In recent years, there is a widely witnessed phenomenon among domestic infrastructure construction industry. For those active contractors carrying over majority of domestic infrastructure works, a substantial number of them is professional acting sub-contractors rather than the initial bidding construction contractors. As a result, overall quality of works and lead-time control of construction projects are mainly predetermined by original bidding firms¡¦ sub-contracting management. Apart from above perspective, for years the construction industry in Taiwan has long been caught in a fierce price-cutting competition. Inevitably it has directed the whole industry into a micro-profit era. So to speak, a systematic subcontracting processing for selection of capable sub-contractors, and an effective managerial control of that processing during the implementation time span are key success factors among final outcomes of projects.The following case scenario, based upon a construction contractor¡¦s work on MRT projects, can be best exemplified as an in-depth study of the portrayed company¡¦s management capability on sub-contracting. A prototyped processing includes but will not be confined to the following highlights: ¡EMaking decisions on sub-contracting ¡ESourcing quality sub-contractors ¡ESelecting capable sub-contractors ¡EDefining pivotal points for the contract agreements ¡EFine-tuning Q&A issues for project implementation Other than above briefing, the portrayed construction contractor had meticulously and often unwittingly transformed its role during project implementation by gaining Industrywide vertical integration capability. This derivative occasion is another aspect on this case study.The main causes of above managerial transition can be attributed to the fact that involved sub-contractors may demonstrate tendencies of schedule delays. In lieu of that possibility, the construction company has to proactively take necessary measures to safeguard it from happening. Considering primary requirements of containing overheads and meeting work deadlines, the construction company in the end has to decisively intervene the supply chain system that is mainly operated only among sub-contractors. As evidenced from the presented case, the portrayed construction company ends up creating its own strategic blueprint to evolve into an integrated conglomerate in its industry.

Zugl.: Giessen, Univ., Diss., 2007

Thesis (Ph. D.)--Rutgers University, 2009. / "Graduate Program in Economics." Includes bibliographical references (p. 96-99).

Zugl.: Hamburg, Univ., Diss., 2009

Thesis (doctoral)--Wissenschaftliche Hochschule für Unternehmensführung, Koblenz, 1999.

Thesis (doctoral)--Universität St. Gallen, 1997.

Zugl.: Bonn, Univ., Diss., 2008

As the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) deepens its economic and political integration, the development of the CARICOM identity is seen as both a natural outgrowth, and as paramount to its success. This is because a regional identity can promote social cohesion and shape political objects, including social policies. Regional identities are also shaped by politics, social relations and personal attributes. Using data from a cross-national survey and semi-structured interviews, this thesis examines the nuances of identity formation in CARICOM. It specifically asks three questions: a) how do intra-regional CARICOM migrants negotiate their identities and self-identify? b) How do intra-regional CARICOM migrants construct their lived-experiences in other CARICOM countries? And c) how do intra-regional migrants rationalize the impact of CARICOM regionalism on their identities? These data are analyzed statistically, and through the interpretations of migrants’ discourses and experiences. The study identifies six factors that determine attachments to CARICOM: education level, citizenship region, the meaningfulness of CARICOM, benefits of CARICOM, belonging in member countries, and the nature of migratory experiences. All these variables moderately impact attachment to CARICOM except perceived benefits, which is strongly associated with identification with CARICOM. Perceptions of benefits also impact how migrants rationalized regionalism and their experiences. Overall, support for regional integration and a regional identity are strong, but the CARICOM identity is weak and non-salient primarily because expectations of benefits do not match lived realities. The deepening of the CARICOM identity are therefore contingent on: people experiencing CARICOM’s expected benefits; the development of policies that address perceived failures; CARICOM rebranding itself and being more engaged with its constituents; and on collaborative actions being taken to embed the regional identity into national ones.

The thesis examines the impacts of European integration on interest representation in an EU applicant country, Hungary. The study identifies and explores the mechanisms of Europeanisation and their effects on the organisation and functioning of interest groups and of interest representation structures. The study primarily uses the qualitative method. The empirical part consists of three detailed case studies, covering the pharmaceutical sector, the agricultural sector, and peak employers' associations. The research is largely based on primary data gained from interviews and documents. Each case study explores the inclusion of Hungarian interest groups in the European level of interest representation, their participation in EU-related policy-making, and the European policy impacts on group developments and interest representation structures. The theories of Europeanisation constitute the primary analytical framework for the study. In addition in an attempt of contextualisation, the theories of political and economic transition and consolidation are also examined. The empirical chapters indicate a variation in the forms and degree to which Europeanisation affected interest representation in Hungary. Sectoral, group and interest representation structure characteristics, and the nature of the EU level interest representation are examined as the variables responsible for the differences. The research findings point to the need to distinguish between formal and substantive Europeanisation. It is also argued that Europeanisation is closely intertwined with and embedded in the double process of political and economic transition and consolidation in the Central and Eastern European context

This research focused on the community arts organization, Center Stage Texas (CST), and its arts integration collaboration with an urban school in East Austin, Texas. Aspects of this organization’s programming was studied to gain more knowledge about the essential components a community arts organization needs to consider when conducting a partnered, arts integrated project and how programming should be implemented in these particular school settings in order to achieve the greatest impact and success. / text