The dynamic role of small- and medium-sized multinationals in global production networks: Norwegian maritime firms in the Greater Shanghai Region in China

This article examines the role of small- and medium-sized multinational enterprises (MNEs) in the dynamic development of global production networks (GPNs) in the maritime industry. It studies the dynamism between subsidiaries of Norwegian maritime firms and regional actors and institutions in the Greater Shanghai Region of China from the perspectives of the subsidiaries. It argues that strategic coupling, recoupling and decoupling are partly the results of regional selection mechanisms. However, in the cases where the subsidiaries are embedded within the host region, the strategies and behaviour of MNEs are of decisive importance for the dynamic development of GPNs.     

Determinants of the Performance of Investment Promotion Agencies: Evidence from a Mix of Emerging Economies

This article argues whether and how investment promotion agencies (IPAs) efficiently influence investment promotion in the cases of the following selected variables: resources (experience, total staff, and overseas staff), service functions (combined promotion service of inward investment and trade, and inward and outward investment), and organizational structure (autonomous status of private/upper ministry-level IPAs). The results reveal a positive relationship between IPA’s performance and longer experience, larger staff, larger overseas IPA staff members, autonomous private agency types, and upper ministry-level IPAs. However, an IPA’s performance was negatively associated with the combined promotional service of inward investment and trade, and inward and outward investment. The results suggest that an IPA’s performance can be enhanced by adjusting the service functions and restructuring the governance and structure in addition to improving the IPA’s resources and the country’s investment climate.     

中国城镇化包容性发展中的公共投资支持影响研究

本文通过构建城镇化包容性发展指标体系，测度出中国2003—2015年30个省级区域的城镇化包容性发展指数，经莫兰指数检验发现其具有显著的空间正相关性。进而采用空间计量模型，基于户籍制度改革背景，从生产性公共投资、社会性公共投资与环保性公共投资三个方面研究公共投资对城镇化包容性发展的影响。研究结果表明，生产性公共投资与社会性公共投资对城镇化包容性发展均存在显著的正向支持作用，且户籍制度改革变量与二者产生了正向的交互作用，说明随着对人口流动限制的放松，生产性公共投资与社会性公共投资对城镇化包容性发展的支持作用有所增强，但环保性公共投资未能表现出显著的支持作用。在未来城镇化进程中，应当优化调整中国公共投资的行业结构与区域结构，从而更好地提升城镇化包容性发展水平。     

Outward foreign direct investment by Polish state-owned multinational enterprises: is ‘stateness’ an asset or a burden?

State-owned enterprises (SOEs) are commonly associated with undue advantages due to preferential treatment by the state. Simultaneously they are often quoted as handicapped given the notorious state interference, management problems and agency tensions. They used to be regarded as a mainly domestic issue but in the context of globalisation and the fact that states enter treaties with new obligations, SOEs’ performance ceased to be solely a domestic problem, increasingly so as state-owned multinational enterprises (SOMNEs) emerge. This article presents the results of research on Polish SOEs’ outward foreign direct investment (OFDI). It offers an overview of overseas activities of nine major Polish firms with a state stake and aims to contribute to the conceptual literature on foreign investments conducted by SOMNEs. We distinguish between FDI by SOMNEs as specific – privileged (facilitated) or discriminated (hampered) – investments subject to the home country’s state power and the host country’s state perception.     

Empirical study on Chinese tourists’ perceived trust and intention to use biometric technology

This paper presents a theoretical model based on the Technology Acceptance Model combined with a perceived trust model. SPSS 23 and Amos 22 were used to analyze Chinese tourists’ responses regarding use of biometric technology in hotels and to assess whether their perception of trust – measured through five potential factors – affected their intention to use it. Chinese tourists traveling in Macau were recruited, and three types of biological identification technology were discussed. A total of 600 questionnaires were sent out, and 583 effective questionnaires were recovered. The results that in addition to perceived ease of use, other factors affected visitors’ perceptions of trust. The degrees of effectiveness, however, differed between the three biological identification technologies. Fingerprint technology was revealed to be the most trusted and accepted biometric technology.     

Hotel Efficiency Analysis from the Customer’s Point of View in Romania: A Stochastic Production Frontier Approach

The purpose of this article is to measure the efficiency of hotel units in Romania from the customers’ point of view and to identify factors that explain the differences in efficiency between hotel units. A stochastic production frontier is estimated together with a technical inefficiency model using cross-sectional data from 622 hotel units in Romania. The results show that the average efficiency is high. However, there are significant differences between hotels in different regions and with different star ratings. The most influential factor affecting efficiency is the online visibility of a hotel unit on social media platforms and on travel planning sites. The study’s results offer insight for hotel decision-makers to be able to improve the perception of hotel efficiency by taking appropriate action to meet customer needs.     

电商直播背景下产品定价问题研究

随着互联网技术的发展，直播模式成为电商经济新的增长点。在高速发展的同时，电商直播中的“翻车”事件也频频爆出。以电商直播背景下产品定价问题为研究对象，总结概括现有电商直播背景下产品定价的主要策略，深入剖析现有产品定价存在的问题以及产生的原因。最后从明确平台责任、加强行业自律、加大监管和处罚力度、提升消费者自我保护意识等方面提出对策建议。     

The distinct contribution of investment promotion agencies’ branch offices in bringing Chinese multinationals to Europe

This study uncovers the distinct contribution of investment promotion agencies’ (IPAs) overseas branch offices in advancing and even creating foreign direct investment. It offers a novel categorisation of IPAs depending on location and headquarter/branch status, and conceptually connects the known functions of IPAs with the advantages set out by the OLI paradigm. Empirical examination of longitudinal data from 29 European IPAs finds that the activities of their branches in China instilled greater awareness and confidence in Chinese multinational enterprises about their ownership- and European location-specific advantages. This contribution of IPA branches is especially salient in emerging economies with newcomer investors.