Economic barriers to development : cost of access to internet infrastructure

The Internet is increasingly viewed as an "indispensable" resource for general development and economic growth (UNDP 1999). Its adoption by governments, organizations and individuals has resulted in the shrinking of spatial and temporal distances between different regions of the world, and has greatly facilitated the "free" and quick exchange of information. Such constrictions of time and space impact upon social and economic interactions at all levels of society. Furthermore, ramifications of this impact are felt by a society, group or individual irrespective of whether or not they use the Internet. The ability to access the Internet, and in particular the costs associated with such access, are therefore important points of consideration. Not only do these costs contribute to the disproportional spread of the Internet across the world's population; they also potentially contribute to uneven patterns of development within, and between countries

Les compétences distinctives en fonction de la largeur et de la profondeur des connaissances : le cas des systèmes de surveillance du trafic aérien au sein d’Eurocontrol.

Les compétences technologiques et organisationnelles sont difficiles à identifier, en particulier dans des périodes de changement de contexte. Si la littérature sur les compétences et les connaissances est riche, la possibilité d’opérationnaliser les concepts demeure souvent limitée. En particulier les organisations sont souvent démunies pour répondre aux questions suivantes : • Comment les compétences de l’organisation doivent-elles évoluer face à un changement de contexte ? • Quelles compétences l’organisation doit préserver en interne ou au contraire externaliser ? • Quelles sont les incidences d’une identification des compétences distinctives de l’organisation au niveau des compétences individuelles ? Cet article propose une méthode d’identification des compétences technologiques et organisationnelles et une analyse de leur évolution à partir des concepts de profondeur et la largeur des connaissances actionnées par les organisations. Nous proposons d’identifier la profondeur des connaissances en analysant la capacité de l’organisation à identifier et résoudre les problèmes qu’elle rencontre. La largeur des connaissances est analysée à partir de la diversité des connaissances concrètes et abstraites mobilisées par l’organisation dans la résolution de problèmes. Cette approche permet non seulement de caractériser les compétences au niveau de l’organisation mais aussi de faire le lien avec les compétences individuelles. L’analyse proposée apporte un éclairage sur l’évolution de la frontière des organisations dans les environnements turbulents. Cette recherche est fondée sur une méthode de recherche intervention réalisée au sein de l’unité SPS d’Eurocontrol, organisation inter-gouvernementale européenne en charge de missions dans le cadre de la sécurité de la navigation aérienne. Elle est confrontée à une évolution de son environnement aux plans économique, technologique et institutionnel. C’est dans ce contexte qu’a été menée une réflexion sur le positionnement stratégique quant aux systèmes et produits de surveillance.Compétences; connaissances; résolution de problèmes; environnements turbulents;

A comparative Test of the Efficiency, focus and Learning Perspectives of Outsourcing

Despite the fact that vertical integration has been a key question of management studies for more than fifty years, we still do not have a unified, coherent view of outsourcing. In particular, multiple theoretical perspectives such as transaction cost economics, industrial organization, and strategy, could explain the outsourcing decision, but the implications of these different streams have neither been theoretically integrated, nor tested simultaneously. In an attempt to disentangle the various causes of outsourcing, we suggest three different rationales for outsourcing: cost reduction, focusing on core capabilities and importing knowledge into the firm. We develop several hypotheses, which we then test on secondary data on French small- and medium-sized enterprises. Results indicate that the learning rationale appears to be the strongest factor influencing the outsourcing decision. Some performance implications of this rationale are also suggested and tested.outsourcing; transaction cost economics; resource-based view; knowledge-based view

Vertical sub-contracting relationships strategy, the Airbus First-tier suppliers\' coordination

This paper analyzes the transformations of industrial vertical relationships, and more particularly the duality of the coordination modes within new industrial architectures. The paper aims to characterize relationship between the architect and the first-tier suppliers according to the strategic degree of their competence. Two models of coordination arm\'s length and systems integration coexist within the same industrial architecture. The recourse to one or the other varies according to the policy of purchase and the strategic degree of the sub-contracted subsystems. Thus we will analyze the system of subcontracting of Airbus by focusing to the importance of the purchasing policy. The argumentation articulates in two parts. The first one considers the vertical subcontracting relationships in the framework of complex productions, by insisting on organizational aspects. The second one analyses the transformation of the \"Airbus\" productive system by focusing on purchasing process and the emergence of new First-tier supplier’s coordination modes.NAModularity – Systems Integration – Strategic competences – Purchasing Strategy – First Tier Suppliers – Airbus

ALTERNATIVE DISPUTE RESOLUTION AND PEACE MAKING FOR RESOLVING AGRIBUSINESS AND FOOD MANAGEMENT CONFLICT RESOLUTION IN THE FREE TRADE AREA OF THE AMERICAS GRASS ROOTS INITIATIVES WITH INTERNATIONAL APPLICATIONS

The FTAA (Free Trade Area of the Americas) will bring together 35 countries with five different languages and over 300 ethnic and cultural groups. As trade, cultural discourse, and other joint efforts develop between countries, private organizations, public entities and individuals, many disputes will arise. In a few countries, the rule of law can solve these disputes effectively. In most others, the rule of law cannot work because of political, social or even criminal events. As NAFTA showed, developing a successful and efficient dispute resolution mechanism is an important component of developing a successful working relationship of the agreement among all the parties and countries. Other Trade Agreements including NAFTA and WTO have found that the successful functioning of these agreements require all private and public parties to think carefully about resolving disputes ahead of time and setting up a number of alternative processes to be used by the parties. Only in Government-to-Government disputes is the system quite simple. Otherwise, there are several models which have been developed in the U.S. and other American countries which can assist in resolving agribusiness and food management conflict resolution in rural communities. Grass roots initiatives with international applications, disputes over land, grazing rights, homes, credit issues and financial resources can be a serious impediment to growth. In Arizona, U.S. and the Americas, this has caused large dollar value disputes, ill will, riots and even death. In both rural and agricultural based Arizona, U.S. and the Americas, this presentation highlights methodology and courses being developed to solve some of these conflicts.Agribusiness, International Relations/Trade,

Incidence and prevalence of patellofemoral pain: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Background: Patellofemoral pain is considered one of the most common forms of knee pain, affecting adults, adolescents, and physically active populations. Inconsistencies in reported incidence and prevalence exist and in relation to the allocation of healthcare and research funding, there is a clear need to accurately understand the epidemiology of patellofemoral pain. Methods: An electronic database search was conducted, as well as grey literature databases, from inception to June 2017. Two authors independently selected studies, extracted data and appraised methodological quality. If heterogeneous, data were analysed descriptively. Where studies were homogeneous, data were pooled through a meta-analysis. Results: 23 studies were included. Annual prevalence for patellofemoral pain in the general population was reported as 22.7%, and adolescents as 28.9%. Incidence rates in military recruits ranged from 9.7 – 571.4/1,000 person-years, amateur runners in the general population at 1080.5/1,000 person-years and adolescents amateur athletes 5.1% - 14.9% over 1 season. One study reported point prevalence within military populations as 13.5%. The pooled estimate for point prevalence in adolescents was 7.2% (95% Confidence Interval: 6.3% - 8.3%), and in female only adolescent athletes was 22.7% (95% Confidence Interval 17.4% - 28.0%). Conclusion: This review demonstrates high incidence and prevalence levels for patellofemoral pain. Within the context of this, and poor long term prognosis and high disability levels, PFP should be an urgent research priority

A PROPOSED STUDY ON FACTORS AFFECTING THE PERCEIVED USEFULNESS AND ADOPTION OF OPEN SOURCE SOFTWARE IN THE PUBLIC SECTOR

Many developing countries currently face common problems regarding Information and Communications Technology (ICT). These problems typically include the lack of technical and know-how knowledge and the lack of appropriate technologies to meet their information processing and software needs. The situation worsens with the absence of adequate investment in technology and clear policies for technology adoption and use. Increasing interest in end users’ reactions to ICT has elevated the importance of theories that predict and explain ICT acceptance and use. This paper seeks to investigate the application of two such theories, the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM), and the Theory of Adoption and Diffusion to FOSS, to the adoption rate of FOSS in the Jamaican Public Sector

The Dilemma of the Shareholders under the Nigerian Company Law

The Companies and Allied Matters Act[1] is currently the statute for regulating the registration and operation of all types of companies in Nigeria. Under the Act, shareholders are recognized as members of the company and the directors owe duties to both the company and shareholders. The directors therefore do not have any legal liability or power to embark on any other duty apart from their duties to the Company. Despite the provisions of the Companies and Allied Matters Act in relation to shareholders, there have been increasing incidences of abuses by directors and holders of managerial posts. This article seeks to examine the problems and prospects of shareholders under the law. From the research it has been discovered that the shareholders are not allowed to exercise their rights and there is not enough protection of the shareholders’ rights under law. Suggestions are proffered in that direction. Keywords: Shareholders, Rights, Company, Directors and Meeting [1] 1990, Cap C 20 Laws of the Federation 201