Submitted by Newton Arata (nw_arata@hotmail.com) on 2012-09-06T20:46:23Z No. of bitstreams: 1 MPFE_NewtonArata_Cash holding.pdf: 522094 bytes, checksum: ef66f1f783cd069b20749cd0f636450c (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Suzinei Teles Garcia Garcia (suzinei.garcia@fgv.br) on 2012-09-10T12:46:19Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 1 MPFE_NewtonArata_Cash holding.pdf: 522094 bytes, checksum: ef66f1f783cd069b20749cd0f636450c (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2012-09-10T13:02:02Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 MPFE_NewtonArata_Cash holding.pdf: 522094 bytes, checksum: ef66f1f783cd069b20749cd0f636450c (MD5) Previous issue date: 2012-08-22 / This research extends previous studies of cash holdings and its determinants by studying the relationship between the degree of internationalization and the level of corporate cash holdings. Differently from domestic firms, internationalized firms have more investment opportunities and face more adversity in their businesses. We used a sample of non-financial publicly traded companies in Brazil and Mexico for the period 2006 to 2010. Panel regressions with fixed effects were used in the study. We found evidence that degree of internationalization is a determinant of cash and that cash holding increases quadratically as the degree of company internationalization increases. Brazilian dividend-paying companies hold more cash but this effect does not apply to Mexican companies. Furthermore, the behavior detected for Brazilian and Mexican companies was different from American companies studied by (Chiang and Wang, 2011). Finally, in the period before the crisis, companies held less cash on their balance sheets. / Estendemos estudos anteriores a cerca do nível de caixa e seus determinantes, analisando a relação entre grau de internacionalização e nível de caixa das empresas. Diferente das empresas domésticas, as empresas internacionalizadas possuem mais oportunidades de investimento e enfrentam mais adversidades nos seus negócios. Utilizamos uma amostra de empresas de capital aberto não financeiras do Brasil e do México, para o período de 2006 a 2010. Regressões em painel com efeitos fixos foram utilizadas. Encontramos evidências de que o grau de internacionalização é um determinante de caixa e que o nível de caixa aumenta de forma quadrática à medida que o grau de internacionalização da empresa aumenta. As empresas brasileiras pagadoras de dividendos seguram mais caixa, mas que esse efeito não se aplica para empresas mexicanas. Além disso, o comportamento encontrado para as empresas brasileiras e mexicanas foi diferente de empresas norte-americanas, estudadas por Chiang e Wang (2011). Por fim, no período antes da crise, as empresas seguraram menos caixa em seus balanços.

The diploma thesis focused on international tax planning and tax optimization. The diploma thesis specifies what is an international tax planning and underlines its importance in these days. On theoretical knowlege the diploma thesis summarizes key factors that should entrepreneurs in international tax planning and optimization to take into account. End of the thesis presents proposal the progress of the process of international tax planning and also on the particular case.

Bakgrund: Globaliseringen har föranlett en ökning av multinationella företag. De multinationella företagen har genom olika internationaliseringsstrategier fått en framstående roll som starka aktörer på det globala planet. Internationaliseringsstrategierna ses som nödvändiga för att bibehålla konkurrenskraftighet i en föränderlig värld. Dock ses en avsaknad av HR funktionens integrering i förhållande till multinationella företags internationalisering i teorin. Syfte: Att beskriva till vilken grad HR funktionen i multinationella företag är internationaliserad i förhållande till struktur, strategi och kultur. Metod: Studien tillämpar en induktiv ansatsmetod med inslag av deduktion, deduktionen representeras genom en inramning av syftet som gjorts för att skapa en viss förförståelse. Studien är en fallstudie av kvalitativ karaktär. I studien har empirin samlats in genom tre datainsamlingsmetoder: semistrukturerad intervju, dokumentundersökning samt skriftlig strukturerad intervju. Empirin har vidare tillsammans analyserats genom en tematisk analys. Den tematiska analysen genererade tre huvudteman: Moderlandets påverkan i multinationella företag, Lokala anpassningar i en internationell kontext och Globala utmaningar i en föränderlig värld. Respektive huvudtema innehåller tre underteman, som förankrades i relevant teori. Studien präglas av konstruktionism och ett tolkande förhållningsätt. Slutsats: HR funktionen i multinationella företag är till viss grad internationaliserad i förhållande till struktur, strategi och kultur. Vidare ges en beskrivning i form av en slutgiltig modell som visar faktorer som främjar och hämmar graden. / Background: Globalization has led to a rise of multinational companies. Through various internationalization strategies, multinational companies have gained a prominent role as strong players on the global stage. Internationalization strategies are seen as necessary to maintain competitiveness in a changing world. However, there is a lack of integration of the HR function in relation to the internationalization of multinational companies in theory. Purpose: To describe the degree to which the HR function in multinational companies are internationalized in relation to structure, strategy and culture. Method: The study applies an inductive approach with elements of deduction, the deduction is represented by a framing made to create a certain pre-understanding. The study is a case study of a qualitative nature. In the study, the empirical data has been collected through three data collection methods: semi-structured interview, document review and written structured interview. The empirical data has furthermore been analyzed together through a thematic analysis. The thematic analysis generated three main themes: the influence of the motherland in multinational companies, local adaptations in an international context and global challenges in a changing world. Each main theme contained three sub-themes, which were embedded in relevant theory. The study is characterized by constructionism and an interpretive approach. Conclusion: The HR function in multinational companies is to some extent internationalized in terms of structure, strategy, and culture. Furthermore, a description is given in the form of one final model showing factors that promote and inhibit the degree of internationalization.

Sustainability and sustainable supply chain management (SSCM) is increasingly gainingattention from researchers and practitioners, while social sustainability practices researchinitiated by middle management is yet to be explored in both breadth and depth. Middlemanager, as an intermediary between top management and the frontline staff, holds acritical role for social sustainability adoption in the SSCM. Human centric approach is anessential factor that contributes to SSCM in multinational companies (MNCs) andsignificantly affecting stakeholders along the global supply chain. This paper tries to bridge the gap in the existing literature and understand how middlemanagers adopt social sustainability in their supply chain, their motivations withinorganisational culture, and the challenges for social sustainability integration in SSCM.The study stays in the context of Swedish MNCs and follows a qualitative researchapproach by conducting semi-structured interviews across different industries. The dataanalysis contributes empirical knowledge into the role of middle managers for socialsustainability adoption in supply chain, exploring different motivation from organisationalculture and middle managers leadership practices. This research proves that the organisational culture and supply chain leadership are criticalfactors to motivate middle managers to adopt social sustainability activities and leadsuccessful collaborations within the supply chain. Further, middle managers’ practicalchallenges are analysed, and possible improvement suggestions are discussed to enhancethe middle manager’s role in SSCM. These findings contribute to practical implicationsfor academia and businesses alike by providing insights and recommendations fororganisations seeking to enhance their social sustainability pillar.

Problem: Inom området Grön Human Resouce Management (HRM) har en begränsad mängd empiriska underlag producerats och forskare hävdar att ämnet kräver mer forskning, särskilt i relation till multinationella organisationer. Övervägande del av befintliga studier om grön HRM har undersökt området genom kvantitativa metoder och denna studie avser därför att studera området kvalitativt. För att utöka den empiriska forskningsgrunden har studien avgränsats till att studera multinationella organisationer (MNC) som är verksamma inom industrisektorn.   Syfte: Syftet är att skapa en ökad förståelse för hur gröna HR-aktiviteter formas och används inom multinationella industriorganisationer. Vidare syftar även studien att tillföra en ökad förståelse för vad som påverkar införandet av gröna HR-aktiviteter i företag som är verksamma inom denna sektor. Metod: Studien utgår från en deduktiv ansats och för att uppnå studiens syfte har en kvalitativ metod i form av semistrukturerade intervjuer med HR-verksamma använts. Totalt har tre fallföretag studerats och primärdata har samlats in genom fem olika intervjuer med totalt sex olika respondenter. Primärdata har analyserats genom en riktad innehållsanalys av det latenta innehållet. Slutsats: Studiens resultat visar att MNC:s verksamma inom industrisektorn delvis bedriver gröna HR-aktiviteter inom områdena rekrytering och urval, kompetensutveckling, anställningsrelationer (involvering och deltagande) samt belöning. Studiens resultat indikerar även att gröna HR-aktiviteter tenderar att vara lokalt utformade i jämförelse med HR-aktiviteter som inte bedrivs ‘grönt’ och som istället tenderar att vara standardiserade HR-aktiviteter utformade av HQ. De faktorer som denna studie kunde finna ha en inverkan på organisationernas införande av gröna HR-aktiviteter är den yngre generation, nationella krav och lagstiftningar, en organisations ledning, kostnader, utvecklingsinitiativ, aktuella restriktioner som ett resultat av den pågående Covid-19-pandemin samt samhällstrender.

One of the emerging phenomena of global competition is the increasing participation of firms from emerging economies in various industries and across value chain activities. These MNCs from developing and emerging economies have recently shown an unprecedented increase in numbers (from only 19 firms in 1990 featured in the Fortune 500 list to 47 in 2005) (UNCTAD, 2006). While these Emerging Nation Multinational Companies (EMCs) are gaining a strong foothold in the global economy, some evidence also suggests that their foreign direct investments are being targeted towards advanced economies in both resource industries and higher-value adding activities. On the face of it, the disadvantages of being a late entrant seem overwhelming and based on the stages model of internationalization the EMCs may not be able to compete against global giants whose dominance is rooted in their first-mover status (Bartlett & Goshal, 2000). However, the success of EMCs like the Tata Motors, Lenovo, and the like raise an important research issue as to what are the strategies these EMCs pursue as they begin to compete in the global competitive landscape? In the past, scholars have conducted substantial research on internationalization, Multinational Companies (MNCs), and Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) which explain the behavior of first-mover MNCs from developed countries based on technological superiority. Those theories were developed within a specific environmental context and do an adequate job to explain a fairly specific set of observed firm behaviors. Each, within its context, may be fairly adequate at explaining those behaviors. However, the emergence of EMCs in the global economic environment highlights that times have changed and the incumbent MNCs (studied earlier) constantly face threats from these emerging giants. As the context changes, so has the ability of the prior internationalization theories to explain behaviors observed in this global economy diminished considerably. Lately, a few researchers have started a new line of research to uncover some distinct characteristics of these EMCs. However, very little is known about the foreign expansion strategies of these EMCs and warrants a need to explore this phenomenon in-depth. In order to bridge this gap in the literature this dissertation uses an inductive approach by conducting multiple case-studies to understand the foreign expansion strategies of sixteen companies that originate from two key emerging nations: India and China. This exploratory approach supported by computerized content analysis of longitudinal text data allows us to observe the significance of specific constructs, begin to detect patterns and regularities in the behavior of EMCs and compare EMCs originating from various emerging nations. Methodologically, the dissertation illustrates the usefulness of semantic network analysis tools, especially centering resonance analysis, in identifying and interpreting the concepts that provide coherence to set of textual data. Further, using factor analysis we identify some key themes that explain the foreign expansion strategies of these EMCs. The results of this study suggest that EMCs' expansion is, on one hand, based on their ability to acquire resources and absorb them to build their own advantage (supply side dynamics). On the other hand, it is also based on EMCs' ability to find some market niches, i.e., entering into markets untapped by traditional MNCs (demand side dynamics). Finally, based on our analysis of these in-depth case-studies we identify some propositions as anchors for further theory building. Specifically, we identify three major anchors, namely, EMCs' ability to `Lick the Dirt'; `Cash Rich Positions of EMCs' and `Strategic Partnerships with Developed Country Firms' that enhance their `Competitive Advantage in Developed Nations'. / Business Administration

The purpose of this study was to understand the attitudes, perceptions and experiences of college women in modern India with regard to intimate partner violence, specifically dating violence. Surveys were collected from 489 undergraduate female participants. Only 99 participants (20%) were or had been in a dating relationship. The participants in this study self reported both perpetrating and receiving violence in these relationships. A significant positive relationship was found between dating violence perpetration and victimization and four risk factors: witnessing and experiencing abuse in one's family of origin, attitudes justifying wife beating, and problem behaviors associated with alcohol use. A significant negative relationship was found between anger management skills and the perpetration and victimization of violence in dating relationships. Finally, even though the rate of dating and alcohol use is low in India, the problem behaviors associated with these phenomena are very similar to those identified in the United States. Although much is known about domestic violence and wife assault in the Indian context, there is almost no information or effort in the direction of prevention and education in the realm of dating violence. While India is advancing technologically, creating new opportunities for its youth, there is no simultaneous effort being made to protect its youth from risks of urbanization and cultural shifts. The young adults of India today are joining the global economy. However, there is no system put in place to educate and nurture their social and cultural evolution. Findings from this study suggest that as the youth open themselves up to the culture of dating and premarital courtship, there needs to be a parallel effort made to educate and train them about healthy relationships. / Master of Science

Mémoire numérisé par la Direction des bibliothèques de l’Université de Montréal / Particular interest to expatriate adaptation on the assignment is explained by the globalization of business and the necessity to catch growing opportunities on the international market with the help of qualified and effective human resources. The researchers try to identify the antecedents of successful international assignments (Black, Gregersen, and Mendenhall 1992, Parker and McEvoy 1993) and to provide the evidence of cross-cultural training utility for expatriate adaptation and performance in the host country (Deshpande and Viswersvaran 1992, Earley 1987). D However, according to the literature, only 30-45% of American multinational corporations provide cross-cultural training to their expatriates. The effectiveness of cross-cultural training and its different components as well as its prevalence in Canadian multinational companies remain under-explored. Reported in the literature results concerning the impact of some individual, family-related and host country characteristics on expatriate adaptation are contradictory. In this study the attempt was made to investigate the importance of crosscultural training and previous international and cross-cultural experience of expatriates for their adaptation in the host country. The influence of several intermediate factors (personality, demographic, family characteristics and adaptation, job, host country and expatriate community characteristics) on expatriate adaptation was also examined. The concept of expatriate adaptation was divided into three facets: general, interaction, and work adaptation. The population of this study was represented by 140 expatriates working for one division of Canadian multinational company. The data was collected between October 2000 and February 2001. Twenty three valid questionnaires were received. 3 The results demonstrated that cross-cultural training of expatriates was not a commonly used practice and, even when provided, had no, or in some components, had a negative impact on expatriate adaptation. At the same time, cross-cultural training was perceived as important by the expatriates. Previous international and cross-cultural experience were reported by the majority of expatriates. While previous international experience was found to be negatively associated with expatriate adaptation, previous cross-cultural experience had a positive impact on the dependent variable. Positive family relations, family support, favorable family perception of the relocation, successful family adaptation in the host country and knowledge of the host country predominant language turned out to be the most important antecedents of effective expatriate adaptation. Young age, personal characteristic self-efficacy and greater hierarchical position on the assignment were predictors of a better expatriate adaptation. Longer international assignments were associated with worse expatriate adaptation. Meanwhile, marital status of expatriates, level of education completed and importance of expatriate community in the host country were not related to any facet of expatriate adaptation. The assumption about positive relationship between expatriate adaptation and expatriate effectiveness on the international assignment was empirically confirmed in this study. 0 The results of this study contribute to a better understanding of the relationship between expatriate adaptation and expatriate performance on the assignment and mark out the role of some antecedents of successful expatriate adaptation. Though no positive relationship has been found between cross-cultural training and expatriate adaptation the importance of cross-cultural training should not be eliminated. The proper content of training, the right moment of its implantation and corresponding intensity can affect significantly adaptation of expatriates on their first assignment and increase adaptation of those with previous experience of international relocations.

This study engages in an ethical examination of contemporary socio-ecological and economic issues which takes seriously the plight of Africa, African communities, indigenous knowledge and biodiversity. It studies the impact of bioprospecting, biopiracy and intellectual property rights regimes on the protection, use, access to, and conservation of biodiversity and indigenous knowledge in Africa. The study also examines the ways in which northern multinational pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies and their agents prospect and convert African resources (biological commons and indigenous knowledge) into their intellectual property as well as private property. It argues that the transfer of African biological commons and indigenous knowledge is exacerbated by economic globalisation and the neo-colonial mentality of conquest concealed under the guise of commerce. The study demonstrates through concrete case studies the tactics used by northern multinational corporations to claim these resources as their intellectual property rights and private property. It observes that the privatisation of biological commons and indigenous knowledge only brings about nominal or no benefits to African communities who have nurtured and continue to nurture them. It also observes that this privatisation results in fewer benefits for biodiversity as they lead to the promotion of monoculture, i.e. commercialisation of all things. To address the injustice and exploitative implications of bioprospecting, biopiracy and intellectual property rights, the study recommends the adoption and implementation of the African model law, the establishment of defensive intellectual property rights mechanisms, and the strategy of resistance and advocacy. It suggests that these measures ought to be grounded on the African normative principle of botho and the Christian ethical principle of justice. / Systematic Theology and Theological Ethics / D.Th.(Theological Ethics)

The Motor Industry Development Programme (MIDP) was implemented on 1 September 1995 in the context of the country's political and economic liberalisation and the major structural shift in government policy and the trade regime. In an intensely competitive global environment, the strategies of a few dominant motor vehicle manufacturers, mainly operating from the Triad regions of North America, Europe and Japan, impact significantly on the developments of the global automotive industry. Over the past decade the small, highly protected and inwardly focused South African automotive industry has become fully integrated in the global strategies of foreign parent companies. As South Africa's leading manufacturing sector, the automotive sector is contributing significantly to the country's economy in terms of exports, investment, employment and the gross domestic product. The objective of the study was to establish and measure the relevance and value of the MIDP as a promotional tool in the global automotive environment by capturing the responses and perceptions of direct automotive industry exporters and stakeholders for * the South African automotive industry in general, and * the companies forming part of the empirical survey. To satisfy the objectives of the study, the research methodology incorporated an extensive primary and secondary research phase (qualitative and quantitative). A structured empirical survey was used to collect the primary data. The survey data were captured and processed by the Bureau for Market Research (BMR), Unisa. The main findings of the study are that: * The promotional relevance and value of the MIDP as a promotional tool is embedded in the programme's ability to trigger interest in the South African automotive industry, to generate business and to attract investments. * The MIDP is successful in contributing to the automotive sector's international competitiveness and is therefore a very important promotional tool for convincing foreign parent companies to consider South Africa as an investment destination. * The South African automotive industry would not be able to cope with global competition without the MIDP. * Different factors impact on the business operations of the South African automotive industry in general and the specific company in particular and the factors are viewed differently by the selected groups based on their demographic details. The process of trade liberalisation is forcing many South African companies to encounter both intensified competition and new forms of competition. The South African government's target of a 6 percent economic growth rate by 2010 will largely depend on the ongoing successes achieved in priority sectors such as the domestic automotive sector. / Business Management / M. Comm. (Business Management)