Title : Cultural influence on decision making in project team : The case of telecommunication industry Level : Master Thesis of Business Administration: Business Management Authors : Etchu Oben Agborsangaya and Maryam Taheri Supervisor : Professor Akmal Hyder Date: 2013 June Purpose : In the last few decades, the effects of globalisation has changed the way many companies carry out their activities. Greater emphasis are now placed on project management in a dynamic and effective atmosphere. As a result of this, companies try to understand how culture influences decision making in project teams in different countries. The purpose of this research is to investigate how culture influence decision making in project teams through an empirical study of telecommunication industry in Nigeria and Sweden by using Hofstede's framework on cultural dimensions. Research Questions : (1) How does culture influence decision making in project teams? (2) what are the similarities and differences in decision making in project teams between Nigeria and Sweden? Approach : The research design for this study includes literature review and qualitative method. The primary data was collected using semi-structured interviews with project managers and workers in project teams. The secondary data was collected through articles, journals and books. Data from the findings were analysed using coding. Results & Conclusions : It was found that culture influence decision making in project teams. In Nigeria, decision making in teams is more relax type because people try to avoid conflict by not hurting another person’s feelings while in Sweden decision making is more of a participating type in which each member in team has to be consulted and a consensus is arrived at before making the decision. Nigerian team values respect for senior colleagues and prefer hierarchy where codes of conduct exist, formality and inflexibility at work when compared to Sweden. 3 Contribution of the study : We recommend that prospective project managers of the mixed Swedish-Nigerian project team should encourage a participative involvement of all the members of teams in decision making and high degree of flexibility at work. This will lead to an efficient and effective project teams. The fact that this study was based on an important field of studies - project management, we could recommend that the impact of culture on project management could be explored in future research. Key words: Culture, project management cultural influence, decision making, project team, Telecommunication industry, Sweden and Nigeria.

National Telecommunications policies have been differentiated together with the extension of international trade, increasing importance of information in trade and the convergence of telecommunications, broadcasting and computing sectors. with the influence of these global factors, the subject of this thesis is the study of Mexican and Turkish national telecommunications policies regarding with the deregulation in telecommmunications service sector.

This dissertation aims to evaluate the allocation of essential facilities and / or scarce resources in the telecommunication industry in terms of the abuse of dominance provisions under the Competition Act 98 of 1998. Chapter 1 sets the scene by setting out the history of competition law in South Africa, and the policy considerations that lead to the promulgation of the Competition Act 98 of 1998 in its current form. This is followed by a brief examination of the scope, purpose and application of the Act, including the conduct regulated by the Act. Chapter 1 explores the functions of the Competition Authority in South Africa, and the various enforcement bodies created under the Act. In order to provide context, and to introduce the telecommunication industry, the dissertation briefly discusses concurrent jurisdiction between the Competition Authority and the Telecommunication Regulatory Authority (ICASA). Chapter 1 concludes with a description of radio frequency spectrum; and sets out the scope of the dissertation. Chapter 2 sets out the market definition for radio frequency spectrum, which is defined broadly as the national product market for radio frequency spectrum. The dissertation is limited to the telecommunication industry, thus the market definition is defined only within the context of this industry. After setting out the market definition and identifying the key players in the market for radio frequency spectrum in the telecommunication industry, the dissertation proceeds to discuss the abuse of dominance provisions under the Competition Act, the essential facilities doctrine and scarce resources under the Act. This discussion includes a description of how the doctrine of essential facilities was introduced into our law, a discussion of the relevant case law and a comparative approach of the status in the European Union and the USA. The concept of abuse of dominance and its application in South Africa, the European Union and the USA is described. In conclusion, Chapter 3 compares essential facilities and scarce resources. It is submitted that radio frequency spectrum is a scarce resource and should be dealt with under the abuse of dominance provisions of the Competition Act. Chapter 4 analyses the allocation of radio frequency spectrum in South Africa. It describes the Regulatory Authority and the empowering provisions under the Electronic Communications Act, under which ICASA is empowered to allocate radio frequency spectrum, including the recent policy directions of the Department of Communication. A discussion of the various competition issues that could influence the allocation of radio frequency spectrum follows, specifically with regard to the recent policy directions of the Department of Communications. A brief summary of the views of some of the main industry players in South Africa on the policy directions sets out the concerns of the industry in general, and their reaction to the policy directions. In the concluding Chapter, it is submitted that the abuse of dominance provisions of the Competition Act should be applicable to the allocation of radio frequency spectrum. The reason for this statement is that ICASA often obtains a de facto dominant position with regard to the allocation of an essential facility and / or a scarce resource, such as radio frequency spectrum. Thus it is submitted that the regulator is in a position of dominance which allows it to use regulation as a tool to act anti-competitively. The final Chapter concludes that a wider interpretation of the abuse of dominance provisions is necessary to ensure fair and efficient allocation of radio frequency spectrum. A brief discussion of the policy directions suggests that although, on the face of it, the directions are in line with the provisions of the Competition Act, the method of allocation has scope for anti-competitive allocation by a de facto dominant regulatory authority. It is submitted that more attention must be paid to the actual methods of allocation of radio frequency spectrum, and that a fine balance is required to ensure that spectrum allocation is transparent and efficient. In closing, the dissertation mentions the Electronic Communications Amendment Bill (Government Gazette No. 35525 18 July 2012), which aims to introduce a Spectrum Management Agency to oversee the allocation of radio frequency spectrum in the future. / Dissertation LLM --University of Pretoria, 2014 / am2014 / Mercantile Law / Unrestricted

Income decreasing strategies conducted by management could be harmful for various stakeholders. One example is big bath accounting, which could be accomplished in numer- ous ways. This study focus on big baths achieved by recognising impairments of goodwill. Purpose - The purpose of this study is to examine patterns of association between big bath accounting and impairment of goodwill within the telecommunication service industry in Europe. Further, this study aim at contributing to the discussion regarding utilisation of big baths through impairments of goodwill, and takes the perspective of an external stakehold- er. Delimitations - The study is restricted to European telecommunication entities comprised in STOXX Europe 600 Index. Method - This study was conducted using a hybrid of qualitative and quantitative research strategy with a deductive approach. The five indicators used to identify various big bath behaviours were inspired and derived from theory and previous research. Data from 2009 to 2015 was collected from the companies’ annual reports and websites, and analysed by the help of codification of each fulfilled indicator where 2009 merely served as a compara- tive year for 2010. By the use of a scoreboard the collected data was summarised on an ag- gregated yearly basis as the industry, not the specific companies, were analysed. Empirical findings - The results of this study suggests that big baths are executed among tele- communication companies within Europe. These are conducted simultaneously as impair- ments of goodwill are present, facilitated by earning management. A possible explanation is considered to be the room for interpretation inherent in IAS 36, enabling goodwill impair- ments to be recognised on managers’ command. Thereby an impairment could be “saved” for better or worse circumstances, or recognised when there exist an opportunity to max- imise (the manager's) wealth in the future. This study reveal the co-occurrence of goodwill impairments and big bath-indications, however a review of causal relationships are not en- abled by the limitations of the chosen method.

The diploma thesis is focused on the topic of creation a business plan for a personal agency with specialization on information technology industry. There are described general rules of writing the business plan as well as specifics of personal agencies in the theoretical part. The practical part applies this theoretical knowledge on the specific case and there is also a feasibility analysis of such a project. Practical part follows the theoretical one and applies the knowlege sucha s marketing plan, financial plan etc. on the specific project. There is also analysis of micro and macro environment.

This research explores the nature and extent of management development and training of senior and middle managers working in Palestinian telecommunication organizations using a basic trichotomous (three-stage) model: needs assessment, training development, and evaluation. A critical review of the literature is presented to identify the different approaches and key principles that make up the field of training and development. Using the survey approach, primary data were collected to answer the research question. A total of 142 questionnaires were distributed among senior and middle managers with 110 questionnaires being completed and returned (77 per cent response rate). Field work was also supported with 10 selected interviews with high ranking officials in the surveyed organizations to help corroborate the results. Thereafter, data was analysed using SPSS and spread sheets, and then compared with data available from literature. Despite the presence of a rather systematic approach to training, the findings show that the current status of training in the surveyed organizations is inadequate with heavy emphasis on traditional methods throughout the three stages; the current system does not offer a holistic perspective to training and development. This study presents an exploratory investigation into the training status in telecommunication organizations. It provides a fundamental foundation for future research aimed at expanding the available knowledge within the context of the study. In addition, specific strengths and weaknesses in the current system are identified using the trichotomous model in a more practical manner. Overall, this thesis offers both professionals and academics a fresh perspective on training in Palestinian telecommunication organizations; it not only highlights the importance of training but also stresses that future initiatives and programs are more carefully designed and implemented.

This thesis deals with development of Telecommunication Industry in The Czech Republic. The first part of the paper captures more complexly overview of global tendencies in the industry. Generally, the key focus is on the last five years from 2009 to 2013 as this was the most dynamic period of the industry so far: new trends such as MVNOs or M2M appeared, telecommunication regulations have tighten up due to united European Union regulations, which all together led to increasing competition in the industry and necessary acquisitions. One of the recent acquisitions -- Telefónica Czech Republic Group and its subsidiaries gained by PPF Group, is analysed in the second part of this thesis through financial analysis. The acquisition's importance and potential benefits are unquestionable as the operator has performed within the last five years that it can react very well during difficult economic and financial times, and it can prosper from its advantages over its main competitors.

This research explores the nature and extent of management development and training of senior and middle managers working in Palestinian telecommunication organizations using a basic trichotomous (three-stage) model: needs assessment, training development, and evaluation. A critical review of the literature is presented to identify the different approaches and key principles that make up the field of training and development. Using the survey approach, primary data were collected to answer the research question. A total of 142 questionnaires were distributed among senior and middle managers with 110 questionnaires being completed and returned (77 per cent response rate). Field work was also supported with 10 selected interviews with high ranking officials in the surveyed organizations to help corroborate the results. Thereafter, data was analysed using SPSS and spread sheets, and then compared with data available from literature. Despite the presence of a rather systematic approach to training, the findings show that the current status of training in the surveyed organizations is inadequate with heavy emphasis on traditional methods throughout the three stages; the current system does not offer a holistic perspective to training and development. This study presents an exploratory investigation into the training status in telecommunication organizations. It provides a fundamental foundation for future research aimed at expanding the available knowledge within the context of the study. In addition, specific strengths and weaknesses in the current system are identified using the trichotomous model in a more practical manner. Overall, this thesis offers both professionals and academics a fresh perspective on training in Palestinian telecommunication organizations; it not only highlights the importance of training but also stresses that future initiatives and programs are more carefully designed and implemented.

This thesis analyzes the current and possible impacts of the new global information and communication order regime institutionalized by the 1993 WTO agreements, GATS and TRIPS, and the following 1997 BTS agreement on Turkey, Greece and Israel, telecommunications markets, three important countries of the GEMED region. Since the early 1980s these countries have showed significant efforts to establish telecommunications systems and computer networks based on high- technology. They have adopted corporate-oriented strategies and complemented necessary changes consisting up of four stages: liberalization, deregulation, corporatization and privatization in order to internationalize and to realize full liberalization of their national telecommunications markets. Full liberalization and resulting internationalization process has increased interests of global telecommunications giants seeking new markets for their IT products and services based on NGN technologies to enter into the Turkish Greek, and Israeli telecommunications markets. Huge costs of NGN technologies will inevitably accelerate merging and resulting concentration process in the hands of the very few numbers of conglomerates will likely conclude with &ldquo / back to natural monopoly position&rdquo / whose rules will be defined by private monopoly consisting up of merging two or three the most powerful private conglomerates.

台灣行動通信市場自從1997年開放自由競爭以來，市場發展迅速，到2003年用戶數到達最高峰，共2,509萬戶，普及率達111%，但2004年以來用戶數即出現下降趨勢，市場呈現飽和現象。在這樣競爭的環境下，各電信業者勢必要想辦法保有自己公司的忠誠顧客，並努力促成其他業者的顧客轉換過來，藉此來提高或維持自己的市場佔有率與獲利。 因此本研究由顧客滿意度和顧客忠誠度出發，研究滿意度對忠誠度的關係，並導入轉換成本之概念，研究轉換成本對忠誠度之影響，並探討轉換成本對於滿意度與忠誠度之間關係的干擾效果。 本研究以電信業為例，針對台北市使用2G、3G行動通訊服務之消費者進行研究，以便利抽樣之方式，在三大商圈共發放300份問卷，並回收有效問卷159份，經統計資料分析，本研究發現： (1) 顧客滿意度對顧客忠誠度具有正向關係。 (2) 轉換成本對顧客忠誠度具有正向關係。 (3) 顧客滿意度與忠誠度間之關係，會受到轉換成本之影響。 根據上述之結論，本研究建議電信業者可藉由提升特定項目之滿意度，來創造顧客忠誠，並靈活運用轉換成本之概念，藉由提高財務轉換成本，以降低舊客戶轉換到其他業者的意願；另一方面則創造比同業更低的程序轉換成本和不確定性成本，讓其他業者之用戶在考慮轉換過來時，不會面臨到很大的轉換成本。