The world shipping freight market for the transportation of bulk cargo - liquid and dry - is characterised by the somewhat erratic and extreme fluctuations exhibited by many of the measures that can be used to describe the "state" of the market. Such 'measures' include the spot freight rates - the cost to the shipper of chartering a unit of shipping capacity 'on the spot' (that is, not reserving the vessel in advance), - the proportion of chartered tonnage at any time taken on a period (time) basis as opposed to a voyage (single) basis, and the rate at which orders for new vessels reach the shipyards. These factors are extremely variable, and have exhibited a similar form of behaviour for a large number of years. This present thesis describes an attempt to investigate the behaviour of the freight market (bulk cargo); the aim of the investigation being to identify the structure of the market system and to construct a System Dynamics model which describes the complex relationships in the market and which can be used to explore questions relating to present or future market behaviour. The construction of such a model is described, together with an exhaustive chapter on the analysis of the model, covering loop-analysis, the behaviour of the model under various test inputs, and the senstivity of the model to significant changes in parameter values. The final chapter considers the use of the model, and, in particular, describes its use in an investigation of the feasibility or desirability of introducing tonnagestabilization schemes into the market. Such schemes aim to prevent the freight rates from falling to unacceptably low values, by implementing a scheme whereby tonnage is withdrawn from operation and laid-up: the decrease in the supply of tonnage then has a positive influence on the freight rates. It is concluded that the problems involved in designing such schemes preclude the schemes from implementation. The appendices cover the various data used in the determination of market relationships, as well as the computer listing, in Fortran, of the market model. Also included in an appendix is a description of the application of System Dynamics to a hypothetical company. The tcompany model' allows for the examination of chartering policies and lay-up policies under a variety of conditions of market demand.

With growing levels of organic food consumption in the retail sector and government municipality goals to increase consumption of organic foods at public schools and institutions, private, independant food service businesses in Sweden risk slipping under the radar when it comes to understanding how they are responding to the global problem of industrialised, fossil fuel intensive and highly unsustainable agriculture. In Sweden, KRAV, an incorporaed association that develops standards for organic agriculture, governs certification for a range of industry actors, including restaurants. From the perspective of corporate social responsibilty (CSR) in small to medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), independant, owner-managed food-service businesses become the subjects of a study into motives for engaging in CSR through environmental certification. Guided by an explorative case study research approach, qualitative data in the form of semi-structured interviews were conducted with management representatives of a number of food service businesses in Uppsala and Stockholm, Sweden. Supported by a thorough literature review, the motives of these persons were identified and explored with the help of a conceptual framewrk based on profitability, legitimacy and sustainability motives. Additionally, the political view of CSR, using the concept of global corporate citizenship, was considered with regard to these commincated motives. Lastly the findings were reflected upon with respect to previous research specifically related to CSR in SMEs. As it turns out, it was found that the motivating factors for certifying with the KRAV restaurant certification were difficult to demarcate from broader ethical guiding principles related to supporting the organic movement. However, it was clear that legitimacy, specifically moral legitimacy, as well as profitabilty are critical elements to consider in understanding what motives restarant owner-managers to obtain KRAV restaurant certification. Finally, it was also concluded that in reacting to globalisation, the behaviour of the restaurants can be considered as global corporate citizenship inasmuch as they are providing a channelling role with regard to citizens’ political rights to actively participate in the global space and collective will formation.

Σκοπός της εργασίας αυτής είναι να αναλύσουμε τους πιο σημαντικούς λόγους για τους οποίους ιδρύεται μια μικρομεσαία επιχείρηση με την χρήση του στατιστικού προγράμματος SPSS. Η δομή της εργασίας είναι χωρισμένη σε δυο μέρη. Το πρώτο μέρος αποτελεί το θεωρητικό "κομμάτι" των μεθόδων που χρησιμοποιούμε και το δεύτερο είναι το πρακτικό δηλαδή η εφαρμογή των μεθόδων που αναλύσαμε σε πραγματικά δεδομένα. Το θεωρητικό μέρος είναι χωρισμένο σε τέσσερα κεφάλαια. Στο πρώτο κεφάλαιο αναφέρουμε τις δυνατότητες του SPSS για την στατιστική ανάλυση μιας και δυο μεταβλητών ενός ή περισσοτέρων δειγμάτων καθώς επίσης και για το πώς μπορούμε να καθορίσουμε τη σχέση (αν υπάρχει ή όχι) μεταξύ τους. Πριν την αναφορά μας γύρω από τις μεταβλητές τονίζουμε κάποια σημεία στα οποία πρέπει να δίνουμε ιδιαίτερη βαρύτητα, και τα οποία είναι απαραίτητα στο αρχικό στάδιο επεξεργασίας των δεδομένων μας (καθορισμός μεταβλητής κτλ.). Στο δεύτερο κεφάλαιο κάνουμε μια πρώτη αναφορά γύρω από την Πολυδιάστατη Ανάλυση Δεδομένων τονίζοντας τη χρησιμότητα τους στις διάφορες επιστήμες, τον τρόπο με τον οποίο η ανάλυση αυτή "λειτουργεί" και τα κύρια χαρακτηριστικά της. Γενικά είναι ένα σύνολο μεθόδων οι οποίες ξεκινώντας από τα ίδια τα δεδομένα και χωρίς καμία υπόθεση ερευνούν τις τάσεις, τις σχέσεις και τις ομαδοποιήσεις τους. Στη συνέχεια αναλύουμε μια σημαντική μέθοδο την "ανάλυση των κύριων συνεκτικών συνιστωσών". Είναι μια τεχνική που έχει ως στόχο τη μείωση της διάστασης των δεδομένων διατηρώντας σχεδόν όλη την ολική μεταβλητότητα των αρχικών μεταβλητών. Η ανάλυση γίνεται με τη βοήθεια των μαθηματικών σχέσεων και βασίζεται στους πίνακες (δειγματικής) συσχέτισης, (δειγματικής) συνδιασποράς κτλ. Στο τρίτο κεφάλαιο κάνουμε μια προσπάθεια ερμηνείας της Παραγοντικής Ανάλυσης με δυο τρόπους. Ο ένας τρόπος είναι με τη βοήθεια της Γραμμικής Άλγεβρας, της Ανάλυσης και των πινάκων και ο άλλος με τη βοήθεια των γραφικών απεικονίσεων των σχέσεων των στοιχείων του πίνακα που αναλύουμε. Σκοπός της παραπάνω μεθόδου είναι να ομαδοποιήσει ένα μεγάλο αριθμό μεταβλητών σε ένα μικρότερο αριθμό σημαντικών μη παρατηρήσιμων τυχαίων μεταβλητών που καλούνται παράγοντες. Στο τελευταίο κεφάλαιο του θεωρητικού μέρους αναφέρουμε και αναλύουμε την Cluster Analysis η οποία είναι μια μέθοδος με την οποία επιδιώκουμε τη δημιουργία ομάδων, συνήθως ατόμων ή αντικειμένων με ομοειδή χαρακτηριστικά, ομάδες τις οποίες μπορούμε να αποκαλούμε και τάξεις. Και σ' αυτή τη μέθοδο κάνουμε δύό ειδών αναλύσεις. Το πρακτικό μέρος της παρούσας εργασίας διερευνά τους παράγοντες οι οποίοι επηρεάζουν την ίδρυση μιας μικρομεσαίας επιχείρησης (ΜΜΕ). Διεξήχθη εμπειρική έρευνα, ο δειγματικός χώρος της οποίας περιλαμβάνει 140 μικρομεσαίες επιχειρήσεις του νομού Σερρών. Τα αποτελέσματα αναδεικνύουν τη συμβολή και τη βαρύτητα μεταβλητών που σχετίζονται με: το προφίλ του επιχειρηματία (δημογραφικά χαρακτηριστικά, προηγούμενη εργασιακή και επιχειρηματική εμπειρία κ.ά.), τη διαδικασία ίδρυσης της επιχείρησης (πηγές άντλησης πληροφοριών, λήψη απόφαση, αρχική επένδυση, προβλήματα που παρουσιάσθηκαν κ.ά.), τα χαρακτηριστικά της νεοϊδρυθείσας επιχείρησης (αντικείμενο, νομικό καθεστώς, αριθμός απασχολούμενων κ.ά.) και τον 1ο χρόνο λειτουργίας (κύκλος εργασιών, πωλήσεις κ.ά.). Πιο συγκεκριμένα στο κεφάλαιο 5 αναλύουμε σχεδόν όλες τις μεταβλητές με τη βοήθεια της περιγραφικής στατιστικής και "επιμένουμε" λίγο περισσότερο σε εκείνες που αποτελούν τους παράγοντες ίδρυσης μικρομεσαίας επιχείρησης. Στο κεφάλαιο 6 περνάμε στο επόμενο στάδιο "εντοπίζοντας" σχέσεις ανάμεσα σε δυο μεταβλητές του ερωτηματολογίου. Το κριτήριο με το οποίο γίνεται ο έλεγχος είναι ο Χ έλεγχος ανεξαρτησίας και αναφέρουμε μόνο όσα παρουσιάζουν ενδιαφέρον (δηλαδή εκεί που υπάρχει κάποια σχέση ). Προχωρώντας στο κεφάλαιο 7 εισχωρούμε κατά κάποιο τρόπο στην Πολυδιάστατη Ανάλυση. Εφαρμόζουμε την Παραγοντική Ανάλυση με τη χρήση της μεθόδου των ισχυρών συνεκτικών συνιστωσών. Η εφαρμογή γίνεται πάνω στους λόγους ίδρυσης γενικά, μιας επιχείρησης. Αναφέρουμε αναλυτικά όλα τα βήματα και όλο το συλλογισμό μέχρι να καταλήξουμε στο τελικό στάδιο από το οποίο βγάζουμε συμπεράσματα. Και στο τελευταίο κεφάλαιο (8) πραγματοποιούμε την Cluster Analysis των 140 cases ώστε να μπορέσουμε να καταλήξουμε σε κάποια προφίλ επιχειρηματιών με συγκεκριμένα χαρακτηριστικά. Δηλαδή από την Παραγοντική Ανάλυση παίρνουμε κάποιες κατευθύνσεις, με τις οποίες σε συνδυασμό με την Cluster Αnalysis εντοπίζουμε συγκεκριμένους λόγους ίδρυσης μιας επιχείρησης για συγκεκριμένα προφίλ επιχειρηματιών. Τέλος , λόγω της εφαρμογής όλων των παραπάνω μεθόδων , προκύπτει ένας πολύ μεγάλος αριθμός πινάκων, ο οποίος ήτανε αδύνατο να καταχωρηθεί στην εργασία .Για το λόγο αυτό στο Παράρτημα έχουμε βάλει όλους τους πίνακες που χρησιμοποιήσαμε στο πρακτικό μέρος της εργασίας. / Aim of this work is to analyze the most important reasons for which is founded a small to medium-sized enterprise with the use of statistical program SPSS. The structure of work is separated in two parts. The first part constitutes theoretical "side" of the methods that we use and second is the practical that is to say application of methods that we analyzed in real data. The theoretical part is separated in four chapters. In the first chapter we report the possibilities of SPSS for the statistical analysis one and two variables one or more samples as well as for how we can determine the relation ([an] it exists or no) from each other. Before our report round the variables we stress certain points in which it should we give particular gravity, and which are essential in the initial stage of treatment of data our (determination variable [etc].) In the second chapter we make a first report round the Multidimensional Analysis of Data stressing their usefulness in the various sciences, the way with which this analysis "functions" and its main characteristics. In general it is a total of methods that beginning from himself given and without no affair searches tendencies, the relations and their regroupings. Afterwards we analyze an important method of the "analysis of the main cohesive components". It is a technique that aims at as the reduction of dimension of data maintaining almost the all total variability of initial variables. The analysis becomes with the help of mathematic relations and is based on the tables of a (sample) cross-correlation, (sample) codispersion etc. In the third chapter we make an effort of interpretation of Factorial Analysis in two ways. One way is with the help of Linear Algebra, Analysis and tables and the other with the help of graphic depictions of relations of elements of table that we analyze. The aim of the above method is to group a big number of variables in a smaller number of important non notable accidental variables that are called factors. In the last chapter of theoretical part we report and we analyze Cluster Analysis who is a method with which we seek the creation of teams, usually individuals or objects with similar characteristics, teams which we can call also orders. And in this method we make two types analyses. The practical part of present work investigates the factors which influence the foundation of small to medium-sized enterprise (SME). An experiental research was carried out, the sampling space of which includes 140 small to medium-sized enterprises of Serres' prefecture. The results elect the contribution and the gravity of variables that is related with: the profile of businessman (demographic characteristics, previous labour and enterprising experience Mr a.), the process of foundation of enterprise (sources of pumping of information, reception decision, initial investment, problems that were presented Mr a.), the characteristics of newly founded enterprise (object, legal regime, number of occupied Mr a.) and the 1st time of operation (turnover, sales Mr a.). More concretely in capital 5 we analyze almost the all variables with the help of descriptive statistics and we insist a little more in those that constitute the factors of foundation of small to medium-sized enterprise. In capital 6 we pass in the next stage by "detecting" relations between two variables of the questionnaire. The criterion with which it becomes the control is the H control of independence and we only report those who present interest (that is to say there that exists some relation). Advancing in capital 7 we penetrate at some way in the Multidimensional Analysis. We apply Factorial Analysis with the use of method of powerful cohesive components. The application applies on the reasons of foundation of an enterprise in general. We report the analytic all steps and the all reasoning until we lead to the final stage from which we draw conclusions. And in last capital (8) we realise Cluster Analysis the 140 cases so that we can lead to certain profiles of businessmen with concrete characteristics. That is to say from Fractional Analysis we take certain directions, with which in combination with Cluster Analysis we locate concrete reasons of foundation of enterprise for concretely profile of businessmen. Finally, because the application of all the above methods, results a very big number of tables, which it was impossible to be registered in the work. For this reason in the Annex we have put the all tables that we used in the practical part of work.

Magistro darbe yra vertinama ES fondų ir valstybės teikiamos paramos smulkioms ir vidutinėms įmonėms įtaka šalies ekonominei plėtrai. Identifikuoti ES fondų ir valstybės teikiamos paramos prioritetai. Atlikta suteiktos paramos smulkioms ir vidutinėms įmonėms analizė, nustatyti paramos teikimo sistemos privalumai ir trūkumai. Patvirtinama autorės suformuluota mokslinio tyrimo hipotezė, kad ES fondų ir valstybės teikiama parama smulkioms ir vidutinėms įmonėms neskatina konvergencijos įgyvendinimo tarp atskirų šalies regionų. Pateikti ES fondų ir valstybės institucijų teikiamos paramos sistemos tobulinimo instrumentai. / The present Master‘s degree thesis considers the influence of the support rendered by the EU funds and the state to small and middle-sized companies on the economic development of the country. It also identifies the fields given priority to when rendering the support of the EU funds and the state. Herein, performed is the analysis of the support rendered to small and middle-sized companies; determined are the advantages and disadvantages of the support system. The thesis does prove the scientific research hypothesis formulated by the author hereof that the support rendered by the EU funds and the state to small and middle-sized companies does not contribute to the convergence of separate regions of the country. It also provides the instruments for improvement of the system of the support rendered by the EU funds and state institutions.

The majority of people in North America have lost not only the knowledge of how to successfully sustain themselves from the land but, even more troubling, the basic knowledge of where the food comes from, what real food is, or even what to do with it. It is not only basic knowledge of food that is being lost in the consumer culture; many of the private and public spaces that were central to the social fabric of the city, street, and family are changing and losing their significance. The mass marketing of the consumer lifestyle has led to the disappearance of home gardens, local restaurants, neighbourhood coffee shops, and farmers’ markets. It has altered the fine grain of our city, streets, and homes, thereby reducing the social interactions that once created lively streets in the past. This thesis examines both the historical and current relationship and influence of food in cities, streets and homes in relation to the growing issues of access to fresh whole food and the dispersed city form. In addition, it will investigate how food orientated developments such as Community Food Centres can act as a catalyst for urban revitalization in failing urban cores and provide a resiliency to the economies of the city. The analysis of the influence of food, challenges that midsized cites are facing, and a series of precedents will provide a set guidelines for architects and planners developing urban projects. Three main themes are explored as a means to revitalization of urban neighbourhood through food: reuse of under used or abandoned land, our cultural connection to food, and the activities and culture that the two create together. These themes will explore the use and cultural significance of kitchens, markets, and restaurants and public space as architectural spaces that create community as a means to better understand what mechanisms of these aspects are the keys to the building of vibrant communities. This concept will be explored through the design of a community food centre in St. Patrick’s Ward in Guelph, Ontario.

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to evaluate whether the effects of hyperbaric oxygen (HBO) therapy could alter the critical size defect (CSD) diameter and to evaluate the effect of HBO on the repair of CSD in the presence and absence of a non-vascularized autogenous bone graft (ABG). Study Design: Twenty rabbits were divided in two groups of ten animals each. CSD were created in the parietal bones bilaterally. Defects were critical-sized, 15 mm on one side and supracritical-sized, 18 mm on the contralateral side. Group 1 received a 90-min HBO treatment sessions at 2.4 absolute atmospheric pressure (ATA) for 90 minutes per day for 20 days. Group 2 served as a normobaric roomair control (NBO). Additional ten animals were divided into 2 groups of 5 animals each. Bilateral CSD were created. ABG were allocated to one side of each calvarium. Group 1 received HBO treatments. Group 2 served as NBO. After sacrifice, data were collected including qualitative assessment, radiographic analysis, Micro CT bone analysis and histomorphometric analysis. ANOVA and paired sample t test were used for statistical analysis. Results: Both radiographic analysis and histomorphometric analysis demonstrated more new bone in the HBO CSD (p<.001). Micro CT analysis indicated a higher bone mineral content (BMC) in ABG CSD (p<.05). Histologically, complete bridging of the defect was observed in ABG defects. Histomorphometric analysis showed that HBO treatment increased new bone and marrow and reduced fibrous tissue in the defects (p<.01 for all). Conclusion: Bone regeneration was significantly greater in the HBO animals regardless of the defect size. HBO may have changed the accepted diameter of CSD to more than 18 mm. HBO enhances bony healing in non-grafted CSD.

Magic-sized nanocrystals (MSNs) are nanocrystals with a single size distribution. They have narrow spectral features that do not exhibit inhomogeneous line broadening. This enabled us to analyze homogeneous line broadening of CdSe and CdTe MSNs. In solution, we observed two aggregated configurations of CdSe and CdTe MSNs. Sub-peaks within MSN excitonic peaks were caused by these two aggregated configurations and surface states. A two-dimensional photoluminescence spectrum of a mixture of CdTe 427 nm and 500 nm MSNs gave direct evidence of Förster resonant energy transfer (RET) between the two sizes of MSNs. Normalized experimental overlap between donor emission and acceptor absorption spectra was on the order predicted by theory, confirming that there is sufficient overlap for RET to take place in this system. Additionally, within both aggregated configurations, the two sizes of MSNs were within sufficient distance from one another for RET to occur.

Magic-sized nanocrystals (MSNs) are nanocrystals with a single size distribution. They have narrow spectral features that do not exhibit inhomogeneous line broadening. This enabled us to analyze homogeneous line broadening of CdSe and CdTe MSNs. In solution, we observed two aggregated configurations of CdSe and CdTe MSNs. Sub-peaks within MSN excitonic peaks were caused by these two aggregated configurations and surface states. A two-dimensional photoluminescence spectrum of a mixture of CdTe 427 nm and 500 nm MSNs gave direct evidence of Förster resonant energy transfer (RET) between the two sizes of MSNs. Normalized experimental overlap between donor emission and acceptor absorption spectra was on the order predicted by theory, confirming that there is sufficient overlap for RET to take place in this system. Additionally, within both aggregated configurations, the two sizes of MSNs were within sufficient distance from one another for RET to occur.

The Master's degree paper provides the analysis of Lithuanian and foreign authors' theoretical aspects on strategical management of the personnel, personnel strategy, its creation and implementation. The survey data allowed us to establish and evaluate the features of personnel strategy creation and implementation and the positive and negative aspects of strategical management of the personnel in small and middle-sized business companies. The empirical research evaluated the main functions of management, established the most often problems related to planning, organization, motivation and control, reasons for that and some possible ways of problem solution for improvement of strategic management of the personnel in small and middle-sized business companies. The research results confirmed the author's hypothesis that there were some considerable problems regarding creation and implementation of personnel strategy in small and middle-sized business companies, which hindered the companies from forming the long-term competitive advantages.

Increased interest in small business (SME) and entrepreneurship, foster researchers to discuss about methodology of this object and to look for possible ways of development of this sector. In spite of that interest, there is a lack of common, unified methodology, accepted in all countries. Absence of systematic research of entrepreneurship process- is relevant scientific problem, which should be solved. Author describes term “entrepreneurship process” and it’s main elements. Also is presented a broad analysis of terms “entrepreneurship” and “entrepreneur” in different economical schools. Is analyzed impact of small and medium seized business on economy and it’s place in entrepreneurship process. Business environment is changing radically and one of the main tasks for organizations – to become entrepreneurial. Research model of Lithuanian entrepreneurship process is composed. According this model, level of entrepreneurship process researches, implemented in Lithuania, is identified. Varies factors, influencing entrepreneurship process, are described and presented in dissertation. In order to solve identified problems, model of formation enterprising business in SME is presented. Activities of entrepreneur are formulated in order to implement enterprising culture in organization and to foster entrepreneurial behavior of such organization. / Išaugęs susidomėjimas smulkiu ir vidutiniu verslu ir jo reikšme pasaulio ekonomikai ir visam verslininkystės procesui, skatina mokslininkus diskutuoti apie šio objekto tyrimo metodologija. Nors ir visuotinai pripažįstama, kad verslininkystė yra vienas iš svarbiausių veiksniu, įtakojantis pokyčius ekonomikoje, reikia pastebėti, kad nėra nusistovėjusios vienos visoms šalims priimtinos metodikos. Tad nepakankamai ištirtas verslininkystės procesas – yra aktuali mokslinė problema. Disertacijoje atskleidžiamas šiuolaikinis požiūris į verslininkystės reiškinį ir jo reikšmę. Pateikiama išsami „verslininkystės“ ir „verslininko“ sampratų analizė skirtingose ekonominėse mokyklose. Taip pat pristatomas smulkaus ir vidutinio verslo vaidmuo šalies ekonominiuose procesuose. Analizuojama verslininkystės proceso samprata. Nagrinėjamas antrepreneriškumo reiškimasis versle ir antrepreneriškos organizacijos samprata. Parengiamas Lietuvos verslininkystės proceso tyrimo modelis. Remiantis juo, identifikuojamas Lietuvos smulkaus ir vidutinio verslo ir verslininkystės proceso ištirtumo lygį. Išryškinami veiksniai, įtakojantys Lietuvos smulkaus ir vidutinio verslo būklę ir vystymosi galimybes. Taip pat išryškinamos probleminės sritys, trukdančios verslininkystės proceso raidai. Siekiant spręsti tyrimo metu išaiškėjusias problemas, pateikiamas antrepreneriškos verslininkystės formavimo modelis smulkiame ir vidutiniame versle.