The question how much internationalization is beneficial for emerging-market small and medium enterprises (EM SMEs) remains challenging to answer for both international business (IB) scholars and managers. We explore export strategies of first time exporters and focus on the scope of EM SMEs internationalization activities. We tackle the question whether more focused or more diversified internationalization through exporting is beneficial for EM SMEs. We examine the impact of foreign market (geographic) diversification, product diversification and export intensity on firm performance of an entire population of EM SMEs from an emerging east European market. In addition, we test whether a complex export strategy-an export strategy of simultaneous product- and geographic export diversification-is beneficial for EM SMEs. We use a panel population data of first time Slovenian exporters in the period 1994-2012. We find that diversified internationalization, both in terms of product and foreign market diversity, significantly improves productivity and sales performance for EM SMEs. Furthermore, EM SMEs with complex export strategies enjoy significantly improved productivity and sales performance. / Series: Working Papers / Institute for International Business

Retention of 1st-year students is a challenge facing higher education and remains relevant for all stakeholders. Low persistence negatively affects individual students, institutions, and society as a whole. Nationally, a significant number of students have reported working while in college, particularly 1st-generation, low socioeconomic status (SES), and racial and ethnic minority students, those same groups who are at higher risk of experiencing low retention rates. Guided by Tinto's interactionalist model of student departure, binary logistic regression analyses of archival data were used in this retrospective prediction study. The focus was to determine how on-campus employment (OCE), 1st-generation, low-SES, and racial and ethnic minority student status were related to retention to the 2nd year for 1,582 first-time full-time students who entered a 4 year institution in the fall semesters of 2013 to 2015. Students who worked on campus during their 1st year of college were nearly twice as likely to be retained as those students who did not work on campus. Although living on campus was found to be a significant predictor of retention for students who did not work on campus during their 1st year in college, it was not a significant predictor of retention for students who did work on campus. Based on the findings, a white paper was developed, recommending that student employment practices on campus be modified such that 1st-year students, especially those who may not be living on campus, be made more aware of OCE opportunities. Creating a better understanding of the role OCE plays in student retention has positive social change implications for students, faculty members, staff members, and administrators needing to make informed decisions that increase student retention.

Master of Agribusiness / Department of Agricultural Economics / Vincent R. Amanor-Boadu / It is estimated that the animal health biologics sector will increase by over 27% between 2015 and 2020. This projection and the increasing competition among the sector’s players suggests need to find ways to enhance their efficiencies in manufacturing to sustain their relative competitiveness. One approach to enhancing efficiencies is to ensure that all work is done once, i.e., everything is done right the first time. This research focused on human error as a major source of inefficiency in manufacturing and hypothesized that addressing issues that reduce human error would contribute to reducing inefficiencies. The research used the Kaizen process to assess the before and after counts of human error in a biologics manufacturing unit of Z Animal Health Company (ZAHC). The study found that human error accounted for about 51% of all sources of error in the pre-Kaizen period and only about 34% of all errors in the post-Kaizen period, a reduction in excess of 33.3%. Given that humans are directly or indirectly responsible for all activities in the manufacturing process, the Kaizen process also contributed to a reduction in most other error sources. For example, errors in raw materials and components went reduced by about 50%. We tested the hypothesis that undertaking the Kaizen was statistically effective in reducing human error compared to all other errors using a logit model. Our results confirmed this hypothesis, showing that the odds ratio of human error in the post-Kaizen period was about 50% of the odds of non-human error. The research suggests that in a highly technical manufacturing environment, such as in animal health biologics, human errors can be a major problem that can erode competitiveness quickly. Focusing employees’ on root causes of errors and helping them address these through structured quality-enhancing initiatives such as Kaizen produce superior results. It is, therefore, suggested that when organizations discover human error as a major source of inefficiency, it is prudent to help employees understand what they do and how what they do contributes to the overall performance of the organization. This appreciation of how their actions fit into the big picture could provide a foundation upon which significant improvements can be achieved.

<p> </p><p><strong>Introduction </strong></p><p>Some researchers believe that Business plans are critical to the development of a new business idea and thus a new venture. However, others are of the view that these documents are completely useless to the business planning process. With these conflicting views existing, and the occurrence of various factors, the process of deciding to write a business plan and actually writing one can be quite challenging for First – Time entrepreneurs (FTEs) without any influence from background, education and training. This can increase the levels of complexity experienced by many new entrepreneurs.</p><p><strong>Purpose</strong></p><p>The aim of this research study is to first investigate the task of writing a business plan experienced by FTEs, then compare the personal experiences and observations of the author to those of others who have participated in this process, and finally compare the collective results to relevant theories and the views and beliefs of experts in writing business plans or creating new ventures. Furthermore, the main aim is to identify exactly if the writing process can be considered less challenging for FTEs, given the inclusion of certain factors, and what is actually meant by the term “easy”.</p><p><strong>Method</strong></p><p>To do this, experiences and personal opinions and observations have been collected from the author and former FTEs through the use of self – observation and narrative research techniques coupled with a series of open and probing questions. These were then compared to a collection of relevant literature, and views and opinions of the experts working with the industry.</p><p><strong>Conclusions </strong></p><p><strong> </strong>With the inclusion of knowledge, literature and expert advice, the process <strong> </strong>of writing a business plan becomes easier for FTEs. What this means is that FTEs are more prepared to undertake the writing process due to the absence of uncertainties and increased insight, and as a result, they execute the process more efficiently and better informed as to what tends to occur. In this perspective, the writing process itself becomes “easy”</p>

Introduction Some researchers believe that Business plans are critical to the development of a new business idea and thus a new venture. However, others are of the view that these documents are completely useless to the business planning process. With these conflicting views existing, and the occurrence of various factors, the process of deciding to write a business plan and actually writing one can be quite challenging for First – Time entrepreneurs (FTEs) without any influence from background, education and training. This can increase the levels of complexity experienced by many new entrepreneurs. Purpose The aim of this research study is to first investigate the task of writing a business plan experienced by FTEs, then compare the personal experiences and observations of the author to those of others who have participated in this process, and finally compare the collective results to relevant theories and the views and beliefs of experts in writing business plans or creating new ventures. Furthermore, the main aim is to identify exactly if the writing process can be considered less challenging for FTEs, given the inclusion of certain factors, and what is actually meant by the term “easy”. Method To do this, experiences and personal opinions and observations have been collected from the author and former FTEs through the use of self – observation and narrative research techniques coupled with a series of open and probing questions. These were then compared to a collection of relevant literature, and views and opinions of the experts working with the industry. Conclusions With the inclusion of knowledge, literature and expert advice, the process  of writing a business plan becomes easier for FTEs. What this means is that FTEs are more prepared to undertake the writing process due to the absence of uncertainties and increased insight, and as a result, they execute the process more efficiently and better informed as to what tends to occur. In this perspective, the writing process itself becomes “easy”

Bakgrund: Perioden innan den aktiva förlossningsfasens start benämns latensfas. Den är svårdefinierad eftersom den kan yttra sig på olika sätt och varierar i längd. Blivande föräldrar som anländer till förlossningsavdelning söker stöd och bekräftelse hos barnmorskan när de tror att förlossningen har startat men är oroliga för att bli hemskickade igen. Syftet: Att undersöka och belysa förstagångsföräldrars upplevelser av latensfas. Metod: Semistrukturerad intervjustudie, data bearbetades med hjälp av kvalitativ innehållsanalys. Deltagare: Fem svensktalande förstagångsföräldrapar och en förstföderska som fått barn juni-augusti, år 2011. Resultat: Förlossningstarten upplevdes av blivande föräldrarna som en känslomässigt laddad period präglad av blandade känslor. Svårhanterbar smärta och behov av bekräftelse initierade deras sökande av stöd hosbarnmorskan. Lugnande besked och valmöjligheter upplevdes av paren som positivt oavsett om de fick återvända hem. Blivande fäderna upplevde att de hade svårt att känna sig delaktiga och stödja sin partner under latensfasen. Slutsats: Barnmorskans stödjande roll ansågs viktig för de blivande föräldrarna under latensfasen. Därför uttrycker de behov av individuellt anpassat stöd i föräldraskap. För blivande föräldrar är det viktigt att barnmorskan/vårdpersonalen tar dem på allvar, stödjer dem samt ser den blivande pappan som en likvärdig person vid deras barns födelse. / Background: The time period before the true labor phase begins is called latent phase. It is hard to define because it can manifest it self in different ways and vary in length. When soon parents-to-be arrives at the maternity ward and think their labour started, they look for support and acknowledgement from the midwife, but they worries to be sent back home again. Purpose: To research and expound the experiences from pre-labor of first-time parents. Method: Conduct semistructured interviews, process collected data using qualitative content analysis. Participants: Five Swedish speaking first-time parents and one first-time mother that have given birth June-August 2011. Results: These soon to be parents experienced the start of the delivery process as extra emotional period of time filled with mixed feelings. The one come of intense pain and the need of confirmation initiated their search for support from the midwife. Answers to their questions and possible choices were perceived as calming and positive even if they had to return home. The soon to be fathers had difficulty in feeling that they had an active role during the latent phase period and thus found it difficult to express support for their spouses. Conclusion: The midwife’s supporting role is considered important by the parents-to-be during the latent phase. They express a need for custom planned training for prenatal parenting. Soon to be parents its`important that the midwife/medical-staff should be taken them seriously, support the mand that the father-to-be is regarded as an equal participant in their child’s birth.

The purpose of this study is to explore and describe the experiences of first-time mothers with colic infants. Based on the results, implications for clinical practice are described for the clinical psychologist with regards to providing psychological support for these mothers. The research design is qualitative, exploratory, descriptive and contextual. Data was collected by means of in-depth, semi-structured, phenomenological interviews and a descriptive analysis was done. The results show that the real versus the imagined experience of having a baby does not meet mothers' expectations. Furthermore, a colic baby elicits numerous anxieties including anxiety about the baby being damaged/ill, the feeding and leaving the baby in the care of others. Mothers battle with feelings of failure, which may be compounded by a stressful labour/delivery. Multiple attempts to soothe the baby or find an effective treatment result in feelings of helplessness and inadequacy. In turn, hopelessness and depression result. Mothers also perceive others' making judgments about their ability as a mother, while anxiety about failure undermines their capacity to accept support. Furthermore, mothers require affirmation from their baby. Their continued search for a cure offers hope that understanding and control can be gained. However, conflicting information and advice leave them feeling anxious and overwhelmed. Moreover, mothers feel disillusioned with medical personnel and the profession. Both medical and psychological factors are perceived as possible causes of, or contributing factors to, colic, and mothers experience guilt that stressors during their pregnancy may have contributed to their babies' being colicky. In addition, colic is seen as a punishment for perceived wrongdoings during pregnancy. Given the above, mothers need a containing figure, a function fulfilled by some husbands. If their own mothers are unavailable to contain their anxieties, substitute figures are found. In addition, practical support is experienced as helpful. Regarding maternal grandmothers, mothers identify with them, resulting in a new understanding of them and of the mother-daughter relationship. They also draw on their mothers' perception of their childhood experiences as positive or negative role models of parenting. Mothers feel ambivalent regarding the baby. They exhibit empathy although they perceive the baby as demanding, intrinsically difficult or rejecting. Consequently, mothers experience feelings of rage, resulting in fears of losing control and harming or abandoning the baby. These negative feelings are perceived as impacting on empathy for and bonding with the baby and result in feelings of shame and guilt. A colic baby is a source of stress in the couple's relationship, resulting in strained marital relations. Lastly, mothers renegotiate their identity as women and mothers. Several psychological defence mechanisms are used as a means of resolving emotional conflict and anxiety, and maintaining self-esteem. Clinical implications include adopting parent-infant psychotherapy as a framework for providing psychological support for these mothers. The study concludes that the colic period is stressful, places strain on the marital relationship and may pose a risk to the parent-infant relationship and child development. Lastly, psychological based interventions should be included as a resource for these mothers. / Thesis (M.A. (Psychology))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2008.

The purpose of this study is to explore and describe the experiences of first-time mothers with colic infants. Based on the results, implications for clinical practice are described for the clinical psychologist with regards to providing psychological support for these mothers. The research design is qualitative, exploratory, descriptive and contextual. Data was collected by means of in-depth, semi-structured, phenomenological interviews and a descriptive analysis was done. The results show that the real versus the imagined experience of having a baby does not meet mothers' expectations. Furthermore, a colic baby elicits numerous anxieties including anxiety about the baby being damaged/ill, the feeding and leaving the baby in the care of others. Mothers battle with feelings of failure, which may be compounded by a stressful labour/delivery. Multiple attempts to soothe the baby or find an effective treatment result in feelings of helplessness and inadequacy. In turn, hopelessness and depression result. Mothers also perceive others' making judgments about their ability as a mother, while anxiety about failure undermines their capacity to accept support. Furthermore, mothers require affirmation from their baby. Their continued search for a cure offers hope that understanding and control can be gained. However, conflicting information and advice leave them feeling anxious and overwhelmed. Moreover, mothers feel disillusioned with medical personnel and the profession. Both medical and psychological factors are perceived as possible causes of, or contributing factors to, colic, and mothers experience guilt that stressors during their pregnancy may have contributed to their babies' being colicky. In addition, colic is seen as a punishment for perceived wrongdoings during pregnancy. Given the above, mothers need a containing figure, a function fulfilled by some husbands. If their own mothers are unavailable to contain their anxieties, substitute figures are found. In addition, practical support is experienced as helpful. Regarding maternal grandmothers, mothers identify with them, resulting in a new understanding of them and of the mother-daughter relationship. They also draw on their mothers' perception of their childhood experiences as positive or negative role models of parenting. Mothers feel ambivalent regarding the baby. They exhibit empathy although they perceive the baby as demanding, intrinsically difficult or rejecting. Consequently, mothers experience feelings of rage, resulting in fears of losing control and harming or abandoning the baby. These negative feelings are perceived as impacting on empathy for and bonding with the baby and result in feelings of shame and guilt. A colic baby is a source of stress in the couple's relationship, resulting in strained marital relations. Lastly, mothers renegotiate their identity as women and mothers. Several psychological defence mechanisms are used as a means of resolving emotional conflict and anxiety, and maintaining self-esteem. Clinical implications include adopting parent-infant psychotherapy as a framework for providing psychological support for these mothers. The study concludes that the colic period is stressful, places strain on the marital relationship and may pose a risk to the parent-infant relationship and child development. Lastly, psychological based interventions should be included as a resource for these mothers. / Thesis (M.A. (Psychology))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2008.

This thesis describes First-time Adoption of IFRS. An entity shall apply IFRS 1. It states integration of accounting systems, substantiality of IFRS 1, process of first-time adoption of IFRS and practically example.

Ineffectively addressing a first-time fathers' perception of pregnancy, childbirth, and fatherhood by medical providers and other medical personnel, may lead to problems of inadequate support, increased tension, anger, concern, and fear at a personal level and between partners. The purpose of this interpretive phenomenological study was to explore the perspective of first-time fathers during pregnancy, childbirth, and fatherhood. The biopsychosocial model was used as the framework to provide the foundation for this study. Research questions addressed first-time fathers' biggest fears, deepest concerns, and most embarrassing questions related to pregnancy, childbirth, and fatherhood as well as the emotion and physical changes that a first-time father may encounter. Data from 12 participants was collected using one-on-one interviews. These interviews were analyzed, utilizing the biopsychosocial model as a guide for assessing social, psychological, and physical relationships and themes. Several themes were identified; including both positive and negative themes, such as mood swings, and watching the belly grow during pregnancy. During labor, themes such as, it was a life changing experience and fear of something happening to the baby or mom during labor weigh heavy on the minds of first time fathers. Themes identified in fatherhood included becoming more selfless and responsible, fear of making a mistake as a father, and the difficulties of fatherhood. The findings of this study will contribute to positive social change by providing a basis for developing appropriate and effective educational programs that will assist first-time fathers in optimizing their role throughout pregnancy, childbirth, and fatherhood.