Thesis (Ph. D.)--Washington State University, December 2006. / Includes bibliographical references (p. 212-225).

This thesis analyses the evolution and characteristics of Portugal’s inward and outward foreign direct investment (FDI) in recent years and how they reflect changes in the country’s competitiveness. Inward FDI was investigated using regression analysis and a postal questionnaire. For outward FDI, semi-structured interviews were conducted at locally owned firms with productive capacity abroad. The investment development path (IDP) was the framework used to integrate the results obtained with the analysis of national competitiveness. The thesis also suggests a novel functional relationship for the IDP in order to reconcile the empirical tests with the underlying theory. Inward FDI flows into Portugal have declined sharply in recent years, which was shown to be incommensurate with Portugal’s size and level of development. The questionnaire survey suggested that efficiency seeking investment was especially affected. This points to the geopolitical changes that have occurred in Europe as a major reason for Portugal’s lower attractiveness as a location for FDI. Bureaucracy and a shortage of skilled workers were other important obstacles to foreign investment. Both correspond to institutional failures: the failure to promote an efficient legal environment, and the failure to create advanced assets that compensate for rising production costs as locational determinants of FDI. Outward FDI was found to be more in line with Portugal’s level of development. It is growing fast but requires consolidation. Investment is concentrated in few locations, and cultural proximity (particularly language) plays a major role. I Iowever, more than exploiting existing ownership advantages, the firms surveyed were internationalising in order to build new ownership advantages. To reach an efficient size, which is not possible at home when the market is small, or to consolidate the relationship with important clients in oligopsonistic industries were the dominant motivations for internationalisation amongst the firms surveyed.

M.Com. (South African and International Taxation) / International tax treaties are unique bilateral negotiations effectively breaking down the barriers of international trade while aiming to eliminate double taxation and prevent fiscal evasion. The implementation of these negotiated tax treaties is a matter of domestic law, once concluded a contracting state is free to use domestic legislation to tax the income allocated through the these tax treaties. There is however, no external enforcement of these agreements and as a result disputes occur. The remedy proposed by both the OECD MTC and the UN MTC is what we know as MAP. MAP is a non-binding, non-compulsory dispute resolution mechanism developed in the early 20th century. Even though many jurisdictions remain of the view the MAP is a successful method of dispute resolution, others feel that it has significant shortcomings as outlined by the JWG established by the OECD in 2003. As a result of the work done by the JWG and in an attempt to address some of the insufficiencies of the MAP the OECD introduced additional articles to the MTC including guidelines on non-binding arbitration. The UN subsequently introduced similar guidelines in its MTC. The introduction of mandatory arbitration into both these MTCs is the most significant development in the resolution of international tax disputes. However, the increased complexity and volume of international trade undoubtedly results in tax implications that are not currently addressed in tax treaties or conventions. Differences in the interpretation of the underlying facts of those trade transactions may lead to a host of international tax disputes, often resulting in juridical double taxation. With MAP being the only remedy available, this study aims to determine whether or not the MAP in its current form, is an effective international dispute resolution mechanism or whether further developments are still required.

This dissertation consists of three essays studying human behavior and contagion phenomenon in networks. The analysis especially focuses on information sharing, trade relationship and pest spread in networks. The first chapter outlines the dissertation by briefly discussing the motivations, methods, and main findings in each of the following chapters. Chapter two examines the information sharing in networks. We develop a heterogenous agents model in which connections between players act as a channel to exchange information. We focus on specialized equilibria, which is based on Nash tatonnement. It is shown that players utilize the signals in the linear form and only specialized equilibria can be stable. We also compare the sequential equilibria and stable equilibria, and it is shown that stable equilibria form a proper subset of the sequential ones, which gives a sharper prediction. The stable equilibria demonstrate star-like graphs, which is similar to the phenomenon "the law of the few" in the literature. Chapter three investigates the trade relationship among players where trade between two players can bring benefits as well as conflict. And if conflict happens, the players coordinate based on received information. We show that the optimal structure of trade networks ranges from complete market to Autarky. Also, we study the optimal timing for trade relationship establishment and the optimal size of organizations when facing scarce members. It is shown that when potential neighbors become more scarce, people care more about the future, or new technology breakthroughs occur more frequently, it is optimal to have more neighbors to back up for the potential technological breakthrough. The last chapter studies the pest spread in the networks. We use a directional and weighted network to study the spread of Tuta absoluta. A robust network-based approach is proposed to model seasonal flow of agricultural produce and examine its role in pest spread. Furthermore, the long-term establishment potential of the pest and its economic impact on the country are assessed. Preliminary analyses indicate that Tuta absoluta will invade most major tomato production regions within a year of introduction and the economic impact of invasion could range from $17-25 million. / Ph. D. / Networks play an important role in the society today, for example, the Internet, Facebook and other social media, cell phones, and communication networks. Networks have undeniable effects on human activity in modern society and this dissertation will focus on three topics: information sharing in networks, trade networks and diffusion in the networks. Information sharing in networks: In the society, individuals have different ability to refine signals, so their strategy about information will be different. In this paper, we assume that there are noisy signals about the true state of the world and individuals have a tradeoff between refining their signals by themselves and connecting to others to receive information. It is shown that players utilize the signals in the linear form and only specialized equilibria can be stable. Furthermore, the stable equilibria demonstrate star-like graphs, which is similar to the phenomenon “the law of the few” in the literature. The structure of trade networks: Trade is ubiquitous in modern society and has undeniable effects on human activity. The trade relationship among players can bring benefits as well as conflict. Facing the advantages and disadvantages of trade, players need to make decisions about who to trade with. We show that the optimal structure of trade networks ranges from complete market to Autarky as economy environment changes. Also, we study the optimal timing for trade relationship establishment and the optimal size of organizations when facing scarce members. It is shown that when potential neighbors become more scarce, people care more about the future, or new technology breakthroughs occur more frequently, it is optimal to have more neighbors to back up for the potential technological breakthrough. Diffusion in networks: Diffusions like information, diseases, rumor are usually through the network in the society. We study the pest spread Nepal in the networks. Based on road networks and trade patterns, we model the flow networks of the pest spread. Based on the flow network, the long-term establishment potential of the pest and its economic impact on the country are assessed. Preliminary analyses indicate that Tuta absoluta will invade most major tomato production regions within a year of introduction and the economic impact of invasion could range from $17-25 million.

Thesis (Ph.D.)--Washington State University. / Includes bibliographical references.

Title from PDF of title page (University of Missouri--Columbia, viewed on Feb 15, 2010). The entire thesis text is included in the research.pdf file; the official abstract appears in the short.pdf file; a non-technical public abstract appears in the public.pdf file. Dissertation advisor: Dr. Vitor Trindade. Vita. Includes bibliographical references.

The Kuwaiti economy has experienced severe fluctuations in oil revenues since late 1973. The sharp rise and fall in oil prices marks two distinguished periods in the economic history of the oil producers. First, the period 1974-1981, which is regarded by many as the boom years. Second, the period following 1982 when oil prices slumped and the oil producers went into severe receSSIons. Since late 1982, the Kuwaiti economy experienced a sharp tum around due to the fall in oil prices and the reduction in quantities of exports. The future development in Kuwait would, no doubt depend on the behavior of oil prices and the quantity exported per year. A rise in export prices at higher rates relative to that of import prices is a real trade gain. However, the fluctuations in oil prices would have serious impacts on the path of economic development of the country. The objectives of this study are; examInIng the behavior of oil prices over the last four decades, analyzing the world demand-supply relationship for crude oil, investigating the impact of fluctuations in oil prices on the interaction between the Kuwaiti economy and those of its major trading partners, examining the effects of the fluctuations in oil prices in the resources balance of the Kuwaiti economy, analyzing the impact of fluctuations in oil prices on the pattern of Kuwaiti imports, investigating the future development in Kuwait under various assumptions regarding the behavior of oil prices and the quantity of oil exported.

No description available.

After 1952 Iraq embarked on various economic plans aimed at developing its economy. The aim of this thesis is to use input-output methods to examine the success of economic planning for Iraqi development, during the period 1968-1982. The history of Iraqi economic planning is outlined, with particular reference to policies aimed at encouraging economic integration. Various mathematical techniques for economic planning are discussed, such as production theory, linear programming, social accounting matrices, and particularly input-output analysis. For the remainder of the thesis a static input-output approach is adopted. The five input-output tables for Iraq, 1968-1982, are described and assessed, and a consistent aggregation structure of the tables is imposed. These input-output tables are used to explore economic inter-relationships in the Iraqi economy, using linkage analysis. multiplier analysis, and techniques of table triangularisation. Structural change of the Iraqi economy over time is analysed using input-output methods. The first technique used is the interpretation of the "fabrication" and "substitu tion" effects for updated tables using the RAS technique. Also, the decomposition of tables using matrix difference equations is utilised, allowing differentiation between the effects on economic activity of changing technology and changing demand structure over time. The conclusions reached are that the technology and the structure of final demand for the Iraqi economy have changed over time, with some evidence for increasing productive efficiency. Substantial potential benefits from further economic integration remain unexploited.

This thesis is concerned with an empirical investigation to explore the barriers and incentives faced by Malay entrepreneurs to engage in international business in Malaysia. Besides collecting quantitative data, qualitative data on barriers and incentives faced by the Malay firms in export and domestic businesses were also collected. This study was conducted in thirteen states in West Malaysia. In the quantitative analysis, the data gathered was obtained from 166 firms and 71 firms were interviewed for the qualitative survey at the Director and Managerial level in small, medium and large firms. Statistical analysis was carried out using frequency distribution, cross-tabulation, mean, cronbach alpha, chi-square, cramer v, phi-coefficient, ANOVA, pearson correlation, multiple regression and likert scaling. The survey results enabled the quantitative testing of hypotheses which were proven significant. There is positive correlation between the demographic variables of the decision-maker and the demographic variables of the firm to export. The lesser the barriers to export, the higher the probability a firm will engage in international business. The higher the incentives to export, the higher the probability a firm will engage in international business. There are significant differences in terms of the effects of demographic variables of decision-makers of exporting and domestic firms on export. There are significant differences in terms of the effects of demographic variables of exporting and domestic firms on export. The results of the analysis gathered from the quantitative and qualitative survey showed that majority of Malay entrepreneurs engaged in domestic business agreed that they could gain many incentives if they engage in international business.