From network ties to network structures: Exponential Random Graph Models of interorganizational relations

Theoretical accounts of network ties between organizations emphasize the interdependence of individual intentions, opportunities, and actions embedded in local configurations of network ties. These accounts are at odds with empirical models based on assumptions of independence between network ties. As a result, the relation between models for network ties and the observed network structure of interorganizational fields is problematic. Using original fieldwork and data that we have collected on collaborative network ties within a regional community of hospital organizations we estimate newly developed specifications of Exponential Random Graph Models (ERGM) that help to narrow the gap between theories and empirical models of interorganizational networks. After controlling for the main factors known to affect partner selection decisions, full models in which local dependencies between network ties are appropriately specified outperform restricted models in which such dependencies are left unspecified and only controlled for statistically. We use computational methods to show that networks based on empirical estimates produced by models accounting for local network dependencies reproduce with accuracy salient features of the global network structure that was actually observed. We show that models based on assumptions of independence between network ties do not. The results of the study suggest that mechanisms behind the formation of network ties between organizations are local, but their specification and identification depends on an accurate characterization of network structure. We discuss the implications of this view for current research on interorganizational networks, communities, and fields.     

From value chain to value network: a systematic literature review

Management Review Quarterly - Although over the years several contributions to the concept of the value chain have been provided, there is no systematic literature review focused on its evolution....     

Reprint to: Infrastructure provision and macroeconomic performance

This paper studies the differences between private and government provision of infrastructure. Capital utilization decisions and their differential role in determining market prices for capital goods under the two regimes of infrastructure provision serve as a critical transmission mechanism for fiscal policy. A subsidy to private providers of infrastructure is preferable to direct government provision irrespective of how the subsidy or expenditure is financed. The case for private provision is much stronger in economies characterized by high levels of congestion. The choice between private and government provision also has a crucial effect on the design of optimal fiscal policy.     

Study on the evolutionary optimisation of the topology of network control systems

Computer networks have been very popular in enterprise applications. However, optimisation of network designs that allows networks to be used more efficiently in industrial environment and enterprise applications remains an interesting research topic. This article mainly discusses the topology optimisation theory and methods of the network control system based on switched Ethernet in an industrial context. Factors that affect the real-time performance of the industrial control network are presented in detail, and optimisation criteria with their internal relations are analysed. After the definition of performance parameters, the normalised indices for the evaluation of the topology optimisation are proposed. The topology optimisation problem is formulated as a multi-objective optimisation problem and the evolutionary algorithm is applied to solve it. Special communication characteristics of the industrial control network are considered in the optimisation process. In respect to the evolutionary algorithm design, an improved arena algorithm is proposed for the construction of the non-dominated set of the population. In addition, for the evaluation of individuals, the integrated use of the dominative relation method and the objective function combination method, for reducing the computational cost of the algorithm, are given. Simulation tests show that the performance of the proposed algorithm is preferable and superior compared to other algorithms. The final solution greatly improves the following indices: traffic localisation, traffic balance and utilisation rate balance of switches. In addition, a new performance index with its estimation process is proposed.     

On the network topology of variance decompositions: Measuring the connectedness of financial firms

We propose several connectedness measures built from pieces of variance decompositions, and we argue that they provide natural and insightful measures of connectedness. We also show that variance decompositions define weighted, directed networks, so that our connectedness measures are intimately related to key measures of connectedness used in the network literature. Building on these insights, we track daily time-varying connectedness of major US financial institutions’ stock return volatilities in recent years, with emphasis on the financial crisis of 2007–2008.     

加强宏观调控防止经济过热

今年上半年,我国GDP增长了10.9%,经济出现了增长偏快的迹象.这种快速增长是在国民经济连续几年高位运行基础上的增长,如果把握得不好,我国经济可能会出现大起大落,遭受重大损失.因此,做好今后一个时期的宏观调控工作意义重大,任务艰巨.     

FDI对我国出口贸易的影响分析

改革开放以来,随着我国利用FD(IForeign Direct Investment,外商直接投资)的规模不断扩大,我国的对外贸易规模和对外贸易结构得到了极大地改善。本文着重从规模和结构两方面分析外国对华直接投资的发展对我国出口贸易产生的影响。从有关分析可知,就出口量而言,外资在我国出口中的作用不可低估,但就出口结构而言,外资促进我国比较优势变革的作用则相对有限。这种现象的产生与外商投资的结构有关,更与我国的投资环境、外贸与外资政策体制的矛盾有关。我国急需调整引进外资的目标和政策,增加贸易体制的透明度,从而进一步优化产业结构,提高产业档次,改善产品质量,增加产品的国际竞争力,保持我国对外贸易持续、健康、快速发展,把我国塑造成贸易强国。     

重出江湖的索罗斯

索罗斯先生本来已经退休了,去年重出江湖．在本次金融危机中又大赚了一把．令人叹服。还是和过去一样,索罗斯先生赚了钱就写书,他的每一部新书几乎都是一半理论．一半经验．而且理论部分的分析也总是特立独行．一半是非常严谨的逻辑推理,一半是非常模糊的直觉判断。如果用数学理论的发展来比喻索罗斯先生的理论,可以说．他的理论分析既有基础数学的简单．又有模糊数学的睿智。     

从经济学到幸福学

传统的经济学认为,增加财富是增加幸福最主要的方法。但是,研究发现,增加财富并不一定能增加幸福。文章分别从适应性理论、可评价性理论和比较、以及时间模式三个方面给出解释。最后,文章将展望经济学新的发展方向。     

From Buchanan to Khomeini

A bstract . Nobel Laureate James Buchanan and his colleagues and followers have applied the tools and methods of neoclassical economics to the study of politics , developing the theory of Public Choice , the economic study of non market decision-making. In an effort to subject this hypothetical system to empirical validation, it is confronted with the phenomena of Ayatollah Khomeini's "ideal" Islamic State as described in the leader of Iranian theocracy's writings and as developed in contemporary Iran. The prophet Muhammad recognized no separation of politics and religion , of church and state. Faith in Islam required faith not only in the oneness of God and Muhammad's prophethood but also in the prophet's religious, moral, legal and political commands. Khomeini's revolutionary heterodoxy views his theocratic despotism as establishing the rule of the "just jurists"—the upper echelons of the clergy—and makes them and property owners the beneficiaries. Thus it is not "class neutral" as Public Choice theory requires.     

From Bismarck to Friedman

Chile provides the most frequently quoted example of a change from an established state PAYGO pension system to a privately funded scheme based on personal savings. Most of the key results have been impressive and a lot of the often-heard criticisms of funded schemes have been disproved. A number of shortcomings remain. These shortcomings are seldom caused by features inherent to funded schemes, but rather by elements specific to the Chilean arrangement which could be altered given the political will.     

从书法到书写

汉字从其产生初期到东汉末年书法艺术的产生,再到以硬笔电脑取代毛笔书写的今天,用毛笔进行书写可以说是从未中断。但今天的书法家和爱好者们,执笔创作时的心态以及书写状态已经有了很大的不同。俗语有言"有心栽花花不活,无心插柳柳成荫。"而自古书法创作理论中又有"无意于佳乃佳"的论断,因此,提出书法创作应该是在具有良好书法基础之上的自然书写。     

从胜利走向胜利--访胜利石油管理局审计处处长侯显邦

走进胜利油田,你便会真切地感到个体的渺小;走进胜利油田,你必须张大理路,拓展想象.因为,位于齐鲁大地东北角、紧邻黄河入海口的胜利油田是如此地气势磅礴!     

关于中国对FDI限制性规制的若干思考

以GDP稳健增长和经济结构优化为目标的发展中国家的经济发展战略与以利用当地资源、转移生产基地和跨国逐利为动机的外国投资经营策略之间存在着巨大的反差。因此, 经济增长已开始全面启动的发展中国家必须对FDI(外国直接投资)在国内的运作加以规制、引导和约束,使之与本国经济发展战略相配合;针对外国投资者的各种优惠措施需谨慎处理,改变在经济增长起步阶段由于“投资饥渴症”引发的不规范外商投资经营行为和政府管理行为。     

从质量到卓越经营

如今生产高质量的产品在技术上已不是十分困难的事,困难反而是:在高度竞争的环境下,所提供的产品和服务质量令顾客满意、使企业盈利,并实现     

从ISO14001到EMAS

ISO14001是目前应用最为广泛的环境管理体系标准,而EMAS是欧盟法令发布的自愿性环境管理工具。本文围绕环境绩效、环境评审、环境因素、信息公开、全面合规性、员工参与等方面,分析ISO14001和EMAS两种环境管理工具的相关性和主要差异,为组织从ISO14001升级至EMAS提供参考。     

FDI对投资地出口拉动作用的区域差异分析

由于运输、信息、时间等因素,不同地区的出口会有成本差异。正是由于这种差异,不同地区的FDI企业的产品出口比例会不同,进而会使FDI对投资地出口的拉动作用强度呈现出区域差异。首先对这一问题作一理论上的论述,并讨论的这一研究的政策意义。     

The macroeconomic response to real and financial factors,commodity prices,and monetary policy: International evidence

This study estimates a variety of small dynamic factor macro models where the factors are time-varying. The sample consists of 20 economies from around the world. Using quarterly data since the late 1990s, I find that the focus of some policymakers on the negative spillovers from monetary shocks is exaggerated. Four separate types of shocks are identified, and these can easily offset each other with a neutral to positive overall economic impact in some economies investigated here. However, a few economies, namely Brazil, Chile and China, experience a net economic loss from spillovers.