This thesis explores the strategic considerations for the international expansion of family-owned professional development companies in Central European markets, specifically Germany, Poland, Austria, and Slovakia. The study integrates multiple theoretical perspectives such as the Resource-Based View of the firm, Eclectic Paradigm, Institutional Theory, and Hofstede’s Cultural Dimensions Theory with empirical data on the markets in question to identify the most relevant factors that aid in the location choice decision-making. Multi-criteria decision Analysis was used in this research to assess various criteria such as market size, economic stability, cultural compatibility, competitors and revenue potential. Furthermore, regression analysis was carried out to test the optimal number of cultural dimensions to be included in the analysis. The results showed that Germany was the most attractive location followed by Austria, Poland, and Slovakia. Market size, economic stability, and cultural compatibility was found to be in alignment with the resource advantages strategies highlighted by the Resource Based View. The results provide a comprehensive framework for choosing the optimal criteria for country selection decisions for expansion which are robust and based on empirical market data and therefore should aid family-owned professional development companies to successfully expand into highly competitive international markets.

Les rapports entretenus par le droit de l’Union européenne et le droit français de la propriété publique sont équivoques. Alors que l’article 345 TFUE témoigne, a priori, de la neutralité du droit de l’Union européenne quant aux régimes de propriété nationaux, le premier possède des incidences tangibles sur le second. La présente thèse s’applique d’abord à en démontrer les ressorts théoriques : compte tenu de l’emprise systémique et de la prééminence des règles concurrentielles, la portée de l’article 345 TFUE se révèle presque nulle. À cela s’ajoute une mutation conceptuelle des notions de propriété et de biens publics : redéfinissant et rompant le lien entre appropriation publique, intérêt général et satisfaction de l’utilité publique, le droit de l’Union européenne substitue une vision renouvelée de la propriété publique, englobant l’ensemble des biens contrôlés par les personnes publiques et ayant une valeur patrimoniale. À la neutralisation conceptuelle succède un infléchissement matériel de la propriété publique. Même si la réception en droit français est parfois incertaine ou insuffisante, l’application des règles de concurrence ou du droit des aides d’État altére les régimes d’acquistion, de gestion ou de cession des biens publics. Favorisant la fragmentation et la privatisation du droit de la propriété publique, le droit de l’Union européenne semble aussi en mesure de remettre en cause les privilèges d’insaisissabilité et d’incessibilité à vil prix. Accélérant la décomposition de la propriété publique, son influence n’en constitue pas moins une opportunité, celle-ci étant susceptible de permettre une refondation cohérente de l’édifice français. / Interactions between European Union law and French law can be confusing when it comes to public property. Although it a priori testifies of the neutrality with which the European Union law deals with public property regulations at national scale, article 345 TFUE actually has tangible impacts on them. This thesis first looks to demonstrate the theoretical aspects behind it: given the pre-eminence and systemic influence of competition rules, the reach of article 345 TFUE turns to be almost void. In addition to this arises a conceptual mutation in the notions of property right and public ownership: as it redefines and breaks the link between public appropriation, general interest and the satisfaction of public affectation, the European Union law brings a renewed vision of public property which encompasses all the assets controlled by a public-law person and having a heritage value. To the conceptual neutralization succeeds a substantive inflection of public property. Although its reception under French law is sometimes uncertain or insufficient, the application of competition or State aid rules alters the acquisition, operation and disposal schemes for publicly-owned assets. Since it fosters the fragmentation and privatization of the public property law, it appears that the European Union law is also able to question the privileges of unseizability and the principle according to which a publicly-owned asset cannot be sold at a price lower than its market value. Accelerating the decomposition of public property, its influence remains nonetheless an opportunity as it could lead to a comprehensive re-founding of the French edifice.

Many of the countries all over the world, with different experiences, own state-owned enterprises (SOEs). Even though these enterprises are useful socioeconomic policy instruments, evidence from most of these countries shows that these enterprises do not fulfil their mandates, especially when wholly owned, and in developing and corrupt countries. As a result, owning SOEs has become a trend rather than a means to an end. Several models, from privatisation, then back to renationalisation, have been attempted in mitigating the numerous problems of these enterprises. These models did not mitigate the problems of SOEs as they were, in summary, mere models backed by powerful advocates and favoured by the turn of socio-political and economic cycles at that time. However, irrespective of the numerous problems of SOEs, these enterprises can still be useful socioeconomic policy instruments now, as in the past. Using multiphase exploratory mixed methods, this thesis explores ways of mitigating the problems of SOEs by developing a best practice structural corporate governance model that takes into account various aspects of corporate governance of SOEs. In this context, the empirical part of this study was conducted in three phases. The first phase analyses the contents of relevant enterprises’ documents. The second phase analyses survey responses from purposively selected expert respondents from sample SOEs. The third phase analyses interviews from purposively selected expert participants from sample SOEs. Thus, this thesis determined the problems of SOEs, detailed the problem implications, identified contingent areas of the models considered vis a vis problems explored, extended the role of government, developed a conceptual framework, established useful models for organising and owning SOEs as a way of mitigating the identified problems, analysed the thesis statement and thesis propositions and developed a structural corporate governance model for SOEs. The study found that the holding company model, both wholly and partly owned, appears to be better in mitigating corporate governance problems of SOEs, compared with the traditional wholly and partly owned models, with the partly owned model of the holding company model a better model compared with the other models. Thus, this thesis harnesses the stages detailed above into contributing to the field of scholarly knowledge by harnessing the stages described into developing a structural corporate governance model that takes into account relevant aspects of corporate governance of SOEs and related enterprises. Following this, this thesis proposes that, in addition to emulating the developed model, establishing a supervisory board that constitutes representatives from public and private role players, as well as other external assurance providers and regulatory inspectors is key in mitigating problems of SOEs, especially in developing countries. This thesis contributes to the field of scholarly knowledge by synthesising disjointed literature on public entrepreneurship, developing and demonstrating a theoretical comparative sampling method, extending the role of government, theoretically developing a conceptual framework, dimensional theory, as well as developing a structural corporate governance model. / Business Management / D. Phil. (Accounting Sciences)

This doctoral dissertation utilizes survey research design and an interview research design to compare the influence of cultural factors on successful succession in South African and American family owned business (FOB’s). The target populations consisted of owner managers and successors of FOB’s located in two countries: USA (State of Indiana) and South Africa (Indian South Africans). The qualitative research methodology was based on 1:1 interviews with 10 FOB’s in South Africa and the USA. The survey research methodology was based on a cross-sectional survey and the research design was correlational. The independent variables included nine cultural dimensions of the target populations measured using a dedicated survey instrument. The dependent variable (Perceived Success) was the relative success of each participant in the target population, with respect to his/her alleged levels of accomplishment in the succession processes. The demographic characteristics of the members of the target populations were also recorded. Correlative relationships between nine reliably measured cultural dimensions, seven demographic characteristics, and the Perceived Success of the succession process were identified. Differences between the populations in USA and South Africa were apparent. Multiple Linear Regression analysis indicated that the most important predictor of Perceived Success in the USA population was Performance Orientation, followed in rank order by In-Group Collectivism, Assertiveness, and Uncertainty Avoidance. Demographic variables had no significant effect on the relationship between Predicted Success and the cultural dimensions of the USA population. In comparison the most important predictor of Perceived Success in the Indian South African population was Uncertainty Avoidance, followed in rank order by Performance Orientation, Future Orientation, the age of the participant, and the number of people who worked in the participant’s organization. The combined model between the USA and the Indian South African FOB’s indicated that the most important predictor for perceived success was Uncertainty Avoidance, followed in rank order by In- Group Collectivism, Performance Orientation and Assertiveness. Evidence is provided to conclude that the relative importance of cultural dimensions and demographic characteristics to the succession planning of owner managers and successors in South Africa was significantly different to those of their western counterparts.

Thesis (M.A.)--University of South Africa, 2001.

State-owned enterprises (SOES) exist in South Africa to drive economic development and improve service delivery to the large population. In order for SOES to achieve their mandates, as set out by government through their shareholding department, financial assistance by the state is imperative. In the case of the monopolistic power utility, Eskom, the South African government (SAGO) has 100% ownership which is managed through the Department of Public Enterprises (DPE). This total ownership by the state means that government is responsible in ensuring that the utility is operational and supported financially. The current study was aimed at evaluating the financial assistance received by SOEs in South Africa by the state with specific focus on Eskom. Eskom was selected from the eight SOES managed by the DPE for the purpose of focusing the research. The focus of the study was on the financial assistance to SOES in South Africa by the state. In 2008, Eskom received funding from different sources through loan intervention of the South African government. The loan and guarantees made available to Eskom by government, enabled the SOE to achieve a positive credit rating. Data for this research was primarily collected through academic journals, books, Acts, White Papers, legislation and personal interviews at the National Treasury (NT). The recommendation that this research states relates to the need for a single policy document on state financial assistance to SOES in South Africa. / Public Administration / M. Admin. (Public Administration)

Att ha ständig tillgång till ett hälsosamt, rent och gärna gott dricksvatten tas idag ofta som självklart av många människor i Sverige. Sveriges sammanlagda nybildning av vatten innebär idag inga problem för dricksvattenförsörjningen om man bortser från ojämn fördelning av vattentillgångar samt lokala kvalitetsproblem. Många områden förses med dricksvatten från något av landets omkring 2000 vattenverk. En del får sitt vatten från enskilda brunnar, medan vissa har löst vattenfrågan tillsammans med andra i samfälligheter. Vissa samfälligheter som inte har någon egen vattentäkt kan ibland förses med vatten från ett allmänt distributionsnät. I Vaxholms kommun finns nära ett 30-tal samfälligheter som får sitt vatten från Görvälnverket i Järfälla kommun vilket ägs och drivs av kommunalförbundet Norrvatten AB. Behandlat dricksvatten distribueras vidare av Norrvatten AB. I Vaxholms kommun är Vaxholmsvatten AB/ Roslagsvatten AB VA-huvudman och förvaltar kommunens allmänna VA-anläggning. Roslagsvatten AB levererar vatten till vattenkonsumenter som är anslutna till det allmänna VA-nätet i Vaxholms kommun, men bolaget levererar även dricksvatten till nämnda samfälligheter. Vattenverket behandlar (renar) det så kallade råvattnet från vattentäkten (i detta fall Mälaren) för att åstadkomma ett kvalitetsmässigt bra dricksvatten sett ur såväl kemisk som ur mikrobiologisk synvinkel. Kan då dricksvattensamfälligheterna slå sig till ro med att de har ett dricksvatten av god kvalitet? SRMH bedriver kontroll och tillsyn av dricksvattensamfälligheterna och deras distributionsanläggningar. SRMH har gjort sina första pilotinspektioner hos samfälligheterna och uppmärksammat ett antal förmodade brister med vissa rutiner och installationer. I forskningsfältet kring distributionsanläggningar för dricksvatten studeras bland annat faktorer som påverkar mikrobiologisk förekomst och tillväxt i distributionsanläggningar. Mot bakgrund av utvalda delar ur detta forskningsfält har jag skapat ett analytiskt ramverk för att söka värdera mikrobiologiska risker i samfälligheternas distributionsanläggningar. Förutom detta görs några typer av mikrobiologiska analyser för att jämföra med uppskattad risk. Förutom protokoll från SRMH:s inspektioner av samfälligheterna görs små intervjuer av vattenkonsumenter och samfällighetsansvariga. För att se var eventuella kvalitetsproblem uppstår används sekundärdata från Norrvatten som beskriver kvalitet efter vattenverkets behandling och kvalitet vid ett vattentorn på ”halva vägen” samt vid en referenspunkt i Vaxholm. Relevant dricksvattenjuridik studeras också för att ta reda på vem som ansvarar för vad samt för att se vilka kvalitetskrav som är relevanta avseende samfälligheterna. Resultatet antyder försiktigt att riskerna men även vattentemperaturen samt den mikrobiologiska vattenkvaliteten (odlingsbara mikroorganismer) i undersökningen till viss del skiljer mellan olika typer av samfälligheter. För samfälligheter med året-runt-vatten verkar problemen vara mindre, medan för samfälligheter som endast har sommarvatten verkar det finnas fler risker. Det senare verkar även gälla för samfälligheter där fritidsbostäder ingår. Skillnader i antal långsamväxande mikroorganismer mellan olika samfällighetstyper är dock mer osäkra. Kvalitetsreglerna avseende mikrobiologi i samfällighetsnätet och i det allmänna nätet styrs av livsmedelsverkets föreskrifter och EU:s dricksvattendirektiv och alla parter måste försäkra sig om att kvalitetskraven uppfylls inom respektive distributionsnät. Återströmning av vatten från samfälligheter till den allmänna distributionsanläggningen verkar inte kunna regleras av lagen om allmänna vattentjänster och därmed ej heller av det lokala regelverket ABVA för Vaxholm. Enligt min tolkning av regelverket är respektive ägare av distributionsnäten ansvariga för om kvaliteten påverkas i det egna nätet när/om återströmning sker från mottagande part. I diskussionsdelen görs även jämförelser avseende temperatur och mikrobiologiska parametrar mellan de olika typerna av studerade samfälligheter och Norrvattens perifera kommuner för att se om det finns några skillnader. / Continuous access to healthy, clean and good-tasting drinking-water is perceived as obvious for many people in Sweden. The total regeneration of water is currently not a problem in Sweden if uneven distribution and local quality problems are not accounted for. Many regions are supplied with drinking water from one of Sweden’s around 2000 water treatment plants. Other water consumers get their water from private wells, while others get water access via community-owned distribution systems. Sometimes communities that do not have their own water supply can get water supply through a public distribution system. In the municipality of Vaxholm almost 30 small communities get their water from the water treatment plant (WTP) Görvälnverket, which is owned and operated by a municipal association called Norrvatten AB. Norrvatten AB redistributes the treated drinking water. In Vaxholm, Roslagsvatten AB is the legal principal of water and sewage. Roslagsvatten AB distributes water to water consumers in the municipality of Vaxholm. The WTP treats (purifies) the surface water from the water source (in this case Mälaren) in order to provide a good quality drinking water seen from both a chemical and microbiological point of view. Under these circumstances, could the water communities be complacent that they have a good quality drinking water? Södra Roslagens Miljö- och hälsoskyddskontor (SRMH) is the local health protection agency responsible for control and enforcement of drinking water communities in Vaxholm. After having performed pilot inspections at the water communities, SRMH drew attention to some assumed risks and deficiencies with routines and water pipe installations. In the drinking water distribution systems research field, factors influencing microbiological presence and growth are investigated. In the view of selected portions from this research field, I have created an analytical framework to be able to evaluate some kind of microbiological risks in the communities’ water distribution systems. Besides this, some microbiological analyzes are made to compare with assessed risk. In addition to studied protocols from inspections of the communities, some minor interviews are made with water consumers and persons responsible for plumbing in the communities. To assess whether potential quality problems occur, secondary historical quality analysis data from Norrvatten AB is used. Quality data from directly after treatment at the WTP, from a water tower “halfway” to Vaxholm, and from a reference location in Vaxholm is used. Swedish and European Union legal framework of relevance regarding drinking water is studied to find out relevant legal quality requirements with regards to the communities. The result gently suggests that identified risks but also water temperature and investigated microbiological quality (culturable microorganisms; HPC counts, 22 °C, 3 days) in the study to some extent differ between different types of communities. For communities with full-year water supply, the problems seem to be less. On the contrary, for communities with supply only during summer, problems seem to be greater. Problems also seem to exist for communities where holiday residences exist. Differences in the number of slower growing microorganisms (HPC counts, 22 °C, 7 days) between community types is more uncertain. The microbiological quality of drinking water is regulated by Swedish national regulations and by European Union’s drinking water directive. All parties must ensure that quality standards are met in each distribution network. Backflow of water from communities’ distribution networks does not seem to be regulated by the Swedish law on public water services and thus neither by the local regulatory called “ABVA” for Vaxholm. According to my interpretation of the regulations, the respective owners of the distribution networks are responsible for if quality is adversely affected in its own network if backflow occurs from the receiving party. In the discussions chapter, temperature and HPC counts are compared between studied communities and Norrvatten’s peripheral municipalities to assess if differences exist.

Thesis (MBA (Business Management))--Stellenbosch University, 2008. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The study presents an empirical investigation into the association between motivation and performance of women entrepreneurs in the Western Cape Province of South Africa. Motivations behind women starting their own businesses are defined. It assesses the performance of women entrepreneurs and their contribution to the economic growth (turnover, size of business, number of people employed) of the country. By applying statistical evaluation methods (frequency analysis) this research adds to existing knowledge in this field, by defining the association between the intention of starting a business and the performance of their businesses. Analysis shows that the women's motives for starting their businesses are generally positive. However, there are still a high number of women whose motives are influenced by negative factors (such as loss of income sources). Also, the overall performance of their businesses is still low in terms of revenues generated and the number of people that they employ on a full-time basis. Networking levels are high, indicating a desire to succeed. An association between motivation and performance has been established. However, findings have indicated no significant association between the type of motivation (positive or negative) and performance. The present study concludes with recommendations to enable women to improve the performance of their businesses. Findings have indicated a higher level of positive factors of motivation, in comparison with negative factors of motivation; which implies that there are other factors which could be hindering them from improving the economic performance of their businesses. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Hierdie studie bied 'n empiriese ondersoek van die verband tussen die motivering en die werkverrigting van vroue entrepreneurs in die Wes Kaap provinsie van Suid-Afrika. Die dryfveer van vroue entrepreneurs word omskryf. Verder assesseer die studie die werkverrigting van vroue entrepreneurs en hulle bydrae tot die ekonomiese groei (arbeidsomset, grootte van die besigheid, getal personeel) van die land. Deur die aanwending van statistiese evaluasiemetodes (frekwensie analise) dra die studie by tot die bestaande kennis in hierdiee studieveld, en word gedoen deur die definieering van die verband tussen die besluit om 'n besigheid te begin en die uiteindelike prestasie van hulle besighede. Analise toon dat die vroue se motiewe vir die begin van hulle besighede gewoonlik positief is. Daar is egter ook nog 'n groot aantal vroue wie se motiewe beinvloed word deur negatiewe faktore (soos verlies van inkomstebronne). Die algehele prestasie van hulle besighede is ook nog swak in terme van inkomste gegenereer en die getal werknemers wat op 'n voltydse basis in diens geneem word. Netwerkvlakke is hoog, wat 'n aanduiding is van die wil om te slaag. 'n Assosiasie tussen motivering en prestasie is vasgestel. Daar is egter gevind dat geen beduidende assosiasie bestaan tussen die tipe motivering (positief of negatief) en prestasie of werkverrigting nie. Die studie sluit af met voorstelle vir die verbetering van prestasie vir vroue aan die hoof van besighede. Bevindinge toon dat in vergelyking met negatiewe motiverende faktore, daar 'n hoer vlak van positiewe faktore is, wat impliseer dat daar ander faktore bestaan wat die ekonomiese prestasie van hulle besighede kan verhinder.

In this dissertation, the strategic planning process in a family owned firm of Saudi Arabia will be discussed. The main aim is to develop a comprehensive model of strategic planning, specific and customized to the family businesses of Saudi Arabia. The model will encompass all the factors that are unique to the Saudi Arabian family businesses, such as the family culture of Saudi business families, the interfamily dynamics that shape the strategic approach of the family and the unique market conditions or the external environment that influences the strategic planning process of family owned firms in Saudi Arabia. The literature review extensively covers the topic of strategic planning, family business dynamics and major salient features of family business described by various authors. The literature review also discusses the models of family business that define the interaction of various elements in family owned firms, their drawbacks and the gaps in applicability of these documented models to family businesses in general and specificallyt o Saudi Arabian family businessesT. he literaturer eview revealst hat there is no comprehensivem odel of strategicp lanning processf or the family owned firms that highlight all the critical factors that shape the strategic planning process and also documents uccessfufli rms that haveb enefitedf rom thesem odels. Based on an extensive survey of the family owned firms of Saudi Arabia and statistical analysis of various unique features of such firms, the most critical factors that play a major role in strategy formulation could be isolated. These critical factors helped in designing the strategic planning model for the family owned firms of Saudi Arabia. The model was practically implemented and validated in 10 family businesses of the kingdom and results confirm the applicability of this model. The model formulation and validation in the family firms of Saudi Arabia, forms the main focus of this dissertation.

本論文共分為六章十六小節，計約五萬餘字。首章討論研究目皂、範圍、方法及限制 。第二章探討專案可行性評估的理訥基礎及文獻資料，包括專案可行性評估的意義、 功能及步驟，如何訂定專案可行性評估的指標，並簡述各種評估方法及其優缺點、應 用範圍。第三章為現行評估作業系統的探討，搜集到的資料有我國工研院、國營事業 投資評估方法、經濟部重要經建計畫評審，韓國矼究發展評審等。第四章，由前三章 的討論發展出經濟部科技顧問室經營管理類專案計畫可行性評估模式，包括評估程序 之確立、評估方法之選擇、評估指標及評估尺度的建立。第五章為本研究評估模式與 經濟部科技顧問室原評估作業之比較。第六章為本研究之結論與建議。