Due to environmental degradation caused by humans, there is a need for a behavioural change towards more sustainable behaviours. Although many studies have been made investigating environmentally friendly behaviours’ dependence on different factors, the results are inconsistent which partly can be explained by methodological weaknesses. Rather than following the footpath of previous research and using a statistical method, qualitative interviews are used in this study. The aim is to answer what determines environmentally friendly behaviour, how it is affected by situational influences, and how these factors interact. Five behaviours were investigated, and they are food consumption, energy consumption, everyday travel, long distance travel, and recycling. In the analysis, the four determinants health, comfort, economy, and environmental were identified. The behaviours are further affected by situational influences, such as distances and costs, that create barriers for environmentally friendly behaviours. In this study it was found that no factor is the only influence of a behaviour, but there is always an interaction. Either the factors work together and encourage an environmentally friendly behaviour, or they work against each other and discourage an environmentally friendly behaviour.

The study examines the level of quantity and quality of Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) reporting for a sample of FTSE 350 UK listed companies over the period (2006-2010). Furthermore, it identifies the determinants of KPIs reporting and investigates its impact upon firm value. Based upon the guidance of the best practice recommended by the Accounting Standard Board (2006), the study develops a measure of disclosure quality by considering the main qualitative attributes of information which, arguably, makes KPIs information more useful to stakeholders. The distinction between disclosure quantity and quality in the study enables the researcher to get greater insights into the drivers and implications of KPIs reporting quantity and quality. The study finds a variation between UK firms in the number of KPIs disclosed with a notable low level of reporting quality, especially for non-financial KPIs. It also finds that corporate governance mechanisms play an important role in improving KPIs reporting. In particular, it shows that directors’ compensations affect the quantity and quality of KPIs disclosure. Furthermore, the study provides evidence that quantity and quality of KPIs disclosure are not derived by the same factors, and both have different impacts on firm value. Whereas, the study finds a negative association between the numbers of KPIs disclosed and firm value, a non-significant relationship is reported between KPIs reporting quality and firm valuation. Overall, this study provides evidence that disclosure quantity is not a good proxy for disclosure quality.

In our increasingly globalised world, supranational regions, nation states and individual country regions are progressively more in competition with one another. How the nation state and region can become more competitive and how this competitiveness can be measured is open to debate. This thesis presents work based upon two aspects that have been proffered as to how competitiveness at the country and region level can be explained, that is through investment (via Foreign Direct Investment (FDI)) inflows and through the development of enterprise and in particular the enhancement of the small firm in international markets. The theme that runs through the thesis is one of competitiveness and competence. The competence of the region to attract FDI and the competence of the entrepreneur and the SME to undertake internationalisation. The thesis begins by examining the concepts of national and regional competitiveness. Two of the determinants of national and regional competitiveness are then considered - FDI and the level of small firm activity/entrepreneurship. The paper analyses the empirical and theoretical work on FDI and considers how regional competencies/factors can be used to attract FDI. SME internationalisation and its impact on regional competitiveness are then examined, focussing on the resources and competences, at the level of the entrepreneur and the firm, which influence SME internationalisation. The thesis contributes to the richness of understanding of the complex relationship between the range of explanatory factors at a regional, national and supra-national level that influence inbound FDI. In particular providing a much better understanding of UK regional FDI inflows. The section on internationalisation of SMEs contributes to the understanding of entrepreneurial and firm competences through the study of small firms at the county level of Northamptonshire. This county is a relatively under-researched area in the study of SMEs and in the study of the county's SME activity in international markets it has been even more sparsely investigated.

Bean pod mottle virus (BPMV), a member of the genus Comovirus in the family Comoviridae, is widespread in the major soybean-growing areas in the United States. Soybean yield losses of 10-40% have been reported as a consequence of BPMV infection. The complete nucleotide sequences of two strains, K-Ha1 and K-Ho1, were determined. Field isolates of BPMV were classified into two distinct subgroups (I and II) based on slot blot hybridization and sequence analyses. Full-length cDNA clones from which infectious transcripts can be produced were constructed for strains K-G7, K-Ho1 and K-Ha1. Whereas strains K-Ha1 and K-G7 induced mild or moderate symptoms in infected soybean plants, strain K-Ho1 produced very severe symptoms. Symptom severity was mapped to RNA1. Chimeric RNA1 constructs were generated by exchanging full or partial coding regions of the five RNA1-encoded mature proteins between the full-length cDNA clones of the three RNA1s and the resultant transcripts were inoculated onto soybean. The results showed that the coding regions of the protease co-factor (Co-pro) and the putative helicase (Hel) are determinants of symptom severity. Although symptom severity correlated well with accumulation of viral RNA, neither the Co-pro nor Hel protein could be demonstrated as a suppressor of RNA silencing. Furthermore, separate expression of the Co-pro or Hel proteins from a PVX vector induced necrosis on the inoculated leaves of Nicotiana benthamiana. Characterization of BPMV K-Ho1 indicated that it is a diploid reassortant, containing two distinct types of RNA1s and one type of RNA2. Examination of field isolates from various locations in the United States and Canada revealed that diploid reassortants are of frequent occurrence in natural populations of BPMV. The vary severe symptoms induced by BPMV K-Ho1 can be mimicked by inoculation of plants with a mixture of RNA1 transcripts from two distinct strain subgroups and RNA2 transcript from either subgroup. Plants inoculated with a mixture of transcripts containing two types of RNA1 from the same strain subgroup did not produce very severe symptoms. These are due to interactions between two distinct types of RNA1s. At present, no soybean cultivars with resistance to BPMV are commercially available. Therefore, the feasibility of cross protection as an alternative disease management strategy was studied. Two mild strains of BPMV (K-Da1 and K-Ha1), belonging to subgroup II, were tested for their ability to protect infected plants against a severe strain (K-Ho1). Inoculation of the soybean cultivar Essex on the primary leaves with either of the two mild strains conferred complete protection against challenge inoculation with the severe strain K-Ho1, regardless of the timing of challenge inoculation. Cross-protection was evident regardless of whether virions or BPMV-RNA were used as inocula. Cross protection was independent of the soybean cultivar used and method of virus inoculation, sap-inoculation or by the bean leaf beetle, vector of BPMV. Protection was complete and durable.

An artinian standard graded algebra has the weak Lefschetz property if the multiplication by a general linear form induces maps of maximal rank between consecutive degree components. It has the strong Lefschetz property if the multiplication by powers of a general linear form also induce maps of maximal rank between the appropriate degree components. These properties are mainly studied for the constraints they place, when present, on the Hilbert series of the algebra. While the majority of research on the Lefschetz properties has focused on characteristic zero, we primarily consider the presence of the properties in positive characteristic. We study the Lefschetz properties by considering the prime divisors of determinants of critical maps. First, we consider monomial complete intersections in a finite number of variables. We provide two complements to a result of Stanley. We next consider monomial almost complete intersections in three variables. We connect the characteristics in which the weak Lefschetz property fails with the prime divisors of the signed enumeration of lozenge tilings of a punctured hexagon. Last, we study how perturbations of a family of monomial algebras can change or preserve the presence of the Lefschetz properties. In particular, we introduce a new strategy for perturbations rooted in techniques from algebraic geometry.

Darbo tikslas. Įvertinti pirmaklasių mitybos ypatumus ir sąsajas su šeimos socioekonomine padėtimi. Tyrimo metodika. Šis PSO kordinuojamas tyrimas yra Lietuvos vaikų augimo/nutukimo stebėsenos tyrimo dalis. Tyrimo objektas – pirmų klasių moksleiviai, atstiktinai atrinkti iš visų Utenos bei Vilniaus apskričių mokyklų, vienetu laikant klasę, kurią sudaro ne mažiau nei 17 moksleivių. Viso atrinkta 33 mokyklos. Tyrimo rezultatai lyginami tarp Vilniaus ir kitų Rytų Lietuvos miestų. Darbe naudoti tyrimo metodai: mokslinės literatūros analizė; anketinės vaikų tėvų (išdalinta 1268, grįžo 1107, atsako dažnis 86,1 proc.) ir mokyklų vadovų (užpildytos 33 anketos) apklausos; statistinė duomenų analizė atlikta naudojantis statistiniu paketu SPSS 15.0 for Windows. Rezultatai. Prekybos maistu ir gėrimais automatai yra 14 proc. apklaustųjų mokyklų. Dauguma (75 proc.) mokinių valgo 4 ir daugiau kartų per dieną, 75,6 proc. kasdien pusryčiauja. Kasdien pieno produktų (jogurto, varškės, balto sūrio) vartoja daugiau nei du penktadaliai, vaisių – trečdalis, daržovių - penktadalis vaikų. Daugiau nei pusė vaikų arbatą saldina dviem šaukšteliais cukraus. Geriausiai savo vaikų sveikatą tėvai vertina Visagine bei Vilniuje, prasčiausiai – Ignalinoje bei Utenoje. Aukštajį išsilavinimą turi 1,3 karto daigiau mamų nei tėčių. Trečdalis didžiausias pajamas gaunančių tėvų gyvena Vilniuje. Mažiausiai pajamų vienam asmeniu (iki 400 litų) tenka Visagine, Utenoje bei Zarasuose gyvenantiems respondentams. Vaikai... [toliau žr. visą tekstą] / Aim of study. To evaluate the eating habits of first-formers and links with socioeconomic determinants of their families. Methods. This study is a fragment of the “Observation of Lithuanian children’s growth” research, taking place in Lithuania and being coordinated by World Health Organization. The research wark was performed in 33 rondomly selected schools of Utena and Vilnius districts. The unit of the measurements was a class, which was made of more than 17 of first-formers. The metods of research was: analysis, of scientific literature, the standart quescionnaire has been carried out for parents (1268 questionnaires were distributed to parents and 1107 of them were filled and returnend back. The respoce rate was 81,1 %.) and for school agents (33 questionnaire were share-out and filled at the time). SPSS 11 for Windows was used to analyse the results. Results. There are food and fluids automats in 14 % of schools. The firs-formers were having meals four times a day and more (75 proc.), the majority of them had breakfast every day. Every day dairy products (yogurt, curd, white cheese) eat 40 %, fresh fruits – 33 % and fresh vegetables 20% of first formers. The tea has often been sweeten by two spoons of sugar. Parents, who lived in Vilnius and Visaginas, rate their childrens health the best, and parents, who lived in Ignalina and Utena, rate their childrens health the worst. Mothers are more hight-educated than fathers at rate of 1,3. Parents, who gets the biggest... [to full text]

This thesis examines the rising phenomenon of the internationalisation of Chinese firms, and aims to shed new light on our understanding of the emergence of firms from emerging economies in the global market. It consists of two parts: the country level study and the firm level. The former identifies the domestic and locational determinants of Chinese outward foreign direct investment (OFDI), while the latter examines the influence of dynamic capabilities and institutions on the post-internationalisation performance of Chinese firms, with a focus on state-owned enterprises (SOEs). To explore the domestic and locational determinants of Chinese OFDI, the thesis integrates network theory with the traditional explanations of OFDI, the investment development path and the eclectic paradigm. By doing so, a new factor, human mobility, is identified as one of the important domestic and locational determinants of Chinese OFDI. Drawing upon a time series data analysis for the period 1979-2007, this study confirms that Chinese OFDI is driven by its domestic economic development, human mobility and knowledge development and accumulation, and it has a substitute relationship with exports. By examining Chinese OFDI flows to 13 OECD countries over the period 1999-2007, it is shown that human mobility, the strategic assets of the host country, foreign direct investment to China and cultural distance have a positive impact on the locational choice of Chinese OFDI to OECD countries. To investigate the influence of dynamic capabilities and institutions on the post-internationalisation performance of Chinese firms, this study integrates the dynamic capability framework and the institution-based view, and embeds the analysis in a multi-perspective conceptual framework. It draws on four case studies of Chinese SOEs. The analysis shows the importance of internal dynamic capabilities in achieving overseas success when dealing with changing environments. The managerial mindset has a moderate effect on the impact of dynamic capabilities on post-internationalisation performance. The case analysis also shows how the external institutional environment of both host and home countries influence the performance of Chinese SOEs. ii Support from both host and home country governments, unsurprisingly, has a positive influence on performance. However, too much intervention from the home country government imposes constraints on the firms and reduces their willingness to commit to internationalisation. This thesis makes a number of contributions to the existing literature. First, it provides a better understanding of the overall picture of Chinese OFDI from the macro perspective. The findings also contribute to our understanding of the rise of OFDI from emerging economies in general and from China in particular. Second, a new factor, human mobility, is identified and proved to be significant in determining Chinese OFDI. In this era of globalisation, human mobility has become the driving force of OFDI from emerging economies. Third, a first step is taken towards exploring the influence of both internal and external factors on the post-internationalisation performance of Chinese firms. In order to achieve overseas success, not only do Chinese firms need to improve their internal dynamic capabilities, but also attention needs to be paid to the external institutional environment, which has a significant impact on the performance of Chinese firms pursuing overseas success.

The purpose of this study was to investigate supply chain relationships within the apparel retail product development process under a single site case study setting. Relationship determinants (i.e. drivers, facilitators and barriers) that facilitated or impeded the degree of collaborative efforts between the retailer and the supply chain members were identified. As the retailer integrated its product development process with its suppliers, a triangular relationship was formed between the retailer, the overseas manufacturers, and the designated suppliers. The study found that the retailer sought operational efficiency in its business relationships with supply chain members, but continued to seek long-term commitment in these relationships to establish a virtual vertical company.

The purpose of this dissertation was to explore the mechanism of association between social determinants of health (SDH), particularly limited health literacy, and disparate outcomes related to cardiovascular disease in vulnerable populations. Specific aims were to 1) compare quality of life (QOL), anxiety, and depressive symptoms between genders in implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) recipients; 2) examine the association between multi-morbidity burden and QOL; 3) determine whether health literacy levels independently predict CVD risk in the male prison population; 4) examine the relationship between health literacy and decisiveness regarding end of life (EOL) choices, and 5) examine SDH as predictors of perceived poor health status in ICD recipients. Specific aim one was addressed by analysis of data collected from individuals in the Swedish ICD and Pacemaker Registry. Multiple linear regression was used to determine predictors of anxiety, depression, and quality of life in men and women. A higher prevalence of anxiety symptoms in women was noted with no differences in depressive symptoms noted between the genders. The majority of the variance in the predictive models for QOL was explained by the addition of the psychosocial variables for both genders. Specific aim two was addressed by analysis of data collected from individuals in the Swedish ICD and Pacemaker Registry. Logistic regression was used to determine predictors of QOL. Greater multi-morbidity burden was associated with lower QOL in ICD recipients. Specific aim three was addressed by analysis of data collected from male inmates enrolled in a bio-behavioral educational and counselling intervention program to reduce CVD risk. Nonlinear regression was used to determine whether health literacy was an independent predictor of CVD risk while controlling for social and clinical variables. Inmates with adequate levels of health literacy had lower ten year CVD risk profiles than those inmates with inadequate health literacy. Specific aim four was addressed by analysis of data collected from ICD recipients. Multinomial regression was used to determine predictors of decisiveness regarding EOL choices. Within the context of terminal illness, health literacy and race were found to be predictors of decisiveness regrading generator replacement while gender was found to be a predictor of decisiveness regarding the withdrawal of defibrillation therapy. Specific aim five was addressed by analysis of data collected from ICD recipients. Logistic regression was used to determine predictors of perceived poor health status. Residential status in the Central Appalachian region of Kentucky, not working outside the home, higher levels of health literacy, and comorbid depression were predictors of perceived poor/very poor health status.

Background Globally, there is increasing emphasis on the importance of understanding the ways in which social inequality and injustice impact individual and community mental health. Set in the states of Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand, India, this thesis examines the complex relationships between individuals, communities and the social environment in relation to mental health. North India is characterised by stark gender and socio-economic inequalities and social exclusion for people with psycho-social disability (PPSD) and mental health services in these study areas were essentially absent. Community mental health competency means people are collectively able to participate in efforts to promote, prevent, treat and advocate for mental health. This thesis reflexively examines the presence and absence of community mental health competence in the upper Ganges region. Methods A mixed methods approach allowed for a multi-level examination of community mental health competence, and generated four sub-studies. In-depth interviews with thirteen PPSD and eighteen caregivers in Bijnor and Saharanpur (Uttar Pradesh state) were carried out in 2013 providing data for qualitative analysis. These data were analysed using qualitative content analysis to examine experiences of exclusion and inclusion of PPSD in sub-study I, and thematic analysis to examine the gendered experiences of caregivers in sub-study II. A community based sample of 960 people in Dehradun district (Uttarakhand) were surveyed in 2014 to examine the prevalence, treatment gap and social determinants of depression in substudy III, and the attitudes and preferred social distance from people with depression and psychosis were investigated in sub-study IV. Multi-variate regression analysis in both studies was conducted with Stata software Version 13.1. Results Within the domain of knowledge, relatively low community mental health literacy, a diverse range of explanatory models of mental health, and creative and persistent efforts in helpseeking were the themes identified. Within the domain of safe social spaces, social exclusion was harsh and prevalent for PPSD, with contrasting sub-domains of belonging, social support, social participation and ahimsa (non-violence). Women were disadvantaged more than men in most spheres of caregiving. Social determinants of depression with an adjusted odds ratio of more than 2.0 included being a member of the most oppressed caste or tribal group, having taken a recent loan, and not completing primary schooling. The prevalence of depression was 6.0% in the community sample, and there was a 100% treatment gap for counselling, and a 96% treatment gap for anti-depressant therapy, even though 79% of those with depression had visited a primary care provider in the previous three months. Social determinants of health and access to care are proposed as additional domains of community mental health competency. The prevailing gender regime that values males and disadvantages women influenced every domain of community mental health competency, particularly increasing caregiver burden, social exclusion and experiences of physical violence for women.  Conclusions In this thesis I have refined and strengthened a conceptual framework that portrays community mental health competence as a tree, where foundational roots of social determinants of mental health support four branches depicting access to care, knowledge, safe social spaces and partnerships for action. This tree model proposes that all five domains must operate in unison to support action for community mental health involving: development of community knowledge; promoting social inclusion, gender equality and participation; addressing upstream health determinants; and increasing access to mental health care.