The thesis examines how the social construction of African women in development discourse transformed from the 1970s to the 2000s, focusing in particular on the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA). From the 1970s to the 1990s representations of African women were based on women’s economic potential. The mainstreaming of gender in the 1990s resulted in women being represented as agents of change. This approach gave women an opportunity to play roles in decision-making but led to policies that failed to challenge the established institutions. The emphasis on women as agents of change opened doors to some African women but with implications for the women’s movement. Only some middle-class women appear to benefit but their gains have been marginal in comparison to the gender inequalities that persist. The thesis uses secondary sources and interviews with development practitioners in Ottawa to understand the representation of African women as agents of change.

This thesis is dedicated to the activities of CzechInvest, the Investment and Business Development Agency. The analysis is aimed at the portfolio of provided services and development programmes. The system of investment incentives in the manufacturing industry is discussed in detail. The thesis also shows planned measures, which would change the current support in favor of research, development and innovations (technology centers) and business support services centers. Foreign direct investments inflow into the Czech Republic is analyzed as well. It examines investment projects mediated by CzechInvest mainly in the last six years. In the conclusion, the comparison of received foreign direct investments and mediated investment projects is implemented.

<p>This research aims to assess the role of Social Funds&rsquo / organizational and institutional characteristics for community participation processes in development projects. The research is based on a case study of the Peruvian Social Fund, FONCODES, and utilizes a qualitative data collection approach. It mainly relies on semi-structured interviews with FONCODES&rsquo / staff and community members, unstructured interviews with experts, and analysis of operational documents. The research concludes that several organizational and institutional characteristics affect community participation in FONCODES projects but the direction of this influence depends on how specific areas of the organization&rsquo / s context are structured as well as on political variables in the institutional environment.</p>

The thesis examines how the social construction of African women in development discourse transformed from the 1970s to the 2000s, focusing in particular on the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA). From the 1970s to the 1990s representations of African women were based on women’s economic potential. The mainstreaming of gender in the 1990s resulted in women being represented as agents of change. This approach gave women an opportunity to play roles in decision-making but led to policies that failed to challenge the established institutions. The emphasis on women as agents of change opened doors to some African women but with implications for the women’s movement. Only some middle-class women appear to benefit but their gains have been marginal in comparison to the gender inequalities that persist. The thesis uses secondary sources and interviews with development practitioners in Ottawa to understand the representation of African women as agents of change.

<p>This research aims to assess the role of Social Funds&rsquo / organizational and institutional characteristics for community participation processes in development projects. The research is based on a case study of the Peruvian Social Fund, FONCODES, and utilizes a qualitative data collection approach. It mainly relies on semi-structured interviews with FONCODES&rsquo / staff and community members, unstructured interviews with experts, and analysis of operational documents. The research concludes that several organizational and institutional characteristics affect community participation in FONCODES projects but the direction of this influence depends on how specific areas of the organization&rsquo / s context are structured as well as on political variables in the institutional environment.</p>

During the past decade, international development discourse has shifted from a narrow focus on aid effectiveness to one of cooperation towards more effective development. A series of High Level Forums have produced a set of principles to guide this new development framework. With the steady increase of international migration, sizeable diasporas who generate a diversity of activities with development implications in their homelands have formed outside of developing countries. Recognizing their importance and potential for development, several developed country bilateral donors have engaged these emerging development actors, including the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA), the United Kingdom’s Department for International Development (DFID), and the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). Analysis of their policies and programs reveals a set of emerging themes and lessons learned that identify the need to challenge conventional ways of thinking about the nature of development partnerships in order to move towards more effective development.

Philosophiae Doctor - PhD (Public Administration) / The significance of small, micro, and medium enterprises (SMEs) development cannot be overemphasized because it plays a considerable role in a nation's economy particularly in developing countries. SMEs' contributions include job creation, expanding the means of sustainable livelihoods and ensuring impartial distribution of wealth amongst citizens. This study evaluates monitoring and evaluation systems, policy and programmes of the Small Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN) to develop and transform the informal sector of the economy. The main purpose of the establishment of SMEDAN is to facilitate the promotion and development of a structured and effective small and medium enterprises sector that will provide informal employment for unemployed, and enhance sustainable livelihood and economic development in Nigeria. Unemployment and increased poverty levels are key challenges to the government of Nigeria, which has resulted in socio-economic and political unrest across the nation. Against the background of high unemployment rate, especially amongst the youth and the deteriorating fortunes of small and medium businesses in Nigeria, questions can be asked in relation to current initiatives and policies to support SME sector.

Magister Administrationis - MAdmin / This research aims to assess the role of Social Funds' organizational and institutional characteristics for community participation processes in development projects. The research is based on a case study of the Peruvian Social Fund, FONCODES, and utilizes a qualitative data collection approach. It mainly relies on semi-structured interviews with FONCODES' staff and community members, unstructured interviews with experts, and analysis of operational documents. The research concludes that several organizational and institutional characteristics affect community participation in FONCODES projects but the direction of this influence depends on how specific areas of the organization's context are structured as well as on political variables in the institutional environment. / South Africa

Magister Commercii - MCom / The Small Enterprise Development Agency (SEDA) is an organisation that gives various types of business support to small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in order to foster their growth. It is widely believed that there can be failure in the performance of SMEs that is partly due to limited provision of business support. This study aims to assess the work of SEDA, in particular the ‘business plan’ support it provides to SMEs. This will assist in establishing factors that hinder, or promote, the growth and success of SMEs.The main objectives of this study were firstly, to assess the perceptions of SEDA’s business clients with regards to the business plan intervention. Secondly, to assess the effectiveness of the SEDA’s business plan intervention, and lastly to identify and recommend other interventions that its clients suggest, that can improve the services it provides to business owners.A review of literature highlighted the continued difficulty that SMEs in South Africa face in accessing finance, and the vital role that support institutions like SEDA can play to not only alleviate the problem, but also strengthen the owners business and entrepreneurial skills. A qualitative case study design was used in this study. Two data collection methods, document analysis and in-depth interviews, were employed. A thematic data analysis was conducted to assess the business plan support activities provided by SEDA.The findings of the study show that, firstly, access to finance remains a challenge for most SMEs. Secondly, the lack of business skills is a key limitation to success among SEDA’s clients and thirdly, the study revealed a communication gap between SEDA and its business clients.The study recommends that SEDA should bridge the communication gap in order to improve the impact of the vital services it offers to existing, and potential clients. The Results of the study may apply, generally, to the development of SMEs in South Africa.

The thesis examines how the social construction of African women in development discourse transformed from the 1970s to the 2000s, focusing in particular on the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA). From the 1970s to the 1990s representations of African women were based on women’s economic potential. The mainstreaming of gender in the 1990s resulted in women being represented as agents of change. This approach gave women an opportunity to play roles in decision-making but led to policies that failed to challenge the established institutions. The emphasis on women as agents of change opened doors to some African women but with implications for the women’s movement. Only some middle-class women appear to benefit but their gains have been marginal in comparison to the gender inequalities that persist. The thesis uses secondary sources and interviews with development practitioners in Ottawa to understand the representation of African women as agents of change.