Salt marshes occupy a narrow intertidal zone where conditions change from marine to terrestrial. As a consequence they exhibit severe clines in salinity and soil saturation. The characteristic zonation of the vascular plant communities occupying these habitats is believed to develop as a result of differential tolerance and competitive abilities of the plants that comprise them. There are however few data on the structure of salt marsh communities relative to either elevation or tidal inundation. The consequences of soil saturation and salinity may also affect the distributions of soil microflora, including the occurrence and development of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi. As AM development can result in enhanced plant performance, and may alter competitive interactions, any edaphic limitation in their development could influence plant community development. Detailed surveying, and the use of two objective methods of defining zonation, has allowed a full description of the plant community structure, relative to elevation, to be made. This identifies three distinct species groupings within the zonation, and has enabled the identification of competitive dominants within the zonational sequence. The occurrence of AM development within the salt marsh community has also been accurately determined for the first time. This represents the first survey of AM fungi in UK salt marshes since 1928, and identifies a distinct cline in the occurrence of these fungi relative to inundation. The effects of mycorrhizal development by AMF isolated from salt marsh sediments on the growth of 5 halophytes is ascertained. The results suggest salt marshes are environments where the usual benefits of AM development do not apply. This may explain the low levels of mycotrophy observed amongst halophytes.

This comparative law thesis defines a concept of unfair competition susceptible of universal recognition in the field of civil responsibility, with a view to contributing to the harmonization of unfair competition laws throughout the world. It is argued here that morality provides the theoretical basis for the law of unfair competition while fostering aims of economic efficiency. The relationship of unfair competition law to antitrust law or intellectual property law is given full attention. The author gives an overview of the development of unfair competition law and proposes ways to reassess and clarify its scope.

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The focus of this thesis is an investigation of the post-privatisation performance of the international telecoms sector. Firstly, the general hypothesis (1) of this thesis has been pursued, which states that the privatised telecoms companies perform differently from their non-privatised (private) counterparts. Several tests were applied; namely, ANOVA, and multiple regression analysis. The principal finding was that there was no significant difference in performance. Secondly, the next hypothesis (2) states that the financial performance of each company is positively related to that of the other two selected companies. For this purpose, multiple regression tests were performed to investigate any inter-relationships between BT, AT&T and NTT. It was found that the performance of each was affected by the other companies. Thirdly, the next hypothesis (3) states that, in a global market, company performance is related more closely to the sector than to each respective stock market. It was found that performance was affected more significantly by their respective stock markets than by competitor global players. Fourthly, the next hypothesis (4) states that, in terms of competitive advantage, NTT exhibits through time a superior position compared with BT and AT&T on account of its monopoly position. It was found that monopoly was not an issue. Fifthly, the next hypothesis (5) states that, of the three global players, AT&T is more adversely affected in its competitive advantage on account of its having a weaker monopoly position. It was found that AT&T had a competitive advantage from 1990 to 1993. BT took the lead until 2000, then NTT forged ahead after the Japanese market started to become more liberalised in terms of competition. Original tests were performed regarding the changing degree of competitive advantage of these three companies. This required an evaluation of the relationship between competitive advantage and priceearnings inverses, capital asset pricing model derived rates of return and dividend-based rates of return. A random walk with drift model was also applied, in order to evaluate forecasted trends. Finally, BT's short-term debt-financing problems were examined. To overcome these difficulties, BT raised funds via a rights issue, selling off Yell and other profitable assets and de-merged their mobile company. It was found that the strategic risk probability of a failed rights issue was quite small.

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Thesis (MBus) -- Auckland University of Technology, 2005. / Also held in print (117 leaves, 30 cm.) in Wellesley Theses Collection. (T 338.60480953 WON)

Thesis (Ph.D.)--University of Washington, 1997. / Vita. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 287-295).

Thesis (doctoral)--Friedrich-Alexander-Universität zu Erlangen.

Thesis (doctoral)--Universität Köln.

Thesis (doctoral)--Universität Jena.