This work explains the structure and function of the contemporary Iranian government by examining the government's formal political, religious and national security structures and the informal networks that empower and constrain the individuals who fill formal regime positions. The research argues that the Islamic Republic of Iran should be understood as a solar system in which the Supreme Leader resides at the center and oversees all other government bodies. These bodies have their own responsibilities and power, but ultimately answer to the Supreme Leader. The work outlines the current Iranian political landscape by examining the dominant ideological currents. It analyzes informal networks using the examples of three relevant actors: President Hassan Ruhani, Majles Speaker Ali Larijani and Supreme Leader Advisor Ali-Akbar Velayati. The paper concludes with predictions for evolutions in Iranian policy in the remainder of the first Ruhani Administration. / text

The existence of informal male networks, sometimes referred to as "old boys' networks", tends to exclude women from top jobs. More and more women have come to realize that they need professional contacts for a successful career and that they also needed each other’s support. Therfore many women are joining women-only networks or trying to create there own informal networks. The purpose is to establish useful contacts, learn new things, and be able to share their concerns with other women in the same situation. For some it gives an opportunity to find a mentor who can guide them. The aim of this bachelor thesis is to study if women’s lacking access to male networks is an obstacle for career advancement and to give an insight into women-only networks and their effectiveness to support women leaders and managers and increase women's representation in senior positions. The empirical findigs were conducted in Växjö, Sweden; in the networks “Fröken” and “Rotary”, and one women-only network in Linz, Austria; the BPW, “Business & Professional Women”.

<p>The existence of informal male networks, sometimes referred to as "old boys' networks", tends to exclude women from top jobs. More and more women have come to realize that they need professional contacts for a successful career and that they also needed each other’s support. Therfore many women are joining women-only networks or trying to create there own informal networks. The purpose is to establish useful contacts, learn new things, and be able to share their concerns with other women in the same situation. For some it gives an opportunity to find a mentor who can guide them.</p><p>The aim of this bachelor thesis is to study if women’s lacking access to male networks is an obstacle for career advancement and to give an insight into women-only networks and their effectiveness to support women leaders and managers and increase women's representation in senior positions. The empirical findigs were conducted in Växjö, Sweden; in the networks “Fröken” and “Rotary”, and one women-only network in Linz, Austria; the BPW, “Business & Professional Women”.</p>

The following case study aims to explore the knowledge transfer and its implications in the context of a soft service firm. The complexity of knowledge itself and the knowledge transfer process in service firms brings new challenges. The phenomenon was investigated by the application of grounded theory. Interviews were conducted with employees at a company present in the Quick Service Restaurant segment. It resulted in several findings that were not reported by previous literature. Firstly, within the case company there was multiple formal networks that circulate separately, except for interconnections through the restaurant managers. Within the organization personal relationships proved to be the most important factor for knowledge sharing. Secondly, within a large franchise network, an actor might take the role of knowledge creator due to its size and influence the other franchises in the network. Thirdly, knowledge transfer, implementation and innovation are hindered when work environment is characterized by stress and high pressure to perform. Fourthly, communication improves operation efficiency and employee motivation. This study provides navigations to future research and can be used as guidance in regard to knowledge transfer for practitioners, managers or other interested.

The purpose of my thesis is to demonstrate the economic development of China and Latin America. My reason for choosing these two regions for my study is because they are both Third World Nations. My intention on writing this thesis is to prove that culture and the informal business networks of China are the major forces of what is driving the Chinese economy ahead of Latin America. I will explain how the definition of culture ties in with the economic society of both regions. In writing about culture, I will attempt to explain if there really is a difference between trust in each society. To better interpret this thesis, I came up with several variables of economy that will help explain each region's development. These variables are federal direct investment (FDI), labor, and funding of businesses in each region. In my study, I present the different approaches that are taken by each region to attract FDI. In addition, I will explain how and if informal networking is beneficial to the work force and the funding of businesses in each region. The majority of my research for this thesis consisted on reviewing past articles of scholarly journals. From these journals I drew conclusions of my own and compared them to other scholars' work. I also analyzed such websites like the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank and various others to be able to come up with my own findings necessary to complete my thesis. To anticipate the conclusion, this thesis notes how important it is for each region to find its own unique way to attract FDI and how culture can impact the development of an economy. In my thesis, I am including the importance of trust in the society and the significance of the informal business networks on the Chinese economy.

This study identifies informal networks as the most accepted method of sharing information. Enhancing service delivery is shown as being a key trigger of coordination while rigid funding approaches are perceived to be a major inhibitor. Organisational type, position, practice approaches and location are shown to influence people's perception of coordination.

This thesis aims to analyze how the global and local relations are articulated within the economic field through trust relations in Mardin. These relations will be explained from actor&rsquo / s perspectives, with emphasis on the nature of the interaction, through are course to the social and institutional context in which these relations and the economic field are embedded. To this end, a qualitative study, has been conducted during the spring of 2010, using in-depth interviews with 24 entrepreneurs in grain production industry in the Mardin Organized Industrial District. The study analyzes trust relations by way of contextualizing them within the economic relations of entrepreneurs in Mardin. It describes how these entrepreneurs interact with existing institutional regulations and other actors in the field through trust relations at the local, national, and global markets. Trusts stemming from informal resources, such as from having a good family name or in being honest, provide sufficient grounds for doing business, where formal institutional regulations do not work. As such, entrepreneurs try to avoid doing business when they do not trust the formal institutional mechanisms and, at the same time, when they lack informal relations based on trust. Trust in this context demarcates with whom entrepreneurs do business and to which market they send their products. Streaming from shared experiences in the economic field, which in turn are shaped by informal relations, formal national institutional regulations, and neoliberal organization at the global context, mutual trust becomes a key factor in every facet of these interactions.

This study identifies informal networks as the most accepted method of sharing information. Enhancing service delivery is shown as being a key trigger of coordination while rigid funding approaches are perceived to be a major inhibitor. Organisational type, position, practice approaches and location are shown to influence people's perception of coordination.

This thesis attends the problem of institutional and political structure in a post-war economy of Lebanon. Lebanon was one of the countries in the Near east, which tried to apply principles known as Washington consensus. On this case we try to demonstrate the problem which appeared also in other countries of the world, where the same set of principles was applied and it was the insufficient attention dedicated to the issue of informal networks. We pay special attention to a confessional system in Lebanon which is based on division of powers on the basis of religion. This type of political structure produces creation of informal networks which substitute state apparatus and instigate corruption. The thesis proposes a modification of Lebanese system which will treat the institutional background with greater attention.

Various types of business and social networks are discussed as crucial to overcome obstacles of internationalization in order to compensate insufficient findings related to the accessibility of resources through different types of networks. This knowledge is important to generate because resources are even considered to have positive impacts on international performance and growth of companies. Overcoming obstacles of internationalization is achieved through the sharing of various resources that are beneficial for internationalization processes. A web-based survey is conducted among companies operating in the health technology industry in order to gain additional insights related to the accessibility of resources through business networks, that are either self-established or founded by a third party, and social networks. Moreover, it is evaluated what type of resources improves the outcome of international performance and growth best. It is found that self-established business networks offer sufficient access to resources whereas third-party founded business networks and social networks provide only limited access. Financial resources are not provided through any of the discussed networks. However, especially smaller companies founded after the year 2000 profit from the accessibility of resources through networks. Moreover, market, reputational, human and physical resources are identified to have the most significant impact on the outcome of a company’s international performance. The size of the research sample does not allow any analysis related to the impact of resources on international growth. / Going Global - Innovative strategies for international growth