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  • About
  • The Global ETD Search service is a free service for researchers to find electronic theses and dissertations. This service is provided by the Networked Digital Library of Theses and Dissertations.
    Our metadata is collected from universities around the world. If you manage a university/consortium/country archive and want to be added, details can be found on the NDLTD website.
11

Estudo funcional do gene que codifica um transportador de membrana MFS em Colletotrichum lindemuthianum / Functional study of a gene that encodes a MFS membrane transporter in Colletotrichum lindemuthianum

Pereira, Monalessa Fábia 18 February 2011 (has links)
Made available in DSpace on 2015-03-26T13:51:54Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 texto completo.pdf: 4267302 bytes, checksum: e9b9d7cbe9f5e7cfd714ca533302e571 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2011-02-18 / Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico / Colletotrichum lindemuthianum is the causal agent of common bean antracnose. This fungus, like other phytopatogens, is constantly exposed to several toxic compounds from many sources, what makes indispensable the development of protection strategies against these products. One of these strategies is related to membrane transporters proteins like the Major Facilitator Superfamily (MFS), that could provide protection against toxic compounds or minimizing its action, being essential for the fungal cellular viability maintenance. In this context, this work aimed to inactivate the mfs1 gene encoding a MFS membrane transporter and investigate the phenotypic alterations entailed in an isolate C. lindemuthianum mutant LV49 (race 89) for this gene. To obtain the mutant, it was necessary to confirm if mfs1 gene was organized as a single copy in the C. lindemuthianum genome. The mfs1 gene can be organized in a cluster in view that a second open reading frame, which corresponds to a transcription factor superfamily containing a Zn2-Cys6 domain, identified as clft1, was observed in 3` downstream region of this gene. The mfs1 promoter analysis revealed a putative mfs1 element that is recognized by proteins of this family, what suggests that this protein could be related to the mfs1 expression regulation. The Split-Marker technique proved to be efficient in C. lindemuthianum mfs1 gene inactivation enabling the study of mfs1 function in a mutant by specific integrations without ectopic integrations. The Δmfs1 mutant showed no differences in drug sensibility profile when commonly drugs employed in antracnose control was used and in relation to pathogenicity, the mutant symptoms started earlier on susceptible bean leaves, showing a stress situation due to the genic product absence. It was also observed that mfs1 presents a primordial role in C. lindemuthianum cellular viability maintenance, what was confirmed by the altered conidiation observed, confirming that this gene encodes for a specific hexose membrane transporter, specifically carbon sources like glucose, mannose and fructose. The protein Mfs1 phylogenetic analysis allow us to conclude that this transporter is a SP family member and the MFS proteins are strongly related with the transported substance. Studies conducted with MFS transporters are important to broaden the knowledge of these proteins and to understand the cell viability in C. lindemuthianum. / O fungo Colletotrichum lindemuthianum é o agente causal da antracnose do feijoeiro comum. Este fungo, assim como outros fungos fitopatógenos estão constantemente expostos a uma grande variedade de compostos tóxicos provenientes de várias fontes, o que torna imprescindível para estes o desenvolvimento de mecanismos de proteção contra estes produtos. Uma dessas estratégias está relacionada com a presença de proteínas transportadoras de membrana, como as pertencentes à Principal Superfamília Facilitadora (MFS), que podem fornecer aos fungos proteção contra compostos tóxicos evitando ou minimizando a ação destes, sendo em sua maioria essenciais para a manutenção da viabilidade celular. Este trabalho teve como objetivo inativar o gene mfs1 que codifica para um transportador de membrana da família MFS e investigar as alterações fenotípicas ocasionadas em um mutante C. lindemuthianum isolado LV49 (raça 89) para este gene. Para a obtenção do mutante foi necessário confirmar que o gene mfs1 encontrava-se presente em cópia única no genoma de C. lindemuthianum. O gene mfs1 pode estar organizado em um conjunto de genes com funções relacionadas, uma vez que downstream à região 3’ deste foi identificada uma segunda janela aberta de leitura correspondente a uma proteína da superfamília de fatores de transcrição contendo o domínio Zn2-Cys6, identificado como clft1. A análise do promotor do gene mfs1 revelou um putativo cis elemento de reconhecimento por proteínas desta família, o que sugere que esta proteína possa estar relacionada à regulação da expressão de mfs1. A técnica de Split- Marker mostrou-se eficiente na inativação do gene mfs1 de C. lindemuthianum, possibilitando o estudo da função do gene mfs1, em um mutante com integração específica e livre de integrações ectópicas. O mutante Δmfs1 não mostrou diferenças no perfil de sensibilidade a drogas comumente empregadas no controle da antracnose e em relação à patogenicidade, o mutante induziu mais precocemente os sintomas em folhas de feijoeiro susceptível, evidenciando uma situação de estresse decorrente da ausência do produto gênico. Foi observado também que o gene mfs1 exerce um papel primordial na manutenção da viabilidade celular de C. lindemuthianum, fato este confirmado pela conidiação alterada e pela confirmação de que este gene codifica para um transportador de membrana específico no transporte de hexoses, especificamente glicose, manose e frutose, uma vez que o mutante Δmfs1 mostrou crescimento reduzido quando cultivado em meios contendo apenas glicose, manose e frutose como fontes de carbono. A análise filogenética da proteína Mfs1 associada aos outros resultados obtidos nos sugere que este transportador é um membro da família SP, e que as proteínas MFS estão fortemente relacionadas com o tipo de substância que é transportada. Estudos de natureza básica sobre transportadores MFS são importantes para ampliar os conhecimentos sobre estas proteínas e a viabilidade celular em C. lindemuthianum.
12

A Comparative Study of Social, Economic and Environmental Aspects of Paraffinand Wood Pellets Used for Cooking in Low Income Households in South Africa : A minor field study / En jämförande studie av sociala, miljömässiga och ekonomiska aspekter av att använda paraffin och träpellets för matlagning i låginkomsthushåll i Sydafrika : En fältstudie

Svensson, Jenny, Kjellson, Alice January 2015 (has links)
The majority of low income households in South Africa have limited access to electricity, and typically cook on stoves fuelled by paraffin. Paraffin represents a fossil fuel. It is a relatively cheap fuel in South Africa. Another fuel that can also be used for cooking is wood pellets, which is a renewable fuel. It can be used in a similar way to that of paraffin and is relatively cheap compared to other renewable energy sources. To investigate if living conditions among low income households can be improved the focus of the study was to evaluate the sustainability of cooking on paraffin and wood pellets. This was done by comparing social, environmental and economic aspects associated with the two cooking fuels. The social aspects were investigated through an interview study, the environmental aspect through a comparative life cycle assessment (LCA) and the economic aspects through a partial life cycle cost analysis (LCCA) focusing on the user phase.   The interview study showed that paraffin users considered four aspects as the most important when cooking, namely safety, health, affordability and quality. The study also found that the majority were willing to change to another cooking fuel if these aspects were fulfilled. The LCA showed that both systems score the highest on 9 out of 18 environmental impact categories over a 16-year perspective. The economic analysis showed that the user phase of the wood pellet system is more economically beneficial during the 16-year time period than the paraffin system. It was concluded that wood pellets could be used as an option to paraffin for cooking and would most likely increase living conditions for low income households. / Majoriteten av låginkomsthushåll i Sydafrika har begränsad tillgång till elektricitet och vanligtvis sker matlagningen på paraffinspisar. Paraffin är ett fossilt bränsle. Det är ett relativt billigt bränsle i Sydafrika. Ett annat bränsle som också kan användas för matlagning är träpellets som är ett förnyelsebart bränsle. Det kan användas på liknande sätt som för paraffin och är ganska billigt i jämförelse med andra förnybara energikällor. För att undersöka om levnadsförhållanden för låginkomsthushåll kan förbättras låg fokus för denna studie på att utvärdera hållbarheten för att laga mat på paraffin och träpellets. Detta genomfördes genom att jämföra sociala, miljömässiga och ekonomiska aspekter associerade med dessa bränslen för matlagning. De sociala aspekterna undersöktes genom en intervjustudie, de miljömässiga aspekterna genom en jämförande livscykelanalys (LCA) och de ekonomiska aspekterna gjordes genom en livscykelkostnadsanalys (LCCA) för användarfasen.   Intervjustudien visade att paraffinanvändare anser att fyra aspekter är de viktigaste vid matlagning, nämligen säkerhet, hälsa, kostnad och kvalitet. Studien visade också att majoriteten var villiga att byta till ett annat bränsle för matlagning om dessa aspekter var uppfyllda. Livscykelanalysen visade att båda systemen hade högst miljöpåverkan i 9 av 18 miljöpåverkanskategorier vardera inom ett 16-årsperspektiv. Den ekonomiska analysen visade att under en 16-årsperiod var användarfasen mer kostnadseffektiv för matlagning på träpellets jämfört med paraffin. Studien visade att träpellets kan användas som ett alternativ för paraffin vid matlagning och kommer troligtvis öka levnadsförhållanden för låginkomsthushåll.
13

A Comparative Study of Social, Environmental and Economic Aspects of Paraffin and Wood Pellets Used for Cooking in Low Income Households in South Africa : A Minfor Field Study / En jämförande studie av sociala, miljömässiga och ekonomiska aspekter av att använda paraffin och träpellets för matlagning i låginkomsthushåll i Sydafrika.

Svensson, Jenny, Kjellson, Alice January 2015 (has links)
The majority of low income households in South Africa have limited access to electricity, and typically cook on stoves fuelled by paraffin. Paraffin represents a fossil fuel. It is a relatively cheap fuel in South Africa. Another fuel that can also be used for cooking is wood pellets, which is a renewable fuel. It can be used in a similar way to that of paraffin and is relatively cheap compared to other renewable energy sources. To investigate if living conditions among low income households can be improved the focus of the study was to evaluate the sustainability of cooking on paraffin and wood pellets. This was done by comparing social, environmental and economic aspects associated with the two cooking fuels. The social aspects were investigated through an interview study, the environmental aspect through a comparative life cycle assessment (LCA) and the economic aspects through a partial life cycle cost analysis (LCCA) focusing on the user phase. The interview study showed that paraffin users considered four aspects as the most important when cooking, namely safety, health, affordability and quality. The study also found that the majority were willing to change to another cooking fuel if these aspects were fulfilled. The LCA showed that both systems score the highest on 9 out of 18 environmental impact categories over a 16-year perspective. The economic analysis showed that the user phase of the wood pellet system is more economically beneficial during the 16-year time period than the paraffin system. It was concluded that wood pellets could be used as an option to paraffin for cooking and would most likely increase living conditions for low income households. / Majoriteten av låginkomsthushåll i Sydafrika har begränsad tillgång till elektricitet och vanligtvis sker matlagningen på paraffinspisar. Paraffin är ett fossilt bränsle. Det är ett relativt billigt bränsle i Sydafrika. Ett annat bränsle som också kan användas för matlagning är träpellets som är ett förnyelsebart bränsle. Det kan användas på liknande sätt som för paraffin och är ganska billigt i jämförelse med andra förnybara energikällor. För att undersöka om levnadsförhållanden för låginkomsthushåll kan förbättras låg fokus för denna studie på att utvärdera hållbarheten för att laga mat på paraffin och träpellets. Detta genomfördes genom att jämföra sociala, ekologiska och ekonomiska aspekter associerade med dessa bränslen för matlagning. De sociala aspekterna undersöktes genom en intervjustudie, de miljömässiga aspekterna genom en jämförande livscykelanalys (LCA) och de ekonomiska aspekterna gjordes genom en livscykelkostnadsanalys (LCCA) för användarfasen. Intervjustudien visade att paraffinanvändare anser att fyra aspekter är de viktigaste vid matlagning, nämligen säkerhet, hälsa, kostnad och kvalitet. Studien visade också att majoriteten var villiga att byta till ett annat bränsle för matlagning om dessa aspekter var uppfyllda. Livscykelanalysen visade att båda systemen hade högst miljöpåverkan i 9 av 18 miljöpåverkanskategorier vardera inom ett 16-årsperspektiv. Den ekonomiska analysen visade att under en 16-årsperiod var användarfasen mer kostnadseffektiv för matlagning på träpellets jämfört med paraffin. Studien visade att träpellets kan användas som ett alternativ för paraffin vid matlagning och kommer troligtvis öka levnadsförhållanden för låginkomsthushåll.
14

How can Beema Bamboo Plantations Benefit Islands and Farmers in the Philippines? : A study in Manila, Marinduque and Romblon, the Philippines

Faraj, Dina, Shihab, Saad January 2019 (has links)
This study was conducted as a bachelor thesis at KTH Royal Institute of Technology in the spring of 2019. The study was carried out as a Minor Field Study (MFS) funded by the Swedish agency SIDA (Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency). The study focuses on the potential economic- & ecological benefits of farming bamboo on small islands in the Philippines. Few other countries are so vulnerable for natural disasters as the Philippines. Majority of the farmers in the Philippines live on a day to day payment where the life of a family can be destroyed when a disaster strikes and ruins the crops. Bamboo could be intercropped and supply farmers with a more stable and higher income on the long term. This project examines previous Beema bamboo plantations, the characteristics of Beema bamboo and explores future implementations. The main type of bamboo that is explored is Beema bamboo, a modified and improved version of Bambusa Balcooa. The Philippines have optimal growth conditions for Beema bamboo and could develop industries which can provide job opportunities. Since the research of Beema bamboo is still in early stages in the Philippines this goal is still years away. / Denna studie genomfördes som ett kandidatexamensarbete på Kungliga Tekniska Högskolan våren 2019. Studien utfördes som en fältstudie med finansiellt stöd från den svenska myndigheten SIDA (Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency). Detta projekt fokuserar på de potentiella ekonomiska- & ekologiska fördelarna med att odla bambu på små öar i Filippinerna. Få andra länder är lika sårbara för naturkatastrofer som Filippinerna. Majoriteten av jordbrukare i Filippinerna lever på en daglig inkomst, där en naturkatastrof kan förstöra familjer som lever på sitt jordbruk. Bambu kan bidra med en mer stabil och högre inkomst för bönder på lång sikt. Projektet undersöker tidigare Beema bamboo plantage, dess egenskaper och framtida implementeringar. Den huvudsakliga typen av bambu som utforskas i detta projekt är Beema bamboo, en modifierad och förbättrad version av Bambusa Balcooa. Filippinerna har optimala förhållanden för Beema bambu och kan utveckla industrier som kan skapa arbetsmöjligheter. Eftersom forskningen på Beema bamboo fortfarande är i tidiga stadier i Filippinerna är detta mål fortfarande många år bort.
15

Water Supply for Irrigation of Balda Lupaxi Bajo, Chimborazo, Ecuador / Vattentillgång för bevattning av Balda Lupaxi Bajo, Chimborazo, Ecuador

Halmstad, Sonja January 2004 (has links)
<p>Denna rapport är en del av en förstudie som syftar att undersöka möjligheterna för ett bevattningsprojekt i de ecuadorianska Anderna. Rapport koncentrerar sig på vatten-tillgången för förstudien Estudio de Prefacitbilidad de un Proyecto de Riego en los Andes – el Caso de Balda Lupaxi Bajo, Chimborazo, Ecuador. Fältundersökningarna gjordes under mars till och med maj 2003 i Balda Lupaxi Bajo, en indian-by i provinsen Chimobrazo. I detta område är nederbörden bristfällig och följaktligen är skörden dålig och det är inte möjligt att bruka jorden under delar av året. Idén till projektet initierades av en bonde-förening som kallas UNASAC. UNASAC kommer att använda rapporten i sitt sökande efter finansiellt stöd för fördjupande studier och slutligen ett genomförande av projektet.</p><p>Målet med denna delrapport är att identifiera en lämplig plats för vattenuttag och att bestämma hur många hektar som kan bevattnas. Vidare presenteras ett förslag till utformning av vattenavledningen. Studien har gjorts genom fältstudier, vattenanalyser, intervjuer och bearbetning av hydrologiska och meteorologiska data.</p><p>Fyra vattenuttagsalternativ undersöktes, både flod- och grundvatten. Det mest lämpliga alternativet enligt denna studie är floden Llinllin. De andra undersökta alternativen förkastades på grund av brist på vatten, otillräcklig vattenkvalitet och höga kostnader. Llinllin-alternativet består av en direkt avledning, en öppen kanal och en sifon. Alternativet kan försörja 250 hektar av bevattnad odlingsmark under de antaganden som är gjorda i rapporten.</p><p>För att fortsätta med detta projekt måste bönderna lösa de sociala problem som finns i och mellan byarna. Kommunicationen med de närliggande byarna är nödvändig. Det finns många intressenter av Llinllin floden och det är nödvändigt att finna en hållbar lösning för vattenuttaget.</p> / <p>This report is a part of a prefeasiblity study to investigate the possibilities to introduce an irrigation system in a rural part of the Andes in Ecuador. The report concentrates on the water supply for the prefeasability study called Estudio de Prefacitbilidad de un Proyecto de Riego en los Andes – el Caso de Balda Lupaxi Bajo, Chimborazo, Ecuador. The field study was carried out in March to May 2003 in the indigenous village of Balda Lupaxi Bajo situated in the province of Chimborazo. In this area the precipitation is inferior throughout the year. Consequently the harvest is poor and it is not possible to cultivate during parts of the year. The project was initiated by UNASAC, an indigenous organization for farmers. UNASAC would use this report for finding finances to complete further studies and finally implement an irrigation system.</p><p>The main aims of this report are to identify a suitable site for water supply and to determine the size of the area possible to irrigate. Further, a distribution design of the water supply has been investigated. This was carried out by field studies, water analyses, interviews and processing of hydrological and meteorological data.</p><p>Four alternatives of water supply were studied, both river and ground water. The most appropriate water supply according to the study is the Llinllin River. The other investigated alternatives were rejected due to lack of water, insufficient water quality and high costs. The Llinllin River alternative consists of a direct abstraction, open channels and a siphon. This alternative can support 250 hectares under the constraints taken in this study.</p><p>In order to continue this project the farmers need to solve the social problems within and between the villages. An improvement of the communication with the nearby villages is necessary. There are many stakeholders involved in the usage of the Llinllin River and therefore it is of great importance to find a sustainable solution for the water abstraction.</p>
16

Clean Development Mechanism - Key to the future? : A minor field study of organizations working in rural areas in Vietnam with renewable energy sources.

Ewerton, Maria, Åkerblom, Linus January 2010 (has links)
<p>A scholarship from the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (SIDA) made it possible for the authors to collect primary data on location in Vietnam. Through a study of three organizations we aimed to create an understanding of the Clean Development Mechanism.</p><p>Despite all the natural resources and the potential of renewable energy in Vietnam, a large percent of the electricity production comes from coal and other sources that contribute to carbon dioxide emissions. However, there are organizations working nationwide with implementing renewable energy projects and educating the Vietnamese. Since the birth of carbon market in connection with the Kyoto Protocol new possibilities have emerged as e.g the Clean Development Mechanism. For example high quality carbon offsetting companies are working on projects that reduce greenhouse gas emissions.</p><p>The purpose of this thesis is to study and describe how three organizations are working with renewable energy in rural areas in Vietnam and their connection to Clean Development Mechanism.</p><p>We have carried out an explorative study with an inductive approach. Our three semi-structured interviews were conducted as personal interviews at location in Vietnam. We also had two informative meetings, also in Vietnam. Beyond, we had e-mail correspondents with a number of professionals in their field.</p><p>Due to the heavy bureaucracy the Governmental process rate is slow, which are making projects such as in the area of renewable energy difficult to initiate. Also the Governmental interest in renewable energy as a source of generating electricity is limited. However, new policies are on the agenda which might increase the support for organisations working towards a sustainable development.</p>
17

”It is the best thing that can be done for the children” : How Chilean pedagogues describe their work with and around bi- and multilingual children. / ”Det är det bästa som kan göras för barnen” : Hur Chilenska pedagoger beskriver sitt arbete med och kring två- och flerspråkiga barn.

Rubio Pino, Sofia January 2017 (has links)
The purpose of this thesis is to find out if Chilean pedagogues feel sufficiently prepared to work with and around bi- and multilinguistic children. The two questions that are answered in this thesis are Do the pedagogues feel like they have enough theoretical and practical knowledge about bi- and multilingualism? In that case, how and why? How do their personal experiences and feelings towards bi- and multilingualism affect their professional work? In order to answer the purpose of this thesis a qualitative study is conducted using semi-structured interviews as a method. The results show that the pedagogue have a positive look on bi-and multilingualism. Both when it comes to themselves as well as the children. This affects their work in a positive way since they feel that being bi- and/or multilingual is important. These feelings and thoughts make the pedagogues positive and motivated about working with these children. The pedagogues mention practical knowledges that they have such as singing, counting, telling stories etcetera. But when it comes to their theoretical knowledge none of the interviewed pedagogues have read about bi- or multilingualism. Therefore none of the pedagogues mention any specific theoretical ways in which they work with or around bi- and multilingualism. But what they do have thoughts about is that they feel that it is important to encourage bi- and multilingual children and their language development. And that they will find ways to work with these children even if their theoretical and sometimes practical knowledge might be lacking.
18

School Libraries and Outcomes Based Education : A study of factors impacting on the development of school libraries with focus on disadvantaged areas in the Western Cape Province

Johansson, Cecilia January 2007 (has links)
The purpose of this Master’s thesis was to examine different factors influencing the process of establishing and developing school libraries in relation to the implementation of a new outcome based curriculum, Curriculum 2005. The main focus was on under resourced areas and a field study was conducted in 1998 in the Western Cape Province during the first year of implementation. As a frame a Swedish – South African school library project, that lasted between 1997- 2002, was used. The findings from the field study were analysed according to a model identifying different factors influencing the process of implementation ofeducational change in underdeveloped countries. Four evaluations of the project were incorporated in the analysis with the aim to enhance the findings from the field study but also to question them. The aim was not to evaluate the project itself. The conclusions reached were that several ofthe factors found to affect the implementation process were not specificfor under resourced areas, but could also be found in the research regarding developed countries. Some factors were however found to be specific for many of the under resourced areas, such as shortage ofadequate learning resources, especially in the indigenous languages, dependence on external support such as voluntary workers and donations, infrastructural problems, absence of possible co-operating public libraries, locked libraries due to security problems etc. Many of these factors couldbe referred back to inherited inequalities. / Uppsatsnivå: D
19

Political representation in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa

Larsson Falasca, Kajsa January 2008 (has links)
<p>This is a Minor Field Study (MFS) which is a scholarship financed by the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (SIDA). It was conducted in the province of KwaZulu-Natal in South Africa in 2007/2008. The purpose of this study is to understand the role of the political representative in the system of political representation and it will test the different theories of political representation based on interests or identity. This study is concerned with the function of the political representatives as they are the link between the system of representation and the electorate. Since the election system is designed for political representation based on interest and the voting in South Africa suggests voting based on identity/race the representatives must balance these different signals.</p>
20

Export of quality clothing at a men's wear manufacturer -a study of market strategies at the House of Monatic in South Africa

Bildsten, Louise, Sjölund, Annika January 2003 (has links)
<p>South Africa, as many of the countries on the African continent, has for a long time been discriminated against when it comes to export of clothing and textiles. The trade regulations are now getting more favorable and the US and European markets are becoming more open for exports from the African continent.</p><p>We came in contact with the House of Monatic, which is a manufacturer of high quality men’s wear clothing in South Africa, and found that they were interested in us doing an export analysis of the company. The House of Monatic is an old colonial company founded in 1906 with over 1000 employees. The head office is situated in Cape Town, South Africa. Monatic manufactures licensed brands such as Yves Saint-Laurent as well as their own brands. At present the company is exporting to countries on the African continent, United Kingdom, Ireland and the United States. The thesis was mostly carried out at the House of Monatic in Cape Town where we stayed for three months. The method was to interview all the managers at the company to find out how the export management is run today and through theories find alternative exports strategies and how to improve the company’s current strategies. We also made a customer survey, which we sent out to Monatic’s customers to see</p><p>The end of apartheid in 1994 opened the borders not only for further exports but also for imports from overseas countries. This made Monatic’s domestic market share shrink and expanding through exports to new international markets became inevitable. Because the trade regulations are becoming more favorable we believe the international market is where profits can be found, especially on the US market. A risk when exporting is that profitability can be dependent on the exchange rates between currencies. As a solution to this problem Monatic could convince its international customers to do business in the South African currency, Rand. Monatic is currently establishing contacts in the US where they are setting up a new sales office. Monatic is going to introduce one of their own brands by letting a customer called Nordstrom sell it.</p><p>We think this is wise to sneak into the market and to not undertake large marketing campaigns, which could prove to be too costly. We believe it is risky for Monatic to enter several markets at the same time and that Monatic should concentrate on positioning itself on the US market at the moment. But we think it is smart to establish new contacts on other markets so that Monatic is ready when the opportunities come. We believe the Sub Saharan market has some potential that is worth further investigation. The UK market seems to have stagnated at the moment and we think it will become more profitable when the economy in Europe has recuperated. In the meantime it is best not to make to much investments but to harvest the profits that can be gained. There seem to be confusion about weather Monatic should focus on being a designer house or a manufacturer. It is difficult to combine the big bulk customers with boutique customers in the same production line.</p><p>Many of the customers wants improved design according to a customer survey we conducted. We also believe that the customers need to be organized in a classification system depending on volume and profitability. This would help Monatic to decide on how to distribute its limited resources. IT is becoming more and more frequently used among Monatic’s business partners. To not risking being pushed out of the market it is important to be ahead of competitors. By introducing an online order system and a product tracking system at the home page Monatic would decrease the workload of the sales staff. Furthermore it would make it easier for customers and Monatic would gain more competitive advantage by this facility. We also believe that by establishing their own shops in South Africa, Monatic’s brand would be strengthened and become more competitive on the domestic market. A Monatic shop would give an entire atmosphere and service to the customer that would</p>

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