Examining the intersection of race and gender in video game advertising

Women and racial/ethnic minorities account for a growing percentage of video game players in the USA. The economic future of the video game industry may, in part, depend on the industry's ability to adapt marketing efforts to appeal to the growing female and racial/ethnic markets. Contrary to these efforts, however, is advertisers' reliance on stereotypes in advertisements to quickly establish a common understanding and wide appeal to a mass audience. This study investigates how race and gender intersect in the stereotypical character depictions used to market video games to consumers. A systematic content analysis was carried out of 383 US magazine advertisements of console, mobile, and PC video games. Stereotyping and intersectionality literatures were used as theoretical guides for this research. Findings reveal that the marketing of video games in the USA upholds some longstanding media stereotypes of minorities and women, including that of the White male hero, submissive sexualized female, Asian ninja, and deviant Black male. The potential social and economic implications of the video game industry's reliance on character stereotypes for the marketing of video games are discussed.     

Consumers' switching intention towards E-commerce platforms’ store-to-store pickup services: The application of the extended PPM model

The knowledge of the preference of innovative service consumers is crucial for e-commerce platforms to boost profit, gain a competitive advantage, and achieve remarkable growth. In this research, the consumer's viewpoint was applied. Furthermore, the extended Push-Pull-Mooring (PPM) model was integrated into the multi-attribute decision-making (MADM) approach to investigate the elements impacting the consumers' attempt of shifting to the store-to-store pickup service developed by e-commerce platforms. Besides, the development of the Decision-Making Trial and Evaluation Laboratory (DEMATEL) was for the investigation into the reciprocal effects of evaluation dimensions and factors and the development of an influential network relation map (NRM). The DEMATEL-based Analytic Network Process (DANP) was used to calculate the influential weights of these dimensions and factors. It could be seen from the NRM that the first dimension that required improvement and adjustment ought to begin with a push and subsequently a pull, mooring, switching intentions, and inertia. The influential weights from the DANP highlighted inertia as the most impactful dimension, with mooring coming in second. Meanwhile, push held the lowest significance. The next discussion focuses on the theoretical, managerial and practical implications.     

Strategies for improving cruise product sales using hybrid ‘multiple criteria decision making’ models

As airlines have shifted to decommission policies, selling cruise products has become a growing trend in the travel industry. However, few studies have discussed this issue or proposed strategies to help improve sales for travel agencies. The purpose of this study is to address this problem, using the novel method of hybrid multiple criteria decision making, including decision making trial and evaluation laboratory (DEMATEL), the DEMATEL-based analytic network process and VIKOR (VlseKriterijumska Optimizacija I Kompromisno Resenje), to present optimal improvement models, which are superior in identifying both an influential network and a priority sequence of dimensions/criteria related to selling cruises. The findings provide useful schemes for decision makers according to the priorities of influential weightings from high to low or the sequence of gap values to aspired level from low to high.     

Which food delivery platforms are winning the restaurant food delivery wars? Analysis from a consumer perspective

The emergence of the COVID-19 pandemic dramatically lowered the foodservice industry's income overnight. Conversely, the practical measure of remaining at home to deal with the pandemic's impact has boosted the online food delivery business. In this study, a consumer perspective was adopted and an adapted version of the extended unified theory of acceptance and use of technology (UTAUT2) was used alongside multi-attribute decision-making methods (DEMATEL, DANP and modified VIKOR) to construct a model for evaluating and selecting a food delivery platform (FDP). The results of the INRM (influential network relation map) revealed that the first dimension to be improved upon and adjusted should be security, followed by effort expectancy, performance expectancy, social influence, facilitating conditions, hedonic motivation and habit. The DANP influential weights suggested that habits were the most important dimension, followed by hedonic motivation, while performance expectancy was the least important. According to the results of the gap analysis, the first dimension that required improvement was performance expectancy, followed by effort expectancy, facilitating conditions, security, social influence, habits and hedonic motivation. It is expected that the findings of this study can serve as a reference for consumers selecting FDPs to better satisfy their dining needs. The novel model is discussed in terms of theoretical, practical and managerial implications.     

Exploring the effect of Starbucks' green marketing on consumers' purchase decisions from consumers’ perspective

This study contributes to current literature by constructing a model to evaluate how using green marketing to promote brand image affects consumers' purchase intentions. First, the decision-making trial and evaluation laboratory (DEMATEL) method was used to explore the mutual influence on evaluation indicators, and an influential network relation map (INRM) of indicators and sub-indicators was constructed based on the results. The DEMATEL method was then combined with the analytic network process to create a DANP method to calculate weights for each indicator and sub-indicator. A modified Vlse Kriterijumska Optimizacija Kompromisno Resenje (VIKOR) method was then employed to explore the comprehensive performance of each indicator and sub-indicator using empirical data. Finally, conclusions were summarised and suggestions were proposed. This study's findings can serve as a reference for firms seeking to improve the tangible effects of their green marketing strategies by stimulating consumers' purchase intentions.     

Technological tying and the intensity of price competition: An empirical analysis of the video game industry

Using data from the 128-bit video game industry I evaluate the impact technologically tying has on the intensity of console price competition and the incentives for hardware firms to tie their produced software to their hardware. Tying occurs when a console hardware manufacturer produces software that is incompatible with rival hardware. There are two important trade-offs an integrated firm faces when implementing a technological tie. The first is an effect that increases console market power and forces hardware prices higher. The second, an effect due to the integration of the firm, drives prices lower. A counterfactual exercise determines technological tying of hardware and software increases console price competition; console makers subsidize consumer hardware purchases in order to increase video games sales, in particular their tied games, where the greatest proportion of industry profits are made. I also determine technological tying to be a dominant strategy for hardware manufacturers when software development costs are low.     

技术标准选择的博弈模型研究

从博弈论的角度分析技术标准选择过程,通过构建数学博弈模型,论证技术标准选择的均衡点和稳定策略等问题。应用该模型不仅可以确定先行者在存在网络效应的技术标准产品市场上可获得先发优势,还能用于学习成本锁定、合同锁定和顾客忠诚度锁定。通过锁定策略构建"软硬件"同盟策略,可以建立起技术标准研发的政府扶持机制,包括制定技术标准自主创新的发展战略,支持技术标准自主创新的公共政策,营造技术标准自主创新的良好环境,培育技术标准的自主创新主体。     

基于委托代理理论的服务外包分析

委托代理理论和博弈理论,将委托代理过程分成代理人的工作结果可完全由工作情况决定和不可以完全由工作情况决定两种情况,分别建立有不确定性但可监督的委托人-代理人动态博弈模型和有不确定性且不可监督的委托人-代理人动态博弈模型,分析委托代理双方在委托代理过程中各阶段的风险和收益,从而找出两种模型中双方的激励参与约束和激励相容约束,得出一系列的激励模式。     

北京市工业园区地价形成机理分析

以北京市工业园区工业地价为例,通过建立博弈模型和成本——效益分析法阐述工业地价的形成过程和机理,并找出目前工业地价管理中存在的问题及影响因素。从各工业园区政府的博弈关系和成本——效益的角度看北京市工业园区工业地价的影响因素主要是园区区位、工业园区产业性质和产业集聚度、协议出让土地所占比重、各工业园区的政策。另外,博弈在普通工业园区工业地价的形成中起主要作用,而国家级经济技术开发区工业地价主要是根据工业用地的成本效益确定,完善现行工业用地政策体系应当从多种途径着手。     

Using classroom game play in introductory microeconomics to enhance business student learning and lecture attendance

The author examined whether game play improves students’ comprehension, attendance, and exam performance. The author designed three games; 120 students in introductory microeconomics classes participated in these experiments. The evidence showed that game play enhances students’ attendance, comprehension, and exam performance. It also showed that attendance and exam performance are positively correlated, implying that game play enhances students’ exam performance due to improved attendance. While game play is a fun, lively, and creative way to teach economics and improve students’ attendance, comprehension, and exam performance, in light of higher costs, instructors should decide whether the benefits of conducting game play outweigh the costs of using this method.     

关于流通渠道中生产商与零售商关系的博弈分析

本文以流通渠道中的生产商和零售商为研究对象,基于完美信息的连续策略博弈,建立了双方的纳什均衡模型。研究结果表明,直接渠道对于生产商最为有利,其次为生产商主导的混合渠道、零售商主导的混合渠道和间接渠道;而对于零售商恰好相反。文章最后对研究结论进行了验证,并对中国流通业的发展现状进行了反思。     

Rapid rise of China's semiconductor industry: What are the implications for Singapore?

Lately, there has been a rush of foreign investment commitments in China's semiconductor industry, giving rise to predictions of a semiconductor revolution in the world's most populous country. Pull factors include China's entry into the World Trade Organization (WTO), which would clarify trading and investment rules, government incentives, and, of course, burgeoning domestic demand. For the moment, because of U.S. export restrictions, China's chip industry will be kept behind the technology curve by around five years. However, its ample supply of engineers and low labor costs will aid in the development of the assembly & test and design sectors, which are labor‐intensive. But given strong government commitment, the industry is likely to continue to progress upward, gaining from the diffusion of high‐tech know‐how through its alliances with multinational corporations and tier‐one foundries. In the industry's value chain, there is potential for Taiwan and China to complement each other in both domestic and global markets, across both high‐ and low‐end technology segments, and across the entire chain of activities. To meet the challenges, Singapore needs to further leverage on its competencies in infrastructure and logistics, as well as the well‐established ASEAN production network for greater economies of scale. For Singapore's semiconductor industry to remain competitive, there is a need to strengthen the full value chain, from integrated circuit (IC) design to wafer fabrication to packaging & test, by attracting and building up companies specializing in different competencies. Singapore semiconductor manufacturers should continuously strive to stay at the technology forefront and provide competitive customer services. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Commercialization and Chinese Cinema's Post-wave

The development of Chinese cinema's commercial entertainment trend from the mid to late 1990s was both the result and the manifestation of the Chinese film industry's shifting economic and cultural orientations. The marketization and decentralization of the film industry directly contributed to the surge of entertainment pictures. The ongoing economic reform was accompanied by the rise of popular culture led by Hollywood imports, which further opened the floodgates to Chinese cinema's commercial entertainment wave. Major cinematic trends during the period are addressed. Such trends directly responded to the industry's marketization agenda.     

A new partnership for the hotel industry

The hotel industry's long downward slide requires all parties—owners, lenders, managers, and franchisors—to cooperate to improve cash flow and property values. Here is an industry insider's proposal for improving lodging prospects     

基于演化博弈视角的中德装备制造业合作策略研究

中国的装备制造业发展迅速,已成为全球装备制造业出口第一大国,国际地位也在不断提高。德国作为装备制造业强国,其装备制造业的自动化水平和信息技术水平居于全球领先地位。德国“工业4.0”战略和“中国制造2025”战略相似,在两大战略的背景下,加强中德两国装备制造业的合作,对两国来说是互利共赢的。基于演化博弈视角,对中德装备制造业的合作展开分析,根据复制动态方程的分析结果判定均衡解的稳定性,并进行数值模拟来探讨稳定解的影响因素。研究结果表明,影响中德两国实现装备制造业合作共赢局面的主要因素是中德两国合作超额收益、成本以及竞争的投机收益和被竞争方所遭受的损失。在此基础上提出构建中德产业技术联盟、创新合作路径、控制合作成本、构建较好的信任机制等稳定双方合作关系的策略。     

网络结构视角下的产业博弈分析

本文将对产业博弈的分析建立在网络组织理论的基础上。通过对产业博弈概念的界定以及发生条件、博弈过程和影响因素等问题的分析,明确提出产业博弈是不同产业中相应企业博弈的结果,博弈均衡有利于资源配置,实现帕累托改进。企业之间既有合作博弈又有非合作博弈,企业之间的关系影响产业博弈过程与结果,同时政府、社会以及历史条件也起到很重要的作用。     

Management in the Chinese Construction Industry

One important aim of economic reform in China is to allow state-owned enterprises to be more market driven. This contribution, based on an industry competition model and four cornerstones for indicating economy transformation, scrutinizes the major changes taking place in the Chinese construction industry. It finds that the behaviour of key stakeholders such as managers, contractors, government, suppliers, clients, and new entrants in the industry has dramatically changed. However, a contractual chain within the industry is far from complete, and relationships between the main stakeholders are problematic. Thus, further reforms are needed to maintain industry's orderly development.     

构建网络组织路径的企业成功创新

丹麦学者Thomas Ritter认为科技竞争力和网络竞争力对于一个企业创新的成功与否起着至关重要的作用。借鉴Thomas Ritter提出的企业创新成功理论分析框架,从网络竞争力科技竞争力两个角度分析网络组织的创新效应。并对如何利用网络组织这一路径提高企业创新能力提出若干建议。     

The importance of intellectual property protection to the American research-intensive pharmaceutical industry

The American research-intensive pharmaceutical industry is the world's most successful and competitive and one of the crown jewels of the U.S. industrial base. Among the principal reasons for its success is an unparalleled commitment to research and development, which in turn yields an impressive array of advanced biomedical therapies. Intellectual property protection is a cornerstone of the industry's existence. Like other industries, such as computer software and audio/video recordings, a major portion of the industry's cost of production is incurred in the development stage, rendering unauthorized copying both easy and profitable. The GATT Uruguay Round and the North American Free Trade Agreement have set high standards for pharmaceutical and other industries' intellectual property protection. Unfortunately, there will be delays until numerous countries implement these standards. These delays harm both the industry worldwide and individual countries where patent protection would attract investment and stimulate research and development.     

Modeling a country's political environment using dynamic factor analysis (DFA): A new methodology for IB research

Political uncertainty generates non-trivial costs for business, resulting in suboptimal decision-making and suppression of economic activity. Managing political uncertainty and attaining greater accuracy in risk analysis of a country's political environment remain a challenge. Our research attempts to fill this gap by re-directing scholarly attention from the questions of what and why to how political uncertainty and political risks can be identified and assessed by (1) offering a process-based theoretical framework of a country's political environment that explicitly incorporates its dynamic structure; and (2) proposing a new methodological framework based on DFA to empirically estimate it. We demonstrate how DFA enables evaluating the country's political environment, in terms of: (1) complexity of the political environment, (2) potency (or importance) of the dimensions of the political environment; (3) stability of the political environment, and (4) nomological validity of the model. To demonstrate the application of this methodology, we analyze Brazil's political environment for the period 1984–2018 using monthly political risk time-series data. The paper then maps Brazil's political environment using political science scholarship with our empirical results triangulating the insights. The final section discusses contributions to research on political risk in IB as well as the methodological challenges and opportunities of using DFA.