Mapping verbal responses to numerical scales in the analytic hierarchy process

Central to the analytic hierarchy process (AHP) are the pairwise comparisons between decision alternatives that are elicited either verbally or numerically. Since comparisons expressed in numbers are required to compute importance weights in the approach, all verbal judgments must be quantified. We propose new scales, and develop a way to identify which numerical scale is best for a given individual. The approach is based on newly-designed compound operation of decision-makers’ preference judgments. We illustrate this process with two examples.     

论WTO制度内纳入劳工权利保护的空间

在经济全球化条件下将劳工权利保护纳入WTO制度是一种必然的趋势。文章对WTO的宗旨、相关条款和运行机制等方面进行了分析，认为WTO制度内存在纳入劳工权利保护的空间。将劳工权利保护纳入WTO制度会提高劳工权利保护的权威性、有效性、合理性和公平性，增加了世界经济发展的稳定性和可预见性。     

Modelling credit in the transmission mechanism of the United Kingdom

Studies have focused heavily on money in the transmission mechanism of monetary policy. In this article we explore the empirical importance of credit. The paper provides a framework in which to analyse the balance sheets of, and financial flows between, different sectors of the UK economy, and an econometric model of the interactions between non-financial firms, households and credit offered by banks and non-bank financial intermediaries. The paper also provides a dynamic structural model of bank and building society credit, money and decisions to consume and invest and then adds credit from non-bank financial intermediaries. Our bottom line is that credit is an important part of the transmission process of UK monetary policy.     

New insights into retail space and format planning from customer-tracking data

Recording and understanding the behaviour of customers is paramount and a key factor influencing the success of any retail business. This paper reports the initial stages of an EPSRC funded research project, which presents a new methodological approach to analysing in-store customer behaviour with a view to optimising space and store performance. Using existing in-store CCTV cameras from a major clothing discount retailer, consumers are tracked to detect patterns of behaviour. Analysis of these “real-time” data exhibited flaws in the arrangement of customer service facilities, and insight into the problems associated with merchandise return policies. Understanding these customer processes and movement patterns thus helped the retail collaborator maximise the performance of the store.     

Managerial evaluation of sales forecasting effectiveness: A MIMIC modeling approach

A Multiple Indicators and MultIple Causes (MIMIC) model is developed in which managerial evaluations of forecasting effectiveness are modeled as a function of different forecast performance criteria, namely, accuracy, bias, timeliness and cost. The model is estimated using data from a survey of export sales forecasting practices and several hypotheses linking the aforementioned criteria on effectiveness are tested. The findings indicate that evaluations of forecasting effectiveness are equally influenced by short-term accuracy and absence of overestimating bias, while timely delivery of the forecast to management is somewhat less important. Long-term accuracy, underestimation and timing of production of the forecast are not found to impact on effectiveness. Implications of the results for forecasting practice are considered and future research directions identified.     

An examination of the dynamic behavior of aggregate bond and stock issues

Using a vector autoregressive (VAR) model, this article examines the dynamic behavior of aggregate bond issues and aggregate stock issues and how interest rates, stock market returns, and aggregate capital expenditures influence them. We find that an increase in stock market returns causes an increase in stock issues that persists over one quarter, while a decrease in interest rates leads to an increase in bond issues that persists over a full year. Aggregate capital expenditures have an immediate effect, but not a long-term effect, on bond issues. We also find that the financing process spreads over a period of at least 1 year. In the short run, an increase in aggregate bond issues leads to a decrease in aggregate stock issues, but in the long run (6 months to 1 year), an issue of either stocks or bonds makes subsequent financing by either stocks or bonds more likely.     

公共能量场视阈下微博问政路径分析

文章借鉴福克斯和米勒的话语理论,比较分析了公共能量场和微博的同质性,并指出公共能量场视阈下政府通过微博实现公众对话,达成政策意愿的路径要求,尝试提出了微博问政路径建构的政策建议,对推进社会主义民主政治和科学执政具有一定现实意义。     

Travelling to work: will people move out of their cars

This paper examines employee's perceptions of their modal choice during the journey to work, and addresses what factors influence modal choice, and whether people can be moved out of their cars to other more sustainable forms of transport. The results of surveys of the commuting habits of employees at two UK companies are presented and compared with other relevant studies. Ninety-seven and 88% of staff at the respective companies travel to work by car. While only 2 and 7% of respondents cycled to work, real potential for cycling was identified, given improvements in the cycling infrastructure. Similarly, while only 0 and 3% currently use public transport for the journey to work, improved services could see a significant modal shift. Overall, there seemed to be genuine willingness to move out of the car for the journey to work, with one of the main barriers being a perception that the alternatives are not viable. Additionally, it appears many people live too far from the workplace to cycle or use public transport.     

安徽省农业生产效率的测度与分析

农业是国民经济建设与发展的基础产业,农业生产率是衡量一个国家和地区农业生产水平的重要指标。文章以安徽省地级市的农业产值为研究对象,运用调整后农业投入产出数据,采用超效率DEA模型和Malmquist指数法测算2008-2018年地级市农业生产效率。结果表明:当前安徽省只有少数地级市农业生产效率达到有效,大部分地级市农业生产效率处于增长状态,存在较大发展潜力;另外,各地级市由于技术进步水平和生产规模等不同,农业生产效率也具有较大差异。基于此,安徽省应加大农业发展投入,各地级市需因地制宜提升农业生产效率,促进农业稳定发展。     

企业主导产学研合作的技术与市场协同创新——以科大讯飞为例

基于科大讯飞的单案例研究,本文分析了科大讯飞以企业为主导的产学研合作模式和技术与市场协同创新的具体实践,揭示了企业主导产学研合作达到技术能力提升和市场价值实现的协同创新过程的内在机理,旨在为我国高科技企业积极构建企业主导型产学研合作创新模式以实现技术和市场的互动发展和协同创新,保持长期竞争优势,提供理论现实依据和实践借鉴。