The World Trade Organization, competition policy, and developing countries: A cross -country examination of domestic policy actions

This dissertation addresses the following research question: in a particular policy area, why do countries that display unanimity in their international policy behavior diverge from each other in their domestic policy actions? I address this question in the context of the divergent domestic competition policy actions undertaken by developing countries during the period 1996-2007, after these countries had quite conspicuously displayed near-unanimity in opposing this policy measure at the World Trade Organization (WTO). This divergence is puzzling because (a) it does not align with their near-unanimous behavior at the WTO over competition policy and (b) it is at variance with the objectives of their international opposition to this policy at the WTO. Using an interdisciplinary approach, this dissertation examines the factors responsible for this divergence in the domestic competition policy actions of developing countries. ^ The theoretical structure employed in this study is the classic second-image-reversed framework in international relations theory that focuses on the domestic developments in various countries following an international development. Methodologically, I employ both quantitative and qualitative methods of analysis to ascertain the nature of the relationship between the dependent variable and the eight explanatory variables that were identified from existing literature. The data on some of the key variables used in this dissertation was uniquely created over a multi-year period through extensive online research and represents the most comprehensive and updated dataset currently available. ^ The quantitative results obtained from logistic regression using data on 131 countries point toward the significant role played by international organizations in engineering change in this policy area in developing countries. The qualitative analysis consisting of three country case studies illuminate the channels of influence of the explanatory variables and highlight the role of domestic-level factors in these three carefully selected countries. After integrating the findings from the quantitative and qualitative analyses, I conclude that a mix of international- and domestic-level variables explains the divergence in domestic competition policy actions among developing countries. My findings also confirm the argument of the second-image-reversed framework that, given an international development or situation, the policy choices that states make can differ from each other and are mediated by domestic-level factors. ^

Assessment of nutritional status of patients on hemodilaysis: a single center study from Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.

Malnutrition (MN) is prevalent worldwide in hemodialysis patients (HDP); however it has not been assessed in HDP living in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. The purpose of this study was to estimate the prevalence of MN in HDP at the Jeddah Kidney Center as well as to determine if the 7-point subjective global assessment (SGA) correlates with anthropometric [Body Mass Index (BMI), Tricep Skinfold Thickness (TSF), Mid-Arm Muscle Circumference (MAMC)], or biochemical (albumin) measurements. In a cross sectional, descriptive study, 270 HDP were assessed for MN. Over half of the HDP were malnourished, with 47.8% moderately and 6.3% severely malnourished. Fifty-eight percent of HDP did not adhere to their diet prescription. As albumin, BMI, TSF, and MAMC decreased, malnutrition became more severe (p < .01). Patients who were female (OR=.43, p=.001), older (OR=.45, p=.001), with no education (OR=3.10, p=.001), underweight (OR=3.56, p<.001), small TSF (OR=1.12, p=.001), and small MAMC (OR=1.15, p=.001) were more likely to be malnourished. The prevalence of MN is high in these HDP. A consistent nutritional assessment protocol is warranted and should be implemented to decrease MN in Saudi HDP.