Trade policy,productivity and learning: Evidence in South Africa

The theoretical argument in support of trade liberalisation is based, in part, on exports that foster dynamic efficiency gains primarily through learning and technological upgrading. Using data collected in the motor vehicle components industry, the article explores whether there is any evidence in the South African manufacturing sector to support this hypothesis. Although the conclusions are tentative, the author finds no unambiguous empirical support for the argument that, in the South African context, trade liberalisation fosters learning and innovation at the level of the firm.     

The ‘alien invasion’ in South Africa: Illegal immigrants in Durban

Although South Africa's emerging non‐racial democracy has been internationally acclaimed, global integration has also brought its problems. One of these is the greater number of illegal immigrants entering the country. This article examines the problem of illegal immigration by focusing on an intensive case study in the locality of Durban. It attempts to identify reasons for illegal immigrants coming to South Africa, ascertain their country of origin, investigate the consequences of their stay in the Republic, identify problems associated with immigrants, and assess policy options to reduce the influx of aliens. The study reveals that the majority of illegal immigrants come to South Africa in search of better economic opportunities. However, they are accused of taking away the jobs of locals, lowering wages and spreading diseases. Although official government policy towards illegals is embodied in the Aliens Control Act (1991), there is a need to understand the problem within its regional and historical context.     

中韩制造业的互补性与竞争性对中国制造业贸易平衡影响分析

本文利用RCA指数对1995～2002年中韩两国制造业的互补性与竞争性进行了分析,并利用TSI指数分析了两国互补性产业和竞争性产业对中国制造业贸易平衡的影响。结果表明, 中国对韩国具有互补性的多半是劳动密集型和资源密集型产业,中国制造业贸易净收入虽来自这些部门,但对贸易平衡的正向作用有限;韩国对中国具有互补性的是资本密集型重化工产业,中国制造业贸易逆差主要来自于这些部门;两国具有竞争性的是计算机、家电等技术密集型高新产业,中国参与分工的产品处于技术低端,贸易额虽大但净收入较少。两国这种分工是导致中国制造业贸易逆差的主要原因。中国应注重提高传统优势产品的附加值,调整和完善重化工业结构,并向高端领域跨越,建立有竞争力的制造业体系。     

中国与南非双边贸易的竞争性与互补性研究

基于中国南非双边贸易现状及结构分析,运用产品相似度、贸易结合度和产业内贸易指数等评价指标对两国双边贸易的竞争性和互补性关系进行实证研究。结果表明,两国双边贸易的互补性远大于竞争性,发展双边贸易有利于发挥两国要素禀赋优势,实现互利共赢。提出深化双边贸易合作、加快境外经贸合作区建设步伐、加大对南非资源投资力度、推进贸易与投资一体化发展等对策。     

The Competitiveness of Former Coalfields: Manufacturing Managers' Perceptions of Competitiveness Strengths and Weaknesses in South Yorkshire

The last decade has seen a wide recognition of the chronic economic adjustment problems of the former coalfields of the UK. Arguably, the finest example of such an ex-mining area has been South Yorkshire. Common perceptions are of old mining communities that are lacking the key requisite characteristics to be sufficiently able to generate new and alternative forms of employment. That is, ex-coalfields are widely seen as possessing a poor set of the determining factors of economic competitiveness. This paper uses a study of manufacturing managers' perceptions of the determinants of competitiveness in the former mining area of South Yorkshire in order to shed new light on an established debate. It also takes an established methodology for assessing regional competitiveness and develops it into a more focused and valuable tool in feeding into the policy-making agenda. On the basis of the findings, some of the current policies aimed at the revitalisation of the economy of South Yorkshire's former coalfield are discussed, and a number of additions are suggested.     

Production of and trade in African indigenous vegetables in the urban and peri-urban areas of Durban,South Africa

This paper reports on the farming and trade of lesser known crops, here termed African indigenous vegetables (AIVs), in the Durban metropole. Most households grow AIVs, and collect them from the wild, primarily for home consumption. Modal income from sale was approximately R30 per month per farmer, most of whom were middle-aged to elderly females, with limited education, who had been cultivating AIVs here for many years. The main constraints to greater sales were deemed to be low market demand and adverse climate. The commonest AIVs grown were pumpkin leaves, taro and amaranth. Although most farmers sold very little, there is a thriving retail trade in AIVs. Generally, retailers were females, but younger and more educated than the farmers. The majority viewed retailing as a full-time occupation. Modal income for retailers was R450 per month, but included non-AIV produce. Most of the traders thought there was insufficient market demand for AIVs.     

生产者服务贸易与中国制造业效率提升——基于行业面板数据的考察

作为高级的要素投入,生产者服务的进口提高了进口国的专业化分工,从而提升了制造业的整体效率。通过运用中国制造业细分行业1997～2008年的面板数据进行回归后,结果表明:生产者服务进口更能促进资本密集型和技术密集型制造业效率的提升;其他商业服务进口对制造业效率的促进效应最为明显,其次是计算机和信息服务进口、专有权与特许权使用费和金融服务进口;通讯服务、建筑服务进口对中国制造业效率产生负面影响,而其中又以对资本密集型制造业效率的负面冲击最为严重。     

塑造国有外贸企业的人才战略核心竞争力

中国市场经济体系正在形成，尤其加入世界贸易组织以来，部分行业的市场更加开放，市场化程度逐渐与国际接轨。其中，国有外贸企业作为历史上曾经的重要角色和当前我国企业国际化的先行者，其组织结构．业务结构、组织文化．人才管理等均面临转型和创新。本文基于国有外贸企业逐渐融入国际市场过程中，所面临的组织文化和人才管理变革，对当前国有外贸企业的人力资源战略进行了分析，并提出了基于流程变革和组织文化创新的人才战略实施体系，进而形成具有行业和企业自身特色的人才核心竞争力。     

FDI的前后向关联和中国制造业企业生产率的提升——基于地理距离的研究

本文采用微观企业面板数据,运用投入产出表构建前后向关联指标,引入基于地理距离的空间权重矩阵,探讨FDI是否通过前后向的关联提升了中国制造业企业的生产率.研究发现,就全国范围看,FDI通过前向关联,提高了我国企业的生产率,但没有通过后向关联对企业生产率有所影响.纳入地理距离因素后,外资的前向关联技术外溢效应仍存在,但数值...     

我国制造业企业的成本效率研究

本文运用了2001与2004年度我国制造业上市公司数据,采取随机前沿技术的成本函数,对254家企业进行成本函数估计得出具体参数值,按平均值分别测算我国制造业上市企业的前沿成本、成本效率、技术效率、配置效率和规模经济性。通过实证考察,结论认为技术效率的相对缺乏,是制造业企业成本非效率的主要因素,且高成本组始终处于较低的效率水平;2004年总体样本显示成本效率主要得益于技术进步,但资源的有效配置不容忽视;此外,规模经济性随着产出规模增加而下降。我国制造业上市公司作为一股"先进生产力"的代表,其成本效率需要前沿技术长期的推进。