Business and Professional Ethics in Transitional Economies and Beyond: Considerations for the Insurance Industries of Poland, the Czech Republic and Hungary

This paper examines several key aspects of the ethical environment facing the insurance industries of Poland, The Czech Republic and Hungary as they complete the transition from Communist insurance systems built upon state-owned monopolies to viable private domestic insurance markets, and then seek to harmonize their markets with the single insurance market of the European Union. Since many types of ethical problems encountered during the transition are unlikely to diminish significantly as a result of either privatization or regulation of the insurance markets of these countries, measures are identified that should help to improve the ethical environments of these markets.     

Determinants of entry strategies of U.S. companies into Russia,the Czech Republic,Hungary, Poland,and Romania

Executive Summary This study advances and tests determinants of entry strategies of U.S. companies to Eastern Europe, as well as factors that determine the satisfaction of these companies with their economic performance in this area. Using survey data and a multivariable research design, the study adds new knowledge and supports previous findings. It reports that the entry mode of U.S. companies into these countries is determined by the following variables, ranked from most to least important: market potential, company activity, level of competition, and year of market entry. It also reports that the satis‐faction of U.S. companies doing business in these countries is decided by the following variables, ranked from most to least important: economic‐performance outlook, level of competition, number of competitors, market potential, year of entry, and business activity. © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Women Entrepreneurs: A Comparison of International Small Business Owners in Poland and the Czech Republic

Women entrepreneurs from two Central European countries with relatively new market economies were interviewed for this research. The authors describe the experiences and motivation of these women international business owners and compare them to the literature on women entrepreneurs in North America. Cross-culturally, women entrepreneurs share many of the same motivations for starting a business, and experience similar challenges to making their enterprises successful. North American models of entrepreneurship are also examined. The findings suggest a universal model for entrepreneurship. Suggestions for government policies are put forward. Managerial and theoretical implications are also presented and new directions for research on women entrepreneurs are suggested.     

Czech Republic:A Typical and Flexible European Economy for Trade with China

During the early time of July,Martin Tlapa, Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade, Czech Republic visited China.     

中国-欧盟农产品贸易结构分析

本文运用多项指标系统描述了1995-2003年中国-欧盟农产品贸易结构的特征。相对贸易优势测算结果显示中国在动物产品、蔬菜水果和烟草等劳动密集型产品上的竞争优势有所减弱,而在茶类产品、水产品加工产品和蔬菜水果制品上的竞争优势趋于增强;贸易互补性在波动中增强;出口相似性指数表明双方在出口结构上存在较大的差异;贸易强度指数显示中国与原欧盟以及扩大后的欧盟在农产品贸易方面有很大的发展潜力。最后得出结论,中国应该发挥高附加值农产品的出口优势,扩大对欧盟的出口。     

美欧地理标志之争对东亚的影响

美国与欧盟的地理标志之争,对东亚产生了重大影响。首先,促使东亚地理标志法律保护意识崛起。"地理标志"概念被移植,国内地理标志法律保护体系得以形成。其次,导致东亚地理标志保护立场分化。日本、台湾地区成为"亲美派",中国大陆及韩国则保持中立。再次,促使东亚地理标志国际摩擦受到关注。东亚"中立派"在地理标志之争中的态度将逐渐趋于明确;"官民协作"将成为东亚地理标志维权的一大发展趋势。     

On the European Responsibility in the Agricultural Multilateral Trade Negotiations: Modelling the Impacts of the Common Agricultural Policy

The present round of multilateral trade negotiations is still deadlocked over agricultural trade. The European Union (EU) is urged by its trading partners to open its agricultural markets. Economic evaluations of trade liberalisation scenarios unanimously conclude that a substantial opening of agricultural markets is required for a successful (welfare‐improving) Doha Round. In this paper, we perform new evaluations to identify precisely the contributions of the European farm policy and to examine the robustness of these evaluations in the representation of this complex policy. Using the same specifications as in major previous studies, our first simulations show that the EU has a major responsibility in delivering significant gains to the developing countries. On the other hand, when we conduct the same experiments with a more relevant calibration and modelling of the European farm policy instruments, the gains that these developing countries may reap from the EU liberalisation are considerably reduced. Accordingly the current charge against the EU is simply inopportune.     

面对WTO中国保险业如何应对

本文试从中国保险业的现状出发,分析了我国保险业存在的问题及加入 ＷＴＯ带来的压力与历史机遇,提出了几点应对措施以发展中国的保险业。     

From the Soviet Union to the European Union: Estonian Trade Policy, 1991–2000

This paper examines the political economy of Estonian trade policy in the 1990s. Estonia is a unique case in the world economy, in that the country rapidly implemented unilateral free trade after regaining independence and sustained it right through the 1990s. We analyse the circumstances, interests, ideas and institutions that have shaped Estonian trade policy during the past decade. Our stress is on institutions, particularly the national decision‐making setting for trade policy. Through this prism we try to understand how a free trade regime was implemented and sustained, and what this experience suggests for the feasibility of tree trade elsewhere. We also look at the increasingly ‘multi‐track’ nature of Estonian trade policy through bilateral free trade agreements, WTO accession and, especially, the movement towards EU accession. Although the other trade policy tracks to some extent provide a lockin for unilateral reforms, we argue that EU accession is undermining the simple, classical liberal trade policy regime that existed during the 1990s.     

“入世”对WTO发展中成员利益格局的影响

<正> 一、关贸总协定成立之初50年代,关贸总协定23个缔约方中的8个中小发展中国家在关贸总协定中力量微弱,并没有形成什么影响,而且单一的关程减让谈判成果是基于最惠国待遇原则实施的,比较公平,还谈不上发展中缔约方之间的利益划分与平衡问题。关贸总协定条文中并未对发展中缔约方的概念与标准进行明确规定,只是第18条针对发展中国家和地区的幼稚工业     

欧盟在华直接投资对中国与欧盟贸易的影响

本文运用面板数据的方法,研究了欧盟在华直接投资对中国与欧盟贸易的影响,结论表明,欧盟在华直接投资促进了中国对欧盟各成员国的进出口贸易,但影响较小,影响中、欧贸易的主要因素是中国和欧盟各成员国的经济实力(GDP)。这表明欧盟在华投资企业的市场战略主要是针对中国广阔的国内市场的。文章最后部分对如何促进欧盟对华直接投资和扩大中、欧贸易提出了建议。     

入世对中国农业发展影响的事后评估——基于GTAP模型的实证分析

基于GTAP模型,设计了相应的模拟方案,事后模拟评估了不入世对中国农业发展带来的影响。结果显示:如果中国当初未加入WTO,中国的国民经济发展水平和福利水平将显著下降,而对世界其他地区的国民经济发展水平和福利水平影响很小;中国大多数农产品的生产、消费和价格都会下降;在分类农产品贸易上,奶类、油料和油脂这些中国具有比较劣势的农产品进口量将大幅度减少,而蔬菜水果和水产品这些中国具有较强国际竞争力的农产品出口量将明显萎缩。     

WTO全球贸易治理中的中国与欧盟

中欧参与世贸组织全球贸易治理是双方全面战略伙伴关系的重要组成部分。中国入世以来,中欧双方共同参与多哈回合谈判、善用争端解决机制解决争端、积极审议对方贸易政策,促进双边贸易快速增长和贸易关系健康发展,共同为多边贸易体系的良好运行作出了贡献。2008年以前,双方在世贸组织中的互动明显不对称,欧盟处于攻势,中国处于守势;2008年之后,双方朝对等方向发展,整体形势趋于良性互动。不过中国的能力与欧盟仍有不小差距,双方互动远未到成熟阶段。当前及未来一段时间,双方在世贸组织的互动面临挑战。     

入世后中国房地产业的应对策略研究

本文针对加入世界贸易组织后我国房地产业可能受到的冲击,提出了对房 地产法规政策实行“撤、改、立”,培育和发展房地产中介服务市场、完善和发展房地 产金赢体制、实施人才战略、规范行业管理、加强生态环境建设等应对措施。     

Problems and environment of small businesses in the Czech Republic

The impressive and spontaneous build-up of the private small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the Czech Republic in 1990–93 coincided with the similarly dramatic changes in the public administration and in the whole environment for decision-making. The resulting problems of SMEs in the Czech Republic seem to be common to all economies in transition. A lot of the problems are caused by the macroeconomic policy for which this sector is not the most important part of the national economy. The paper shows some conflicts between macroeconomic anti-inflationary (monetary and fiscal) policies, and interests of small businesses. The authors stress the importance of SMEs during the period of transition. Informal aspects of the functioning of small firms are discussed, especially their relation with banks and public administration. The paper offers some empirical evidence and available statistics on SMEs developments during 1990–94 focusing particularly on manufacturing.     

Insider Trading, Investor Protection and an Orderly Capital Market: Lessons for the Czech Republic

A member of the Institute of Economics of the Czech National Bank reflects on what the developing Czech capital market has to learn, and how it can best protect investors. The views expressed in this paper are those of its author, Dr Dedek, and do not necessarily represent those of the Czech National Bank. This research has been sponsored by a grant awarded under the ACE Programme of the European Community. The paper has benefited from interviews with Professor Colin Mayer and other members of the Economics Department of the University of Warwick.     

Window on Eastern Europe: Current Issues in Business Ethics in the Czech Republic

Our Associate Editor, who is head of the Center for Ethics in Economics and Business, CERGE-EI, in Prague, writes of a macabre case of brand copying as one illustration of the difficulties of achieving fair competition in the CR.     

中国“入世”对中小企业融资的影响

中国加入 WTO 后,金融服务体系引入更多的竞争,将打破国有金融机构的垄断地位,必然会改善作为服务买方的中小企业的融资困境。借款者将得益于更高效的金融服务,更准确的风险评估,更短的等待时间和更多的融资渠道,但同时还要积极防止过多利用外资带来的负面作用。