Η έννοια του εαυτού, με βασικές συνιστώσες την αυτοεκτίμηση και την αυτοαντίληψη έχει κατά τις τελευταίες αποτελέσει αντικείμενο έντονης ερευνητικής δραστηριότητας. Οι παράγοντες που επηρεάζουν τισ δύο αυτές συνιστώσες είναι πολλοί ανάμεσά τουσ και η πολιτισμική ταυτότητα του ατόμου. Όπως είναι γνωστό η κοινωνία μας μετατρέπεται σε διαπολιτισμική με αποτέλεσμα η ανάγκη για περαιτέρω έρευνα να είναι μεγάλη. Σύμφωνα με τα παραπάνω, η πτυχιακή μου εργασία πραγματεύεται τις έννοιες της αυτοεκτίμησης και της αυτοαντίληψης Ελλήνων και αλλοδαπών μαθητών τησ Ε' τάξης του δημοτικού σε συνάρτηση με τις προσδοκίες των συμμαθητών τους. Επιπρόσθετα αυτό που εξετάζεται στην παρούσα εργασία είναι και ο βαθμός που οι μαθητές αυτοί ανταποκρίνονται στισ προσδοκίες που έχουν από αυτούς οι συμμαθητές τους. / The selfmeaning, with major components selfesteem and selfconcept has been an object of intense research activity during the last decades. There are many factors that infect these two components, such as a person's cultural identity. As it is known, our society turns out to be a multinational society and as a result of that,the need for more research is huge. According to the paragraph above, this project refers to the Greek and foreign students' selfesteem and selfconcept in relation to their classmates' expectations. In addition, the grade of respons to these expectations will be examined in this project.

Aim: The research project discusses foreign direct investment as well as the attractiveness of the region of Gävleborg within this context. The researchers attempt to investigate why foreign direct investment is not yet common within the aforementioned region. Moreover, the aims of the master thesis are evaluating the region of Gävleborg and current strategies of enticing foreign investments, as well as detecting roadblocks that hinder the establishment. Lastly, generating an outline of how to improve foreign investment attraction ought to be investigated. Results & Conclusion: Gävleborg has a good infrastructure and accessibility, and is characterised by lower labour and living costs compared to other Swedish regions. Nonetheless, the number of inward investment is quite low. Main reasons for that are the lower level of education, high labour costs for low skilled jobs, missing financial incentives and a non-continuous work to attract inward investment. Therefore, the region may work on its attractiveness by increasing its awareness through attending trade fairs, and by collaborating with established companies and their partners.

Multinational enterprises (MNEs) are central drivers behind neo-liberal globalisation. These enterprises are usually centred in developed countries, with competitive operations in developing countries. The literature on MNEs and foreign direct investment usually focus on the motivation for investment, decisions on expansion, the structure of ownership of investment, the mode of entry, and the perception of risk. Fluctuation in the exchange rate is a source of uncertainty that affects MNEs' and other enterprises' market values. Enterprises' exposure to changes in the exchange rate has increased with the adoption of floating exchange rates and more intensive involvement in international trade. The conventional belief is that competition in the export market is positively related to a depreciation of the exchange rate, which will in turn be advantageous to the stock market, while the opposite is true for an appreciation of the exchange rate. If the contribution of import or intermediate imported inputs to the final production were quite large, an appreciation of the exchange rate will have a positive effect on input costs and the stock market. This study investigates the exchange rate exposure of multinational enterprises in South Africa to the bilateral exchange rate of the rand against the US dollar and the nominal effective exchange rate of the rand. It presents evidence on the direction and magnitude of currency exposure. From the empirical results presented in this study it can be concluded that the majority of MNEs are not significantly exposed to either one of the exchange rate changes. It has also been found that the majority of enterprises lose market value when their local currency depreciate against the US dollar, while the majority of South African enterprises are positively related to changes in the nominal effective exchange rate of the rand. MNEs that are not significantly exposed to changes in exchange rates could be subject to three possibilities. (1) The most obvious reason is that enterprises are not exposed to changes in the exchange rate. Enterprises in liberated (or •open") countries are more exposed to exchange rate movements as opposed to those in closed countries, such as the USA. (2) Enterprises could be engaged in on and off balance sheet hedging activities, which would reduce exchange rate exposures. (3) The methodology used in a study does not present the correct exposure results. / Thesis (M.Com. (Economics))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2005.

Background: Greenwashing is a constantly growing phenomenon which is known to be an issue created by deceiving marketing strategies. The field of CSR is constantly ex- panding and greenwashing is one of the relatively new and very current issue in today’s society. Therefore the awareness of the issue need to be there for the public to be able to make more informed active decisions. Purpose: This thesis aim to shed light on the current day issue that is greenwashing and its connection to some of the most successful and fastest growing multinational compa- nies within the clothing and retail industry. Method: The thesis is based on a qualitative research approach with consist multiple case study of six multinational clothing and retail companies. The data has been collect- ed through website observations, news articles, media and through a questionnaire based on greenwashing awareness, which was analysed through a interlaced case com- parison. Conclusion: The observation made of six well known clothing brands showed the ex- istence of common trend of companies using a long and complicated way to implement their codes of conduct and therefore making the issue of greenwashing existent. Obvi- ously, this problem has a huge impact on any company’s stakeholders and the actual problem and controversy of this topic is how one could make rational and aware deci- sions if the essential information is difficult to access. Until this issue is highlighted in a public matter, people will stay unaware and inactive to find the information needed to make informed decisions.

This dissertation is a study of the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) from its inception in 1919 to the Brussels Conference in 1925. The study argues, based upon evidence from ICC conference proceedings and reports that the ICC, as well as the League of Nations, was part of the pre-war Allied (the United States, Great Britain, and France) imperial project that sought to maintain Allied global hegemony following the Great War. The businessmen of the ICC, who had numerous Allied political ties, were descendants of the social Darwinist milieu, which guided their thought processes and perceptions of the world. Their belief that they operated in a globalized world was, therefore, a misconception. Business leaders were mistakenly convinced that free trade would create and maintain world peace. Business and government operated through a symbiotic relationship throughout the 1920s. Fledgling industries, including automotive and air transport, relied upon government assistance. Thus, Allied and corporate international manipulation of markets was cloaked in the rhetoric of “free trade.” Furthermore, ICC business leaders, operating during the Progressive Era’s focus upon scientific efficiency, were convinced that mass production was the key to rebuilding the global economy in the aftermath of the Great War. Evidence shows that the political economic system erected by the bankers, businessmen and politicians of the 1920s helped lay the foundations for the Great Depression. The system, controlled by the Allied powers, included the gold standard system of international fiduciary exchange, trade regimes operated under the auspices of Anglo-Saxon jurisprudence, Allied multinational corporate (MNC) control of Latin America and the Middle East, via electrical MNCs and oil MNCs, and the control and manipulation of labor and migration. This study contributes to the literature concerning the causes of the Great Depression as well as studies regarding global capitalism. Moreover, the evidence contained within this work suggests that many parts of the neoliberalist argument are actually rooted in the 1920s rather than the late 1970s.

This exploratory study aims to find out the challenges multinational corporations are facing when communicating about the ecological pillar of sustainability internally. By conducting an in-depth investigation of one multinational company, the study identifies three themes which imply potential drawbacks for the company’s goal to become an environmental pioneer within the operating industry. The first obstacle is related to the abstract content and intrinsic character of the sustainability idea. Furthermore, complex international business structures including different target groups hamper the internal sustainability communication, which pursues a peculiarly wide audience and is therefore dependent on the multiplier effect for the spread of information. Moreover, the intrinsic value of sustainability causes a priority lack, perception difficulties of the communicated messages as well as gaps between attitude and behavior. A long time period is required in order for the internal communication to achieve a change. All in all, especially the abstract, voluntary and intrinsic character of sustainability makes the communication uniquely difficult and thus demanding an overall change of the society’s attitude and prospect towards the topic.

Multinational enterprises (MNEs) are central drivers behind neo-liberal globalisation. These enterprises are usually centred in developed countries, with competitive operations in developing countries. The literature on MNEs and foreign direct investment usually focus on the motivation for investment, decisions on expansion, the structure of ownership of investment, the mode of entry, and the perception of risk. Fluctuation in the exchange rate is a source of uncertainty that affects MNEs' and other enterprises' market values. Enterprises' exposure to changes in the exchange rate has increased with the adoption of floating exchange rates and more intensive involvement in international trade. The conventional belief is that competition in the export market is positively related to a depreciation of the exchange rate, which will in turn be advantageous to the stock market, while the opposite is true for an appreciation of the exchange rate. If the contribution of import or intermediate imported inputs to the final production were quite large, an appreciation of the exchange rate will have a positive effect on input costs and the stock market. This study investigates the exchange rate exposure of multinational enterprises in South Africa to the bilateral exchange rate of the rand against the US dollar and the nominal effective exchange rate of the rand. It presents evidence on the direction and magnitude of currency exposure. From the empirical results presented in this study it can be concluded that the majority of MNEs are not significantly exposed to either one of the exchange rate changes. It has also been found that the majority of enterprises lose market value when their local currency depreciate against the US dollar, while the majority of South African enterprises are positively related to changes in the nominal effective exchange rate of the rand. MNEs that are not significantly exposed to changes in exchange rates could be subject to three possibilities. (1) The most obvious reason is that enterprises are not exposed to changes in the exchange rate. Enterprises in liberated (or •open") countries are more exposed to exchange rate movements as opposed to those in closed countries, such as the USA. (2) Enterprises could be engaged in on and off balance sheet hedging activities, which would reduce exchange rate exposures. (3) The methodology used in a study does not present the correct exposure results. / Thesis (M.Com. (Economics))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2005.

This thesis examines the unstable nature and dynamic impact of contemporary nationalism on the arduous process of reconstituting a modern multinational state. The basic research question concerns the relationship between nationalism and multinational democracy, or more specifically how nationalist forces may facilitate or impede the intricate process of political transition, democratic transformation and stabilization of the newly formed Bosnia and Herzegovina as a state. The findings indicate that nationalism and exclusive ethno-nationalist politics create serious inter-group security challenges and significantly hinder the process democratization, state-building and political transformation. The main obstacle to a coherent political system is based on the fact that nationalism causes an unconstrained reconfiguration of political space. This is apparent in BiH where exclusive nationalist politics continue to dominate the domestic and inter-national political agenda, thus limiting the capacity for political reforms, security and stability. As nationalism is a grave security threat to multinational states, there is a pressing need to manage nationalism with confidence building mechanisms that strengthen the state’s capacity to ensure enduring security and stability.

This thesis examines the unstable nature and dynamic impact of contemporary nationalism on the arduous process of reconstituting a modern multinational state. The basic research question concerns the relationship between nationalism and multinational democracy, or more specifically how nationalist forces may facilitate or impede the intricate process of political transition, democratic transformation and stabilization of the newly formed Bosnia and Herzegovina as a state. The findings indicate that nationalism and exclusive ethno-nationalist politics create serious inter-group security challenges and significantly hinder the process democratization, state-building and political transformation. The main obstacle to a coherent political system is based on the fact that nationalism causes an unconstrained reconfiguration of political space. This is apparent in BiH where exclusive nationalist politics continue to dominate the domestic and inter-national political agenda, thus limiting the capacity for political reforms, security and stability. As nationalism is a grave security threat to multinational states, there is a pressing need to manage nationalism with confidence building mechanisms that strengthen the state’s capacity to ensure enduring security and stability.

Increased globalisation over the last two decades has led to strong growth of international business activity and FDI. Despite the considerable amount of research that has been undertaken to analyse the determinants and consequences of FDI, Australia represents a country with a substantial share of foreign ownership whose FDI experience has been largely overlooked in terms of a comprehensive economic analysis. Not only has Australia received a large amount of foreign investment so far, it is also competing for more FDI. Invest Australia, Australia’s national inward investment agency, is actively promoting Australia as a location for FDI, claiming that foreign investment has made a major contribution to Australia’s economic growth and living standards of all Australians. Instantly, two key issues arise. Firstly, assuming that FDI has positive effects, what causes the inflow of FDI, i.e. what are the determinants of FDI in Australia? Secondly, given the inflow of FDI, what is its actual effect on the Australian economy, i.e. what are the consequences of FDI in Australia? / In order to analyse those questions, new and previously unused data on FDI inflows in Australia were explored by applying time-series and panel-data analysis. The time period ranges from 1981 to 2002, with differing coverage for the individual samples. A further contribution of the thesis is the search for new FDI data, bringing together and analysing datasets provided by the ABS and other statistical agencies (from the US, the UK, Japan and Germany). A detailed description of Australian FDI data was given to gain a better understanding of the Australian FDI experience and because no such comprehensive summary has been available. / The first part of the analysis focused on the determinants of FDI. Determinants of FDI according to different theoretical models were discussed and tested using five types of datasets: aggregate quarterly data, country-specific annual data, industry-specific annual data, country- and industry-specific data (from the US, the UK, Japan and Germany and US) and US form-specific data. Australian FDI inflows were found to be driven by economic growth and market size, wages and labour supply (though the signs varied across models), trade and openness (though customs duties encouraged Japanese industry-specific FDI), interest rates, exchange rate appreciation, inflation rate (which had a unexpected positive effect) and the investing country’s overall FDI outflows. Corporate tax rates were only significant in the quarterly FDI model, but they had an unpredicted positive sign. Australian FDI was driven by longer term considerations and its determinants could not be fully explained by any single theory, but a variety of theoretical models. Furthermore investment decisions depend on factors such as investment origin, the industry in which the investment takes place and the form of the investment, making aggregation difficult. / The second part of the analysis focused on consequences of FDI. Consequences of FDI according to different theoretical models were discussed and tested using two types of datasets: aggregate quarterly data and industry-specific annual data. FDI inflows had positive effects on economic growth and domestic investment, supporting the Australian government’s view that FDI is a favourable source of capital. However, the claim that FDI is favourable for Australia’s balance of payments position could not be supported by this analysis. FDI led to a reduction in export growth and no direct effect on import growth, though the effect of FDI on GDP growth led to increased import growth. Furthermore, industry-specific FDI in Australia had significant effects on employment growth (negative) and labour productivity growth (positive), while FDI growth had significant effects on real wage growth (negative) and industry concentration (positive). However, effects may differ depending on the FDI form, and Australia should focus more on attracting beneficial FDI (such as export-oriented or import-substituting FDI) rather than FDI in general.