Οι κύριοι παράγοντες οι οποίοι επηρεάζουν την επιλογή του τρόπου εισόδου μίας επιχείρησης σε ξένες αγορές

Στόχος της παρούσας εργασίας: Η είσοδος των επιχειρήσεων σε ξένες αγορές είναι κρίσιμης σημασίας στην παγκοσμιοποιημένη οικονομία, συνοδεύεται ωστόσο από σημαντικό κίνδυνο, καθώς πρόκειται για ένα νέο / άγνωστο περιβάλλον από όλες τις σκοπιές, ενδεικτικά οικονομικής, πολιτικής και κοινωνικής. Η παρούσα εργασία ασχολείται με τους παράγοντες που επηρεάζουν τον τρόπο εισόδου των επιχειρήσεων σε ξένες αγορές. Καταγράφει τις βασικότερες τρέχουσες θεωρίες διεθνοποίησης, εξάγει συμπεράσματα αναφορικά με την εφαρμογή τους σε πρόσφατες μελέτες περιπτώσεων διεθνοποίησης και εν τέλει να προτείνει ένα σύντομο μοντέλο / οδηγό για τις επιχειρήσεις, αναφορικά με την επιλογή του καταλληλότερου τρόπου εισόδου. Μέθοδος προσέγγισης: Αναζητήθηκαν στην υφιστάμενη βιβλιογραφία και καταγράφηκαν α) τα υφιστάμενα θεωρητικά μοντέλα και β) πρόσφατες μελέτες περίπτωσης, αναφορικά με τον τρόπο εισόδου των επιχειρήσεων σε ξένες αγορές. Στη συνέχεια εξετάσθηκε η εφαρμογή των θεωρητικών μοντέλων σε κάθε μελέτη περίπτωσης και τέλος προτάθηκε, βάσει των προαναφερόμενων και της κρίσης του συγγραφέα, ένα σύντομο θεωρητικό μοντέλο επιλογής της καταλληλότερης μεθόδου εισόδου. Κύρια συμπεράσματα: Η παρούσα μελέτη καταλήγει στο συμπέρασμα πως οι υφιστάμενες θεωρίες διεθνοποίησης είτε δεν καταλήγουν με σαφήνεια στην επιλογή συγκεκριμένων τρόπων εισόδου σε ξένες αγορές, είτε βρίσκουν περιορισμένη εφαρμογή. Στην πράξη η επιλογή του τρόπου εισόδου φαίνεται να γίνεται γρήγορα, ήτοι υπό χρονικούς και γνωστικούς περιορισμούς, προκειμένου να εκμεταλλευθούν οι εταιρείες άμεσα τις ευκαιρίες του εξωτερικού περιβάλλοντος. Απαιτείται επομένως ένα πρακτικό μοντέλο που δίνει έμφαση στην ταχύτητα και την ευελιξία και στο τέλος της παρούσης προτείνεται ένα σύντομο τέτοιο μοντέλο. Θέματα για μελλοντική διερεύνηση: Δεδομένων των χρονικών και θεματικών περιορισμών της παρούσης, προτείνεται ως θέμα μελλοντικής διερεύνησης η εμβάθυνση στα κεφάλαια της παρούσης: α) Πληρέστερη σύνοψη του θεωρητικού πλαισίου με περίληψη ενδεχομένως και πιο σύγχρονων θεωριών, β) ανάλυση περισσότερων και πιο πρόσφατων μελετών περίπτωσης, καθώς και μελετών τις οποίες η παρούσα δεν περιέλαβε για οικονομικούς λόγους και γ) η επέκταση του προτεινόμενου σύντομου πρακτικού μοντέλου με περισσότερους παράγοντες.Thesis goals: In this globalized environment, entering new markets is crucial for corporations. Such moves are accompanied by significant risk however, due to the lack of economical, political, social etc. knowledge for such new markets. The present study investigates the factors that play a key role in deciding which entry mode corporations select. It lists the currently most popular relevant theories, draws conclusions on their applicancy on a select number of contemporary case studies and finally suggests a short practical model to guide corporations in selecting the most appropriate entry mode. Methodology: I searched the existing bibliography for the most popular theoretical models, as well as contemporary case studies. Then I investigated the applicancy of said models on said studies and finally I proposed a short practical model for selecting the most appropriate entry mode. Main conclusions: The present study concludes that the existing theoretical internationalization models are either do not propose specific entry modes, or are of limited application. In practice, corporations seem to choose quickly a mode of entry under time & knowledge constraints, in order to take advantage of market opportunities. Thus, a practical, speedy and flexible model is necessary and in its last chapter, the present study proposes such a model. Proposed future research: Due to the thematic and time related constraints of the present study, I propose that further research be done on a) the theoretical internationalization models, b) contemporary case studies, especially those that the present study could not access for financial reasons and c) the proposed practical model for choosing the appropriate mode of entry

A Direct Model Predictive Control Strategy of Back-to-Back Modular Multilevel Converters Using Arm Energy Estimation

This paper presents a model predictive control (MPC) algorithm for modular multilevel converters (MMCs). To meet the control objectives of phase current reference tracking and circulating current minimization, the proposed control scheme calculates the optimal number of submodules (SMs) to be inserted in each arm. In doing so, favorable steady-state and dynamic performance is achieved. More-over, by estimating-instead of measuring-the arm energies in the predictive stage of the control loop, the proposed control scheme results in self-stabilizing open-loop arm energy balancing, while avoiding potential stability issues. Furthermore, to reduce the computational complexity of the MPC algorithm, the optimization problem is simplified by controlling each phase separately and assuming that the SM capacitors are balanced within an arm. To ensure that this assumption is always satisfied, a subsequent capacitor voltage balancing algorithm is designed to select the individual SMs that are switched on and off. The performance of the proposed control strategy is validated with simulations for a high voltage dc system (HVDC) that consists of two MMCs with 20 SMs per arm in a back-to-back configuration.acceptedVersionPeer reviewe

Highlights of the 2009 scientific sessions of the European Society of Cardiology

The annual congress of the European Society of Cardiology (ESC) was held in Barcelona, Spain, August 29 to September 2, 2009. The total attendance was 31,323 participants from 136 different countries. Excellent congress facilities hosted 237 pre-arranged sessions in 30 meeting rooms running in parallel, including several joint sessions in collaboration with other societies (e.g., the American College of Cardiology, the American Heart Association, and the World Heart Federation). A total of 9,848 abstracts from 96 different countries was submitted, and 4,085 (42%) abstracts were selected for presentation

Gastrointestinal and Extragastrointestinal Stromal Tumors: Report of Two Cases and Review of the Literature

We present two cases, one of a gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST) in the stomach and one of an extragastrointestinal stromal tumor (EGIST) in the hepatogastric ligament, which were discovered as incidental findings during computed tomography (CT) scans performed for other reasons. In both cases the diagnosis of the tumor was confirmed histologically and immunohistochemically. During the follow-up CT examinations these tumors proved to have a completely different natural course. The first case refers to an 82-year-old male patient with GIST of the stomach who refused to be operated and was followed by CT scans for a 4-year period. This patient did not show any significant changes in the morphology, size and density of the lesion. The second case refers to a 58-year-old female patient with EGIST of the hepatogastric ligament who presented with simultaneous liver metastases and remained healthy for 2 years after surgical resection, but developed local recurrence later. As a conclusion, both GISTs/EGISTs can be revealed as incidental findings in a CT scan performed for other purposes. Moreover, an untreated GIST located in the stomach can remain unchanged and without metastatic lesions for a long period of time, as in our case for a 4-year period. To our knowledge, this is the first report in the literature in whom a GIST was proved to remain almost unchanged for many years without any treatment, and we therefore attempt a further review of the current literature on stromal tumors

IRIDA Phenotype in TMPRSS6 Monoallelic-Affected Patients: Toward a Better Understanding of the Pathophysiology

Iron-refractory iron deficiency anemia (IRIDA) is an autosomal recessive inherited form of iron deficiency anemia characterized by discrepantly high hepcidin levels relative to body iron status. However, patients with monoallelic exonic TMPRSS6 variants have also been reported to express the IRIDA phenotype. The pathogenesis of an IRIDA phenotype in these patients is unknown and causes diagnostic uncertainty. Therefore, we retrospectively summarized the data of 16 patients (4 men, 12 women) who expressed the IRIDA phenotype in the presence of only a monoallelic TMPRSS6 variant. Eight unaffected relatives with identical exonic TMPRSS6 variants were used as controls. Haplotype analysis was performed to assess the (intra)genetic differences between patients and relatives. The expression and severity of the IRIDA phenotype were highly variable. Compared with their relatives, patients showed lower Hb, MCV, and TSAT/hepcidin ratios and inherited a different wild-type allele. We conclude that IRIDA in monoallelic TMPRSS6-affected patients is a phenotypically and genotypically heterogeneous disease that is more common in female patients. We hypothesize that allelic imbalance, polygenetic inheritance, or modulating environmental factors and their complex interplay are possible causes. This explorative study is the first step toward improved insights into the pathophysiology and improved diagnostic accuracy for patients presenting with IRIDA and a monoallelic exonic TMPRSS6 variant

Statins and Left Ventricular Function

Background: Statins are a well-established class of drugs in both preventing coronary events and treating cardiovascular atherosclerotic disease, however their use in heart failure is still in debate. Objectives: To establish whether statins' pleiotropic actions in endothelium, inflammation, remodeling of the heart and anti-arrhythmic potential may be in favorable of heart failure patients. Methods: We proceed to literature search of English bibliography under the terms heart failure, statins, 3hydroxy- 3-methylglutaryl-coenzyme A reductase inhibitors. Results: Various experimental and clinical trials on the use of statins in the different subtypes of heart failure according to the ejection fraction of the left ventricle have been conducted to conclude whether statins should be part of their patients' treatment. The evidence shows that the subgroup of patients with ischemic heart disease and those with preserved ejection fraction seems to have better results from the use of statins although randomized control trial in the total heart failure population did not show any benefit in mortality. Conclusion: Statins may be beneficial to left ventricle systolic and diastolic performance of heart failure patients however their result in mortality cannot be established based on current evidence