The Value of the WTO

Recent developments in global trade include actions by major global traders that lie outside the norms of behaviour of the World Trade Organization (WTO) over the last 20 years. Member frustrations with the slow pace of negotiations and concerns about strategies and behaviours of other members approaches to trade and economic development have created unprecedented stresses on a system of rules and commitments that have long encouraged global trade growth and increased economic integration. In this paper we explore the value of the multilateral trading system, particularly the WTO, and emphasize that the value goes well beyond crucial achievements such as tariff reductions and the prevention of a global trade war, but is also found in increased certainty and transparency. The WTO reduces uncertainty about trade policy thus promoting trade and investment. Membership of the WTO locks in beneficial reform and has a public good nature also fostering trade with non-members. We discuss the importance of the WTO as a multilateral forum to negotiate rules on segments of trade expected to grow in the future such as services and digital trade. We describe how the history of negotiations in the WTO provides useful insights for negotiations on such future topics.     

Do midwifery International clinical placements influence students’ practice and employment decisions?

AimThe aim of this study was to investigate whether an International two-week clinical maternity placement enhances, and is beneficial, to midwifery students’ future practice and employment decisions during the final year of an undergraduate degree.BackgroundInternational placements are common in undergraduate pre-registration nursing midwifery university curricula, with the emphasis on preparing students to work with diverse women in multicultural environments whilst incorporating cultural competence. However, little is known as to whether an International placement influences future graduate’s work place choice.MethodsUsing a qualitative approach, focus groups were undertaken with 16 final year midwifery students from a University in Western Australia who had experienced a two-week International clinical midwifery placement in Tanzania (Africa) or Manilla (Philippines). Data was analysed using thematic analysis.FindingsThe results of the study revealed eight over-arching themes that revealed an increase in midwifery student’s confidence; an awareness of the need to consolidate knowledge and skills, reinforcement of their own career aspirations, midwifery beliefs and trust in women and physiological birth.ConclusionThis study confirms the benefits of overseas clinical placements, which provide opportunities beyond developing cultural sensitivity. Midwifery students are challenged to develop not only practical competence, but confidence to trust in themselves and the process of physiological birth. These experiences validate theoretical learning and provide opportunity to reflect on the possibilities of future employment and decision making as a midwife.     

TRANSFER-PRICING AND OUTPUT DECISIONS: THE DYNAMIC INTERACTION

This paper is concerned with the dynamic interactions between output and transferprice decisions in a three-country model for a multinational firm when profits taxation and ad valorem tariffs are applied simultaneously. A numerical example is used to illustrate that the three-country model modifies considerably conclusions reached in the traditional two-country, two-goods framework.     

Protocol journalism as a framework for understanding public relations–media relationships in Kosovo

There is growing interest about the ways in which the public relations field can contribute to democratization and civil society initiatives. Some scholars see enormous potential for public relations by non-governmental organizations (NGOs) to help get important social issues on the public agenda in transitional nations while other scholars have critiqued the practice of public relations in newly formed nations as a form of hegemony that privileges Western ideas, values, and standards of practice. One thing is certain: more scholarly attention is required if the field of public relations is to truly understand its evolving role in civil society. The purpose of this paper is to explore how the public relations–media relationship contributes to civil society development in Kosovo. The researcher interviewed media professionals, public relations/organizational spokespersons, and civil society experts about the opportunities and challenges of the public relations function in building civil society in Kosovo. The findings suggest that “protocol journalism” is the guiding metaphor for explaining and critiquing the public relations–media relationship in Kosovo. The implications of protocol journalism for media development and public relations credibility are discussed.     

China and the Different Regional Approaches in Africa

African countries have a tiny share in the international economy and are not able to play more than a small role in the International Relations arena. Nevertheless, major players are looking at Africa with a renewed interest and, among them, China seems to have the most dynamic approach in order to catch-up with other nations and upgrade relations with African countries. However, the EU is also carrying on its new strategy toward parts of Africa. In these world powers strategies, multiple approaches related to subregions exist, instead of a single regional approach. The objective of this paper is to have a closer look and to analyze how the different regions and major nations of Africa Western Africa, Egypt, Eastern Africa and South Africa) are dealing with their economic and political development path and their interconnection with other areas of the World, with an important focus on China-Africa relations.

国际旅游岛背景下海南发展现代物流的思考

本文以国际旅游岛建设为背景,分析了海南现代物流发展现状,就发展现代物流的主要潜力因素进行探讨。     

国内与国际会计准则比较

文章以比较的形式展示出现有国际会计准则和国内会计准则的异同,分析了我国会计准则目前现 状形成的原因,以及国内会计准则在国际化进程中的可取之处和需要改进的地方,并展望其日后发展。     

国际贸易实务的双语教学策略

国际贸易实务是国际经济与贸易、商务英语专业的核心专业课程,具有涉外性和实践性较强的特点。在传统教学实践中,存在师资力量薄弱、教材难统一、教学方法陈旧以及考核方式单一等问题。为此,提出注意双语教学与语言教学的区别、革新教学方法、慎重选取教材、丰富教学资源、调动学生积极性以及考核方式多样化等优化双语教学效果的策略。     

国际工程项目人力资源管理风险及控制策略

界定了国际工程项目人力资源管理及其风险的内涵,据此对其人力资源分类,将人力资源管理风险辨识划为价值道德、规划拓聘、培训开发、效绩薪酬和流动及意外风险等五大类,并且提出了四大风险控制策略。我国施工企业开拓国际工程市场时,如何制定和实施人力资源管理风险控制方案,论文提供了理论思路和实施策略。     

论适用或排除外国法制度中体现的对立统一

国际私法在数百年的发展历程中,一方面强调了适用外国法的必要性和重要性,另一方面又制定了一系列限制其适用的制度,例如识别、反致、转致、间接反致、公共秩序保留、法律规避、外国法内容的查明等制度。本文在对这些制度分析的基础上,提出了应正确认识和理解这些制度具有的双重性,即实质上具有的对立统一的基础——主权国家的利益,当然无论是适用还是排除适用外国法都只能站在国家民族的立场上来作出选择。同时,本文还提出了处理好这一对矛盾的若干看法。