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This thesis examines the conditions under which ethno-territorial cross-border conflicts can be resolved successfully. Ethno-territorial cross-border conflict is a type of ethnic conflict in which competing territorial and ethnic claims of distinct state and group actors occur; and this manifests itself primarily on three interrelated levels - inter-group conflict, conflict between the external minority and the institutions of its host-state, and the (territorial) conflict between host- and kin-state. An initial theoretical exploration of the subject establishes the framework of the subsequent study of individual cases, examining why the similar conflicts in Alsace, the Saarland, South Tyrol, and Northern Ireland required fundamentally different solutions. In addition to this, the condominia of Andorra and the New Hebrides are analysed, providing the basis upon which the concept of a condominium-style settlement for ethno-territorial cross- border conflicts is explored. By looking at the workings of integration, traditional consociation and consociation with permanent institutionalised kin-state involvement, secession, and condominium, the complexity of factors is studied that influence the development of ethno- territorial cross-border conflict, including inter-ethnic and intra-ethnic dimensions and the policies of the host and kin-state in relation to the conflict and each other. Thus refined, the analytical framework allows determining the conditions that must be fulfilled to provide lasting stability to a negotiated settlement. This set of stability criteria creates a paradigm that has relevance as an analytical tool beyond the case studies conducted in this thesis. It can be used to design case-specific solutions to actual ethnic conflicts and it can serve as an instrument to recognise instabilities in, and potential breakdowns of, existing settlements sufficiently early to respond to them constructively and to avoid a re-escalation of an already settled conflict.

This thesis examines the international growth and diversification of real estate advisory services in the United States, the United Kingdom, Germany, and Japan from over a 30-year period, 1960-1990. These four countries were selected because they were the most active in cross-border direct investment during this period, and intricate economic interdependencies among them prompted the greatest advancements in innovative real estate advisory services. Economic and cultural differences and similarities among the four focal countries and their respective service professions provide the bases for evaluating the primary hypothesis: the internationalization of real estate advisory services were most efficiently and effectively achieved by firms that first built solid reputations in their home nations, and subsequently expanded into multiregional organizations by responding to the cross-border investment activities of existing and prospective multinational clients. If leading firms in the focal countries expanded in domestic markets to capitalize on the national economy's maturing real estate markets, then moved into foreign markets to capitalize on rising cross-border investment flows over the 1960-1990 period, the primary thesis raises a question about the relative significance of cross-border real estate investment to national economic conditions, generally, and to the growth of commercial real estate markets and sectoral employment in the focal countries, specifically. A secondary hypothesis, therefore, is tested to identify the relative impact of total cross-border real estate investment flows on employment levels in the commercial real estate sector in the U.S., U.K., Germany, and Japan. This thesis also examines the several dimensions of the economy and financial system affected by domestic and foreign investment in commercial real estate assets after 1960. For example, rising worldwide commercial property investment appeared to be an important factor in the escalation of corporate real estate values, in the growth of construction industries and related services sectors, in the changes in the net worth of major financial institutions, and in the asset diversification of insurance and pension fund portfolios. As part of this trend, the growth of international business and the rise in mergers and acquisitions also elevated cross-border direct investment activity in real estate as companies expanded into foreign markets. This thesis explores the process by which property advisory services internationalized and gained an important role in the global service economy by counseling investors on the location and volume of investment activities, and thereby influencing the international flow of real estate investment funds. It also examines whether real estate advisory firms in the focal countries gained competitive advantage over the 30-year period due to the presence of two basic conditions: an international network of property professionals; and a diversified services practice--brokerage, property management, finance, facilities planning and development, and real estate sales and purchases. By reviewing national fluctuations in cross-border direct investment in real estate, and periodic changes and major episodes in the foreign expansion of real estate advisory services in the focal countries, this thesis seeks to examine specific national factors that influenced effective internationalization in domestic property services. Basic principles in economic history provide the theoretical framework concerning competitive and comparative advantages among nations and particular organizations.

Tato diplomová práce podává ucelený přehled o česko-polské přeshraniční spolupráci na příkladu Euroregionu Glacensis. Součástí práce je nezbytné teoretické vymezení euroregionů a dalších přeshraničních struktur, vymezení jejich cílů a principů fungování, legislativní úprava a institucionální zabezpečení. Cílem práce je potvrdit význam a přínos přeshraniční spolupráce v procesu evropské integrace a zhodnotit do jaké míry tyto aktivity naplňují cíle vymezené ve strategii rozvoje ERG. Použitím metody komparace jsou zhodnoceny a srovnány programy, jejichž podpora je pro realizaci těchto rozvojových aktivit nezbytná. Pozornost je věnována předvstupním fondům Phare CREDO a Phare CBC, Iniciativě Společenství INTERREG IIIA a Novému operačnímu programu. Prostřednictvím dotazníkového šetření je zhodnocena informovanost studentů o existenci a aktivitách ERG. Výsledky šetření ukazují rovněž na vztah respondentů k obcím, ve kterých žijí a na jejich vztah k Polské republice.

Cross-border tourism development have become increasingly popular the last decades and especially within the European Union through Interreg-programmes. The contemporary research have mainly focused on the advantages and challenges associated with such collaborations with a perspective on visitors and private entrepreneurs in border regions. There are however an unfortunate lack of research on the role of local governments such as municipalities in cross-border tourism collaborations. Therefore the aim of this study is to analyse the interest and attitudes among public actors towards cross-border tourism development, and to identify challenges facing these on an interregional level in cross-border tourism collaborations. The case study have been the Öresund Region between Sweden and Denmark where recently a large scale cross-border platform was implemented party focusing on tourism development in the region. A qualitative approach has been utilized with semi-structured interviews focusing on advantages and challenges associated with cross-border tourism development among public actors in the region. The analysis have shown that there is a great interest among the informants for large scale tourism cooperation in order to reach distant markets and to become a stronger competitor on the global market. Identified challenges mainly concern uneven political power structures which may lead to barriers for further cooperation’s.

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This thesis examines Czech-German cross-border cooperation within intercultural communication, identifies problems and develops possible solutions. The thesis is divided into a practical and a theoretical part. The theoretical part first describes the Czech-German cross-border cooperation and then intercultural communication, followed by a discussion of the context and the research methods. In the practical part, the author first performs a sequential analysis of data collected via interviews conducted with people working in the Tandem organization. The results of the analysis are interpreted, problems within the cooperation of Tandem are identified, and possible solutions developed. A glossary divided into two parts, recapitulating the definitions of relevant terms from the first two theoretical chapters of this thesis, is listed at the end of this work. A French résumé summarizing all the important points and conclusions is enclosed with the thesis. The aim of this thesis is to answer the following research question: "Linguistic and intercultural challenges of Czech-German non-profit cross-border cooperation: The case of the Tandem organization."

The aim of this thesis is to analyze the influence of cross-border cooperation on the competitiveness of border regions, here Franco-German. For this purpose, the study focuses on two European integration models located on the eastern part of France on the border with Germany: Euroregion TriRhena and Eurodis-trict Pamina. The influence of cross-border cooperation on the competitiveness of Euroregions and Eurodistricts is analyzed through the presentation and evalua-tion of the organization, objectives, areas of competences as well as through the actions and funding of these organizations. The activities and the results of the two chosen examples are compared with respect to beneficial and unfavorable outcomes that may result, revealing also the development opportunities provided by each structure. After presentation of the theoretical context, different forms of cross-border cooperation and the European framework recommended for the integration models are outlined. Finally, discussions around the concept of com-petitiveness are reported. In a second part, the methodological approach includ-ing the choice of the case studies, the data collected and the analysis criteria, is outlined. In a third part, results are compared, evaluated and discussed in order to answer the research question: Does cross-border cooperation improve the competitiveness of Euroregions and Eurodistricts?

acase@tulane.edu / Cross-border cases involving admiralty and bankruptcy law are troublesome because of the fundamentally different natures of the policy objectives of these two private avenues. The current declining shipping market shows the urgent need to address these issues at both a theoretical and practical level. The basic problem considered in this dissertation is what should happen when a ship owner files an insolvency proceeding in one country, while at the same time facing an in rem action against its vessel in another country? In other words, should the in rem action arising in one country be stayed or dismissed because of the existence of insolvency proceedings in another country? This dissertation also discusses the relevant issues regarding the determination of the “center of main interest” of an offshore shipping company and the scope of a debtor’s assets. The author uses a comparative law analysis, selecting four leading shipping countries—Australia, the U.K., the U.S., and Singapore—and examining their approaches to the treatment of maritime claimants. The author also proposes a solution to help eliminate the ambiguity occurred in maritime cross-border insolvency cases under the UNCITRAL Model Law regime, with an eye to enhancing the development of the shipping industry. / 1 / Jingchen Xu

The topic of this thesis is divided towns, defined as the towns which once existed as unified administrative units before an international border divided them. In a time of globalization, the character of many border lines is changing. In many places, borders are loosing their dividing character. In the European Union, divided towns might be perceived as natural symbols of integration between neighboring countries. The main goal of the study is to answer the research question: “In towns divided by an international border that is a river, what are the conditions that must be met to achieve a mutually beneficial level of cooperation?” In order to address the research question, benefits and barriers in cross-border cooperation and integration are studied. A quality of cooperation and an advancement of integration between bordering communities are explored. Impact of actions undertaken by local decision makers to improve the cross-border cooperation and integration are examined. Görlitz-Zgorzelec, located on the German-Polish border, was chosen as a case study place. The research methods used in the study requiring public involvement are official and non-official interviews and questionnaires. Additional information was also collected from academic and non-academic sources. Based on the data collected during the research, a set of key indicators was created to measure an advancement of cooperation between the divided town sections, in the field of spatial planning, culture and social integration.