Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Chicago, Dept. of Sociology, 2001. / Includes bibliographical references. Also available on the Internet.

Thesis (M.A.)--University of Louisville, 2004. / Department of Sociology. Vita. "December 2004." Includes bibliographical references (leaves 94-97).

published_or_final_version / Business Administration / Master / Master of Business Administration

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Oregon, 2006. / Typescript. Includes vita and abstract. Study based on data derived from a sampling of 189 large U.S. law firms. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 90-101). Also available for download via the World Wide Web; free to University of Oregon users.

The thesis investigates the nature and regulation of the international practices of large commercial law firms. The overseas work of City solicitors, German commercial lawyers and US corporate lawyers is examined; almost seventy interviews were undertaken with lawyers and regulators based within the jurisdictions of England and Wales and Germany. A wide variety of literature, ranging from the fields of globalisation and regulation to the sociology of the professions, contextualises the empirical research. It is argued that the processes of globalisation have intensified within the last quarter of this century. The heightened internationalisation of business has impacted upon the worlds of many professionals, including those of lawyers in large law firms. Many of the largest law firms are moving to more commercialised forms of practice, where entrepreneurship is highly valued. Indeed, one of the reasons why foreign offices are opened is to take advantage of "green-field" sites abroad. However, law firms' strategies do vary; the thesis aims to tease out some of the differences in the international practices of the law firms investigated. In so doing, it cautions against over-generalising when discussing the overseas strategies and experience of "mega-law firms". Nevertheless, international developments do test the limits of current regulation. Large law firms often operate beyond the regulatory concerns of professional associations yet several features of their practice are worrying. For instance, the tendency of commercial lawyers not to consider anything other than their clients' immediate interests (to act as "hired guns") calls into question the legitimacy of regulatory systems. The thesis proposes a programme of reform to address such concerns.

Thesis (M.B.A.)--University of Hong Kong, 1995. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 81-88).

The aim of this study was to determine the relationship between office politics and selected performance outcomes namely stress, turnaround intent and work engagement, as perceived by employees working in law firms. A literature study indicated the relationship between perceptions of office politics and these selected job outcomes. As an empirical analysis, a measuring instrument consisting of five structured questionnaires was distributed via a non-probability, convenience sampling technique. Spearman’s correlation coefficient indicated the relationships between the variables. The results indicated a positive relationship between perceptions of office politics, job stress, burnout and turnaround intent but a negative relationship between perceptions of office politics and work engagement as well as its antecedents. / MBA, North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2015

The aim of this study was to determine the relationship between office politics and selected performance outcomes namely stress, turnaround intent and work engagement, as perceived by employees working in law firms. A literature study indicated the relationship between perceptions of office politics and these selected job outcomes. As an empirical analysis, a measuring instrument consisting of five structured questionnaires was distributed via a non-probability, convenience sampling technique. Spearman’s correlation coefficient indicated the relationships between the variables. The results indicated a positive relationship between perceptions of office politics, job stress, burnout and turnaround intent but a negative relationship between perceptions of office politics and work engagement as well as its antecedents. / MBA, North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2015

The study identified various value configurations, namely the value chain, value shop and value networks, that could be applicable in understanding the value adding activities within a law firm. The aim of the study was to determine whether information systems could be utilised throughout the identified activities comprising the various value configurations. In the event that information systems were used throughout these activities it was sought to determine to what extent information systems were being used in the law firm and whether, from the user’s perspective, the systems facilitated better efficiency in the workplace, increased productivity and had a positive effect on the profitability of the law firm.

The study identified various value configurations, namely the value chain, value shop and value networks, that could be applicable in understanding the value adding activities within a law firm. The aim of the study was to determine whether information systems could be utilised throughout the identified activities comprising the various value configurations. In the event that information systems were used throughout these activities it was sought to determine to what extent information systems were being used in the law firm and whether, from the user’s perspective, the systems facilitated better efficiency in the workplace, increased productivity and had a positive effect on the profitability of the law firm.