Yes / Studies find that oil-rich African countries (OACs) suffer slow socio-economic growth and development. The petroleum operations in these countries are also primarily in the hands of multinational corporations (MNCs). Motivated by their profit maximisation prospects (PMPs), the MNCs face significant corporate social responsibility (CSR) dilemmas with reference to their contribution to the socio-economic growth of these African economies. Even though there are few studies on CSR and corporate financial performance (CFP) within the African context, little or no attention has been paid to how and the extent to which MNCs' PMPs, CSR and CFP interact to affect the socio-economic growth of OACs. Drawing from legitimacy, institutional, and agency theories we employ a panel data approach covering 14 years (2003–2017) to understand the drivers of these PMPs, how PMPs affect corporate ethical considerations, and CFP and their implications on OACs' socio-economic growth. We find that PMPs of MNCs within OACs impede their CSR commitment. There is a significant positive relationship between CSR and CFP; efficient CSR practices impact CFP positively, and MNCs' contribution to OACs' socio-economic growth is significantly constrained by weak institutional environments. We conclude that institutional reforms and strategic investment in CSR could foster rapid socio-economic growth and development within OACs. Our study contributes to policy and knowledge on MNC's PMPs, CSR practices, CFP and literature on business ethics and the natural resource-curse.

This thesis attempts to extend the historical scope of divorce research in Sweden by providing an analysis ofhow the variations in the divorce rate over time and across geographical areas are connected to the economic, normative and institutional restructuring of Swedish society during the period 1915-1974. The thesis finds that the economic reshaping of Sweden into a modern market economy is at the center of the process that has resulted in decreased marital stability during the twentieth century. The shift from a single- to a dual-provider model and an increased integration of both men and women into market processes outside the family have resulted in lowered economic interdependence between spouses, which in turn has decreased the economic constraints to divorce. This conclusion is supported by the empirical finding that indicators of female economic self-sufficiency are associated with increased propensities for divorce, during the entire period under research in this thesis. That changes in the constraints experienced by women have been important is further emphasized by the finding that women have been more prone than men to initiate divorce, and that this gendered pattern of divorce was established already during the early twentieth century in Sweden.The results further indicate that the growth of divorce is connected not only to a shift in the provider model but also to the way sustained economic growth has resulted in a general increase in the resources available to individuals, as proposed by the socio-economic growth hypothesis. During the 1920s and 1930s, high-strata groups, such as lawyers, journalists, engineers and military officers, exhibited a divorce rate on the same level as in the general population of Sweden today. By the early 1960s, however, this positive associa- tion between social class and divorce had changed: by then it was rather couples in working-class occupations who exhibited the highest probability of divorce, which is a pattern that appears to have persisted since then. These findings indicate that a general increase and more even distribution of economic resources betweenboth genders and social classes have facilitated individuals’ possibilities to sustain themselves independent of family ties. This democratization in the access to divorce has meant that growing segments of the populationhave gained the means to act on a demand for divorce.However, another result of the thesis is that it is not possible to limit the analysis to a strictly economic perspective. Rather, economic changes have interacted with and been reinforced by changes in values, as wellas in institutions, during the periods when widespread and rapid behavioral change has occurred. In Sweden, like in most other Western countries, this was primarily the case during the 1940s and a period covering approximately the second half of the 1960s and first half of the 1970s. The studies of the thesis suggest that these two periods of rapid growth in the divorce rate stand out as periods in Swedish history when attitudes also changed more rapidly toward values that can be regarded as permissive, secular and more open to indi- vidual freedom of choice. Trenchantly, these two periods also correspond to the two harvest periods in Social Democratic welfare state policy. In the thesis it is argued that the marked increase in government services and social security at these time points integrated with and reinforced economic restructuring in a way that worked to “de-familializate” individuals by making them less dependent on family ties for social security. Institutional changes of this type have been particularly important for making single life more feasible for women and low- income groups. In the thesis, it is argued that the timings of substantial behavioral change become difficult to understand if the analytical perspective does not explicitly incorporate how such contextual-level changes in values and institutions have integrated with changes in the provider model and the economy during thesedynamic periods of the divorce transition in Sweden.

Submitted by Irene Nascimento (irene.kessia@ufpe.br) on 2016-10-18T17:48:54Z No. of bitstreams: 2 license_rdf: 1232 bytes, checksum: 66e71c371cc565284e70f40736c94386 (MD5) Tese_Dr_ Ademir_versão_final.pdf: 3702988 bytes, checksum: eb2236ff9ca649ee1fb4cb295cf4f196 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2016-10-18T17:48:54Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 2 license_rdf: 1232 bytes, checksum: 66e71c371cc565284e70f40736c94386 (MD5) Tese_Dr_ Ademir_versão_final.pdf: 3702988 bytes, checksum: eb2236ff9ca649ee1fb4cb295cf4f196 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2016-05-31 / CAPES / Este estudo analisa os impactos econômicos das intervenções do “Programa Estradeiro” (2003- 2010) decorrentes das Parcerias Público-Privadas (PPP's) entre várias associações de produtores rurais e 49 municípios junto ao estado de Mato Grosso (Região Centro-Oeste do Brasil) visando à pavimentação de 2529 quilômetros de rodovias. Utilizando uma estratégia econométrica que usa conjuntamente os métodos Propensity Score Matching (PSM) e Difference-in-Difference (DiD), analisa-se o impacto do aumento dos investimentos em infraestrutura rodoviária, ao longo do período de 2001 a 2012, sobre o crescimento econômico dos municípios mato-grossensesque participaram do Programa Estradeiro em relação àqueles que não sofreram a intervenção, a partir da análise do impacto sobre os seguintes indicadores econômico-produtivos: PIB per capita, PIB real; PIB agropecuário; PIB industrial; PIB serviços-comércio; e Total de produção de soja. Esta última variável entrou na análise devido ao fato de que foi com a renda originaria desta produção que os produtores rurais financiaram as suas cotas de participação nas PPP's que financiaram o Programa Estradeiro, daí a alcunha de “PPP's Caipiras” ao programa. A partir de pré-testes de validação dos métodos e da base de dados, as estimações geram resultados que trazem evidências empíricas de que: (i) “os investimentos em infraestrutura de transporte afetam positivamente e com alta intensidade a dinâmica de crescimento econômico de uma região periférica”; (ii) “os investimentos em infraestrutura de transporte, nos moldes que atualmente ocorrem, geram transbordamentos econômicos restritos (concentrados) em uma região periférica”; (iii) “os investimentos em infraestrutura de transporte, nos moldes que ocorrem, não desencadeiam um processo consistente de alteração da dinâmica socioprodutiva de uma região periférica”. A evidência ‘i’, e em menor dimensão ‘ii’ e ‘iii’, além dos efeitos diretos das pavimentações do Programa Estradeiro, são consequências de condições socioeconômicas relevantes sendo satisfeitas que, em princípio, se revelaram diante dos seguintes mecanismos-chave de manifestação: (1) Ter a economia fortemente alavancada no mercado externo, e a demanda externa por seus produtos-chave se manter firme (ou crescente); (2) Estar em um ciclo de expansão econômica com expectativas de rentabilidades positivas para a maioria das atividades econômicas, o que potencializa os efeitos dos investimentos em infraestrutura de transporte; (3) Estar o volume de crédito em nível adequado (ou em expansão) às necessidades dos negócios e com taxas de juros em patamares atrativos (ou em redução) aos financiamentos; (4) Deter intrarregionalmente maior população média (e maior concentração urbana), faz com que o maior estoque de capital humano exerça, em princípio, efeito catalizador de investimentos de firmas e de migração de trabalhadores. Os vários testes de pós-estimações conferiram maior confiabilidade às estimativas e aos resultados, os quais se mostraram robustos. / This study analyzes the economic impact of interventions "Estradeiro Program" (2003-2010) resulting from Public-Private Partnerships (PPP's) between various associations of farmers and 49 municipalities with the state of Mato Grosso (Midwest Region of Brazil) aimed at paving 2529 km of highways. Using an econometric strategy together using the Propensity Score Matching (PSM) and Difference-in-Difference (DiD) methods, analyzes the impact of increased investment in road infrastructure, over the period 2001 to 2012 on growth economic development of Mato Grosso municipalities participating in the Estradeiro Program than those who did not undergo intervention, from the impact analysis on the following economicproduction indicators: GDP Per capita, Real GDP; Agricultural GDP; Industrial GDP; Commerce-services GDP; and Soybean Production in Total. The latter variable entered in the analysis due to the fact that it originated with the income from the production that farmers financed their quotas of participation in PPP's that financed the Estradeiro Program, hence the sobriquet "PPP's Grits" to the program.From pre-test validation of methods and database, the estimates produce results that bring empirical evidence that: (i) "transport infrastructure investments affect positively and strongly the dynamics of economic growth of a peripheral region "; (ii) "investment in transport infrastructure, similar to that currently occur, they generate limited economic spillovers(concentrated) in a peripheral region"; (iii) "investments in transportation infrastructure, the lines that occur do not lead a consistent process of changingsocial-productive dynamics in a peripheral region". Evidence 'i' and smaller 'ii' and 'iii', in addition to the direct effects of dissolution of Estradeiro Program are relevant consequences of socioeconomic conditions being satisfied that, in principle, have been shown in the following key mechanisms demonstration:(1) Have the economy heavily leveraged in foreign markets, and foreign demand for its key products stand firm (or high); (2) Be on an economic expansion cycle with expectations of positive returns for most economic activities, which potentiates the effects of investment in transport infrastructure; (3) Be the volume of credit at appropriate level (or expanding) to business needs and with interest rates at attractive levels (or reduction) to finance; (4) Detainintra regionally highest average population (and largest urban concentration), causes the greatest stock of human capital engaged in principle catalytic effect of investment firms and labor migration. The various post-estimation test gave more reliable the estimates and results, which are robust.

Thesis / The objective of this study is to assess the nature of women’s empowerment promoted by the Sudanese Women General Union (SWGU) in Sudan as a strategy for simultaneously addressing both poverty alleviation and women's empowerment using microcredit as a tool in the fight against poverty and women's empowerment at the household level during the period 1999-2005. The SWGU directed its development efforts towards promoting the women's cause officially and unofficially through the whole spectrum of governmental institutions and non-governmental organizations. Therefore, the government support these initiatives of women development processes and assisted in establishing the SWGU in 1990 as a strategic planning and coordination mechanism for poverty alleviation through the lead of the Ministry of Welfare and Social Development and with the cooperation from other ministries, government and non-government organisations at national, state and grassroots levels. The problem of the research reveals that majority of women in Sudan live with low or no income; economically they are dependent on their husbands' income; burdened with their household activities and responsibilities to feed; educate and take care of many children, encounter a core problem which is lack of access to credit and financial services to economically, socially and politically empower themselves and improve their status. The study reviewed the relevant literature, the context of women's poverty in Sudan, Sudan poverty strategies and policies, SWGU's role in strategic planning, coordination and implementation of the microcredit programmes. The achievements of the study on the socioeconomic empowerment of women at the household levels, the constraints and the recommendations were summarised. The researcher carried out this study during the period 2005-2009, to add to the body of the empirical literature of women studies in particular to the SWGU's microcredit projects best ii practices and lessons learned. In addition the study could help in conducting further womenstudies in Sudan and other developing counties. / Development Studies / D.Litt. et Phil. (Development Studies)

Thesis / The objective of this study is to assess the nature of women’s empowerment promoted by the Sudanese Women General Union (SWGU) in Sudan as a strategy for simultaneously addressing both poverty alleviation and women's empowerment using microcredit as a tool in the fight against poverty and women's empowerment at the household level during the period 1999-2005. The SWGU directed its development efforts towards promoting the women's cause officially and unofficially through the whole spectrum of governmental institutions and non-governmental organizations. Therefore, the government support these initiatives of women development processes and assisted in establishing the SWGU in 1990 as a strategic planning and coordination mechanism for poverty alleviation through the lead of the Ministry of Welfare and Social Development and with the cooperation from other ministries, government and non-government organisations at national, state and grassroots levels. The problem of the research reveals that majority of women in Sudan live with low or no income; economically they are dependent on their husbands' income; burdened with their household activities and responsibilities to feed; educate and take care of many children, encounter a core problem which is lack of access to credit and financial services to economically, socially and politically empower themselves and improve their status. The study reviewed the relevant literature, the context of women's poverty in Sudan, Sudan poverty strategies and policies, SWGU's role in strategic planning, coordination and implementation of the microcredit programmes. The achievements of the study on the socioeconomic empowerment of women at the household levels, the constraints and the recommendations were summarised. The researcher carried out this study during the period 2005-2009, to add to the body of the empirical literature of women studies in particular to the SWGU's microcredit projects best ii practices and lessons learned. In addition the study could help in conducting further womenstudies in Sudan and other developing counties. / Development Studies / D.Litt. et Phil. (Development Studies)

No description available.

Made available in DSpace on 2016-08-03T16:15:35Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 texto revisado em 13 6 12 grf ok.pdf: 1663257 bytes, checksum: 468b205f99b5250ccb86de7c1a58c9d5 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2012-03-29 / This study approaches a new and unexplored subject, the Brazilian Family Aid Program. Bibliography practically does not exist and academic entities seldom discuss the subject because it is still under development. References are found in lectures, newspapers and magazine articles. This is an exploratory and analytical search, approaching evidence basis and sources. The Programa Bolsa Família (PBF) is a Brazilian Family Aid Program granted under conditionality rules. It can be considered a unique tool for income distribution, working towards an effective solution for families surviving under extreme poverty. The program started by the merger of three other poverty aid programs of dubious effectiveness Scholarship Aid, Cooking Gas Aid and Food Card. The PBF benefits families surviving under poverty conditions, with R$ 70 to R$ 140 monthly of per capita income and under extreme poverty conditions, below R$ 70 monthly of per capita income. Also, the PBF establishes conditional participation rules associated to education and health prevention for children. Presently the PBF supports 13 million families that fit rules and are enrolled in the Cadastro Único (Central Control Registration Roll). That registration roll practically covers the totality of the population under poverty situation line as defined by PNAD - 2006 (National Household Survey - 2006).The PBF control methodology allows income transfer to regions left under poverty conditions in past history. The PBF formed a new consumer community, new entrepreneurs, moreover, attracted investors. In regard to education there is reduction in illiteracy. The Human Development Index (HDI) shows vegetative growth, Brazil is the 84th country ranked among the 187 nations controlled by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in 2011. The dimensions that compose the index for Brazil had poor growth lately, in particular the expected years of schooling for children at school enrollment age (in Brazil, 6 years old) declined during the last decade (2000-2010). It is likely that there is a structural issue with the Brazilian education sector. There is a socio-economic growth in regions where poverty has been endemic, in particular Northeast Region. The findings also reveal migration reversal that in past were North/Northeast Regions to Southeast Region as well as fecundity rate reduction, which are remarkable advantages. Brazil entered into the demographic bonus , a situation when the economically active population exceeds the dependent population , this is also an advantage because attracts investments and is a push towards economic growth. Despite of positive improvements, they appear to be insufficient, the human development in Brazil is far from excellence, presently a HDI of 0,718, with a growth of 0,769% annually (2000-2010) it will take 35/36 years to meet the Australian HDI of 0,943%. Unless chances help us, dreams to join the winners are unlikely. The Programa Bolsa Família , however, proves to be a social front towards inequality; the participants of the plan, originally classified under poverty line were rescued. / Esta dissertação trata de um tema relativamente novo, com literatura escassa, praticamente sem estudos teóricos que o abordem. Referenciais são encontrados em publicações feitas em seminários e palestras bem como em artigos e notas jornalísticas. Esta dissertação se trata de trabalho exploratório, analítico descritivo com base documental. O Programa Bolsa Família, tema central deste trabalho, é uma ferramenta para distribuição de renda que funciona de forma simples e tem sido efetiva para o atendimento de famílias que vivem abaixo da linha de pobreza. Ele é resultado da fusão de vários outros programas dispersos e com efetividade questionável Bolsa Escola, Auxílio Gás e Cartão Alimentação. O Programa Bolsa Família beneficia famílias em situação de pobreza com renda mensal de R$ 70 a R$ 140 per capita e em extrema pobreza com renda mensal abaixo de R$ 70 reais per capita. Também estabelece condicionalidades de educação e saúde. Atualmente, há cerca de 13 milhões de famílias inscritas no Programa Bolsa Família que cumprem as condições do Cadastro Único esta é praticamente a totalidade das famílias pobres segundo critérios do PNAD 2006 (Pesquisa Nacional de Domicílios). Na realidade, houve substancial injeção de recursos em áreas outrora relegadas ao acaso, criando novos consumidores, bem como empreendedores, além de atrair investimentos. Quanto à educação, nota-se que há redução do analfabetismo. Há um crescimento vegetativo do Índice de Desenvolvimento Humano (IDH) no qual o Brasil situa-se em 84⁰ lugar dentre as 187 nações controladas pelo PNUD (Programa das Nações Unidas para o Desenvolvimento) em 2011. As variáveis que compõem o índice crescem timidamente, destaca-se queda no item expectativa de escolaridade esperada das crianças em idade de ingresso na escola (no Brasil, aos seis anos), que caiu no período 2000-2011, esse fato pode indicar falha estrutural no ensino brasileiro. Esse estudo indica que há desenvolvimento socioeconômico em áreas carentes, particularmente na Região Nordeste. Observa-se também a reversão da migração que historicamente era de norte/nordeste a sudeste. Também nota-se redução da taxa de fecundidade das brasileiras, o que é vantajoso. O Brasil também está com a vantagem do Bônus demográfico , quando a população economicamente ativa supera a população dependente, o que é um excelente fator de crescimento por atrair investimentos. Apesar de melhorias observadas na década 2000-2010, elas ainda são insuficientes. Quanto ao desenvolvimento humano , o Brasil está muito distante das nações desenvolvidas, com IDH de 0,718, que cresceu na última década à taxa de 0,769% ao ano. Nesse ritmo, até alcançarmos o IDH norueguês -- primeiro colocado, ou o australiano -- segundo colocado, que é de 0,943 serão necessários 35/36 anos. Isso nos leva a pensar que, a não ser que o acaso nos ajude, o sonho de nos juntarmos aos primeiros é questionável. Com respeito ao Programa Bolsa Família, esse prova ser uma frente social para a eliminação da desigualdade, seus beneficiários eram classificados como pobres e extremamente pobres e foram resgatados.