Thesis (M.Phil.) - University of Queensland, 2005. / Includes bibliography.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Texas at Austin, 2004. / Supervisor: Neil Foley. Vita. Includes bibliographical references. Also available from UMI.

Thesis (Ph.D.)--Brown University, 2005. / Vita. Thesis advisor: Mari Jo Buhle. Includes bibliographical references. Also available online.

Research project (Th. M.)--Dallas Theological Seminary, 1984. / Includes bibliographical references (leaf 75).

Thesis (Ph. D.)--Columbia University, 1917. / Published also as Studies in history, economics and public law, no. 198. Includes bibliographical references.

The author explicitly specifies a New Keynesian style model embodying a financial constraint on the availability of equity and a financial market imperfection with regard to the existence of state-contingent assets based upon the published papers of Greenwald and Stiglitz (1988, 1990, and 1993). Using computer based numerical simulation, the author validates the three unproven Propositions found in the Greenwald and Stiglitz 1993 article with regard to the model's comparative static behaviour. Through the inclusion of a parameter for technology into the production function, the author shows that observations made by Greenwald and Stiglitz with regard to the effect of equity infusions is subject to qualification. Investigation of the model's inter-temporal behaviour reveals that the claims made by Greenwald and Stiglitz with regard to multiple periodicity are again subject to many qualifications. Linearization around the steady-state equilibrium as suggested by Greenwald and Stiglitz is shown to offer limited insight because of the implied non-linearity of the model's first order difference equation. Calibrated numerical simulation of the nonlinear difference equation reveals the potential for both single and multiple periodicity, period doubling bifurcations, and chaotic trajectories displaying sensitivity to initial conditions. In addition it was shown that the model's implied random attractor was key to understanding its inter-temporal behavior. In the Greenwald and Stiglitz articles the existence of derivative markets such as futures or options to manage risk are assumed away. The author, in order to investigate the effects of futures or options markets upon business cycles, modifies the explicitly specified model to include the use of state-contingent assets. Introducing the use of derivative financial products to manage risk, using numerical simulation, produces the surprising result that in the aggregate they may lead to slightly greater output instability. In addition to the model's structure, several intuitive reasons for these results are discussed in depth. The Greenwald and Stiglitz model also assumed that the cost of capital was not risk adjusted. The author modifies the explicitly specified model and using numerical simulation shows that like other unrealistic assumptions concerning dividend distribution, leads to alternative laws of motion. The research is concluded with discussion of possible policy and regulatory implications.

No description available.

Review of the literature on the future of wood resulted in the conclusion that long term future demand will be for large quantities of cheap fibre. There is likely to be a reduction in emphasis on the form and dimension of individual trees. Mechanization and automation are defined and the relative importance of tree establishment within the total forest industry noted. Some general principles of forest mechanization are proposed and discussed. The New Zealand potentials for wood fibre production and forest mechanization are analysed. Reforestation history of radiata pine (Pinus radiata, D.Don.) in New Zealand is briefly described, and the basis for, and problems with, bare-root planting are discussed. An alternative tree establishment system, involving the precision setting of a bullet-like container enclosing a seed, is proposed. The case for this theoretical system is argued on the basis of its potential biological equality with bare-root planting, which the author considers to be sufficiently promising to be worthy of field investigation, and its suitability to total mechanization. Some possible costs of the system are calculated and potential benefits are postulated. It is concluded that the concept is worthy of careful field study in New Zealand. / Forestry, Faculty of / Graduate

M.B.A. / This study is an investigation on the return of investment for mass produced South African consumer products. It resulted from trying to address an issue that industrial designers in South Africa struggle to justify substantial fees, as their services are essentially intangible. Their clients, who are generally the management of manufacturing companies, have a choice of service consultants that provide some form of tangible benefit based on empirical evidence, in return for fees. Thus, the need arose for an empirical study on the return on investment of a consumer product, which is the tangible output of industrial design. This is a pilot case study. Its objective was to establish a base-case model for the return on investment gathered from empirical evidence in a single case study of a consumer product developed in South Africa. In addition, this model had to replicate the cash flow diagram of the investment and sales lifecycle of the product. Therefore, this study had to underpin the concepts of ‘return on investment’ and the ‘development of a consumer product’ with theory. The theory essentially confirms that the concept of profits from a shareholder perspective, regards maximising shareholder wealth because they provide the investment. However, the time value of money diminishes this wealth, thereby necessitating the use of discounted cash flow techniques. The investment decision based on these appraisal techniques follows a prescribed, sequential process. Unfortunately, the new product development process does not follow this process. Therefore, the innovative aspect of this research was to match the point of decision between the processes, as this has a direct effect on sunk costs and an implication on the research questionnaire. Thereafter, the questionnaire had to consider the system of innovation in order to determine the activities that have an incremental effect on cash flow. The research methodology for a case study design was used. A set of protocols was established to replicate this study in future studies. A focussed interview was conducted with industrial designers to confirm the issues, who in turn facilitated a meeting with their clients. A client with a consumer product from the security sector was selected. The research questionnaire was completed by the client and analysed by the researcher using Net Present Value, Internal Rate of Return, Modified Internal rate of Return and the Discounted Payback techniques. The solutions showed a significant increase in shareholder wealth as a result of implementing the product. In addition, this information was translated into diagrams to make it simpler for management to understand. Thereafter, a report was submitted to the client. In conclusion, this study achieved its objectives within limitations. However, if the limitations were addressed, there is potential to replicate this as a multi-study and provide a substantial empirical case for industrial design in South Africa.

0 / SPK / specialcollections@tulane.edu