<p> In this thesis, I examine how postmodern notions of space and place may shed light on legal controversies regarding cyberbullying behavior in lower courts. Using the theories of Michel de Certeau, I argue that rhetorically intervening in these controversies by way of thinking through space and place not as geographic locations, but rather as relational and communicative concepts, may clarify some of the issues school administrators and courts run into when trying to regulate cyberbullying speech. I propose a set of standards for regulating some forms of cyberbullying speech that should not encroach upon students&rsquo; First Amendment rights to political speech.</p>

Thesis (Ph.D. - Economics)--University of Arizona. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 227-234).

Thesis (doctoral)--Universität, Köln, 2007. / Description based on print version record. Includes bibliographical references and index.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Wisconsin--Madison, 1984. / Typescript. Vita. eContent provider-neutral record in process. Description based on print version record. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 289-299).

<p> Decentralization policy is advanced in many regions as a collaborative approach to regional stability, economic and political development, and poverty reduction. However, there is not a valid decentralization policy in the Mano River Region (MRR) countries of West Africa despite the presence of multinational institutions and United Nations Peacekeeping forces. The purpose of this qualitative, phenomenological case study was to use the sequential theory of decentralization to investigate why peace and stability in the MRR are still fragile. The primary research question concerned how the policy of decentralization implementation in MRR can significantly contribute to regional stability, enhance economic development, reduce poverty, and minimize corruption in the MRR. Data were collected from 64 participants, through the use of semi-structured, in-depth interview techniques. A consent authorization of participants allowed the collection of the data. The analysis of data involved, identifying categories of responses and answers to classify them in phases based on responses answers to questions. According to study findings, decentralization policy was perceived to be a positive concept that promotes good governance, regional stability, economic development, poverty reduction, and minimization of corruption; however, there was little knowledge and implementation on decentralization in the MRR or among participants&rsquo; native countries. An educational program on the successes of decentralization policy implementation is recommended. Outcomes from this research may serve as a point for social change by providing a model understanding of peace and stability in the MRR and similar areas.</p><p>

Antidumping policies have developed into essential trade elements in the local and global markets as they can facilitate the adoption of favorable trade policies. The introduction of antidumping policies in South Africa across GVCs has remained instrumental as they have directly influenced the social and economic structures of GVCs and local businesses operating in the region. Anti-dumping policies remain crucial in the development of a competitive and fair business environment. The study explores the impact of anti-dumping policies on GVCs in South Africa through a review of the economic, financial, cultural and social influences of the policies on the local businesses and environment. The review of anti-dumping policies and consequent impact on GVCs remained crucial in the identification of the importance and impact of policy on local and global businesses. The analysis provides an exploration of the impact of globalization and a changing business environment on the workings of an organization and the global market. The study adopts a quantitative analysis that utilized correlation analysis in identifying the impact of anti-dumping policies on GVCs. The results highlight the importance of anti-dumping policies and consequent impact GVCs in South Africa. The majority of the study respondents maintain that the adopted anti-dumping measures remained in-line with the adopted global trade objectives, but also highlighted the existence of a shortfall within the policy implementation process in South Africa. The majority of the respondents maintain that there was no need to remove the historically adopted policies as they remain relevant to the modern day trade processes. However, the study respondents maintain that several additions and changes may be incorporated to cater to the changing trade needs presented by the market. The adoption of recommendations would facilitate the development of a strong trade policy that would promote the strengthening of regional ties. Therefore, the majority of respondents remained in favor of the AD policies in relation to competitive policies and promoted the adoption of additional policies relating to the reduction of labor disruptions, improved infrastructure and the education system. The development of effective manufacturing and implementation systems together with adoption of effective logistical processes would facilitate the adoption and success of the existent trade regulations.

Climate change is one of the greatest problems confronting the world today. It threatens many economies, health systems, and livelihoods, especially for the rural poor in many developing countries. As a consequence, climate change is increasingly generating global concerns and receiving global attention. This emergent trend is accompanied by rising recognition of the role played by international trade in environmental goods (EGs) as a means to deal with the environmental pressures associated with climate change. Trade liberalization in EGs plays an important role in the diffusion of cost effective environmental goods and services, thus advancing global climate change action and sustainable development. Paragraph 31 (iii) of the Doha Ministerial Declaration of 2001 provides a mandate to WTO members to enter into multilateral negotiations on 'the reduction, or the elimination of tariffs and non-tariff barriers (NTBs) to environmental goods and services. To this end, some WTO members are currently negotiating a plurilateral pact (Environmental Goods Agreement) with the view to move beyond the long impasse in the Doha Round of negotiations. The impasse in the Doha round of negotiations is attributed to a number of contentious issues, with the lack of a universally agreed definition on what constitutes environmental goods and services being the most sensitive one. In light of the increasing global demand for EGs, most emerging economies are experiencing higher growth rates relative to developed countries and are expected to grow even faster in the future. Furthermore, emerging economies, including South Africa, are increasingly becoming important exporters and importers of EGs and stand to benefit from existing and potential export opportunities in the global market. The South African environmental goods and services industry is strong yet small in terms of international standards. However, considering its growth rate over the past few years, it is interesting to note that it is considered as an important exporter and importer of some environmental goods and services. Against this background, the aim of the study is to examine if South Africa is currently exploiting potential bilateral trade opportunities in select developed (United States of America, United Kingdom and Germany) and emerging (Brazil, India and China) economies or trade is limited due to high MFN tariffs. The results of the trade-chilling analysis indicate that trade between South Africa and the select group of economies is limited. However, the limited or lack of bilateral trade cannot be attributed to high tariffs and may be as a result of Non-Tariff Barriers (NTBs). The analysis also revealed areas of export opportunities for South Africa to explore and expand future exports to the selected markets. Although there were few areas where high tariffs were responsible for the limited bilateral trade, the results of the study suggest that low tariffs are imposed in most of the EGs exported by South Africa. For trade policy practitioners and negotiators, the implication of this study is that NTBs are important obstacles to EGs trade and should be given close attention in the context of WTO negotiations. For this reason, further studies aimed at identifying NTBs responsible for limited bilateral trade is important as this will enable international trade policy practitioners to enhance their understanding and to effectively address them, thus improving South Africa's export prospects in the selected markets. For businesses, the study results provide valuable export market information which identifies areas of export opportunities to focus on in the future.

Includes bibliographical references / This research presents an analysis of the health sector in Botswana in the context of a middle income developing country that endeavours to harness benefits from trade in health services. It finds that the health sector is still dominated by public sector provision amidst a gradually developing private sector that is mainly supported by domestic investments. The participation of foreign firms is predominantly through management of local private hospitals by South African hospital groups. Botswana remains a net importer of health services, especially through consumption abroad from the neighbouring South Africa. Nonetheless, import substitution is gradually taking root through the growing private sector that provides services that were previously imported. There remains a significant level of dependence on foreign health professionals, especially specialist medical doctors to augment shortages in the domestic healthcare system. Despite local media reports indicating concerns about Botswana health professionals working outside the country, lack of data impedes the ability to analyse and appreciate the magnitude and possible impact of this movement on the economy and the health sector. The need for further research remains especially on the possible impact of liberalisation of trade in the health sector in order to adequately guide policy. Also, the current inadequacy of data makes it difficult to appreciate the trends in trade in health services, thus, there is need to develop data sets to support analysis and policy debates on the subject.

Dissertation (doctoral)--Lüneburg Universität, 2009.

<p> In this quantitative study, the perceptions of safety and preparedness of Missouri&rsquo;s high school administrators after participating in active shooter training as mandated by Missouri&rsquo;s Senate Bill No. 75 were analyzed. As school shootings continue, states have passed legislation to prepare schools to provide safety for students and faculty members (Shah, 2013b). There are currently limited data about the perceived effectiveness of Missouri&rsquo;s Senate Bill No. 75 and its ability to help administrators feel safe and prepared in the event of an active shooter. This study involved examination of what schools can do to prepare for a school shooting before one occurs and what schools can do during a school shooting. It also included information on what schools can expect after a shooting has occurred. Fifty-two Missouri high school administrators were surveyed, then data were aggregated by gender, years of educational experience, years of administrative experience, district size, and district location (urban or rural) as reported by the administrators. The majority, or 86.6%, of Missouri high school administrators felt more safe and prepared after participating in active shooter training. Differences did exist between rural and urban administrators in the perception of safety and preparedness with three of the smallest districts indicating feeling the least amount of safety and preparedness. When parsing data by gender only two of the 26 females did not feel prepared after training, while 10 males indicated they did not feel prepared after training. A slight majority, or 53.8%, of the administrators, were not in favor of arming selective school personnel after proper training.</p>