Thesis (Ph. D.)--Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, 1982. / Vita. Abstract. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 558-562). Also available via the Internet.

The island of Taiwan, located around 160 km east of China, has existed amongst contention and confusion for centuries, with a complex history of foreign occupation beginning in the mid-seventeenth century with the Dutch and only ending after the Nationalist Chinese Party’s (the KMT’s) relocation in the mid-twentieth century, at which point the desire of the people to rule and be free in their own country began shifting the notions of Taiwan and the Taiwanese. It was at this juncture that the processes of democratization and national identity formation collided and have since progressed as an influential parallel to the present day, in which Taiwan is now an established democratic nation with the majority of its citizens identifying as Taiwanese, distinct from the periods of foreign rule in the past and the present threat from across the Strait. An analysis of this paralleled progression through history is essential to fully comprehending the deeply embedded notions of democracy and national identity on the island which are currently influential factors shaping the domestic outlook towards the continuing cross-strait dilemma. Drawing on the academic literature and data from ESC (Election Study Center) and TEDS (Taiwan Election and Democracy Studies), a synthesis of agent- and process- oriented approaches, which emphasizes the roles of political elites, civil society and historical context, will be employed in this study to explore the parallel of democratization and Taiwanization in postwar Taiwan. / The island of Taiwan, located around 160 km east of China, has existed amongst contention and confusion for centuries, with a complex history of foreign occupation beginning in the mid-seventeenth century with the Dutch and only ending after the Nationalist Chinese Party’s (the KMT’s) relocation in the mid-twentieth century, at which point the desire of the people to rule and be free in their own country began shifting the notions of Taiwan and the Taiwanese. It was at this juncture that the processes of democratization and national identity formation collided and have since progressed as an influential parallel to the present day, in which Taiwan is now an established democratic nation with the majority of its citizens identifying as Taiwanese, distinct from the periods of foreign rule in the past and the present threat from across the Strait. An analysis of this paralleled progression through history is essential to fully comprehending the deeply embedded notions of democracy and national identity on the island which are currently influential factors shaping the domestic outlook towards the continuing cross-strait dilemma. Drawing on the academic literature and data from ESC (Election Study Center) and TEDS (Taiwan Election and Democracy Studies), a synthesis of agent- and process- oriented approaches, which emphasizes the roles of political elites, civil society and historical context, will be employed in this study to explore the parallel of democratization and Taiwanization in postwar Taiwan.

The National Park Service (NPS) is currently contemplating the implementation of a system-wide traffic monitoring program. While several of the national parks within this network collect continuous vehicle data at multiple stations within each park, these programs have not been examined for their efficiency and cost effectiveness. Therefore, as the NPS looks to expand their count program, this thesis investigates potential improvements using a sample set of five parks. To determine whether the national park seasonal and day-of-week traffic patterns exhibit consistency from one year to the next, the seasonal and day-of-week factors were compared across all five years. Using the Kruskal-Wallis test, it was determined that the seasonal and day-of-week factors were not statistically different from 2002 to 2006 for all five national parks. Therefore, it is recommended that the NPS consider reducing the amount of data that they collect by using short-duration counts in conjunction with a modest number of permanent counts. To determine whether data collection efforts can be shared amongst various entities, the national park traffic counts for 2002 to 2006 were compared to those of nearby state highway automatic traffic recorder (ATR) locations using correlation analyses. While the correlation values ranged from “high” to “negligible”, the distance between the park and ATR location had a direct effect on the magnitude of the value. Therefore, in order to achieve the greatest probability that the correlation will be “high”, it is suggested that the NPS share data collection efforts using ATR locations within 20 miles of the park. To determine which design volume calculation method was most appropriate for the parks, design volumes were computed using two methods. Using the traditional Kfactor plot, it was determined that the 30th highest hourly volumes should be used for urban parks as this is where the “knee” occurs. Although this is not the case for rural parks, there is no compelling evidence to suggest a more appropriate design hour. Additionally, the method recommended by AASHTO for recreational roadways resulted in volumes that were frequently exceeded. Therefore, the K-factor plot method is most appropriate for both the urban and rural parks.

The purpose of this study was two-fold. The first was to explore, describe and define the emerging construct of Human Resource Development (HRD) in the Republic of Kazakhstan (RKZ). The second was to examine specific national contexts and associated challenges affecting the necessary nature for thought and practice of HRD at the national level (NHRD) in the RKZ. The second chapter was focused on exploring HRD—how it was constructed, and currently practiced and needed—in Kazakhstan. The third chapter examined National Human Resource Development (NHRD) in the Republic of Kazakhstan. This study was exploratory and descriptive in nature. A systematic literature review approach was adopted to serve the nature of the inquiry, address the overarching research question and sub-questions, and fulfill the two-fold purpose of the study. The findings of the study are: 1. Government structures, the educational system, and business utilization are environmental factors which appear to be influencing and shaping the emergence and definition of HRD in the RKZ. The driving forces are interdependently economic, political, and social in nature. 2. HRD and NHRD are emerging constructs in the RKZ. 3. A working definition of HRD in the RKZ is the first step towards developing and defining a construct of HRD at the national level. 4. Sound HRD and NHRD strategies have the potential to improve the educational system of the country. 5. Factors impeding successful implementation of NHRD in the RKZ include: a) problems in the system of education; b) issues related to the current knowledge and understanding of HRD; and c) socio-economic problems; 6. Factors enhancing successful implementation of NHRD in the RKZ include: a) recognition by the government of the RKZ of the importance of education; b) an estimated literacy rate of around 99%; and free secondary education; c) a transfer of expertise by international agencies. 7. The challenges of development, implementation, and evaluation of HRD strategies are: a shortage of high-level manpower, an outflow of talented people, and a constantly changing demographic situation. Evaluation of NHRD strategies is hampered by an underdeveloped system of data collection and imprecise HRD concepts and definitions.

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In this thesis I used the 3SLS method to test the national competitiveness model found by Fagerberg(1988), which regards the technological competitiveness as a dominant factor deciding national competitiveness of a country. The data concerned including economic variables of Taiwan, U.S., U.K., French, Germany, Italy, Canada and Japan, ranging from 1990 to 1997.

Thesis (Ph.D.)--University of Nebraska-Lincoln, 2008. / Title from title screen (site viewed Sept. 16, 2008). PDF text: viii, 234 p. ; 1 Mb. UMI publication number: AAT 3297756. Includes bibliographical references. Also available in microfilm and microfiche formats.

Diss.--Hamburg, 2003. / Bibliogr. p. 269-282.

[Diss.]--[Stockholm], [2000]. / Résumé en anglais. Bibliogr. p. 489-521. Index.

Diss.--München--Univ., 1996. / Bibliogr. p. 307-318.