Government introduced the Broad-based Black Economic Empowerment Act, No. 53 of 2003 and the Broad-based Black Economic Empowerment Codes of Good Practice (‘the Codes’) in 2007 to address the economic inequalities in South Africa by incentivising companies to include black people in economic activities. These incentives relate to implementation of preferential procurement, which is meant to favour companies that are BEE-compliant. Based on the literature and government’s intention with BEE policies, an assumption developed that companies with greater BEE compliance, which is measured through a BEE scorecard as per the Codes, would perform better in terms of market share through their revenue and in terms of profits. The main objective of this study was to carry out an in-depth analysis of the relationship between BEE scores and revenue growth and profitability of JSE-listed companies. This was done to determine whether the efforts by government of incentivising companies to be more BEE compliant are effective. This study was conducted as a two-part model consisting of regression analysis and ttest to determine whether there is a relationship between BEE scores and revenue and profitability. The regression analysis focused on the top 100 most black-empowered companies. The t-test was a comparison of two data sets, which consisted of companies in the top 100 most black-empowered companies and those that do no fall among the top 100 most black-empowered companies. The results showed that, at the time of this research, there were no significant relationships between BEE scores and revenue and profitability. The analysis of the research findings collectively demonstrated that for both the tests (regression and ttest), the relationship between revenue and profitability could not be established. Hence, the results postulate that BEE compliance does not produce the desired results for the companies, which can be translated into better profitability and market share. / Financial Accounting / M. Phil. (Accounting Sciences)

Pour la grande majorité des grands herbivores vivant en régions tempérées, l'hiver est la saison la plus limitante à cause des effets combinés du manque de ressources et de la sévérité des conditions climatiques. Les espèces qui ne développent pas d'adaptations morphologiques ou physiologiques particulières pour faire face à la sévérité de l'hiver doivent mettre en place des mouvements et des tactiques d'utilisation de l'espace appropriés (comme par exemple les migrations). Plus spécifiquement, ces patrons d'utilisation de l'espace peuvent émerger à différentes échelles spatio-temporelles pour permettre aux individus d'accéder aux ressources dont ils ont besoin et d'échapper aux conditions climatiques défavorables. Ainsi, ces patrons d'utilisation de l'espace déterminent le sort des individus et la dynamique des populations. Une compréhension détaillée de la relation entre les facteurs limitants durant l'hiver et la réponse des animaux en termes de mouvements est prépondérante pour préserver et gérer les populations d'ongulés sauvages avec succès, tout spécialement dans le contexte actuel de changements climatiques rapides qui induisent des modifications importantes dans le paysage et la distribution des ressources (par exemple changement de patrons de couverture neigeuse en hiver). La comparaison de tactiques de mouvements sous différents scénarios de conditions environnementales, par exemple au moyen d'analyses à vaste échelle de l'aire de distribution de l'espèce cible, représente une approche pertinente pour mieux comprendre comment les mouvements des animaux répondent aux changements dans le paysage. Le chevreuil (Capreoluscapreolus) est une espèce modèle particulièrement intéressante pour étudier ces questions parce que la distribution de cette espèce couvre la plupart des pays d'Europe, grâce à sa forte plasticité écologique / For the majority of large ungulates living in temperate regions winter is the limiting season, because of the combined effects of lack of resource availability and severity of climatic conditions. Those species that did not develop any particular morphological and physiological adaptation to cope with winter severity may adopt movement and space use tactics instead (like e.g. migration). Specifically, these space use patterns may emerge at different spatiotemporal scales to allow individuals to accede the resources they need and escape unfavourable conditions, thus determining both individual fate and population dynamics. A detailed understanding of the relationship between limiting factors in wintertime, and individual movement response, is remarkable to preserve and manage wildlife successfully, especially in the context of fast-occurring climate change that induces important alterations in landscape and resource distribution (e.g. changes of snow cover patterns). The comparison of movement tactics under different environmental scenarios, e.g. by means of large –scale analysis at the species distribution range, represents a valuable approach to work in that direction and to assess the effects of landscape alteration on individual movement. Roe deer (Capreolus capreolus) is an excellent model species to investigate these issues, because its distribution range covers most of Europe, thanks to its high ecological plasticity. For those populations that live in northern and mountain environments, winter is the limiting season because roe deer lack any morphological and physiological adaptations to cope with winter severity. In spite of the adoption of specific movement tactics such as partial migration from summer to winter ranges, roe deer may still face limiting conditions in some areas of the distribution range exposed to winter severity

Composition of financial plan for year 2012 and executing financial analysis of a limited liability company. In composition of financial plan were used three variant -- an optimistic, a realistic and a pesimistic. Used methods of financial analysis were analysis of absolute indicators and financial ratios, including logaritmical decomposition of Return on Equity. Comparing each of those variants with reality valid on May 31, 2012.

This diploma work considers financial strategy of a company on financial analysis basis. Financial analysis evaluates past, present and expected future of the financial economy of the company. On the basis of these issues solutions for an improvement of the financial situation of the company as whole are suggested as well as in specific investment project.

Bakgrund: Den globala uppvärmningen är en av vår tids stora utmaningar. Företagen står för en stor del av utsläppen och därav är det av vikt hur företagen styrs framåt, då styrningen påverkar företagens miljöarbete. Olika mekanismer av bolagsstyrning kan påverka företagens miljöarbete och dessa mekanismer kan även tänkas variera i påverkan mellan olika institutionella kontexter. Syfte: Syftet med studien är att göra en jämförande studie mellan Sverige, Tyskland och Frankrike angående om bolagsstyrningsmekanismer har en påverkan på finansiella och miljömässiga prestationer samt om miljömässiga prestationer har en påverkan på finansiella prestationer. Metod: Metoden som använts är longitudinell och komparativ med en deduktiv ansats. Agentteorin, aktieägarperspektivet, intressentteorin, legitimitetsteorin, CSR som praktisk tillämpning samt tidigare forskning har legat till grund för studiens hypoteser. Slutsatser: Resultaten ger indikationer på att det finns både likheter och skillnader i vilken relation bolagsstyrningsmekanismerna har med miljömässiga och finansiella prestationer mellan länderna. Relationer mellan miljömässiga och finansiellaprestationer finns endast i Tyskland och Frankrike, vilket tyder på att det finns skillnader mellan länderna i vilken påverkan miljöarbetet i ett företag kan ha på lönsamheten. / Background: Global warming is one of the greatest challenges of our time. Companies is responsible for a large part of the emissions and how companies are governed moving forward is of importance since governance impacts companies’ environmental work. Different mechanisms in corporate governance may impact their environmental work and the mechanisms may vary in impact between different institutional contexts. Purpose: The purpose of the study is to do a comparative study between Sweden, Germany, and France regarding whether certain mechanisms in corporate governance may have an impact on financial and environmental performance and also if environmental performance has an impact on financial performance. Method: The method used is a combination of longitudinal and comparative method with a deductive approach. Agency theory, shareholder perspective, stakeholder theory, legitimacy theory, CSR as a practical application as well as former research is used to formulate the hypotheses of the study. Conclusion: The results of the study indicate that both similarities and differences in the relationship between corporate governance and financial and environmental performance exists between the countries. Relationships between environmental and financial performance is only existing in Germany and France, which indicates that there are differences between the countries regarding the impact environmental work in a company may have on profitability.

Até cerca de vinte anos, o termo Corporate Governance (Governança Corporativa) não existia na língua inglesa. Os códigos de boas práticas de Governança Corporativa começaram a surgir no início dos anos noventa na Inglaterra, nos Estados Unidos e no Canadá, em resposta ao desempenho insatisfatório de companhias líderes, percebido como uma deficiência de efetividade dos conselhos de administração, e em resposta às pressões exercidas pelos investidores institucionais. No Brasil, o termo Governança Corporativa é ainda mais recente, mas já começa a ser preocupação e a merecer a atenção de pesquisadores, Bolsa de Valores e associações. Este estudo objetiva identificar possíveis relações entre variáveis independentes, representativas de mecanismos de Governança Corporativa, e medidas de performance econômica de empresas integrantes do Índice Brasil IBX da Bolsa de Valores de São Paulo BOVESPA, com dados do período de 1997 a 2001.Utilizando a técnica estatística de dados em painel, modelo de componentes de erros, trabalha-se 16 variáveis independentes representando os mecanismos de Governança Corporativa: concentração de propriedade (5 variáveis), características do conselho de administração (3 variáveis), capital votante (1 variável), remuneração da diretoria executiva (2 variáveis), política financeira (3 variáveis), controle interno (1 variável) e mais uma variável de controle representando o tamanho das empresas. Essas variáveis são regredidas contra cada uma das cinco variáveis de medidas de performance econômica estudadas. Tais variáveis mediram o Market Value Added, a razão preço de mercado e valor patrimonial da ação, TOBINS Q, rentabilidade sobre o ativo e rentabilidade sobre o patrimônio líquido. Os resultados indicam que a concentração de propriedade, o capital votante, a remuneração da diretoria executiva e a política financeira são relacionadas à performance econômica. Surpreendentemente, o capital votante e a remuneração da diretoria executiva são negativamente relacionados à performance. Observa-se, também, que a medida de performance econômica utilizada faz diferença no estudo dos mecanismos de Governança Corporativa, pois aquelas puramente contábeis não apresentaram qualquer relação com os mecanismos testados. Este estudo, com esta abrangência de mecanismos, variáveis e período tratado, está dentre os estudos empíricos de Governança Corporativa pioneiros no Brasil. Espera-se oferecer uma contribuição aos acadêmicos interessados no assunto, bem como a acionistas, gestores, analistas de mercado, consultores, administradores de Bolsa de Valores, órgãos reguladores e associações de classe. / Up until twenty years go, the term Corporate Governance didnt exist in the English language. The codes of good practices of Corporate Governance began to arise in the early nineties in England, in the United States and in Canada, as an answer to an unsatisfactory performance of leading companies - recognized as a deficiency of effectiveness in the board of directors and also as an answer to the pressures exerted by institutional investors. In Brazil, the term Corporate Governance is still more recent, but begins to be pondered and to deserve attention of researchers, of Stock Exchanges and associations. This study aims to identify possible relationship among independent variables, representative of Corporate Governance mechanisms, and measures of economic performance of enterprises of the Brazil Index IBX of the São Paulo Stock Exchange BOVESPA, with data referring to the period comprehended between 1997 and 2001. Using the statistic technique of panel data, model of error components, we work with 16 independent variables representing the Corporate Governance mechanisms: concentration of propriety (5 variables), characteristics of the board of directors (3 variables), voting capital (1 variable), remuneration of the executive directorate (2 variables), financial policy (3 variables), internal control (1 variable), and one more control variable, representing the size of the enterprises. These variables are regressed against each one of the five variables of the studied economic performance measures. Such variables have measured up the Market Value Added, the market to book value price ratio, TOBINS Q, profitability over the assets and profitability over the net equity. The results indicate that the property concentration, the voting capital, the remuneration of the executive directorate and the financial policy are related to the economic performance. Surprisingly, the voting capital and the remuneration of the executive directorate are negatively related to performance. We can also observe that the economic performance measure utilized makes difference in the study of the Corporate Governance mechanisms, because that ones purely accountants doesnt have any relation with the mechanisms tested. This study, comprising such diverse mechanisms, variables and also the observed period, is among the leading empiric studies of Corporate Governance in Brazil. We hope to offer a contribution to the academics holding an interest in the matter, as well as to shareholders, managers, market analysts, consultants, Stock Exchange administrators, regulating bodies and class associations.

Até cerca de vinte anos, o termo Corporate Governance (Governança Corporativa) não existia na língua inglesa. Os códigos de boas práticas de Governança Corporativa começaram a surgir no início dos anos noventa na Inglaterra, nos Estados Unidos e no Canadá, em resposta ao desempenho insatisfatório de companhias líderes, percebido como uma deficiência de efetividade dos conselhos de administração, e em resposta às pressões exercidas pelos investidores institucionais. No Brasil, o termo Governança Corporativa é ainda mais recente, mas já começa a ser preocupação e a merecer a atenção de pesquisadores, Bolsa de Valores e associações. Este estudo objetiva identificar possíveis relações entre variáveis independentes, representativas de mecanismos de Governança Corporativa, e medidas de performance econômica de empresas integrantes do Índice Brasil IBX da Bolsa de Valores de São Paulo BOVESPA, com dados do período de 1997 a 2001.Utilizando a técnica estatística de dados em painel, modelo de componentes de erros, trabalha-se 16 variáveis independentes representando os mecanismos de Governança Corporativa: concentração de propriedade (5 variáveis), características do conselho de administração (3 variáveis), capital votante (1 variável), remuneração da diretoria executiva (2 variáveis), política financeira (3 variáveis), controle interno (1 variável) e mais uma variável de controle representando o tamanho das empresas. Essas variáveis são regredidas contra cada uma das cinco variáveis de medidas de performance econômica estudadas. Tais variáveis mediram o Market Value Added, a razão preço de mercado e valor patrimonial da ação, TOBINS Q, rentabilidade sobre o ativo e rentabilidade sobre o patrimônio líquido. Os resultados indicam que a concentração de propriedade, o capital votante, a remuneração da diretoria executiva e a política financeira são relacionadas à performance econômica. Surpreendentemente, o capital votante e a remuneração da diretoria executiva são negativamente relacionados à performance. Observa-se, também, que a medida de performance econômica utilizada faz diferença no estudo dos mecanismos de Governança Corporativa, pois aquelas puramente contábeis não apresentaram qualquer relação com os mecanismos testados. Este estudo, com esta abrangência de mecanismos, variáveis e período tratado, está dentre os estudos empíricos de Governança Corporativa pioneiros no Brasil. Espera-se oferecer uma contribuição aos acadêmicos interessados no assunto, bem como a acionistas, gestores, analistas de mercado, consultores, administradores de Bolsa de Valores, órgãos reguladores e associações de classe. / Up until twenty years go, the term Corporate Governance didnt exist in the English language. The codes of good practices of Corporate Governance began to arise in the early nineties in England, in the United States and in Canada, as an answer to an unsatisfactory performance of leading companies - recognized as a deficiency of effectiveness in the board of directors and also as an answer to the pressures exerted by institutional investors. In Brazil, the term Corporate Governance is still more recent, but begins to be pondered and to deserve attention of researchers, of Stock Exchanges and associations. This study aims to identify possible relationship among independent variables, representative of Corporate Governance mechanisms, and measures of economic performance of enterprises of the Brazil Index IBX of the São Paulo Stock Exchange BOVESPA, with data referring to the period comprehended between 1997 and 2001. Using the statistic technique of panel data, model of error components, we work with 16 independent variables representing the Corporate Governance mechanisms: concentration of propriety (5 variables), characteristics of the board of directors (3 variables), voting capital (1 variable), remuneration of the executive directorate (2 variables), financial policy (3 variables), internal control (1 variable), and one more control variable, representing the size of the enterprises. These variables are regressed against each one of the five variables of the studied economic performance measures. Such variables have measured up the Market Value Added, the market to book value price ratio, TOBINS Q, profitability over the assets and profitability over the net equity. The results indicate that the property concentration, the voting capital, the remuneration of the executive directorate and the financial policy are related to the economic performance. Surprisingly, the voting capital and the remuneration of the executive directorate are negatively related to performance. We can also observe that the economic performance measure utilized makes difference in the study of the Corporate Governance mechanisms, because that ones purely accountants doesnt have any relation with the mechanisms tested. This study, comprising such diverse mechanisms, variables and also the observed period, is among the leading empiric studies of Corporate Governance in Brazil. We hope to offer a contribution to the academics holding an interest in the matter, as well as to shareholders, managers, market analysts, consultants, Stock Exchange administrators, regulating bodies and class associations.

Les cervidés, animaux mobiles et herbivores, peuvent influencer les distributions, assemblages et dynamiques d'espèces végétales. L'objectif de cette thèse est d'évaluer le rôle joué par les cervidés sur la composition, stratification et dynamique de la végétation forestière. Le ré-échantillonnage de relevés couplant composition et abroutissement de la flore, implantés en 1976 en Forêt d'Arc-en-Barrois (52) a permis d'identifier (i) des espèces ligneuses préférées (Cornus sp., Rosa arvensis) ou au contraire évitées par les cervidés qui sélectionnent les espèces arbustives et à bois dense et (ii) le niveau trophique et la pression d'abroutissement comme gradients structurant la végétation et déterminant les dynamiques des espèces et des communautés. Nous analysons plus précisément le rôle des cervidés dans la progression spectaculaire de Cynoglossum germanicum, espèce rare, épizoochore et toxique.A partir d'un réseau national d'enclos/exclos suivis sur 10 ans, nous montrons que les cervidés limitent la croissance des arbustes et des espèces compétitrices, ce qui profite à la richesse spécifique de la strate herbacée. La valeur écologique et patrimoniale des espèces en progression est discutée. A l'aide de données de chasse, nous tentons d'isoler les rôles des différentes espèces d'ongulés dans ces dynamiques.Ces résultats exposent la complexité et la diversité des effets des cervidés sur la végétation forestière. Enfin, ce travail met l'accent sur la nécessité des suivis temporels intégrant toutes les composantes de l'écosystème forestier pour mieux appréhender les changements en cours. / This thesis aims at assessing the impacts of deer on forest vegetation composition, stratification and dynamics.We resampled a network of relevés coupling vegetation and browsing surveys, settled in 1976 in the national forest of Arc-en-Barrois. We identified (i) ligneous species that are either preferred (Cornus sp., Rosa arvensis) or avoided by deer, which tend to select shrubs species with dense wood and (ii) trophic level and browsing pressure as gradients that determine plant communities structures and dynamics. Then, we highlight the roles of deer in the spectacular expansion of Cynoglossum germanicum, a rare, epizoochorous and toxic species. According to a national network of exclosures, monitored for over 10 years, we show that deer limit shrubs and competing species growth, which in turn benefits to the herbaceous species richness probably through an increased light availability. Ecological and patrimonial value of the benefitting species is discussed. Using hunting statistics, we try to isolate the role of the various ungulate species in these dynamics.These results provide evidence for the diversity and complexity of deer impacts on forest vegetation. Finally, we demonstrate the need for long term monitoring programs, including all the forest ecosystem components so that we could better appreciate the forces driving the current changes

公司治理的研究,其主要的目的是了解董事會組成,董事會規模,外部董事, 董事及CEO薪酬誘因,CEO改組,外部大股東,外國股東,機構投資人,控制權和股權集中性,併購,法律制度及執行,法源…等變數對以ROA,ROE,會計盈餘,Tobin’s Q和股市報酬率所代表的公司績效之影響。與公司治理有關的重要指標包括股份控制權,現金流量權,董監事席次的控制權,控制權與股權的偏離,次大股東,金字塔結構,交叉持股,優先投票權,外部董事比例等。 本論文共計8章40節,引述國外文獻約500篇並由國際公司治理的實證結果來探討我國五家金控：開發金、台新金、復華金、富邦金、兆豐金的公司治理,最後提出九點結論和建議。