Capabilities, Structures and Strategies Re-Examined: Incumbent Firms and the Emergence of Complex Product Systems (CoPS) in Mature Industries

This paper re-examines theories about firm capabilities, industrial co-ordination and competitive strategies in the context of Complex Product Systems (CoPS). In particular, it looks at the applicability of concepts of technological and organisational capabilities, transaction and governance cost analysis and industry lifecycle models to the performance of mature industries under conditions of technological change. It does so in the light of empirical evidence from one sector of a mature but fast-changing industry in which CoPS are currently emerging: offset lithographic print and publishing technologies—the capital goods and systems used to produce printed mass media, particularly newspapers. In this sector of the graphic arts industries, three major incumbent producer firms which were previously similar had each begun to pursue different capabilities, structures and strategies, with apparent success. The complexity of CoPS and of the organisational arrangements for their design, development and commissioning are capable of supporting a wide variety of firm capabilities, structures and strategies.     

Toward a Horizonal Theory of Justice: Efficiency,Equity, Rights and Capabilities in a Free Market Economy

The theory of planning horizons and their relation to pricing, conscience and learning has been explored in some detail in terms of efficiency attributes and ecological health (Jennings 2003, Journal of Economic Issues 39:365-373, 2005, 2007a, b, 2008a). This paper addresses the equity implications of planning horizons in terms of the social role and importance of justice, rights and capabilities in a free market economy. From my earlier work, cooperation—not competition—is seen as the means to longer and broader horizons in an efficiency frame, mitigating any alleged tradeoff against equity issues. The impact of longer horizons on fairness and justice in terms of intentions and outcomes along with rights and capabilities still remains unexplored. This paper reviews the normative aspects of planning horizons, showing how ethical and ecological conscience spreads with horizon effects, strengthening goals of fairness and the internalization of social effects. In this setting, capabilities and empowerment are enhanced by respect for human rights, as social conscience spreads through interhorizonal complementarities. The features of a long-horizon world differ from myopic contexts, specifically in the relation of efficiency to other goals. This paper examines that difference in terms of its equity aspects, with regard to social justice and the role of rights and capabilities in economic cultures.     

Economics as progress: the LSE approach to econometric modelling and critical realism as programmes for research

In the face of claims that economics is increasingly drivenmerely by fashion, this paper draws out certain similaritiesand differences between two self-consciously progressive anddevelopmental research programmes—namely the LSE approachto econometric modelling and critical realism in economics.The argument is that, while these two programmes of researchshare a common point of departure and possess many common elements,what at root distinguishes them is their adoption of opposingphilosophical orientations. The comparison enables both thenature of each programme, and the relevance of their commonconcerns, to be more easily appreciated and helps clarify thesort of evidence that would provide a basis for selecting oneproject over the other.     

Independent central banks as a component of the separation of powers

Citizens are strongly interested not to suffer from the damages wrought by inflation. With the development of inconvertible fiat paper money and the creation of the monopoly of central banks to issue unlimited amounts of banknotes the restrictions formerly existing because of the convertibility of notes into gold or silver at a fixed parity have been removed. As a consequence a constitutional or legal limitation of the supply of money became necessary to check the inflationary bias of politicians became necessary. This could be reached by introducing the independence of central banks from political and governmental influence as a fourth pillar of the separation of powers. The paper also discusses under which conditions monetary stability and independence of central banks can develop and under which it is threatened.     

Capabilities and Constraints

Sen’s capability approach emphasises the importance of freedom and choice in leading the life that one values. This paper seeks to argue that, nonetheless, the capability approach is fully cognisant of the constraints that restrict individuals from achieving capabilities. Since the achievement of capabilities is set within a social context, and also because the constraints to capability-achievement are often of a social nature, it is useful to keep in mind the social context. An account of the capability approach that places adequate stress on the constraints that confront individuals and the institutional context will describe their situation more accurately; it will also be of more use for policy purposes.     

动态能力、微观能动主体与组织能力提升

在动荡变化的环境中,企业仅仅拥有"VRIN"属性的资源与能力将难以维持竞争优势,只有不断提升组织能力才是企业基业长青的惟一出路。动态能力在组织能力提升中起重要作用,但动态能力的定义自提出至今仍然模糊不清。本文澄清了动态能力的概念内涵,深入分析了企业高层管理者作为动态能力微观能动主体的角色,并在动态能力及其微观能动主体的基础上构建了一个颇具解释力的组织能力提升框架。     

混合宪制与三权分立:现代民主的君主制与贵族制特征

立法、行政与司法三权分立理论目前仍是现代代议制民主的基础。它由孟德斯鸠创立,取代了早先的混合宪制理论。后者可以追溯至柏拉图、亚里士多德和波利比乌斯,其核心主张是,世界上存在三种宪制:君主制、寡头制和民主制,而当来自三种宪制的各种制度混合在一起时,制度之间就会相互作用,影响国家的立法、执法与司法等全部职能。文章认为,今天,孟德斯鸠的三权分立说存在太多例外,已经漏洞百出,成为理解现代民主结构的障碍而非助力。因此,有必要恢复混合宪制,从而纠正西方国家就是纯粹的民主制和民主就是由人民统治这两个流行的观念。     

企业家动态能力起源及影响因素研究

从能否度量的角度对“风险”和“不确定性”作出界定：“风险”指事件发生的概率能够被度量的不确定性,“不确定性”指事件发生的概率不可被度量的不确定性。进而根据企业家对风险和不确定性问题的不同处理方式,将企业家能力分为静态能力和动态能力。企业家动态能力在于创造出一种新的生产函数,适合处理不确定性问题,而静态能力更适合处理风险性问题。最后,对企业家动态能力的影响因素进行了实证分析。结果表明：相比于女性企业家,男性企业家具有更高概率使用动态能力。企业家动态能力与企业家的企业治理经验正相关,与企业家政府机关任职经历、研究经验负相关,与企业家出国经历关系不明确。     

关系网络、动态能力与中小企业国际化绩效研究

以企业国际化网络理论及企业家精神理论为基础,通过对陕西、浙江、江苏等地108家国际化中小企业数据进行分析,探讨了企业家关系对中小企业国际化绩效的影响以及企业动态能力的中介效应。结果表明,国外横向关系和国内纵向关系对企业国际化绩效有显著正向影响,国外纵向关系对其有显著负向影响,国内横向关系对其无显著影响;企业动态能力各维度在企业家横向关系对企业国际化绩效影响中起完全中介作用;企业动态能力中的搜索吸收能力、整合转化能力和创新变革能力在企业家纵向关系对企业国际化的影响中起部分中介作用,而网络协同能力则无中介作用。     

Social capital, capabilities, and entrepreneurial strategies: a study of Taiwanese high-tech new ventures

This paper examines the effects of social capital, entrepreneurs' capabilities and entrepreneurial strategies on the performance of technology-based new ventures. Using concepts derived from the entrepreneurship and strategy management literatures, we identify three categories of factors and develop corresponding hypotheses. Using a sample of 125 Taiwanese high-tech new ventures to test these hypotheses, we find that entrepreneurs' management experience may not be an advantage for high-tech new ventures. The six Stevenson entrepreneurial strategies can have different effects on the performance of new ventures, whereas social capital actually moderates the effects of entrepreneurial strategies and resources on the performance. High-tech entrepreneurship is a complex phenomenon with a wide range of factors, including societal contexts, entrepreneurial strategies and entrepreneurs' capabilities; and these factors interact with each other. There is no single route to entrepreneurial success or failure: successful entrepreneurs are those who can adjust their entrepreneurial strategies according to their social capital and capabilities.     

动态能力与知识管理比较研究及其作用机理

企业需要培育动态能力以应对动态的经营环境,实现持续竞争优势。部分学者以知识为切入点来解释动态能力,形成了动态能力\"知识观\"。首先对动态能力\"知识观\"进行述评;然后,系统阐述了动态能力与知识管理理论在理论来源、研究边界方面的不同及两者之间的关系;最后,论文引入了组织学习的概念,构建了知识管理、组织学习与动态能力的相互作用机理模型,剖析三者之间的作用机理及其对持续组织绩效的影响关系。     

基于知识供应链提升企业知识管理结构化能力研究

在知识经济时代,知识成为企业可持续发展的基础,知识管理成为企业占领市场制高点的核心能力。引入知识供应链的相应理论,将企业的知识供需置于整个知识供应链之中,通过确定企业知识管理的知识缺口,从整体到局部、宏观到微观、战略到战术不同层面来培养和发展企业知识管理的结构化能力。     

“服务中介-企业”互动与科技型小企业知识吸收能力演化动态关系研究

“服务中介-企业”互动与科技型小企业知识吸收能力演化的动态关系需要深入洞察,以便为企业提升知识吸收能力提供指导。因此,提出“服务中介-企业”互动对企业知识吸收能力演化影响的理论框架,建立反映二者关系的系统动力学模型,并运用Venism PLE工具进行模拟仿真。分析结果发现,小企业知识吸收能力演化呈指数型增长特征;“服务中介-企业”互动对科技型小企业知识吸收能力具有促进作用,且有递增的边际贡献。随着互动层次和水平的提高,“服务中介-企业”互动对企业知识吸收能力的提升作用显著增大。“服务中介-企业”互动对企业知识吸收能力演化的作用存在“临界规模”效应。     

企业动态能力形成的知识活动及其组织学习机制研究

在分析能力的知识属性及知识构成的基础上,综合应用知识管理的\"内容观\"和\"过程观\"思想,对企业动态能力形成和演化的知识活动及其组织学习机制进行了分析,认为各种类型的知识活动是企业动态能力形成的基础和来源,组织学习机制是动态能力持续发展的根本保障。     

资源能力战略特征和战略价值的分析框架研究

回顾了资源基础理论早期几篇重要文献对战略性资源能力特征的研究,并对这些研究进行了评述。在此基础上,针对资源能力的战略特征和战略价值判别问题,提出了一个包括“五标准三步骤”的分析框架,并运用该框架对资源能力进行了归类。     

我国商业银行效率结构研究

本文采用随机前沿法(SFA)测算了1990—2003年我国商业银行的X-利润效率、规模效率、范围效率及其动态变化,然后分析了宏观因素、产权制度与市场结构对效率水平的影响程度和影响机制。实证检验发现,GDP增长率、固定资产投资增长率和货币供应量(M2)的增长率对X-利润效率水平产生正影响;CPI和以全部国有及规模以上非国有工业企业的销售利润率衡量的企业整体效益状况对X-利润效率水平产生了负影响;所有宏观变量中,固定资产投资增长率的影响最大。在面临相同的宏观经济环境下,国有商业银行和股份制商业银行的X-利润效率水平存在结构性差别,且依次递增;两类商业银行均存在一定程度的规模效率,国有商业银行在大多数年份里的规模效率好于股份制银行,从时间趋势来说,两类商业银行由于规模的扩大,规模经济效应正在逐步减弱且差距也在逐步缩小;国有银行几乎不存在范围效率,股份制银行存在一定程度的范围效率,但从时间趋势来看,范围效率逐步减弱。产权制度是造成这种差异的关键原因,市场竞争程度对商业银行效率也产生了非常重要的影响;且两者对商业银行效率的影响是一种互补关系而不是替代关系。最后提出了相应的对策和建议。     

企业边界的确定:“内部化”与“外部化”

基于企业边界理论的"内部化"和"外部化"趋向,重点回顾交易成本理论与能力理论的分歧,重新梳理二者之间可相互借鉴的部分.企业边界从内部化转向外部化的过程受到资产专用性、所有权安排、核心能力以及吸收能力的综合影响.资产专用性和核心能力与"内部化"息息相关,而所有权安排和吸收能力与"外部化"紧密相连,企业边界的确定是"内部化"因素与"外部化"因素综合作用的结果.