We investigate the effect of changing national institutions on relocations of intermediary HQs. Using a dataset of 154 cross-border relocations between the period from 2000 to 2015, we draw on the intermediary HQ's middle position within the MNC and investigate how a decrease in institutional quality in the HQ's host country and a change in institutional distance between different MNC units affect the relocation decision. Our findings advance the emergent literature on HQ relocations as well as our knowledge of intermediary HQs and the effect of changing institutions on organizational location choices. Beyond our theoretical contributions, we offer policy and managerial implications.

Avaliaram-se os efeitos da administração do extrato seco de maracujá (Passiflora incarnata), veiculado na dieta, sobre a morfologia dos hepatócitos de juvenis de tilápias do Nilo (Oreochromis niloticus). Peixes isolados (86,50 &plusmn; 10,17 g) receberam durante 28 dias ração comercial extrusada (32% PB - 2% biomassa) contendo o extrato diluído em alginato de sódio nas doses 0 (controle), 50, 100 e 200 mg/Kg, (n = 6 peixes/tratamento), registrando-se diariamente o consumo. No início e ao final do experimento cada indivíduo foi exposto (30 minutos) à reflexão da própria imagem em espelho (presença virtual de um coespecífico - estresse social), sendo a seguir anestesiado (2-fenoxietanol 0,5 mL/L) para realização de biometria e coleta de sangue (veia caudal) para determinação dos níveis plasmáticos de glicose e cortisol. Após 28 dias todos os animais foram sacrificados para remoção do fígado e obtenção de fragmentos utilizados na contagem de células e avaliação da morfometria do citoplasma dos hepatócitos (H/E), observando-se também as reservas de glicogênio hepático (PAS). Visando a comparação dos efeitos do estresse social natural com aquele empregado no experimento, seis peixes provenientes de um grupo de 30 indivíduos foram também sacrificados e utilizados como referência (valores basais) para avaliação dos parâmetros histológicos. Os dados foram submetidos a ANOVA, utilizando-se o proc mixed SAS 8.0 (p<0,05) para os parâmetros consumo de alimento, ganho em peso e bioquímica sangüínea (cortisol e glicose) e GLM SAS 8.0 (p<0,01) para a contagem de células e morfometria dos hepatócitos. Verificou-se que os pesos e os comprimentos iniciais não diferiram, que o consumo de alimento não foi alterado pela adição do extrato e que todos os peixes, independentemente do tratamento, cresceram significativamente. Os níveis de cortisol e de glicose também não diferiram inicialmente entre os grupos e não foram alterados pela presença do agente ou pela adição do extrato. Porém, observou-se um aumento significativo da glicose e redução dos níveis de cortisol em todos os peixes. A adição do extrato nas diferentes doses provocou aumento crescente e significativo da área citoplasmática e redução do número de células em todos os animais, com destaque para a dose 100 mg/Kg. O mesmo não ocorreu nos peixes do grupo controle, cujas áreas citoplasmáticas foram significativamente menores, em decorrência de um menor acúmulo de glicogênio hepático. Embora os efeitos do agente estressor empregado não tenham sido detectados pela análise dos parâmetros bioquímicos sangüíneos, verificou-se que este procedimento provocou alterações metabólicas que contribuíram para a depleção dos estoques de glicogênio no fígado. Este efeito parece ter sido revertido nos peixes que receberam a dieta contendo o extrato de maracujá que, por meio de mecanismos não elucidados neste trabalho, contribuiu para a manutenção ou aumento dos estoques de glicogênio hepático. Concluiu-se que o extrato de maracujá veiculado na dieta, na dose de 100 mg/Kg, protege juvenis de tilápia da depleção dos estoques de glicogênio hepático causada pelo estresse social. / Effects of Passion fruit (Passiflora incarnata) dry extract administration on hepatocyte morphometry of juveniles Nile tilapias (Oreochromis niloticus) were investigated. Male isolated fish (86,50 &plusmn; 10,17 g) were daily fed (28 days) with extruded commercial ration (32% crude protein - 2% biomass) containing the extract diluted in sodium alginate in graded doses 0 (control), 50, 100 and 200 mg/Kg (n= 6 animals/treatment), registering daily consumption. At the start and after 28 days of experiment each fish was displayed to the reflection of own mirror image (30 minutes) in order to simulate the virtual presence of a coespecific (social stress). Then the animals were anesthetized (2-fenoxietanol) for biometric measures and blood collection (caudal vein) for determination of the plasmatic levels of glucose and cortisol. After 28 days the animals were sacrificed for removal of liver fragments samples used to histological examination (cytoplasmic area and number of cells - HE stained; hepatic glycogen supplies - PAS stained). Aiming the comparison of the natural social stress with that utilized in this experiment, six fish from a group of 30 individuals were also sacrificed and used as reference (basal values) for the histological parameters evaluation. Food consumption, weight gain and sanguine biochemist parameters (cortisol and glucose) were submitted to ANOVA, SAS 8.0 proc mixed (p<0,05) and data of cells counting and hepatocyte morfometry to the same test, using SAS 8.0 GLM (p<0,01). The initial weights and lengths were similar, the food consumption was not modified by the addition of the extract and all the fish grew significantly during the experiment. Initial levels of cortisol and glucose were also similar between groups and did not modify by the stressor agent or treatments with the extract. However, a significant increase of glucose and reduction of cortisol levels were observed for all the fish. The addition of different extract doses provoked significant and noticeable increase of the cytoplasmic area and reduction of the cells number, mainly for 100 mg/Kg dose. In the control group cytoplasmatic area was significantly minor due to lesser hepatic glycogen accumulation. The stressor agent did not affect sanguine biochemists parameters but seems to lead metabolic alterations that had collaborated with the depletion of liver glycogen supplies. This effect seems to have been reverted in the fish that received the diet contend Passion fruit extract that, by means of a mechanism not elucidated in this experiment, contributed for the maintenance or increase of hepatic glycogen supplies. It was conclude that Passion fruit extract diet inclusion at 100 mg/Kg dose protects the tilapia against the hepatic glycogen depletion caused by social stress.

Cette thèse développe deux axes de recherche en ergonomie : le développement de l'activité de travail au cours du projet et l'utilisation d'objets intermédiaires dans la conception. Sur la base de la participation d’un projet de conception de nouveaux laboratoires de biotechnologie, un ergonome a organisé des simulations pour discuter les solutions de projet et impliquer les utilisateurs finaux dans les décisions de conception. L'utilisation d'objets intermédiaires comme support pour la réalisation des simulations est une stratégie commune pour l'intégration de l’expérience de travail dans la conception, et pour l'organisation de la participation des usagers. Durant les simulations qui ont été réalisées, une maquette faite de Lego été utilisée, ainsi que d'autres objets intermédiaire pour aider l'utilisation de la maquette et l'action de l’ergonome au cours du projet. A partir de propositions de solutions pour les espaces de travail, les opérateurs produisent des représentations sur la manière dont leur activité pourra être mise en oeuvre dans les futurs environnements. La thèse montre que ce faisant, les opérateurs développent des références souhaitables sur leur activité, au travers desquelles ils imaginent comment leur travail peut être réalisé d’une manière plus efficiente et plus sûre.. L’analyse montre que les solutions émergent au travers d’une tension entre deux pôles, ce qui est « souhaitable » et ce qui est « possible ». A travers ce processus se développent des solutions pour les espaces et pour l’activité. Mais pour que l’ergonome soit capable de conduire ce processus de développement dialogique entre la conception des espaces et l'activité, il estnécessaire d'avoir les instruments appropriés. À cette fin, on fera dans cette thèse des propositions pour la création et l'utilisation d'objets intermédiaires pour l'action ergonomique. / This thesis is developed on two lines of research in ergonomics: the development of the work activity during the project and the use of intermediary objects in the design process. Based on the participation of biotechnology laboratories project, anergonomist conducted simulations to discuss the project solutions and involve workers in the design decisions. The use of intermediary objects as a support for the realization of simulations is a common strategy for integrating work experience in the design and organization of users’ participation. For the simulations performed it was used a scalemodel made of Lego, besides of other intermediary objects to help the use of the scalemodel and action ergonomist during the project. From proposition of workspaces design solutions users formulate representations of how the activity will be developed in these future environments. This thesis shows that they are also capable of develop new desirable references the activity in which they imagine that their work could be conducted in a more efficiently or safe way. Through the tension between these twopoles, the “desirable” and the “possible”, solutions for the project tend to converge. The results of this process develop proposals for workspaces and also for the activity. But for the ergonomist be able to conduct the development of this dialogical process between the workspace design and activity, it is necessary to have the appropriate instruments. To this end, we propose in this thesis references to the creation and use of intermediary objects in ergonomic action.

Title: Are intermediary luxury fashion brands excluding overweight and obese women in the UK, by not offering their sizes among its assortments? Authors: Elin Forslund and Maria Erlandsson Supervisor:Ulf Aagerup Level: Bachelor thesis in marketing (15 ECTS). Spring 2015. Key concepts: Fashion, Intermediary Luxury, Brand Identity, Brand Image, User Imagery and Self-image Congruence. Purpose: The purpose of this study is to review the sizes available in store by three leading intermediary luxury fashion brands offered in the UK and compare it with the actual body shapes of the female UK population. This will show whether intermediary luxury fashion brands exclude overweight and obese women, by not offering their sizes among its assortments. We want to find out whether it is possible to reveal a correlation between existing branding theories and intermediary luxury fashion assortments in the UK. Theoretical framework: Our frame of reference consists of established branding theories and previous research concerning brand identity, brand image, self-image congruence, user imagery, segmentation and luxury branding. Method: This is a cross-sectional research of the descriptive kind.  We have used a deductive research approach and a quantitative research method. Empirical findings: In this chapter we are presenting the results of our study through a table demonstrating the distribution of individuals and garments over weight classes. Also, any significant differences between supply and demand within any of the categories will be revealed through a Z-test. Conclusions: Obese women are by all means excluded by intermediary luxury fashion brands. The overweight women have significantly less jeans to choose from than what should be supported by their relative share of the female UK population. However, it turned out that they are not entirely excluded as they still have an amount of tops to choose from that closely matches their demand. Also we succeeded with identifying a causal correlation between branding theories and the result of our study. Therefore we have managed to provide further knowledge on how intermediary luxury fashion brands can become successful.

Les technologies de l’information et de la communication (TIC) bouleversent radicalement le secteur touristique en renversant la chaîne de valeur verticale de mise en place et de distribution d’offres touristiques. Le changement s’est fait sentir via la vente directe des fournisseurs mais cela ne fut que le début d’une nouvelle période. Les TIC ont donné l’opportunité à de nouveaux acteurs de s’introduire dans le secteur, l’agence de voyage et le tour-opérateur ne sont plus seuls à relier l’offre à la demande. Internet a également participé à l’évolution des demandes du touriste et de ses pratiques. Le tourisme ne se résume plus seulement à un produit de masse, les intermédiaires traditionnels doivent évoluer dans un contexte moins favorable. La question de leur place et de leur création de valeur est légitimement posée. Une revue de la littérature nous permet de comprendre que les intermédiaires touristiques y sont actifs pour pallier les imperfections du secteur et proposer la valeur à travers les fonctions informationnelle, d’expertise, assurantielle, économique, innovatrice et de mise en réseau. Si la revue de la littérature montre que ce sont bien les fonctions de l’intermédiation qui sont créatrices de valeur, elle ne prétend pas qu’elles sont toutes porteuses de création de valeur. Une observation empirique permet d’identifier les fonctions sur lesquelles misent les intermédiaires pour faire face à l’évolution du marché touristique. L’analyse statistique de nos entretiens semi-directifs montre que l’expertise et l’assurance sont les plus importantes propositions de valeur des intermédiaires du tourisme et que les tour-opérateurs prennent moins de risques financiers à moins de disposer d’une offre sans concurrence. Aussi, la spécialisation et le management du réseau d’agences réceptives se présentent comme des choix stratégiques. / Information and communication technology (ICT) radically affects the tourism industry by overturning its production and distribution vertical value chain. Direct exchange between tourist and suppliers is the beginning of a new era. ICT has also given the opportunity to many new players to introduce themselves into tourism market. From now on, travel agencies and tour operators are not the only ones able to connect supply with demand. Internet has also contributed in changing the tourist’s demands and activities. Tourism is no longer limited to a mass product. The tourism intermediaries must evolve in a less favourable environment. The question is about their place and value creation in the industry. A literature review allows us to understand that the tourism intermediary is present to overcome market’s imperfections and propose value through the following functions: informational, expertise, assurance, economic, innovation and networking. If this literature review shows that the intermediation functions are value creators, it does not necessarily claims that all functions are always carriers of value creation. Therefore, we analyse the intermediaries’ value propositions by trying to find the functions they perceive as being important to cope with tourism evolution. Consequently, we will complete our theoretical analysis with an empirical observation to identify the functions on which the intermediaries rely the most to face the evolution of the tourist market. By means of statistical analysis of our semi-structured interviews, we show in particular that: the expertise and assurance are the most important value propositions of tourism intermediaries; tour operators take less financial risks except for owning a competition-free offer. Furthermore, specialisation and destination management are revealed as strategic choices.

The rapid rise of alternative organisations such as social enterprises is largely due to the promotional activities of intermediary organisations. So far, little is known about the affective nature of such activities. The present article thus investigates how intermediary organisations make social entrepreneurship palatable for a broader audience by establishing it as an object of desire. Drawing on affect-oriented extensions of Laclau and Mouffe's poststructuralist theory, hegemonisation is suggested as a way of understanding how social entrepreneurship is articulated through a complementary process of signification and affective investment. Specifically, by examining Austrian intermediaries, we show how social entrepreneurship is endowed with a sense of affective thrust that is based on three interlocking dynamics: the articulation of fantasies such as 'inclusive exclusiveness', 'large-scale social change' and 'pragmatic solutions'; the repression of anxiety-provoking and contentious issues (constitutive quiescences); as well as the use of conceptually vague, floating signifiers (moments of indeterminacy). Demonstrating that the hegemonisation of social entrepreneurship involves articulating certain issues whilst, at the same time, omitting others, or rendering them elusive, the article invites a counter-hegemonic critique of social entrepreneurship, and, on a more general level, of alternative forms of organising, that embraces affect as a driving force of change, while simultaneously affirming the impossibility of harmony and wholeness.

My master thesis "Intermediaries of insurance products" deals with the activities of insurance intermediaries, legislation regulating their work, comparison of the Czech legislation with other countries and the organizations associating insurance intermediaries. The practical part is particularly focused on the analysis of commission system in companies AWD Česká republika s.r.o. and Česká pojišťovna a.s.

Cette thèse s’intéresse au rôle de l’espace en tant qu’outil et enjeu de pouvoir dans le processus de développement des organisations alternatives. Plus spécifiquement, elle examine dans quelle mesure la production d’un espace peut contribuer à la création et à la pérennisation d’une organisation alternative. Pour répondre à cette question, nous menons une étude de cas unique auprès des lieux intermédiaires franciliens dans le secteur du théâtre français. Celui-ci est dominé par deux modèles organisationnels : le théâtre privé marchand et le théâtre public non marchand. Les lieux intermédiaires cherchent à imposer un troisième modèle qui ne relèverait ni du privé ni du public mais de ce qu’ils appellent le tiers secteur. En conjuguant entretiens semi-directifs, observation et données secondaires, nous montrons que ces organisations produisent différents types d’espaces – à la fois individuels et collectifs – à différentes échelles. Cette combinaison permet aux lieux intermédiaires d’être mobiles et de résister aux réactions hostiles de l’espace dominant et ainsi de se pérenniser. / This thesis analyses how the production of space helps to create and sustain alternative organizations. In this study, space is seen as a source of power. In order to answer this question we conduct a single case study: the intermediary places in the French theatre sector. Two organizational models prevail in this sector: the lucrative private sector and the public non-profit one. Intermediary places tend to establish a third model neither private nor public: third sector organizations. We combine semi-structured interviews, observations and secondary data. We show alternative organizations produce different type of individual and collective spaces on multiple scales. Thanks to this combination, intermediary places become mobile and more resistant to dominant space reactions. They are most likely to sustain themselves.

The main topic of this diploma thesis is the capital allocation. I focus on crowdfunding and study how the development of crowdfunding during the last years influenced options and effectiveness of the capital allocation. I compare crowdfunding with other distributional models. Under the term of "distributional models", I understand funding models, namely bilateral model, banks, stock markets and venture capital. I choose start-ups or arising projects as a medium of exploration. The hypothesis of this thesis is as follows: "Crowdfunding is better model for funding arising projects than venture capital, banks, stock market or bilateral model." To answer the main hypothesis, I analyze two supporting hypothesis. The first hypothesis studies the principle of crowdfunding. It says, that crowdfunding is able to recognize funding-worthy projects better than other models. I want to know, what makes crowdfunding an innovative concept, I study, how the new media manifest themself in the concept of crowdfunding. I analyze, how crowdfunding eliminates individual errors by using the "crowd". And above all, I study how each model addresses the role of an intermediary in the relation between surplus and scarce subjects. The second hypothesis observes, whether crowdfunding provides more money to the arising projects than...

No description available.