Studying organizational capabilities from the perspective of national institutions has been widely adopted in high tech industries in developed countries, but scarcely in developing countries. This research applies this framework into China to study the solar PV industry, but at the regional level. The solar PV industry in China has strongly developed in the global market in recent years, having been the biggest solar PV producer since 2007. However, there are contrast regional differences in the solar PV industry development between Jiangsu and Shandong. The solar PV producers in Jiangsu have stronger organizational capabilities to perform well compared to those in Shandong. Thus this research adopts the framework to explore the influence of regional institutions (the role of regional government, financial systems, inter-firm relations and education and labor systems) in building organizational capabilities (R&D capabilities in technology, capabilities in finance, managerial coordination and human resources) in solar PV industry in Jiangsu and Shandong regions. Comparative case studies are adopted in my research and the research has investigated six solar PV companies and several associated organizations. It is concluded that different regional institutions have different influences (to promote or hinder) in building organizational capabilities in the solar PV industry. Compared to Shandong, the regional institutions in Jiangsu can help solar PV companies to build organizational capabilities. The research findings indicate the importance of regional institutions in China.

The study investigates female empowerment through online entrepreneurship on Taobao in Chinese society, from female entrepreneurs’ individual perspectives. Thus, the study is positioned in the dynamic e-commerce landscape of China.   This small-scale case study has been conducted, which involves 14 female online storeowners on Taobao. Online female entrepreneurs constitute the base of this study, and share their accounts of the dramatic changes in their lives after they initiated their online businesses. The entire study departs from their actual experiences and opinions, which provide multiple perspectives, so as to garner further insights into the dominant research of female empowerment within the context of e-commerce. Their actual experiences and accounts are interpreted and examined, based primarily on Sen’s capability approach, while their actual capabilities and functionings are evaluated, based on the selected aspects of their situations.   This study claims that even though the female online storeowners believe they have a higher autonomy in managing their time and household duties, and an ability to act according to their will to achieve what they desire, the female online storeowners still do not regard themselves as entrepreneurs. The enhancements in the capabilities of the female online storeowners and their achieved functionings do not necessarily go beyond the online environment. This study aims to provide a solid departure for any further investigations into women’s empowerment through e-commerce on a societal level.

Previous research (Chen&Mujtaba, 2007) on entry mode considered the influence of country, industry, location, firm specific factors on the entry mode. However to date limited research has attempted to examine the entrepreneurial capabilities and the influence on the strategic entry mode decision. This study will provide an empirical investigation of the contingent influence of small to medium sized firms’ entrepreneurial capability on the entry mode decision for internationalisation. The research aimed to determine whether entrepreneurial capabilities influence the choice of entry mode for international firms. In addition, the study investigated which entrepreneurial capabilities will lead to financial growth in the international market. The population for the study was small to medium-large firms in South Africa that had international operations. A combination of three non-probability sampling techniques was used, namely convenience, quota and snowball techniques (Blumberg, Cooper,&Schindler, 2008), which provided a sample of 175 firms. The questionnaire consisted of two sections, the first section consisted of corpographics, entry mode and performance information. The second section used a seven point Likert scale to determine the entrepreneurial capabilities of the firm. Descriptive and inferential statistics were used to analyse the data. Empirical results indicate that certain international entrepreneurial capabilities influence the choice of entry mode. In other words, it is the efforts to build the right mix of capabilities that may enhance the firm’s output and ability to recognise international opportunities. / Dissertation (MBA)--University of Pretoria, 2012. / Gordon Institute of Business Science (GIBS) / unrestricted

This study took place at one of the intercultural universities (IUs) of Mexico that serve primarily indigenous students. The IUs are pioneers in higher education despite their numerous challenges (Bertely, 1998; Dietz, 2008; Pineda & Landorf, 2010; Schmelkes, 2009). To overcome educational inequalities among their students (Ahuja, Berumen, Casillas, Crispín, Delgado et al., 2004; Schmelkes, 2009), the IUs have embraced performance-based assessment (PBA; Casillas & Santini, 2006). PBA allows a shared model of power and control related to learning and evaluation (Anderson, 1998). While conducting a review on PBA strategies of the IUs, the researcher did not find a PBA instrument with valid and reliable estimates. The purpose of this study was to develop a process to create a PBA instrument, an analytic general rubric, with acceptable validity and reliability estimates to assess students’ attainment of competencies in one of the IU’s majors, Intercultural Development Management. The Human Capabilities Approach (HCA) was the theoretical framework and a sequential mixed method (Creswell, 2003; Teddlie & Tashakkori, 2009) was the research design. IU participants created a rubric during two focus groups, and seven Spanish-speaking professors in Mexico and the US piloted using students’ research projects. The evidence that demonstrates the attainment of competencies at the IU is a complex set of actual, potential and/or desired performances or achievements, also conceptualized as “functional capabilities” (FCs; Walker, 2008), that can be used to develop a rubric. Results indicate that the rubric’s validity and reliability estimates reached acceptable estimates of 80% agreement, surpassing minimum requirements (Newman, Newman, & Newman, 2011). Implications for practice involve the use of PBA within a formative assessment framework, and dynamic inclusion of constituencies. Recommendations for further research include introducing this study’s instrument-development process to other IUs, conducting parallel mixed design studies exploring the intersection between HCA and assessment, and conducting a case study exploring assessment in intercultural settings. Education articulated through the HCA empowers students (Unterhalter & Brighouse, 2007; Walker, 2008). This study aimed to contribute to the quality of student learning assessment at the IUs by providing a participatory process to develop a PBA instrument.

Tendo como base o contexto da indústria de etanol que apresenta incertezas, oportunidades e ameaças, os preceitos teóricos da obtenção de vantagens competitivas sustentáveis a partir do desenvolvimento de capacidades dinâmicas e a análise de ambientes complexos e com a presença de incertezas por meio de cenários, este trabalho apresentou a seguinte questão de pesquisa: Quais são as implicações para o desenvolvimento de capacidades dinâmicas pelas destilarias brasileiras de possíveis cenários do mercado internacional de etanol em 2020? Para respondê-la foi realizado um estudo exploratório, em uma abordagem qualitativa e de natureza aplicada, o qual compreendeu duas etapas. Inicialmente foram elaborados cenários para o mercado internacional de etanol em 2020. Para tanto, utilizou-se o método de elaboração de cenários proposto por Wright e Spers (2006). Em seguida, foi realizada uma pesquisa de campo com uma empresa do setor de etanol, tendo em vista analisar a consistência dos cenários elaborados e explorar empiricamente o conceito de capacidades dinâmicas. Assim, foi realizado um estudo de caso com uma destilaria localizada em Jacarezinho Paraná. Neste trabalho, o escopo dos cenários foi a configuração futura do mercado internacional de etanol. O horizonte de tempo foi 2020, uma vez que grande parte da regulamentação que indica expansão da demanda do mercado internacional baseia-se neste ano. Foram produzidos quatro cenários (Etanol: um biocombustível comercialmente viável, Etanol: a commodity energética global sustentável, Etanol: foco no mercado interno, e Etanol: uma commodity regional) que posteriormente foram submetidos à análise de consistência e indicação do mais provável pela empresa pesquisada neste estudo. Foi indicado como mais provável o cenário Etanol: a commodity energética global sustentável. A partir do cenário mais provável, a empresa pesquisada indicou que, para o futuro, o desafio será desenvolver as capacidades dinâmicas necessárias para capturar as oportunidades e dois pontos importantes foram destacados pela empresa, e que vão de encontro ao segundo grupo de capacidades propostas por Teece (2007), principalmente no que se refere ao delineamento de modelos de negócios e desenvolvimento de ativos complementares. Conforme foi destacado pelo dirigente durante a entrevista, será necessário desenvolver um novo modelo de negócios para as usinas, pois essas são muito suscetíveis às oscilações de mercado de curto prazo, principalmente em relação ao preço do álcool, preço do açúcar, preço do petróleo e preço do milho. Há a necessidade de novas fontes de receita nos períodos de baixa no mercado. Além disso, a empresa enxerga como grande obstáculo para o futuro o desenvolvimento de infra-estrutura logística para a exportação. / Based on a context of the ethanol industry that presents uncertainties, opportunities and threats, on the theoretical background of obtaining sustainable competitive advantage through the development of dynamic capabilities and on the analysis of complex situations using scenarios, this study analyzed the following research question: What are the implications for the development of dynamic capabilities by Brazilian ethanol distilleries of possible scenarios of the global ethanol market in 2020? To answer this question an applied exploratory study was conducted with a qualitative approach. in two stages. Initially scenarios were developed for the international market in 2020, using the scenario development method proposed by Wright and Spers (2006). Next, a field research was conducted with a company in the ethanol industry in order to analyze the consistency of the scenarios developed and empirically explore the concept of dynamic capabilities. Thus, a case study was performed with a firm located in Jacarezinho - Paraná. In this work, the scope of the scenarios was the future state of the international market for ethanol. The time horizon is 2020, since much of the regulations indicates that expansion of demand in the international market is based on this year. It was produced four scenarios (\"Ethanol: a commercially viable biofuel\", \"Ethanol: a sustainable global energy commodity\", \"Ethanol: focus on the domestic market,\" and \"Ethanol: a regional commodity\") that subsequently were analyzed for consistency and indicated the more likely by the company investigated in this study. It was indicated as the most likely scenario \"Ethanol: a sustainable global energy commodity\". From the most likely scenario, the company surveyed indicated that for the future, the challenge will be to develop the dynamic capabilities necessary to capture the opportunities and two important points were highlighted by the company, and are aligned with the second set of capabilities proposed by Teece (2007), especially with regard to the design of business models and development of complementary assets. As noted by the manager during the interview, it will need to develop a new business model for companies, because they are very susceptible to fluctuations in short-term market, especially with the price of alcohol, sugar prices, oil prices and price of corn. There is a need for new sources of revenue in periods of market declines. In addition, the company sees as an obstacle to the future the development of transport infrastructure for export.

Integration concerns everyone in society as a constantly on-going process of constructing belonging and participation as a member of the group. The common objective of the process for individuals is to increase their subjective wellbeing, according to their individual values. However, refugees undergo an extreme case of integration, with all aspects of their life being impacted at once. Therefore, to gain more knowledge about the integration process from the perspectives of individuals, nine qualitative interviews were conducted with Syrian refugees living in Switzerland. This thesis then mobilises the capability approach to conduct a thematic comparison. The analysis revealed a common pattern among all interviewees which builds up into a 5-stages integration model, experienced by all interviewees in the same chronological order. Nevertheless, the personal capabilities and opportunities vary, resulting in different strategies to deal with a same context and similar objectives at a specific stage.

This study investigates how the development of the agro-food processing industry could support the structural transformation of the Zambian economy. This is set against a backdrop of improved food systems coupled with increased demand for processed foods domestically and regionally, as well as income growth, urbanization, and regional integration. Developing the agro-processing sector will involve the building of dynamic industrial capabilities along with product certification and standards, packaging, logistics, and access to formal markets. Using the value chain of soya beans, the study explains how the development of such a value chain could support structural transformation. Findings suggest that there are numerous opportunities, currently underexploited, for processing soya beans into diversified products. Insights from the study reveal further opportunities to accumulate productive capabilities, both downstream and upstream to stimulate value-addition and export-led growth. Harnessing these opportunities will require specific policy support for soya beans particularly aimed at growing smallholder entry, upgrading agricultural efficiency, engaging government and non-state actors to build capacity to improve processing technologies, food testing, packaging, meeting standards and certification schemes, as well as harmonisation of regional standards.

This research report builds on the work already completed in the field of women in school leadership. Although a number of studies have examined female principals at work in primary schools in rural areas, there has not been a strong focus on female principals at work in secondary schools, in urban areas. The underrepresentation of women in school leadership is not unique to South Africa. It is a global phenomenon, which can be traced back to the patriarchal values, which exist in most societies. The purpose of my research report is to investigate how the capabilities approach can inform our understanding of women progressing into leadership positions at secondary schools in South Africa. A qualitative method was used based on an interpretivist research paradigm. The research design was a narrative inquiry. A purposive sampling method was used and data was collected by means of semi-structured interviews. The drive and determination to “make a difference” and “be a role model” enabled all five participants to convert their capability set into functionings thus “shattering the glass ceiling”. / Dissertation (MEd)--University of Pretoria, 2020. / Education Management and Policy Studies / MEd / Unrestricted

This study seeks to understand how policy and practice enables or disables women's aspirations for secondary school leadership. The study focuses on women deputy principals and woman principal who have applied for principalship and details their accounts of the resonances and dissonances of policy and practice. This qualitative study uses a narrative design. The data collected from three female deputy principals, one of whom was acting as a principal and one a newly appointed principal at the time of the interviews. The main form of data collection was a series of interviews with each participant. The findings confirm that the policy environment is favourable for women, but in its implementation, there are factors that constrain the aspirations of women for secondary school leadership. Gender stereotypical perceptions of women by the school governing bodies and a patriarchal social context are seen as significant constraints for women seeking leadership positions. It was also evident that prevailing school leadership frequently works with school governing bodies to undermine and thwart the ambitions of female deputy principals and those unions rarely play a supportive role to potential women leaders. Data is analysed using the Capabilities Approach. In this study, the Capabilities Approach suggests that environmental and social conversion factors seem to be obstacles affecting women's agency to achieve the desired outcome of becoming a principal. / Dissertation (MEd)--University of Pretoria, 2016. / Education Management and Policy Studies / MEd / Unrestricted

In light of the global mining industry’s record profits in 2011, this inquiry explored the institutional drivers of mining multinational’s subsidiaries overall performance. Using a lens of institutional theory, this inquiry explored why the subsidiaries of emerging mining multinationals have outperformed the subsidiaries of developed mining multinationals in emerging markets.The inquiry used Mann-Whitney U hypothesis testing to compare the financial performance of 46 emerging mining subsidiaries and 39 developed mining subsidiaries. The inquiry ran eight multiple regression models to test subsidiary performance variables against institutional variables obtained from the 2011/2012 Fraser Institute annual survey of mining companies.The findings support and add to the institutional and international business literature. Emerging multinational enterprises and their subsidiaries possess dynamic institutional capabilities which allows them to better manage institutional uncertainty than developed multinational enterprises and their subsidiaries in emerging markets. An institutional development model has been developed to assist managers of multinational enterprises reduce their institutional uncertainty in emerging markets. / Dissertation (MBA)--University of Pretoria, 2012. / Gordon Institute of Business Science (GIBS) / unrestricted