lap lambert academic publishing jul 2010 (717 Ergebnisse)

Taschenbuch. Zustand: Neu. This item is printed on demand - it takes 3-4 days longer - Neuware -This thesis explores Marxist imagery in American horror films and how American society reflects them. Often, the monsters in these films represent the average citizen's contribution to the horror of society, and the heroes represent our quest to overcome them. Using The Texas Chainsaw Massacre as a template, and covering a wide spectrum of zombies, vampires, and the generally insane, this work explores in-depth the role of the viewer in both film and society. 116 pp. Englisch.

Taschenbuch. Zustand: Neu. This item is printed on demand - it takes 3-4 days longer - Neuware -This book investigates the impact of the Times of Zambia gender policy on journalistic practices. The policy was formulated to address issues of representation of women both in news coverage and at an institutional level. In spite of the implementation of the editorial gender policy, no change in gendered representation is evident. The book is informed by a Cultural Studies approach to media studies, specifically drawing on the circuit of culture' (du Guy et al, 1997) and focused on two specific moments', namely representation and production. Data was collected using two qualitative methods, namely document analysis and semi-structured in-depth interviews. The document analysis established that this policy is informed by a liberal feminist approach to media and identified the weaknesses in its formulation. The subsequent semi-structured in-depth interviews probed the practices and perceptions of male and female journalists and editors in relation to the degree of change in gendered representation in the news. 116 pp. Englisch.

Taschenbuch. Zustand: Neu. This item is printed on demand - it takes 3-4 days longer - Neuware -Research studies on issues affecting female doctoral students' success has shown the mentoring relationship to be a theme throughout research. Studies have examined the importance of female faculty academic mentoring relationships in relation to doctoral students' feelings of satisfaction with the program and institution; however, few studies have explored the influence of this relationship on female doctoral students' degree completion. With the projected rise in female enrollments in doctoral programs, it is beneficial to understand the relationship between the female doctoral student and the female faculty academic mentor. The perceptions of female doctoral students and their experiences in the dissertation writing process were explored in this phenomenological study. The participants' responses signified the importance of centric interaction with the faculty academic mentor. The findings provided evidence that there are certain issues that are important to female doctoral students with female faculty academic mentors, and that specific elements of mentoring are more useful to the female doctoral students and their success in the doctoral program. 100 pp. Englisch.

Taschenbuch. Zustand: Neu. This item is printed on demand - it takes 3-4 days longer - Neuware -Mexico is becoming a 'Global Actor' whereas EU is consolidating as a 'Global Civil Power'. Latin America is traditionally one of the most important areas for Mexican Foreign Policy as well as it constitutes an important region for testing to what extent is EU capable to extend its influence over its periphery. In this framework, 'The Economic Partnership, Political Coordination and Cooperation Agreement EU-Mexico' allowed Mexico to be an EU 'privileged partner' for setting up a Bi-regional Strategic Partnership EU-LAC. This book provides the evolution of Mexican Foreign (Trade) Policy towards Europe, as well as the EU political and economical strategy in Latin America over the last ten years. Finally, it states the challenges for both regions taking in mind the International Agenda for XXIst Century. The contents of this manuscript should be useful to academic community who analyse the application of principles in EU negotiations toward third countries with special emphasize in those of Latin America. In addition, it can shed some light for decision-makers, diplomats and businessmen interested on legal framework ruling the trade relations among the referred regions. 88 pp. Englisch.

Taschenbuch. Zustand: Neu. This item is printed on demand - it takes 3-4 days longer - Neuware -Contemporarily, the sophistication of financial markets coupled with possibilities of high volatilities, thinning of margin and shareholder value erosion have necessitated the search for a model that could have predictive powers which fund managers would leverage on to help with risk management phenomenon. Value-at-Risk (VaR) has recently become popular as an alternative risk measure especially with the traditional beta ( ) measure of market risk coming under heavy critism due to the heightened concern expressed by financial experts as to whether it actually captures and appropriately price the risk of the market. VaR has been defined as a summary measure that indicates the worst loss that could occur to a portfolio or a single asset over a target horizon with a given level of confidence. The research took a cursory look at the empirical relationship that exists between this rapidly evolving measure of risk and its influence on the everyday asset allocation decisions that fund managers are involved with and to discover how this links with portfolio performance at various allocation mixes. To simplify the approach, only two classes of assets were considered; equity and cash. 88 pp. Englisch.

Taschenbuch. Zustand: Neu. This item is printed on demand - it takes 3-4 days longer - Neuware -Global linkages are as important as local networks for firms geographically located in regions with export oriented agro-commodity production. In these cases, regional economic growth is associated with enhancing competitive capabilities of those firms within global agro-commodity chains. The latter have internal governance structures with different patterns and dynamics that condition those upgrading possibilities. Based on groundnut trade between Argentinean and European firms within the European Shelled Groundnut Chain, this paper clearly illustrates this statement. The quasi-hierarchical governance structure of this chain allows Argentinean firms to implement only some basic types of upgrading strategies. Even after important changes at the end of the 1990s, the quasi-hierarchical structure remains and, hence, only process and product upgrading are achievable for actors, like Argentinean primary processors, locked into lower value stages within the chain. 52 pp. Englisch.

Taschenbuch. Zustand: Neu. This item is printed on demand - it takes 3-4 days longer - Neuware -In bid to stay competitive in the industry, SMEs have to apply several formal marketing techniques which will help them edge past their competitors regardless of the many operational challenges they are facing. Moreover, through the first questionnaire the authors realized that if the case company could appreciate the use of marketing techniques in the market, it would gain more market share hence realizing organic growth. However this entirely depends on the leadership and management teams which also have to be innovative in the market place which will eventually create value for the customers who tend to be loyal and as such purchase the service or product repeatedly. In addition, the management and leadership teams should seek cultural integration and talent which will enable the SMEs to achieve their vision hence survival in the business. 108 pp. Englisch.

Taschenbuch. Zustand: Neu. This item is printed on demand - it takes 3-4 days longer - Neuware -This book examines the relationship between the perceived corporate ethical behaviour and Brand Trust in the innovative online environment. Hitherto there has been extremely limited literature about this issue and Delgado's Brand Trust model is associated for the first time with the characteristics of an ethical company. The existing bibliography is sketched, touching upon the interaction of CSR and Brand Trust in the novel communicative context of the Internet. Mixed methodology, by means of small-scale survey and in-depth interviews, was used in order to integrate the quantitative and the qualitative results for an overall interpretation of the research issues. Internet is found to be the most appropriate medium for communicating CSR to contemporary, more ethically oriented consumers that expect from companies to manifest social responsibility and concern. Through the use of SPSS, data analysis supports the initial presupposition that Brand Trust and perceived ethical behaviour correlate strongly. 64 pp. Englisch.

Taschenbuch. Zustand: Neu. This item is printed on demand - it takes 3-4 days longer - Neuware -Individual level factors related to the successor have a central role to play in the succession process of the business. When these factors are viewed in relation to succession planning models, these factors have a direct relation to the succession models in terms of success or failure of the succession process. The major contributing factor to the success or failure of the succession process is that of the leadership provided to the organization by the predecessor. These leadership qualities change from one form to another during different phases of the succession planning models. This Book reviews available succession planning models and try to converg them into a single model considering the individual level factors related to succession planning. 76 pp. Englisch.

Taschenbuch. Zustand: Neu. This item is printed on demand - it takes 3-4 days longer - Neuware -Nowadays internationalization has become a growing trend for companies to expand their businesses. The global market place provides various attractive opportunities, nevertheless hides many challenges and risks. Thus taking into account the increasing role of internationalization for a company's survival and the complexity it possesses, the issues related to the internationalization are of increasing significance. The investigation part is devoted to the analyse of a French transportation and logistics service company 'MTE' Lmt internationalization process. It has launched a joint venture with Latvian log transportation company 'HTML' Lmt in order to satisfy French forestry sector demand of log transportation services. The purpose of the present thesis is to investigate and analyse the French company's 'MTE' Lmt internationalization process by identifying the main motivation factors to launch international activities, company's internal and external environment factors influencing the choice of foreign market entry mode. At the same time, various international risk groups will be identified that have created challenges in the joint venture collaboration process. 88 pp. Englisch.

Taschenbuch. Zustand: Neu. This item is printed on demand - it takes 3-4 days longer - Neuware -This book deals with PPP in different countries especially in the Czech Republic, Great Britain, South Africa and USA. Because the issue of PPP is really extensive this book is focused just on financing of this type of projects. To be able to analyze situation in mentioned countries just one part of financing of PPP project, Public Sector Comparator (PSC), was chosen. Every country has its own approach to PSC and the aim of this book is to compare advantages and disadvantages of PSC methodic in individual countries and create a recommendations for application of possible improvements into Czech PSC methodic. 80 pp. Englisch.

Taschenbuch. Zustand: Neu. This item is printed on demand - it takes 3-4 days longer - Neuware -Recent scholarship underscores the importance of industry-universities collaboration as an important organizational form for knowledge creation within the national system of innovation (NSI), especially in stimulating new technologies. There are two broad assumptions underlying the establishment and management of universities. The first one is that universities are set up to perform certain well defined functions such as teaching, research and knowledge production and could remain outside the broad national, cultural and political influence. Second, and specific to the research function, the notion of research and development (R&D) without much attention to downstream activities that involve commercialization, limits the relevance of university research. This book based on sound empirical and theoretical scholarship advances considerably our understanding of these issues within a development context. We strongly recommend it to all those interested in the development debate. 72 pp. Englisch.

Taschenbuch. Zustand: Neu. This item is printed on demand - it takes 3-4 days longer - Neuware -The objective of the project is to propose a national plan to place successfully organic products in the local market. The present study collects primary information from producers, consumers and retailers in order to clarify certain hypotheses and propose an action plan addressing all the issues identified. The national plan addresses all the issues identified during the research. Moreover, it is in line with the European Action Plan for Organic Food and Farming, initiated by the European Commission. The proposed measures will be introduced in a multidimensional level and in an integrated manner. In this respect, the measures proposed lay within four levels: production, marketing, legislative/ institutional, and other supportive measures. As regards the action plan itself it is proposed to last for five years. An outline of the actions to be taken during this period, including who, what, when and where, is also proposed. Concerning the benefit/cost analysis it is concluded that between the alternative option 'do nothing' the plan could lead to increased consumer and producer surplus and expand the market of organic products. 120 pp. Englisch.

Taschenbuch. Zustand: Neu. This item is printed on demand - it takes 3-4 days longer - Neuware -This book is composed of three essays which met the requirement for a PhD in the Applied Economics Program at Auburn University. After taking a course in economic development, I became interested in microfinance institutions, impact analysis, economic growth, and asymmetric information. Each essay is unique and serves a distinct purpose. The first uses data graciously provided by a Norwegian Economist, Dr. Roy Mersland, on a large global sample of small microfinance institutions. The data provided allowed for correct scale and production elasticity computation to show the constraints of reaching the poorest of the poor. The second essay compares scale based on MFI type. The results show that productive efficiency is reached with NGOs over Rural Banks, indicates lending to woman drives scale, and compares average scale by region. While attending a microfinance conference at the ULB (Universite de Bruxelles), I had the pleasure of comparing my results to Mr. Nawaz's work, a student at the University of Gottingen. The third essay incorporates borrowed funds and off-balance sheet activity which results in an exciting tale that corresponds to the Wall Street Collapse of 2007. 88 pp. Englisch.

Taschenbuch. Zustand: Neu. This item is printed on demand - it takes 3-4 days longer - Neuware -Height is an important indicator of Body Mass Index (BMI) to assess nutritional status in elderly. BMI can be used to assess risk of Chronic Energy Deficiency (CED) and obesity. However, measurement of stature in elderly cannot be conducted perfectly due to kyphosis and scoliosis. It may be more appropriate to estimate stature from measurement of other skeletal segments such as knee height, arm span and sitting height. Aging process does not influence length of arm, leg (knee) and vertebral bone. Arm span is less influenced by aging. Reduction of arm span on elderly is slower than height, so that it is recommended as a parameter for stature prediction. Sitting height can also be used to predict the stature of elderly, but tend to decrease along with aging. The predicted height in elderly is considered as quite valid in developing anthropometry index and taking interpretation of the measurement of body composition. The Indonesian elderly can use the three predictors to estimate their height which put in the Nutritional Status Assessment of Elderly. 80 pp. Englisch.

Taschenbuch. Zustand: Neu. This item is printed on demand - it takes 3-4 days longer - Neuware -Keeping in view the scarcity of human resource management (HRM) literature about Pakistan, this book is useful for researchers, international investors and others interested in knowing management practices in Pakistan. It reviews the literature on integration and devolvement in various parts of the world. It also reports the findings of an empirical survey in fifty-two higher education institutes (HEIs) of Pakistan.The results of the study show that the HEIs are practicing a low level of integration and devolvement. The level of devolved decision-making and the direction of change in theses decision is different for various HR activities. The departmental heads do not have similar training level in various areas of HRM. Public and private sector HEIs are similar in most of their HRM patterns and organizational characteristics. Presence of HR department is the main predictor of integration and devolvement. There is resistance to HRM convergence in Pakistan and the high power distance culture is shaping many policies and practices. The divergent trends prevailing in higher education sector are expected to stay until formal HR departments become integral to all HEIs. 88 pp. Englisch.

Taschenbuch. Zustand: Neu. This item is printed on demand - it takes 3-4 days longer - Neuware -The aim of this work is to study the relationships between CEO compensation and organizational performance to achieve a better theoretical understanding of this phenomenon and to examine these relationships in publically traded Nordic companies. Theory on CEO compensation and firm performance was studied to develop a CEO Compensation-Performance Model, from which testable hypotheses were derived, focusing on the link between performance and compensation and the links between fixed compensation and short-term performance and contingent compensation and long- term performance. These hypotheses were then tested to examine the validity of the CEO Compensation- Performance Model. No significant relationships were found. There is a lack of a significant relationship between CEO compensation and firm performance in publically traded Nordic firms. This implies that the CEO Compensation-Performance Model does not hold true in the Nordic context. 72 pp. Englisch.

Taschenbuch. Zustand: Neu. This item is printed on demand - it takes 3-4 days longer - Neuware -The water quality of 100 cisterns in Hebron city- Palestine was studied through the period from December, 2007 till April, 2008. Water samples were collected directly from cisterns in two sterile glass bottles and tested for physical parameters (electrical conductivity, salinity, total dissolved substances, pH, temperature and turbidity), chemical parameters (alkalinity, chloride, total hardness, calcium, magnesium, ammonia and nitrate), microbiological parameters ( total coliform(TC) and faecal coliform(FC)). All the results of physical parameters are within the acceptable limits of WHO, EPA and Palestinian standards except turbidity which exceed these limits in 24 % of the cases. The percentage of contamination of total coliform and faecal coliform was 95%, 57%, respectively. The chemical parameters exceed the standards by different percentages (calcium 47%, magnesium 32%), other parameters give results below the maximum contaminant levels. Sources of pollution of these cisterns were studied also by a questionnaire answered by the owner of the cistern. 120 pp. Englisch.

Taschenbuch. Zustand: Neu. This item is printed on demand - it takes 3-4 days longer - Neuware -The study focuses on the impact of standardization on product innovation, market access and export performance in South African sectors. It begins by giving a comprehensive theoretical framework. Thereafter, it focuses on South Africa where it examines how the institution of standard setting has evolved. It then gives case studies on the net impact of standards in various sectors within South Africa. The final chapter gives international case studies on the impact of standards. 72 pp. Englisch.

Taschenbuch. Zustand: Neu. This item is printed on demand - it takes 3-4 days longer - Neuware -This work covers Czech-US relations starting in the 1990's till the Eastern enlargement of the European Union in May 2004. It focuses primarily on the change in the mutual relations of the two countries after this historic enlargement. The paper is covering mainly political and economic dimensions of the relations. First, an overview of the formal background for the political relations is provided, followed by hypothesis regarding possible changes in relation to the new limitations coming with EU membership. To confront the formal basis with the real issues in the mutual relations the diplomatic matters in the past fifteen years are shortly covered. Next, the economic angle of the relations presents the character of the trade relations between the two states and its development over the aforementioned decade. Further, the potential changes in the Czech- US economic relations caused by the enlargement are outlined including opinions and expectations of experts. The paper concludes with summary of the observed and further expected changes in the Czech-US relations related to the EU entry. 112 pp. Englisch.

Taschenbuch. Zustand: Neu. This item is printed on demand - it takes 3-4 days longer - Neuware -This study uses GIS to determine if the aggregation of census block data are better than census block group data for analyzing social vulnerability. This was done by applying a social vulnerability method that used census block group data for a countywide analysis and converting it to use census blocks for a countywide analysis and a municipal-wide analysis to determine which level of aggregation provided a more precise representation of social vulnerability. In addition to calculating the social vulnerability, the results were overlaid with an evacuation zone for the threat of a train derailment, determining which aggregation better depicted at-risk populations. The results of the study showed that the census blocks enable a more exact measurement of social vulnerability because they are better at capturing small pockets of high-risk areas. This study concludes that census block are more advantageous than census block groups because they are more sensitive and geographically exact in measuring social vulnerability, allow for a better interpretation of social vulnerability for smaller areas, and show spatial patterns of vulnerability at a finer spatial scale. 56 pp. Englisch.

Taschenbuch. Zustand: Neu. This item is printed on demand - it takes 3-4 days longer - Neuware -Following decades of feeble struggles in the quest of attaining sustainable democratic governance architectures across Africa, the book argues that amidst challenges posed by military coups, ethnicity, rent seeking and patronage as an anecdote to political instability, West Africa has made reasonable progress with six (6) countries characterized as fully democratic, Five (5) countries in the Final Phase, and Four (5) countries characterized as hybrid regimes. Whilst this reasoning is based on the current realities of political transformations in the sub-region, it attributes political instability in the sub-region to failed policies of the first post colonial leaders and their pluralist-coercive multiparty totalitarian rule, institutional failures, coups, conflicts and civil wars as daunting challenges to democracy in the sub-region. Consequently it combines scholarly literature to realities of the sub-regions political trajectories, bringing to light current democratic successes and challenges ahead. 120 pp. Englisch.

Taschenbuch. Zustand: Neu. This item is printed on demand - it takes 3-4 days longer - Neuware -Franchising, in its current form, evolved in the United States throughout the 1950s and 1960s. During that period, franchising witnessed an explosive growth in terms of the numbers of companies that adopted franchising as a business model. In respect of the revolution in business contracts, the franchising investor should basically take into account the legal perspective of the franchising contract. Therefore a definite legal relationship between parties can only be attained when they both understand all their respective rights and obligations and terms under which the contract is to be terminated. In addition, complete awareness of the advantages and disadvantages of the franchise business will lead to a safe operation of the franchise business. The present book is an effort to address, for a legal perspective, the major issues pertinent the franchise business and present sufficiently clear answers for the major questions to who seek to get involved in franchise business. 68 pp. Englisch.

Taschenbuch. Zustand: Neu. This item is printed on demand - it takes 3-4 days longer - Neuware -Panchayats for years have been the milestone for decentralization initiatives in West Bengal, India and also the state's penchant towards grassroots democracy. For a state experiencing financial crunch, devolution of financial and fiscal autonomy to the local governments had been the envisaged drive no doubt. For the overburdened state health system, sharing of responsibility by the Panchayats through public health expenditures made out of local revenue collected could have been a way out. Results also show that wherever the Panchayats have acted, the overall health situation (and also quality of life) has improved. But although they have much to do, and quite a scope, are they ready to make a paradigm shift from physical assets to quality of life Their own fiscal health in general, their motivation to generate revenue on their own, and their capacity to act according to the local situation (without directives from upper tiers), and also their priority towards tangible assets that would at the end of the day earn them the vote-bank seem to speak otherwise. The analysis should help to comprehend the pitfalls and perils of development through decentralization. 76 pp. Englisch.

Taschenbuch. Zustand: Neu. This item is printed on demand - it takes 3-4 days longer - Neuware -This paper analyzes the process of integration and convergence in the two monetary zones in the franc zone: in this case the CEMAC in Central Africa and UEMOA in West Africa. The results show that the convergence process is more advanced and integration more pronounced in the UEMOA zone, although much remains to be done. The CEMAC zone, despite the potential of these countries still struggling to begin a process of real convergence and integration. 76 pp. Englisch.

Taschenbuch. Zustand: Neu. This item is printed on demand - it takes 3-4 days longer - Neuware -Ethnic and communal violence (conflicts) have in recent years become common place in many parts of Ghana and other African countries. This book will be interested in looking at the effects of such violence in the form of chieftaincy conflicts on the socio-economic development of the affected local areas. The book will use the Bawku Chieftaincy Conflict as a case study. I have adopted the insights of the economic theories of war and predation to theorize that the factions in the Bawku Chieftaincy conflict are rational economic players who are interested in the economic, social and political rewards that will accrue to the victorious faction. This book should help shed some light on the causes and the implications of ethnic and communal violence on the economic and social development of the local areas where such conflict take place. This book should be especially useful to students and researchers of peace and conflict studies and to anyone who is interested in issues relating to ethnicity, conflicts and rural (local) development. 72 pp. Englisch.

Taschenbuch. Zustand: Neu. This item is printed on demand - it takes 3-4 days longer - Neuware -All governmental and industrial organizations have personnel in positions of authority. Most are assumed, by their positions, to have good leadership skills and follow principled leadership practices as they are considered fundamental skills of successful leadership. Within the past 50 years, changes in the social and political landscape throughout the United States have spurred numerous transformations in the approach to how leadership is not only implemented, but fundamentally defined. The most recent failure in leadership is displayed by both Government and Industry in the recent Gulf Coast catastrophic oil spill. The question to be answered does not give the impression to be one of capability, but rather culpability. Is true ethics based leadership being subjugated if not replaced by political expediency This book provides a simple process for defining what is good leadership, what is political expediency and how these tendencies can be identified. For anyone, leader, manager or just the curious, this book provides an opportunity for reflection as well as analysis. 80 pp. Englisch.

Taschenbuch. Zustand: Neu. This item is printed on demand - it takes 3-4 days longer - Neuware -This work analyses the gaps between the principle and the practice of human rights, using the study case of indigenous women in Mexico. The point of departure is international jurisprudence; here failures in human rights mainstream to encompass indigenous women's experiences are highlighted; since indigenous women are not accurately portrayed as right holders. The role of indigenous peoples' and women's human rights instruments is crucial for the analysis. The obstacles for effective implementation of indigenous women's human rights at State, local and municipal levels are discussed. Mexican public policies are revised; the argument sustained is that these policies are inaccurate to tackle indigenous women's issues. The role of NGOs and grassroots groups' is also stressed. It is argued that indigenous women are setting their human rights claims in alliance with indigenous peoples' movements to profit of the momentum they have at the national and international arenas. Lastly, this work enhances potential contributions to human rights jurisprudence and develops a proposal of creating an indigenous women's movement to improve particular concerns. 80 pp. Englisch.

Taschenbuch. Zustand: Neu. This item is printed on demand - it takes 3-4 days longer - Neuware -Combining a variety of sources, the present study attempts to question our understanding of corruption in an African country, and examines some of the issues raised by current anti-corruption policies. As such, this paper will provide a survey of selected research on corruption, to create a relevant theoretical framework for a case study. Through the analysis of country specific information, empirical and theoretical models from economical, political and sociological perspectives, as well as anti-corruption strategies and reform programmes will be put in context and assessed. The case study focuses on Uganda. Often cited as a model in the fight against corruption, Uganda's record remains ambiguous: considered a success by the World Bank (WB) and the International Monetary Fund (IMF), although it has experienced an average annual growth of 7.2 % over the 1990 1999 period, Uganda continues to be perceived amongst the most corrupt countries in the world. 'The choice of the materials contained in this book, and the opinions expressed therein, do not represent the views of UNESCO'. 60 pp. Englisch.

Taschenbuch. Zustand: Neu. This item is printed on demand - it takes 3-4 days longer - Neuware -Sponsored search has grown to be an important share of the advertisement market and a major income source for large Internet companies. Its success relies not only on the explosive Internet use but also on successful implementation that made it a highly efficient and profitable concept for advertisers and search engines, in particular, through the use of keyword auctions. Up until now, most of the research relies on the simplest game-theoretic models to extract useful results. We extend the most common models to encapsulate an aspect of the system that only recently has begun to draw attention; the effect of competing advertisements on the user's actions and subsequently on the advertisers' campaign efficiency. We present models that take these effects into account while remaining simple enough for us to answer the most basic game-theoretic questions about them such as the presence of equilibria and their efficiency. We also compare our models to the most common model and show their significant advantages. Finally, we discuss a proposed new mechanism that incorporates externalities and evaluate its performance. 96 pp. Englisch.