What Lessons have been learnt since the East Asian Crisis in 1997/98? CIBS, Capital Flows, and Exchange Rates

This paper discusses the movement of capital flows to and from the exchange rate regimes and monetary policies of China, India, Brazil, and South Africa (CIBS). Furthermore, we compare the level of financial stability, and the composition and duration of capital flows of the countries on a policy level according to the ? ?third generation? crisis models?; following which the East Asian Crisis of 1997/98 linkages between the corporate and financial sectors, and foreign short-term debt are given further attention. The paper concludes by comparing all four countries and analysing possible risks in CIBS financial systems.international financial markets, financial stability, capital flows, exchange rates, China, India, Brazil, South Africa

Multidimensional en-face OCT imaging of the retina.

Fast T-scanning (transverse scanning, en-face) was used to build B-scan or C-scan optical coherence tomography (OCT) images of the retina. Several unique signature patterns of en-face (coronal) are reviewed in conjunction with associated confocal images of the fundus and B-scan OCT images. Benefits in combining T-scan OCT with confocal imaging to generate pairs of OCT and confocal images similar to those generated by scanning laser ophthalmoscopy (SLO) are discussed in comparison with the spectral OCT systems. The multichannel potential of the OCT/SLO system is demonstrated with the addition of a third hardware channel which acquires and generates indocyanine green (ICG) fluorescence images. The OCT, confocal SLO and ICG fluorescence images are simultaneously presented in a two or a three screen format. A fourth channel which displays a live mix of frames of the ICG sequence superimposed on the corresponding coronal OCT slices for immediate multidimensional comparison, is also included. OSA ISP software is employed to illustrate the synergy between the simultaneously provided perspectives. This synergy promotes interpretation of information by enhancing diagnostic comparisons and facilitates internal correction of movement artifacts within C-scan and B-scan OCT images using information provided by the SLO channel

SELF-LEADERSHIP IN PURPOSE-DRIVEN ORGANIZATIONS: ANALYZING HUMAN PERCEPTION FOR MORE INTEGRATED DECISION-MAKING

Productive decision-making requires appropriate perception of the facts relevant to the decision. It may be necessary to perceive and integrate diverse and conflicting perspectives appearing inside and outside of the decision-maker. Therefore I scrutinize theoretical and empirical findings on individual human perception as a basis for decision-making and behaviour. Special attention lies on the role of the unconscious (e.g. Bargh, 2006), dual-system approaches (e.g. Kahneman & Frederick, 2002), self-regulation (e.g. Muraven, Baumeister & Tice, 1999, Moffitt et al., 2011), and self-leadership (e.g. Manz, 2013). From this foundation I derive guiding self-leadership guidelines for more sustainable internal balancing and more comprehensive integration of external stimuli. Such self-leadership guidelines allow leaders and organizations to identify blind spots more easily and to improve the perception of the inside and the environment. In purpose-driven organizations with distributed authority, the power to decide is distributed among those employees who appear to be competent for the specific topic. Therefore especially within such organizations this self-leadership competency appears to be crucial for success

Seeing through two lenses: applying actor-centred and structural perspectives to understand farmer innovation and technological change

Science and technology can make a major contribution to ending hunger, achieving food security and improving nutrition. Developing and spreading of innovations in agriculture and nutrition therefore is a main objective of international agricultural research. Despite decades of research, understanding the complex processes around technological change by small-scale farmers remains a challenge for researchers. Whereas behavioural approaches often neglect the influence of the wider innovation systems, approaches that focus on larger systemic challenges tend to downplay human agency. Research approaches that analytically differentiate structural and actor-centred perspectives and their interplay hold potential for more nuanced understanding of farmer innovation and technological change. This thesis reviewed and explored the application of approaches that aim to understand farmer innovation and technological change through the interplay of two analytical lenses: actor-centred and structural. The three empirical research studies addressed different aspects of agriculture and nutrition, and included multiple study locations. Although each of the studies had its own objectives, they all relate to analytical dualism. In this regard, the study approaches separately focused on actor-centred and structural perspectives, and analysed how these influenced each other. Data collection and analysis in the empirical chapters followed these principles by developing and applying adapted conceptualisations of seed systems and agricultural innovation systems. The systematic literature review in Chapter 2 provided an overview on methods for studying farmers choices and demand for seed of roots, tuber and banana crops. The review identified 46 studies in which researchers studied various aspects and types of farmers demand for seed of five crops in 18 countries. The qualitative analysis and categorization of the identified studies have led into a classification scheme. In one type of studies farmers expressed their preferences and choices through surveys or engagements in trials, auctions, choice experiments and interviews (explicit demand articulation). In another types of studies, researchers characterized farmers use of varieties through determinants of adoption, current seed management practices or the functioning of their seed and farming systems (implicit demand articulation). The study of the cassava seed system in Chapter 3 developed and applied a research approach that recognizes the interplay between farmers demand for seed and the seed supply functions of the cassava seed system in Nigeria. The farmers maintained and gradually replaced a portfolio of varieties from multiple sources that reflected individual trait preferences. The national agriculture development program alone did not have the capacity to supply farmers with sufficient seed of desired varieties. Exchange between farmers and informal seed sellers contributed to the distribution of seed and new varieties. Informal seed sellers and decentralized seed multipliers have the potential to respond to farmers heterogeneous demands. However, they would need continuous support from formal seed system actors to reach underserved markets. The study of innovation and scaling in Kenya and Uganda in Chapter 4 analysed innovation processes in agriculture and nutrition through farmer-centred and structural perspectives. In an international research and development project, researchers introduced farmers to new agriculture and nutrition practices in action learning activities. The farmers selected, adapted and combined the promoted practices according to their individual preferences and needs. In addition to the researchers from the project, a wide range of innovation support providers encouraged farmers to develop innovations in farming, marketing, and nutrition. Promoting farmer innovation processes beyond the project sites and duration would require the engagement of multiple innovation support providers in creating an enabling environment for experimentation and demand articulation. Analysing the empirical chapters with the overarching theoretical framework of the thesis highlights how structural conditions of seed systems and agricultural innovation systems influenced farmer innovation or technological change processes. The cases also illustrate how farmers reacted upon these conditions through social interactions. As a major finding, the analysis points out that the process of structural elaboration how the agency of farmers influenced structural conditions - remains limited across the empirical chapters. This indicates a need to empower actors in articulating their demands for research and extension services and shaping their institutional environments.Wissenschaft und Technologie können einen wichtigen Beitrag zur Erreichung der Ernährungssicherheit und zur Verbesserung der Ernährung leisten. Die Entwicklung und Verbreitung von Innovationen in Landwirtschaft und Ernährung ist daher ein Hauptziel der internationalen Agrarforschung. Jedoch bleibt das Verständnis der komplexen Prozesse rund um den technologischen Wandel durch Kleinbauern eine Herausforderung für die Wissenschaft. Während verhaltensorientierte Ansätze häufig den Einfluss der umfassenderen Innovationssysteme vernachlässigen, neigen Ansätze zur Lösung von systemischen Herausforderungen, das menschliche Handeln herunterzuspielen. Forschungsansätze, die strukturelle und akteurszentrierte Perspektiven und deren Zusammenspiel analytisch differenzieren, haben Potenzial für ein differenzierteres Verständnis von bäuerlicher Innovation und technologischem Wandel. In dieser Arbeit wurde die Anwendung von Ansätzen erforscht, die bäuerliche Innovation und technologischen Wandel durch das Zusammenspiel von zwei analytischen Linsen untersucht: einer handlungsbezogenen und einer strukturbezogenen. Die drei empirischen Forschungsarbeiten behandelten unterschiedliche Aspekte von Landwirtschaft und Ernährung, und beziehen sie sich alle auf den analytischen Dualismus. Hierbei konzentrierten sich die Studien getrennt auf handlungsbezogene und strukturbezogene Perspektiven und analysierten, wie diese sich gegenseitig beeinflussen. Die systematische Literaturrecherche in Kapitel 2 gab einen Überblick über Methoden zur Untersuchung von Bedarfen von Landwirten zu Saatgut von Wurzel-, Knollen- und Bananenkulturen. Dabei wurden 46 Studien ermittelt, in denen Forscher verschiedene Aspekte und Typen von Bedarfen der Landwirte nach Saatgut untersuchten. Die qualitative Analyse und Kategorisierung der identifizierten Studien führte zu einem Klassifizierungsschema. In einer Art von Studien drückten die Landwirte ihre Präferenzen und Entscheidungen durch Umfragen oder die Teilnahme an Versuchen, Auktionen, Choice-Experimenten und Interviews aus (explizite Bedarfsartikulation). In einer anderen Art von Studien charakterisierten die Forscher die Nutzung von Sorten anhand von Adoptionsfaktoren, Saatgutmanagementpraktiken oder der Funktionsweise ihrer Saatgut- und Farmsysteme (implizite Bedarfsartikulation). In der Studie über das Manioksaatgutsystem in Kapitel 3 wurde ein Forschungsansatz entwickelt und angewandt, der das Zusammenspiel zwischen dem Bedarf der Landwirte nach Saatgut und den Funktionen des Saatgutangebots des Manioksaatgutsystems in Nigeria aufzeigt. Die Landwirte unterhielten und ersetzten nach und nach ein Portfolio von Sorten aus verschiedenen Quellen, die individuelle Merkmalspräferenzen widerspiegelten. Das nationale Landwirtschaftsentwicklungsprogramm allein war nicht in der Lage, die Bauern mit ausreichend Saatgut der gewünschten Sorten zu versorgen. Der Austausch zwischen Bauern und informellen Saatguthändlern trug zur Verbreitung von Saatgut und neuen Sorten bei. Informelle Saatguthändler und dezentrale Saatgutvermehrer haben das Potenzial, auf die heterogenen Bedarfe der Bauern zu reagieren, bräuchten jedoch kontinuierliche Unterstützung durch die Akteure des formellen Saatgutsystems. In der Studie über Innovation und Skalierung in Kenia und Uganda in Kapitel 4 wurden Innovationsprozesse in der Landwirtschaft und Ernährung aus bäuerlicher und struktureller Perspektive analysiert. Im Rahmen eines internationalen Forschungs- und Entwicklungsprojekts stellten Forscher den Bauern neue Landwirtschafts- und Ernährungspraktiken vor. Die Landwirte wählten, adaptierten und kombinierten die vorgestellten Praktiken nach ihren individuellen Präferenzen und Bedürfnissen. Darüber hinaus ermutigte ein breites Spektrum an Innovationsunterstützern die Landwirte, Innovationen in den Bereichen Landwirtschaft, Vermarktung und Ernährung zu entwickeln. Die Förderung bäuerlicher Innovationsprozesse über die Projektstandorte und -dauer hinaus würde das Engagement mehrerer Innovationsunterstützer zur Schaffung eines förderlichen Umfelds für bäuerliche Forschung und Bedarfsartikulation erfordern. Die Analyse der empirischen Kapitel mit dem übergreifenden theoretischen Rahmen dieser Arbeit zeigt, wie die strukturellen Bedingungen der Saatgutsysteme und der landwirtschaftlichen Innovationssysteme bäuerlichen Innovations- oder technologische Veränderungsprozesse beeinflussten. Die Fälle veranschaulichen auch, wie die Landwirte auf diese Bedingungen durch soziale Interaktionen reagierten. Ein wichtiges Ergebnis der Analyse ist, dass der Prozess der strukturellen Umgestaltung - also die Art und Weise, wie die Landwirte die strukturellen Bedingungen beeinflussten - in allen empirischen Kapiteln eingeschränkt bleibt. Dies verdeutlicht, dass die Akteure in die Lage versetzt werden müssen, ihre Bedarfe an Forschungs- und Beratungsdienstleistungen zu artikulieren und ihr institutionelles Umfeld mitzugestalten

How differentiated politicisation affects voting behaviour in the Council of the European Union

Decision-making in the Council of the European Union has long been characterised by a depoliticised consensus culture. Yet, as Brigitte Pircher explains, this has changed in the wake of multiple crises and increased politicisation of the integration process. Drawing on a new study, she illustrates how different facets of politicisation are uploaded from the member states to the EU level and subsequently affect governments’ voting behaviour in the Council

SELF-LEADERSHIP IN PURPOSE-DRIVEN ORGANIZATIONS: ANALYZING HUMAN PERCEPTION FOR MORE INTEGRATED DECISION-MAKING

Productive decision-making requires appropriate perception of the facts relevant to the decision. It may be necessary to perceive and integrate diverse and conflicting perspectives appearing inside and outside of the decision-maker. Therefore I scrutinize theoretical and empirical findings on individual human perception as a basis for decision-making and behaviour. Special attention lies on the role of the unconscious (e.g. Bargh, 2006), dual-system approaches (e.g. Kahneman & Frederick, 2002), self-regulation (e.g. Muraven, Baumeister & Tice, 1999, Moffitt et al., 2011), and self-leadership (e.g. Manz, 2013). From this foundation I derive guiding self-leadership guidelines for more sustainable internal balancing and more comprehensive integration of external stimuli. Such self-leadership guidelines allow leaders and organizations to identify blind spots more easily and to improve the perception of the inside and the environment. In purpose-driven organizations with distributed authority, the power to decide is distributed among those employees who appear to be competent for the specific topic. Therefore especially within such organizations this self-leadership competency appears to be crucial for success

LEADERSHIP IN VOLATILE TIMES

Today many companies have to struggle with different challenges such as having to face increasing volatility and ambiguity in the markets. From a global perspective, the average engagement of employees is very low. Managers tend to be overloaded with data and lose contact to the strategic perspective. Hence there are several examples of companies and NPOs which have found ways to solve problems like these. They function on the basis of a self-organization with decentralized decision-making instead of a hierarchical pyramid. Despite distinct features in detail, this kind of a relatively new way of organizing may be summarized with the following characteristics: purpose-driven, distributed authority, self-management, and wholeness. In this paper, I review characteristics, strengths and challenges of these approaches based on a literature review and case studies. Some popular misconceptions are also addressed. The paper shows different approaches of how to implement or rather integrate self-organization with decentralized decision-making. Furthermore, some topics are discussed which may become crucial during such an organizational change process

LEADERSHIP IN VOLATILE TIMES

Today many companies have to struggle with different challenges such as having to face increasing volatility and ambiguity in the markets. From a global perspective, the average engagement of employees is very low. Managers tend to be overloaded with data and lose contact to the strategic perspective. Hence there are several examples of companies and NPOs which have found ways to solve problems like these. They function on the basis of a self-organization with decentralized decision-making instead of a hierarchical pyramid. Despite distinct features in detail, this kind of a relatively new way of organizing may be summarized with the following characteristics: purpose-driven, distributed authority, self-management, and wholeness. In this paper, I review characteristics, strengths and challenges of these approaches based on a literature review and case studies. Some popular misconceptions are also addressed. The paper shows different approaches of how to implement or rather integrate self-organization with decentralized decision-making. Furthermore, some topics are discussed which may become crucial during such an organizational change process