International Segmentation Using Biplots: A Diffusion Approach

ABSTRACT

Studies on segmentation based on the diffusion of innovations have primarily focused on new products in developed countries, whereas research in emerging economies focusing on products at a maturity or declining stage has been relatively scarce. In this study, the authors address this problem by analyzing the diffusion trends of 31 durable goods across 70 developed, emerging, or less-developed countries over three decades. They propose a dynamic time-dependent segmentation approach that segments countries based directly on the time-varying diffusion patterns of durable goods. The authors find that biplots provide a rich summary of international diffusion patterns that prevent managers over/under predicting penetration.     

Managing International Distribution Channel Partners: A Cross-Cultural Approach

Although the topic of conflict has been extensively studied in the distribution channels literature from a domestic perspective, there is relatively little published research examining the construct within the international distribution channels context. This is of particular concern because cross-national channel partnerships are on the rise, and divergent cultures may engender heightened conflict, which has a deleterious effect on channel performance. This article explores the extent to which different channel leadership styles, predicated on Hofstede's dimensions of national culture, can be effective strategies to manage conflict in international distribution channels. Specifically, the article examines whether the relationship between leadership style and conflict in international distribution channels is moderated by national culture. Additionally, the impact of manifest conflict on international channel partner performance is investigated. A conceptual model and research propositions are developed. The use of leadership styles to manage disagreements among international channel partners is argued to be culturally specific. International channel management implications and directions for future research are suggested.     

CAFTA-DR Effects on FDI Inflows,Growth, and Distribution of the Workforce in Costa Rica: A System Dynamics Approach

As regional trading arrangements have spread, enlarged, and deepened over the last decades, the study of the relation between trade agreements and foreign direct investment (FDI) still presents difficulties due to the multi-dimensional character of such relationships. This article attempts to shed new light on how some of the Central American Free Trade (CAFTA) policies will impact FDI inflows on the manufacturing and agricultural sectors in Costa Rica. Specifically, we look at how the growth and distribution of the workforce is affected by the treaty. The results show that the agreement provisions will have a positive effect on FDI. From these results it is possible to estimate that in the long run, the implementation of CAFTA has a higher probability of generating the intended benefits. System dynamics modeling is used in this article.     

Combining Rational Choice and Evolutionary Dynamics: The Indirect Evolutionary Approach

In this study we propose a formal framework for the indirect evolutionary approach initiated by Guth and Yaari. It allows us to endogenize preferences and to study their evolution. We define two‐player indirect evolutionary games with observable types and show how to incorporate symmetric as well as asymmetric situations. We show how to apply solution concepts that are well known from game theory and evolutionary game theory to solve these games. For illustration we include two examples.     

Productivity Dynamics of Small and Medium Enterprises in Taiwan

Using firm level data from Taiwan, this paper examines the link between firm size, growth and productivity. It shows that firms grow because they are more productive and not because they are larger in size. Indeed, the statistical analysis shows that while employment growth among Taiwanese firms was positively related to initial levels of total factor productivity, it was negatively related to initial size. The paper also shows that the productivity-size relationship has a virtuous cycle built in. More productive firms get larger and, in the process, obtain access to resources and information which enables them to become more productive. One implication of these results is that public policies should target productivity rather than size and should support reforms that make it possible for market mechanisms to weed out low productivity firms while facilitating the entry or growth of high productivity firms. Taiwan's ability to keep entry and exit costs low is one reason why productivity gains there have been high.     

State‐owned Enterprises,Exporting and Productivity in China: A Stochastic Dominance Approach

A popular explanation for China's rapid economic growth in recent years has been the dramatic increase in the number of private domestic‐ and foreign‐owned firms and a decline in the state‐owned sector. However, recent evidence suggests that China's state‐owned enterprises (SOEs) are in fact stronger than ever. In this paper, we examine over 78,000 manufacturing firms between 2002 and 2006 to investigate the relationship between ownership structure and the degree of firm‐level exposure to export markets and firm‐level productivity. Using a conditional stochastic dominance approach, we reveal that although our results largely adhere to prior expectations, the performance of SOEs differs markedly between those that export and those that supply the domestic market only. It appears that China's internationally focused SOEs have become formidable global competitors.     

Pricing General Barrier Options: A Numerical Approach Using Sharp Large Deviations

In this paper we develop simulation techniques in order to evaluate single and double barrier options with general features. Our method is based on Sharp Large Deviation estimates, which allow one to improve the usual Monte Carlo procedure. Numerical results are provided and show the validity of the proposed simulation algorithm.     

The Stakeholder Approach: A Sustainability Perspective

This article considers the stakeholder approach (SHA) to organisational management through the lens of what it means for humans to live sustainably on the Earth (that is, for there to be a sustainable world). In particular, the article considers if the SHA, as it is presented in mainstream academic and management literature, is supportive of corporate practices that advance the achievement of a sustainable world. The analysis shows the SHA to have significant failings in this regard when viewed against key sustainable world criteria, with issues of concern evident from the normative core of the SHA through to is practical application in the management setting.     

A Statistical Equilibrium Approach to the Distribution of Profit Rates

Motivated by classical political economy we detail a probabilistic, ‘statistical equilibrium’ approach to explaining why even in equilibrium, the equalization of profit rates leads to a non‐degenerate distribution. Based on this approach we investigate the empirical content of the profit rate distribution for previously unexamined annual firm level data comprising over 24,000 publicly listed North American firms for the period 1962–2014. We find strong evidence for a structural organization and equalization of profit rates on a relatively short time scale both at the economy wide and one‐ and two‐digit SIC industry levels into a Laplace or double exponential distribution. We show that the statistical equilibrium approach is consistent with economic theorizing about profit rates and discuss research questions emerging from this novel look at profit rate distributions. We also highlight the applicability of the underlying principle of maximum entropy for inference in a wide range of economic topics.     

Collectivistic and Individualistic Values: Their Effects on Group Dynamics and Productivity in China

Collectivistic and individualistic values are theorized to have far reaching effects on teamwork and organizations. This study proposes that cooperative and competitive goal interdependence mediates the relationship between these values and group interaction and outcomes. Working in State Owned Enterprises in three regions of China, 689 employees in 194 teams indicated their group's values, goal interdependence, constructive controversy, and productivity. Their managers also reported on the extent these teams were productive. Structural equation analysis suggested that collectivistic values may reinforce cooperative goals and an open-minded discussion of views which in turn results in strong relationships and team productivity, as experienced from both the team's and manager's perspectives. Individualistic values, especially the horizontal version, can have contrasting effects through fostering competitive goals and closed-minded discussion. These results, coupled with previous research, suggest that collectivist values, cooperative goals, and constructive controversy provide an important foundation for productive teamwork.     

Nascent Entrepreneurs' Motivations in European Economies: A Gender Approach Using GEM Data

ABSTRACT

Entrepreneurship is becoming an important source of employment for women in many countries. There are different circumstances and motives that contribute to the decision to start a business. In this study, we developed a model that can estimate the probability of individuals becoming nascent entrepreneurs by opportunity or necessity. The model considers individuals' sociodemographic characteristics and European economies' perceived characteristics as oriented towards efficiency or innovation. Statistical logistic regression was used to test the model. The results show statistically significant differences between genders, European economies oriented either to efficiency or innovation, and entrepreneurs who are born out of opportunity or necessity.     

The Accuracy of Design-based Judgments: A Constructivist Approach

Three studies examine how three factors generic to design, its typicality, clarity, and information content, relate to the accuracy of individual judgments about a brand's quality or personality. Study 1 focuses on interpersonal accuracy and shows that consensus in judgments made by managers and consumers are higher for designs high rather than low in typicality, clarity, and information content. Study 2 focuses on the interpersonal accuracy among consumers and finds again that consensus is higher for high typicality, high clarity, and high information designs. Study 3 focuses on intrapersonal accuracy and shows that – when consumers view designs first from a distance and then close – viewer judgments change less (i.e., are higher in consensual accuracy) for designs low on information content, whereas typicality has no effect. Across the studies, individual design acumen enhanced and category involvement attenuated design effects on accuracy. Further, higher accuracy was associated positively with purchase intention, and corresponded with greater ease and speed of judgment formation.     

中国知识产权海关保护、企业生产率与出口动态研究

随着高新技术产品对外贸易的快速增长,企业积极申报知识产权海关保护已成为提高产品附加值、反击侵权行为的有利武器。本文研究了中国知识产权海关保护对本国企业出口状态、出口退出和出口强度的影响,并检验了出口"生产率悖论"问题。研究结论表明企业申请知识产权海关保护有效地维持了企业持续出口状态,降低了企业出口退出风险,提升了企业出口强度。然而,企业生产率的提高却降低了企业出口强度,出现了出口"生产率悖论"问题。对此,即使企业在提高生产率的同时申报知识产权保护也不能得以解决。这反映出申报知识产权海关保护的企业数量过少,企业对申请知识产权海关保护重要性的认识不足,知识产权海关保护在促进出口上的作用还没有充分发挥。对此应加大政策宣传力度,提高企业申请知识产权海关保护的意识和主动性。     

Using Coupon Incentives in Recycling Aluminum: A Market Approach to Energy Conservation Policy

A field experiment was conducted on a stratified sample of 354 recyclers and nonrecyclers to test the effects of coupon incentives on consumers' intentions and behavior in recycling aluminum. Results indicate that modest coupon incentives positively influenced recyclers' behavior, but did not influence nonrecyclers. Over the range of incentives tested, evidence suggests that increased recycling frequency is directly related to the coupon value. Implications for incorporating coupon promotional programs into the development of energy conservation policy, and areas for future research are discussed.     

The Dynamics of Local Markets: A Case Study of Cameras

Longitudinal data on the availability and prices of two related products in a local market are used to assess the dynamic performance of the markets for these products. Consistent with prior research, a large degree of price dispersion was found for both products. There was some evidence of a modest reduction in price dispersion over time, and of the lowest quality models to “drop out” of the market. Store quality differences and likely search costs did not appear to explain the remaining dispersion.     

基于企业异质性的产业空间分布演化新动力

通过一个“新”新经济地理模型分析产业空间分布的动力机制,发现:除传统的集聚力(本地市场效应、价格指数效应)和分散力(拥挤效应)外,微观企业的选择效应是产业空间分布的“第四动力”.其作用路径:一是企业层面,给定外部竞争水平,效率异质性可能是“外围”高效率企业向“中心”集聚的“向心力”,也可能是“中心”低效率企业向“外围”迁移的“分散力”;二是区域层面,给定现有产业空间结构和外部竞争水平,较高的区域平均生产率门槛值促使低效率企业更趋于集聚,以通过“抱团效应”抵消竞争压力;三是产业层面,给定企业个体特征,产业内企业异质性初始程度和边际变化的作用方向是有差异的,既可能是集聚力,也可能是向心力.基于企业异质性的空间为产业份额和市场效率的双重“中心—外围”结构.     

知识分子:从"总体工人的一个器官"到"第一生产力"的体现者

国家人力资源和社会保障部制定和组织实施的"事业单位养老保险制度改革方案",引起知识界的全国政协委员和人大代表的强烈关注和批评。从争论双方的立场来看,似乎都没有意识到,知识分子已经从马克思所说的"总体工人的一个器官"和邓小平所说的"知识分子是工人阶级的一部分",转化为邓小平的"第一生产力"的体现者。     

Productivity of the Service Sector: A Regional Perspective

In this article we analyse the evolution of productivity in the service sector for the Spanish Regions during the period 1986-94. The study environment has been limited to marketed services. Within this group of activities, we set out an analysis for different branches of activity - credit and insurance, transports and communications, and other marketed services. The methodology used includes tools such as data envelopment analysis to measure technical efficiency, the Malmquist indexes to determine the evolution of the productive change and the break-up of total efficiency into intra-sectorial efficiency and composition efficiency. The results at a national level show a tendency to drop of total efficiency until 1990 and a later recovery until the end of the analysed period. This evolution is explained by the behaviour of the composition efficiency, while the intra-sectorial efficiency maintains quite a uniform growth in this period.     

Pasinetti after Sen: Towards a Capability Approach to Structural Dynamics of Consumption

Pasinetti's theory of structural dynamics has, as well as the capability approach, normative implications about income distribution and economic growth. Compared with the latter, however, the individual character of consumption is rather neglected in Pasinetti's framework, but the macro‐economic viability is examined here more intensively as a main issue. In this paper, we will show it possible and fruitful to consistently integrate both complementary approaches and present an analytical foundation of a normative theory of the structural dynamics of consumption.