The role of customer values in accepting information technologies in the public information service sector

Many government agencies have outsourced their information systems to software vendors. Firms in the information service industry have to realize the needs of customers in the public sector. This study investigated the causal relationship between users' perception and information technology acceptance. Empirical results suggest that the perceived value of users plays an important and mediating role in the causal relationship among social influence process, cognitive instrumental process, and intention to use.     

Enhancing the commitment to service quality through developmental and rewarding systems: CSQ consistency as a moderator

This research integrated value congruence and person–environment fit theories into a validation of the effects of developmental and reward-based interventions on frontline service employees' commitment to service quality (FLSE CSQ). Based on a dyad survey conducted in 36 Starbucks stores in Taipei, the results reveal that formal training, coaching and rewards have positive relationships with FLSE CSQ. Moreover, FLSE CSQ is positively related to job satisfaction, commitment to the organisation, job performance and organisational citizenship behaviours (OCBs). The associations of development interventions and rewards with FLSE CSQ and the relationships of FLSE CSQ with job performance and OCBs are significantly stronger when the consistency of CSQ is high.     

Performance assessments of Taiwan’s financial holding companies

This paper uses Risk-Adjusted Return on Capital (RAROC) to assess the performance of 14 financial holding companies (FHCs) in Taiwan. RAROC value indicates a firm’s performance after considering the market risk effect, and gives a better measurement of the firm’s operational productivity than traditional methods. We use the full valuation methods to calculate Value at Risk (VaR) as the market risk measurement for economic capital. According to the New Basel Capital Accord, the market risk of Internal Model should be adjusted, and the Bank for International Settlement suggests using the backtest to select the best full valuation method for estimating adjusted VaR. Therefore, this paper evaluates the best market risk model, and assesses and compares the performance for each firm before and after its merger and acquisition into the FHC. Overall, we find weak evidence that the performance of 14 FHCs increased over time.     

Demand for dairy products in the EU

In the EU dairy sector, given the remaining high protective tariffs and the quota system, the main factor that drives dairy product market prices is the demand. This paper evaluates the development of demand in the EU and presents estimates of consumption trends and forecasts for the future as well as estimates of elasticity with respect to prices and income in two major EU consumer countries: France and Italy. We use two methods to estimate the development of demand for dairy products, one based on a multi-stage demand system and another based on a single trend equation. The two methods generally lead to the same qualitative results but trend projections are larger using the demand system approach which is based on a shorter data period. This difference is thus partly explained by the fact that high trend projections are not sustainable over a long period. The results show a decreasing consumption of butter and fluid milk and an overall growth in protein and fat consumption. Nevertheless, the increase in fat consumption should be more moderate than the consumption of protein. The results also show that the demand for dairy products is relatively price inelastic but is more sensitive to changes in income (especially for butter and cheese categories). As shown by the use of a partial equilibrium model of dairy markets, the likely impact of the CAP reform strongly depends on the development of demand for dairy products in the EU. More research effort on demand analysis is therefore crucial in order to assess the impact of reforms or trade negotiations more accurately and effectively.     

Resource linkages and capability development

In this paper, we examine the different resource linkages sought by manufacturing firms through strategic alliance. We look closely at the impact of manufacturing activities on choice of resource linkage. Using a sample of Taiwanese firms, we found that product development ability and marketing distribution channels are the top priority resource linkages that Taiwanese manufacturing firms seek to establish. The authors also found it interesting that marketing know-how was not a resource commonly sought by Original Design and Manufacturing (ODM) firms, nor by Own-Brand Manufacturing (OBM) firms. Some implications are further discussed. Instead of outsourcing production to external suppliers, Taiwanese OBM firms remained committed to manufacturing as a core competence when they established their own brands overseas.     

Egypt Aiming at Attracting Investment from China

Jointly with China Economic ＆ Trade Counselor Office in Egypt, the General Authority for Investment （GAFI） and the General Authority for Special Economic Zone North-West Gulf of Suez （SEZone） held China-Africa Development Fund Conference in Cairo, Egypt on March 16, 2009. The Minister of Investment Egypt Dr. Mahmoud Mohieldin, Chinese Ambassador to Egypt Mr. Wu Chunhua, Chairman of GAFI and SEZone Mr. Assem Ragab, Vice President of China-Africa Development Fund Mr. Lu Qingchen, Economic and Trade Minister Counselor of the Chinese Embassy in Egypt Mr. Cao Jiachang, as well as over 100 Chinese/Egyptian businessmen attended the conference.     

Opportunities for A Low Carbon Future——China's Clean Revolution Ⅱ

Despite economic downturn,China's domestic markets continue to scale up low carbon technology.A new report that was released in Beijing in August by the Climate Group shows that in an incredibly short time China has taken the lcad in the race to develop and commercialize a range of low carbon technologies.On the back of ambitious government policies and a new breed of entrepreneurs,Chinese businesses are amongst the top producers of electric vehicles,wind turbines,solar panels and energy efficient appliances.     

To Expand Beneficial Cooperation in Agriculture and Finance with Pakistan

At the invitation of the Chinese government, Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari visited .China from February 20 to 23. This was his second China visit after he paid his first visit to China in mid-October last year. As the introduction from Ambassador Khan on February 13, this time the President didn＇t visit Beijing, but chose three stops： Shanghai and two cities in Hubei Province, Wuhan and Yichang. His tour focused on expanding mutually beneficial cooperation in agriculture and finance, for instance between the two sides in hybrid seed and water conservancy.     

Ancient and Modern Architecture Emanate-The Vigor of New Beijing

Beijing,with a 3,000-year history, is the combination of Chinese traditional Culture and the modern fashion. The 2008 Beijing Olympic Games undertakes millions of people's passion and dreams. At the start of the preparing the grand pageant,three concepts were put forward, in which, culture-highlighted Olympics embodies the culture of great splendor of Beijing.     

Shanghai Expo in Promotion

As an important part of the prep- aration work of World Expo Shanghai 2010,the organizers have launched a series of suc- cessful promotion campaigns in China, participating countries,BIE members' countries,etc.,as for developing aware- ness and conveying the concept of the worldwide grand events.Various methods are used in the promotion work,such as dedicating a 5.28-square-meter area at the core of the city to exhibitions,events and forums,and building a powerful and last- ing pilot example of sustainable and har- monious urban living.