The global flows of foreign direct investment (FDI) to Africa have increased steadily in recent years but the research on what determines the location of these investments is scarce. Research focusing on FDI flows from small and open economies such as Sweden is even more uncommon. From the locational factors found in the OLI paradigm we developed a model that was tested on a dataset of 25 African countries over the period of 2007 to 2010. The model proved inadequate in explaining the African inward FDI flows from Sweden. However, it well explains the aggregated inward FDI flows from firms around the world to Africa. Our results implies that the locational determinants derived from the OLI paradigm are inadequate in explaining Swedish FDI flows to Africa and maybe even in explaining flows from a small and open economy to developing countries. The answer to the question of what locational determinants are important for Swedish companies investing in African countries should perhaps be sought for elsewhere.

Promoting economic diversity is important for states reliant on natural resources as the major source of economic development. Many of these states suffer from the Dutch disease leading to negative effects, which hinders economic diversification. One of the ways to reduce dependency on national resources is to encourage Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) inflows, which aids diversification by the transfer of technology, the creation of new employment opportunities, and the adoption of modern management practices. The Gulf Council Cooperation (GCC) countries recognised the necessity and benefits of FDI as an aid to economic diversification; it seems, however, that Kuwait is lagging behind in this endeavour. The government of Kuwait has engaged in a series of policy measures to induce Multinational Companies (MNCs) to invest in Kuwait, but the results, thus far, have been disappointing. The formal and informal institutions interact in a variety of ways. However, ineffective formal rules can create different outcomes; particularly, in the presence of strong informal institutions. In such a case, formal rules and procedures are not enforced systematically, that is, enabling actors who are involved in the policy process to ignore or violate them, which subsequently results in a failure to attract inward FDI to a host country. Thus, this study investigates the reasons behind this failure by examining the role of formal and informal institutions on FDI policy and on decisions on whether to grant FDI licences by means of using a New Institutional Economics (NIE) approach. The conceptual framework is used as a guide for an inquiry into the subject of study by constructing a category of intellectual scaffolding, which would provide a coherent structure (Schlager, 2007). The conceptual framework in this study systematically organises the investigation into how a MNC examines a potential investment location by dividing the host country assessments into four distinct 'stages'. When systematically conducted, the respective approach is grounded in the existing literature, which provides theories regarding the behaviour of MNCs in relation to their decision-making processes for considering locations for their FDI projects. The research questions derived from the conceptual framework are answered using a mixed methods research approach that uses three sets of data survey, semi-structured interviews, and secondary data. Firstly, the findings show that almost that all MNCs in the Gulf region have a limited awareness regarding investment opportunities in Kuwait, FDI laws and regulations. Secondly, the findings reveal a number of attractive and unattractive locations, and institutional factors of Kuwait. Finally, it is discovered that the high rejection rate of FDI applications is linked to unsuccessful policy implementation, which is a result of interaction of both formal and informal institutions in Kuwait. Subsequently, the results are utilised to make a number of recommendations for government policy makers, administrators, and for MNCs regarding how to improve FDI inflows into Kuwait. The results are also used to contribute towards the international business literature concerning the institution based view of FDI, and for government policy connected to attracting FDI.

Resource limitation and inadequate capabilities are the SME’s major problems. On this basis, alliances as vehicles of inter-firm collaboration provide opportunities for SMEs to obtain complementary capabilities and critical resources to overcome resource limitations. In this respect, examining the extant literature on non-equity strategic alliances shows that very few studies have empirically examined the impact of these alliances, such as inward international licensing (IIL) on SMEs’ dynamic capabilities (e.g. absorptive capacity and networking capability) in developing context. Consequently, to close this research gap, the purpose of this study is to examine and explore the major impacts of inward international licensing (IIL) on dynamic capabilities of SMEs, with focus on absorptive capacity (ACAP) and networking capability (NC) in a developing economy context (Iran). This study is focused on pharmaceutical SMEs involved in international business activities through inward international licensing (IIL). The study is explorative, qualitative and elaborative in nature. The dominant analytical approach in this study was abductive. Given the research type (nature), a multiple-case study was selected as an appropriate research strategy to achieve the research purpose and objectives. All cases were selected purposefully. The data were collected from four pharmaceutical SMEs (licensees) with licenses from European pharmaceutical largescale enterprises (LSEs). The results of the first part of this study reveal that in all cases studied, inward international licensing (IIL) has a strong effect on absorptive capacity (ACAP) and networking capability (NC). In this regard, all absorptive factors (AFs), namely acquisition, assimilation, transformation, and exploitation, have been enhanced by influenced contextual factors (CFs) of ACAP. The SMEs’ management and strategy, human resources, internal knowledge, and inter and intra-firm relationships, as several contextual factors (CF) of ACAP, have been forcefully influenced by inward international licensing (IIL). The second part of the empirical results indicates that the international licensing alliance between SMEs and LSEs helps the development of SMEs’ networking capability as well. This was particularly significant in development of the main components of networking capability, such as relationship initiation capability (RIC) and relationship developing capability (RDC).

In this master of transaction analyse inward processing and outward processing of customs procedure,change under entry into in EU.

Promoting economic diversity is important for states reliant on natural resources as the major source of economic development. Many of these states suffer from the Dutch disease leading to negative effects, which hinders economic diversification. One of the ways to reduce dependency on national resources is to encourage Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) inflows, which aids diversification by the transfer of technology, the creation of new employment opportunities, and the adoption of modern management practices. The Gulf Council Cooperation (GCC) countries recognised the necessity and benefits of FDI as an aid to economic diversification; it seems, however, that Kuwait is lagging behind in this endeavour. The government of Kuwait has engaged in a series of policy measures to induce Multinational Companies (MNCs) to invest in Kuwait, but the results, thus far, have been disappointing. The formal and informal institutions interact in a variety of ways. However, ineffective formal rules can create different outcomes; particularly, in the presence of strong informal institutions. In such a case, formal rules and procedures are not enforced systematically, that is, enabling actors who are involved in the policy process to ignore or violate them, which subsequently results in a failure to attract inward FDI to a host country. Thus, this study investigates the reasons behind this failure by examining the role of formal and informal institutions on FDI policy and on decisions on whether to grant FDI licences by means of using a New Institutional Economics (NIE) approach. The conceptual framework is used as a guide for an inquiry into the subject of study by constructing a category of intellectual scaffolding, which would provide a coherent structure (Schlager, 2007). The conceptual framework in this study systematically organises the investigation into how a MNC examines a potential investment location by dividing the host country assessments into four distinct ¿stages¿. When systematically conducted, the respective approach is grounded in the existing literature, which provides theories regarding the behaviour of MNCs in relation to their decision-making processes for considering locations for their FDI projects. The research questions derived from the conceptual framework are answered using a mixed methods research approach that uses three sets of data survey, semi-structured interviews, and secondary data. Firstly, the findings show that almost that all MNCs in the Gulf region have a limited awareness regarding investment opportunities in Kuwait, FDI laws and regulations. Secondly, the findings reveal a number of attractive and unattractive locations, and institutional factors of Kuwait. Finally, it is discovered that the high rejection rate of FDI applications is linked to unsuccessful policy implementation, which is a result of interaction of both formal and informal institutions in Kuwait. Subsequently, the results are utilised to make a number of recommendations for government policy makers, administrators, and for MNCs regarding how to improve FDI inflows into Kuwait. The results are also used to contribute towards the international business literature concerning the institution based view of FDI, and for government policy connected to attracting FDI. / Kuwait Petroleum Corporation (KPC)

This thesis represents the culmination of the main project I have undertaken during my master's program. It is important to note that additional data collection and analysis were conducted by intern students under my supervision, which will be integrated into a forthcoming manuscript where I will be credited as the first co-author. Due to space and focus limitations of this thesis, these additional findings have not been included here. / La famille des canaux potassiques à rectification entrante (Kir), exprimée de manière ubiquitaire, repolarise et maintient le gradient de tension à travers les membranes des cellules excitables et non-excitables. Les canaux Kir sont fortement régulés par divers lipides membranaires, tels que les phosphoinositides, les phospholipides anioniques secondaires, le cholestérol, le Coenzyme A (CoA) à longue chaîne et l'acide arachidonique. Kir2.1 est fortement exprimé dans le tissu musculaire strié des cellules cardiaques auriculaires et ventriculaires. Il joue un rôle essentiel dans la régulation du potentiel de membrane au repos et de la contraction des cellules musculaires cardiaques et lisses en générant le courant K+ à rectification entrante (IK1). (IK1). Les mutations de Kir2.1 avec perte de fonction sont à l'origine du syndrome d'Andersen-Tawil (ATS). Par conséquent, l'altération de la fonction de Kir2.1 est un déterminant essentiel au bon fonctionnement du cœur. Les endocannabinoïdes sont une classe spéciale de lipides naturellement exprimés dans une variété de cellules, y compris les cellules cardiaques, neuronales et immunitaires. Le système endocannabinoïde, y compris les récepteurs cannabinoïdes (CBR), agit comme un système de réponse au stress qui s'active. Des études menées chez l'animal et chez l'homme suggèrent que la modulation pharmacologique de ce système pourrait représenter une nouvelle approche thérapeutique. Cependant, ces dernières années, il est devenu clair que si les endocannabinoïdes peuvent déclencher des changements de signalisation en aval par l'intermédiaire des CBR, ils peuvent également interagir directement avec les canaux ioniques indépendamment des CBR pour moduler la fonction cellulaire. Dans cette étude, nous avons utilisé la technique de double électrode en voltage imposé pour examiner les effets d'un panel d'endocannabinoïdes sur la fonction de Kir2.1. Nous avons montré qu'un sous-ensemble d'endocannabinoïdes, mais pas tous, peut réguler la fonction de Kir2.1 à des degrés divers, indépendamment des CBR. Nous avons également démontré que les endocannabinoïdes peuvent également réguler les protéines mutées menant à l'ATS (G144S et V302M). Nous avons également observé que l'effet des endocannabinoïdes n'est pas conservé parmi les membres de la famille Kir, avec des différences observées entre les canaux Kir2.1, Kir4.1 et Kir7.1. Ces résultats pourraient avoir des implications plus larges pour les fonctions des cellules cardiaques, neuronales et immunitaires. Mots clés : Kir2.1, Endocannabinoïdes, LQT7, Rectification entrante, G144S, Kir7.1, Kir4.1 / The ubiquitously expressed family of inward rectifier potassium (Kir) channels repolarizes and maintains the voltage gradient across excitable and non-excitable cell membranes. Kir channels are highly regulated by various membrane lipids, such as phosphoinositides, secondary anionic phospholipids, cholesterol, long chain acyl- Coenzyme A (CoA), and arachidonic acid. Kir2.1 is highly expressed in striated muscle tissue of atrial and ventricular heart cells. It is critically involved in regulating the resting membrane potential and contraction of cardiac and smooth muscle cells through the generation of the current IK1. Loss-of-function mutations in Kir2.1 cause Andersen-Tawil syndrome (ATS). Therefore, altered Kir2.1 function is a critical determinant of proper heart function. Endocannabinoids are a special class of lipids that are naturally expressed in a variety of cells, including cardiac, neuronal, and immune cells. The endocannabinoid system, including cannabinoid receptors (CBRs), acts as a stress response system that is activated. Studies in both animals and humans suggest that pharmacological modulation of this system might represent a novel approach to treatment. However, in recent years, it is becoming clear that while endocannabinoids can trigger downstream signaling changes through CBRs, they can also directly interact with ion channels independently of CBRs to modulate cellular function. In this study, we used the electrophysiology technique called two-electrode-voltage-clamp (TEVC) in combination with mutagenesis studies to examine the effects of a panel of endocannabinoids on the function of Kir2.1. We showed that a subset of endocannabinoids, but not all, can regulate the Kir2.1 function to varying degrees, independent of CBRs. We also demonstrated that endocannabinoids can also regulate mutants linked with ATS (G144S and V302M). We also observed that the effect of endocannabinoids is not conserved among Kir family members, with differences observed between Kir2.1, Kir4.1 and Kir7.1 channels. These findings could have broader implications for cardiac, neuronal, and immune cell functions. Key words: Kir2.1, Endocannabinoids, LQT7, Inward rectification, G144S, Kir7.1, Kir4.1

No description available.

Yes / We study the role of the strength of Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) law protection and enforcement in influencing horizontal productivity spillovers from inward FDI to domestic firms in host countries. While most WTO countries adopted strong IPR legislation due to exogenous pressure resulting from the signing of the Trade-Related Aspects of IPR (TRIPS) agreement, public IPR enforcement strength continues to vary significantly between countries. We meta-analyse 49 studies and find that public IPR enforcement strength has a direct positive effect on horizontal productivity spillovers from inward FDI to domestic firms and a negative moderating effect on the relationship between IPR law protection strength and horizontal productivity spillovers from inward FDI to domestic firms.

While motor neuron activity has been studied for many decades, the relative contribution of synaptic and non-synaptic mechanisms underlying this activity during natural behaviors is not well understood. Thus, the goal of this dissertation was to further understand the role of non-synaptic properties of motor neurons during voluntary activity. In particular, I considered three non-synaptic properties: persistent inward currents (PICs) that boost synaptic inputs, spike-threshold accommodation that affects recruitment threshold as excitation rates of rise slow, and spike-frequency adaptation that leads to a decrease in firing rate despite constant excitation levels. Computer simulations were employed to understand the potential effect that these properties could have on firing rate behavior. In particular, the focus was on paired motor unit recordings where a lower threshold motor unit’s firing rate served as a proxy for synaptic drive, and differences in firing rate (ΔF) were compared at a higher threshold unit’s recruitment and derecruitment. While ΔF has been used by others to estimate PIC activation, the simulation results indicated that each of these non-synaptic mechanisms could lead to positive ΔF. Furthermore, by varying contraction speed and duration it seemed possible to determine which property contributes to ΔF in vivo. The results from human experiments indicated that adaptation is most likely the predominant contributor to ΔF during natural behaviors. Additionally, positive ΔF was even observed in the genioglossus muscle of the tongue, where the role of PICs has been debated. These results suggested that ΔF may not the best method to detect PICs during natural behaviors. As such, I also considered whether there might be another metric to infer PIC activation during natural behaviors. Motor unit firing rates tend to plateau, or saturate, despite continued force increase, and one hypothesis is that PICs contribute to this behavior. Indeed, motor unit firing rate saturation was diminished by the addition of inhibition, which should have limited PIC activation. Therefore, this final study provided possible evidence for PIC activation during natural behaviors. Overall, this dissertation highlights that non-synaptic properties of motor neurons are activated during natural behaviors and that they contribute significantly to firing rate output.

This thesis deals with the areas of foreign direct investment. But it is not about coverage of this issue from a macro-economic level, but on coverage and introduction to this issue in the regional context. Here, he was elected the South Bohemia region, which is from the point of view of potential foreign investors to the region rather peripheral. This work examines the issue of foreign direct investment, describes their relationship to regional development in General. Introduces and analyzes the State of foreign direct investment in the selected region, structure and allocation. Checks whether these investments generate a multiplier effect. Analyzes whether these investments have a direct impact on the life of the region, whether in response to changes in the structure of employment, the movement of labour in the region, served, to more extensive housing construction.