M.Comm. / South Africa's demand for electricity is expected to outstrip the industry's generation capacity by 2010. If the government wants to avoid this situation, the construction of new plants must commence. At the moment this task has been delayed because the Government is at loggerheads with COSAU and Eskom about restructuring the electricity supply industry. This debate will remain unsolved unless the government can substantiate why exposing the industry to competition will improve its performance. Unfortunately this task is not as simple as it seems. Even though competition is one of the most widely used terms in economics, it still remains an elusive concept. The ambiguity regarding tl1e meaning of competition arises from the failure to divorce the concept of competition from a market structure; as a consequence an operational meaning of what it means to compete \n terms of contemporary business behaviour does not exist. As a result activities associated with industrialisation, such as a changing production function, the development of new products and t~chniqu'::s and business structures are not related to the concept of competition. In order to develop n clear understanding of "what it means to compete", this dissertadon uses a behavioural definition of competition to determine why exposing firms to. competitive pressure improves their performance, reflected in superior static and dynamic efficiency levels. Based on this conceptual framework, Schumpeter' s approach to competition, which emphasises innovation, profits and the entrepreneur as the agent of improvement combined with the idea that it is the uneven development of knowledge that matters in the process of creative destruction", is accepted (Metcalfe & Ramlogan &Uyarra: 2001). Based on the above notion of competition, competitive pressure positively influences firms' performance, improving their static and dynamic efficiency levels. A micro-economic analysis of a C!)IDp.etitive electricity industry is conducted in order to test the abov~ assumption. This case study demonstrates that the competitive process ultimately improves thr: integration of knowledge throughout the supply chain, which is used an input to stimulate innovation within firms and exploit new technologies (Murphy, 2002:21). As a result, firms facing competition will try to retaii1 their market position 2 by exploiting all knowledge and exploring all avenues of technological invention, before selecting the best method (Khan: 1998). In addition, this case study illustrates that stimulating dynamic efficiency goes beyond developing and implementing "hardware" (computers, CCGT plants, fuel cells etc). Although technology plays an important role in shaping industrial organisation, it is not the catalyst that drives innovation and change. Rather organisational innovation changes market participants' schemas, breeding new ideas that become the input to create technology. Therefore organisational innovation has profound efficiency consequences (Williamson, 1994: 183). If technological and organisational inncvation is intertwined, then innovation is a complex evolutionary process, which occurs over time. Furthermore innovation cannot occur in a vacuum, but is interconnected, interwoven and interdependent with an industry's physical and institutional context (Perez, 2000). Based on the stylised facts a competitive market provides the institutional context that stimulates innovation, and therefore it might be worth incurring the transactions costs and short-term losses in order to create these opportunities.

This thesis tests and explores the impact of increasing competition (marketisation) on the leaders of NHS hospitals in England. The research was prompted by the researcher’s observations in practice that language and behaviours were changing to reflect an increasing sense of competition between NHS hospitals. Whilst published opinions are not difficult to find in relation to changing NHS policy, this unique academic investigation provides a new contribution to knowledge through evidence generated from a mixed methodological research process. A qualitative case-study involving telephone interviews with leaders at a single hospital site were conducted in late 2009. The findings were tested for generalisability across 20 NHS hospital sites as a larger cohort of comparable NHS leaders were targeted using a multi-site, on-line questionnaire in 2010. This thesis concludes that hospital leaders believe that competition exists between NHS hospitals. A significant proportion also believes that the sense of competition is increasing. This is evidenced through culturally significant research findings related to changes in leadership behaviour, language and actions as a consequence of increasing marketisation. Furthermore, hospital leaders are divided and clearly unconvinced that increased competition would be a good thing for the NHS. This has numerous implications for policy, leadership in practice, leadership and market theory and specifically, the NHS leadership development model - the NHS ‘Leadership Qualities Framework’ (LQF).

Interference competition is widely considered to structure ant communities. Competition’s effect, however, may be contingent upon disturbance or the abiotic environment. The interaction of temperature and competition is implicit in a wide body of ant community research; however, very few studies have experimentally manipulated these variables. To investigate the role of competition and temperature on ant communities, I (i) employed null models to investigate how species partition their spatial, temporal, and thermal environments in disturbed and undisturbed forests, (ii) used pairwise behavioral experiments to construct a Markov chain model to predict relative abundance patterns and correlated behavioral indices to species co-occurrence patterns, and (iii) conducted a shade, physiological thermal tolerance, and fully factorial shade and removal experiment to investigate the interaction of competition and temperature on ant community structure. The results of these studies are summarized below. First, I took advantage of a natural experiment, the 2002 Biscuit Fire, to investigate how species partition their temporal, thermal, and spatial environments in disturbed and undisturbed forests with null models. I found that most sites displayed a high degree of temporal niche overlap and species aggregation along the thermal axis. Half of the sites, however, had regular spacing of the temperature at which species obtain maximum activity. Species co-occurrence patterns in space modulated with diurnal temperature variations. Unburned sites had more spatial segregation of species than burned sites. Overall, it appears as though species activity is regulated, at least in part, by the thermal niche axis, and ant communities may repeatedly assemble and disassemble throughout the day. Second, I used data from pairwise behavioral experiment to generate transition probabilities for a Markov chain model. Assuming the landscape represents a large number of patches, the model predicted the relative abundance of an assemblage. I compared Markov chain predictions of relative abundance to relative abundance measurements on the local and regional scale. I used the same pairwise behavioral data to predict species co-occurrence values in three sites. Neither model accurately predicted community patterns. The only significant result was the Markov chain prediction of bait occurrence on the local scale; however, the relationship was opposite of the prediction. Finally, I conducted a shade experiment to investigate how communities respond to an altered thermal environment and associated their response to results from physiological thermal tolerance experiments. I then conducted a fully-factorial shade and Formica moki removal experiment to investigate if thermal responses were mediated by competitive effects. The addition of shade tables greatly reduced temperatures in the field, and Temnothorax nevadensis abundance was consistently lower in shade treatments. Decreased abundance at shade stations did not appear to be an indirect effect of F. moki activity. Physiological thermal tolerance was strongly associated with changes in abundance in shade treatments: the lower a species thermal tolerance, the greater its positive change in abundance after shade additions. The only species with a strong foraging response to F. moki removal was T. nevadensis, a species who was often cooccurred with F. moki on baits. I did not find evidence for the interaction of competition and temperature, and it appears as though physiological differences strongly influence the foraging activity of Siskiyou ant communities.

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KEY WORDS: leniency, hard-core cartel, whistleblowing, competition The EU/US Leniency policy is a thesis collecting and classifying huge amount of information and data from several legislations in relation to a relatively new phenomenon of leniency policy. Its additional value are not only commentaries on the de lege lata (currently existing) legislation, but mainly de lege ferandae presumptions emphasizing the trends which could be anticipated in the leniency policies in the future. Processing world data would not be in my capacities and therefore I decided to work with the most representative legislations - those of the European Union and of the United States, a minor insight is also given in case of Great Britain, Germany and France. The thesis helps the reader get familiar with the basic leniency concepts (terminology, principles, history) and subsequently starts explaining the core of the laws from the substantial as well as procedural point of view. Chapters enabling comparison of European and American law firstly set both legislative frameworks and then provide a comparative chapter at the end dealing with weaknesses and strengths of each program. The historical part deals with the circumstances which led to passing of the legislative predecessors of the current laws but also carefully...

The effects of fertiliser application, recultivation type and site age on chemical and microbiological soil properties were examined on a short-term (1year) experimental trial situated on spoil heaps in Sokolov mining district, Czech Republic. Treatments at the site included fertilisation by inorganic form of nitrogen, concretely calcic saltpetre (N) and fertilisation by inorganic form of phosphorus, namely superphosphate (P). Plots were either fertilised in the beginning of growing season or unfertilised. Microbial biomass-C increased as a consequence of both N and P addition while comparing with control. There was a significant effect of fertilisation on non-fumigated C representing labile source of carbon. With N,P application non-fumigated C significantly decreased. Specific respiration rate calculated as basal microbial respiration to microbial biomass-C was significantly increased by fertiliser application. In contrary, no significant treatment effect on the other parameters include water extractable carbon, total C, total N, available P, soil pH and basal respiration was recorded. The results indicate that short-term fertilisation is not able maintain soil condition. Therefore, site age or recultivation treatment had significant effect on mostly investigated parameters (WEC, total C) rather...

Title: An observation of varying performances of triathletes based upon gender and age in the sport of Iron Distance Triathlons. Objectives: The goal of the thesis is to compare the results of the swim leg in the Ironman World Championship. We will be working with thirteen age groups compiling of 18 - 80 plus year old participants as well as both genders, male and female to gather our results. Our plan is to process results from the years 2005-2014, which is exactly 10 years or one decade. Method: Our method for gathering the results was a multiple analysis that complied a breakdown of the swim portion of an Iron Distance Triathlon for all Age Groups during those specific years. Results: After extensive research analyzing data, comparing data and studying past performances, we found that the participants times in the swim portion of Ironman Triathlon World Championships showed small significant differences over the past ten years. With minor deteriorations or improvements, swimming performances were seen at a consistent level for male and female age group 25-40. Men in the age group 18-54 showed improved outcomes over the women's same age group by 6-15%. In age groups ranging from 55- 80+, swim times increased by 15%. Overall the age groups with the most significant fluctuations in swim times was...

M.B.A. / Over the past two years the international steel industry amply demonstrated just how precarious the business can be. Several steel companies fell by the way. Protectionism increased dramatically. Anti-dumping actions and unfair trade accusations were instigated at a level not previously seen. Any concept of the value of steel became blurred and in the near future, analysis predict, it is difficult to see much in the way of relief. To ensure its survival in these harsh conditions, the South African steel industry will be forced to look beyond its traditional markets and seek strategies to become more competitive. The objective of this research project is to determine the key strategic factors that lead to the successful global competitiveness of an organisation in the South African steelmaking industry. The literature survey revealed the trend among many of the global leaders in the steel industry. The literature also included Porter's research on competitive advantage and other authors strategies, which are considered as key factors in influencing global competitiveness. The analysis of the survey among the South African steelmakers revealed a picture of a fragmented industry. The majority of steelmakers were identified as been well out of step with the global trend and the issues identified in the literature. The research highlighted that in order for South African steelmakers to achieve global competitiveness there is a need for consolidation and strategic alliances in the industry. It was also recognised that organisations need to develop, exploit and lever their technologies, competitive advantages, core-competencies and their strategies, in creating a globally competitive organisation. Managing the linkages between these various strategies was revealed as key to achieving a unique global competitive advantage.

The key to success in the increasingly strong competition environment is sophisticated long-term strategic direction. This strategic analysis should be one of the tools for management of GTS to a long-term growth strategy.

The Dissertation work assesses the position of Renault brand on the market of personal and light utility vehicles in Czech Republic through the competitive analysis. Theoretical part describes methods of the sector analysis and competitor analysis. That part is focused on the competitive advantage as the main pillar of success in terms of the competition battles on the market. Introduction of the practical part depicts current situation, structure and and genesis of the car market in the Czech Republic. It is followed by image analysis of the Renault brand and its comparison with other significant vehicle brands. Practical part is concluded by comparison of competitors in the particular segment determined according to results of the Renault portfolio analysis.