Globalization and labor markets in the Triad : different adjustment patterns.

n.a.Globalisierung; Arbeitsmarkt; Außenhandel; Direktinvestition; Internationaler Wettbewerb; Wirtschaftspolitik; Humankapital; Welt; EU-Staaten; Japan; USA;

Reform of Kosovo Tax System after independence and its key functions

In this paper we have analyzed the initial circumstances which characterize tax system in Kosovo after independence. After the Declaration of Independence, it is of the paramount importance that Kosovo has undergone through a reform of policy and tax system by exploring more seriously the economic functions.However, policy and tax system of Kosovo should be more in function of economic development by achieving equilibrium between direct and indirect taxes, increasing efficiency of public expenditures and to offer more tax incentives. Designers’ preliminary requirement is to analyze fiscal, economic, etc., effects of each tax form which aims to apply in accordance with tax policy objectives and to analyze the role and effects of tax incentives to each tax form. Taking into account that Kosovo regarding the application of tax incentives of CIT, compared with other countries is the last, designers by using the experiences of other countries should apply more tax incentives in order that tax policy to be more in function for economic developmen

The New partnership for Africa's Development (NEPAD): emerging conditions impacting on the implementation process

At the turn of the new century, ideas were circularly floated, arising from axiomatic concerns for development particularly in the developing nations. The idea that resonated across the continent was that the 21st century would be an African century, in which a homespun development initiative would be utilised as a central development framework. Nepad was derived from the commonality and convergence of these contentions. It advent has been embraced with mixed feelings across the divides – thereby generating discourses on its viability and uncertainty, given the development imperatives that have pervaded the continent over the years. The allusion may well be that another of its kind will be superseded that will be better organised and equipped. These debates seemingly enjoy currency without necessarily engaging the relevant theoretical models of policy implementation and the implementation analysis principles for NEPAD. This has created a missing link in the analysis of the implementation process. This standpoint has evidently provided stimulus for a critical examination of the implementation process, as the policy goals are inconsistent with the measures to achieve them. There are certain conditions that indicate the scale and magnitude of the challenges facing the implementation process of Nepad. It appears suspect, nebulous and deeply misleading given over-emphasis on ‘substance’ instead of ‘process’. To direct focus on ‘process’ offers the opportunity for holistic framework analysis of the process to probe possible externalities. This study therefore seeks to present a paradigm shift and argues that Nepad should move beyond rhetoric and rather focus more on the implementation process. The aim is to premise that ‘externalities’ that suffuse the process would in the long term gravely threaten the process and cause fragility of Nepad, but if carefully articulated would strengthen the process over the long term and cause modest, but positive dividends. The externalities provide input functions to create greater momentum in bringing the implementation closer to the policy goals of Nepad. In short, an implementation that prepares for the worst to attain the best possible.Thesis (PhD (Public Affairs))--University of Pretoria, 2007.School of Public Management and Administration (SPMA)unrestricte

Foreign and Indigenous Firms in the Media Cluster of Central London

This study uses the comparison between foreign and indigenous firms in localised clusters to gain insights into the behaviour of the former in clusters. In-depth study of 49 foreign and indigenous media firms in the soho district of central london suggests a combination of differences and similarities between them in terms of their cluster behaviour and the benefits they draw from their cluster participation. The major factor determining these differences and similarities is the extent to which internal linkages within tncs substitute for cluster linkages.tncs, clusters, media industries

Foreign direct investment in Central Europe (the Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland, Romania, and Slovakia): A study of major Western investors - Volume 1

In the wake of the fundamental changes that have occurred in the Central European countries (CEC) and the New Independent States (NIS) of the former Soviet Union (FSU) since the events of late 1989 there has been a considerable increase in the activities of major Western firms in the region via acts of foreign direct investment (EDI). In seeking to better understand the nature of such activities this thesis provides a detailed examination of FDI by major Western firms that has occurred between 1989 and the end of the first quarter of 1996 within the context of the environment identified as Central Europe (CE)(the Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland, Romania, and Slovakia). The focal point of this investigation is on a series of exploratory type questions that needed to be asked and answered, namely Why do major Western firms engage in FDI within a specific CE host country (motivational and locational factors of FDI)?; How have major Western firms invested within a specific CE host country (entry modes) and how have these modes evolved over time (evolution of ownership modes)?; What means are utilized by major Western firms to evaluate the performance of their FDIs (performance criteria) and consequently how have these direct investments performed within the chosen CE host country environment (relative performance) over time?; and What strategies have been employed by major Western firms in the CE environment (geographical and functional strategies)? The study was facilitated by an examination of the activities of Western firms operating within the CE environment through a sample of 1,222 individual local firms with foreign capital participation. In doing so, the researcher utilized an amalgamation of desk research, research questionnaires, and selected case studies. In reference to the pertinent literature, this study reinforces some previous findings, contradicts others, provides some clarification in certain areas, and also adds something new to the base of knowledge of the subject

The Democratization Process and Structural Adjustment in Africa

Globalization and Governance: The Prospects for Democracy, Symposiu

Municipal Involvement in International Relations

The purpose of this study is to examine municipal involvement in international relations in the United States. This municipal phenomenon is occurring concurrently with both a shift away from the traditional nation-centric structure of international relations under the influence of globalism as well as a sharp decline in intergovernmental aid. The research questions were: (1) What are the indicators that define municipal involvement in international relations? and (2) What is the extent of that involvement? Extensive qualitative and research was conducted in the form of an exploratory literature survey which was set forth in narrative analysis to overcome the paucity of specific research in this area. The qualitative research developed 121 indicators of municipal international involvement. The 121 indicators were analytically grouped into economic, technological, sociocultural, political, and intergovernmental relations indicator groups. The qualitative research concluded that municipal involvement in international relations was a spreading phenomenon and that many American municipalities are substantially involved in international activities. In support of the qualitative results, 32 of the 121 indicators were validated through analysis of an independent random sample quantitative cross-sectional survey of American municipalities. The survey indicated substantial but varied involvement in international activities by municipalities. Exploratory quantitative analysis indicated that 12 of the 34 indicator variables, split between the economic, sociocultural, and political constructs, contributed significantly to municipal strength as an indicator of municipal international involvement. Exploratory quantitative analysis also indicated that the 32 indicators grouped into three composite constructs; i.e., economic, sociocultural, and political activities. Analysis of the composite constructs determined that only sociocultural activities made a significant contribution to municipal strength as an indicator of the degree of international involvement. The results of this study indicated that many municipalities in the United States are involved in international relations and assisted in the definition of variables indicating the nature and extent of that involvement. Many avenues of future research are warranted

The role of accounting in handling and reporting environmental effects

The thesis investigates the broad areas of accounting's adaptability in handling and reporting environmental effects. The main purposes of the study are: firstly. to draw together the literature of environmental concern and accounting: secondly to establish whether the use of environmental accounting is practised. to ascertain whether there is a suitable medium for environmental reporting and lastly to formulate a theoretical environmental performance model. The overall orientation of the research was to consider whether accounting should break away from its traditional economic and financial principles and broaden its scope to embrace a system that echoes with "environmental concern". In order to address these issues. the methods of evaluating environmental effects are looked at, together with the methods for accounting and reporting them. For these purposes, data were collected using a cross-sectional corporate methodology. The instrument used for the survey was the postal questionnaire. The construction and content of the questionnaire were influenced by the information gleaned from the literature review and, in the main, it covered qualitative, quantitative and financial information. The evidence gathered from the research has shown that environmental accounting and reporting are being practised by a variety of companies and are also becoming more widespread, which demonstrates that accounting is playing an important role in handling environmental transactions. The research has also shown that environmental accounting and reporting are gaining a broader perspective and now embrace environmental management systems. resource efficiency, and general environmental stewardship. Overall, the study recognises and concludes that environmental accounting and reporting, although spreading. should now be supported by environmental accounting and reporting guidelines from the accountancy profession, and in time, by legislation. Also environmental reports should be verified by external auditors in order to improve their integrity and prevent them from being used as a public relations exercise

Performance requirement prohibitions in international investment law

Performance requirements act as policy instruments for achieving broadly-defined economic and developmental objectives of States. A number of States have committed to prohibiting performance requirements in international investment agreements (“IIAs.”). Performance requirement prohibitions (“PRPs”) are meant to eliminate trade-distorting performance requirements and performance requirements which replace investor decision-making by State decision-making.This dissertation focuses on providing answers to two research questions: first, how do States prohibit performance requirements in IIAs? And second, how should PRPs in IIAs be interpreted and applied?For the first time, this dissertation: proposes a unitary understanding of PRPs in IIAs; develops a detailed typology and analysis of PRPs in IIAs through the identification of systematically reproduced drafting patterns; conducts the first critical and in-depth analysis of all arbitral awards which have decided claims based on PRPs in IIAs; analyses interpretation and application issues related to provisions that exempt government procurement from PRPs and to reservations that shield sensitive non-conforming measures or strategically important sectors from PRPs; and anticipates the application of most-favoured nation (“MFN”) treatment clauses to PRPs in the future.Finally, this dissertation formulates proposals that can help interpret and apply existing PRPs and draft future PRPs in a more deliberate and informed way.Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarship ProgramThe progression of EU law: Accommodating change and upholding value