This study aims to test the performance of agricultural markets in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). Although the DRC is classified as the fifth biggest producer of cassava, nearly 70 percent of its population living mainly in urban areas is suffering from food shortages. Since the markets are poorly integrated, food prices are very volatile. Small agricultural producers obtain low prices for their products, while vulnerable household’s consumers experience high prices. Over the last few years, the price of cassava has increased considerably, from US$ 72 per ton in 2007 to US$ 123 per ton in 2009. This dramatic increase in the price of a basic foodstuff has significantly affected poor people in both urban and rural areas. The increase in cassava market prices and the food insecurity level in DRC are an indication that markets have not efficiently performed their fundamental role of connecting producers and consumers. Therefore, understanding the status of value chain development and the degree of market integration is important to improve food security, as well as people’s livelihood in rural areas. Several techniques were identified in the literature for testing agricultural market performance, including: market integration, parity bound analysis, causality, symmetry, error correction mechanisms and value chain analysis. Some studies used mathematical models including deterministic analytical models and stochastic analytical models. For the purpose of this study and because of data limitations, value chain analysis and market integration techniques were applied. The value chain analysis was performed to identify critical issues and constraints that undermine value chain development, as well as to identify business and technological opportunities that can enhance the performance and competitiveness of the sub-sector. The prices of cassava products in the DRC were found to be high, due to the high costs of production, processing and marketing of cassava at different levels of the market chain. Poor market linkages lead to low utilisation of value addition technologies, and this contributes directly to poor market opportunities. This results in a wide range of negative aspects for the sector, such as decreasing incentives for the production and consumption of cassava products and lack of sufficient competitiveness to make cassava a significant commercial commodity. Investment in the sector is considered risky by different chain actors, and is limited as a result of the overall non-competitiveness of the sector. The cassava market in the DRC is organised around Kinshasa in Western Congo, and around Lubumbashi in the South-eastern part of the country. In view of the strategic importance of the two marketplaces, a market integration analysis was conducted to consider whether food policy focusing on those two reference marketplaces would be sufficient to stabilise the cassava supply nationwide, since most of the marketplaces seem to have a strong relationships with these two reference markets. Using co-integration techniques, an error correction mechanism and an index of market connection, the findings established that among the 11 pairs of trading markets, 6 of them were segmented, meaning that price changes in the reference markets were not fully transmitted to the regional markets. Four key factors, including macroeconomic environment, transportation infrastructure, market information flow and distance, played a significant role in price differentials, and caused potential and existing markets to cease to function as efficient generators of wealth and distributors of food. This is apparently one of the most important reasons for increased food insecurity and poverty among food producers and consumers alike. The results confirm the poor value chain status of cassava, which leads to the stagnation of this crop as a semi-commercial crop, and restrains its absorption into the mainstream market chain in local, national and regional markets. The market integration results showed segmented and moderated integrated markets arising from the 11 pairs of trading markets, of which 6 were identified as segmented. The results from the error correction mechanism (ECM) suggest that on average about 30% of past deviations from the long run are corrected each month. Among the 11 paired markets, the highest coefficient of price adjustment in the long run was indicated by the paired markets Bukavu–Goma (43%), Mbujimayi–Kananga (38%) and Matadi-Kinshasa (36%); and the lowest was given by the paired market Kisangani–Kinshasa (15%). In the short run, the IMC of 0.85 suggests a strong market connection between Matadi and Kinshasa, which then suggests that price shocks that occur in the market of Kinshasa affect immediately, and partially, the Matadi markets supplying it. This high IMC coefficient was also found between Bukavu and Goma (0.86), and Kananga and Mbujimay (0.81). None of the other markets trading with Kinshasa and Lubumbashi respond in the short run to price changes in these reference markets. This implies that only 3 market pairs out of 11 hav strong intgration which therefore presents clear evidence of weak market integration between production and deficient areas in the DRC as awhole. This weak linear relationship between markets can be postulated as one of major causes of food insercurity in the country. This understanding of cause of food insecurity and various issues surrounding market integration would futher help policy makers to improve efficiency of cassava marketing system, lower farm to retail price spread and consolidate food security accross the country. Copyright / Dissertation (MSc(Agric))--University of Pretoria, 2012. / Agricultural Economics, Extension and Rural Development / unrestricted

Masters of Science / The role corporate social responsibility (CSR) plays amongst employees is underrated within the pharmaceutical industry, which focuses predominantly on external stakeholders and financial gain. The impact of CSR on these internal stakeholders is thus important in an industry that relies on its employees to deliver on medicine development and accessibility. Aim This study aimed to identify employee perceptions of CSR within the pharmaceutical industry. Method An online quantitative questionnaire was shared via email amongst 80 employees of amultinational pharmaceutical company’s group corporate office. Questions were based on CSR activity influencing employee motivation, impacting employee productivity, and the extent to which CSR allowed for value alignment. Results The 91.7% response rate proved results were credible. Results indicated that 78.8% of employees believed CSR strategies created motivation amongst them, with 57.6% of employees stating CSR motivated them be more productive. Open-ended questions reiterated this, further proving that employees felt inclusive CSR strategies led to a positive impact on productivity. Moreover, 96.9% of employees viewed CSR as an opportunity to align company and employee values, yet only 63.6% thought the pharmaceutical company committed to achieving this. Discussion and Conclusion The findings therefore allow pharmaceutical companies to reanalyse their business models and improve business strategies to consider employee perspectives when implementing CSR. As motivation, productivity and value alignment increases, the workforce within the pharmaceutical industry is positively influenced. The study thus concluded that CSR is a powerful force in bringing about progressive change within the pharmaceutical industry.

Holz weist durch preisliche Nachteile eine deutlich geringere Anwendungshäufigkeit als die konventionellen Baustoffe auf, obwohl Nachhaltigkeitsaspekte und hochleistungsfähige Bauholzprodukte eine vermehrte Nutzung forcieren. Ziel dieser Bachelorarbeit ist es, den Wertschöpfungsprozess des Bauholzes systematisch darzulegen, um ein besseres Verständnis für Kostentreiber innerhalb dieser Kette zu erhalten und darauf ausgehend Optimierungspotentiale dieses Prozesses zu präsentieren. Um die Preisentstehung zu verdeutlichen, wurde, ausgehend von bereits bestehenden Studien und eigens erstellten Preisuntersuchungen, eine in die Akteure der Wertschöpfungskette eingeteilte Gesamtkalkulation entwickelt. Diese ermöglicht durch die Abbildung verschiedener Szenarien und Untersuchungszeiträumen eine breite Marktübersicht.:Abbildungsverzeichnis Tabellenverzeichnis Abkürzungsverzeichnis 1 Einleitung 1.1 Problemstellung 1.2 Ziele und Struktur der Arbeit 2 Wertschöpfungskette Holz 2.1 Rahmenbedingungen der Preisbildung 2.2 Materielle Verarbeitungsschritte - vom Baum zum Bauholz 2.3 Teilhabende Akteure entlang der Wertschöpfungskette 3 Kostenanalyse des Holzpreises anhand teilhabender Akteure 3.1 Forstbetriebe - Waldeigentümer, private Forstunternehmen, Vereinigungen 3.2 Transportbetriebe - Transport vom Wald zum Sägebetrieb 3.3 Sägebetriebe inkl. Bauholzprodukthersteller 3.4 Holzhandel 3.5 Weiterverarbeitungsindustrie - Zimmereibetriebe 3.6 Gesamtdarstellung der Kostenanalyse und Fazit 4 Optimierungspotential mittels ressourceneffizienter Bautechniken 4.1 Heutiger Stand im Holzbaugewerbe 4.2 Zukunftspotentiale digitaler Technologien 5 Zusammenfassung und Ausblick Literaturverzeichnis Anhang Eidesstattliche Erklärung / Due to price disadvantages, wood has a significantly lower frequency of application than conventional building materials, although sustainability aspects and high-performance timber products are forcing an increased use. The aim of this bachelor’s thesis is to systematically explain the value creation process of timber in order to obtain a better understanding of the cost drivers within this chain and to present optimization potentials of this process. In order to illustrate the formation of prices, an overall calculation was developed, divided into the actors in the value-added chain, based on existing studies and specially prepared price surveys. This enables a broad market overview by mapping different scenarios and investigation periods. The most important result, that more than 50% of the costs are incurred in the final processing step, the production of the final construction products, is the basis for the need to apply resource-saving construction techniques. Special attention is paid to the importance of digital planning techniques in architecture and construction, which makes the work interesting for both direct actors in the wood value chain and for construction participants and paves the way for the increased use of wood in the construction industry.:Abbildungsverzeichnis Tabellenverzeichnis Abkürzungsverzeichnis 1 Einleitung 1.1 Problemstellung 1.2 Ziele und Struktur der Arbeit 2 Wertschöpfungskette Holz 2.1 Rahmenbedingungen der Preisbildung 2.2 Materielle Verarbeitungsschritte - vom Baum zum Bauholz 2.3 Teilhabende Akteure entlang der Wertschöpfungskette 3 Kostenanalyse des Holzpreises anhand teilhabender Akteure 3.1 Forstbetriebe - Waldeigentümer, private Forstunternehmen, Vereinigungen 3.2 Transportbetriebe - Transport vom Wald zum Sägebetrieb 3.3 Sägebetriebe inkl. Bauholzprodukthersteller 3.4 Holzhandel 3.5 Weiterverarbeitungsindustrie - Zimmereibetriebe 3.6 Gesamtdarstellung der Kostenanalyse und Fazit 4 Optimierungspotential mittels ressourceneffizienter Bautechniken 4.1 Heutiger Stand im Holzbaugewerbe 4.2 Zukunftspotentiale digitaler Technologien 5 Zusammenfassung und Ausblick Literaturverzeichnis Anhang Eidesstattliche Erklärung

This master´s work deals with the analysis of the current situation of the company and her key competitors. It includes project such as strategy of company, which helps to keep and strengthen the current position of the company on the market.

The present thesis focuses on a competitive strategy draft for the purposes of a small business. The thesis is divided into three main parts. The first part comprises theoretical assumptions, by the means of which the current state of the business, under external as well as internal circumstances, is analyzed in the second part. The last part is aimed at setting goals and the strategy aimed at reaching them.

The diploma thesis is focused on creating a competitive strategy that is active in sales of jewelry and watches. The thesis analyzes the current situation of the company, examines the environmental factors acting on the company or individual processes within the enterprise. Through the goals and results of competitive advantage is leading the work to design a competitive strategy and its implementation over time.

The diploma thesis is focused on the creation of measures which lead to the competitiveness increase. It clarifies the terms in the competitiveness and competitive advantage field. It observes the Mironet.cz company, which is specialized in the sale of information technology devices, and it analyzes the company environment. On the basis of analyses, measures leading to competitiveness increase of the company observed are suggested.

This diploma thesis deals with a change of the marketing mix at hotel Fit Přerov, and according to this change shall submit a proposal to increase the competitiveness of the company. The thesis compares the theoretical knowledge with the reality of the hotel, characterizes and describes suggestions and options, in which it can achieve bigger success in the industry and region. The analytical part primarily describes the internal and external environment of the hotel, which influences it, in order to create a proposal that should lead to increase competitiveness of the hotel and strengthening its position in the market.

The thesis titled Development of competitiveness of company is focused on the current situation of Ford CARent, a.s. This company is compared to competing firms in the city of Brno. The thesis is divided into three parts. The first part is devoted to the theoretical bases, the second part focuses on the analysis of company and the environment of the company and the last part is devoted to proposals that are designed to strengthen the company´s competitiveness.

Diploma thesis deals with competitiveness of lasertag facility. Costumer value creation is analysed based on value chain theory and compared with competition. Enriching of company product range by auxiliary services, mainly non-smoking club, is drawn up considering this and other analysis. Realization of these new ideas and evaluation of their success is also part of this thesis.