Robust influence diagnostics for generalized linear models with continuous responses

This article introduces two parametric robust diagnostic methods for detecting influential observations in the setting of generalized linear models with continuous responses. The legitimacy of the two proposed methods requires no knowledge of the true underlying distributions so long as their second moments exist. The performance of the two proposed influence diagnostic tools is investigated through limited simulation studies and the analyses of an illustration.     

Parametric Robust Test for Several Variances with Unknown Underlying Distributions

Tsou (in comm Stat-Theor Math 32: 2013–2019, 2003) proposed a parametric robust procedure for testing the equality of two population variances. With large samples the proposed test remains valid under model misspecification. In this article the robust technique is further extended to the comparison of several population variances. More specifically the score test derived on the basis of normal models is adjusted to become robust. The adjusted robust test provides asymptotically valid inference so long as the true underlying distributions have finite fourth moments. Unlike most robust nonparametric approaches, this novel robust technique too provides legitimate variance estimates for estimators of the interested parameters.     

The impact of OEM supplier initiatives on buyer competence development: The moderating roles of collaborative relationship and competitive environment

This paper explains the impact of original equipment manufacturing (OEM) supplier initiatives, which are proactive and deliberate behaviors, on buyer competence development. It argues that these adaptive and proactive behaviors in the outsourcing relationship have a significant impact on buyers’ competence development. The sample population consisted of 800 OEM suppliers in Taiwan. SPSS was used to examine the causal relationships among the variables. The empirical results indicate that OEM supplier initiatives have a positive effect on buyer competence development. In addition, two of three collaborative relationship variables—information sharing and long-term collaboration—foster the relationship between OEM supplier initiatives and buyer competence development. However, the moderating role of competitive environment has a negative effect on this relationship.     

The effect of interfirm codevelopment competency on the innovation of the e-service process and product: the perspective of internal/external technology integration mechanisms

Service innovations are central to today's rapidly changing business environment. Because of heterogeneous customer demands, rapid product life cycles, and advances in information technology (IT) for services management, an expanded conceptualisation of e-service innovation is required. This study examines the mediating effects of internal and external technology integration mechanisms among interfirm codevelopment competency and the innovation of the e-service process and product. A field survey was conducted of IT departments in information service firms to test the theoretical model. IT managers were the key informants. Partial least squares (PLS) analyses supported the main premises of the proposed research model. The data suggest that firms in the information service industry emphasise interfirm codevelopment competency in developing e-service innovations but use different sets of technology integration mechanisms to enhance e-service product and process innovation.     

The elusive effect of bank size on profits

This study investigates the determinants of bank profit while paying particular attention to the influence of market share on profit, referred as the market share effect. The research seeks to answer the question whether the market share effect is conditional upon four country institutional factors including concentration ratio, bank regulations, the government's governance and country wealth, and is thus better in explaining the mixed results in the literature. This study employs comprehensive data of 44 countries from 1998 to 2004. The results show that market share positively influences profit when no country institutional factors are considered, but further strengthened in countries that are characterized by high concentration ratios, high restrictions on bank activities in insurance and real estate, good investor protection and a strong rule of law.     

The Influence of Service Innovation Capability for Self‐Service Technology Investment

The purpose of this paper is to predict self‐service technology (SST) investment from the extents of service innovation capability (SIC) and electronic customer relationship management (e‐CRM) practices. This study proposes a theoretical framework that delineates the relationships among SIC, e‐CRM practices, and SST investment. The results indicate that SIC has positive impacts on e‐CRM practices, which in turn are positively related to SST investment. Moreover, e‐CRM practices have partial mediating effects on the relationships between SIC and SST investment as well as have partial moderating effects on the relationships between SIC and SST investment. © 2018 ASAC. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Corporate social responsibility in the banking industry: Motives and financial performance

The current study investigates the association between corporate social responsibility (CSR) and financial performance (FP), and discusses the driving motives of banks to engage in CSR. Three motives, namely, strategic choices, altruism, and greenwashing, suggest that the relationship between CSR and FP is positive, non-negative, and non-existent, respectively. We obtained our sample, which covered 2003–2009, from the Ethical Investment Research Service (EIRIS) databank and Bankscope database. The data consists of 162 banks in 22 countries. We then classified the banks into four types based on their degree of engagement in CSR. This study proposes the use of an extended version of the Heckman two-step regression, in which the first step adopts a multinomial logit model, and the second step estimates the performance equation with the inverse Mills ratio generated by the first step. The empirical results show that CSR positively associates with FP in terms of return on assets, return on equity, net interest income, and non-interest income. In contrast, CSR negatively associates with non-performing loans. Hence, strategic choice is the primary motive of banks to engage in CSR.     

Effects of user perceptions associated with perceived playfulness on their attitude toward using a netbook

A netbook, Internet-enabled and with extra portability, has been fast-growing in the domain of information technology （IT） in recent years. Compared with standardized laptops or desktop computers, a netbook＇s key features include a shrunken-down and lightweight laptop that is ＂easy to learn, easy to work, and easy to play＂. This research is to empirically test the influence of user perceptions of this new form of IT （usability, compatibility and relative advantage） associated with playfulness and attitude toward purchase intention. In addition, personal innovativeness of an individual plays an important role in the antecedents of such perceptions. A test of this model, two-stage approach, confirmatory factor analysis （CFA） and structural equation model （SEM） are employed to validate the casual model from among 227 usable respondents who have been using a laptop for more than two years. Results showed support for eleven of twelve research hypotheses, and one new path linking personal innovativeness with attitude toward using is found to be non-siznificant.     

Export Activity,Firm Size and Wage Structure: Evidence from Taiwanese Manufacturing Firms*

This study adopts a semiparametric smooth coefficient model to evaluate the export–wage premiums, firm size–wage premiums, and the wage gap between skilled and unskilled labor. Particular focus is placed upon widespread evidence indicating that pay levels in ‘large’ and ‘export‐oriented’ firms are higher than in their ‘small’ and ‘domestic‐oriented’ counterparts. Applying the firm‐level data for Taiwanese manufacturing firms, we find a positive export–wage premium for skilled workers and a negative export–wage premium for unskilled workers. The hypothesis of a constant export premium across firm size is rejected. While most of the export–wage premiums for skilled labor can be attributed to the small and medium firms, the large exporting firms have a significant adverse effect on wages for unskilled labor. Moreover, our results suggest that the firm size–wage premiums for skilled workers are larger than those for unskilled workers. The wage gap between the two skill groups is also sensitive to size categories.     

Worker turnover and job reallocation in Taiwanese manufacturing

The paper examines time-series patterns of job and worker flows in a newly industrializing economy (NIE). Using plant-level data from the Taiwan manufacturing sector, the cyclical behaviour of job reallocation and its relation with worker turnover is analysed. It is found that job reallocation and labour turnover are procyclical, at both the aggregate and (two-digit) industry levels. The share of worker turnover caused by gross job reallocation is 17%, suggesting the majority of observed worker turnover reflects rotations of positions that are neither created or destroyed. There is substantial heterogeneity in plant-specific job and worker turnover patterns. Job creation and job destruction rates are higher among small plants and private-sector plants. The private plants are more dynamic than public plants in terms of worker turnover. Controlling for year and industry effects, it is found that job creation and worker turnover are both higher in export-oriented industries.