Old Wine in a New Bottle: Growth Convergence Dynamics in the EU

In this paper, we explore convergence of real per capita output across the European Union (EU) countries, as well as the transitional behavior of possible underlying factors that are responsible for any convergence or divergence pattern. The new panel convergence methodology developed by Phillips and Sul (2007) is employed in a production function growth accounting approach and data from the Total Economy Database and the Total Economy Growth Accounting Database. The empirical findings suggest that the EU countries form two distinct convergent clubs, exhibiting considerable heterogeneity in the underlying growth factors. These findings should help policy makers in designing appropriate growth-oriented programs as well as in setting priorities in their implementation.     

VOLUNTARY DISCLOSURE OF SEGMENT INFORMATION: FURTHER AUSTRALIAN EVIDENCE

This study provides further empirical evidence on incentives for Australian firms to voluntarily report segment information. Various economic reasons why firms may elect to present segment information have been hypothesised in previous research. Bradbury [1992] and McKinnon and Dalimunthe [1993] found firm size, minority interest and industry membership as significant identifiable characteristics motivating voluntary segmental disclosure. Variables found to be insignificant in Bradbury [1992] which were not examined by McKinnon and Dalimunthe [1993] are tested in this paper. Hypotheses relating to size, financial leverage, assets-in-place, earnings volatility, ownership diffusion, outside equity (minority) interest, overseas association as well as diverse and mining and oil classification hypotheses are empirically examined. Univariate tests and multivariate logit analysis suggest that for a extensive sample of diversified firms, voluntary segment disclosure is significantly related to size, leverage and involvement in mining or oil activities.     

Bottom Marx

Much of the economic analysis published in recent years has been Marxist in flavour. The publication of a dictionary of Marxist thought offers a guide to its various schools. Chris Tame dissects the contrasting interpretations of its numerous contributors.     

On the Unequal Inequality of Poor Communities

Communities differ in important ways in their needs, capacities,and circumstances. Because central governments are not ableto discern these differences fully, they seek to achieve theirpolicy objectives by relying on decentralized mechanisms thatuse local information. Household and individual characteristicswithin communities can also vary substantially. A growing bodyof theoretical literature suggests that inequality within communitiescan influence policy outcomes in ways that are either harmfulor helpful, depending on the circumstances. Until recently,empirical investigations into the impact of inequality havebeen held back by a lack of systematic evidence on community-levelinequality. This study uses household survey and populationcensus data to estimate per capita consumption inequality withincommunities in three developing economies. It finds that communitiesvary markedly in their degree of inequality. It also shows thatthere should be no presumption that inequality is less severein poor communities. The kind of community-level inequalityestimates generated here can be used in designing and evaluatingdecentralized antipoverty programs.     

Crashing into the future

The title of this paper, Crashing into the Future, references a conception of technology as containing its own future demise. It is a conception of the future as accident or discontinuous. We find this in J.G. Ballard's novel Crash (1973), in many of David Cronenberg's early films of the seventies, and more recently in his film adaptation of Crash (1996). This paper focuses on Crash (both the novel and the film) in terms of the way the future is pathologized through the car, and, in particular, how the car crash foregrounds temporality in a manner that is traumatic.     

Changes and continuities in South Korean HRM

The operating context of South Korean human resource management (HRM) has undergone radical shifts since we wrote our first piece in 1997 for a similar collection to this. This has undoubtedly influenced the practice of HRM. Therefore, the focus of this piece is to compare the current situation with the past and delineate the amount and type of such change vis-à-vis continuity in HRM. The contextual factors and issues, political and economic background, labour market situation, the 1997 Asian financial crisis and ramifications, are analysed. Then future possible scenarios and key issues are outlined.     

Factors affecting global integration of Chinese multinationals in Australia: A qualitative analysis

This study utilizes cross-level and in-depth interviews to extend empirical and conceptual studies that have identified the factors underlying the choices made by OECD based multinational enterprises (MNEs) when determining their approach to global integration. The study examines the applicability of these factors in the context of Chinese MNEs with operations in Australia. In so doing, it pioneers the use of qualitative methods to determine which factors affect emerging market MNEs’ global integration and how these elements function and interrelate. Furthermore, the study contributes to theory-building by classifying the factors affecting global integration into organizational, industrial, and environmental groupings. The implications of this study are drawn from the data analysis and directions for future studies are advanced.