Foreign outsourcing, exporting, and FDI: A productivity comparison at the firm level

This paper documents how productivity varies with globalization modes, based on a firm-level data set covering all manufacturing industries in Japan without any firm-size threshold. Only a small fraction of firms outsource, export, or invest abroad. Foreign outsourcers and exporters tend to be less productive than the firms active in FDI or in multiple globalization modes but more productive than domestic firms. This productivity ordering is robust even when firm size, factor intensity, and/or industry are controlled for. This paper also finds that outsourcers are on average less capital intensive than other globalized firms.     

Role of Gender in Conflict Handling in the Context of Outsourcing Service Marketing

Do male and female outsourcing service marketers differ in their responses to conflict‐handling styles of outsourcers? The paper addresses this question by identifying relationship‐oriented typologies of conflict handling from extant literature and examining their effects on key relational outcomes in outsourcing relationship in A sia. Specifically, the paper considers how outsourcers’ conflict‐handling styles impact trust and commitment by male and female outsourcing service providers’ ( OSP s). Data were collected from male and female OSP s and analyzed using F actor and H ierarchical M ultiple R egression analyses. Findings show significant differences in the relationship between conflict‐handling styles and relational outcomes between male and female OSP s. Precisely, integrating conflict handling–trust relationship is significantly stronger for males than for females, whereas compromising conflict handling–trust relationship is significantly stronger for females than for males. Findings show no statistical differences in accommodating conflict handling–trust relationship between the groups. These findings lead to research and managerial implications that conclude the paper.     

复杂产品系统创新中模块化外包的决策与管理研究

外包是企业在实践中十分重要的经营手段,由于复杂产品系统的特殊性,模块外包在开发过程中起到至关重要的作用。本文在分析集成商外包的动因的基础上,探讨了复杂产品系统模块化开发过程、集成商模块化外包决策依据、外包商的选择与管理等内容。     

Persistence of Price–Cost Margin and Technical Efficiency in the Indonesian Food and Beverage Industry

Abstract

This research investigates the persistence of price–cost margin (PCM) and technical efficiency (TE) of firms and the relation between these two factors in 44 subsectors of the Indonesian food and beverage industry in the period 1980–2014. Data envelopment analysis with a bootstrapping approach is applied to estimate TE. An autoregressive model, accounting for endogeneity, is applied to estimate the persistence coefficients of PCM and TE. A cross-sectional regression model is also applied to estimate the relation between the persistence of the PCM and the persistence of TE. The results show that for these food and beverage firms, high PCM and low TE persist. Furthermore, the persistence of PCM negatively affects the persistence of TE in the industry.     

Duality Theory and Long–Period Price Systems

This paper concerns duality between long–period price systems in Sraffian models of production and the technologies of the various industries. We present a ‘principle of duality between prices and technique’ referred to a system of production, due to Bidard and Salvadori, and compare it with the usual textbook duality between cost and production functions, referred to firms/industries. We argue that the principle of duality for the system of production can be obtained, industry by industry, on the basis of the usual duality theory and that, in so doing, both ‘dualities’ are given a formulation more appropriate to firms/industries in long–period equilibrium.     

THE TWO‐SECTOR VON THÜNEN ORIGINAL MARGINAL PRODUCTIVITY MODEL OF CAPITAL; AND BEYOND

This article considers a two‐sector model of scalar capital from the perspectives of smoothly differentiable neoclassical technologies and also non‐differentiable technologies based on discrete alternative Leontief–Sraffa techniques. The analysis shows that in these Thünen‐like scenarios without joint production the real wage and the interest rate are necessarily in an inverse Ricardian tradeoff. This complements the findings of Samuelson and Etula (2006 , Japan and the World Economy, 18, pp. 331–356) and completes the analysis of single homogeneous scalar capital.     

Mutual Fund Performance and Persistence in Taiwan: A Non-Parametric Approach

This paper applies data envelopment analysis (DEA) to measure the performance of Taiwan domestic equity funds during the period 1999 to 2003. To test performance persistence, we first divide the sample funds into low efficiency (0–25th percentile), middle efficiency (26th–75th percentile), and high efficiency (76th–100th percentile) groups according to their rankings on technical efficiency (TE) and Sharpe ratios, respectively. Then, based on the previous one-, two-, and three-year performances of the sample funds, we employ iterative seemingly unrelated regressions to analyse the persistence of sample fund performance. The results show that there exists a significant ‘hot hands’ effect in Taiwan domestic equity funds under the TE measure, but not under the measure of Sharpe ratios. The paper concludes that the different results in performance persistence analyses between the above two measures is driven by the DEA taking transaction costs into consideration.     

What is beneficial for first-time SME-exporters from a transition economy: A diversified or a focused export-strategy?

We examine whether more focused or more diversified exporting is beneficial for first-time SME-exporters from a small European transition economy (TE). We test the impact of market (geographic) diversification, product diversification and export intensity (export volume) on firm performance. In addition, we test whether a complex export strategy – of simultaneous product- and market-diversification – is beneficial for TE SMEs. We use panel data of all reported, first-time Slovenian exporters in the period 1995–2010. We find that a diversified export strategy in terms of product, market and intensity is positively related to performance although with decreasing returns. Furthermore, a complex diversification strategy pays off for first time TE SME-exporters, but in a decreasing fashion.     

A Workflow-Based Methodology for Developing Hypermedia Information Systems

Recently, many enterprises have attempted to construct hypermedia systems for electronic commerce innovation by the use of Internet technologies. In this hypermedia-enabled environment, hypermedia development can be considered in terms of workflow. In this article we propose a workflow-aware hypermedia development methodology, workflow-based hypermedia development methodology, to guide developers in creating hypermedia information systems. The methodology employs a workflow model based on corporate documents and is thus more likely to utilize users' business requirements in a natural fashion. The methodology consists of four phases: workflow analysis, document analysis, hypermedia design, and implementation. The emphasis of each phase is on aligning business requirements with hypermedia development technologies. To demonstrate the practical usefulness of the methodology, a real-life case is illustrated.     

Globalization vs. localization: global food challenges and local solutions

The objective of this study was to examine the effect of global–local interactions on food production and consumption in Ghana, and identify possible local solutions. Primary data were collected using a combination of quantitative‐qualitative methods, which included focus group discussions and one‐on‐one interviews. Approximately 450 household heads were randomly selected and interviewed between August 2007 and August 2008 in Eastern, Central, Upper East and Northern Regions of Ghana. Findings revealed increasing consumption of foreign rice as opposed to decreasing consumption of local rice and other staples like millet, sorghum and yam because of global–local interactions. However, opportunities exist to re‐localize production‐consumption patterns through the use of ‘glocal foods’ like improved ‘koose and waakye’. Referencing the situation in Ghana, the study recommends improved production and processing practices backed with appropriate technologies that reflect changing consumption dynamics in order to take full advantage of opportunities created as a result of global–local interactions.     

An Empirical Analysis of Motives for Offshore Outsourcing by U.S. Firms

In light of the political debate on offshore outsourcing, this article examines firm financial characteristics associated with the probability of being identified as an outsourcer. In a sample of S&P 500 firms, we find that firms identified as outsourcers operate in more competitive industries and have relatively worse operating performance, higher administrative overhead, and higher labor overhead. These firm characteristics are consistent with cost-cutting objectives and the need to respond to competitive pressures. We find that the need to lower labor costs is a significant determinant of manufacturing firms locating operations overseas, while lowering administrative overhead influences service firms' outsourcing decisions. From a policy perspective, our results suggest that the political pressure to limit firms' ability to offshore outsource will likely reduce their flexibility to respond to operating and competitive challenges.     

纳米镍粉的制备技术与工业生产

根据制备过程中物质所在的体系,纳米镍粉的制备技术分为气相法、液相法和固相法.本文介绍了各种制备方法的原理、特点和国内纳米镍粉的生产现状,对工业生产中存在的问题和今后的发展进行了讨论.     

Combining Business Process Reengineering Concepts and Object-Oriented Technology for Effective Organizational Design

Today's business world is facing a plethora of managerial and technological changes beyond the capacity of any firm to control and absorb them. Customer satisfaction, development of new products, and introduction of new technologies are well-known driving forces, but their fast mutation and turmoil are making them unpredictable. Business process reengineering (BPR) is considered the most disruptive approach for designing organizations that can thrive in this turbulent environment. Although there is an increasing number of experiences that testify to its positive results, at present it is used mainly in large companies, and small and medium firms consider it as a risky and expensive activity. Within this framework, this article discusses a methodology for designing and implementing BPR, developed to overcome most of the limits that still bind its diffusion. This methodology supports firms in embedding reengineered processes knowledge owned by organizational units and in integrating available software and hardware, The focus of this article is on linking business and software modeling to allow the development of ad hoc new business processes while reducing risk of wasting time and money for useless requirements or for stiff solutions. The proposed methodology, starting from organizational requirements derived from business modeling, supports the analysis of costs, lead time, and quality or completeness trade-off of developed solutions. The phases of the methodology are discussed in detail together with an application example and results obtained from existing successful applications.     

Technology and counterfeiting in the fashion industry: Friends or foes?

This article addresses the relationship between technology and counterfeiting in the fashion industry. Starting with an economic analysis of counterfeiting, I examine how new technologies encourage counterfeiters while at the same time provide important tools to combat it. The development of sophisticated technologies to obtain, process, and reproduce images and the extensive use of new digital channels for online sales have simplified both production and distribution of counterfeit products. Based on tagging and DNA analysis, as well as web-based monitoring systems, trace and track technologies allow rights holders to combat counterfeiting through effective control of the entire production and distribution chain. This article considers an innovative method of product monitoring based on latest-generation IT platforms, integrated with portable devices, that can easily and immediately verify product authenticity. The spread of these new technological systems is closely related to the role of a party that is glaringly absent in the battle against counterfeiting: the consumer. Indeed, new technologies are the driving element in a virtuous circle where the consumer becomes an essential instrument in the battle against counterfeiting, along with the other players involved: companies, public institutions, and civil society.     

New technologies and developing countries: Prospects and potential

Technological innovations in informatics and other new technologies are having a major impact on most production and service sectors in industrialized countries. Inadequate transfer of such technologies to developing countries, with a few notable exceptions, is increasing the technology gap and reducing competitive capability in these countries. Far-reaching policy changes and a new emphasis on technological development must be made by developing economies in order to avail themselves of the growing potential of new and emerging technologies.     

Digital consumption and the extended self

Abstract

There are numerous and substantial effects of the use of digital technologies on consumers. I focus here on the ways in which these technologies have brought changes to the extended self. This review builds on earlier work considering digital subjectivities. I find that the human–machine digital interface results in a series of challenging theoretical issues. In considering these issues at the broadest level I also address how the affordances of digital technologies may cause us to rethink the notion of extended self, the body and the relationship between objects and consumers in digital environments.     

醋酐的生产技术及国内外市场分析

本文介绍了醋酐的生产技术,分析了国内外醋酐的生产消费现状及发展前景,提出了发展我国醋酐生产的建议。     

Analysis of the adoption of customer facing InStore technologies in retail SMEs

Brick and mortar stores are suffering the dramatic revolution of the retail sector. Customer facing in-store technologies (CFIST) are a key component of the inevitable transformation of retail stores; yet the reasons to adopt such technologies by business owners may be little known. Based on a TOE and TAM inspired framework, this study analyses the drivers of such decision by small and medium size enterprises using a survey methodology. The results show that the attitude towards technology is the strongest predictor of the intention to adopt CFIST, highlighting the role of the top management in technology decisions. This conclusion has important implications for practitioners. This research is the first to address the adoption of CFIST by SMEs and therefore set the path for further studies about the impact and adoption of in-store technology in SMEs.     

大数据和人工智能时代的情报分析和技术探索

在深入梳理现代情报分析六大关键问题和理想状态的基础上，结合大数据和人工智能技术近10年的跨越式发展，针对目前大数据和人工智能技术应用于情报分析的主要认识误区，详细分析了其用于情报分析领域的六大挑战和所需7项关键支撑技术，并提出了大数据和人工智能基础上的新型情报分析技术体系架构模型和情报生产使用流程。最后，对未来情报界相关系统和工作流程建设提出了四个方面的建议。     

The rise of 3-D printing: The advantages of additive manufacturing over traditional manufacturing

The use of additive manufacturing technologies in different industries has increased substantially during the past years. Henry Ford introduced the moving assembly line that enabled mass production of identical products in the 20^th century. Currently, additive manufacturing enables and facilitates production of moderate to mass quantities of products that can be customized individually. Additive manufacturing technologies are opening new opportunities in terms of production paradigm and manufacturing possibilities. Manufacturing lead times will be reduced substantially, new designs will have shorter time to market, and customer demand will be met more quickly. This article identifies additive manufacturing implementation challenges, highlights its evolving technologies and trends and their impact on the world of tomorrow, discusses its advantages over traditional manufacturing, explores its impact on the supply chain, and investigates its transformative potential and impact on various industry segments.