Business incubation models and institutionally void environments

This paper builds a conceptual framework of business incubation models in institutionally void environments, a relevant yet understudied topic in the extant literature. On the basis of a qualitative approach based on the analysis of five case studies drawn from a sample of business incubators in Egypt, and grounding on the literature on institutional voids, we posit that there is a necessity for two different incubation models in institutional laggard environments, typically found in, yet not limited to, developing countries. In particular, we show evidence that the two models supply and facilitate different needs of entrepreneurs, in different stages of entrepreneurial life cycle. We further argue that the incubation model choice is contingent on the incubator sponsors, i.e. affiliation of the incubator, mainly through available resources and imposed objectives. Finally, we offer implications for policy makers who can use the framework to design the regulations in a way that will stimulate appropriate incubator creation and hence sustain local entrepreneurship, as well as for incubator managers who can follow the findings to position their incubation model in line with their resources, capabilities and objectives.     

Demand for improved fish feed in the presence of a subsidy: a double hurdle application in Kenya

Fish farming households’ demand for improved fish feed from the private market in Kenya is potentially influenced by the government's feed subsidy program. This article applies the double‐hurdle model to a cross‐section of fish farms to analyze demand for improved fish feed from private markets, and whether the government feed subsidy program has an effect on private demand for improved feed. The results indicate that households’ decisions to participate in the improved feed market are affected by the quantity of improved feed received from the government. Once the participation decision has been made, we find evidence of crowding‐in of the private improved feed sector; that is, the government's allocations of subsidized feed appear to increase private sector demand. In addition, the price of improved feed negatively affects the quantity purchased as expected. Education, extension contacts, and ease of marketing matured fish increase household propensity to purchase improved feed commercially. Policies that help reduce the price of improved feed such as reduction in tariffs on imported feeds and feed ingredients will foster demand for the feed, as will policies that facilitate marketing of fish at reasonable prices by households.     

对完善工商行政管理职能的思考

我国工商行政管理工作的缺陷主要是管理的覆盖面狭窄、管理的职能模糊，缺乏实现职能的有效手段等。完善工商行政管理职能，应从加速培育市场主体，完善市场体系，强化市场准入，明确主管职能，促进公平竞争秩序等方面入手。     

论流通的市场创新

市场创新是企业组织创新的基础.市场创新主要有四个途径交易集中化、交易方式多样化、交易规范化和交易分工深化.     

Market segments based on the dominant movement patterns of tourists

This paper presents an innovative method for tourist market segmentation-based on dominant movement patterns of tourists; that is, the travel sequences or patterns used by tourists most frequently. There were three steps to achieve this goal. In the first step, general log-linear models were adopted to identify the dominant movement patterns, while the second step was to discover the characteristics of the groups of tourists who travelled with these patterns. The Expectation–Maximisation algorithm was then used to partition tourist segments in terms of socio-demographic and travel behavioural variables. The third step was to select target markets based upon the earlier analysis. These methods were applied to a sample of tourists, over the period of a week, on Phillip Island, Victoria, Australia. A significant outcome of this research is that it will assist tourism organisations to identify tourism market segments and develop better tour packages and more efficient marketing strategies aligned to the characteristics of the tourists.     

Does market orientation pay off without brand orientation? A study of small business entrepreneurs

Market orientation and brand orientation are usually modelled as distinct antecedents of business performance, and the simultaneous performance effects of these orientations are empirically under-explored. Moreover, studies of market orientation and branding tend to focus on large corporations and the views of managers rather than the views of small business entrepreneurs. Addressing these research gaps, the current study explores market orientation and brand orientation by empirically testing their simultaneous effects on the business performance of small firms. Using primary data from 328 effective responses gathered from small business entrepreneurs, the study finds that market orientation improves the financial performance of a small firm only if it is implemented through brand orientation and eventually translated into brand performance. The results further indicate that older firms benefit more than younger firms from investing in branding, while younger firms benefit from paying attention to the actions of their rivals.     

中国股市的世界一体化与区域一体化：行业视角

本文从行业视角出发，研究了我国A股市场的世界一体化与区域一体化的动态进程。研究发现：特定行业因素对工业、原材料和金融行业的冲击超过了外界因素对A股市场整体的影响；与世界因素相比，亚洲区域因素对A股指数及大多数行业的影响占据主导地位；在次贷危机期间，亚洲区域因素对A股市场中金融行业的影响最大，金融行业成为亚洲区域风险向国内市场传递的主要载体。     

The baby boomer market maven in the United Kingdom: an experienced diffuser of marketplace information

This study identifies and profiles market mavens among the baby boomer generation in the United Kingdom. Boomers are an important market segment, yet most advertising targets younger audiences, making word-of-mouth communications crucial among this older cohort. Findings suggest boomer mavens place great importance on ‘respect’ values, are particularly concerned with fashion and compared with non-mavens are more likely to try new brands, watch more television, hold positive attitudes towards advertising and seek out bargains. The study is useful to those businesses wishing to target a mature consumer who people perceive as a good source of marketplace information and who likes introducing new brands to others.     

电子商务有效激活农村经济

近年来,电子商务快步进入农村,不仅有效地释放了农民消费潜力,而且带动了农民就业和创业,解决或缓解了多年来困扰农村经济发展的"卖难"问题,但也有几大问题制约农村电商的持续健康发展,需继续加大政策扶持力度,进一步促进农村电商发展,培育农村经济发展新动力.     

权属意识、资源禀赋与宅基地退出意愿

农户宅基地的退出意愿会受到农民显性权属意识、隐性权属意识和资源禀赋等的影响。研究结果表明,显性权属意识对农户宅基地退出意愿的影响并不显著,原因可能是农户的从众、好面子等心理会对直接表面的权属意识造成干扰。只有当涉及农户的切身利益时,农户的隐性宅基地权属意识才会表现出来,并且宅基地私有权属意识越强,农户越不愿意退出宅基地。此外,农户的资源禀赋如所在市区的GDP、小区的经济状况、绿化状况、家庭人口特征等对宅基地的退出意愿也具有一定影响。从政策角度讲,确权颁证和还权赋能、良好的城市就业和公共服务、尊重农民的退出意愿,以及城乡一体的社会保障是实现闲置宅基地退出合理有效的重要举措。