Thesis advisor: Thomas J. Chemmanur / My dissertation is comprised of three chapters. In the first chapter, I analyze the effect of top management changes on subsequent corporate innovation in venture capital-backed private firms using a hand-collected dataset. I find that top management changes are associated with significantly more and higher quality corporate innovation (as measured by their patenting activity). I show that top management changes are likely to be venture-driven and that the effect of top management changes on corporate innovation is stronger for firms where venture capitalists have greater power. An instrumental variable analysis using an exogenous shock to the supply of outside managers available for hire implies a causal effect of top management changes on corporate innovation. I establish that one mechanism through which top management changes enhance corporate innovation is through new management teams hiring more inventors for a given investment size. I also show that both top management changes and corporate innovation have a positive impact on firms' successful exits. In the second chapter, co-authored with Thomas Chemmanur and Karthik Krishnan, we hypothesize that VC-backing garners greater “investor attention” (Merton (1987)) for IPOs, allowing IPO underwriters to perform two information-related roles more efficiently during the book-building and road-show process: information dissemination, where the lead underwriter disseminates noisy information about various aspects of the IPO firm to institutional investors; and information extraction, where the lead underwriter extracts information useful in pricing the IPO firm equity from institutional investors. Using pre-IPO media coverage as a proxy, we show empirically that VC-backed firm IPOs indeed obtain greater investor attention, causally yielding them more favorable IPO characteristics such as higher IPO and secondary market valuations. In the third chapter, co-authored with Thomas Chemmanur, Lei Kong, and Karthik Krishnan, using panel data on top management characteristics and a management quality factor constructed using common factor analysis on individual management quality proxies, we analyze the relation between the human capital or “quality” of firm management and its innovation inputs and outputs. We control for the endogenous matching between firm and management quality using a plausibly exogenous shock to the supply of new managers as an instrument, thereby finding a causal relationship between management quality and innovation activities. We show that higher management quality firms achieve greater innovation output by hiring more and higher quality inventors. / Thesis (PhD) — Boston College, 2017. / Submitted to: Boston College. Carroll School of Management. / Discipline: Finance.

6 Abstract The red deer (Cervus elaphus) is a widespread species of so-called grazers in Central Europe, which significantly affects the functioning of forest ecosystems. While in most areas of red deer distribution, its stocks are regulated within hunting and forestry management, within the Šumava National Park there is the largest non-intervention area with hunting restrictions in Central Europe outside the Alpine region. The Šumava NP is also dynamic environment. There is a change in habitat conditions started mainly by windstorm Kyrill and subsequent bark beetle gradation. There has also been a change in terms of habitat management (new zoning, different forest management practices). The thesis contains an extensive dataset of a total of 34 doe monitored by GPS telemetry collars, from two time horizons. A spatiotemporal analysis of the preferences of land cover, altitude, slope and orientation of slopes and distance to anthropogenic structures is performed. The results of this analysis reaffirm that the behaviour of deer in the daily and annual cycle is controlled mainly by food requirements and also showed the effect of anthropogenic disturbance, which significantly modifies the pattern of land use due to the distance from the source of disturbance. The current occurrence is still controlled by...

Brazilian commodities, such as ethanol, are looking for sustainable production to suit the international market demands. An important parameter for assessing sustainability is the carbon (C) footprint calculation of the product. Thus, studies of the variations in soil C stocks on the ethanol production are essential. Studies in relation to land use change are already been developed; however information about parameters of management changes on the sugarcane production is needed. The aim of this research was to evaluate the soil C stock in response to two main management changes in sugarcane production: i) no vinasse to vinasse application (NV-V), ii) burned to unburned harvesting system (B-UB). We also evaluated soil C stock changes in a chronosequence irrigation practices (native vegetation (NV), sugarcane irrigated 4 years (I4) and 6 years (I6), a new management in semi-arid and drought regions in Brazil which also aims high yields. Modelling approaches in order to assess long-term effects were also analysed. The NV-V transition showed higher soil C stock for V regime for topsoil layers 0-40 cm depth mainly due to the addition of organic compounds to the soil. Vinasse can also enhance biomass production and crop yield. The B-UB transition showed higher soil C stock in the UB regime from 20 to 60 cm depth due to higher organic matter accumulation from the maintenance of the straw to the field. The cumulative soil C stock for 1 metre depth had an increase of 1.1 and 0.75 Mg C ha-1 y-1 in the NV-V and B-UB transitions, respectively. From modelling was observed that V and UB sites had an increase of soil C stock by 2150, being a difference of 2.8 and 23 Mg ha-1 in the equilibrium state between NV-V and B-UB regimes, respectively. In the irrigation practices, the I4 showed higher soil C stock than NV in the 20 to 40 cm; while I6 was lower than NV in the 50 to 100 cm depth. Simulated long-term analyses showed increase of topsoil C stock of 12 and 13 Mg ha-1 for I6 and I4 area, respectively, compared to NV on 2100. The results in this study are pioneers in relation to soil C stock studies in the management transitions and irrigation practices. This information may be used as a basis for public policies decision which dealing of the land use and global warming / Commodities brasileiras, como o etanol, estão à procura de uma produção sustentável para atender às exigências do mercado internacional. Um parâmetro importante para avaliar a sustentabilidade é o cálculo da pegada de carbono (C) do produto. Assim, os estudos sobre as variações nos estoques de carbono do solo (ECS) sobre a produção de etanol são essenciais. Estudos em relação à mudança no uso da terra já estão sendo desenvolvidos; no entanto informações sobre parâmetros de mudanças de manejo na produção de cana de açúcar são necessárias. O objetivo desta pesquisa foi avaliar o ECS em resposta a duas principais mudanças de manejo: i) não vinhaça para aplicação de vinhaça (NV-V), ii) sistema queimado para não queimado (B-UB). Mudanças de ECS também foram avaliadas em sistemas de irrigação em cronoseqüência: vegetação nativa (NV), cana de açúcar irrigada por 4 anos (I4) e por 6 anos (I6). Modelagem matemática para avaliar o efeito a longo prazo também foi analisada. A transição NV-V apresentou maior ECS para o regime V em 40 cm de profundidade, devido principalmente à adição de compostos orgânicos ao solo. A vinhaça também pode aumentar a produção de biomassa e rendimento da cultura. A transição B-UB apresentou maior ECS no regime UB em 20-60 cm de profundidade devido ao acúmulo de matéria orgânica a partir da manutenção da palha no campo. O ECS acumulado para 1 metro de profundidade obteve um aumento de 1,1 e 0,75 Mg C ha-1 y-1 nas transições NV-V e B-UB, respectivamente. A partir de modelagem foi observado que os regimes V e UB obteve um aumento de ECS em 2150, sendo uma diferença de 2,8 e 23 Mg ha-1 no estado de equilíbrio para os regimes NV-V e B-UB, respectivamente. Nas práticas de irrigação, o I4 foi superior ao NV nos 20 a 40 cm; enquanto que I6 foi inferior a NV na profundidade de 50 a 100 cm. As análises de simulação a longo prazo mostraram um aumento de ECS de 12 e 13 Mg ha-1 para as áreas I6 e I4, respectivamente, em comparação com NV em 2100. Os resultados deste estudo são pioneiros em relação aos estudos de ECS nas mudanças de manejo e práticas de irrigação. Esta informação pode ser usada como base para a decisão de políticas públicas que lidam com o uso da terra e do aquecimento global

This research is a study of the relationship of the organizational characteristic of technology to rate of change in a human services organization. The first operation, directed to the technology construct, collected data and analyzed statistical differences on each of the separate indices of task difficulty and task variability and on the combined indices of the two dimensions. A second operation, directed to the rate of change construct, collected data and ranked the five social services programs. This research indicates that multiple technologies do exist among programs within the corporate structure of a single human services organization, and that programs differ in the rate at which rule changes occur. This research, however, indicates that technology is not related to change. The definition of change used in this study considered only one form of organizational adaptation: rate of change in program policies and procedures. Technology, however, may be related to other measures of change such as new programs, reorganizations, and staff increases.

This work deals with project management in chosen company. It has two parts. The first part is theoretical, which is focused to theoretical treatment of the subject. It explains what is the project, management of projects, organizations of projects, processes of project management, what is target of project, communication, control, changes and risks and more. In the practical part I focused to concrete company and project management and than I analyzed concrete project. Name of the mentioned company is OHL ŽS, a.s. It is company from Spain, which acts all over the world. In the Czech Republic has the base in Brno. This company has several divisions and every of them is focused to different professional architecture. I have chosen division of structural engineering. This division builds all kinds of buildings. It could be construction of new buildings or reconstruction. To analysis of chosen project I used various business documents, contracts with investor or suppliers, document which include billing, timetable. I especially used my experience with projects of this company, and I was part of this project. Name of this project is Reconstruction of cladding including replacement windows and insulation. During the analysis of project I found a couple major gaps. If we could avoid these gaps, we could increase profit. These graphs is especially in management. At the beginning there were appointed two temporary construction managers. They doesn't care about result project, because they knew that they will not be to the end of the project. These gaps are because there is missing motivation system. Project manager can´t affect results of employees. It doesn´t depend on performance of employees, they always has the same wages. For elimination of these gaps I proposed several suggestions for improvement. The first suggestion is modification and extension of motivation system. New motivation system include personal evaluation. This evaluation depends on performance of employee. The second part is bonus from over profit. The next suggestion is make a new working position. This position would take care about controlling and project documentation. During the building project, especially at the end is construction manager very busy. It depend of decision of construction 63 manager what kind of activity will have prefer. Project documentation and administration or controlling of building works. If they are doing everything correct and technology are respect. Suggested position would take care about invoices, real work, which is done, project documentation, controlling of budget. The third suggestion is purchase of small machinery such as chipping hammers and drills. At this time they rent all devices. Rent is higher than purchase price. The last suggestion is use credit to restoration of fleet. At this time they have obsolete fleet, because the bought all cars by cash. It is not conveniently.

Brazilian commodities, such as ethanol, are looking for sustainable production to suit the international market demands. An important parameter for assessing sustainability is the carbon (C) footprint calculation of the product. Thus, studies of the variations in soil C stocks on the ethanol production are essential. Studies in relation to land use change are already been developed; however information about parameters of management changes on the sugarcane production is needed. The aim of this research was to evaluate the soil C stock in response to two main management changes in sugarcane production: i) no vinasse to vinasse application (NV-V), ii) burned to unburned harvesting system (B-UB). We also evaluated soil C stock changes in a chronosequence irrigation practices (native vegetation (NV), sugarcane irrigated 4 years (I4) and 6 years (I6), a new management in semi-arid and drought regions in Brazil which also aims high yields. Modelling approaches in order to assess long-term effects were also analysed. The NV-V transition showed higher soil C stock for V regime for topsoil layers 0-40 cm depth mainly due to the addition of organic compounds to the soil. Vinasse can also enhance biomass production and crop yield. The B-UB transition showed higher soil C stock in the UB regime from 20 to 60 cm depth due to higher organic matter accumulation from the maintenance of the straw to the field. The cumulative soil C stock for 1 metre depth had an increase of 1.1 and 0.75 Mg C ha-1 y-1 in the NV-V and B-UB transitions, respectively. From modelling was observed that V and UB sites had an increase of soil C stock by 2150, being a difference of 2.8 and 23 Mg ha-1 in the equilibrium state between NV-V and B-UB regimes, respectively. In the irrigation practices, the I4 showed higher soil C stock than NV in the 20 to 40 cm; while I6 was lower than NV in the 50 to 100 cm depth. Simulated long-term analyses showed increase of topsoil C stock of 12 and 13 Mg ha-1 for I6 and I4 area, respectively, compared to NV on 2100. The results in this study are pioneers in relation to soil C stock studies in the management transitions and irrigation practices. This information may be used as a basis for public policies decision which dealing of the land use and global warming / Commodities brasileiras, como o etanol, estão à procura de uma produção sustentável para atender às exigências do mercado internacional. Um parâmetro importante para avaliar a sustentabilidade é o cálculo da pegada de carbono (C) do produto. Assim, os estudos sobre as variações nos estoques de carbono do solo (ECS) sobre a produção de etanol são essenciais. Estudos em relação à mudança no uso da terra já estão sendo desenvolvidos; no entanto informações sobre parâmetros de mudanças de manejo na produção de cana de açúcar são necessárias. O objetivo desta pesquisa foi avaliar o ECS em resposta a duas principais mudanças de manejo: i) não vinhaça para aplicação de vinhaça (NV-V), ii) sistema queimado para não queimado (B-UB). Mudanças de ECS também foram avaliadas em sistemas de irrigação em cronoseqüência: vegetação nativa (NV), cana de açúcar irrigada por 4 anos (I4) e por 6 anos (I6). Modelagem matemática para avaliar o efeito a longo prazo também foi analisada. A transição NV-V apresentou maior ECS para o regime V em 40 cm de profundidade, devido principalmente à adição de compostos orgânicos ao solo. A vinhaça também pode aumentar a produção de biomassa e rendimento da cultura. A transição B-UB apresentou maior ECS no regime UB em 20-60 cm de profundidade devido ao acúmulo de matéria orgânica a partir da manutenção da palha no campo. O ECS acumulado para 1 metro de profundidade obteve um aumento de 1,1 e 0,75 Mg C ha-1 y-1 nas transições NV-V e B-UB, respectivamente. A partir de modelagem foi observado que os regimes V e UB obteve um aumento de ECS em 2150, sendo uma diferença de 2,8 e 23 Mg ha-1 no estado de equilíbrio para os regimes NV-V e B-UB, respectivamente. Nas práticas de irrigação, o I4 foi superior ao NV nos 20 a 40 cm; enquanto que I6 foi inferior a NV na profundidade de 50 a 100 cm. As análises de simulação a longo prazo mostraram um aumento de ECS de 12 e 13 Mg ha-1 para as áreas I6 e I4, respectivamente, em comparação com NV em 2100. Os resultados deste estudo são pioneiros em relação aos estudos de ECS nas mudanças de manejo e práticas de irrigação. Esta informação pode ser usada como base para a decisão de políticas públicas que lidam com o uso da terra e do aquecimento global

The MA thesis is divided to two basic parts. First of them is dealing with personal, social and professional knowledge of a project manager and the second one is mapping the education of soft skills at Czech universities where the subject of study "Information Studies and Librarianship" is taught. The theoretical part is devoted to project management. The attention is devoted to basic terms from project management's area, it represents the most well-known project methodologies, it defines particular roles of a project manager and most importantly the part is dealing with particular competences, which should be commanded by a project manager. The last chapter of theoretical part is devoted to an analysis of the three most well-known project methodologies. The practical part is mapping the situation at universities - namely which subjects they offer within the education of soft skills and how the teachers are working with the subject. Other activities of universities within the education and the development of soft skills are also given. Further the examples of subjects with the same topic taught at American universities are listed. In the end of thesis the recommendation how to improve the quality of teaching soft skill at Czech universities are given. And also which topics could be put among optional...