Emerging markets (EMs) contribute significantly year-on-year to global gross domestic product (GDP) and continue to offer developed countries huge opportunities such as raw materials and readily available markets for various goods and services produced in developed economies. However, multinational corporations (MNCs) from developed markets operating in emerging countries continue to develop inappropriate perceptions and assumptions influenced by Western imperialist and arrogant attitudes, which carry a very short-term view on the future of developing countries, despite extracting multibillion-dollar profits from these regions. The objectives of the research study were to establish the relationship between strategic management practices (SMPs) and the financial performance of MNCs in emerging markets, by testing, validating the viability and applicability of the SMPs framework and by evaluating SMPs financial contribution to the bottom-line of MNCs. The research study found that for MNCs with comprehensively adopted and implemented the SMPs framework their financial performance continues to improve year on year, depicting a positive relationship between SMPs and overall financial performance of MNCs with business interests in emerging markets. The study, however, concludes that the MNC executives wrong assumptions about emerging countries results in the crafting of strategies within business models that fail to fit in emerging markets. Copyright / Dissertation (MBA)--University of Pretoria, 2010. / Gordon Institute of Business Science (GIBS) / unrestricted

The quest for institutional transformation has created a need to continually challenge traditional notions of what an academic is and should be. While several studies have explored academics' experiences to engender transformation systems, few studies have focused strictly on emerging academics (permanently working scholars within the first five years of academic careers). These early-career academics are faced with the challenge of adapting to the institutional culture and meeting disciplinary standards of performance. Their novelty in the system makes them more vulnerable to the effect of these challenges. This study aimed to identify how they navigate these challenges, what defines them as academics, what impacts their academic freedoms, how they challenge disciplinary standards of performance, and the extent to which institutional culture affects their experiences. Through a purposive and snowball sampling strategy, 20 academics were selected from the University of Cape Town (UCT) to study. They were interviewed using a semi-structured approach and were asked openended questions with an interview guide. Thematic analysis was used to analyze the interview data as it utilized an ideographic approach in providing insights into the participants' lived experiences. This methodological approach also helped prioritize how the study is carried out and explore participants' meaning-making processes. The participants perceived being an academic as an opportunity for subjective self-expression and a character-building process. They conceded that being an academic required genuine intellectual curiosity and a platform to engender innovation. The study also uncovered the effects of UCT's institutional and transformative plan on assimilating into the academic space. Academics perceived the performance appraising structure as too prescriptive and affirmed their desire to harness their positions to build strong interpersonal relations with students. The study recommends a more comprehensive and longitudinal approach to studying academic experiences focusing on the psycho-social factors influencing these experiences. The research further suggests a streamlined and faculty-based approach to further strengthening educational support systems at UCT.

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Thesis (MTech (Chemistry))--Cape Peninsula University of Technology, 2016. / The release of wastewater to the aquatic environment is most likely to introduce some trace levels of organic contaminants, some of which may be toxic, carcinogenic, or endocrine disruptors, as well as, persistent in the environment. Additionally, increasing contamination of surface waters by wastewater effluents has made water treatment processes more challenging and expensive. The presence of these pollutants in the receiving water body may have negative effects on aquatic species and often pose potential human health risks through the reuse of treated wastewater for drinking purposes and other household use. In countries like South Africa, Namibia, USA, Singapore and Australia, water agencies are intensifying wastewater reclamation/wastewater reuse as part of their water resource agenda: in order to meet the demands of the growing populations. Nowadays, water reuse is generally considered as a viable method of water supply management. This study focused on the identification of the occurrence, quantification of emerging contaminants and evaluation of removal efficiency in wastewater treatment processes of three classes of emerging contaminants (ECs) in wastewater: 1) six types of perfluorinated compounds (PFCs), namely; perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), Perfluorooctane sulphonate (PFOS), perfluoroheptanoic acid (PFHpA), perfluorononanoic acid (PFNA), perfluorodecanoic acid (PFDA), and perfluoroundecanoic acid (PFUDA); 2) bisphenol A (BPA); and 3) Acetaminophen (ACP). These contaminants were identified and quantified in four wastewater treatment plants in the Western Cape. These treatment plants include three WWTPs in Cape Town, namely: Bellville WWTP, Scottsdene WWTP and Zandvliet WWTP and one WWTP in the central Karoo (Beaufort West wastewater reclamation plant).

This research aims to present, analyse and discuss how to sustain a competitive advantage in the Fashion Luxury market throughout a case study of Emerging Fashion Brands. The analysed data determines that considering the customers’ demands, the attributes of the Emerging Fashion Brands and the idiosyncrasy of the Fashion Luxury Market these brands must apply a Differentiation Strategy directed to a focal target group in order to sustain their competitive positions in the market. Furthermore, the findings of the research prove the relevance for Emerging Fashion Brands to identify their innovative capabilities where to design or redefine their Business Models. Also, this research describes a future scenario of the Fashion Luxury Market whereby the identification of the upcoming trends and opportunities are identified. Therefore, a holistic approach of the Fashion Luxury Market is provided in order to help the managerial decision-making.

Biological nutrient removal (BNR) systems employ engineered biological processes—including nitrification, denitrification, and biological phosphorus removal—to remove nutrients from wastewater. Since their original implementation, BNR systems have adapted to challenges, such as the presence of inhibitory compounds and demands for more energy- and resource-efficient wastewater treatment. Advancements in alternative BNR technologies made in response to these demands have highlighted the metabolic versatility of microbial communities present in BNR systems. This versatility is also observed in the expanded capacity of BNR systems to remove not only human-derived carbon, but also complex trace organic emerging contaminants (ECs). Based on conventional monitoring alone, the roles of specific bacteria and metabolic mechanisms in the removal of nutrients and ECs remain unclear. A detailed understanding of the actors and mechanisms in BNR systems can be attained through application of molecular biology tools, including those targeting community (a) structure and potential function through DNA analysis and (b) extant function through RNA analysis. This dissertation encompasses three objectives, which seek to link detailed molecular-level information to the performance and metabolic versatility of several nutrient-removing communities. The first objective was to assess the utility of gene expression assays to indicate and predict nitrification inhibition by toxic heavy metals based on functional responses of nitrifying bacteria. Through this assessment, it was found that genes related to both catabolic and anabolic pathways could be used as indicators of nitrification inhibition. The second objective was to investigate the effects of reactor operating conditions on simultaneous nitrogen and phosphorus removal by examining the microbial community structure and metabolism of a survey of full-scale BNR systems. A variety of BNR configurations and operating conditions, all capable of sustained nutrient removal, selected for different nitrogen- and phosphorus-removing communities. The activity of these communities was also dependent on configuration and operating conditions, as indicated by analysis of gene expression. Finally, the third objective was to examine the expanded capacity of BNR systems to attenuate ECs by investigating the removal of the EC bisphenol A (BPA) by microbial communities involved in nutrient removal. Communities derived from both full-scale and lab-scale systems were capable of biodegrading BPA, though each community was uniquely influenced by reactor processes and BPA exposure conditions. Results from this work also offered insights into the utility of assessed genes as biomarkers for metabolic activity and the importance of accurately characterizing in-situ responses of BNR systems. In both lab-scale and full-scale studies, certain genes demonstrated increased sensitivity to nutrient-removing activity. At lab-scale, observed differences between inhibition of ammonia oxidation through discrete and continuous Cu(II) exposure indicated that conventional short-term, ex-situ batch assays may underestimate inhibition in a parent reactor of interest. The benefit of gene expression assays to accurately reflect in-situ responses was also examined in full-scale BNR systems removing both nitrogen and phosphorus. Findings from full-scale BNR systems revealed the long-term effects of changes to process configurations on microbial community structure and activity. Despite differences in operating conditions and the resulting nitrogen- and phosphorus-removing communities, a variety of configurations sustained nutrient removal. Long-term effects were also characterized in the context of EC removal. Differences in BPA degradation rates and microbial community profiles in lab-scale mixed culture communities after extended BPA exposure showed the lasting influence of both reactor processes and BPA exposure conditions. Assessment of microbial community structure was also used to identify BPA-degrading bacteria. Results from each of the three objectives could be used in the development of biomarkers to assess and predict (1) process upsets or inhibition, (2) nutrient removal process performance, or (3) capacity for EC removal. Integrating analysis of microbial community structure and function with reactor performance monitoring and mechanistic modeling that includes such advanced knowledge holds the potential to not only guide effective operation of BNR systems, but also identify opportunities for more efficient and even concomitant nitrogen, phosphorus, and EC removal.

Sextortion is a phenomenon that has made an impact on the digital technology domain. Sexting is a transmission of sensual messages or performances, provocation, and schemes exhibited through an array of sexual behaviors. The purpose of this cross-sectional study was to examine the psychological effects experienced of sextortion and to uncover the willingness to seek help and report the incident to authorities. Arnett's emerging adulthood theory provided the framework for this study. The sample consisted of N = 27 responders between 18-24 years of age who have engaged in sexting behaviors and may or may not have experienced sextortion. Simple and multiple regressions were performed using convenience samples to test predictor variables, emotional distress, self-esteem, general help-seeking, reasons for calling the police, disclosure expectations, and self-stigma to seek help and outcome variable, sextortion. Statistically significant correlations existed among variables. Overall, the results displayed insignificant effects of the predictor variables on the outcome variable. The effect of sextortion on the difference in the level of emotional distress revealed no significance, F(1, 25) = 1.96, p = .174. The effect of sextortion on self-esteem exhibited no significance, F(1, 25) = .054, p = .818. The effects of sextortion on general help-seeking, reasons for calling the police, disclosure expectations, and self-stigma to seek help collectively uncovered no significance, F(1, 25) = 3.105, p =.109. The sample size used based on the respective predictor variable, presented challenges to achieve significance at acceptable levels. This study provided a foundation for the implementation of mental health services, prevention programs, and support for those who were found to have experienced sextortion.

About 70% of mergers and acquisitions (M&As) involving small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in emerging economies fail because the strategies employed do not integrate all the critical success elements, leaving SMEs without the needed capital to take advantage of strategic and market opportunities. The purpose of this multiple case study was to explore the M&A strategies SME owners in Ghana employed to raise capital. Seth's value creation theory was the conceptual framework adopted for this study. The population consisted of 5 SME owners in Ghana who had successfully raised financial resources through inbound M&As within the past 10 years. Data were collected through semistructured interviews and review of corporate annual reports and M&A documents. The data were organized and analyzed using Yin's 5-step data analysis and cross-case synthesis techniques to identify patterns and emergent themes. The 6 themes that emerged from the analysis were value creation, control and autonomy, entrepreneurial quality, leadership, trustworthiness, and effective negotiation. SME owners can integrate entrepreneurial quality and effective negotiations to achieve successful closure of M&A deals. The findings of this study might facilitate SME access to capital for expansion and growth that will contribute to positive social change through job creation and increased youth employment in emerging economies.

The cell phone has rapidly become an integral, and, for some, an essential communication tool that is being used worldwide. With cell phone ownership becoming so widespread, especially among the younger generation, society is starting to see and question the impacts of cell phone use on adolescent development. Relations between cell phone possession, cell phone use, and psychosocial and identity development were investigated using Erikson's Psychosocial Theory and Marcia's Adolescent Identity Paradigm. A sample of 705 college students, ages 18-24, completed a questionnaire that measured the amount and type of cell phone use, identity development (Extended Objective Measure of Ego Identity Status: EOMEIS), psychosocial maturity (Erikson Psychosocial Stage Inventory: EPSI), friendship attitudes, and school achievement. Nearly all (99.3%) of the participants in this study owned a cell phone, and most (85%) reported that they had obtained their cell phones between the ages of 14 and 18 (about the same time that most adolescents begin to enjoy greater mobility via older friends who are eligible to drive, or by way of gaining their own driver's license). Psychosocial maturity (EPSI) was related to age of cell phone procurement and duration of cell phone use; measures of trust, autonomy, initiative, and industry explained 5 to 7% of the variability in age of procurement and duration of use. Eta coefficients indicated that these relationships were nonlinear and in every instance, age of procurement and duration of use were more highly related to maturity than vice versa. These relations were strongest for male (13 to 17% shared variability with duration of cell phone use) and older participants (21-24 year olds; 12 to 18% shared variability with duration of cell phone use). Identity development was related to number of text messages; moratorium and diffusion scores were positively correlated with number of text messages, whereas the correlation between foreclosure and text messaging was negative. Ninety percent of the foreclosed participants reported texting less than 5,000 times per month compared to 70% or fewer of the achieved, moratorium, and diffused participants. Motivations for texting were examined across the identity measures. The achieved scale correlated most strongly with thoughtfulness, indicating achieved participants most often texted to share thoughts and feelings with others. Participants scoring high on the moratorium scale most often used texting as a means to escape and to meet others, while those with high foreclosure scores indicated that texting was important for appearances and to meet others. High diffusion scores corresponded with texting as a means to enhance appearance and to meet others. These relationships echo characteristics that have been found and reported in the identity literature.

The years from the late teens through the twenties increasingly have become an important area of study. The age range between 18 and 25 makes up a new, distinct developmental period that is referred to as “emerging adulthood.” Recent work has suggested that individuals engage in their most extensive identity exploration during emerging adulthood. This study uses autoethnography and narrative biographical material to study emerging adulthood in the contexts of spiritual and personal growth. The study explored adult development among young women serving abroad as missionaries for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS). The sample consisted of five women, including myself, all of whom shared similar background characteristics and served in the same mission. Interviews were conducted in which participants gave a unique description of their LDS mission experiences while responding to open-ended questions. Data analysis was done by gathering participants’ stories and then “restory (ing)” them into a framework that made sense. Stories presented here were based on the primary themes identified in participant interviews and my own experiences. These themes included: it was the right decision to serve a mission, development happened through experiencing adversity and through positive experiences, the mission lifestyle either helped or deterred participants’ growth and development, and the participants are who they are today because of this experience. Future longitudinal research could focus on how a mission has affected women’s lives throughout adulthood, or on the relationship between exposure to other cultures and individual psychosocial development.