This thesis explores a selection of the ways in which an era of high mineral commodity prices - commonly dubbed the 'super-cycle' of the 2000s - is reshaping the map of global commodity markets. It pursues this agenda through three research aims: (1) to recast the relationship between geophysical resource supply, prices, and markets; (2) to examine some of the institutions that channel and benefit from resource wealth; and (3) to 'open the black box' of the commodity price formation process. The thesis pursues this agenda through four substantive papers, each with its own set of research objectives and findings, and primarily uses the example of phosphate as a vehicle for discussion. The first half of the thesis focuses on the production side of commodity markets. It begins by exploring the multidimensional nature of the concept of resource scarcity, both in its geophysical and socioeconomic aspects, by interrogating a prominent inherited conception of natural resource scarcity: 'peak' natural resources, specifically peak phosphorus discourses (chapter 3). The thesis then carries on the research agenda suggested by this initial study by conducting a field research-based case study of the little-known Moroccan state-owned phosphate mining and fertilizer company, OCP Group (chapter 4). It explores the particular type of principal-agent problem in generating and distributing national resource wealth that national extractive companies (NECs) such as OCP face. The second substantive half of the thesis is concerned with global commodity trading and price formation. It constructs an 'anatomy' of global phosphate markets in order to shed light on the phosphate price formation process (chapter 5). Based on this investigation, the thesis argues that despite the opacity of the processes by which phosphate is priced, an apparent lack of a 'benchmark' or reference price is not necessarily as problematic as market theorists might assume. Finally, the thesis takes a macro-level perspective of the relationship between finance and physical commodity trade by examining the role of financial trading in the governance of commodity markets (chapter 6). Overall the thesis distils the following findings. To begin with, a deeper and more nuanced understanding of the concept of resource scarcity puts short-term price movements as indicators of resource availability into perspective while revealing an unforeseen degree of complexity, as well as certain 'blind spots', in the geopolitical and institutional aspects of resource supply and trading. Second, the power of two particular, less-researched types of institutions that channel and benefit from resource wealth - names, national extractive companies and financial investors - is both less great and different in nature than is commonly assumed. Third, for institutional as well as geographic reasons that are specific to different types of commodities, the commodity price formation process is even further from the joint ideals of market transparency and liquidity than is commonly assumed. Finally, insofar as commodity production and trade can be conceived as part of the 'real economy', it cannot succumb to what is widely feared as the hegemony of 'financial logic'.

In the two past decades, the topic of water resources has occurred more abundantly, the water has become the object of many research institutions. While in the 19th and 20th centuries of human progress took place under the sign of coal and oil, today is coming to the forefront the issue of availability of water resources and the related need for effective management which would assure an even distribution. This diploma thesis aims to highlight the problems of water resource management, offers options which would be theoretical focused and an example case study to show what the consequences may have a system which is implemented in isolation without consideration for other inter-sector policy. The context which involves on the current situation of water shortage in Mexico City is identified and analyzed.

Palestine has during the last two decades suffered from increasing water scarcity. This is particularlyvisible in the agricultural sector and in farming communities. These are heavily dependent on water as primaryirrigation source. Lack of water and investments has resulted in the destruction of the agricultural sector inPalestine. This thesis is focused as a case study in al-Auja, Jordan Valley that was once well-known for itsagricultural productivity and abundance of water resources. The aim of the thesis is to assess the socioeconomicand environmental impact of the water scarcity in Auja’s agriculture and livelihoods. The methods used arequalitative and the data was collected through field work in Auja in March – April, 2013. Results of the studyindicate that agricultural sector in Auja weakened due to lack of investments and technological innovation in achanging climate. The weakened agricultural sector was subjected to various shocks and stresses from late1980’s that ultimately led to an agricultural collapse, in 2003/4. Mass unemployment and food insecurityaffected the social sector; poorer nutritional intake, decreased school enrollment and the family composition.With little water, the environment changed from semi-arid to arid which eradicated various plant species andanimal habitat. Final results of the study indicate that the situation has gradually improved during the recentyears, much due to new investments in the area and higher education amongst Auja’s youth.

The risk of the Iraq’s marshlands disappearing is still high unless serious measures are adopted. Sewage discharge and irrigation-water pressure, compounded by the effects of climate changes and the extent of the planned dam construction in upstream countries, make this event more likely. Most of the marshlands’ inhabitants (Marsh Arabs) are suffering from lack of access to safe, clean water and lack of sanitation and are reluctant to look for better places to live and work. Constructed wetlands are among the best alternatives to solve their problems. The application of constructed wetlands to meet more stringent standards for wastewater reuse in agriculture contributes to mitigating the wastewater impact and irrigation pressure on the marshland ecosystem. It is here proposed that a 3.6 ha free-surface flow wetland  could manage the more stringent standard for reuse (15 mg/l) for BOD5 and TSS. A monitoring programme should nevertheless be associated with this kind of project to minimize health risks that may arise as a result of implementation. Despite the absence of studies that deal with wastewater reuse in irrigation projects at the national level (in Iraq), similar studies worldwide provide evidence of reuse possibilities. Furthermore, a performance requirements framework for wastewater reuse in irrigation projects such as the one suggested by Biswas, draws an approach to meet sustainable development indicators and would likely contribute to support and encourage the Marsh Arabs to settle back in their own areas.

Fresh water has become more and more of a scarce commodity. Water scarcity isn't first and foremost a cause of drought and wasting, but a cause of inequality and mismanagement. This is not only a problem for developing countries, and there can also be variations within countries. The municipality of Gotland has a development program called Vision Gotland 2025, with goals for growth and sustainable development. The aim of this study is to examine whether the use and management of water resources on Gotland and Vision Gotland 2025 is conformed to the Water Framework Directive and the Ecosystem Approach in terms of sustainability. Focus is on the quantitative aspects of water supply. The study has mainly been done by studying publications from the authorities concerned. Although annual precipitation in general is enough to provide fresh water for the population, water shortage occurs in some areas during the summers. Three of the four main catchment areas on Gotland have unsatisfactory quantitative status, and is likely to have so also when the time limit of the next evaluation is due in 2015. Since both the population and tourism is presumed to increase, according to Vision Gotland 2025, the conclusion drawn is that the use of water resources is not sustainable, even though the management per se does conform to the ecosystem approach.

This dissertation examined declining groundwater availability and management strategies for addressing water shortages in the Laguna region located in the states of Coahuila and Durango. Excessive pumping of groundwater in the Laguna region has resulted in a dramatic decline in the water level of the aquifer and in the region's water supply. Since agriculture has been highly dependent on groundwater, this may lead dramatic changes in the agricultural sector of the regional economy. This research was an exploratory investigation of water users' beliefs and of options regarding water scarcity that could help design a stakeholder framework for planning the region's water resources. To address this problem, a combination of quantitative and qualitative techniques were used. A systems theory simulation model was used to measure the economic vulnerability of the main agricultural products at different scenarios of water volume in the aquifer. Grounded theory methodology was used to address water users' beliefs concerning water conditions and planning strategies. Preference and feasibility analysis was used to identify the most preferable planning strategies among water stakeholders. Statistical analyses were used to support the results of the quantitative assessments. The results of the simulation model showed a significant impact on economic production given different scenarios of water volume and of higher probabilities of droughts. From the qualitative assessment four main findings were identified: lack of localized data, cognitive communication dissonance, disagreement on problem identification and disagreement on possible solutions. From the preference and feasibility analysis, the most favored strategies were: more comprehensive research, conservation campaigns, education and investment for water efficiency techniques. The lowest values were gained by privatization, new drillings, decentralization, construction of new dams, and the continuation of the actual pumping condition. Results showed there was no preference for dramatic changes in the actual model of water use. The vulnerability of the region was not shown to be equal among users; it was higher for communal users and cities, and lesser for private farmers and industries. The potential for sustainability was not high enough to expect a significant change in the near future in the water planning process.

An organizational communication study of collegiate athletes concludes that social identity theory, time scarcity, and projected selves theory are correlated with psychological/physical health, as well as the ability to predict academic success. Findings indicate that striking a balance between athletics and academics, and the time devoted to both, is necessary in order to achieve physical and psychological health. Furthermore, findings provide a link between the projected future self, social identity and the present motivation to achieve academically. / text

abstract: This research explores the influence of brand and shelf display cues on consumer preferences for products that appear to be in scarce supply. In so doing, I develop a theoretical model of how scarcity operates in the retail environment, identifying when it increases purchase intentions, when it decreases purchase intentions, and the underlying mechanisms driving these outcomes. Across a series of five studies, I find that when consumers infer that products are scarce due to popularity, they are more likely to buy these products, but only when the products are unfamiliar nonfood brands. I also find that scarce products are less likely to be purchased when they are familiar food brands. In addition, the price of the product is an important moderator of these effects, as price further influences perceptions about the popularity of the product. / Dissertation/Thesis / Ph.D. Business Administration 2010

Submitted by Jean Medeiros (jeanletras@uepb.edu.br) on 2017-03-03T12:17:51Z No. of bitstreams: 1 PDF - Ozéas Jordão da Silva.pdf: 3415187 bytes, checksum: a9e7a199f5e77be9726af8db8b2cdcd6 (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Luciana Medeiros (luciana@uepb.edu.br) on 2017-03-03T15:47:01Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 1 PDF - Ozéas Jordão da Silva.pdf: 3415187 bytes, checksum: a9e7a199f5e77be9726af8db8b2cdcd6 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2017-03-03T15:47:02Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 PDF - Ozéas Jordão da Silva.pdf: 3415187 bytes, checksum: a9e7a199f5e77be9726af8db8b2cdcd6 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2003-05-29 / This is work present the proposal that the pluvial water catchment in the Campina Grande’s public schools is an politics for confrontation of the problem of water scarcity in the city. Stating fron the discussion on the phenomenon of the drought in the region of the Brazilian Semi-arid, this work concentrates its focus on the specific problem of Campina Grande’s analyzing 39 of its schools. The result of research show: that the schools make exclusive use of system of supply of state Company – CACEPA – and that her terms infrastructures conditions are precarious, especialy, in the periods water rationing in the city; that the steps by the directors of the schools in the attempt to fight the serious damages of the complex system educational caused by water scarcity are inefficient; that the schools buildings roofs posse such of the a great capacity of rain water catchment that by adopting the system of rain water catchment out of the schools, 15 would be super-suficients, 15 almost-coefficients and 9 insufficient, with respect to relation of water catchment versus water demand, that the student community knows buildings. Hence, it is concluded, that the system of pluvial water catchment present a helpful, viable, efficient and economic alternative for combating the scarcity in the Campina Grande’s public schools. / Este trabalho apresenta a proposta de que o sistema de captação de águas pluviais nas escolas públicas de Campina Grande é alternativa para uma política de enfrentamento do problema de escassez de água na cidade. Partindo da discussão sobre o fenômeno da seca na região do Semiárido Brasileiro, concentra o foco da pesquisa na problemática especifica de Campina Grande, analisando 39 escolas. O resultado da pesquisa mostra que: as escolas dispõem exclusivamente do sistema de abastecimento de água da Companhia Estadual – CAGEPA – e que suas condições infraestruturais se apresentam precárias, sobretudo, em períodos de racionamento de água na cidade; as providências tomadas pelos diretores das escolas na tentativa de combater os sérios prejuízos do complexo sistema educacional causados pela escassez de água são insuficientes; que os telhados dos prédios das escolas possuem capacidade de captação de água de chuva tamanha, que adotado o sistema nas escolas e considerada a relação captação X demanda, das 39 escolas pesquisadas, 15 seriam supra-suficientes, 15 quase-suficientes e 9 insuficientes, sendo a contribuição destas bastante significativa; que a comunidade estudantil conhece e concorda com a utilização do sistema de captação de águas de pluviais na escola. Conclui-se, a partir deste resultado, que o sistema de captação de águas pluviais se apresenta como alternativa auxiliar, viável, eficiente e econômica de combate à escassez de água nas escolas públicas de Campina Grande.

A escolha acertada de um modelo de alocaÃÃo de Ãgua em perÃodos crÃticos ameniza o sofrimento causado pela ausÃncia de um bem tÃo precioso. Apesar da infraestrutura hÃdrica existente, o estado do Cearà vem sofrendo com os problemas causados pela estiagem. A metodologia de alocaÃÃo de Ãgua, sobretudo em perÃodos de escassez, precisa ser formatada e discutida com os agentes envolvidos nesse processo. Esta pesquisa tem como objetivo apresentar uma proposta de estratÃgia para alocaÃÃo de Ãgua, em perÃodo de escassez, para o Vale do Rio Curu, CearÃ, construÃda a partir da junÃÃo de dois mecanismos de alocaÃÃo: a formaÃÃo de consenso entre usuÃrios e instrumentos econÃmicos. à demonstrado, para isso, que o uso da Ãgua no Vale do Curu à predominante na atividade de irrigaÃÃo. Dessa forma, a estratÃgia proposta à composta por um sistema de prioridades de uso de Ãgua intrassetorial para irrigaÃÃo, com base na cobranÃa pelo uso da Ãgua variando em funÃÃo da garantia de longo prazo. Os recursos arrecadados com essa cobranÃa serÃo utilizados para pagamento de seguro e compensaÃÃo financeira, em anos secos, aos usuÃrios com garantia menores. A metodologia de alocaÃÃo proposta alcanÃou resultados satisfatÃrios quanto aos critÃrios de eficiÃncia econÃmica, legitimidade e sustentabilidade polÃtica, equidade, sustentabilidade financeira e capacidade de adaptaÃÃo. Para sua efetiva implantaÃÃo, foram sugeridas as medidas necessÃrias de controle, monitoramento e fiscalizaÃÃo do uso da Ãgua, alÃm da adequaÃÃo da legislaÃÃo vigente. A discussÃo e deliberaÃÃo pelo Comità de Bacia HidrogrÃfica do Rio Curu foi apresentada como premissa fundamental para efetivaÃÃo da metodologia proposta / The right choice of a model of water allocation in critical periods alleviates the suffering caused by the absence of so precious. Despite the existing water infrastructure, the state of Cearà has been suffering with the problems caused by drought. The methodology for allocation of water, especially in times of scarcity needs to be formatted and discussed with stakeholders in this process. This research aims to propose a strategy for allocating water in lean period for the River Valley Curu, CearÃ, built from the junction of two allocation mechanisms consensus building between users and economic instruments. It is shown that for this water use in Curu Valley is dominantly in the activity irrigation. Thus the proposed strategy consists of the definition of a system of priorities for the use of intra-sectoral water for irrigation from the payment of charges for water use varies depending on the long-term warranty. The funds raised from this collection will be used to pay insurance and financial compensation, in dry years, users with lower collateral. The proposed allocation methodology achieved satisfactory results regarding the criteria of economic efficiency, legitimacy and political sustainability, equity, financial sustainability and adaptability. For its effective implementation were suggested appropriate measures for monitoring, control and supervision of water use, the adequacy of current legislation. The discussion and deliberation by the committee River basin Curu was presented as a prerequisite for realization of the proposed methodology