Influence of institutional context on high-growth entrepreneurship

This research aimed to explore the influence of the institutional context on the growth-potential of new businesses in South Africa. The purpose of this study is to highlight the major responsibility of bureaucracy to enable high-growth entrepreneurship in emerging economies by building a favourable economic, social and legal environment, known as the institutional context.An adapted research model was defined through an extensive literature review of prior studies in the fields of both institutional theory and entrepreneurship theory. An online survey was administered to many South African entrepreneurs via a number of databases across the country. The responses were then collected and analysed by means of a multiple regression analysis to test the six hypotheses of the research model.The results revealed that all the identified institutional factors were found to have significant influences on high-growth entrepreneurship in the intended directions, while access to technology was found to have the largest influence, and the regulatory framework also contributed substantially. This implies that the bureaucracy of the country has to consider all the identified factors when attempting to design a supportive institutional environment to stimulate high-growth entrepreneurship. However, the greatest results will be achieved by focusing specifically on the access to an extensive technological infrastructure and an effective regulatory framework.Dissertation (MBA)--University of Pretoria, 2012.Gordon Institute of Business Science (GIBS)unrestricte

An all-electrical torque differential magnetometer operating under ambient conditions

An all-electrical torque differential magnetometry (also known as cantilever magnetometry) setup employing piezoelectric quartz tuning forks is demonstrated. The magnetometer can be operated under ambient conditions as well as low temperatures and pressures. It extends the allowed specimen mass range up to several 10 $\mu$g without any significant reduction in the sensitivity. Operation under ambient conditions and a simple all-electrical design of the magnetometer should allow for an easy integration with other experimental setups. The uniaxial magnetic anisotropy of a 25 $\mu$m diameter iron wire, measured under ambient conditions with a high signal to noise ratio, was found to be in good agreement with its literature value. Further applications of the technique are discussed.Comment: 9 two-column pages, 9 figure

The safety and comfort of a patient during robot-based positioning for accurate radiotherapy

Thesis (MScIng)--University of Stellenbosch, 2004.Please refer to full text for abstract

A new approach to the South China Sea disputes: confronting new realities and harmonizing cooperative resource management with the creation of joint marine protected areas

Bibliography: p. 93-98Some pages are in colour

The China Question: a Window of Opportunity

The twenty-first century presents a new atmosphere of maritime security issues in East Asia focusing on the “China Question”. China, given current prominent modernization motives in the military, political, economic, and foreign policy spheres, will find itself with a window of opportunity to indisputably assert its identity and regional claims. American shortcomings in its littoral/green water strategy and intelligence gathering, the new security threat in the post September 11th atmosphere, and misconceptions in American economic engagement policy with the PRC will accentuate this window of opportunity. By the end of the decade, China could hold the advantage in green water naval superiority within the region. With a huge population base and an emerging middle class, China is becoming a nation with enormous economic potential. However, much like western powers such as Britain and the United States, economic success requires regional influence and the protection of national interests. China has an active naval modernization program within its armed forces. Chinese ability to assert such power, however, is not solely dependant upon the modernization of the People’s Republic of China’s (PRC) navy via continued Russian arms transfers and increased domestic shipbuilding. It is also necessary to consider American littoral/green water strategy and intelligence gathering, the new security environment in the post September 11th world, and American economic engagement policy with the PRC. It is also necessary to consider Chinese activity in South East Asia (SEA) including its relations with Myanmar as well as its resource exploration in the South China Sea (SCS). Given these factors, China could find itself in an ideal position to safely protect its present and future national interests

ENVILAB: Measuring phytoplankton in-vivo absorption and scattering properties under tunable environmental conditions

Optical remote sensing of phytoplankton draws on distinctive spectral features which can vary with both species and environmental conditions. Here, we present a set-up (ENVILAB) for growing phytoplankton under well-defined light, temperature and nutrient conditions. The custom-built light source enables creation of light with spectral composition similar to natural aquatic environments. Spectral tuning allows for light quality studies. Attenuation is monitored with a spectrometer in transmission mode. In combination with automated spectrophotometer and fluorimeter measurements, absorption and excitationemission-fluorescence spectra are recorded. The set-up opens the door for systematic studies on phytoplankton optical properties and physiology

Kammerstücke

score (162 p.) 28 cm