Thesis (M.B.A)--Boston University

This thesis presents a two-stage economic and policy analysis of the impact of European Union (EU) accession upon crude oil production and transportation policy in Lithuania. The first stage provides the theoretical framework for the research. The analysis begins with the overview of the Russian oil industry, as for over 50 years Lithuania was part of the Soviet Union and thus its oil industry was largely controlled by Russian interests. Although Lithuania became independent in 1991, the dependency on Russia in terms of energy remains until today. The following chapters introduce Lithuania's development since its independence, outline the relationship with the EU and present Lithuania's intentions to become a member of the European Union. More specific issues discussed include the interdependence between Russia and the European Union in terms of crude oil and natural gas supplies and the impact of this phenomenon upon the Lithuanian oil industry. Particular emphasis is placed upon the political significance of oil in Lithuania including the ramifications of the sale of the state-owned oil transit and refining interest to USA investors and the consequences in terms of reaction from Russian crude oil suppliers. The second stage centers upon two techniques - content analysis and a scaling approach. The former was used to derive a set of the important issues within the Lithuanian oil industry, whilst the latter employed these issues in order to construct a scale for assessing the opinion of the industry's leading experts. The results of the Likert scale questionnaire were analyzed using a number of techniques and this identified a series of policies relating to crude oil and oil production in Lithuania. These policies take into account the experts' opinion, the process of EU accession and the politico-economic context of the research period, which places particular emphasis on relations between Lithuania and Russia. The final part of this thesis concludes the analysis, presents the implications as well as provides a number of suggestions for further research possibilities in this field.

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Thesis (Ph.D.)--University of Missouri-Columbia, 2004. / Typescript. Vita. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 153-156). Also available on the Internet.

Thesis (Ph.D.)--University of Missouri-Columbia, 2004. / Typescript. Vita. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 153-156). Also available on the Internet.

No description available.

This thesis investigates the retention of the knowledge and skills on the Basic Offshore Safety and Emergency Training (B.O.S.E.T) which is compulsory for offshore professionals. Another aim is to identify the effectiveness of the B.O.S.E.T course. To identify the knowledge retention, test questionnaires were sent out to 119 respondents, including both first time and refresher trainees of the training programme. The questionnaire revolves around topics on Offshore Safety and Induction, Sea Survival and Helicopter Underwater Egress training (H.U.E.T). The questionnaires, designed to quantify the retention rate, were repeatedly administered every two (2) months over a period of six (6) months. The research also used role-play scenarios to identify skills retention among 38 participants. Analysis of the test data suggests that both the knowledge and skills retentions depreciate with time. However, the depreciation rate for skills (24%) is less significant than that for the knowledge (27%). Following this, it was established that knowledge and skills retention are associated with logarithmic function. Interestingly, the complexity of knowledge retention also demonstrates exponential function characteristics. This research has verified that the knowledge retention rates for Fresher and Refresher trainees are similar. The research concludes that the current B.O.S.E.T refresher system is not sufficed to ensure B.O.S.E.T knowledge is sustained at an acceptable level; hence more effort is needed to enhance B.O.S.E.T knowledge retention. A web-based solution was among several solutions proposed to enhance retention of B.O.S.E.T knowledge and skills.

by Fung Wai-kan, Kai Siu-lung. / Abstract also in Chinese / Bibliography : leaves 106-108 / Thesis (M.B.A.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 1982

This thesis explores the relationship of collaboration and conflict between France's state-owned oil group, the Societe Nationale Elf Aquitaine, and successive governments during the critical decade, 1976-1986, before wide-scale privatisation was initiated. The group's development reflects the broader trend in government - industry relations away from dirigisme to market economics by both senior managers and politicians alike. Created as an instrument of government with a "national interest" mission, the group was expected to work for and with governments. This partnership was conditioned by the international nature of the oil industry. Directly exposed to the impact of the oil crisis, the group suffered from the switch made in France from oil to nuclear energy as the main source of power. This development accelerated not only the diversification of the group's product range and multinationalisation of its activities but also modified its relations with government. It remained in public ownership, but became financially independent and acted increasingly like a private company. Governments were also affected by the economic crises of the 1970s, and by France's closer integration into Europe. While Elf maximised its profits, governments relied on the oil group's wealth. This confusing combination of dependence and governments' use of their powers of ownership produced many conflicts. Yet Elf's leaders could also exploit the state link through grand corps networks to achieve their own goals. These ambiguities were sharpened during the decade because Elf was shifting between two modes of relationship; an instrument of government enjoying privileged links with the state and an independent private multinational. Partial privatisation in 1986 somewhat resolved the contradictions but heralded new challenges. Under the impact of the Single Market programme and GATT agreements, French governments divested themselves of powers they could no longer exercise, French firms shifted partnership with the state to partnership with foreign firms and the development of each individual firm became subject to its performance in the market.

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