Submitted by Lucas De Moura Reis (lucsreis@gmail.com) on 2013-08-27T20:52:06Z No. of bitstreams: 1 Dissertação - versão final Lucas Reis.pdf: 1558450 bytes, checksum: 422a7b41e44ddd6bb0304488e4e6a7c4 (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Vitor Souza (vitor.souza@fgv.br) on 2013-08-30T18:57:30Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 1 Dissertação - versão final Lucas Reis.pdf: 1558450 bytes, checksum: 422a7b41e44ddd6bb0304488e4e6a7c4 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2013-09-19T19:51:22Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Dissertação - versão final Lucas Reis.pdf: 1558450 bytes, checksum: 422a7b41e44ddd6bb0304488e4e6a7c4 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2012-05-23 / A forte apreciação cambial que o Brasil sofreu na última década se traduziu em um novo debate acerca da hipótese de Doença Holandesa no país. Como a queda da taxa de câmbio real ocorreu em um período de alta de preços de commodities e nos últimos anos, especialmente após a crise de 2008, vimos uma maior concentração da pauta exportadora em produtos primários, muitos economistas argumentam que a apreciação foi consequência do boom de commodities e que, em razão disso, o Brasil poderia estar sofrendo da Doença Holandesa. Este trabalho mostra que o boom de commodities não foi a principal causa da apreciação da taxa de câmbio real e não representou uma maior dependência destas mercadorias. A mudança do perfil de risco da economia brasileira foi um dos fatores mais importante para a queda da taxa de câmbio. Concluímos, portanto, que a recente perda de competitividade dos demais setores exportadores não pode ser atribuída exclusivamente à valorização das commodities. / The strong appreciation of the Brazilian currency in the last decade has resulted in a new debate on whether the economy has caught the Dutch Disease. The fall of the real exchange rate has occurred in a period of growing commodity prices and, since we have seen a greater concentration of Brazilian exports in primary goods in recent years, specially after the recent financial crisis, many economists argue that the appreciation was due to the commodity boom and that, as a consequence, Brazil could be suffering from the Dutch Disease. This paper shows that, although the relative importance of these goods in the trade balance is high, the commodity boom was not the main cause of the appreciation of the real exchange rate and did not reflect in a higher dependence on primary goods. Another determinant factor for the real exchange rate appreciation was the change in the Brazilian country risk. We therefore conclude that the recent loss of competitiveness of other export sectors cannot be exclusively attributed to the rise in commodity prices.

The overarching question of this dissertation is in what ways complementary currencies (CC) systems can contribute to environmental sustainability from an institutional and ecological economics perspective. More particularly, the research focuses on household energy consumption, as it is an important target for policy makers in the EU. The first three chapters focus on the emerging trend of using CC systems as top-down instruments for environmental sustainability. Our findings relate to developing a taxonomy of these systems, designing new top-down CC systems adapted to the context of energy savings in the household sector, exploring the influence of these new systems on the quality of motivation in the light of Self-Determination Theory and investigating the acceptability and effectiveness of these systems. In the fourth and last chapter of this dissertation, we approach our research question from a bottom-up angle and, using an inductive methodology, we explore how community currencies could act as an organising instrument capable of helping cohousing communities achieve their energy-efficiency potential. Finally, we conclude by highlighting our contributions regarding the structure and important features of these systems, how they can be used in an ecological economics paradigm, and how they can set rules for collective action in an institutional perspective. / Doctorat en Sciences économiques et de gestion / info:eu-repo/semantics/nonPublished

Previous literature examining the scenario without the constraint of legal tender law is a rather theoretical analysis of the subject matter. Aside from the theoretical examination of the competition of money this paper offers dynamic structural macroeconomic model based on the money in the utility function. This model compares the current monetary conditions with the potential situation permitting more currencies circulating alongside. The main assumption about individuals' preferences over stable currencies underlines the whole paper with emphasis on the mathematical model. The uniqueness of this model lies in the incorporation of variables affecting respective money demand functions into the utility function of the DSGE model and in the purpose of its use as well as its variables, where representative agent is a household owning a bank rather than a firm. Overall the results of this paper favor the idea of exclusion of the legal tender law in a developed country without severe turmoil. Particularly, the ascent of competition among currencies leads to lower inflation than present scenario. However, final simulations of the model in Matlab supplements such so far "unambiguous" view with skepticism due to possible difficulties during discovery process in such scenario.

Cette thèse vise à présenter des éléments nouveaux sur quelques questions clés relatives à l’architecture du système monétaire et financier international permettant d’éclairer les enjeux de son évolution possible au cours des années à venir. Les deux premiers chapitres présentent des éléments empiriques en faveur du « regard nouveau » sur la concurrence entre monnaies internationales. Ils étudient deux dimensions de l’utilisation internationale d’une monnaie, à savoir son rôle comme instrument de financement dans les marchés obligataires internationaux et celui de moyen de paiement des transactions internationales pour un bien homogène comme le pétrole. Le troisième chapitre met en lumière une source d’inertie dans le choix des monnaies internationales autre que les externalités et rendements croissants liées aux effets de réseau qui a attiré jusqu’à présent moins d’attention, à savoir les coûts fixes et les effets d’apprentissage endogènes. Le dernier chapitre identifie le risque d’aléa moral comme canal permettant à l’accumulation de réserves d’avoir des effets inflationnistes. / This dissertation presents new evidence on selected issues relating to the architecture of the international monetary and financial system, which might help shed some light on its potential evolution in the period ahead. The first two chapters of the dissertation provide new evidence in support of the “new view”. They study two different dimensions of international currency use, namely the role of currencies as financing units in the global bond market and their role as means of payment in international transactions in homogenous goods, specifically in the global oil market. The third chapter sheds light on a source of persistence in international currency use besides network externalities and increasing returns which had attracted less attention hitherto, namely sunk costs and endogenous learning effects. The last chapter identifies moral hazard as a channel through which reserve accumulation can have inflationary effects.

Residents of informal settlements (slums) are vulnerable to various disturbances; e.g. diseases spreading and fluctuations in food prices and local access to credits. The lack of credits derives from the continuous outflow of money from communities. This study examines a financial innovation called Sarafu-credits (SC) implemented in Kenyan informal settlements by the organization Grassroots Economics (GE). SC is a community currency (CC), more particularly vouchers only used within a network of micro-businesses, which aim to complement scarcity of conventional money. In addition, GE have initiated community activities, e.g. tree planting, trash collection, food gardens and cultural events, where residents can be paid in SC to improve the community socially and environmentally. This study examines the design and practice of SC, and the activities, using mainly semi-structured interviews with SC-network-members and GE key persons, to understand how a CC can contribute to sustainable livelihood. The concepts specified and general resilience are used to understand the links between SC and the various social-ecological disturbances facing slum-dwellers. The results suggest that SC-members who are actively trading with SC are able to increase their sales, savings and access to basic goods and services thanks to SC. The results also suggest the networks and community activities are strengthening social contacts in the neighbourhood, and constitute examples of how a CC can help finance management of local environmental problems, where SC paid for community services also support local trade. The identified challenges are related to local leadership, where trust, communication and consistency of rules are lacking. In one of the networks, the confidence in the usefulness of the currency is lacking, due to these challenges. GE have experimented with different designs where one successful innovation is the ability to exchange SC to conventional money at certain occasions, which seem to strengthen the confidence in SC.

В данной работе проведен анализ влияния корпоративной культуры на рабочие процессы, выявлены проблемы, возникающие на предприятиях при формировании корпоративной культуры, предложены варианты их решения. Составлена полная модель предприятия, рассмотрены существующие процессы построения коммуникаций в ИТ-подразделении и описаны методики, позволяющие оценить эффективность проекта и проанализировать его результаты. Также проведено планирование проекта,оценка рисков, оценка эффективности от внедрения проекта в ИТ-подразделение ООО «Газпром трансгаз Екатеринбург», в том числе и экономической. Практическая значимость заключается в том, что методы, описанные в данной работе, могут являться обоснованием для масштабирования информационной системы социальных коммуникаций в ООО «Газпром трансгаз Екатеринбург». / In this paper, we analyzed the impact of corporate culture on workflows, identified problems arising in enterprises in the formation of corporate culture, and suggested solutions for them. A complete enterprise model has been compiled, existing communications building processes in the IT department have been reviewed, and methodologies have been described to evaluate the effectiveness of the project and analyze its results. Also, the project was planned, a risk assessment, an assessment of the effectiveness of project implementation in the IT division of Gazprom Transgaz Yekaterinburg LLC, including economic. The practical significance lies in the fact that the methods described in this paper may be the rationale for scaling the social communications information system in Gazprom Transgaz Yekaterinburg LLC.

Up until now, Bitcoin as a marketing tool to leverage the brand image of an e-retailer has only been researched scarcely. This paper contributes to filling this gap by looking at Bitcoin’s suitability as primarily a cognition-based trust-building tool in the context of online sex shops. Online sex shops in which affective-based trust is taken as a use-case to exemplarily assess whether far associations customers have with Bitcoin can be transferred unto their brand image, assessing its effectiveness. Moreover, as Bitcoin is a payment method, this study feels the pulse in how far trust is established with the general public to assess chances of success when introducing it as an option to existing alternatives. Trust is considered important in the transaction and decision-making processes of a customer as much as it is in building and fostering brand image. Two expert interviews and one survey make up the data source for this research to gain a holistic view from the customer’s, the retailer’s and the industry expert’s perspective. Findings from the different sources were first in-case analyzed before cross-comparing them. The study highlighted the fact that Bitcoin as a marketing tool is highly case-sensitive, cognition-based, and risky in both - financial and marketing terms. It is best used as part of a long-term strategy and in cases in which the brand image of a brand is as similar to that of Bitcoin as possible. Additionally, Bitcoin disposes of many of the same qualities as other payment methods do and although trust in it is still limited, it is competitive in terms of factors like transaction speed and cost. There is no uniform bundle of associations and a positive or negative evaluation thereof to be connected to it, however, factors like gender, financial education, and trust in one’s own abilities are all found to influence trust and usage intention. The study finds potential for both – Bitcoin as a marketing tool and payment method.

In recent years, microtransactions have become a norm for monetization and a standardbusiness model in free-to-play games. This is something that affects multiple individuals andhas caused quite a stir among players. Through this research, we want to gain anunderstanding of why some microtransaction types might be considered more acceptable thanothers. In addition, to gaining potential data that could possibly give us a look into the futureof the design of microtransactions. We have gathered our data by conducting online chatbased semi-structured interviews with current and former university students studying gamedesign at Uppsala University.The research found that game design students have a predominantly negative opinion aboutmost microtransactions, especially when they were affecting the gameplay, contrary to whenthey were not.

Thesis (MPhil (Sociology and Social Anthropology))--University of Stellenbosch, 2010. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The Internet has long stimulated thought and discussion around the idea of an alternative economy based on reciprocal exchange. To date, however, the benefits of this gift economy have been largely limited to the realms of cyberspace. Despite the dramatic changes in social interaction and exchanges facilitated by online networking, and the evolution of what may be referred to as a ‘high-tech gift economy’, the potential of the Internet to really revolutionize economic systems has been limited, as the gifting involved did not extend beyond the realms of cyberspace. By contrast to this global, virtual, gift economy that has developed online, this thesis explores the way in which Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs), traditionally renowned for enhancing global reach, can be used to build and strengthen local exchange systems using community currencies. The research focuses specifically on the emergence of an alternative online currency, the Community Exchange System (CES), which originated in Cape Town towards the end of 2002, and has since spread to be used by 218 exchanges in 29 countries. Particular attention is paid to the pilot exchange that was launched in Cape Town, namely the Cape Town Talent Exchange (CTTE). The thesis proposes that web-based community currencies can provide an alternative to the current economic system, allowing for a relationship-centred approach to exchange that can be likened to a type of gift economy, centred on the principle of reciprocity, and fostering a spirit of abundance over scarcity. By doing so it is proposed that what Karl Polanyi (1944) referred to as the ‘great transformation’ of the 20th century, characterised by a shift in emphasis from human relationships to market price mechanisms, may be reversed in the ‘network society’ (Castells, 1996), in which principles of reciprocity and gift exchange are re-embedded in ‘relationship economics’ (Deragon, 2007). Part A provides a review of literature pertaining to online anthropology and the concept of a reciprocal gift ‘e-conomy’, the social dimension of economics, and the theory of ‘money’ and alternative currencies. Part B provides an overview of research findings pertaining to the CES as example of an alternative community currency operating a web-based platform, beginning with an introductory overview of the CES and CTTE, followed by a look at issues pertaining to reciprocity, and speculation on possible futures for this and similar web-based community currency systems. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die Internet prikkel al lank idees en gesprekke oor ‘n alternatiewe ekonomie gebaseer op, ‘geskenk-handel’. Tot dusver is die voordele van hierdie ’geskenk-ekonomie’ egter beperk tot die dimensies van die kuber-ruimte. Ondanks dramatiese veranderinge in sosiale verkeer, uitruil en handel wat deur die aanlyn-netwerke bewerkstellig is, en die evolusie van wat as ‘high-tech geskenk ekonomie‘ beskryf kan word, was die potensiaal van die Internet om werklik ekonomiese sisteme om te keer, beperk. In teenstelling met die globale, virtuele geskenk/uitruil-ekonomie wat aanlyn ontwikkel het, ondersoek hierdie tesis die manier waarop Informasie en Kommunikasie Tegnologieë, tradisioneel bekend vir hul globale reikwydte, gebruik kan word om plaaslike uitruilsisteme te bou en te versterk. Die navorsing lê klem op die ontstaan van ‘n alternatiewe aanlyn-geldeenheidsisteem, die Gemeenskaps Uitruil Sisteem (‘Community Exchange System’ CES), wat aan die einde van 2002 in Kaapstad ontstaan het. Dit het sedertdien uitgebrei na 218 uitruilskemas in 29 lande. Spesiale aandag val op die loods uitruilskema wat in Kaapstad begin is, te wete die Cape Town Talent Exchange (CTTE) (Kaapstadse Talent Uitruilskema) Die verhandeling voer aan dat ‘n web-gebaseerde gemeenskapmark ‘n alternatiewe ekonomiese sisteem kan teweegbring. Dit kan lei tot ‘n benadering tot uitruil wat verhoudings-gesentreerd is, vergelykbaar met ‘n soort geskenk-ekonomie wat toegespits is op die beginsel van wederkerigheid. So kan ‘n oorvloed-bewustheid, pleks van skaarsheidsbewustheid bevorder word. Dit word aangevoer dat dit waarna Karl Polanyi (1944) as die ‘Groot Transformasie’ van die 20ste eeu verwys het, gekarakteriseer deur ‘n klemverskuiwing van menslike verhoudings na markgedrewe meganismes, kan terug verander na ‘n ‘netwerk-gemeenskap’ (Castells, 1996). Hierin is die beginsels van wederkerigheid en geskenk-uitruil ingebed in 'n tipe ‘verhoudings-ekonomie’ (Deragon, 2007). Deel A gee ‘n oorsig van die literatuur oor aanlynantropologie en die konsep van ‘n wederkerige geskenk ‘e-ekonomie’, die sosiale dimensie van ekonomie, en die teorie van ‘geld’ en alternatiewe betaalmiddele. Deel B gee ‘n oorsig van navorsingbevindings ten opsigte van die CES en CTTE as voorbeeld van ‘n alternatiewe gemeenskapsbetaalmetode wat van ‘n webgebaseerde platform gebruik maak. Dit word, gevolg deur opmerkings oor wederkerigheid (en) spekulasie oor die moontlike toekoms daarvan en van soortgelyke Internet-gebaseerde gemeenskapsbetaalsisteme.

Au plus fort de la crise, le régime monétaire international se révèle être impuissantlorsqu’il s’agit de limiter la volatilité excessive des taux de change, l’ampleur desdéséquilibres des balances de paiements courants, le développement d'une spéculationeffrénée sur les marchés des changes et l’asymétrie entre pays en excédent et pays endéficit. Cette thèse, qui a eu le mérite d’ouvrir des pistes nouvelles dans lacompréhension des rapports complexes entre les déséquilibres mondiaux et le régimeactuel, a montré que ces déséquilibres sont intrinsèquement rattachés aux défaillances dela structure monétaire internationale. Pour interrompre cette dynamique qui détériore lesdéséquilibres mondiaux, nous proposons que le régime tende vers un système centraliséavec la création d’une monnaie internationale et d’une chambre de compensation. Cettethèse, qui réactualise le plan Keynes, inclut également des dispositions statutaires visant àajuster automatiquement les dettes extérieures aux capacités de paiement des pays. Bienque cette réforme soit une avancée, cette réflexion n’occulte pas les progrès qu’il reste àfaire pour résorber les déséquilibres extérieurs. Pour améliorer l’efficacité et la pérennitédu système des paiements internationaux, il est utile de renforcer la coopération desbanques centrales, notamment dans un contexte marqué par les crises d’endettementextérieur. Dans ce sens, cette thèse montre les opportunités qu’offre la constitution dezones monétaires régionales intégrées dans une union monétaire internationale / At the height of the crisis, the international monetary system is powerless to reduce theinstability of exchange rates, the imbalance of the current account of balance ofpayments, instability of exchange rates and the development of speculation in financialmarkets the and the asymmetry between net exporters countries and net deficits countries.This thesis, which had the merit of opening new tracks in order to understand thecomplex relationships between global imbalances and the actual system, showed thatthese global imbalances are intrinsically linked to the failures of the internationalmonetary structure. To stop the deterioration of global imbalances, we propose that thesystem turns towards an international system payment with the creation of aninternational currency and a clearing house. This thesis, which reactualizes the KeynesPlan, also includes statutory dispositions for automatically adjusting the external debt tothe capacities payment of countries. Although this reform is a step forward, we don’t hidethe progress that can be done to reduce external imbalances. To increase the efficiencyand sustainability of the international payments system, it is useful to boost thecooperation between central banks, particularly in a context marked by the external debtcrises. In this sense, this thesis shows the opportunities which offered the creation ofregional monetary zones which are integrated in a monetary union international