Response measurement and optimization of direct mailings

Beginning with 1995, we discuss different studies that deal with response measurement and optimization of direct mailings. Most of these studies analyze data sets from mail order companies or charities. We classify various dependent and predictor variables and??w.r.t. the latter distinguish static and dynamic effects. Response models are divided into parametric and flexible models. Besides, we analyze important modeling aspects, i.e., latent heterogeneity and endogeneity. Optimization methods are presented according to whether they refer to static or dynamic objectives. Based on these modeling aspects we evaluate the different studies. Considering various studies of model evaluation it becomes evident that logit models frequently constitute a good choice. However, Bayesian neural nets and Tobit models turn out to be good alternatives. As predictor effects are concerned results vary. Authors do not completely agree on which variables are the most important. Furthermore, signs and significances of predictors vary across studies. The majority of studies neglect latent heterogeneity and endogeneity. Finally, results show that there are still plenty of interesting research possibilities, such as a comprehensive evaluation of models or new specifications of (mailing) variables.     

Improving the response rate and quality in Web-based surveys through the personalization and frequency of reminder mailings

Internet shares some characteristics of survey making with traditional media, especially postal mail. However, there are considerable differences that justify a different focus on administration and make existing knowledge of the traditional media not directly applicable to Internet. Research is therefore necessary to discover how Web-based surveys operate under different conditioning factors, so that general behavioral patterns can be established in order to improve the administration and results of such surveys. This study thus centers on two of the parameters that can influence responses to Web-based surveys, which are personalization and the frequency of reminder mailings distributed among the sample population. The results obtained show a positive influence of personalized e-mail messages on response rate and the need to use a lower frequency for studies aiming at increasing the response rate in the shortest possible time; and longer frequency (and personalized) when the aim is to have the respondents complete the full questionnaire.     

浅析钢结构建筑的无损检测方法

文章介绍了钢结构建筑目前无损检测的主要技术.并分析了钢结构无损检测技术的应用的策略.     

浅析钢结构建筑的无损检测方法

文章介绍了钢结构建筑目前无损检测的主要技术,并分析了钢结构无损检测技术的应用的策略。     

“专升本”高校图书馆文献采购技术剖析

文章依据“专升本”高校图书馆文献采购的特点,阐述了文献采购所必需的招投标程序与文献质量的保证间的关系,及处理好这种关系对这类高校所起的作用。     

Rivalry information acquisition and disclosure

In the recent past, there have been numerous scandals around poor product qualities in various industries. Although it can be easily rationalized why bad practices have not been reported by the inflictors themselves, it is more difficult to understand why the non‐inflicting competitors did not report their rivals' acts. In this paper, we study these competitors' incentives to acquire and to disclose information on the quality of their rivals' products and question when we can leave the information disclosure process to the competitive pressure of markets and when there is a need for governmental intervention. We find that low quality levels can be disclosed in markets that exhibit negative spill‐over effects, but should not be expected to be disclosed in markets that exhibit a positive spill‐over effect. A regulatory policy on quality testing and disclosure may be more effective in the latter type of market.     

Growing through the merger and acquisition

The paper studies with an endogenous growth model how the merger and acquisition (M&A) affects the aggregate growth rate. We model the M&A as a capital reallocation process, which can increase both productivity and growth rates of firms. The model is tractable and greatly consistent with patterns observed in the M&A at the micro level. Matching our model to the data, we find that prohibiting the M&A would lead to the reduction of the aggregate growth rate of US economy by 0.1% and the reduction of the aggregate TFP by 5%.     

Determinants of premiums in acquisition transactions

This paper presents a framework to identify the determinants of acquisition premiums so as to explain their cross-section variability. Observed premiums are predicted to be positively related to (1) the magnitude of the acquiring firm's estimate of acquisition gains and (2) the acquired firm's relative bargaining strength. Increased acquisition gains are argued to result from two sources—underpricing and undermanagement. The variables representing these sources are constructed from pre-acquisition data. A gains variable based on the post-acquisition stock-price reactions of the acquiring and acquired firm is also constructed. It is argued that acquired-firm bargaining strength is enhanced by an increase in the degree of competition in the acquisitions market and by the inclusion of anti-takeover amendments in the acquired firm's corporate charter. The predictions are tested on a sample of 77 completed cash-for-stock and stock-for-stock acquisitions over the time period 1975–80. The empirical results provide strong support for the predicted effects of the determinants of (2) and mixed support for the determinants of (1). This is the first study to document the predicted effects of anti-takeover amendments on observed premiums.     

Costly information acquisition and the temporal resolution of uncertainty

This paper studies the choice of an individual who acquires information before choosing an action from a set of actions, whose consequences depend on the realization of a state of nature. Information processing can be costly, for example, due to limited attention. We show that the preference of the individual is completely characterized by a preference for early resolution of uncertainty, which becomes indifference when facing degenerate choices. When information acquisition is no longer part of the decision process, the individual is indifferent to the timing of resolution of uncertainty and she behaves according to the subjective learning model of Dillenberger et al. (2014).     

企业并购风险问题研究

从20世纪90年代并购在我国发展很快,并购不再是企业扭亏为盈的手段,已经成为企业资本运营的重要手段。但并购是一把“双刃剑”并购也存在着很多风险,本文从并购风险的形成动因,并购风险的种类,衡量并对其进行了实证研究,最后提出了风险防范的措施。以期为并购者提供借鉴,在并购中做出正确的决策,做好各风险的防范,达到并购的效果。     

Purchasing principles to reduce acquisition and inventory costs

Knowing how, what, when, and where to negotiate are all part of the system that finally determines how much you pay for products and services. Knowing the primary and secondary objectives of materiel management is important in establishing purchasing and inventory policies and procedures. Negotiating all of the terms and conditions up front, before you finalize any deal, is important to minimize your acquisition, operating, disposal, and inventory costs and to maximize profit. Most purchasers and negotiators only bargain for part of the costs; then they have to bargain to try to control the rest of the costs or they are at the mercy of others. Prepare to negotiate for all the factors that will influence the final operating cost from the beginning to the end of the negotiation process.     

企业并购的财务效应分析

作为一项重要的资本经营活动,并购的直接动力源于追求资本的最大增值,即财务协同效应。不同的并购形式,产生不同的并购效应,导致不同的并购结果。文章从财务角度对企业并购实务中的财务效应做了正反两方面的探讨,对提高企业并购成效具有一定现实意义。     

Optimal mechanism for land acquisition

Review of Economic Design - Sellers with one unit of land each are located at the nodes of a graph. Two sellers are contiguous if they are connected by an edge in the graph. The buyer realizes a...     

烘炒食品卫生标准检验方法中样品制备方法的探讨

在烘炒食品检验时,对用样品去壳处理与非去壳处理两种制备的方法进行过氧化值的试验,通过样品不同浸泡时间酸价的测定试验,得出了样品处理可考滤直接制样而不去壳,提取油脂的时间应是浸泡8～18h的结论。     

Drug testing and the law

This article examines judicial and administrative rulings and legislation involving or related to the issue of drug testing in the workplace. It discusses the rights of employees in the public and private sector: constitutional rights; federal, state, and local statutory rights; rights of unionized employees; and common law rights. It analyzes both the current state of the law and future directions the law may take, as courts and administrative agencies decide more cases and governmental bodies continue to pass drug testing legislation.     

Body support testing and rating

The REF, C, and score are a means to give quantitative values for product performance. Other product variables defined as humidity control factor, shear control factor, differential temperature control factor, product life factor, and cost factor were not addressed as part of this study. Additional variables include delivery, maintenance, and warranties. These components can be added to the score in some weighted manner as they become clinically founded. Interface pressures and shears were not measured for beds that are gatched. Each product tested will have characteristics pertinent to its own design that must be addressed to minimize sacral and coccyx skin breakdown when subjects are in this posture because some pneumatic pads bottom out to give excessive sacral and coccyx pressure while others wrinkle when used in this position. This is of major concern when one considers that the coccyx is more susceptible to pressure than any other bony prominence. There may be some aversion to labeling support product performance because it will allow the purchaser to know what is being bought. This initial study indicates the feasibility of quantitating what all patients require: a valid interface support surface for each specific need. The user can be adequately informed before the purchase as to a product's merits without being influenced by the results of inadequate testing, referrals, or sales media influences. Although cushions, shoes, or other prosthetic/orthotic devices were not part of this study, it is appropriate to rate all these devices in a similar manner by simply comparing pressure relief attained to that desired, expressing the result as a percentage of the worst case, and then labeling the product accordingly. Those subjects with sensation can rate comfort as part of the overall score. For cushions, ischial tuberosity pressure relief can be expressed as a percentage of the maximum attainable relief. Metatarsal head relief during gait as well as during static testing can be measured, and claims can be made for shoes and sneakers. Where impact loads and shear forces are paramount, the score must comprise appropriate parameters. Similarly, amputee distal stump relief as a percentage of worst case could be specified by the fitter. Iliac crest relief as a percentage of worst case can also be specified by the fitter. In all instances the score is not a subjective rating but one that can be measured correctly. All body support products can be given an REF, C value, and score as well as other qualifying values where appropriate instrumentation and sufficient subject sampling is used.     

Accounting information,salesforce compensation and acquisition of new customers

The need for the management accounting system (MAS) to support marketing decisions has been identified in literature and practice. Accordingly, several improvements have been suggested with the main intention of providing more detailed information on marketing segments. Yet, even with respect to these improved systems it has to be acknowledged that the quality of the information provided will not be identical for all marketing segments: it can be assumed that it will be more precise for existing segments, which are already served by the firm, than for new ones, with which the firm has comparatively little experience. Further, it has to be considered that the MAS will seldom be the only source of useful information, as the example of the good salesforce having gained a ‘deep understanding’ of the market while doing his job shows. A problem arises if the acquisition of this additional information is (personally) costly and unobservable and therefore has to be motivated by incentive compensation schemes. This paper emphasizes that standard compensation contracts, as recommended by literature and practice, may fail to induce goal-congruent behaviour. It is shown that ranking commission rates according to the profitabilities reported by the MAS may be dysfunctional and that a non-intuitive rank order may be necessary to motivate the salesforce to become better informed and to use this knowledge appropriately.     

企业并购会计处理方法的研究

伴随着市场经济的发展成熟,市场竞争日益加剧和激烈,而作为市场主体的企业欲在激烈的市场竞争中生存和发展,一般通过内部扩充和外部扩张而运行,而并购则是企业外部扩张最迅速、最典型、最重要的方式。而全球经济一体化的加速发展,中国的企业并购也愈来愈频繁。本文拟对企业并购传统会计处理方法及其新理论作初步的探讨。