The Impact of the home country on internationalization

We analyze how a firm’s home country influences its internationalization. We propose two complementary types of influence. First, we conceptualize a firm’s international trade as shaped by four drivers: comparative advantage, comparative disadvantage, country-of-origin advantage, and country-of-origin liability. Second, we conceptualize the firm’s foreign direct investment as shaped by four other drivers: institutional learning, competitive learning, institutional escape, and competitive escape. Taken together, these eight drivers help pull together recent theoretical advances on topics such as emerging-market multinationals, investment in tax havens, and cross-border acquisitions of firms in advanced countries. We also highlight other home-country related issues, such as strategic responses and home-host country links, in the spirit of fostering future research on home-country effects that warrant a more nuanced understanding.     

Learning for lower energy consumption

Energy‐efficient technologies are not just objects that might enable households to carry out more sustainable practices; they are tools, and using them effectively requires certain skills and knowledge. Households' difficulties in handling home heating and hot water technologies in particular have been highlighted as an obstacle to meeting energy conservation objectives. This has given rise to calls for improved support based on how the households define their activities and handle these technologies. By deploying a socio‐cultural theory of learning and using in‐depth interviews with households that have recently purchased renewable heating systems, this paper examines various situations in which people have learnt to use the technologies, and it discusses lessons learnt that may be useful for developing support. The results demonstrate three common learning approaches and identify situations where the learning process runs smoothly and where it does not. The conclusions suggest strategies for helping households overcome the resistance embedded in the interaction with the technologies, and they highlight the importance, when developing support, of starting with what creates meaning in various situations.     

Impact of international energy prices on China's industries

This study examines how returns and volatility of future contracts for Brent crude oil (Brent), West Texas Intermediate crude oil (WTI), Henry Hub natural gas, and Newcastle thermal coal impacts industries in China. Using the firm-level data of 3,750 stock listings across both Shanghai and Shenzhen stock exchanges, segregated into 138 subindustries under the Global Industry Classification Standard, this study finds evidence that crude oil futures have the most significant influence. Further analysis suggests that stock returns of oil-related companies are more closely align to Brent and WTI's futures returns following China's key oil pricing reform on March 27, 2013. Overall, Chinese industries are also more exposed to global crude oil futures volatility after this event.     

Line-drying versus machine-drying: energy consumption comparison

The purpose of this study was to determine the physical energy utilized in machine-drying and the human energy utilized in line-drying with a standard test laundry load in order to demonstrate the benefits of making a trade-off between mechanized energy and human energy utilized in drying laundry. Comparatively, only a small amount of metabolic energy was utilized in line-drying. Line-drying laundry over an extended period of time, along with similar trade-offs with other household tasks to use more human energy and less mechanized energy, would save energy resources and would contribute to physical health by increasing exercise levels. All data collection occurred at California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo.     

Factors that influence the consumption of food outside the home in Brazil

The food sector has taken on an unprecedented dynamism in recent years. The processing and distribution of food, although heavily influenced by tradition, have seen intensive innovations, leading to changes in the way individuals consume. One of these changes is the consistent growth of the habit of eating outside the home. Consuming food outside the home involves a number of practices such as eating at commercial establishments that specialize in food (restaurants, fast food restaurants and snack bars) and those that offer food as a part of their services (hotels, in‐flight meals), and non‐commercial alternatives such as the homes of family and friends. In order to describe the eating habits of consumers in the town of Lavras in Minas Gerais State, Brazil, especially when it comes to eating outside the home, a quantitative study was conducted, with 413 questionnaires being distributed by convenience sampling. Among the main results are: (a) a search for variety as a motivator for eating outside the home; (b) convenience as an important element on many occasions of consumption; (c) more intensive consumption and more favourable attitudes towards eating out on the part of younger people, people with higher incomes, no children and a higher degree of schooling; (d) importance of paying for food by the kilo. When compared with a study conducted in England, important similarities were identified in socio‐demographic influences, although the cultural factors are notable when it comes to dishes and the types of eating establishment. The growing habit of eating out has therefore become a worldwide phenomenon, but with cultural and regional differences that have led to different rhythms in terms of change and the way food is supplied. The recovery of embedded cultural habits, with increased value being given to slow food, traditional dishes and tradition itself, appears to co‐exist with a productivity model of food courts, pasteurization and accessible prices. The occasion for consumption, which may be understood as the dichotomies of ‘weekday versus weekend’ or ‘convenience versus leisure’, is an important element that influences consumer behaviours. The undertaking of a cross‐cultural comparative study can be seen as an important step in this field of research.     

国内外苯胺的生产与消费分析

综述了近年来国内外苯胺的生产、消费状况及对2006年中国和世界主要国家在不同消费领域对苯胺的需求预测.针对目前中国苯胺的生产状况和面临的一些不利因素,提出了中国苯胺的生产和发展建议.     

国内外苯胺的生产与消费分析

综述了近年来国内外苯胺的生产、消费状况及2005年我国和世界主要国家在不同消费领域对苯胺的需求预测。针对目前我国苯胺的生产状况和面临的一些不利因素,提出了我国苯胺的生产和发展建议。     

The carbon-consuming home: residential markets and energy transitions

Home heating and lighting markets have played crucial and underappreciated roles in driving energy transitions. When historians have studied the adoption of fossil fuels, they have often privileged industrial actors, markets, and technologies. My analysis of the factors that stimulated the adoption of anthracite coal and petroleum during the nineteenth century reveals that homes shaped how, when, and why Americans began to use fossil fuel energy. Moreover, a brief survey of other fossil fuel transitions shows that heating and lighting markets have been critical drivers in other times and places. Reassessing the historical patterns of energy transitions offers a revised understanding of the past for historians and suggests a new set of options for policymakers seeking to encourage the use of renewable energy in the future.     

国内外丁腈橡胶生产和消费现状

本文介绍了国内外丁腈橡胶的主要生产厂家及生产能力,并阐述了国内外丁腈橡胶近年来的市场情况以及对未来的预测.     

国内外丁腈橡胶生产和消费现状

丁腈橡胶(NBR)是由丙烯腈和丁二烯经乳液聚合制得的共聚物 具有极好的耐油性、卓越的耐磨性、耐溶剂性和耐热性,广泛地用于汽车、石油开采与炼制、航空、纺织、印刷等领域.丁腈橡胶是目前消耗量最大的特种橡胶之一.综述了国内外丁腈橡胶的生产及市场情况,对国内丁腈橡胶的市场发展趋势进行了分析,并预测在世界金融危机的影响下,国内丁腈橡胶需求增长将会放缓.此外,还对国内丁腈橡胶行业的发展提出了建议.     

Demand systems for energy consumption by the manufacturing sector

This paper aims to test empirically a new approach for estimating derived demand equations for alternative energy sources in manufacturing. Our approach is based on the assumption of weak separability in production. The model used is the “Dynamic Generalized Linear Expenditure System” (DGLES). The major advantage of this model is that it allows the consistent estimation of energy demand functions and the implied price (compensated and uncompensated) and expenditure elasticities based on minimum information requirements. The model was estimated using pooled time-series manufacturing data for 1962–1980 for two Canadian provinces (Quebec and Ontario) and one region, the Prairies (Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba). The complete system of energy demands involves six competitive uses of energy (electricity, fuel oil, natural gas, coal and coke, and liquified petroleum gas).     

强化计量管理促进节能降耗

计量工作是企业管理的基础,只有依靠科学的能源计量手段和管理方法,促进节能降耗,才是提高企业竞争力的必然选择.要根据计量检测数据的分析,探索合理的改进方案,进行技术改造,就能够使能源得到最大限度的利用,为企业获取最大的经济效益.     

粮食烘干机能降耗的途径

针对粮食烘干机的工作现状，提出了栉能降耗的各种有效途径，对于提高粮食烘干机的热效率具有重要作用。     

Predictors of consumption cutbacks in response to increased energy costs

Energy costs have increased at a more rapid rate than overall household costs in recent years. The effects of these increased costs upon families' consumption of goods and services, as measured by cutbacks in and across consumption categories and cutbacks in necessities, were studied in relation to three variables: (1) family income level; (2) perceived effect of energy cost changes upon life in the last five years (well-off); and (3) belief that energv consumption could be reduced by one-fourth in the next year. Family income level was significantly related in a negative direction to each measure of cutback in consumption. However, the well-off measure explained a greater percentage of the variation in consumption cutback measures than did income level.     

Measuring changes in family energy management: consumption or efficiency

The Home Heating Energy Index (HHEI), a tool for measuring energy efficiency, which integrates house size, seasonal temperature variations, and type of heating fuel, was found to be an effective measure. Using 5-year longitudinal field study data from 24 families living in a cold climate, the tool explained 77% of family energy consumption and provided a definitive benchmark for evaluating home heating energy conservation. Factors which influenced family energy consumption and/or efficiency were: (1) family energy management behaviours, including no-dollar cost behavioural changes and enhancing the energy efficiency of some mechanical system; (2) housing factors, including structural characteristics and size of house; and, (3) family contextual factors, including socio-economic status, family size and stage of family life cycle.     

浅谈新时期能源消费需求的预测

随着我国经济社会快速发展以及我国工业化进程的加快,目前,我国的能源消费需求逐渐增大,尤其是对电力能源的消费需求将进一步加大.就目前的能源消费结构来看,新时期我国石油生产将在今后较长时期都处于居高不下的水平,并可能在今后较长时期趋于递减.受到各方面因素的影响,新时期我国的各项能源需求将在稳步中有所提升,但增速趋降.     

Impact of trust and knowledge in the food chain on motivation-behavior gap in green consumption

The motivations and barriers of the actual green purchase behavior are as real as the product itself, which makes it a systematic process to examine the inconsistency between consumers' motivations and their actual behavior (motivation-behavior gap). The study aimed to clarify the direct and indirect effects of motivations on the purchase behavior of green food. The proposed conceptual model was adopted from the Motivation-Opportunity-Ability (MOA) framework and was extended by adding the serial mediation of consumer perceived knowledge and trust as major constructs. Data were collected from 1788 consumers in China. Results provided support for the model and showed that perceived knowledge about the food supply chain could be both barrier and a positive factor of consumers’ purchase behavior, which mainly depends on the trade-off between certification and planting knowledge. Differences in trust exist and consumers hold authorities and certification bodies more accountable than farmers and retailers. For the direct effects, food safety concern is positively associated with behavior, whereas environmental concern is not. Policymakers shall use the results to narrow the motivation-behavior gap, especially for emerging economies.     

Joint audits and mutual ties of audit firm networks

There has been a lively debate following the 2007 financial crisis regarding the role of joint audits. Prior research argues that joint audits may improve audit quality because of shared audit efforts. However, empirical evidence has been inconclusive. To gain insight into how Big 4 audit firm imprimaturs have become a source of legitimacy in the audit industry, this article investigates how audit networks drive the audit industry in Saudi Arabia. Based on the application of quantitative and qualitative research methods, we conclude that the Big 4 audit firms have strong mutual ties, but ties with other local and international audit firms are weak. We also find the oligopolistic nature of the Big 4 audit firms and international audit firms. Specifically, Ernst & Young, KPMG, PwC, and PKF are controlling over 68% of the audit market. Interviews with accounting professionals suggest that several benefits of joint audits exist, but certain additional costs are also implicated. Our findings are particularly relevant for regulators and local and international policymakers in rethinking and evaluating the appropriateness of either the mandatory or voluntary nature of joint audits in developing countries.     

一种参量可调的多元LDPC译码算法及其能耗分析

在加权比特可靠度(Weighted Bit-reliability,wBRB)多元低密度奇偶校验(Low Density Parity Check,LDPC)译码基础上,提出了一种参量可调的译码算法。迭代过程中的比较参量不再使用固定的硬判决符号,而是基于大数逻辑准则选取最为可靠的外信息符号作为标准的比较参量,提高距离修正参数选取的准确性。在复杂度分析方面,提出了一种基于能耗的综合评判准则,将元素间的操作折算到相应的能量消耗指标上,可更加科学、直观地对不同算法的译码复杂度进行统一衡量。仿真结果显示,所提出算法的错误平层略低于原算法,其增加的能耗几乎可以忽略。