The objective of the thesis was to study monetary policy frameworks in developing countries. The thesis focused on three aspects of the monetary framework; the degree of central bank independence, the monetary policy strategy and the exchange rate regime. The research applied quantitative empirical analysis and in-depth case studies on Egypt, Jordan and Lebanon. The empirical research investigated three areas: 1) the phenomenon of ‘fear of floating’ and the correlation between exchange rate and macroeconomic volatility; 2) the degree of monetary policy independence in developing countries in the context of their increased integration into the global economic system; and 3) the degree of central bank independence and how it impacts both ‘fear of floating’ and monetary policy independence. The case studies allowed for an in-depth understanding of the process of setting monetary policy and the constraints under which it is formulated in developing countries. The results that emerged from the quantitative analysis highlight the impact of central bank independence in influencing the other aspects of the monetary framework, as it can mitigate fear of floating and contribute to increased monetary policy independence of world interest rates in developing countries. The case studies detailed the evolution of monetary frameworks in three countries with varying degrees of central bank independence. The degree of central bank independence increased in Egypt and Jordan as a result of severe currency crises in each country, while Lebanon provides a very different example of a developing country with an independent central bank since its inception. The conclusions that emerged from the cases suggest that central bank independence is critical in achieving exchange rate and price stability; however, developing countries should avoid focusing on exchange rate stability at the expense of other considerations for extended periods of time. In that, the results point to the benefits of proactively and pre-emptively managing the exchange rate regime. The cases also highlight the importance of the coordination between fiscal and monetary policies, as conditions of fiscal profligacy can undermine even the most independent central bank.

published_or_final_version / Biological Sciences / Doctoral / Doctor of Philosophy

國家整體經濟發展向來與產業本身有著相互依存的關係，產業園區的設立更是被賦予經濟、政策上的特定目的。然而過去以計畫、政策為導向進行園區的設立已難以因應國際景氣波動及創新、知識型產業競爭衝擊，情勢是轉為考量產業根本及新興產業軸線的發展，由產業需求決定園區轉型、再生方向。 本研究一方面探究我國具備優勢性的產業聚落以產業群聚的角度著手，呈現出產業發展上最有效率的模式，另一方面是以典型探討的區域創新理論，反映區域網絡間創新效果以提高區域競爭力。針對兩層面的的正向能力評估目前國內各個產業園區其中的新興產業發展潛力，進而將產業適地適當的置入、整體的布局，作為促進地區新興產業發展啟動點，擴散至周遭的區域產業發展。 研究結果是得以將區域創新及產業群聚兩層面，轉化為實質架構體系做為衡量績效的評估模式，並可由編定工業區環域做為未來研擬產業發展分區的基礎。另外，在經評定下新興產業的高發展潛力地區仍是以六都所在之環域範圍，並劃分出策略核心發展區及主力發展區做為在有限的資源分配上可行的新興產業實質發展地區。 / A country’s overall economic development and its industries are interdependent; the establishment of industrial parks bears the specific goals of economy and policy. However, the establishment of an industrial park bases on plans and policies is getting more difficult to tackle the competition impacts of global economic fluctuation and innovation, knowledge industry. It’s about time to consider the basis of industry and emerging industrial developing axis, determining industrial park transformation and regeneration direction by industrial demand. There are two discussing aspects in this research, one of which is to investigate Taiwan’s advantaged industrial cluster, In terms of industrial cluster, the research tries to present the most efficient model of the industrial development; another discussion is about the classic discussion of regional innovation theory, through an overall discussion the research tries to reflect the innovative effect among regional networks so as to increase regional competitiveness. According to the positive ability of these two aspects, the research assess the developing potential of emerging industry existed in the current industrial parks in Taiwan so as to find the start of promoting local emerging industrial development and bring a comprehensive, proper industry in the local, extending the industrial development to its periphery. The result of this research is to turn the aspects of regional innovation and industrial cluster to a physical framework so that the evaluation model of performance measurement can be established; furthermore, an industrial surrounding area can be set up being a basis for planning industrial development segment in future. In addition, after the assessment, the emerging industries with high developing potential are mainly in the scope of surrounding areas of six municipalities, and due to an issue of limited resources distribution, the strategic essential development areas and the major development areas are divided becoming specific development areas of feasible emerging industries.

This study is an empirical research that is set to examine to what extent culture affects the performance of Swedish managers when doing business with their Russian customers. The authors aim is to find out how important cultural awareness is when doing business between Sweden and Russia as well as what factors Swedish managers should consider before doing business with a Russian customer. The purpose of this study has been set in relation to empirical evidence based on a qualitative research approach with semi structured in-depth interviews as a method. Seven in-depth interviews has been conducted in order to fulfil the research questions and the purpose of this study, all interviewees has got at least three years of business related experience towards the Russian market. One of the main objectives of this study is to create a road map that will unveil hidden rules and provide a practical approach in order to avoid apprehensions and hesitations concerning the Russian culture, before arriving and while already in Russia. This study reveals that factors such as language, non-stereotyping, and a rigorous research about the Russian culture are needed for a Swedish businessman before doing business in Russia. When a Swedish businessman has arrived in Russia, considerations and efforts should be put on factors such as the importance of a formal dress code, practice status, as well as a strict leadership style.

Access to abstract permanently restricted to Ball State community only / Indirect effects of human population growth on stream ecosystem function : sediment respiration and nutrient uptake response to nonprescription pharmaceuticals -- Frequency and distribution of nonprescription pharmaceuticals in central Indiana streams. / Access to thesis permanently restricted to Ball State community only / Department of Biology

My original contribution to theory and practice formulates management consultancy as a social act evolving within interaction with clients whereby identity, as an emerging process, can form and be formed within consultant-client relationships. Drawing on Stacey's work on complex responsive process thinking, I have described a reflexive, social self, highlighting the implications for management consultants of this open-ended responsiveness of identity formation. Within the prevailing management literature there is a sense that consultants design interventions that change organisations, whether through working on leadership development, executive coaching, providing expertise or facilitating organisational change. As part of my original contribution I pick up on the emotional, relational and occasionally messy nature of consulting, which is frequently overlooked in the literature. My research into the emergence of intentions and the formation of identity within consultant-client relationships analyses my work as a researcher-practitioner working within large financial service organisations through a variety of consulting projects. The inquiry examines my professional practice, researched through a social, iterative and temporal method centring on reflexive, narrative inquiries. I illuminate the fundamental conversational nature of consultant-client relationships; challenging the view of consulting as a transaction whereby the consultant provides a service, withdrawing relatively unchanged. I postulate consulting as a series of conversations with interdependent people wherein emerging themes organise new ways of relating and novelty evolves. Drawing on Elias' process sociology I extrapolate the fundamental interdependence of consultant-client relationships; conceptualising management consulting from a complex responsive processes way of relating. I challenge the notion of intention as located in the individual; an independent, disembodied, thought before action predicated on an 'if-then' notion of causality, underpinned by an assumption of human beings as autonomous and rational. I develop the work of Joas arguing that intentions are emerging, social and embodied; a theme organising conversations. In particular I detail how strong emotions and embodiment occur in those arresting moments, where experiences of inclusion and exclusion, can alert the consultant to new ways of relating. My inquiry has highlighted the significance for management consultants of realising the fundamentally social nature of human interaction and the importance of responsiveness in the living present. With reference to Mead's view of conversation as a pattern of gesture/ response I highlight the consultant-client relationship as co-created and therefore not to be ordered by the consultant who can, nevertheless, pick up on and influence new patterns of relating as they evolve.

This study is an investigation into the morale and motivation of Nigerian teachers. Due to the geographical and administrative vastness of Nigeria this study focuses on Abia State. Abia is one of the 36 States of Nigeria and it typifies the educational structure and practice of Nigeria The study involves teachers and students from two primary and two secondary schools from each of the educational zones in Abia (a total of 12 schools). A focus group of 37 headteachers across Abia State will also be studied and the views of a cross section of students (12 students from each secondary school) are sought. The background information on education in Nigeria and Abia State as well as the reasons for this study are discussed in the introduction. A review of the literature on morale and motivation in African countries and other international studies is presented. The study employs ethnographic multiple case study and focus group methods which included a semi-structured focus group interview, participant observation and a self-administered questionnaire. Research methods and findings are discussed and analysed and from these emerged a motivation model. The study concludes with a discussion and evaluation of the findings. Obviously, any research work of this magnitude would have its limitations. These will be discussed. Recommendations for future research and developments towards improving the morale and motivation of teachers in Nigeria would follow.

<p>Doktorska disertacija odnosi se na analizu najznačajnijih kriterijuma<br />koje posmatraju investitori prilikom ulaganja na tržišta u razvoju.<br />Poređenjem šest evropskih berzanskih indeksa tržišta u razvoju i<br />svetski najznačajnijeg berzanskog indeksa - S&amp;P 500, dobijeni su<br />rezultati koji ukazuju da postoji značajnost u zavisnosti nivoa cena od<br />kretanja na globalnom tržištu, a koja su posledica postojanja<br />internacionalnih investitora. Dobijeni rezultati mogu se koristiti<br />kao osnova za dalja istraživanja u oblasti od strane akademske<br />zajednice, kao i od strane profesionalnih učesnika na finansijskim<br />tržištima, kao pomoć prilikom donošenja njihovih investicionih<br />odluka. Od posebnog interesa je mogućnost primene rezultata u vođenju<br />ekonomske i finansijske politike Republike Srbije.</p> / <p> markets investors. Comparison of six European emerging stock market<br /> indices and world&rsquo;s the most important stock exchange index - the S&amp;P 500,<br /> established a level of emerging markets price dependence on international<br /> investors with global market overview. The results obtained can be used as a<br /> basis for further research in the field by the academic community, as well as<br /> by professional investors in financial markets, to assist in making their<br /> investment decisions. Of particular interest is the possibility of applying the<br /> results in economic and financial decision making policy of the Republic of<br /> Serbia.</p>

Background: Companies always look for opportunities to expand their businesses internationally as it is the way for them to grow beyond its current status. Nowadays, emerging markets seem to be very attractive in terms of economic growth. Thus, there is a tendency towards foreign direct investment inflows to emerging market economies. However, these markets can be very risky and there is no guarantee of success. Companies would have to be ready to face challenges and obstacles related to the unfamiliar environment. They would have to deal with the internal confrontation of whether to accept or reject the local rules of the game as well as to face difficulties in terms of maintaining a high standard of business ethics and promoting best corporate governance practices. Overall, the conditions of these markets can negatively affect the ethical behaviour of established foreign companies which in turn can negatively affect the reputation and brand value of these companies.  This paper describes and analyzes the above issues through a case study of two Swedish companies in the market of Kazakhstan: Tele2 and TeliaSonera. Purpose: The aim of this study is to analyze the effects of emerging market economy conditions of Kazakhstan on companies control structure or code of conduct, specifically how they can handle the internal confrontation and maintain a high standard of business ethics and corporate governance practices. Therefore, the tasks were also set to describe and analyze the entry process of two Swedish telecom companies into the market of Kazakhstan in order to improve the understanding of Swedish companies’ preparations, strategy of entry and operations when entering an emerging market of Kazakhstan. Methodology: The research thesis is based on the case study approach which uses a qualitative method to obtain the necessary data. Primary data was collected through interviews with the above mentioned two Swedish telecom companies in Kazakhstan. Secondary data was collected from e-sources. Findings/ Conclusions: In this research, I found that the best entry strategy for entering Kazakhstan is to form a joint-venture with the local partner, but if the company had an earlier experience in similar markets, then the acquisition strategy can be chosen. With regard to the ethical issues, factors such as a weak legal framework, a high level of corruption, poor corporate governance and cultural differences between Sweden and Kazakhstan as well as individual factors of all stakeholders including the manager may have a negative effect on the ethical behaviour of Swedish companies entering and operating in Kazakhstan. It is revealed in this study that Swedish companies manage to confront ethical dilemmas by choosing to “go at it alone”. To be able to confront these issues, companies should set their own bar for how to act as ethically and responsibly. Also, they should ensure the enforcement of codes of conduct, corporate governance, ethics training, ethical role model of top management and whistle-blowers policy.

This study focuses on emerging E. coil serotypes and has developed methods for the isolation and identification of non-0157 STEC and EPEC. A basal medium for the isolation of these pathogens was developed as well as a serogroup specific PCR assay for the detection of the 02 serogroup. These culture and molecular based techniques have proven to be valuable in the detection, identification, and epidemiological investigation of these groups of emerging pathogens. These methods were applied to 1) a farm study, whereby samples (faecal and soil) and 2) an abattoir study, whereby samples (hide and carcass) were analysed for the presence of non-0157 STEC and EPEC. Isolates were subsequently characterised in terms of serotype/serogroup and virulence markers. The data generated by this work has illustrated the extent of non-0157 STEC and EPEC contamination in the farm and abattoir environments, thus providing scientific background upon which control strategies may be based.