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Abstract
Research on the practice of revitalization strategies in developed countries is
growing, but there are still relatively few examinations of specific strikes conducted
in connection with such strategies. This thesis would like to fill this gap.
Drawing on Bronfenbrenner’s and Hickey’s (2004) conceptualization of the
comprehensive campaign as a multifaceted approach, one that has notably been
utilized in the SEIU’s ‘Justice for Janitors’ campaign, this thesis examines how
both the IG BAU and the FNV-Bondgenoten have made use of elements of this
approach in strike action. Analyzing data obtained through expert interviews,
published documents and newspaper reports, I argue that both trade unions have
shown that it is possible to pursue industrial action even with reduced membership
density, while using elements of organizing.
After 1978 economics reform, China started to absorb Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) and became the second biggest country in the world after USA for inward FDI. Almost all of famous and big Multi-National Companies (MNCs) invested in China. Huge domestic market, cheap labor force and government incentives make China an attractive place for foreign investors. However, both foreign investors and China have benefited from mutual relation. Yet, FDI has negative impact on China’s wage dispersion and income inequality. This thesis examines the positive and negative effects of FDI in China industrial sector during 1999-2010 using fact findings methodology. Main data is from China Statistical Year Book. The results of this research show that FDI has positive effects on GDP, labour and capital productivity, exports, and workers’ education and skill levels through technology spillover, management know how, and productivity and marketing competence. In contrast, FDI has negative effect on wage inequality and deepened wage gap between skilled and unskilled workers.
Volkswagen is chosen as a case study to examine the effects of its investment on China's car industry. Volkswagen entered into China through joint venture with Chinese partners in 1984, only 6 years after economic reform. Volkswagen long term presence helps it to know Chinese market better and to expand its activity in different regions. Volkswagen with about 20 percent market share in China car industry has big role in spillover effect. High population and fast growing middle class in China motivate Volkswagen to focus only in domestic market. High demand for VW's passenger cars encouraged the company to invest immensely in supply chain in China which has positive effect on labour productivity, investment and workers’ education and skill levels in China's automotive industries. Although, there is no access to precise data about WV's wage structure, yet it is obvious that the wage gap in the company is serious and the company also exacerbates the income inequality in China.
In 2011 for the first time, nearly half of Chinas inhabitants lived in cities. China´s rapid urbanization level remains relatively low compared to other developing countries. Chengdu, China´s fourth largest city, has seen its population increase by 30% in the last ten years. With rapid urbanization comes great socio-economic change, which will challenge the city in the coming years.
This paper intends to use an urbanization process model to evaluate the methods and socio-economic effects of Chengdu´s urbanization. A series of problems are found in the relationship between Chengdu´s urbanization and rural development. Migration may explode in the city and deprive agricultural lands needed to modernize the industry. Furthermore, growth of the city will require more development and city expansion onto China´s increasingly rare fertile lands. This paper will examine the results and offer suggestions on how to Chengdu can continue urbanization responsibly.
This paper discusses the problem of mutual perception between contrasting cultures: north and south, rich and poor, High Context and Low Context and a case study of the cooperation between Germany and Tunisia from the standpoint of IT-engineers. According to anthropologist Edward T. Hall cultures can be measured by points of context, freely flowing information or the lack thereof. This paper attempts the shake hands between theory and practice using the insights gained by Edward T. Hall and the practical circumstances generated by joint ventures between Germany and Arab nations and provides a practical list of recommendations for intercultural cooperation.
Abstract
The following thesis examines China‟s civil aviation industry in the context of its
current conception and the competitive behavior of its airlines in the domestic market. By
analyzing the current competitive conduct in the market, the strategic position of the airlines
and the level of state intervention will be revealed. In order to investigate the airlines‟
competitive behavior in the domestic market a set of two theoretical approaches will be
applied. By the means of the „Choice Theory‟, the influencing factors of choosing the most
suitable airline for a trip will be identified. Furthermore, the „Pricing Theory‟ will be used to
describe the phenomena of discounted fares and yield management created by the airlines in
order to maximize their revenues. The analysis itself consists out of a 40 day long examination
of the lowest fare development in three distinct city pairs.
The results of the analysis will display that although the domestic market is of an
oligopolistic nature, it is a competitive environment with its airlines strategically positioning
themselves from another. It will further indicate that the smaller carriers in the market refrain
from entering in direct competition with the larger airlines and finally, it will also reveal that
there is state intervention towards the booking and pricing policies of the airlines.
Abstract
This study is aimed at examining and comparing revitalisation activities conducted by the three Southern unions labelled as social movement unionism (SMU) such as the Central Únicados Trabalhadores (CUT) from Brazil, the Congress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU) and the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions (KCTU).
This study raises some theoretical issues such as the weakness of ‘multi-dimensional approach’, relationship between revitalisation and trade union power resources, and the relationship between union ideological identity and movement/organisational identity.
In the main chapters, dominant forms of strategies conducted by the three Southern unions along four revitalisation dimensions such as membership, economic, political and institutional vitality are presented with comparative analysis using four factors: socio/economic change, political and industrial relations institutions, employers and state’s strategy and union identity.
This study reaffirms that union’s strategic choice is influenced not only by external environments but by internal dynamics including union identity and leadership. In particular, this study cases demonstrates that strong tradition of SMU which has still remained has had considerable impact on union’s strategic choice, even though they are operating in different external environments.
Lastly, this study suggests that the outcome of revitalisation activities should be measured in more careful manner. As much as the meaning of revitalisation varies cross the countries, the measurement of outcomes also varies. In particular, this study emphasises that union revitalisation process should be interpreted and guided by power resources perspective on the longer term.