The determinants of long-term growth in the Southern African Customs Union (SACU) countries : an empirical study.

Thesis (Ph.D.)-University of Natal, Durban, 2001.No abstract available.Pages 92, 93, 94. 95, 96, 97, 177, 321 are missing from the original thesis

Proceedings of the 2017 Coal Operators\u27 Conference

Proceedings of the 2017 Coal Operators\u27 Conference. All papers in these proceedings are peer reviewed. ISBN: 978174128261

A dynamic view of network structure and governance mechanisms : the case of a coffee sector sustainable sourcing network

In the context of sustainable supply networks, this research analyzes the evolution of governance mechanisms and network structure, including the interplay between network conditions, context factors, positional power and managerial actions. The study reports on a longitudinal empirical research on a multi-stakeholder sustainable sourcing network established by Nespresso, Nestlé’s specialty coffee subsidiary. The research analyzes both dyadic and multi-actor network dynamics and proposes a framework to study network evolution. Social network analysis techniques are also used to measure evolution of the network's structure and complexity as well as positional power opportunities. The research shows that in the initial start-up phase, in a context marked by uncertainty, pre-existing commercial and personal relationships were favoured in the choice of partners. These pre-existing relationships were also influential in defining the initial network structure and supporting an initial phase of exploration. Governance mechanisms initially relied mostly on informal mechanisms, while formal mechanisms were incorporated over time to enable the supply chain network to grow and to provide clarity to all actors. As the sustainability programme network expanded in size and complexity, Nespresso, the lead organization, also acted on the network's structure by introducing regional offices, thus increasing network centralization and reducing complexity. Power derived by actors occupying central or brokerage positions in multiplex networks also influenced power relationships in the sustainability network by moderating or expanding the power opportunities available to central actors. The research has implications for both the Inter-organizational Relationship and the Social Network Theory literatures. In contrast with prior literature, the research proposes that in conditions of uncertainty, the use of informal governance mechanisms can facilitate a search and experimentation process. Formalization of governance mechanisms can be used, not as a repair mechanism, but rather as an enabler for further growth and efficiency. The research also extends the concept of network complexity and proposes that network managers can reduce this complexity by introducing or managing nodes that in turn contribute to the re-centralization of relationships towards specific nodes. Lastly, the research has implications for managers and proposes mapping of existing commercial and personal relationships as a potentially valuable tool in the creation and management of networks, adapting coordination mechanisms to the objectives of the relationship and actively managing the network's structure as a mechanism to enable network growth and efficiency.EThOS - Electronic Theses Online ServiceGBUnited Kingdo

Producing airspace : the contested geographies of Nottingham East Midlands Airport

During the last 100 years, commercial aviation has developed into an established mode of transportation serving millions of passengers every year, but while researchers from other disciplines - most notably sociology, cultui-al history, and anthropology - have begun to appreciate the multiple dimensions of flight, geographers have written surprisingly little on the subject beyond quantitative analyses of airline networks. While perhaps understandable given the present geopolitical climate of passenger (in)security and commercial confidentiality, this nevertheless means many of the industry's significant facets have yet to be adequately charted. Considering geography's rich heritage of examining space, place, and spatial phenomena at a variety of scales, this thesis provides a distinctive contribution to theoretical and empirical knowledge by addressing the multiple geographies of airspace. Set in the context of the ongoing controversy surrounding the reorganisation offlightpaths at Nottingham East Midlands Airport (NEMA) in the United Kingdom, it considers the inherently geographical and often contested nature of airspace production. By detailing the complex interplay between how airspace is produced 'on the ground' by those who oppose its use, and 'in the air' by Air Traffic Controllers and airline pilots, it offers a new perspective for studies of geography and air transport in an age of mass aeromobility.EThOS - Electronic Theses Online ServiceGBUnited Kingdo

Population decline, infrastructure and sustainability

Japan has experienced population decline since 2010 and the situation is expected to become more severe after 2030 with forecasts indicating an expected 30% decline from 2005 to 2055. Many other developed countries such as Germany and Korea are also experiencing depopulation. These demographic changes are expected to affect society at many levels such as labour markets decline, increased tax burden to sustain pension systems, and economic stagnation. Little is known however about the impacts of population decline on man-made physical infrastructure, such as possible deterioration of current infrastructure or increased financial burden of sustaining it. Infrastructure can be classified into 3 categories: point-type (e.g. buildings), point-network type (e.g. water supply) and network type (e.g. road). The impact of depopulation may vary according to the type of infrastructure. Previous research in this area has been limited in scope (e.g. case studies conducted in a single city focusing on a single type of infrastructure) and method (e.g. most research in the topic has been qualitative). This thesis presents a new comprehensive study on the impacts of population decline on infrastructure in Japan, taking into account all types of infrastructure and using a quantitative approach. Data collection methods include interviews and two large scale questionnaire surveys, the first conducted with municipalities and the second, a stated preference survey, conducted with members of the public. The goal of sustainable development is relevant even in a depopulated society, and hence a sustainable development framework is applied to the analysis where social, economic, environmental and engineering impacts are investigated. The main findings indicate that some infrastructure impacts observed and reported in depopulated areas do not seem to be related to any population decline; moreover, the preferences of citizens for infrastructure development is very similar between depopulated areas and non-depopulated areas. The results also suggest that the premises of Barro’s overlapping generations model, very relevant to a discussion of intergenerational decision making and related sustainability, appear to be rejected in this context