Unfair competition in the Internet environment This diploma thesis deals with the manifestations of unfair competition on the Internet. The aims of the diploma thesis were to provide an overview of methods of unfair competition occurring in this specific environment and assess their capability to fulfil the general clause of unfair competition. The diploma thesis is divided into four chapters. The first one of them contains a general introduction to the law of unfair competition in terms of European legislation, namely Paris Convention for the Protection of Industrial Property and European Union law. The second chapter discuss the regulation of unfair competition in the Civil Code, the general clause in particular. The thesis analyses the three conditions of the general clause, which must be cumulatively fulfilled, with regard to the Internet environment. In the third chapter of this diploma thesis the concepts specific to the Internet environment, which are often interpreted incorrectly or wrongly, are described. I decided for inclusion of this chapter mainly due to the fact that I use these concepts in the text of this diploma thesis, therefore I wanted to avoid any inaccuracies or confusion that could result from their use without proper explanation. The fourth and most extensive chapter forms...

The thesis deals with selected competition issues that occur within the dynamic and high-risk market of shipping, examining competition law issues in liner consortia and tramp pools through an EU Competition Law prism. These partial function joint ventures are the predominant form of alliances in the maritime sector. Liner trade is primarily organised in consortia, while pools are the most common form of tramp shipping alliance. The thesis' synthetic and analytic research incorporates the methodology and structure used in its competition law bibliography, while the legal analysis is informed with sources from microeconomics and maritime economics. The issues that are examined in relation to shipping include the four main areas of competition law: the relevant market, indicators of dominance, compliance of the alliance agreements with Article 101 TFEU and abusive conducts by dominant undertakings under Article 102 TFEU. The development of the above areas aims to demonstrate the interaction of sector particularities with competition law as a whole.

Sperm competition occurs when the sperm of multiple males concurrently occupy a female's reproductive tract and compete for fertilization. Sperm competition may have been a recurrent adaptive problem over human evolutionary history. Women's orgasm may facilitate retention of a particular man's sperm. I therefore hypothesized that men experiencing greater sperm competition risk will be particularly interested in the occurrence of their partner's copulatory orgasm. Men who are more satisfied with and invested in their relationship may experience greater costs in the event of sperm competition and potential cuckoldry. Therefore, these men may be more interested in ensuring their partner's copulatory orgasm. I hypothesized that men's relationship satisfaction and investment would predict interest in their partner's copulatory orgasm and moderate the link between sperm competition risk and interest in partner's copulatory orgasm. Using data secured from 229 men in a committed relationship, I tested and found support for these hypotheses. / by Vincent M. Bates. / Thesis (M.A.)--Florida Atlantic University, 2010. / Includes bibliography. / Electronic reproduction. Boca Raton, Fla., 2010. Mode of access: World Wide Web.

由於科技的飛速發展以及全球化的進程的加深，競爭力這個概念在各個尺度都受到廣泛的關注。特別是最近20年，隨著城市間競爭的加劇，有關城市尺度的競爭力的研究也十分興盛。城市競爭力受到了學術界和政府等的普遍關注，然而大家對城市競爭力的概念解釋各執己見，無法統一，導致至今沒有統一的衡量城市競爭力的體系。本文從城市競爭力的角度出發，對中國24 個主要的地級及地級以上的城市競爭力進行實證研究，研究時間跨度從1995年到2008年。為了使競爭因素重要程度得到正確的反應，層次分析法被創造性的應用於此研究中。實證研究的目的是分析城市的優勢和劣勢，城市競爭力的動態演化以及具體的政府政策對城市競爭力的影響。 / 城市競爭力模型中各因素的建立是基於大量前人的有關解釋城市競爭與城市增長等理論和實證研究。該綜合競爭力模型集合了經濟，社會，環境以及外部聯繫四個重要部分。以該綜合競爭力模型為基本框架，我們進一步建立了城市綜合競爭力評價體系，該體系由四個競爭力方面組成，每個競爭力方面又有數個競爭因素，每個競爭力因素又由多個指標來代表。因此，整個競爭力評價體系是包含4個分項競爭力，15個競爭因素和59個指標的層級結構。本文采用層次分析法作為賦權重的方法以更準確的反應各競爭力方面和因素的實際重要程度。實證分析的結果可以反應更城市的優勢與劣勢，競爭力的動態變化，以及競爭力的政府含義。本研究希望對城市競爭力的概念和理論體系，研究方法以及實證研究方面有所貢獻和突破。 / 根據2008年城市競爭力排名結果可知，每個城市的四個部分的相對排名都不是完全匹配。北京，上海，廣州位於城市競爭力體系的頂端，在經濟，社會和外部聯繫上都佔據优势位置，但是都存在環境競爭力較弱的缺點。重慶，溫州和哈爾濱排在24個城市的最後面。此外，城市的優勢與劣勢組合具有多樣性，構成了城市獨特的競爭力表現。 / 城市在1995 到2008年競爭力得分和排名的變化反應了城市長期競爭力的形態。所有城市的競爭力在這一時期都有提升，但是城市競爭力在早期越強的城市其競爭力指數提升的空間越小。如珠海、北京、深圳、廣州和上海在1995年的競爭力得分排在前列，但是他們的競爭力指數增長率都非常低。通過相關性分析，該研究發現前後年份間的競爭力指數相關性很高，表明競爭力具有路徑依賴性，過去競爭性因素的積累有利於將來競爭力的提升。此外,這些主要城市間的競爭力差距在縮小，表明排名落後的城市正在追該排名靠前的城市。 / 該研究以北京為案例，通過分析其在各競爭力方面的表現，分析該表現的影響因素，得出中央政府和地方政府在推動城市競爭力發展中起到了重要作用。北京的各優勢因素和劣勢因素的組合，相互作用，構成了北京的競爭優勢。北京過分追求經濟競爭力也使得環境競爭力受損。 / 綜合以上研究發現，該研究認為綜合考慮和衡量城市競爭力是符合中國現實城市發展的必然選擇。儘管經濟競爭力仍然是重要的方面，其他因素也是影響城市發展和競爭的重要因素。 / Under the deepening influence of globalization and advancement in science and technology, the issue of competitiveness, from national to local levels, has won considerable attention from researchers as well as policy makers. For more than two decades, the contention on its definition has been persisting, leading to inconsistent measurement methods. Some studies of competitiveness at the municipal level in China have also been done. / This study conducts an empirical study on urban competitiveness of 24 major Chinese cities at prefecture-level or above in a period from 1995 to 2008. Based on intensive previous research on this issue, urban competitiveness is interpreted from a comprehensive perspective integrating economic, social, environmental and external connection competitiveness components. Based on this comprehensive understanding of urban competitiveness, a composite indicator system has been constructed including four competitiveness components, fifteen subgroups and fifty-nine indicators. The Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) weighting method is used in order to reflect the opinions of experts on the importance of various components as precisely as possible. Based on empirical analysis, this research has revealed the strengths and weaknesses of the major cities, the dynamic changes of urban competitiveness and the policy implications of urban competitiveness results. All these contribute to the study of urban competitiveness conceptually, methodologically and empirically. / The empirical research in 2008 revealed that each city does not have same performance in their economic, social, environmental and external connection competitiveness. Shanghai, Beijing and Guangzhou are the most competitive cities which take the top three positions in the ranking list, but they all show disappointing performance in environmental competitiveness. Chongqing, Wenzhou and Harbin are ranked at the bottom in terms of composite indicator. In other words, each city has its special complex of strengths and weaknesses. / This thesis makes the first attempt to reveal the changes in urban competitiveness over a period of time using the same indicator system. The changes of urban competitiveness scores and ranks during the period from 1995 to 2008 indicate long-term competitiveness patterns. In general, all cities obtained improvement in urban competitiveness scores during this period, but cities with higher competitiveness scores in the early years tended to obtain less significant improvement. Zhuhai, Beijing, Shenzhen, Guangzhou and Shanghai obtained a relatively higher competitiveness scores in 1995 but had the smallest growth rate from 1995 to 2008. The high correlation coefficient of competitiveness ranks between two sub-periods indicates that most major cities tend to remain in their relative position. However, there is also a catching up effect among the major Chinese cities revealed by the decreased disparities. / The policy implications of this empirical study are significant. By tracing the performances of Beijing’s competitiveness in the four components, it is concluded that both the central government and the local government played an important role in enhancing local competitiveness. Economic competitiveness has been overemphasized, but environmental problems have become severe, which restricts Beijing’s development. / With the above findings, this research concludes that a comprehensive understanding and measurement of urban competitiveness is necessary, especially in the context of China. Although economic competitiveness is still the key issue, the other three components are also of importance in affecting the success of cities. / Detailed summary in vernacular field only. / Detailed summary in vernacular field only. / Detailed summary in vernacular field only. / Detailed summary in vernacular field only. / Detailed summary in vernacular field only. / Detailed summary in vernacular field only. / Yang, Xiaolan. / Thesis (Ph.D.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 2012. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 226-245). / Electronic reproduction. Hong Kong : Chinese University of Hong Kong, [2012] System requirements: Adobe Acrobat Reader. Available via World Wide Web. / Abstract also in Chinese. / ABSTRACT OF THESIS ENTITLED --- p.I / ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS --- p.V / TABLE OF CONTENTS --- p.VII / LIST OF TABLES --- p.X / LIST OF FIGURES --- p.XI / ABBREVIATIONS --- p.XII / Chapter CHAPTER 1 --- INTRODUCTION --- p.1 / Chapter 1.1 --- RESEARCH BACKGROUND AND CHALLENGES --- p.1 / Chapter 1.1.1 --- Increasing concerns on the issue of competitiveness --- p.1 / Chapter 1.1.2 --- Growing concerns on Chinese urban competitiveness --- p.2 / Chapter 1.2 --- SCOPE OF THIS RESEARCH --- p.3 / Chapter 1.3 --- RESEARCH QUESTIONS AND OBJECTIVITIES --- p.5 / Chapter 1.4 --- RESEARCH SIGNIFICANCE --- p.7 / Chapter 1.5 --- ORGANIZATION OF THE RESEARCH --- p.8 / Chapter CHAPTER 2 --- A REVIEW OF URBAN COMPETITIVENESS: CONCEPT AND MEASUREMENT --- p.10 / Chapter 2.1 --- INTRODUCTION --- p.10 / Chapter 2.2 --- UNDERSTANDING COMPETITIVENESS AT THE URBAN LEVEL --- p.11 / Chapter 2.3 --- DETERMINANTS OF URBAN COMPETITIVENESS --- p.16 / Chapter 2.3.1 --- Trade and globalization forces --- p.16 / Chapter 2.3.2 --- Agglomeration and urban growth --- p.17 / Chapter 2.3.3 --- Innovation and knowledge-based development --- p.18 / Chapter 2.3.4 --- Institutional thickness --- p.19 / Chapter 2.3.5 --- Environment impact on competitiveness --- p.19 / Chapter 2.4 --- COMPETITIVENESS MEASUREMENT --- p.21 / Chapter 2.4.1 --- Competitiveness measurement model --- p.21 / Chapter 2.4.2 --- The applications of indicators in the competitiveness researches --- p.23 / Chapter 2.5 --- RESEARCH ON THE COMPETITIVENESS OF CHINESE CITIES --- p.31 / Chapter 2.5.1 --- The economic competitiveness measurement model --- p.31 / Chapter 2.5.2 --- The comprehensive competitiveness measurement model --- p.32 / Chapter 2.5.2 --- Weighting methods --- p.36 / Chapter 2.6 --- Conclusion --- p.37 / Chapter CHAPTER 3 --- CONCEPTUAL FOUNDATION, ANALYSIS MODEL AND RESEARCH FRAMEWORK ON URBAN COMPETITIVENESS --- p.40 / Chapter 3.1 --- INTRODUCTION --- p.40 / Chapter 3.2 --- CONCEPTUALIZING URBAN COMPETITIVENESS --- p.40 / Chapter 3.3 --- URBAN COMPETITIVENESS MEASUREMENT MODEL IN THE CHINESE CONTEXT --- p.44 / Chapter 3.3.1 --- Economic competitiveness component --- p.44 / Chapter 3.3.2 --- Social competitiveness component --- p.46 / Chapter 3.3.3 --- Environmental competitiveness component --- p.49 / Chapter 3.3.4 --- External connection competitiveness component --- p.50 / Chapter 3.3.5 --- The role of government --- p.53 / Chapter 3.3.6 --- Differences in the measurement of urban competitiveness and sustainable development --- p.55 / Chapter 3.4 --- RESEARCH FRAMEWORK FOR THIS STUDY --- p.57 / Chapter 3.5 --- CONCLUSION --- p.60 / Chapter CHAPTER 4 --- METHOD OF URBAN COMPETITIVENESS ANALYSIS --- p.62 / Chapter 4.1 --- INTRODUCTION --- p.62 / Chapter 4.2 --- CONSTRUCTING THE INDICATOR SYSTEMS --- p.63 / Chapter 4.2.1 --- Indicators in Economic Competitiveness Component --- p.64 / Chapter 4.2.2 --- Indicators in the Social Competitiveness Component --- p.66 / Chapter 4.2.3 --- Indicators in Environmental Competitiveness Component --- p.68 / Chapter 4.2.4 --- Indicators in External Connection Competitiveness Component --- p.69 / Chapter 4.3 --- SAMPLE CITIES --- p.70 / Chapter 4.3.1 --- Section of the sample city --- p.70 / Chapter 4.3.2 --- Urban area --- p.71 / Chapter 4.3.3 --- Urban population --- p.74 / Chapter 4.4 --- THE TIME PERIOD --- p.75 / Chapter 4.5 --- DATA PROCESSING AND NORMALIZATION --- p.76 / Chapter 4.5.1 --- Log transformation --- p.76 / Chapter 4.5.2 --- Normalization methods --- p.76 / Chapter 4.6 --- WEIGHTING METHOD BASED ON AHP --- p.76 / Chapter 4.6.1 --- Expert survey and pair-wise comparison matrixes --- p.78 / Chapter 4.6.2 --- Consistency testing --- p.79 / Chapter 4.6.3 --- Computing the weighting --- p.79 / Chapter 4.7 --- CONCLUSION --- p.84 / Chapter CHAPTER 5 --- ANALYSIS OF THE URBAN COMPETITITVENESS OF 24 MAJOR CITIES IN 2008 --- p.85 / Chapter 5.1 --- INTRODUCTION --- p.85 / Chapter 5.2 --- AN OVERVIEW OF THE URBAN COMPETITIVENESS OF 24 CITIES --- p.87 / Chapter 5.2.1 --- The top 8 cities --- p.88 / Chapter 5.2.2 --- The bottom eight cities --- p.89 / Chapter 5.3 --- THE RELATIONSHIP AMONG THE FOUR COMPETITIVENESS COMPONENTS --- p.91 / Chapter 5.4 --- A COMPARISON OF THE CITIES ACROSS THE FOUR COMPETITIVENESS COMPONENTS --- p.93 / Chapter 5.4.1 --- Economic competitiveness --- p.93 / Chapter 5.4.2 --- Social competitiveness --- p.97 / Chapter 5.4.3 --- Environmental competitiveness --- p.102 / Chapter 5.4.4 --- External connections competitiveness --- p.104 / Chapter 5.5 --- THE WEAKNESSES AND STRENGTHS OF INDIVIDUAL CITIES --- p.109 / Chapter 5.6 --- COMPARISON OF RELATIVE RANKS WITH PREVIOUS RESEARCH --- p.113 / Chapter 5.7 --- CONCLUSION --- p.115 / Chapter CHAPTER 6 --- ANALYSIS ON THE CHANGING PATTERNS OF URBAN COMPETITIVENESS FROM 1995 TO 2008 --- p.117 / Chapter 6.1 --- INTRODUCTION --- p.117 / Chapter 6.2 --- THE CHANGING PATTERN OF URBAN COMPETITIVENESS --- p.117 / Chapter 6.2.1 --- Improvement in scores --- p.119 / Chapter 6.2.2 --- Shift in ranks --- p.122 / Chapter 6.3 --- THE GROWTH PATTERNS OF THE SUBGROUP COMPONENTS --- p.123 / Chapter 6.3.1 --- Shifting patterns in the economic competitiveness component --- p.124 / Chapter 6.3.2 --- Shifting patterns in the social competitiveness component --- p.128 / Chapter 6.3.3 --- Shifting patterns in the environmental competitiveness component --- p.130 / Chapter 6.3.4 --- Shifting patterns in external connection competitiveness component --- p.133 / Chapter 6.4 --- THE RELATIONS AMONG SUBGROUP COMPONENTS --- p.135 / Chapter 6.5 --- TREND OF DISPARITY IN COMPETITIVENESS --- p.137 / Chapter 6.6 --- CONCLUSION --- p.141 / Chapter CHAPTER 7 --- A CASE STUDY ON URBAN COMPETITIVENESS OF BEIJING --- p.143 / Chapter 7.1 --- INTRODUCTION --- p.143 / Chapter 7.2 --- BEIJING’S COMPETITIVENESS POSITION --- p.145 / Chapter 7.2.1 --- Economic competitiveness of Beijing --- p.147 / Chapter 7.2.2 --- Social competitiveness in Beijing --- p.149 / Chapter 7.2.3 --- Environment competitiveness of Beijing --- p.155 / Chapter 7.2.4 --- External connection competitiveness of Beijing --- p.155 / Chapter 7.3 --- THE DETERMINANTS FOR URBAN COMPETITIVENESS OF BEIJING --- p.158 / Chapter 7.3.1 --- Specialized industries in Beijing --- p.158 / Chapter 7.3.2 --- Social capital and institutions --- p.162 / Chapter 7.3.3 --- The environmental constraints --- p.167 / Chapter 7.3.4 --- Impact on external connection competitiveness --- p.169 / Chapter 7.4 --- GOVERNMENT STRATEGIES IN ENHANCING COMPETITIVENESS --- p.171 / Chapter 7.4.1 --- Knowledge-based development strategy --- p.171 / Chapter 7.4.2 --- Attracting high talented people --- p.173 / Chapter 7.4.3 --- Information strategies --- p.174 / Chapter 7.4.4 --- Olympic strategy --- p.177 / Chapter 7.5 --- CONCLUSION --- p.179 / Chapter CHAPTER 8 --- CONCLUSION --- p.182 / Chapter 8.1 --- INTRODUCTION --- p.182 / Chapter 8.2 --- MAJOR FINDINGS --- p.183 / Chapter 8.2.1 --- Understanding and assessing urban competitiveness: a comprehensive perspective --- p.183 / Chapter 8.2.2 --- The overall evaluation of urban competitiveness in major cities --- p.184 / Chapter 8.2.3 --- The shifting pattern of urban competitiveness in major cities --- p.185 / Chapter 8.2.4 --- The case study on urban competitiveness in Beijing --- p.186 / Chapter 8.3 --- DISCUSSION AND IMPLICATION OF URBAN COMPETITIVENESS STUDIES --- p.187 / Chapter 8.4 --- LIMITATION AND SUGGESTION FOR FURTHER RESEARCHES --- p.188 / Chapter APPENDIX A --- DATA PROCESSING AND SOURCES --- p.191 / Chapter APPENDIX B --- JUDGING THE DISTRIBUTION PATTERN --- p.202 / Chapter APPENDIX C --- CHINESE URBAN COMPETITIVENESS EVALUATION RESEARCH: QUESTIONNAIRE FOR CALCULATING THE WEIGHTS OF VARIOUS EVALUATION FACTORS --- p.203 / Chapter APPENDIX D --- INFORMATION OF THE EXPERTS AND RESEARCHERS WHO GIVE FEEDBACK TO SURVEY --- p.209 / Chapter APPENDIX E --- EIGENVECTORS AND CONSISTENCY TEST --- p.212 / Chapter APPENDIX F --- THE LOCATION QUOTIENT IN MANUFACTURES AND SERVICES IN PART CITIES --- p.220 / REFERENCES --- p.226

本文採用新的分析框架研究城市競爭力。筆者認為城市競爭力是一個與地方有關的概念，研究應分為三個階段。首先，城市競爭力學者應先選定研究的理論視角，然後按理論找出可比的研究對象。第二，學者可根據指標體系進一步研究城市間的相對競爭力，這一指標體系應該細分為表現部份及解釋部份。最後，學者可集中研究個別城市的發展。本文選定香港進行案例研究，先從世界城市角度確定新加坡是香港在亞太區內的主要競爭對手，比較香港與新加坡的經濟體系。分析結果顯示，香港的整體競爭力比新加坡高，尤其在全球控制功能及金融業方面較新加坡優越；新加坡則在服務業及對外聯繫兩方面稍勝一籌。不過，由於香港與新加坡並非全面處於直接競爭的關係，故香港競爭力的提升不一定意味著新加坡的競爭力被削弱。本文再以較完備的指標體系研究香港的城市競爭力，表現部份細分為全球控制功能、金融業、服務業及對外聯繫，而解釋部份則包括經濟的繁榮程度、勞動力的教育程度及數量、環境質量、社會穩定、交通及電信基礎設施。所有指標都能反映香港作為世界城市應有的特徵。本文發現香港的世界城市地位在不斷鞏固，而表現部份的四個組成部份在近年也有優越的表現。經過量化分析，本研究發現香港的城市競爭力與解釋部份的經濟繁榮程度、勞動人口的教育程度及數量、交通及電信基礎設施及環境質量的關係最為密切。 / This study attempts to develop a new analytical framework for the study of urban competitiveness. It is argued that urban competitiveness should a place-specific concept and be studied in three steps by identifying comparable competitors from a particular theoretical perspective, comparing their relative competitiveness through an indicator system consisting of a performance and an explanation sections, and studying the urban strength of each subject. Hong Kong is chosen as the case study. From world city perspective, Singapore is selected as a comparable competitor to Hong Kong in the Asian-Pacific region. Due to data limitation, a succinct comparison between the two economies is made. It is found that Hong Kong has stronger overall competitiveness than Singapore. Among the four aspects, indexes of control functions, financial sector, services sector and external linkages, Hong Kong excels in the indexes of global control functions and financial sector while Singapore outperforms Hong Kong in some indicators in the aspects of service sectors and external linkages. Nevertheless, because the two cities are not in completely direct competition, the world city development of Hong Kong does not, necessarily, grow at the expense of Singapore. In the analysis of the urban competitiveness of Hong Kong with a more detailed indicator system, it is revealed that all aspects and respective indicators in both the performance and explanation section are related to the unique situation of Hong Kong as a world city. The four aspects in the performance section are global control functions, financial sector, services sectors and external linkages and the five pillars in the explanation section are vibrant economy, educated and adequate workforce, quality environment, stable society and adequate transportation and telecommunication infrastructure. In brief, from world city perspective, the city of Hong Kong becomes stronger and all the four aspects in the performance section have shown an impressive performance, both in terms of their resilience and growing trend, in recent years. The analysis also reveals that the changing urban competitiveness of Hong Kong is best explained by the indexes of vibrant economy, educated and adequate workforce, adequate transportation and telecommunication infrastructure, and then by the index of quality environment. / Detailed summary in vernacular field only. / Lo, Sai Kuen. / Thesis (M.Phil.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 2012. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 207-230). / Electronic reproduction. Hong Kong : Chinese University of Hong Kong, [2012] System requirements: Adobe Acrobat Reader. Available via World Wide Web. / Abstracts also in Chinese. / Abstract --- p.i / 摘要 --- p.iii / Acknowledgement --- p.iv / Chapter Table --- of Content --- p.v / Chapter Chapter 1: --- Introduction / Chapter 1.1 --- Research background and questions --- p.1 / Chapter 1.2 --- Research methodology --- p.3 / Chapter 1.3 --- Research significance --- p.4 / Chapter 1.4 --- Structure of the dissertation --- p.6 / Chapter Chapter 2: --- A literature review on urban competitiveness of Hong Kong / Chapter 2.1 --- Introduction --- p.7 / Chapter 2.2 --- Debate on competitiveness --- p.7 / Chapter 2.2.1 --- Clarifying the concept of competitiveness --- p.8 / Chapter 2.2.2 --- Defining urban competitiveness --- p.14 / Chapter 2.2.3 --- Operationalizing the concept of urban competitiveness --- p.14 / Chapter 2.3 --- Competitiveness studies on Hong Kong --- p.17 / Chapter 2.4 --- The urban competitiveness of Hong Kong from world city perspective --- p.23 / Chapter 2.5 --- Summary --- p.30 / Chapter Chapter 3: --- Methodology / Chapter 3.1 --- Introduction --- p.31 / Chapter 3.2. --- A framework for the study of urban competitiveness --- p.31 / Chapter 3.2.1 --- Comparison: degree of competition --- p.36 / Chapter 3.2.2 --- Beyond comparison: the urban development of a city --- p.37 / Chapter 3.3 --- A framework for the study of urban competitiveness of Hong Kong --- p.40 / Chapter 3.4 --- Methodology of urban competitiveness analysis --- p.41 / Chapter 3.4.1 --- Review of previous approaches --- p.41 / Chapter 3.4.2 --- A two-step approach --- p.45 / Chapter 3.5 --- Two-step indicator system in the study of urban competitiveness of Hong Kong --- p.49 / Chapter 3.5.1 --- The indicator system --- p.49 / Chapter 3.5.2 --- Weighing of indicators --- p.64 / Chapter 3.5.3 --- Combination of indicators --- p.72 / Chapter 3.6 --- Summary --- p.75 / Chapter Chapter 4: --- The urban development of Hong Kong towards world city / Chapter 4.1 --- Introduction --- p.76 / Chapter 4.2 --- The urban development of Hong Kong from world city perspective --- p.76 / Chapter 4.3 --- Summary --- p.83 / Chapter Chapter 5: --- Review of Hong Kong's role and competitiveness in the world / Chapter 5.1 --- Introduction --- p.84 / Chapter 5.2 --- Competitors of Hong Kong --- p.84 / Chapter 5.3 --- A comparison on the urban competitiveness of Hong Kong and Singapore --- p.87 / Chapter 5.3.1 --- World Competitiveness Report by the International Institute for Management Development --- p.87 / Chapter 5.3.2 --- Global competitiveness index by World Economic Forum --- p.97 / Chapter 5.4 --- Summary --- p.107 / Chapter Chapter 6: --- A descriptive analysis on the changing urban competitiveness of Hong Kong from world city perspective / Chapter 6.1 --- Introduction --- p.108 / Chapter 6.2. --- Descriptive analysis of urban competitiveness: Performance section --- p.109 / Chapter 6.3. --- Descriptive analysis of urban competitiveness: Explanation section --- p.113 / Chapter 6.3.1 --- Vibrant economy --- p.114 / Chapter 6.3.2 --- Educated and adequate workforce --- p.120 / Chapter 6.3.3 --- Quality environment --- p.122 / Chapter 6.3.4 --- Stable society --- p.125 / Chapter 6.3.5 --- Transportation and telecommunication infrastructure --- p.129 / Chapter 6.4 --- Summary --- p.130 / Chapter Chapter 7: --- An explanatory analysis and discussion on the urban competitiveness of Hong Kong from world city perspective / Chapter 7.1 --- Introduction --- p.132 / Chapter 7.2 --- Major characteristics of the urban competitiveness of Hong Kong --- p.132 / Chapter 7.2.1 --- Strengthening world city status of Hong Kong --- p.133 / Chapter 7.2.2 --- Outstanding performance in all aspects --- p.134 / Chapter 7.2.3 --- Synergy effect of the four components --- p.147 / Chapter 7.3 --- Explaining the urban competitiveness of Hong Kong --- p.149 / Chapter 7.3.1 --- Two-edged effects from mainland China --- p.152 / Chapter 7.3.2 --- Strong economic foundation --- p.158 / Chapter 7.3.3 --- Increasing supply in workforce holding a degree --- p.166 / Chapter 7.3.4 --- Serious air contamination and inadequate amenities --- p.170 / Chapter 7.3.5 --- Delayed effects of an unstable society --- p.174 / Chapter 7.3.6 --- World-class infrastructures --- p.179 / Chapter 7.3.7 --- Urban competitiveness of Hong Kong in the future --- p.184 / Chapter 7.4 --- A comparative analysis of the urban competitiveness in Hong Kong and Singapore from world city perspective --- p.184 / Chapter 7.5 --- Summary --- p.196 / Chapter Chapter 8: --- Conclusion / Chapter 8.1 --- Introduction --- p.199 / Chapter 8.2 --- Major findings --- p.199 / Chapter 8.3 --- The urban competitiveness of Hong Kong in the future --- p.203 / Chapter 8.4 --- Limitations of the study --- p.204 / References list --- p.205

This thesis proposes to determine the role of regulation that promotes competition in the telecommunications market in Chile. Regulation has been used in the telecommunications sector at different points in time to fulfil various market needs. Before liberalisation of the telecommunications market, regulation established the parameters of the state-owned telecommunications company. Later, regulations specified the rights and duties of the incumbent. Hypothetically, a higher degree of regulation is necessary to develop new markets, and once progress has been made, a lesser degree of rules is required. This heavier regulation has been called 'regulation for competition', ‘regulatory competition law’ or 'synthetic competition'. Instead, this research proposes the concept of ‘emulated competition’, which is useful to clarify the role of regulation as a mechanism to promote competition. To build the concept of ‘emulated competition’, the thesis reviews the relationship between sectoral regulation and competition law from a theoretical viewpoint. Subsequently, the thesis carries out a comparative analysis between the United States (US) and the European Union (EU) regarding the treatment of certain abuse of dominance cases, particularly with regard to ‘margin squeeze’. To study the Chilean model, the research reviews the constitutional framework of economic regulation and competition law, examining the evolution of pro-competition regulatory tools since the beginning of privatisation. Furthermore, the thesis analyses the case law and regulation issued by the Chilean competition authority in the same period. The analysed topic allows a review of how emulated competition operates in Chile. To sum up, competition law alone is not the best way to introduce competition in the telecommunications market. Therefore, sector-specific regulation has been used to promote competition. In some jurisdictions, it works together with competition law, such as in the EU and Chile. In others, they are incompatible, such as the US. Emulated competition rules could have a higher impact on competition law when they are complements. The research also proposes a model for considering non-economic objectives in competition law matters, and it is a breakthrough in the debate of how to incorporate them in such situations. Finally, the emulated competition concept provides a systematic way of dealing with the intended and unintended effects of pro-competition regulatory tools. The concept itself summarises the contribution to the literature.

by Xiao Jianwei. / Thesis (M.B.A.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 2003. / Includes bibliographical references (leaf 50). / ABSTRACT --- p.ii / TABLE OF CONTENTS --- p.iii / LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS AND TABLES --- p.v / Chapter / Chapter 1. --- INTRODUCTION --- p.1 / Chapter 2. --- SHENZHEN: AN OVERVIEW AND BRIEF HISTORY --- p.3 / Chapter 2.1 --- Shenzhen: An Overview --- p.3 / Chapter 2.2 --- Shenzhen: A Brief History --- p.4 / Chapter 3. --- SHENZHEN'S FALLING COMPETITIVENESS --- p.6 / Chapter 3.1 --- Rumored Exodus of Shenzhen's Leading Companies --- p.6 / Chapter 3.2 --- Hong Kong's Economic Downturn --- p.6 / Chapter 3.3 --- Shenzhen's Weakened Prestige after China's WTO Accession --- p.7 / Chapter 3.4 --- Freeze on New Listings on the Shenzhen Stock Exchange --- p.8 / Chapter 3.5 --- Falling Foreign Direct Investment --- p.8 / Chapter 3.6 --- Reasons behind Shenzhen's Falling Competitiveness --- p.9 / Chapter 4. --- SHENZHEN'S COMPETITORS --- p.10 / Chapter 4.1 --- Shanghai --- p.10 / Shanghai: An Overview --- p.10 / Pudong: An Overview --- p.14 / Shanghai's Threats to Shenzhen --- p.15 / Chapter 4.2 --- Guangzhou --- p.17 / Guangzhou: An Overview --- p.17 / Guangzhou's Threats to Shenzhen --- p.19 / Chapter 4.3 --- Zhuhai --- p.20 / Zhuhai: An Overview --- p.20 / Zhuhai´ةs Threats to Shenzhen --- p.21 / Chapter (1) --- The Hong Kong - Macau - Zhuhai Bridge --- p.21 / Chapter (2) --- Zhuhai to Become a Hub in the Pearl River Delta --- p.23 / Chapter (3) --- Zhuhai to Become a Regional Convention and Education Center --- p.24 / Chapter (4) --- Relocation of Enterprises from Shenzhen to Zhuhai --- p.25 / Chapter (5) --- Development of Zhuhai's Uninhabited Islands --- p.26 / Chapter 4.4 --- Dongguan --- p.26 / Dongguan: An Overview --- p.27 / Dongguan's Threats to Shenzhen --- p.29 / Chapter 4.5 --- Suzhou --- p.29 / Suzhou: An Overview --- p.30 / Suzhou's Threats to Shenzhen --- p.31 / Chapter 5. --- SHENZHEN: SWOT ANALYSIS --- p.33 / Chapter 5.1 --- Comparison of Key Data of Shenzhen and Its Competitors --- p.33 / Chapter 5.2 --- Shenzhen's Strengths --- p.35 / Chapter (1) --- Unique Location --- p.35 / Chapter (2) --- Hi-Tech and Financial Sectors --- p.36 / Chapter 5.3 --- Shenzhen's Weaknesses --- p.37 / Chapter (1) --- Rising Costs --- p.37 / Chapter (2) --- Awkward Status --- p.38 / Chapter 5.4 --- Shenzhen's Opportunities --- p.38 / Chapter (1) --- Development of the Greater Pearl River Delta --- p.38 / Chapter (2) --- Closer Integration with Hong Kong --- p.39 / Chapter (3) --- Inflow of Goods and Talents from Hong Kong --- p.40 / Chapter (4) --- Increased Number of Tourists to Hong Kong via Shenzhen --- p.41 / Chapter (5) --- Construction of the Shenzhen - Hong Kong Western Corridor --- p.42 / Chapter 5.5 --- Threats to Shenzhen --- p.42 / Chapter 6. --- RECOMMENDATIONS --- p.44 / Chapter 6.1 --- Focus on Hi-Tech and Financial Industries --- p.44 / Chapter 6.2 --- Support Big Companies --- p.44 / Chapter 6.3 --- Merge Baoan and Longgang Districts into the SEZ --- p.46 / Chapter 6.4 --- Implement 24-Hour Border Crossing at the Luohu Port --- p.47 / Chapter 6.5 --- Other Measures --- p.48 / Chapter 7. --- CONCLUSION --- p.49 / BIBLIOGRAPHY --- p.50

Thesis (M.Law) --University of Limpopo, 2008 / the University of Limpopo Financial Office

After liberizing of petroleum products in domestic market, higher crude oil price in the international market since 2005, and emergencing of a well-known in high managerial performance competitor, this case study company, a state-owened enterprise entitled with the responsibility of fully supply of petroleum products needed island wide, has already been impacted seriously by those environments change. History datum or documents analysis and case study methods were used to explore the influence of government policy to local petroleum industries and so the influence of international petroleum industry development to the petroleum industries in Taiwan. Also, the analysis of competition advantages of case company, the discussions on the competition strategies of case company, and further discussion on it's future developments influence by the stratagies were contained in the report. The conclussion are as follows: 1. To maintain two independant refiners and two independant petrochemicals are important in Taiwan. 2. The feed back mechanism, which was designed by the government, is important to the future development of the industries in Taiwan. 3. Taxation on energy from the public is helpful to increase competition of the whole country. 4. If state-owned enterprises may wholly subject by company law, there will be a positive effects on its¡¦ performance. 5. It is of vital important to establish a fair competition environment for this case study company. 6. It is of vital important to design a market price adjusing mechanism and will be much helpful for the development of the case study company. 7. The tuning of refinning structure is positive for the case study company. 8. Transferring to be an energy company is a vision of the case study company. 9. To strengthen exploration activitites has positive effects on the profitability for the case study company. 10. Well usage of gas station as marketing network will be helpfull to the operation of the case study company. 11. Building and maintainning a good image is essential for the case study company's operation in the future. Base on the conclusions mentioned above, this case study suggests: 1. Maintainning current two local petroleum refiners is a must at this moment. 2. The government should establish a fair competition environment and resonable market orders for petroleum industry in Taiwan. 3. Taxation on energy tax by level of consumer should be done by government, and also, the encourage measure for energy saving company should be announced. 4. A feedback mechanism must be designed by the government to help the futher development of petroleum industry. 5. The case study company should be allowed by the government to invest abroad so as to step into global market. 6. The case study company ought to have the competition promotion be carried out. 7. The case study company ought to join social responsibility to promote the image of the company.

In the strive towards a highly competitive market, the European Commission has long promoted an extensive use of so-called private enforcement, where individuals claim their rights, as guaranteed by the acquis communautaire, before national courts. The incentive to litigate is, mostly, the right to receive damages for loss suffered due to another private party’s violation of the EU antitrust rules, established by the CJEU in its famous ruling in Courage, in 2001.          Lately, the Commission seems to believe that the aim of a more effective private enforcement of antitrust law justifies rather extensive intrusions into the internal legal systems of the Member States. In a White Paper of 2008, the Commission proposed several measures aimed at enhancing the possibilities for individuals to be awarded with compensation for having suffered from a breach of the antitrust rules. These measures include the harmonization of certain national procedural laws, to facilitate inter alia damages claims at a national level. One year later, in 2009, an internal document with a draft for a directive was leaked out from the Commission, which suggests that there are advanced plans for issuing a harmonizing legislation.          Extensive critique has been aimed at the Commission’s proposal, mainly on the basis that procedural rules should be left unaltered by the European Union. Procedural rules are often considered to be the result of careful considerations of specific domestic characteristics and problems, which over time have resulted in a well-balanced internal system based on legal traditions and culture. Even though national rules would still apply in purely domestic situations, it is said that the internal balance of the national procedural systems would be undermined if certain procedural rules were to be harmonized throughout the Union.          This thesis aims at analysing whether the aim of an effective private enforcement of Union competition law does justify a harmonization of procedural rules that could facilitate inter alia private damage claims before national courts. In the case of a confirmative answer, the work also aims at answering to the question of what form such a harmonization should take: should the Commission initiate a legislative process or should it be left to the CJEU to continue developing the state of law through sporadic rulings on the matter? Recourse is made throughout the work to several important general principles of Union law, such as the principles of national procedural autonomy, subsidiarity, and equality. / I sin strävan efter att åstadkomma en marknad med hög konkurrenskraft har Europeiska kommissionen länge förespråkat ett mer extensivt nyttjande av så kallad private enforcement (ung. privat genomförande) där individer åberopar sina rättigheter, som följer av acquis communataire, inför nationella domstolar. Incitamentet för att driva processer består i dessa fall mestadels av rätten att erhålla skadestånd för den skada som klaganden lidit på grund av en annan privat aktörs brott mot konkurrensreglerna, grundad av EU-domstolen (EUD) i målet Courage, 2001.          På senare tid tycks kommissionen anse att målet med en mer effektiv private enforcement rättfärdigar relativt djupa intrång i medlemsstaternas interna rättssystem. I en Vitbok från 2008 föreslog kommissionen flera medel för att förbättra möjligheterna för individer att erhålla kompensation för skada orsakad av konkurrensöverträdelser. Förslagen skulle innebära en harmonisering av vissa processuella regler för att underlätta bland annat skadeståndstalan på nationell nivå. Ett år efter Vitbokens publicering läckte ett annat dokument ut från kommissionen, innehållande ett utkast på ett direktiv som föreslår liknande regler som Vitboken. Detta tyder på att det finns långt skridna planer för att skapa en harmoniserande lagstiftning på EU-nivå.          Omfattande kritik har riktats mot kommissionens förslag, mestadels på grunden att processuella regler bör undanhållas från Europeiska Unionens inflytande. Processuella regler anses ofta vara en produkt av noggranna överväganden av nationella särdrag och problem, som under tidens gång lett till ett välbalanserat internt system baserat på gamla rättstraditioner och rättskultur. Trots att nationella regler skulle fortsätta att gälla för rent interna situationer, påstås det att den interna balansen inom de nationella processuella systemen skulle undergrävas vid en harmonisering.          Denna magisteruppsats syftar till att analysera huruvida målet med en effektiv private enforcement av Unionens konkurrensregler rättfärdigar en harmonisering av processuella regler, för att underlätta bland annat privata skadeståndstalan i nationella domstolar. Om så visar sig vara fallet skall arbetet även undersöka vilken form en sådan harmonisering borde ta: skall kommissionen initiera en lagstiftningsprocess eller skall det vara upp till EUD att fortsätta utveckla det relevanta rättsläget? Under arbetet används genomgående några viktiga generella EU-rättsliga principer som referensramar. Dessa är bland annat principen om nationell processautonomi, subsidiaritet och likabehandling.