Cand.merc.int. - BLC / MSc in Business, Language and Culture
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The case of the Kenyan electricity sectorThygesen, Søren (Frederiksberg, 2011)[More information][Less information]
Abstract: This thesis deals with private sector development in Kenya’s electricity sector, which has some unique characteristics, both in terms of policymaking but also in terms of opportunities for electricity generation. Kenya has begun an implementation of new public management in the electricity sector, and is thus moving from a monopolistic sector to a liberal market form. In this regard, reforms have been undertaken in order to develop the private electricity sector, with a high focus on renewable energy. Through a single-case study, this Master’s thesis abductively investigates the research question: How is private sector development promoted by the implementation of new public management in the electricity sector in Kenya? The aim of this thesis is to investigate how the implementation of new public management in Kenya’s electricity sector has had an effect on the institutional setup in the electricity sector, and further how the changes in the electricity sector’s institutional setup has affected private sector development in Kenya’s electricity sector. Hence, the knowledge purpose of this thesis is to firstly describe the electricity sector as well as the actual implementation of new public management in the sector. It also seeks to describe the institutional setup in the electricity sector and explain the relationship between the new public management implementation and the institutional setup. The thesis further seeks to explain the relationship between the institutional setup, as an effect of new public management, and private sector development, operationalized through market creation, market functioning, and market participation. Lastly the thesis engages in a discussion about if new public management sustains the focus on renewable energy. In order to answer the research question a theoretical framework consisting of the three variables of adaption of new public management, enabling conditions in the institutional setup, and market creation, functioning, and participation, has been developed by two underlying hypotheses. The framework, and thereby the hypotheses, are tested according to the hypothetical-deductive approach. The thesis concludes that new public management has a positive effect on the institutional development and private sector development, by creating a more inclusive framework. It also notices that new public management and a sustained focus on renewable energy is context dependent, and therefore new public management cannot be seen as a tool towards sustaining green energy development. URI: http://hdl.handle.net/10417/2866 Files in this item: 18
._1. Charles Muchunku.pdf (4.096Kb)._2. Elizabeth Njenga.pdf (4.096Kb)._3 Mr. G. M. Kihara.pdf (4.096Kb)._4. Edward Mungai.pdf (4.096Kb)(more files) -
Exploring the business case for western SMEs to counter involvement in administrative corruption in developing countriesRune, Anders (Frederiksberg, 2011)[More information][Less information]
Abstract: Despite the fact that many developing countries offer highly attractive markets to foreign investors, the business environments in such countries are often characterised by systemic levels of administrative corruption - a situation where bribery and facilitation payments are used to resolve bureaucratic and administrative processes between companies and state agents. According to research, this type of corruption constitutes one of the most important investment barriers for foreign companies investing in developing countries as it raises the cost of doing business and thereby limits the prospects for business growth and development. The companies that suffer mostly from corruption are small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) due to the liability of size and thus limited resources and capabilities to avoid it. As a result, many SMEs simply accept corruption as a normal element of doing business and use it as a mean to ‘get things done’, despite knowing that it is both illegal and that it raises the cost of doing business. However, corruption and bribery in such markets may also open doors to ‘easier’ and preferential investment conditions, which ultimately represents a dilemma for SMEs when weighing the advantages and disadvantages of engaging in corrupt behaviour. By exploring the interaction between western SMEs and public officials in selected developing markets, this thesis intend to contribute to the understanding of the causes of administrative corruption in different institutional settings and to assess the potential role of both SMEs and governments in fighting it. By analysing the risks, costs and potential benefits of administrative corruption, it particularly seeks to assess whether a ‘SME business case’ to avoid involvement in corruption exists for western SMEs and how an anti-corruption strategy for SMEs may look like. URI: http://hdl.handle.net/10417/2807 Files in this item: 1
anders_rune.pdf (755.1Kb) -
The case of Las Americas Industrial ParkLangkjær Nielsen, Peter; Peitersen, Steen Ole (Frederiksberg, 2011)[More information][Less information]
Abstract: This master‟s thesis explores personal development in the Mexican maquila industry. The term personal development is based on the notion of development as freedom and the capability approach presented by Amartya Sen in 1999. Sen sees development as an expansion of the capabilities of an individual, and this notion of development is applied to the maquila industry. Over the years the maquila industry has been under scrutiny from scholars, who have demonstrated both poor work conditions for the people working in the maquila industry as well as newer generations of maquilas with improved work conditions. Thus, this thesis explores how the personal development of the people working in the maquila industry is affected by their work. Using a mixed method approach the thesis conducts a single case study of a maquila called Las Americas Industrial Park, located in Torreón in the state of Coahuila, Mexico. Las Americas Industrial Park is one of six maquilas located in and around Torreón administered by an organization with the name of Fomento Económco Laguna de Coahuila, A. C. The location of the maquila differentiates the case study from the majority of other research within this field, which tends to focus on the area along the US-Mexican border. The case study explores the personal development of the workers in Las Americas Industrial Park. It does so by conducting a survey that is combined with qualitative interviews. The analysis is structured around four factors that we identified as instrumental for personal development in a maquila: Influence, Occupational health & Safety, Training and courses, and Salary. Based on the analysis there are three findings that stand out in relation to the criteria for the exploring personal development at Las Americas. Firstly, gender discrimination affects women‟s personal development negatively. Secondly, work time, decent salaries, and bonuses and benefits affect personal development positively. Thirdly, access to training and courses affects personal development positively. Overall, we can conclude that the employees at Las Americas Industrial Park seemed to meet ends and further their personal development. URI: http://hdl.handle.net/10417/2809 Files in this item: 1
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Abstract: This thesis examines how Danisco practices investors relations (IR henceforth) compared to 14 Japanese IR award winning companies, acknowledged by Japan Investor Relations Association (JIRA winners henceforth) in order to determine whether Danisco might benefit from implementing Japanese IR practices. Public companies (companies henceforth) such as Danisco need to attract capital to ensure growth. The competition for external funding is fierce, and the degree of success of companies' external communication may impact on their inflow of investments. In this way, efficient communication with analysts and investors (stakeholders henceforth) contributes to the sustainability of companies. Recognizing the importance of IR, the majority of companies has an IR function, specialized in interacting with capital market actors. In order to enhance and ensure high efficiency of IR, companies are advised to continuously evaluate their performance as well as consider how other companies conduct IR. In particular, it is relevant to monitor the IR performance of companies, operating in different industries and cultures, as the way of conducting IR among these companies tend to be markedly different. Given the fact that Danisco aims at broadening its shareholder base, it is relevant for Danisco to understand how IR is performed abroad e.g. in Japan. Insight into JIRA winners' interaction with their stakeholders might help Danisco develop IR practices that appeal to Japanese stakeholders and eventually attract investments from Japan. This thesis employs a functionalist approach aiming at suggesting practical implications for Danisco's IR work based on a comparative study of Danisco and JIRA winners. Firstly, insight into the essence of IR, stakeholders of IR and trends in IR practices was gathered through the literature in this field and an expert interview. Secondly, information on how IR is conducted at Danisco and JIRA winners was achieved deductively through structured interviews and by examining the companies' websites. To understand the empirical evidence derived, the strategic credibility model by Higgins et al. (1989), explaining how companies build strategic credibility, was applied. Thus, it becomes clear how Danisco and JIRA winners build strategic credibility differently. This thesis concludes that being listed on several stock exchanges is common among JIRA winners. Additionally, IR is organized differently at JIRA winners and a number of different IR activities are identified. Finally, several of these IR activities are recommended for Danisco. Foremost, in order to enhance strategic capability, involving the company's ability to explain its competitive situation, Danisco is advised to show its CSR report in the IR section of its website danisco.com, reflecting that social concerns complements profit making. Additionally, the following IR activities are recommended to enhance corporate communication, concerning the way Danisco interacts with stakeholders: conducting perceptions studies in order to enhance an open dialogue with stakeholders; constructing a Danisco glossary, helping website visitors understand Danisco terminology; uploading an explanation of how to purchase Danisco's shares to danisco.com, for the convenience of private investors abroad; organizing IR information on danisco.com in an IR archive; establishing a Danisco Channel, performing video news related to the company and uploading transcriptions of Q&A sessions following Danisco's IR events to increase transparency. The dotted line attached to corporate communication, reflects the need for Danisco to join in on the trend to communicate IR via social media in case this should become mainstream. In order to enhance Danisco's CEO credibility, the company is advised to upload a Message from CEO or similar statement to danisco.com, in line with the IR trend to personify companies with their CEO. Finally, this thesis recommends that Danisco becomes acquainted with JIRA winners' different IR terminology in order to avoid cross-cultural misunderstandings when communicating with Japanese stakeholders. URI: http://hdl.handle.net/10417/2663 Files in this item: 1
camilla_nellemann_jensen.pdf (2.860Mb) -
A case study of LGBT diversity integration through DSB PrideSteckhahn‐Strohmer, Pernille (Frederiksberg, 2011)[More information][Less information]
Abstract: The aim of this thesis is to investigate the purpose of the creation of an LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans‐person) employee network as a part of diversity management in the large Danish public company DSB, The Danish Railway Systems. The focus of attention is the personal experiences of LGBT people working in DSB compared to the official efforts of diversity management. The employee perception of the diversity integration throughout DSB and how it affects the work culture is the main source of analysis. The research aims at investigating the level to which DSB, as a company, has succeeded in integrating the LGBT aspect in its diversity management. On the basis of investigation the aim is to make conclusions and possibly suggestions to improve the LGBT diversity integration in DSB. Guided by the paradigm of social constructionism, the research is conducted with an inductive approach as a case study. The primary data collection process involves the qualitative methods of observations as a participant in LGBT employee network meetings. Furthermore semi‐structured interviews with LGBT employees and an HR manager in DSB are conducted in the form of face‐to‐face meetings. As for secondary data, the official DSB communication regarding diversity management and LGBT integration is revised and literature is reviewed regarding LGBT diversity management in Denmark. Additionally, internal DSB documents regarding diversity management are analyzed to gain an understanding of the LGBT integration efforts in DSB. The presentation of the case company provides the setting for the data analysis. According to the chosen methodology, the analysis reveals a discrepancy. The communicated messages regarding inclusion and integration from DSB do not match the experience of inclusion from the LGBT employees. Secondly, the mutual expectations between DSB and the LGBT network are not successfully communicated internally, which leads to confusion regarding ownership, responsibilities and possibilities of development. Thirdly, the fact that the work environment in specific departments of DSB is directly negative in regards to LGBT inclusion, results in diminishing trust in the capabilities of management to implement integrative policies. The analysis shows that the fundamental purpose of the network and its benefit to the business value of DSB is unclear, as the external communication is not directly aligned with the need of LGBT employees. Consequently it is concluded that the purpose of the network needs to be re‐defined to make sense internally among LGBT employees. Furthermore a communication strategy between management and the LGBT network needs to be established, which can ease the cooperation towards an internally valued, and diverse company. URI: http://hdl.handle.net/10417/2665 Files in this item: 1
pernille_steckhahn-strohmer.pdf (757.3Kb)
