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The diet and feeding ecology of harbour seals around BritainWilson, Lindsay J. January 2015 (has links)
Since 2000, there has been a marked decline in the number of harbour seals in some regions around Britain; one possible contributing cause is competition for prey with sympatric grey seals. To explore one important aspect of this interaction, in this thesis the diet of harbour seals is estimated using analysis of hard prey remains recovered from faeces and compared with equivalent results for grey seals. To estimate coefficients to account for partial and complete digestion of hard prey remains, 100 whole prey feeding trials were conducted with six harbour seals and 18 prey species. Differences were found among prey species and between harbour and grey seals highlighting the importance of applying predator- and prey-specific digestion correction factors when reconstructing diet. In a comprehensive exploration of the diet of harbour seals around Britain, sandeel and flatfish dominated in the North Sea and large gadoids dominated on the Scottish west coast with seasonal pulses of pelagic prey. Variation in diet was linked to regional and seasonal differences in prey distribution and abundance. Sex-specific variation in harbour seal diet was examined in four regions. The main difference detected was in The Wash, where female diet quality was significantly higher than males in winter, which appeared to be driven by greater consumption of pelagic prey by female seals associated with seasonal energetic requirements of their annual life cycle. Comparison of the diet of harbour and grey seals revealed regional differences in diet composition, diversity and quality between the two species. However, there was no consistent pattern in this variation in relation to regional variation in harbour and grey seals population trajectories and no clear evidence for interspecific competition for prey. Future work should focus on an integrated investigation of prey abundance and distribution, and seal diet and foraging behaviour/distribution.
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Impacts and interactions of two non-indigenous seaweeds Mazzaella japonica (Mikami) Hommersand and Sargassum muticum (Yendo) Fensholt in Baynes Sound, British ColumbiaPawluk, Kylee Ann 03 May 2016 (has links)
This thesis examines the interactions of two non-indigenous algae, Mazzaella japonica and Sargassum muticum, where they co-exist and their impacts on native species in their recipient habitats. Field and lab experiments were conducted to determine if they impact native seaweed communities, marine invertebrates, and supralittoral regions.
In situ studies conducted in areas where Mazzaella japonica exists without Sargassum muticum found that removal of M. japonica allowed for an increase of native seaweed abundance and richness growing in fully subtidal regions, but had no detectable impact on native seaweeds growing in intertidal regions. Additionally, at the intertidal site, removal of M. japonica resulted in the recruitment of S. muticum. In regions where the two non-indigenous seaweeds co-exist, removal of both non-indigenous seaweeds negatively impacted native seaweeds. The magnitude of this negative impact was greater in subtidal compared to intertidal regions. M. japonica removal had a greater impact on native seaweed recovery than did S. muticum removal in areas of co-existence.
Removal of Mazzaella japonica also allowed for a significant increase in percent cover of Sargassum muticum at both sites where these two seaweeds co-exist. An increase in percent cover of M. japonica was found at the subtidal site when S. muticum was removed. Though both species increased when reprieved from competition with the other non-indigenous species, removal of M. japonica had a far greater influence on the increase in cover of S. muticum. This suggests that M. japonica is the dominant competitor in the ecosystem outcompeting S. muticum.
Field surveys found Mazzaella japonica was the dominant wrack species washing up on beaches in Baynes Sound. Though Sargassum muticum is also a component of the wrack, it has a disproportionately large influence as a spatial subsidy on beach habitats. S. muticum decayed and decomposed at a faster rate than M. japonica and all native seaweeds tested except for Chondracanthus exasperatus. Additionally, S. muticum was colonized by significantly more invertebrates than either M. japonica or Fucus spp. Results from these studies are intended to provide information for resource managers making policy decisions regarding the fate of these two non-indigenous species. / Graduate / 0329
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THE EFFECT OF COMPETITION ON WEIGHT LOSS AT THE WORKSITEGoodby, Carol-Sue McDonald, 1958- January 1986 (has links)
No description available.
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The competitiveness of South African apple industry in a global contextBeukes, Stephan 03 1900 (has links)
Thesis (MBA)--University of Stellenbosch, 2009. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The object of this study was to do a comparative analysis of the competitiveness of the
South African apple industry with the competitive ran kings published by Dr Desmond
O'Rourke as a guideline. Firstly, the intention was to determine if South Africa's ranking is
valid and representative, and secondly, to look at the scope for improvement.
South Africa's best competitive performance is in the area of production. Although South
Africa is performing well there is still scope for improvement by increasing productivity of
orchards and quality of the crop. Input costs, labour and climate change are other big
concerns.
The biggest area for improvement however lies with the relationship between the South
African apple industry and the South African government. Many of the changes in
legislation and policy since 1994 have had a negative impact on the competitiveness of the
South African apple industry. Government need to play an active role in supporting the
apple industry through infrastructure, market access and financial support for industry
initiatives like promotion and research. This can only be achieved if there is a partnership
between the industry and government. The Department of Agriculture also need to be
capacitated to perform their functions professionally and efficiently.
In terms of market and demand the main concern is the dependence of the South African
apple industry on the markets of Europe and the United Kingdom. These markets also
have a decline in per capita consumption of apples. This, associated with increased
consumer pressure in terms of food safety, environmental and ethical issues and the
power of retailers, creates a need to get market access in new developing markets like
India and China. The promotions of consumption of apples in the local market would also
have a positive effect on profitability.
In a world market where the production volume of South Africa is insignificant, the industry
needs to do everything in its control to increase competitiveness. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die doel van hierdie studie was om 'n vergelykende studie van die mededingendheid van
die Suid-Afrikaanse appelindustrie te doen met die mededingendheidsranglys van Dr.
Desmond O'Rourke as 'n riglyn. Eerstens was die oogmerk om te bepaal of hierdie
ranglys verteenwoordigend is van die mededingendheid van Suid-Afrika, en tweedens om
die ruimte en area vir verbetering te identifiseer.
Suid-Afrika se beste area van kompeterende prestasie is produksie. Alhoewel Suid-Afrika
goed vaar op hierdie gebied is daar nog steeds ruimte vir verbetering deur produktiwiteit
van boorde en die kwaliteit van die oes te verhoog. Insetkoste, arbeid en
klimaatsverandering is ook areas van bekommernis.
Die grootste area vir verbetering is egter die verhouding tussen die Suid-Afrikaanse
industrie en die regering. Baie van die veranderinge in wetgewing en beleid sedert 1994
het 'n negatiewe impak op die mededingendheid van die Suid-Afrikaanse appelindustrie
gehad. Die regering moet 'n aktiewe rol speel om die appelindustrie te ondersteun t.o.v.
die infrastruktuur, marktoegang, promosie en navorsing. Dit kan slegs bereik word as daar
'n vennootskap tussen die regering en industrie is. Die Departement van Landbou het ook
die kapasiteit nodig om hulle taak professioneel en effektief te kan verrig.
In terme van markte en vraag is die grootste bekommernis die afhanklikheid van die Suid-Afrikaanse
industrie van die markte van Europa en die Verenigde Koninkryk. Hierdie
markte toon 'n afname in per capita verbruik van appels. Dit tesame met die
verbruikersdruk in terme van voedselveilighied, omgewing en etiese kwessies en die mag
van die supermarkte skep die behoefte om marktoegang tot nuwe ontwikkelende markte
soos Indie en China uit te brei. Die promosie van verbruik van appels in die plaaslike mark
sal ook 'n positiewe effek op winsgewendheid he.
In 'n wereldmark waar die produksievolume van Suid-Afrika nie noemenswaardig is nie, is
dit van die uiterste belang dat die industrie alles in hul vermoe doen am mededingendheid
te verhoog.
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In pursuit of a competitive position in global private banking in the Asia Pacific regionVon Eldik, Deborah Sijlmans. January 1988 (has links)
published_or_final_version / Business Administration / Master / Master of Business Administration
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Service value as a source of competitive advantage: exploring its application in the airline industryNg, Ka-wai, Ophelia., 吳家慧. January 1995 (has links)
published_or_final_version / Business Administration / Master / Master of Business Administration
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Competitive strategies for small construction contractors in HongKongChan, Wing-tung, Patrick., 陳永桐. January 1989 (has links)
published_or_final_version / Business Administration / Master / Master of Business Administration
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International competitiveness of Japanese firms: case study on construction industryShimomura, Masaki., 下村昌樹. January 1998 (has links)
published_or_final_version / Business Administration / Master / Master of Business Administration
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The Tao of coopetition in organizations: culture and categorization of competitive behaviors in teams and working relationshipsKeller, Josh Wheatly 01 February 2010 (has links)
This dissertation provides a cultural-cognitive perspective on the relationship between cooperation and competition within organizations. Instead of explicitly defining the relationship between cooperation and competition, I examine lay beliefs about the relationship and the impact of these beliefs on perceptions and behavior. This dissertation consists of two studies. In the first study, I examine the role of peoples’ categorization of competitive behaviors as cooperative or non-cooperative in teams. I assess the influence of dialectical reasoning, a culturally-shaped reasoning style, on the categorization of competitive behaviors and the reaction to competitive behaviors within teams. I test my predictions with a laboratory experiment with participants in the US and China. The analyses from this study reveal cultural differences in perceptual and behavioral reactions to competitive behaviors, with differences partially attributed to reasoning style and categorization. In the second study, I examine the role of people’s categorization of competitive behaviors as cooperative or non-cooperative in working relationships. I assess the influence of culture and categorization on people’s ego-centric network of working relationships. I test my predictions with a survey of working professionals in the US and China. The analyses from this study demonstrate that people who categorize certain competitive behaviors as cooperative are more likely to be more cooperative with people they are more competitive with instead of having exclusively cooperative or competitive relationships. The analyses also reveal national cultural differences in people’s networks of working relationships that are partially attributable to categorization of competitive behaviors. By empirically connecting culture and reasoning style to cooperative and competitive behavior in teams and working relationships, this research enhances our understanding of fundamental aspects of organizations, suggesting a new approach to examining the influence of societal factors in behavior within organizations. / text
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Resource complementarity of the internet and its role in creating sustained competitive advantage in firmsChow, Lo-sing, Charles, 周路成 January 2010 (has links)
published_or_final_version / Business / Doctoral / Doctor of Philosophy
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