traders are perceived to extract monopoly rents from farmers by offering very low prices. However, little attempt has been made to understand the behaviour of private traders and the factors that influence their behaviour. This study, therefore, examines the behaviour of private traders and determines the factors influencing their behaviour by means of the Chi-squared test. It further identifies the characteristics of smallholder farmers and private traders transacting with each other and examines the pricing, grading and weighting systems used by private traders, as well as the relationship that exists between farmers and private traders. Understanding private trader behaviour, factors influencing this behaviour, and the relationship between farmers and these private traders are important questions and have great implications for policy. Primary data was used in this study which involved interviews and direct observations with both private traders and smallholder farmers. The sample sizes for private traders and smallholder farmers were 50 and 200, respectively. The data was collected in the Kalomo District of Zambia between June and August, 2015. Only those farmers that transact with private traders or use assembly traders as the marketing channel were included in this study. The data collected was analysed using gross marketing margin, the Chi-squared test and descriptive statistics. The measure of the extent of opportunistic behaviour was also used to achieve the study objectives. The findings show that the mean price paid by private traders was ZMW 0.989 (USD 0.13) per kg and private traders were the ones who determine the prices and grades of maize. The private traders also weigh the maize and the smallholder farmers have little control on the final weight of the maize, as they do not participate in the weighing. This indicates that the private traders have power in the determination of the weight of maize. The majority of the private traders were found to behave opportunistically, accounting for 58 % of the surveyed traders. Experience and education level of the private traders were found to influence their behaviour. Given the importance of the above factors in influencing private trader behaviour, particularly experience and education, the results suggest that monitoring of the maize trading could potentially significantly reduce opportunistic behaviour among these less-experienced and less-educated traders. Lastly, the study reveals that 68.5 % of the smallholder farmers did not trust the private traders, whereas 46 % of the private traders did trust the farmers. The findings of this study indicate great potential for public sector investments in organisations that ensure standard weights (such as the Zambia Weights and Measures Agency 'ZWMA') and grades for maize. The ZWMA is the Zambian organisation responsible for enforcing weight institutions. An agency enforcing grading institutions for the smallholder maize farmers, however, does not exist in Zambia. Investment in such organisations would increase the levels of trust between farmers and traders, as neither would be suspicious of the weight or grade obtained, and possible opportunistic behaviour would be reduced. The suggestions and recommendations given by this study should help reduce the possibilities for opportunistic behaviour and exploitation of smallholder farmers. Because this study is in line with Zambia's poverty reduction plan to reduce poverty levels through increased agricultural production and improved maize trading among smallholder farmers, the recommendations given will help improve maize trading and the livelihoods of smallholder farmers. This is because they will be able to sell their maize at higher prices owing to reduced opportunistic behaviour of private traders, thus realising profits. The development of a grading system will lead to a better trading environment for both smallholder farmers and private traders, as both parties will be certain of the maize quality. In conclusion, a trading environment where organisations and institutions are in place, monitored and enforced to ensure reliable grading and weighing systems will help improve maize trading by smallholder farmers and private traders in Zambia. The improved maize trading will be the result of reduced opportunistic behaviour. This will ultimately increase the welfare of smallholder farmers and improve their livelihoods, which will contribute towards the reduction of the poverty levels in Zambia. / Dissertation (MSc (Agric))--University of Pretoria, 2016. / Agricultural Economics, Extension and Rural Development / MSc (Agric) / Unrestricted

Thesis (MTech (Business Administration))--Cape Peninsula University of Technology, 2018. / The purpose of this study was to determine the influence of internal controls on sustainability of small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in Harare’s Central Business District (CBD), Zimbabwe. The question at the core of this research is: to what extent do internal controls influence the sustainability of SMEs in Harare’s Central Business District, Zimbabwe. SMEs are perceived to be of paramount importance for the economic affluence of countries the world over, mainly because of their pronounced benefaction and contribution to livelihoods of the dwellers of a country and the gross domestic product (GDP). SMEs have been credited for playing a leading role when it comes to innovation, significant export revenue, custom-suited goods, services provision to society, employment opportunities, and social contribution. This can also be attributed to SMEs operating in Zimbabwe despite the volatility of the Zimbabwean economy. The Zimbabwean business environment, in general, is constantly changing. The changes can be attributed to an eruptive economic environment and unstable political atmosphere. The resultant effect is the departure of larger businesses and investors from the country. Generally, this leaves a great opportunity for SMEs not to be subjected to stiff competition from larger businesses. SMEs are indeed enjoying this space, braving the conditions to start up; however, their operations are short-lived. For SMEs to brave the fortuity of such an unpredictable environment, a system of internal controls must be in place. Research has placed emphasis on internal controls and sustainability of large organisations, while little to no attention has been given to SMEs. The little research on internal controls and sustainability in the context of SMEs has mostly been done in developed countries. Despite this, internal controls and sustainability have not been extensively implemented in the context of developing countries. The need to determine the influence of internal controls on sustainability of SMEs underlines this research. This report adopted a positivist philosophy that entailed utilizing a survey questionnaire to collect data from 150 SMEs operating in Harare’s CBD, Zimbabwe. The sample was further split into Active SMEs and Dormant SMEs (the control group). Data were analysed through Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) Version 25 to spawn statistical and descriptive results. To determine reliability of data, Cronbach’s alpha value was employed. The results indicate SMEs are not implementing controls as they ought to and those SMEs that have controls in place do not ensure that they are adhered to effectively and efficiently in order for them to achieve their desired objectives.

TITLE: The physical condition of badminton players AUTHOR: Kateřina Hejdrychová DEPARTMENT: Katedra tělesné výchovy PedF UK SUPERVISOR: PaedDr. Ladislav Pokorný ABSTRACT: This diploma thesis deals with the composition of fitness training of badminton players. The first part of the thesis theoretically describes the development of individual motor skills and their application and inclusion in the training process of badminton. In the second part, an evaluation of the psychical condition of adolescent and junior national team players and badminton players is performed. The psychical condition was examined using a test battery in cooperation with the Czech Badminton Association. The results of the thesis are annotated results of individual groups of players. KEYWORDS: Badminton, psychical condition, gross motor skills, testing

SyfteSyftet med denna studie var att undersöka om det finns ett samband mellan rörelseekonomin (GE) i cykling och löpning, hos elitaktiva triathleter. Vidare syftar denna studie till att undersöka om det finns någon skillnad mellan GE vid cykling och löpning samt om det finns någon könsmässig skillnad i GE för dessa två olika aktivitetsformer.MetodStudiedeltagarna (5 kvinnor, 5 män) (23 ± 7,5 år) genomförde ett cykeltest och ett löptest för att bestämma deltagarnas GE. Rullbandets lutning var 2,5º och intensitetsnivåerna varade fem minuter med en minuts stående vila. För varje ny nivå ökade hastigheten med 2,4 km∙tim-1 vid cykeltestet och 0,6 km∙tim-1 vid löptestet. Under testen analyserades deltagarnas syreupptagning samt direkt efter avslutad nivå togs ett laktatprov. Deltagarnas GE beräknades utifrån den relativa arbetsnivån där laktathalten stigit 1 mmol∙l-1 från det lägsta uppmätta värdet. Pearsons korrelation, oberoende t-test och parat t-test genomfördes för att kunna identifiera eventuella samband, könsskillnader respektive skillnader för de två aktivitetsformerna avseende GE. Alfanivån för statistisk signifikans sattes till 0,05.ResultatDet var ett signifikant samband mellan GE för cykling och löpning (p = 0,041). Det förekom ingen könsmässig skillnad i GE för varken cykling (p = 0,59) eller löpning (p = 0,31). Däremot är GE för cykling högre än för löpning (p < 0,001).SlutsatserEn triathlet med högt GE vid cykling har generellt sett ett högt GE vid löpning, trots att dessa aktivitetsformer skiljer sig åt såväl koordinativt som utifrån ett GE-perspektiv. / PurposeThe aim of this study was to investigate whether there is a correlation between gross efficiency (GE) in cycling and running among elite triathletes. Furthermore, this study aims to investigate if there is a difference between GE in cycling and running and whether there is any gender difference in GE for these two different forms of activity.MethodsThe participants (5 women, 5 men) (23 ± 7.5 years) performed a cycle test and a running test to determine the participants’ GE. The treadmill inclination was set to 2.5º and the intensity levels lasted five minutes with one minute standing rest. For each new level, the speed increased by 2.4 km∙h-1 in the cycling test and 0.6 km∙h-1 in the running test. During the tests, the participants’ oxygen uptake was analysed and a lactate sample was taken immediately after the completed level. The participants’ GE was calculated based on the relative work intensity where the lactate concentration increased 1 mmol∙l-1 from the lowest measured value. Pearson's correlation, independent samples t-test and paired sample t-test were conducted to identify relationship, gender differences, and difference in GE between the activity forms, respectively. The alpha level for statistical significance was set to 0.05.ResultsThere was a significant correlation between GE in cycling and running (p = 0.041). There was no significant gender difference in GE for either cycling (p = 0.59) or running (p = 0.31). However, GE in cycling was higher than in running (p < 0,001).ConclusionsA triathlete with high GE in cycling generally has a high GE in running, despite that these forms of activity differ both coordinatively and from a GE perspective.

Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI) / Current research on medical students' death experiences is either outdated or produces conflicting results. This research aims to address these issues by analyzing in-depth interviews in order to explore how medical students view and cope view death. The sample consists of twenty third and fourth year students attending a large Midwestern medical school. Grounded theory analyses techniques of line-by-line coding were used to analysis the interviews. The study revealed that students predominantly cope with patient death by talking and that contrary to much of the findings of previous research concerning medical socialization and physicians, students do not always view death as a failure. Beyond the students' death experiences, the study also captured students' perceptions and reactions towards various socialization stages in their medical careers, such as gross anatomy lab. Student beliefs as to what constitutes a good and bad death are also explored as well as their attitudes towards physician assisted suicide. Although these findings are not generalizable to any medical student population, they do provide important qualitative information as to how medical students experience and cope with death.

The world and its economy is going through countless and significant changes. Intangible assets are one of these changes due to the economy and the society have a higher demand for information than before. Nevertheless, tangible assets are still important assets within the economy since no economy will function without tangible assets. Intangible assets and tangible assets can contribute to that a business is gaining competitive advantages and thereby, increasing the level of profits. The focal study has been performed at Sweco Environment AB and aims to investigate how intangible assets and tangible assets contribute to increased gross profits within a specific service industry, where a modular product can be implemented. A modular product wasinvestigated in order to find differences and similarities which can affect a business’ opportunities to generate increased gross profit. The focal study is limited to a modular product and a specific industry, where it can be applied. In order to perform the focal study, scientific articles, books and reports have been utilised to form a foundation of the theoretical framework. The theoretical framework consists of sustainability, modularity and economics. Subsequently, a combination of a qualitative and quantitative research has been conducted. The qualitative research included observations and semi-structured interviews with experienced participants within the field. The quantitative research contained archival records with annual financial statements and balance sheets of private corporations within the Swedish market. The archival records were used in order to perform the econometric analysis. The results from the observations and interviews demonstrated a holistic picture of the nonmodular product and the modular product. The main differences were found within the process from customer order to utilisation and the leasing option for the modular product. The econometric analysis which was performed in the specific service industry indicated that tangible assets were not statistically significant meanwhile, intangible assets were statistically significant. A 1 % increase in intangible assets contribute to 0.088 % increase in gross profit per employee. By investing in intangible assets does not only contribute to increased gross profits, it can also lead to competitive advantages.

Newspaper advertising and retail pricing practices for turkeys were ascertained and gross retail margins established for three Utah markets, 1955 to 1966, and for 12 other selected U. S. markets, 1965 and 1966. Turkey was extensively used as an advertised special item, particularly in holiday seasons. Food retailing organizations advertised turkey at low prices and margins at Thanksgiving and Christmas when consumer demand for turkey is traditionally strong. Prior to these holidays, food retailing organizations in a market simultaneously advertised turkey at identical prices and with little product differentiation thus limiting the effectiveness of turkey as an advertised item to gain competitive advantage for a food retailer.

In view of the current use of the Carolina Curriculum for Preschoolers with Special Needs (Carolina) as an alternative to the widely used Brigance Diagnostic Inventory of Early Development (Brigance) for assessing the motor development of preschool aged children, a study was undertaken to establish the validity of the Carolina using the Brigance as a criterion test. A sample of 2 7 preschool special education children ranging in age from 36 to 71 months from three categories-learning handicapped (LH), severely handicapped (SH) and severely handicapped Down's Syndrome children (SHD)-were assessed by an adapted physical education specialist. Each subject was evaluated on two separate days within one week using the Carolina and the Brigance. The subjects were also evaluated concurrently by their classroom teachers using a Teacher Observation check sheet prepared by the adapted physical education specialist. Correlation coefficients using the developmental age scores obtained on the three test instruments and the correlations comparing the three categories to each test instrument ranged from .90 to .98 (r. (25) = .486, p < .01 ). These findings offered strong support for the concurrent validity of the Carolina. Additional analysis of the data using a 3 x 3 ANOVA for repeated measures resulted in a significant F ratio for the dependent variable of functional level, E (2,24) = 4.82, p = 0.174. The Sheffe post hoc analysis procedure indicated a statistically significant difference between the LH and the SHD categories. vi

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El texto completo de este trabajo no está disponible en el Repositorio Académico UPC por restricciones de la casa editorial donde ha sido publicado. / Retail trade modernization in Peru has displaced the traditional retailer as the first option when it comes to shopping. Supermarkets have grown 45% during the last four years and the new convenience stores gather all competitive advantages required by the sector. Industry has adapted to the new Peruvian in order to cover the needs generated by a digital age offering solutions that give timely information, comfort and modernity when acquiring a new product. In 2017, 414,000 grocery stores were counted in Peru, which were forced to adapt and improve their services. This research project aims to come up with a solution to bring the grocery stores into the twenty-first century, and thus, to increase their gross margin and ensure their continuity. A methodology connecting the requirements of the grocery stores that invest the most in the city of Lima to the needs of the mass consumption companies by means of a platform that digitalizes ads at the point of sale driven by digital advertising is presented here. Currently, the product benefits 40 grocery stores in the city with a new customer service channel that allows to increase their sales by 20%.