GATS Impacts on Entry Modes and Defensive Marketing Strategies in the Egyptian Banking Sector

This research examines the effects of GATS agreements, both on entry modes and defensive marketing strategies in the Egyptian banking sector. The research population is the Egyptian banking sector, employing a total of 83179, from which a representative sample (equal to 800 responses) was selected. As the research aims are diversified, this sample was divided into two main groups i.e. local banks and foreign branches, investigated using different questionnaires. The latter population includes all the foreign branches working in the Egyptian market; the former includes all banks working in Egypt regardless of their ownership status. Four objectives have been pursued in this research: - (1) Exploring GATS impacts on the Egyptian banking sector as well as identifying variables that affect their perception; (2) Identifying the appropriate defensive marketing strategies for each entry mode and evaluating the marketing practices of the Egyptian banking sector; (3) Identifying pattems of relationships between defensive marketing strategies and four sets of variables (demographics, objectives, rivals, and rivals' competitive advantages); and (4) Determining the factors that affect the selection of each entry mode. Regarding the first research objective, the findings reveal that GATS agreements have positive impacts on the Egyptian banking sector, with significant relationships observed between the perception of GATS impacts and the respondents backgrounds. Secondly, an "Entry Modes- Defensive Marketing Strategies Model" was designed, recommending specific defensive marketing strategies for each bundle of entry modes. Thirdly, strong and significant relationships appear, between selected defensive marketing strategies and four sets of variables i.e. demographics, bank's objectives, perceived competitors, and competitors' competitive advantages. Finally, the selection of entry modes is affected by both bank and target market characteristics. The latter include political stability as well as instability, language differences, religious similarities, values differences, severe competition, and moderate levels of competition; the former include greater as well as less financial resources, and less international experience. The applicability and suitability of these findings for other similar Afiican and Middle East countries are identified

Integral mission formation in Abya Yala (Latin America): a study of the Centro de Studios Teológicos Interdisciplinarios (1982-2002) and radical evangélicos

This dissertation traces the development of the Centro de Estudios Teológicos Interdisciplinarios (CETI) from its inception in Argentina in 1982 until 2002, when the first dean, Catalina Feser Padilla, stepped down. Born out of the self-theologizing of “radical evangelical” Protestant communities—Comunidad Internacional de Estudiantes Evangélicos, Fraternidad Teológica Latinoamericana, Escuela Bíblica de Villa María, and Comunidad Kairós—CETI has furthered misión integral within Latin America and beyond. Grounded in the history of CETI, this dissertation argues that CETI constitutes a generative model of theological formation for integral mission because of its theological, missiological, and pedagogical commitments: doing theology in response to context, a radical evangelical perspective, an integral mission intent, and a focus on the formation of all Christians through interdisciplinary dialogue, communal design, and implementation. Although studies have been done of the integral mission movement, this dissertation breaks new ground by focusing on CETI, which has been running continuously within Latin America since 1982. The dissertation is based on the historical analysis of primary sources housed in a virtual repository and in the offices of the Fundación Kairós, in Buenos Aires, Argentina. Findings were corroborated through personal interviews and correspondence with key people involved in the creation and development of CETI. Chapter One introduces the research and clarifies key concepts. Chapters Two and Three portray the academic and ecclesial communities out of which CETI was generated. Chapter Four surveys the development of CETI and portrays the key role of its first dean, Catalina Feser Padilla. Chapter Five offers a theological, pedagogical, and institutional analysis of CETI along with narrative accounts that provide insight into the missional and ethical impact of the program. Chapter Six serves as a conclusion and refers to the reach of CETI beyond Latin America after 2011 through the auspices of the International Fellowship of Mission as Transformation. The final section raises critical questions for the ongoing development of CETI within Latin America, and for the expansion of theological formation for integral mission into other parts of the world

Joint University Program for Air Transportation Research, 1988-1989

The research conducted during 1988 to 1989 under the NASA/FAA-sponsored Joint University Program for Air Transportation Research is summarized. The Joint University Program is a coordinated set of three grants sponsored by NASA Langley Research Center and the Federal Aviation Administration, one each with the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Ohio University, and Princeton University. Completed works, status reports, and annotated bibliographies are presented for research topics, which include computer science, guidance and control theory and practice, aircraft performance, flight dynamics, and applied experimental psychology. An overview of the year's activities for each university is also presented

Command and Control in the Information Age: A Case Study of a Representative Air Power Command and Control Node

As operations command structures change, it is important to be able to explore and understand their fundamental nature; researchers should unearth the gestalt nature of the operational node. The organizational structure and the infrastructure can significantly affect overall command and control (C2) performance. Thus, it is necessary to develop understanding of effectiveness of the technical network and the people using the system as a whole. The purpose of this research is to conduct an analysis of a representative Air Power Operational C2 node, create and use a repeatable method, and present the results as a case study to elicit fundamental understanding. I posit that there is a recognizable (and discoverable) relationship between the social (human) network and technical supporting network. Examining the system under change can result in an understanding of this relationship. In this work, I enhanced an existing simulation tool to investigate the effects of organizational structure on task effectiveness. The primary research question examined is how a representative AOC system changes varying noise and system fragmentation when operating in two different organizational constructs. Network-Enabled Capability (as the term is used in NATO), Network Centric Operations, or Edge Organizations, is a core C2 transformation predicated upon a set of network-centric tenets. These tenets form the intellectual foundation for ongoing transformations. The secondary research question is to determine if these tenets are unbound, and what elucidation results if they are not. This research produces four significant contributions to Operational Command and Control and Engineering Management disciplines. First, I combined social networking theory and information theory into a single lens for evaluation. By using this new concept, I will be able to accomplish a quantitative evaluation by something other than mission treads, field exercise, historical evaluation, or actual combat. Second, I used both information theory and social networking concepts in a non-traditional setting. Third, I hope this research will start the process required to gain the knowledge to achieve some sort of future C2 structure. Fourth, this research suggests directions for future research to enhance understanding of core Operational Command and Control concepts

Modeling and Analysis of Power Processing Systems (MAPPS), initial phase 2

The overall objective of the program is to provide the engineering tools to reduce the analysis, design, and development effort, and thus the cost, in achieving the required performances for switching regulators and dc-dc converter systems. The program was both tutorial and application oriented. Various analytical methods were described in detail and supplemented with examples, and those with standardization appeals were reduced into computer-based subprograms. Major program efforts included those concerning small and large signal control-dependent performance analysis and simulation, control circuit design, power circuit design and optimization, system configuration study, and system performance simulation. Techniques including discrete time domain, conventional frequency domain, Lagrange multiplier, nonlinear programming, and control design synthesis were employed in these efforts. To enhance interactive conversation between the modeling and analysis subprograms and the user, a working prototype of the Data Management Program was also developed to facilitate expansion as future subprogram capabilities increase

Advanced Gas Turbine (AGT) powertrain system development for automotive applications

Progress in the development of a gas turbine engine to improve fuel economy, reduce gaseous emissions and particulate levels, and compatible with a variety of alternate fuels is reported. The powertrain is designated AGT101 and consists of a regenerated single shaft gas turbine engine, a split differential gearbox and a Ford Automatic Overdrive production transmission. The powertrain is controlled by an electronic digital microprocessor and associated actuators, instrumentation, and sensors. Standard automotive accessories are driven by engine power provided by an accessory pad on the gearbox. Component/subsystem development progress is reported in the following areas: compressor, turbine, combustion system, regenerator, gearbox/transmission, structures, ceramic components, foil gas bearing, bearings and seals, rotor dynamics, and controls and accessories