Product differentiation is a key feature of modern economies. Although its relevance had already been recognized in the XIX century, it is only in the last forty years that a formal treatment has been developed. The 'address approach' distinguishes between horizontal and vertical product differentiation; in the former, consumers do not agree on the quality ranking of commodities, while in the second they do. The first three chapters of this thesis deal with vertical product differentiation in an imperfectly competitive framework. In particular, the first two essays take into account the empirical evidence concerning labor requirements in the production of vertically differentiated goods in order to model labor and product markets in an upstream-downstream relation to each other. The main assumption is that higher variants of vertically differentiated commodities require highly-skilled labor. This allows to study the links between labor markets and vertically differentiated products markets, their equilibrium implications and issues of trade liberalization. The third chapter explores another side of vertical product differentiation, namely the time-to-market of vertically differentiated goods. This interval, which corresponds to the lapse of time for a product to reach the market, is studied under the assumption that firms can make it shorter through costly investments. The analysis compares firms' choices as a function of the parameters characterizing products and technologies and of market structure. The last chapter develops a general equilibrium model with imperfect competition. The concept of monopoly equilibrium is applied to a Ricardian economy in order to study the emergence of trade in that framework.

Product differentiation is a key feature of modern economies. Although its relevance had already been recognized in the XIX century, it is only in the last forty years that a formal treatment has been developed. The 'address approach' distinguishes between horizontal and vertical product differentiation; in the former, consumers do not agree on the quality ranking of commodities, while in the second they do. The first three chapters of this thesis deal with vertical product differentiation in an imperfectly competitive framework. In particular, the first two essays take into account the empirical evidence concerning labor requirements in the production of vertically differentiated goods in order to model labor and product markets in an upstream-downstream relation to each other. The main assumption is that higher variants of vertically differentiated commodities require highly-skilled labor. This allows to study the links between labor markets and vertically differentiated products markets, their equilibrium implications and issues of trade liberalization. The third chapter explores another side of vertical product differentiation, namely the time-to-market of vertically differentiated goods. This interval, which corresponds to the lapse of time for a product to reach the market, is studied under the assumption that firms can make it shorter through costly investments. The analysis compares firms' choices as a function of the parameters characterizing products and technologies and of market structure. The last chapter develops a general equilibrium model with imperfect competition. The concept of monopoly equilibrium is applied to a Ricardian economy in order to study the emergence of trade in that framework.

The Domestic Workers Skills Development Project, funded by the National Skills Fund, was designed to improve the skill levels of domestic workers in South Africa. It also was intended to address their historical lack of education and to advance their socio-economic circumstances. This study investigates the implementation of this project within the framework of community development. Basadi Pele Foundation, a Non-Governmental Organisation, was a participant in this project. The central question was how to empower marginalised women through skills development. This implies a learning process for domestic workers and all involved. Different learning theories are investigated to develop an understanding of how these illiterate adult women learned during this opportunity. The conclusion reached by this study is that a gender sensitive environment, created by government institutions and the NGO involved, enabled domestic workers to change their lives and circumstances; enhancing this project and contributing to its success. / Development Studies / M.A. (Development Studies)

The Domestic Workers Skills Development Project, funded by the National Skills Fund, was designed to improve the skill levels of domestic workers in South Africa. It also was intended to address their historical lack of education and to advance their socio-economic circumstances. This study investigates the implementation of this project within the framework of community development. Basadi Pele Foundation, a Non-Governmental Organisation, was a participant in this project. The central question was how to empower marginalised women through skills development. This implies a learning process for domestic workers and all involved. Different learning theories are investigated to develop an understanding of how these illiterate adult women learned during this opportunity. The conclusion reached by this study is that a gender sensitive environment, created by government institutions and the NGO involved, enabled domestic workers to change their lives and circumstances; enhancing this project and contributing to its success. / Development Studies / M.A. (Development Studies)