How did investor‐state dispute settlement get a bad rap? Blame it on NAFTA,of course

In the short history of the US bilateral investment treaty (BIT) programme, there have been no instances of dispute settlement cases initiated against the United States by firms from BIT countries. The NAFTA experience changed that. Where other studies have only hinted at the reasons for NAFTA controversies, this paper makes clear three causal factors: (i) changing patterns and intensity of FDI, (ii) the application of those rules to developed countries amid those changing FDI patterns and (iii) ambiguities in ISDS rules themselves. The paper explores these and traces the ways in which lessons of the NAFTA have been instrumental in changing the pursuit of investment protection agreements. BITs used to be uncontroversial, but the NAFTA focused attention on reforms to ISDS that maintain the utility of BITs in the governance of FDI, without creating a legal structure for simply challenging the state.     

Success factors for continuous supply chain process improvement: evidence from Japanese manufacturers

This study explores how firms can realise ‘continuous’ supply chain process improvement. Specifically, this study proposes the success factors of routinised activities (also called ‘repeated activities’) in the supply chain process improvement. Eight Japanese manufacturers are selected for the case studies. These firms are selected based on their supply chain process operation capabilities. From the case studies, we find that the planning of supply chain process improvement depends on the existing stage of the firm’s Supply Chain Management reform. In addition, even firms with high scores for supply chain process operation capabilities do not have supply chain performance systems. Furthermore, quite surprisingly, many Japanese manufacturers tend to improve their supply chain processes in the absence of such systems.     

浅谈深基坑的若干问题

本文主要论述了深基坑围护的若干设计理论及施工技术,并结合工程实际进行案例分析,探讨结合理论知识指导实际工程管理的作用。     

Tourism development and economic growth: a panel Granger causality analysis in the frequency domain

In this paper, we test the causal relationship between economic growth and tourism development in the 1995–2012 period using recently developed panel Granger causality tests that allow for country-level heterogeneity, thus leading to more accurate results for the 12 Mediterranean countries. Although results of the Dumitrescu and Hurlin [(2012) testing for Granger non-causality in heterogeneous panels. Economic Modelling, 29(4), 1450–1460] panel Granger causality test show a unidirectional causality from tourism development to economic growth, results of the Croux and Reusens [(2013). Do stock prices contain predictive power for the future economic activity? A Granger causality analysis in the frequency domain. Journal of Macroeconomics, 35, 93–103] panel Granger causality analysis in the frequency domain show that there is a bidirectional temporary and permanent causality between tourism development and economic growth. The bidirectional causality relationship between tourism development and economic growth, which is the main finding of this study, suggests that in order to achieve high economic growth, policy-makers should focus on developing the tourism sector.     

深入学习贯彻党的十八届四中全会精神依法推进高职教育事业健康快速发展

党的十八届四中全会通过的《中共中央关于全面推进依法治国若干重大问题的决定》为全面推进依法治国作出重大部署.我们不仅要从历史和全局的高度学习贯彻十八届四中全会精神和《决定》内涵,以实事求是的精神全面推进依法治国,同时又要以依法治国方针为指导,全面推进高职教育事业健康快速发展.     

简论司法舆情和司法独立的平衡--药家鑫案的制度反思

社会舆论对司法活动给予了充分关注。在监督司法活动的同时，社会舆论也对司法独立产生了严重的冲击。在借鉴美国谢泼德案件意义的基础上，着力探讨缓解社会舆论对审判活动造成冲击的途径和方法。     

案例教学法在高职法律教学中的应用

案例教学法是高职法律教学中一种重要的方法,其对掌握法律理论知识、提高学生综合素能、调动学习积极性、强化教学效果都有帮助。运用案例教学法应遵从相应的步骤并注意若干问题,以发挥其在法律教学中的作用。     

基于不同时期典型案例比较分析的货物贸易外汇业务违规趋势及建议

在不同外汇管理时期，货物贸易违规业务呈现多样化的特点。本文通过对四个外汇管理时期的典型案例比较，总结出贸易项下违规业务的动机、专业化水平和规避监管手段的变化趋势，揭示当前形势下货物贸易外汇监管难点，并提出针对性建议。     

一种实用有效的财务绩效评价法——平衡计分卡

平衡计分卡不仅是一个管理系统,也是一个绩效管理和激励系统,它使组织能清晰地规划远景和战略,并落实具体的行动计划。它既为内部业务流程又为外部客户提供及时的反馈,可以持续改进战略绩效和成果。     

论我国税收强制执行制度之完善

税收强制执行是税收征管程序中最为严厉的程序,是税收强制性特征最突出的表现,是保证税收得以实现的最后的但是又行之有效的措施,在各国的税收征收法律制度中均有明确的规定。然而税收强制执行直接关系到纳税人的利益,因此在对进行的税收强制执行规定中应当充分考虑国家利益与纳税人利益。我国《税收征管法》中虽然也建立了税收强制执行制度,但是在实践中该制度存在许多困惑,本文试图通过比较研究,探讨税收强制执行制度的进一步完善。