While scholars and activists have analyzed the consequences of a largely white, middle-class membership in the alternative food movement, lesser consideration has been given to the relationship food has with gentrification processes. On Chicago's West Side, alternative food spaces such as gardens, restaurants and farmers markets are staking a physical and cultural claim in longstanding communities of color. Food is perhaps unique and more powerful than prior initiators of gentrification such as art due to its mundane, everyday qualities that intersect with its ability to uphold class distinctions. Using qualitative interviews, participant-observation and a literature review, I will examine how alternative food contributes to and is a form of resistance against the uprooting of longstanding Puerto Rican and Mexican communities on Chicago's West Side. Readers who have an investment in the alternative food movement must be conscientious of these tensions and consider resisting gentrification by creating inclusive, intercultural food spaces.

Master of Agribusiness / Department of Agricultural Economics / Daniel M. O'Brien / In recent years, the price volatility in agricultural commodity prices, as well as agricultural input costs, has drastically increased. Today’s famer is faced with difficult decisions concerning when to market their crop, as well as when to secure various inputs. An increase in information availability, coupled with increasing price fluctuations, can make these decisions even more difficult for producers. Although seasonal trends, forecasts, and technical market analysis can be helpful, market efficiency prevents accurate prediction of agricultural prices. Because marketing decisions can be difficult to make, the easiest decision for a producer to make is to not make one at all. However, failure to make sound risk management decisions can be extremely costly to a producer. There are two primary factors that impact a producer’s bottom line: cost of production and grain marketing decisions. Each producer has their own unique cost of production that changes throughout the year. Variable input costs can be volatile within a single growing year, and often the need for certain inputs changes. Marketing decisions and timing can be an even bigger factor in a producer’s gain or loss. Since price prediction is impossible, a producer’s time may be better spent focusing on information they can control. The purpose of this thesis was to test and evaluate a cost of production, crop insurance, and grain marketing calculator with a group of corn and soybean producers in Southeast Nebraska. It is hypothesized that providing customers with a multifaceted, integrated farm management and marketing decision making tool should help them be able to make more profitable risk management and marketing decisions. By knowing how factors as changing expenses impact cost of production and how grain sales impact revenues and profitability per acre, it is hypothesized that users will make more profitable farm management and marketing decisions. In October and November of 2014, twenty corn and soybean farmers were presented with the Grain Marketing Calculator. Grain sales in the 2014 and 2015 crop years were to be entered into the calculator by participating producers as they make their grain sales. Annual production history (APH), revenue protection insurance information, actual or expected yields, and total acres of each crop were entered into the calculator during the initial producer calculator rollout. Generalized costs were entered into the calculator prior to the producer rollouts. Participants were able to change the generalized costs to their actual costs if they chose to do so. Data were gathered from the participants using the Grain Marketing Calculator in March of 2015. Participants weighted average futures sales, weighted average cash sales, percent of APH sold, and percent of total production sold were collected. In March of 2015, the same information from another group of producers who did not use the Grain Marketing Calculator was collected. The two groups average results were compared to each other and regression analyses were done to determine statistical significance of the impact on the test groups’ results. At the end of the experiment, feedback was gathered from participants and improvements were suggested.

abstract: This dissertation research examines neighborhood socio-spatial organization at Calixtlahuaca, a Postclassic (1100-1520 AD) urban center in highland Mesoamerica. Neighborhoods are small spatial units where residents interact at a face to face level in the process of daily activities. How were Calixtlahuaca's neighborhoods organized socio-spatially? Were they homogenous or did each neighborhood contain a mixture of different social and economic groups? Calixtlahuaca was a large Aztec-period city-state located in the frontier region between the Tarascan and Triple Alliance empires. As the capital of the Maltazinco polity, administrative, ritual, and economic activities were located here. Four languages, Matlazinca, Mazahua, Otomi, and Nahua, were spoken by the city's inhabitants. The combination of political geography and an unusual urban center provides an opportunity for examining complex neighborhood socio-spatial organization in a Mesoamerican setting. The evidence presented in this dissertation shows that Calixtlahuaca's neighborhoods were socially heterogeneous spaces were residents from multiple social groups and classes coexisted. This further suggests that the cross-cutting ties between neighborhood residents had more impact on influencing certain economic choices than close proximity in residential location. Market areas were the one way that the city was clearly divided spatially into two regions but consumer preferences within the confines of economic resources were similar in both regions. This research employs artifact collections recovered during the Calixtlahuaca Archaeological Project surface survey. The consumption practices of the residents of Calixtlahuaca are used to define membership into several social groups in order to determine the socio-spatial pattern of the city. Economic aspects of city life are examined through the identification of separate market areas that relate to neighborhood patterns. Excavation data was also examined as an alternate line of evidence for each case. The project contributes to the sparse literature on preindustrial urban neighborhoods. Research into social segregation or social clustering in modern cities is plentiful, but few studies examine the patterns of social clustering in the past. Most research in Mesoamerica focuses on the clustering of social class. / Dissertation/Thesis / Doctoral Dissertation Anthropology 2015

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Since 1979 the UK has experienced the most decisive break in the providing style and underlying principles of welfare provision since 1944 to 1948, or perhaps ever. This thesis provides an historical overview of the succession of Acts in regards to state education, health and housing. It looks at the effects of, and reasons for, the reforms in these areas, showing how these have changed each sectors' operational style and ethos. A close insight into the reforms is provided by surveys of head teachers of Grant-Maintained schools, chief executives of NHS trusts, directors of local government housing departments and chief executives of housing associations and of Local Government. The questionnaires investigated issues such as, finances, changes in their functions, effects upon staff and external relations and highlights benefits and disadvantages. In general these sectors have experienced the introduction of a quasi-market, via the separation of the provider, purchaser and enabler roles. The aim has been to increase competition and consumer power in the state sector. In reality, competition is expanding, but these welfare markets have been subjected to increased scrutiny and control from Central Government. The market ethos is spreading across the nation, and although many people who are living through it are unaware of the rapid changes, this period may be looked back upon in history as being the most radical and far-reaching alteration of British economic, social and political structures.

When the South African Futures Exchange (SAFEX) Agricultural Products Division (APD) was formed in the early 1990s after the demise of the Marketing Boards, the support and direct participation of producers on the exchange was core to its long term success. A tremendous amount of energy and cost was invested by SAFEX and brokers to educate and sign up primary producers. Most agribusinesses (excooperatives) also had broking divisions. This campaign was very successful and a large percentage of producers, particular of maize and wheat, opened SAFEX accounts through brokers. It was not unusual for many of them to open more than one account with different brokers. Collectively, they had a very important impact on the market. Fifteen years after the launch of the wheat contract (in 1998), this is no longer the case. Industry sources have it that many, if not most, producers have either closed their accounts, have an inactive account, or have scaled down their trading activities. This leads to the hypothesis that direct participation by producers on the JSE/SAFEX Commodity Division is declining. The questions that arise from this observation are:  Are producers distancing themselves from SAFEX (or the other way around)? or,  Has the industry matured and progressed into a new era? This research had the objectives to:  Determine the estimated percentage of producers that directly traded on SAFEX during the initial years and compare the data to present numbers. Based on the outcome of the primary data collected, to determine if there is indeed a trend.  If correct, to determine what the reasons for this could be. Has there been a shift in hedging practices? Are brokers offering additional services which make it unnecessary for producers to operate directly on the exchange? Wheat producers in the Western Cape were selected as the target group for various reasons, including the province’s geographical isolation, its importance as a wheat production area and the importance of wheat in the gross income generated by producers. The survey firstly established the importance of wheat in the Western Cape grain production areas. No doubt, income derived through wheat production is still very important throughout the Western Cape, but in certain areas it is absolutely crucial. Next, the survey attempted to determine how and when producers ‘price’ (sell) wheat. The survey then aimed to establish what the most important factors are that influence producers’ pricing strategy. Producers ranked growing conditions as the number one factor in taking a pricing decision, followed by production costs. Furthermore, producers do adjust their marketing strategy but there seems to be a difference of opinion as to whether it is on their own accord or on advice of their brokers. The survey not only depended on producer data but cross-referenced with brokers (traders and agribusinesses). Based on overall feedback, the analysis determined vi that on average in the Western Cape 10 – 20% of wheat producers had SAFEX accounts, while in selected areas it was as high as 37 – 50%. It was also important to determine to what extent SAFEX trading activity had decreased, if at all. This question only applied to those respondents that said they did have a SAFEX account and their activities had decreased. The answer revealed that 91% of respondents had stopped trading altogether. Having now established that a fairly large number of producers had accounts on which most had ceased their activities, the question is why. Cash flow requirements are the single biggest reason why producers have reduced (or completely stopped) their participation on SAFEX. The second reason was that a producer could achieve the same benefits and more through the services offered by the grain traders and agribusinesses, compared to trading directly on SAFEX. It should not be forgotten that the trader could only offer these service if he or she does a deal, back-to-back, on SAFEX. This is part of the reason why all traders and agribusinesses have a SAFEX account. The survey concluded with what might be singled out as one of the most important questions (given what had been determined up to this point): Do producers believe brokers offer all of the marketing options that could be achieved by trading direct on SAFEX? With the benefit of already having analysed the response to the earlier questions, the answer might have been expected. However, the response was overwhelming: 97% of respondents said that brokers offer all of the marketing options they were interested in. It could therefore be said that the decline in direct SAFEX participation by Cape wheat producers is the direct result of the all-inclusive services offered by traders and agribusinesses. Producers sign a forward contract with their brokers while the brokers would offset their risk on SAFEX. An element of caution, however, needs to be expressed. Given the importance of wheat in the Western Cape, and particularly in the Swartland, producers should not relinquish their responsibility to acquire or maintain a minimum amount of knowledge on the functioning of SAFEX. Irrespective of whether producers deal directly on SAFEX or through their brokers, knowledge now and in the future will hold the key to their marketing performance and should not be replaced by using brokers. / Dissertation (MSc Agric)--University of Pretoria, 2013. / gm2014 / Agricultural Economics, Extension and Rural Development / unrestricted

This case study analysis looks at four communities in Rift Valley, Kenya including Matisi, Moi’s Bridge, Sirende and Waitaluk. The research focuses on the role of markets in achieving food and livelihood security for the smallholders in these communities and smallholders’ perceptions of the roles of the Government of Kenya and other institutions in facilitating market access. The largest challenges to market participation, as reported by the smallholders in the studied communities, include low yields, weather inconsistencies, and lack of land. In terms of the Government of Kenya, many smallholders noted the benefits of participating in groups as they are subsequently offered training or field days and subsidies. A significant group of respondents did comment on their lack of interest in joining similar groups as they were seen as unstable or corrupt. The potential roles of formal and informal markets to increase food security were also analyzed. All smallholders wished to be participating in informal markets, but twenty-five percent were constrained by the lack of surplus produce. Similarly, although many reported their desire to be participants in formal markets lack of surplus produce, price fluctuations, inconsistent weather patterns, transportation costs and post- harvest losses or food waster were recognized as significant barriers. In order to mitigate these constraints, most smallholders recommended subsidies on inputs and the overall restructuring of markets. It is recommended that organizations and governments implement a livelihood diversification policy program or initiative to diversify and intensify agricultural activities and other non-agricultural activities. This case study analysis demonstrates the need to recognize the importance of local contexts, specifically Rift Valley as much of the research done in Kenya is found in Nairobi and surrounding areas and cautions labeling communities as food secure based on favorable conditions.

The acceptation of a single currency has an influencial impact on the economy of the country, especially on its financial market. This work examines all parts of finacial market of the Eurozone, assesses their state of development and compares it with the situation in the Czech Republic. The work also tries to estimate the impacts, that the acceptance of a single currency will bring to Czech financial market, and where it is possible, it uses the experience of Slovenia, which has adopted euro in 2007 and its economy is very similar to that of Czech Republic. The work finds out that the Eurozone has achieved a significant progress in the integration of its financial market, an improvement in its liquidity, costs of security issues and other aspects as well. Adoption of the euro in Slovenia has been successfull and it was not accompanied by substantial problems, except for an increase in inflation. However, the expected progress in the development of financial market is not observable yet, althought this fact may be attributed to many other external reasons, too. Finally the conslusion of this work implicates, that the Czech Republic has the oportunity to benefit from participating in a large integrated financal market and achieve a progress, that would never be possible if it remained separate.

In this thesis the distinctive features and challenges of the company valuation in emerging markets are presented. The valuation approach considered as superior in comparison to other methodologies, the triangulating method, is applied to a company from the emerging market of Brazil, the aircraft manufacturer Embraer. The triangulation valuation approach comprises one primary method, the scenario discounted cash flow valuation, and two secondary approaches, the valuation based on multiples and the valuation with a country-risk built into the cost of capital. At the beginning, the valuation methods prevalent in developed markets are presented. Afterwards, for the emerging markets, the applicability of these approaches from the developed world is assessed. In addition, potentially useful modifications are identified. In advance of the detailed valuation of Embraer, the Brazilian macroeconomic situation and its main financial market, the Bolsa de Valores, Mercadorias & Futuros de Sao Paulo (BOVESPA), will be analyzed.

A Rationale for Tying Merchants' Membership of Platforms Serving Independent Markets. This thesis was submitted to the University of Manchester for the degree of Doctor of Social Sciences in the Faculty of Humanities by Michael King during September 2010. I analyses the effect of tying sellers' membership of a monopoly platform to membership of another platform, which operates in an otherwise competitive market. Visa's contentious use of the honour-all-cards rule to tie their debit and credit cards is an example of such a tie-in. There has been a move to judge tying cases under "rule of reason", which permits dubious practices when they are indispensable to creating economic benefit. However, a proportion of the extra-surplus must be passed on to consumers ("pass on test"). Rochet and Tirole (2008) claimed that tying payment cards raised Visa's profit without harming end-users. However, this doesn't fully address the concerns of regulators. Hence, my thesis investigates whether tying satisfied the "pass on test". Part I: In Rochet-Tirole (2008) sellers operate in two independent markets (ç and d). Network A runs platforms in both markets; and Network B only operates in market d. The price-level (buyer-fee plus seller-fee) on a network's platforms is exogenously determined but they can choose the price-structure. My study extended this framework by explicitly modelling competition in the product market. Part II: Platform competition leads to a price-structure that maximizes the net-benefit received by buyers and sellers. In contrast, a monopoly platform extracts most of the surplus by encouraging excessive use of payment-cards. Therefore, if tying is prohibited, then competition for sellers in market d leads to an optimal price-structure. However, Network A extracts most of the surplus created by its monopoly platform. Finally, if the average transaction-cost, τ, exceeds the price-level, ρ, then the net-benefit generated by a monopoly platform remains strictly positive. Part III: By tying its platforms Network A can exclude Network B. However, Network A is unable to exclude Network B just by matching the net-benefit it generates; rather, it must "compensate" sellers for the extra competition they face from being on the same network. Therefore, if tying is permitted, then the total net-benefit on Network A exceeds the maximum benefit that can be generated by a single platform. Part IV: It was found that if transaction-fees, ρ, are high relative to transaction-costs, τ, then tying always increases the consumer surplus. However, if transaction-fees, ρ, are low relative to transaction-costs, τ, then tying doesn't benefit consumers; and will reduce the consumer-surplus if their transaction-costs are sufficiently high.