INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY,CONTROL AND POWER: THE CENTRALIZATION AND DECENTRALIZATION DEBATE REVISITED*

This article addresses the conceptualization of power in relation to the use of computers in organizations. Commonly held views that the application of computer based information systems leads to either a centralization or a decentralization of power and control, or that computers merely reinforce the power of dominant actors, are criticized, and an alternative view is put forward which focuses on the symbolic and disciplinary dimensions of the development of information systems. This perspective is then illustrated in connection with the development of management information systems in the National Health Service.     

THE EQUAL ABSOLUTE SACRIFICE PRINCIPLE REVISITED

Abstract.  We summarize the literature on equal absolute sacrifice income taxes, and make some extensions. We adapt the utilitarian equal sacrifice criterion to a wide class of rank-dependent social welfare functions, and find that liabilities depend on both income and position in the distribution. We investigate whether such taxes need be progressive, using a combination of analytics and simulation, and in the process uncover tax functions not previously recognized as equating sacrifices. Finally, out of horizontal equity considerations a new concept of 'the equal treatment of equals' by an income tax emerges, with implications for future work whose significance is discussed.     

TECHNOLOGY AND SPAN OF CONTROL: WOODWARD REVISITED

This study of production operations in 95 New Jersey manufacturing firms explains the widely replicated curvilinear relationship between first line supervisory span of control and Woodward's technological complexity scale. Revisiting Woodward led to the initial proposition that the relationship was a by-product of the differing degree of task variability among the major types of production operations. A subsequent literature review of administrative requirements suggested the importance of size, complexity and automaticity on supervisory span of control. Our data indicate that variations in the span of control of production operations classified according to Woodward's scale are attributable to the underlying effects of size and task complexity. Technology, whether operationalized as Woodward's production types or automaticity of machinery explained little variation in the span of control of first line supervisors.     

MAXIMUM ENTROPY REVISITED

Maximum entropy or minumum information distributions have their flexibilities severely curtailed if R or R₊ is the domain and α is imposed as a Lebesgue measure. Tremendous flexibility is gained by removing these restrictions.     

THE AUSTRIANS AND THE CRISIS

The Austrian economists' analysis of the trade cycle and the Great Depression has relevance for the current global economic crisis. Excessive bank lending leads to unsustainable distortions in the economy causing the recession, which government spending can do little to mitigate. The long-run solution is a banking system with a high reserve ratio or competition in currencies.     

MODEL PRIORS REVISITED: INTERACTION TERMS IN BMA GROWTH APPLICATIONS

This paper provides a sensitivity analysis on the prior choice for interaction terms for the results of Masanjala and Papageorgiou (Rough and lonely road to prosperity. Journal of Applied Econometrics 2008; 23 : 671–682), which has been criticized for its implementation of interaction terms by Crespo Cuaresma (How different is Africa? Journal of Applied Econometrics 2011; 26 : 1041–1047). We find that the discussed priors have similar predictive power and we also evaluate alternative prior solutions that account for the special nature of interaction terms. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

ECONOMIC SANCTIONS REVISITED: ADDITIONAL INSIGHTS INTO WHY THEY FAIL

Economic sanctions have a poor track record in achieving their objectives. In most cases, they are ineffective in bringing about policy change, cause increased suffering in the sanctioned country and reduce opportunities for business. This paper provides additional insights into why sanctions fail by examining two overlooked factors: power–dependency theory and pressure for political stability.     

THE HOUSING MARKET AND THE RECOVERY

In the run up to the key Christmas period the talk is again of renewed weakness in consumer spending. Last month saw the volume of retail sales rise by only 0.1 per cent, and the annual rate of growth has now slowed to a shade over 3 per cent, down from its peak of 4.4 per cent back in July this summer. This weakness in consumer demand is also clearly being reflected in retail prices; with retailers discounting their prices to boost sales, headline inflation fell to 1.4per cent in October, while the underlying rate dropped to its lowest level for 25 years. This forecast release looks at the wider determinants of consumer spending, especially developments in the housing market. We argue that the slowdown in high street sales is a forbear of sluggish growth to come and that lower interest rates, if they materialise, are unlikely to have much of an impact. While consumer spending has been the driving force out of recession, for the recovery to be sustained, requires that exports and investment spending now take up the running.     

理想与现实的“方圆定律”

用文化去打造产品的思想,打造精神家园、用高的性价比打动始终支持方圆品牌的买家、用最好最佳的服务体现在社会尊重这是方圆的企业生存之本、是其核心竞争力的所在。