Entry and industry evolution: the UK car industry, 1958—83

This paper models entry and the subsequent changes in market structure in three segments of the UK car industry, 1958–83. The entry equation emerges from a dynamic optimization model which allows for the costs of acquiring market share. The model is used to explore the hypothesis that the market penetration of entrants in this industry was facilitated by a post-entry advertising war which the incumbent firms lost. The basic hypothesis under examination is that advertising both facilitates and restricts entry, but that it does so in a way that varies systematically over time. The data are consistent with this view, showing that high advertising shares readily translate into high market shares, but that the escalation of industry advertising caused by entry can make high advertising entry strategies increasingly costly over time.     

University–industry linkages and absorptive capacity: an empirical analysis of China's manufacturing industry

We analyze the contribution of universities to innovative performance in China's manufacturing sector. Our empirical analysis is based on a matched data set comprising about 20,000 large- and medium-sized companies aggregated at the three-digit industry level and information on university knowledge output for 31 provinces between 1998 and 2004. We show that universities’ impact on commercial innovation varies with the type of activity performed and is contingent on the manufacturing sector's investment in absorptive capacity. In addition, our results confirm organizational theory stating that there is a complementary relationship between capabilities to acquire and assimilate external knowledge on the one hand and the capacity to transform and exploit this knowledge on the other.     

Dynamics of industry architecture and firms’ knowledge and capability development: an empirical study of industry transformation

There is a lack of empirical evidence supporting existing conceptualisations and particularly clarifying the underlying mechanisms involved in the role of dominant firms in industry transformation. This research undertook an in-depth single case study of how a firm managed its knowledge and capability development processes to shape the industry architecture to its benefit. We investigated how a dominant firm manipulates the interdependencies with local suppliers and positions itself at higher levels of the industry architecture hierarchy. Findings suggest that such processes take place over the course of several product innovation projects and across different levels of the product architecture. Such findings contribute to helping firms to manage their knowledge and capability development processes and transform the industry architecture to their advantage.     

Study on the clustering of a typical industry：a case of apple industry in Shaanxi Province, China

The apple industry in Shaanxi Province is a resource-based industry; compared to the best productiveregions at home and abroad, it is advantageous in high quality as well as geographical and natural resources. Currently,big changes have occurred in the apple market supply-demand relations; long-term and comprehensive shortage haspassed; the buyer＇s market has come into being; competitions in the domestic market are fierce. At the same time, theforeign apple will impact on the domestic market, increasing competitive pressure. Foreign anti-dumping measures,green barriers and technologies restrict the exportation of the domestic apple. Based on successful experience of otherindustrial clusters, this paper analyzes the existing problems in the development of Shaanxi apple industrial cluster,combining empirical analysis, qualitative analysis and quantitative analysis, proposes specific policy recommendationsand get the conclusions. First, the characteristics of the agricultural industrial cluster are analyzed; Shaanxi appleindustry is characterized by cluster. Second, the rapid development of Shaanxi apple industrial cluster exposes someproblems. Third, we need the government to control the disorderly competition of Shaanxi apple industry.     

Testing Okun’s law with Swiss industry data

Okun’s law postulates a stable relationship between quarterly output growth and changes in (un)employment. This proposition has so far been tested with macroeconomic data at the highest level of aggregation. The article goes beyond that in extending the analysis to industry data from Switzerland, applying a method suggested by the International Monetary Fund. Another focus is on whether expansions in production have become more ‘jobless’ over the most recent business cycle compared to earlier ones. This does not seem to be the case in Switzerland, except in the construction industry.     

Research on mechanism of technological diffusion in industry cluster

The main aim of the paper is to explain the reason and mechanism of technological diffusion in industry cluster. Following the idea showed in Zhou Qin＇s model, we further develop the theoretical analysis that how the technological gap between strong enterprises and weak enterprises determines the level and speed of technological diffusion. The bigger the technological disparity between strong enterprise and weak enterprise is, the quicker technology spreads and knowledge overflows; on the contrary, the smaller the technological disparity between strong enterprise and weak enterprise is, the slower technology spread and knowledge overflows. Therefore, this kind of mechanism is helpful for enterprises in an industry cluster to learn from each other and to enable each enterprise close to the ＂the average level＂ of technology or knowledge. As a result, we think that, there exists a close relation between technological gap and technological diffusion. The paper puts forward the way of knowledge overflows of the strong enterprises： imitationdemonstration effect, the longitudinal connection in the industrial chain, the labor force flow and transfer, informal exchange.     

‘Networks of practice’ in the Italian motorsport industry

The purpose of this paper is to advance research on inter-organisational networks by proposing a practice-based view of network formation and development in technology intensive environments. The research followed an exploratory, qualitative research design based on interviews, observation and documentary evidence to examine the recursive practices that have been enacted by racing car manufacturers and suppliers in the Italian motorsport industry in their efforts to develop increasing levels of collaboration and participation in product development activities. The results show how motorsport actors acted strategically and reflexively in negotiating their roles and the level of involvement in joint activities moving towards increased interpenetration and promoting legitimisation. However, in contrast to other studies of strategic network management, the leading actors have not imposed themselves unilaterally in structuring the network and knowledge flows. Rather lead firms have acted to encourage collaboration, participation and promote a shared sense of identity amongst network members.     

Can industry regulators learn collusion structures from information-efficient asset markets?

This note combines a dynamic industrial organization model, in which an industry is subject to exogenous processes of market-size and collusion structure, with a consumption-based asset pricing model for the shares in the industry’s firms. Three main findings emerge for our model under the assumption of information-efficient asset markets. First, the volatility of a firm’s share price is exclusively driven by the volatility of the industry’s market-size. Second, the volatility of a firm’s price-dividend ratio is exclusively driven by the volatility of the industry’s collusion structure whereby high (resp. low) ratios indicate less (resp. more) collusion. Third, for non-volatile collusion structures the price-dividend ratio is constant across different collusion structures.     

How institutional conditions impact university–industry search strategies and networks

A wide range of research has studied interactions between academic and industrial organisations. Less research has combined institutional theory and the terminology of social networks in order to investigate how different institutional conditions across scientific fields impact university–industry search strategies and networks in various ways. Based on a comparative analysis of the institutional conditions in two different scientific fields, we argue that the UI search processes and network formations of a high-tech small firm are shaped by these different institutional conditions within which they are embedded. The study contributes to knowledge about how the significance of weak and strong ties is relative to varying institutional conditions in general high-tech vs. life sciences and why embeddedness in pre-existing ties is not necessarily the most effective means for firms to optimise UI search and network-formation strategies.     

acing power industry reform-how to further deepen the reform in power in

4月17日～18日,国务院召开了第六次全国环境保护大会。温家宝总理和曾培炎副总理出席大会并发表了重要讲话。这是深入贯彻党的十六届五中全会和十届全国人大第四次会议精神,以科学发展观为指导,落实国务院关于加强环境保护的决定,部署“十一五”时期环保工作的一次重要会议。如     

Grand strategies and strategic actions in the pharmaceutical industry 2001–2002

This paper explores the strategic actions realised by firms in the pharmaceutical industry during 2001 and 2002. The purpose was to develop an empirically derived categorisation of strategic actions and grand strategies from the behaviour of firms that could be used as the basis of a methodological framework for developing understanding of strategic change. Qualitative analysis was used to identify and categorise strategic actions implemented by pharmaceutical firms. Twenty-three grand strategies were identified and are described. Implications for further research in strategy development are discussed.     

Dynamic trend analysis on relational effect of environmental protection industry in China

EPI （environmental protection indastry） and three industries constitute aur national economic structuse. By Grey System Theory and correlation effect analytical method for the first time, this paper analyzes the relatioaship degree between environmental protection industry and the three causes including industries involved in China in both qualitative and quantitotive aspects. Both the innate tale and the realistic reasons nf the relational degree are further analyzed by utilizing sastninoble development theory, circulating economy theol., ecological equilibrium theory, externality theory. industrial structure theory, and ecology prinrity rules. From all the analysts, this paper reveals the relationship between EPI and three industries. In addition, it offers suggestions to the feasibility of adjusting the industrial structure and developing the environmental protection industry in our country.     

A ray of hope? Another look at the Italian textile industry

Despite increasing competition from newly industrializing countries, Italy’s textile industry has continued to be an important contributor to the domestic economy. Many observers attribute this resilience to the industry’s focus on quality. Here, we take note of that view but also examine production and cost relationships to explore the existence of returns to scale and the interrelationships among inputs to gain additional insights about the future prospects for this industry. The findings are consistent with constant returns to scale and a substitute relationship between all input pairs except for domestic capital and foreign intermediate goods. The results also suggest some increasing flexibility in the labor market, perhaps including informal sector arrangements, greater responsiveness of labor demand to the price of capital, and more international production sharing arrangements. An increasing elasticity over time of the demands for domestic capital and domestic intermediate goods with respect to the price of foreign substitutes was also observed. Since further economies of scale do not exist, maintaining the Italian textile industry’s reputation for outstanding quality will likely be an important survival strategy for some products. For others, production sharing may be necessary to maintain international competitiveness.     

Does WTO accession matter for the Chinese textile and clothing industry?

Based on field surveys conducted in Guangdong, Zhejiang andBeijing in 2000 and 2001, this paper argues that accession tothe World Trade Organisation (WTO) by China will create a newcompetitive arena for different categories of textile and clothingfirms located in that country, partly dependent on the sizeand ownership of the firm. From the perspectives of reducingimport tariffs, eliminating export quotas and the regulationson trade disputes, WTO accession does matter for the majorityof Chinese firms in this ‘win–lose’ game.From the perspective of compliance with international standards,this paper argues that accession to the WTO does not reallymatter for some Chinese firms, as they may not survive the intensecompetition prior to 2005, when the effects of the Agreementon Textiles and Clothing materialise.     

What determines productivity performance of telecommunications services industry? A cross-country analysis

This article investigates the key factors that determine the productivity performance of telecommunications services industry. A simple theoretical model is used to illustrate that the Total Factor Productivity (TFP) growth is attributable to the effects of scale economies, market competition and technical change. We then examine empirically the effect of various factors on the TFP growth in the industry using panel data in 12 Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) countries for the period 1983 through 2003. The empirical results are consistent with the theoretical prediction. A new finding in this article is that higher machinery and equipment (M&E) capital intensity and human capital contribute to higher TFP growth in the telecommunications services industry. The decomposition analysis also suggests that technical change induced by changes in M&E capital intensity and human capital are important sources of productivity performance in the industry across the OECD countries, contributing to about 20–50% and 2–7% of TFP growth, respectively. These findings highlight the importance of improving the conditions for M&E capital investment and the quality of human capital, which in turn could facilitate the adoption of new technologies and enhance the productivity in the industry.     

S-Curve at the industry level: evidence from US–UK commodity trade

Backus et al. in (Am Econ Rev 84(1): 84–103, 1994) found that the cross-correlation function between terms of trade and trade balance resembles the letter S and labeled it the S-curve. Support for S-curve is rather weak in some cases, most notably US when aggregate trade data are used. Empirical regularities based on aggregate trade data may suffer from a potential bias stemming from aggregation. Indeed, by employing US bilateral trade data excellent support for the S-curve is recovered. The support, however, was rather weak at the level of US–UK bilateral trade. Suspecting aggregation bias again, we employ US–UK trade data at the industry level and find overwhelming support for the S-curve. Furthermore, commodity attributes play no role. Valuable comments of an anonymous referee are greatly appreciated. Any error, however, is ours.     

Rejuvenating wood carving industry in Taiwan Sanyi： A perspective of strategic management

This research aimed at providing suggestions to rejuvenate the wood carving industry in Taiwan Sanyi. The authors conducted interviews with representative store keepers and sculptors to gain industrial insights, and applied the strategic matrix analysis developed by Dr. Seetoo to examine industrial conditions and formulate strategic suggestions for wood carving companies. The industry was found lack of market orientation, which was considered as the critical factor of the long term depression. However, a market of tourism for nostalgic and cultural experience started developing in the near area, providing opportunities for Sanyi wood carving industry to recover. The main suggestions the authors made are （1） restructuring the product scope to respond to the market, and （2） branding with resorts in near area.     

Semiotic knowledge toward heritage product in tourism industry： A case of Terengganu

In order to provide an appropriate context for the current state of the heritage product in tourism industry, semiotic knowledge become an important role to know deeply the identity, philosophy, and also the meaning of behind the actual product. Scott （2000） stresses the requirement of aesthetic and semiotic content in a creative product, instead of creativity. But, how many of retailers and salespersons in heritage product believe the semiotic as knowledge to present the product and opportunities in their selling？ According to Kotler （2000） a good personal selling will provide a detailed explanation or demonstration of the product. The message can be varied by the salesperson to fit the motivations and interests or each prospective customer. So, the purpose of this paper is to closely examine the level of awareness among retailers and salesperson toward the important of semiotic knowledge as part of strategic persuasion in a selling process. This survey study will develop a sample among retailers and salesperson in Kuala Terengganu as a respondent who give the feedback to fulfill the research questions.     

How may a carbon tax transform Australian electricity industry? A CGE analysis

The carbon tax policy proposed by Australian government has triggered deep concerns about the high electricity prices facing households and the sustainability of electricity industry. By employing a computable general equilibrium (CGE) model and an environmentally extended Social Accounting Matrix (SAM), this article simulates the effect of Australian carbon tax on the electricity industry. The modelling results show that the wholesale electricity prices indeed increase by about 90%, but the retailer prices only increase by 25%. The coal-fired electricity generators will reduce their output by 8% (for black-coal) to 18% (for brown-coal), but the profitability of the industry will drop dramatically. On the other hand, generators using oil, gas or renewable resources, will increase their output significantly and enjoy a handsome profit. Through the price, cost and profitability mechanisms, the carbon tax will transfer the Australian electricity generation to a low emission industry in the long term.     

Bankruptcy in the pulp and paper industry: market’s reaction and prediction

This paper examines North American pulp and paper company bankruptcies that occurred between 1990 and 2009. We demonstrate that shareholders suffer substantial losses (37 %) during the month a bankruptcy occurs. Encouragingly, we show that financial ratios are useful in predicting firm failure and that failed firms are less profitable, more liquidity constrained and higher in debt leverage. Using a binary logit model in the spirit of Ohlson (J Acc Res, 19, 109–131, 1980), we predict financial distress for pulp and paper firms 1 to 2 years ahead of the bankruptcy. We also adapt and re-estimate the empirical model on a sample of pulp and paper firms and perform in-sample and out-of-sample forecasts. For the out-of-sample analysis, our re-estimated Ohlson models correctly predict 93 % of bankruptcy and non-bankruptcy outcomes.