present an ‘alternative’ framework of analysis by discussing the dynamics of the growing relationship between states and firms. In order to ‘capture’ this relationship, the dissertation examines the interplay between the forces of globalisation and regionalisation. / The findings of the three case studies, together with the analysis of globalisation and regionalisation, have demonstrated the need to move beyond the state versus market dichotomy. East Asian economic integration is occurring at three levels: state-state, state-firm and firm-firm. The forces behind East Asian economic integration include cooperation and competition between states, bargaining between states and firms, and the activities of TNCs and SMEs. Changes in the global economy affect the pattern of economic integration at the regional level. Understanding how these changes impact on state policies and firm strategies is vital to analysing regional economic integration.

In recent years, industrial relations scholars have begun to discuss the �revitalisation strategies� unions are using to rebuild lost density, power, and political leverage. This thesis studies the role international activities play in the revitalisation of Australian unions. Rather than assert the importance of international activity, or emphasise the value of certain forms of international activity, the thesis seeks to understand why unions choose to engage in particular forms of international activity. International activity in Australian unions takes on a remarkable diversity of forms. The analysis of international activity therefore requires a theory that is capable of describing these different forms of international activity and then explaining why they exist. However most scholars have not examined the role of union agency in choosing international activity. Within industrial relations, there is very little existing theory or research on which to base the kind of analysis proposed for the thesis. Most theories are ideologically driven, prescriptive accounts that either promote or challenge particular institutions or ideas about international activity. The problem is that they deal with international activity as an abstract kind of response to universal pressures of globalisation. These kinds of arguments serve well to articulate the need for unions to �think globally�, but are ill suited to the task of the thesis, which is to explain particular forms of international activity in particular unions. The questions about international activity that the thesis intends to answer form a point of connection between industrial relations and the related discipline of labour geography. In making the connections between labour geography theory and the analysis of union international strategy, the thesis argues for labour geography as a political economic foundation for industrial relations in the tradition of Hyman�s Marxist theory of industrial relations. This provides a critical theoretical perspective and conceptual vocabulary with which to criticise and extend industrial relations research on international activity. The result is a spatialised theory organised according to topics of interest in industrial relations research that can be applied to the study of Australian international activity. The thesis is evenly divided between developing this theory and research on international activity in the Australian union movement. Empirical analysis begins with a study of the international activities and policy of the ACTU, distinguishing different kinds of international activity. By treating the international activities of theACTU as representative of the Australian union movement as a whole, the thesis identifies three functional levels of international activity: strategy-sharing, regional solidarity, and global regulation. The chapter also examines the material and discursive construction of the international scale within the ACTU. The thesis also analyses the international activities of three Australian unions,the TWU, LHMU and CFMEU. While all three unions engage in each level of international activity, the review of their activities shows differences in the focus of each union. The thesis suggests that the explanation for these different ratios depends in part on the spatial structure of the industries that the different unions organise. The kind of research undertaken in this thesis has little precedent. The work of the labour geographers on international activity does not deal with union revitalisation strategy, and the research from industrial relations on the strategic aspects of international activity have not latched on to labour geography. This thesis argues that unions scale their activities internationally for particular reasons, some of which are structural and can be specified up front, and others that are historically contingent and can only be explored on a case-by-case basis. In examining this �politics of scale� the thesis redefines many of the issues in the discussion of international activity and proposes a new conceptual background for industrial relations generally.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Hong Kong, 2006. / Title proper from title frame. Also available in printed format.