Dissertations / Theses on the topic 'Privatization Victoria Case studies'

This thesis discusses many vital issues related to the Libyan economy in general and the privatization programme in particular. The current study has adopted a triangulation strategy to achieve its objectives including descriptive-analytical and field study approaches. It has relied upon a questionnaire survey and in-depth interviews to acquire the necessary data. The most important reason for relying on these two methods was primarily due to lack of information on the subject of this study. The study addresses the main barriers that impede the successful progress of the privatization programme in Libya. In this regard, the 21 factories of the Libyan National Textile Company (LNTC) were selected as a case study, through which the disadvantages inherent in the privatization programme have been exposed. Moreover, in a comparative analysis, the field survey included 40 New Private Firms (NPFs) initially owned by the private sector. In this context, the hedonic technique has been applied in order to make comparison between the two groups of firms in terms of their performance and profit maximization. This study specifically addresses both the administrative and the economic aspects of privatization, raising the following three main questions concerning the status of privatization in the context examined, and the factors influencing the outcomes observed: (1) Has the privatization programme been a success or a failure and what have been the main underlying reasons? (2) To what extent were the attitudes of managers and workers in privatized factories a barrier to the smooth implementation of privatization? (3) What are the main prerequisites for a successful privatization programme in Libya? Among the major findings of this study are that privatization in Libya had been negatively influenced by many fundamental problems prevailing at both the micro and macro economic levels. In particular, as found from the application of the hedonic technique, the NPFs have been more successful in attaining profit- maximization than the LNTC. This is particularly worrying as the latter group were privatized well over 15 years ago with a resulting much larger share of the market.

The dissertation set out to explore whether privatization led to the concentration of shares of privatized public enterprises in the hands of a few. To reach this objective three indicators were developed. The three indicators were: (1) the prominence of the stock market; (2) the prominence of the employees’ ownership shares of the privatized Public Enterprises (PEs); and (3) the prominence of the state’s ownership after privatization. Although, the researcher found that there was a concentration of PEs’ shares in the hands of a mutual fund and holding company, the presence of the state remained strong. The researcher also found that it was extremely difficult to conduct research regarding the concentration of economic resources in developing countries. In effect the systemic, methodological, and contextual difficulties that the researcher encountered in field work, data collection, data review and data analysis revealed that it was difficult to find out the organization or individual behind the transactions that have been undertaken during the privatization process. This limited greatly the significance of the study. The result is the dissertation was re-oriented to the theoretical and to the researcher’s normative discourse on equity and development in privatization.

Recognising that invasion is a structure not an event (Wolfe, 2006) and that settler colonialism shapes the present in significant ways, this thesis investigates the invisible presence of Aboriginal Victorians through a study of the Victorian gold rush and Australian Rules football. As key markers of Australian national identity, the case studies demonstrate the importance of white belonging to identity construction and argue that Aboriginal Victorians are necessarily invisibly present within the settler colonial present (Veracini, 2015).

Thesis (MPA)--Stellenbosch University, 2003.<br>ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Public institutions require financial resources in order to deliver quality services to the community. The survival of each and every organisation primarily relies on the availability and proper management of financial resources in order to provide effective and efficient service to its clients. Section 195 (1) (b) of the Republic of South Africa Constitution Act, 1996 , Act 108 of 1996 compels public institutions to promote and implement mechanisms that will promote efficient , economic and effective use of resources. South African Public Universities derives larger part of their revenue from the government. The South African government finances South African Universities on the basis of student enrolments. Funding for South African universities and technikons has increased from 10% in the 1996/1997 financialyear to 14% in the 2000/2001 budget. Despite the increase in the financing of the education sector, there were also significant changes in student enrolments at South African universities (Kulati, 2000: 27). Students are leaving from historically black universities for historically white ones and many more are enrolling at technikons than at universities. There are a number of reasons attributed to the decrease in student enrolment in former black universities. Black universities are perceived to be of inferior status as compared to former white universities in terms of their quality and resources. It is expected that government subsidies to historically black universities might fall by 26% over the next three years because of the projected decline in student enrolments. Taking into consideration the enrolment linked subsidy, changed enrolment patterns have drastically affected subsidy allocations by the government to most historically black universities such as Vista University. According to Caruna et al.,(1998: 55), tertiary educational institutions are required, like business firms, to monitor and adapt to the continuous changed taking place in the political, economic, social and the technological environment. The affected institutions are compelled to adapt their service delivery mechanisms if they are to remain financially viable in the near future. It is for this reason that the researcher will explore the use of privatisation as an alternative strategy to service delivery. This study investigate the manner in which activities of the technical services department within Vista University Welkom Campus can be contracted out with an aim of improving cost efficiency within the University. The study developed a normative model which can be used as a guideline in the process of contracting out services and also explain how such model can applied in the process of contracting out activities of the technical services department. The study further identified the responsibilities of different role players who will in one way or another be affected by the contracting process within the University. The study concluded that for the contracting out process to be cost effective, the University have to adopt a seasonally priced contract which reduces activities of the service producer in winter and concentrate activities of the service producer in summer.<br>AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Openbare instellings benodig finasiele hulpbronne om 'n gehalte diens aan die gemeenskap te lewer. Die voortbestaan van elke organisasie berus primer op die beskikbaarheid en behoorlike bestuur van finansiele hulpbronne om 'n effektiewe en doeltreffende diens aan kliente te lewer. Afdeling 195 (1) (b) van die Grondwet van die Republiek van Suid Afrika, 1996, Wet 108 van 1996, verplig publieke instellings om meganismes te implimenteer en bevorder wat doeltreffende, ekonomiese en effektiewe gebruik van hulpbronne verseker. Suid Afrikaanse openbare universiteite verkry die grootste gedeelte van hulle inkomste vanaf die regering. Hierdie finansiering geskied volgens die aantal geregistreerde studente by die onderskeie universiteite. Bevondsing vir Suid Afrikaanse universiteite en technikons het gestyg van 10% in die 1996/1997 finansiele jaar tot 14% in die 2000/2001 begroting. Ten spyte van die finansiering van die opvoedkundige sektor, was daar beduidende veranderinge in die studente getalle by Suid Afrikaanse universiteite (Financial Mail, 3l.03.2000). Studente verlaat historiese swart universiteite om by histories blanke universiteite in te skryf en meer studente skryf by technikons in as by universiteite. Daar is 'n aantal redes waaraan die afname van registrasies by histories swart universiteite toegeskryf kan word. Voormalige swart universiteite word as minderwaardig betreffende gehalte en hulpbronne beskou, in vergelyking met voormalige blanke universiteite. Die verwagting is dat staat subsidies aan historiese swart universiteite met so veel as 26% oor die volgende drie jaar kan daal, as gevolg van die geprojekteerde daling in studente getalle. Gegewe die feit dat subsidie gekoppel is aan studente registrasies, het die verandering in studente registrasie patrone 'n drastiese invloed op die subsidie toewysing op meeste historiese swart universiteite, waaronder Vista Universiteit resorteer. Volgens Caruna et al.,(1998:55), word daar van tersiere instellings (net soos van besigheidsfirmas), verwag om by die veranderende politieke, eknomiese, sosiale en tegnologiese omgewings aan te pas. Die instellings wat geraak word, gedwing om hul diensleweringsmeganisme aan te pas om finansieel lewensvatbaar te bly. Om hierdie rede gaan die navorser privatisering as alternatiewe strategie tot dienslewering ondersoek. Hierdie studie ondersoek maniere om aktiwiteite van die Tegniese Dienste Departement uit te kontrakteur met die uitsluitlike doel om koste effektiwiteit binne die Vista Universiteit te bewerkstelling. Die studie poog ook om 'n normatiewe model te formuleer en te implementeer om bogenoemde aktiwiteite te rugsteun. Die studie verduidelik ook hoe so 'n model die uitkontrakteur van Tegniese Dienste lewering kan assisteer en komplimenteer. Die studie identifiseer ook verskeie rolspelers wat deel sal vorm van die voorgestelde proses en wat ook direk en indirek deur die proses geraak en geaffekteer sal word. Die studie kom tot die slotsom dat die proses van uitkontraktering van Tegniese Dienste, kostebesparings binne die universiteit sal bewerkstellig. Die universiteit moet 'n stelsel implementeer wat seisoensgebonde is asook prysgebonde strukture daar stel wat die aspek van koste effektiwiteit sal aanspreek.

This dissertation explores the role of the private and public sectors in hazard mitigation, an important part of the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA’s) performance requirements from the Stafford Act. Hazard mitigation is the effort to reduce societal impacts from natural disasters by reducing their risk to people, property and infrastructure; before hazards occur. The goal of the work is to contribute to the literature examining the national trend towards privatization and reliance on the free market economy for the provision of government social services, through such public management movements as the “New Public Management” (NPM) of the 1980s and the general efficiency movement that encompasses a greater market orientation in public government and an increase in the use of private sector contractors as an alternative to public provision (Boston 1996). The primary question which this dissertation seeks to answer is: How has the provision of hazard mitigation services by the private sector come to be the norm and what have been the consequences. Due to the broad nature of the question and the lack of previous research, this dissertation will utilize a mixed methods approach with the goal of gaining a broad understanding of the privatization of the hazard mitigation sector in its various manifestations. The approach consists of one case study, broken down into two time periods: hazard mitigation prior to the passage of the Disaster Mitigation Act of 2000, and hazard mitigation following the Disaster Mitigation Act of 2000. The case study is based primarily upon a series of interviews and includes several imbedded cases. They will be contextualized within an overall description of hazard mitigation focusing on the history and the context of the relevant federal legislation.

Thesis (DPhil)--Stellenbosch University, 2002.<br>ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The study describes and analyses changes in women's reproductive behaviour ID developing communities. These changes took more than hundred years to occur ID Western communities but only two to three decades in developing communities such as Taiwan and Barbados. The population of Victoria East district of the Eastern Cape province of South Afiica was chosen as a case study of these changes. Changes in the reproductive behaviour of women are described over a period of twenty-two years. The base year for the study is 1978 and data were collected up to 2001. Changes increased in particular since 1988. Statistical descriptive analyses were undertaken with regard to patterns of changes in variables such as age at the onset of births, child spacing, the mean number of births per woman, fertility regulation, and the number of children ever bom. Variations in patterns were analysed according to age cohorts, occupation and marital status. Information regarding these variables was collected from records at hospitals and clinics. Focus group interviews were held to reflect women's own descriptions and experiences regarding these variables. The research design thus combines the quantitative and qualitative approaches. The findings confirm a pattern of fertility decline that Caldwell described as the African pattern, which is different from that seen in Europe and Asia. It is characterized by a progressive delay in onset of childbearing and reductions in the mean number of childbirths that occur across all age cohorts and are associated with contraceptive accessibility. The high incidence of non-marital childbearing in the Victoria East district however sets the population studied apart from the polygamous Afiican societies on which Caldwell based the African transition. In this respect the population considered resembles the scenarios seen in Latin America, the Caribbean, Botswana and in recent years Europe. The study population shows a divergence in the patterns of marital and non-marital childbearing, with marital childbearing following the African pattem. Because of its high incidence, non-marital childbearing is dominant and the major contributor to the fertility decline that is afoot. The implications of this pattern needs much more in-depth study before comparisons with the above-mentioned communities can be made.<br>AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die studie beskryf en ontleed veranderinge in vroue se reproduktiewe gedrag in ontwikkelende gemeenskappe. Hierdie veranderinge het in Westerse gemeenskappe meer as honderd jaar geneem om plaas te vind maar slegs twee tot drie dekades in ontwikkelende gemeenskappe soos Taiwan en Barbados. Die bevolking van die landelike Victoria-Oosdistrik: in die Oos-Kaapprovinsie is gekies as 'n gevalstudie daarvan in Suid- Afrika. Veranderinge in die reproduktiewe gedrag van vroue in hierdie gemeenskap word oor 'n periode van twee-en-twintigjaar beskryf Die basisjaar van die studie is 1978 en data is ingesamel tot en met 2001. Veranderinge het veral toegeneem vanaf 1988. Statistiese-beskrywende ontleding is gedoen ten opsigte van patrone van verandering in veranderlikes soos die ouderdom by die skenk van geboorte, geboorte-spasiëring, die gemiddelde aantal geboortes per vrou, fertiliteitsregulering en die aantal kinders ooit gebore. Variasies in patrone is ook na aanleiding van huwelikstaat en beroep bepaal. Inligting aangaande hierdie veranderlikes is verky vanaf rekords wat by hospitale en klinieke gehou word. Fokusgroeponderhoude is ook onderneem waarvolgens vroue se eie beskrywings en ervarings aangaande die genoemde veranderlikes verkry is. Groepe is saamgestel volgens verskeie ouderdomskohorte en huwelikstaat. Die navorsingsmetodologie behels dus 'n kombinasie van kwantitatiewe en kwalitatiewe benaderings. Die bevindings bevestig 'n patroon van fertiliteitsafhame wat deur Caldwell as die Afrikapatroon beskryf word en afwyk van die Europese en Asiatiese patroon. Dit word gekenmerk deur 'n progressiewe vertraging in die aanvang van geboorte-skenk, afhame in die gemiddelde aantal geboortes oor al die ouderdomskohorte en word geassosieer met kontraseptiewe toegankliheid. Die hoë voorkoms van buite-egtelike geboortes in die Victoria-Oosdistrik onderskei egter die bestudeerde bevolking van die poligame Afrika gemeenskappe waarop Caldwell die Afrika-oorgangstipe gebaseer het. In hierdie opsig vertoon die bevolking eerder ooreenkomste met ontwikkelende gemeenskappe m Suid-Amerika, die Karibbiese Eilande, Botswana en die meer onlangse Europa. Die bestudeerde bevolking vertoon uiteenlopende patrone van binne-egtelike en buite-egtelike geboortes met die binneegtelike patroon meer in ooreenstemming met die Afrika-patroon. Die hoë voorkoms van buite-egtelike geboortes domineer egter die algehele patroon en kan beskou work as die hoof bydraende faktor in the afhemende fertiliteit wat waargeneem is. Die implikasies hiervan moet egter veel dieper studie ondergaan alvorens verdere vergelykings met die bogenoemde gemeenskappe gemaak kan word.

by Chak Hoi Kee, Clara, Lee Chi Chung, Jonathan.<br>Thesis (M.B.A.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 2000.<br>Includes bibliographical references (leaves 69-72).<br>ABSTRACT --- p.II<br>TABLE OF CONTENTS --- p.III<br>INTRODUCTION --- p.1<br>METHODOLOGY --- p.3<br>LITERATURE REVIEW --- p.4<br>PRIVATIZATION --- p.7<br>Chapter 4.1 --- Definition --- p.7<br>Chapter 4.2 --- Privatization and Economic Theory --- p.8<br>Chapter 4.2.1 --- Principal Agent Problem --- p.8<br>Chapter 4.2.2 --- Non-Profit Maximizing Objectives --- p.9<br>Chapter 4.2.3 --- Access to Information --- p.9<br>Chapter 4.2.4 --- Alternate Suggestions --- p.9<br>Chapter 4.3 --- Motivations for Privatization --- p.10<br>SOE REFORMS IN CHINA --- p.11<br>Chapter 5.1 --- Inadequacy of Previous SOE Reforms --- p.11<br>Chapter 5.2 --- Development of the Shareholding System Reform - Early Attempts --- p.12<br>Chapter 5.3 --- Setback (1989-1991) --- p.12<br>Chapter 5.4 --- Rapid Expansion and Standardization --- p.13<br>Chapter 5.5 --- A Step Closer to Privatization --- p.14<br>Chapter 5.6 --- Shrinking State Ownership --- p.15<br>Chapter 5.7 --- """Let Go of the Small""" --- p.17<br>Chapter 5.8 --- Take a Firm Grip on the Large --- p.18<br>Chapter 5.9 --- Current Situation --- p.18<br>DEVEOPMENT OF THE CHINESE CAPITAL MARKET --- p.20<br>Chapter 6.1 --- The Chinese Stock Market --- p.20<br>Chapter 6.2 --- Types of Shares --- p.21<br>"TSINGTAO BREWERY COMPANY LIMITED (""TSINGTAO"")" --- p.23<br>Chapter 7.1 --- Background --- p.23<br>Chapter 7.2 --- Ownership --- p.24<br>Chapter 7.3 --- Group Structure --- p.25<br>LEGAL PERSONS --- p.25<br>PRC INVESTORS --- p.25<br>THE COMPANY --- p.25<br>Chapter 7.4 --- Board of Directors (as of 1998) --- p.26<br>Chapter 7.5 --- The Brewery Industry --- p.27<br>Chapter 7.6 --- Initial Public Offering --- p.28<br>Chapter 7.6.1 --- Business Performance Prior to IPO --- p.28<br>Chapter 7.6.2 --- Restructuring of the Group --- p.29<br>BOARD OF DIRECTORS --- p.30<br>GENERAL MANAGER --- p.30<br>Chapter 7.7 --- IPO in Hong Kong and Shanghai --- p.30<br>Chapter 7.8 --- Business Downturn 1993-1996 --- p.32<br>Chapter 7.8.1 --- Deny Reporting the First Interim Result --- p.32<br>Chapter 7.8.2 --- Misuse of the IPO Proceeds --- p.33<br>Chapter 7.8.3 --- Disappointing 1994 Results --- p.33<br>Chapter 7.8.4 --- Unsuccessful Acquisition Attempts --- p.34<br>Chapter 7.8.5 --- Loss of the Leading Position --- p.35<br>Chapter 7.8.6 --- Change in Management --- p.36<br>Chapter 7.9 --- Turnaround 1996-Present --- p.37<br>Chapter 7.9.1 --- Second Restructuring in 1997 --- p.37<br>Chapter 7.9.2 --- Refocus Efforts in Marketing Activities --- p.38<br>Chapter 7.9.3 --- Expansion to the Low-Middle Market --- p.39<br>Chapter 7.9.4 --- Further Acquisition Via Low Cost Expansion --- p.39<br>Chapter 7.9.5 --- Enhancing Shareholders Value --- p.40<br>Chapter 7.9.6 --- Outstanding First Half 1999 Results --- p.40<br>Chapter 7.10 --- Financial Performance --- p.41<br>CHINA TELECOM (HONG KONG) LIMITED --- p.43<br>Chapter 8.1 --- Introduction --- p.43<br>Chapter 8.2 --- Privatization --- p.43<br>Chapter 8.3 --- Board of Directors --- p.45<br>Chapter 8.3.1 --- Executive Directors --- p.46<br>Chapter 8.3.2 --- Non-Executive Directors --- p.47<br>Chapter 8.3.3 --- Independent Non-Executive Directors --- p.47<br>Chapter 8.4 --- Government Regulations --- p.48<br>Chapter 8.5 --- Telecommunication Industry in China --- p.48<br>Chapter 8.6 --- Acquisition (1997-1999) --- p.49<br>Chapter 8.7 --- Sales Analysis --- p.50<br>Chapter 8.8 --- Profitability Analysis --- p.52<br>Chapter 8.9 --- Financial Positions --- p.53<br>Chapter 8.10 --- Overall Performance --- p.54<br>Chapter 8.11 --- Future Prospects --- p.55<br>IMPLICATIONS --- p.56<br>Chapter 9.1 --- Agency Problem Remained --- p.56<br>Chapter 9.2 --- Corporate Governance Weakened --- p.58<br>Chapter 9.3 --- Corporate Disclosure --- p.58<br>Chapter 9.4 --- Disappointing Results --- p.58<br>Chapter 9.5 --- Turnaround --- p.59<br>Chapter 9.6 --- Competition --- p.59<br>Chapter 9.7 --- Scrutiny from the Capital Market --- p.60<br>Chapter 9.8 --- "Is Privatization Necessary or is it a ""Red Herring""?" --- p.61<br>RECOMMENDATIONS --- p.62<br>Chapter 10.1 --- Corporate Governance Incentives --- p.62<br>Chapter 10.2 --- Diversified Representation of Board Members --- p.63<br>Chapter 10.3 --- Create a market for corporate control --- p.63<br>Chapter 10.4 --- Modernize financial accounting and auditing practices --- p.64<br>Chapter 10.5 --- Establishing the Rule of Law --- p.65<br>SUMMARY AND CONCLUSION --- p.66<br>BIBLIOGRAPHY --- p.69

Privatization, and particularly privatization of services, is a worldwide trend that has grown tremendously over the past 25 years. This growth has been particularly pronounced in developing countries in recent years. Prison services is one of many sectors that has contracted with the private sector, however, until South Africa outsourced the design, construction, finance, and operation of two maximum security prisons to the private sector for a period of 25 years, private prison companies were only involved in some developed countries. Many argue that the sector's involvement in South Africa signals its intention to expand throughout the developing world, and undoubtedly, South Africa's experience will be influential in the future growth of this sector in such countries. This paper aims to explore the experience of South Africa's public-private partnership (PPP) prisons thus far, within a context of international and domestic service privatization, in order to identify key trends and issues which may be relevant to future private sector involvement in prisons and other service sectors. Research was conducted qualitatively, with a total of 12 interviews carried out telephonically and in person. Respondents included members of the government, PPP prison administrations, and members of civil society in order to gain as wide a perspective as possible. An extensive review of the literature, as well as relevant government sources, was also undertaken. While these prisons have certainly brought benefits to South Africa's correctional service, a number of key concerns about private sector involvement in service provision were identified through this research. Firstly, the whole experience, starting with the initial decision, has lacked transparency and debate. Although contracting with the private sector was supposed to lead to increased efficiency and reduced cost, the prisons have, in fact, led to unexpected high costs and risks for the DCS. Furthermore, private sector involvement has led to a tiering of prison services, with PPP prison services generally much better than the public sector. Finally, the research indicates that there are serious questions to be raised about the effectiveness of the regulation of this sector and whether PPP prison companies are truly being held accountable by government.<br>Thesis (M.Dev.Studies)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, 2005.

Business educators and employers recognize the importance of quantitative methods to business professionals, and subjects in quantitative methods are among the most frequentiy required in the business undergraduate curriculum. However, both business employers and graduates have expressed some dissatisfaction with business education and comment that school ttaining fails to prepare graduates adequately for the particular needs of business organisations. Because of recent changes in technology in the business environment, business educators need to understand what employers consider important, what quantitative methods are required in industry, and how education in quantitative methods can best be prepared in order to meet the needs of business in the 21st century. This research study attempts to answer these questions by investigating the content of quantitative programs offered at the Victoria University of Technology, the effectiveness of associated teaching methods in undergraduate business comses and the viewpoints of final-year students, graduates, educators and business employers about the courses.

by Ng Wai-Hung and Tong Chung-Yan = 吳偉鴻, 唐頌恩.<br>Thesis (M.B.A.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 1996.<br>Includes bibliographical references (leaves 181-187).<br>by Ng Wai-Hung and Tong Chung-Yan = Wu Weihong, Tang Song'en.<br>ACKNOWLEDGMENT --- p.ii<br>ABSTRACT --- p.iii<br>TABLE OF CONTENTS --- p.v<br>LIST OF APPENDICES --- p.vii<br>CHAPTER<br>Chapter I. --- INTRODUCTION --- p.1<br>Chapter II. --- METHODOLOGY --- p.3<br>Chapter III. --- LITERATURE REVIEW --- p.5<br>Modes and Definitions --- p.5<br>Motives and Objectives --- p.8<br>The Issue Of Ownership --- p.12<br>Objections --- p.15<br>Case Study --- p.17<br>British Airport Authority --- p.17<br>The Albany County Airport --- p.23<br>Los Angeles Airport --- p.25<br>British Rail Privatization --- p.28<br>Other Railway Privatization Examples in Europe --- p.35<br>Railway Development and Operational Strategies in China --- p.37<br>Privatization and Private Financing Examples in China --- p.45<br>Private Financing Examples in Hong Kong - BOT --- p.52<br>Kowloon-Canton Railway Corporation --- p.55<br>Hospital Authority --- p.60<br>Critical Success Factors --- p.64<br>Chapter IV. --- SITUATIONAL ANALYSIS --- p.66<br>Airport Authority --- p.66<br>Background --- p.66<br>Economical --- p.68<br>Corporate Culture --- p.68<br>Corporate Structure --- p.69<br>Decision Making Process --- p.70<br>Human Resources Policy --- p.70<br>Potential for Efficiency Gain - Benchmarking --- p.71<br>Competition --- p.74<br>Profit Potential --- p.77<br>Funding --- p.78<br>Social --- p.80<br>Aircraft Operators --- p.80<br>Retailers --- p.81<br>Airport Users --- p.82<br>Authority Staff --- p.82<br>The Public --- p.83<br>Political --- p.84<br>Summary --- p.88<br>The Mass Transit Railway Corporation --- p.90<br>Background --- p.91<br>Introduction --- p.91<br>Corporate Objectives --- p.93<br>Economical --- p.94<br>Corporate Structure --- p.94<br>Management and ownership --- p.94<br>Operating Organization --- p.96<br>Customer Satisfaction --- p.98<br>Market Analysis --- p.99<br>Market Competition --- p.104<br>Financial Conditions --- p.107<br>Operational Performance --- p.119<br>Social --- p.121<br>Fare Policy --- p.121<br>Employee Compensation --- p.125<br>Political --- p.127<br>The Local Government --- p.127<br>China's Influences --- p.128<br>Summary --- p.131<br>MTRC Operating Railway and the Lantau and Airport Railway --- p.131<br>MTRC New Extensions --- p.135<br>Conclusions --- p.136<br>Chapter V. --- RECOMMENDATIONS --- p.138<br>Airport Authority --- p.138<br>Short-term --- p.138<br>Long-term --- p.139<br>The Mass Transit Railway Corporation --- p.142<br>Short-Term --- p.142<br>Long-Term --- p.142<br>Contingency Plan --- p.147<br>APPENDIX --- p.152<br>BIBLIOGRAPHY --- p.181

This thesis examines the invasiveness of English ivy (Hedera helix L..: Araliaceae). an exotic horticultural species, in 14 near-urban parks in Greater Victoria. British Columbia. Using descriptive notes from field observations, the overall invasiveness of H. helix is assessed in each park, particularly near park boundaries. Land use associated with the fragmentation of natural habitat directly outside each park is characterised and related to invasion inside the park. Only three of the 14 representative parks examined are not invaded by P. helix. and four are very extensively invaded. ' The analysis of administrative park boundaries supports the hypothesis that H. helix begins invasion inside park boundaries that are adjacent to established residential areas. H. helix is found in moist forest communities of grand fir (Abies grandis) bigleaf maple (Acer macrophyllum) and western redcedar (Thuja plicata). Communities c f Garry oak (Quercus garryana) with black hawthorn (Crataegus douglasii) and English hawthorn (C. monogyna) are heavily invaded and vulnerable to invasion' However. Douglas-fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii) forest communities are most heavily invaded and especially at risk of invasion. H helix climbs at least 17 species of trees and tall shrubs. with Douglas-fir trees providing the tallest supports. Other areas in parks vulnerable to invasion by H. helix include woodlands with rich soils, slight canopy gaps. windthrown forest edges, park entranceways and accessways. During the growth season, H. helix shoots were monitored in both heavily and less invaded sites. On average, shoots on the forest floor grew 22 cm per month. and on host trees, shoots grew 17 cm per month. Another growth characteristic of H. helix is that where it is long established on host trees, its stems have radial growth rings viewable in cross-section. These rings are likely annual and sensitive to annual climatic variability. The spread of an introduced liana, a plant form not present in the indigenous flora, has several implications for near-urban forest ecology including altered physical forest structure, hastened tree death and suppression of understory species (e.g. seedlings and shrub species such as salal - Gaultheria shallon and possibly red huckleberry - Vaccinium parvifolium). The increased concentration and range of exotic, horticultural species such as H. helix, in near-urban park and forest fragments, signifies that an exotic species management strategy is urgently needed for habitat and ecosystem conservation.