THE ROLE OF THE SERVICE SECTOR IN THE ECONOMY OF METROPOLITAN GENEVA, 1975–1985

Modern production systems are characterized by the growth of service industries and the increasing interdependence between services and the production of goods. Further, current research is becoming increasingly concerned with the strategic role of certain service functions in the process of economic growth. In this paper we examine these phenomena in the specific context of the economic structure and evolution of metropolitan Geneva. We begin by presenting an alternative typology of economic activity, and then employ this typology to examine three aspects of Geneva's economic structure: its configuration in 1985; its evolution over the period 1975–1985; and intrametropolitan shifts of economic activity. Finally, we compare Geneva to other metropolitan areas and cities in Switzerland, France, and Canada, in order to demonstrate the universality of the processes taking place.     

THE SINO-BRITISH JOINT DECLARATION, 1997, AND THE LAND MARKET OF HONG KONG*

In September, 1984, Britain and China concluded the Joint Declaration on the Future of Hong Kong. The Joint Declaration guarantees the continual practice of capitalism and a high degree of autonomy for Hong Kong for a period of 50 years after 1997. It helped to rebuild confidence and caused property prices to rise. However, Annex HI of the Joint Declaration places severe restraints on the present government, limiting its ability to respond to market trends and generate funds from land sales. This paper seeks to look at some of these effects. It is argued that there is very little room for the present government to maneouvre and that even now the constraints imposed by the Joint Declaration are affecting the land market in Hong Kong. Higher land prices, a slower rate of horizontal expansion of the city and a greater intensity of land use are likely consequences of the newly imposed contraints. The recent emphasis on inner city development and redevelopment vis-a-vis a new town development strategy is in part attributable to the Joint Declaration.     

THE EFFECTS OF COMPANY TRAINING,FURTHER EDUCATION AND THE YOUTH TRAINING SCHEME ON THE EARNINGS OF YOUNG EMPLOYEES*

Abstract This paper provides evidence on the impact of company training, of post-compulsory education and of the UK Youth Training Scheme in the late 1980's on the earnings of 21-year-old employees in England and Wales. Earnings equations are estimated for each of seven groups of employees who have followed alternative routes from compulsory education into employment, allowing for selectivity into these routes. There are several findings, including: both high parental social class and better school qualifications help to channel people into higher status routes, while high local unemployment has the opposite effect; participation in company training in long spells substantially raises wages but short spells do not; YTS participation fails to raise, and possibly substantially lowers, wages even three years after graduation compared to those who left school at 16 and went to work and received no training; there is weak evidence that, even for those that do not enter higher education, it is better to stay on at school after 16 than go into YTS.     

MONEY, FINANCE AND THE ROLE OF THE STATE

Books reviewed in this article:
Kevin Dowd (1989) The State and the Monetary System.
David Glasner (1989) Free Banking and Monetary Reform.
David Gowland (1990) The Regulation of Financial Markets in the 1990s.     

MORALITY, ECONOMICS AND THE MARKET IN THE THOUGHT OF BENEDICT XVI

While not uncritical of aspects of modern capitalism, John Paul II's 1991 social encyclical, Centesimus Annus , directed official Catholic teaching towards more explicit affirmation of the moral potential of free markets, exchange and enterprise. Analysis of the pre-pontifical writings of Pope John Paul's successor, Benedict XVI, suggests that an equally nuanced approach to economics and the market from the most authoritative Catholic teaching authority is likely to continue.     

OWNERSHIP, CONTROL, FINANCIAL STRUCTURE AND THE PERFORMANCE OF FIRMS

Abstract. The notion that the separation of ownership from control may create a divergence of interests between managers and shareholders has led to a large number of studies which investigate the influence of ownership structures upon a firm's financial structure and its performance. The purpose of this paper is to review and critically evaluate the literature that empirically analyses the effects of ownership and control structures on both the financial structure and the performance of the firm. In addition, further consideration is given to the dynamic relationships between ownership, control, financing and firm performance.     

THE APPLICABILITY OF THE TRADITIONAL THEORY OF ECONOMIC POLICY

Abstract. The traditional theory of economic policy requires targets, instruments, an empirical economic model, and a social welfare or criterion function to be specified in order to derive the optimal economic policy. Empirical studies of reaction functions suggest that economic policy is carried out in some systematic manner, subject to interference from political factors. This survey addresses the problems of specifying, estimating and applying an economic model when economic policy is following a path specified by a reaction function. Attention is paid to rational expectations, the Lucas'critique, and the policy neutrality proposition. Lack of knowledge of the policy maker's objective function poses the most serious difficulty when applying the theory of economic policy. Various methods of determining this function are reviewed, and the possibility that policy makers might be satisficing is discussed. The role played by political factors is considered in the light of the public choice literature.     

品质生活 金科镌刻

<正>在金科,企业文化是企业肌体的每一寸血管中流淌着的一种精神、是每一名员工发自内心的一份信仰。生生不息的文化,正在成为金科团队执行力的重要保障和公司持续成长的不竭动力。金科物业服务有限公司成立于1998年,公司注册资本5000万元,现有员工5200余人。目前管理规模已超过2700万平方米。自成立以来,"关爱无处不在"、"迅速反应、创造感动"的服务理念响彻全国。2008年,金科物业按照金科股份"依托大重庆,挺进长三角,开拓环渤海,扩大中西     

解读卓德顶级品牌的内蕴

陈超国执行董事——责评估部门包括中国评估部负责最终签署评估报告管理硕士——业于英国的物业发展及投资管理系毕业于香港理工大学测量学系香港测量师学会之资深会员英国皇家测量师学会之资深会员仲裁学会之注册会员自1995年开始负责中国评估部所参与的大型国企项目如下:中国银行中银集团 中外运 中国石油天然气 中国移动 中国联通 中国电信 联华超市 中国铝业 马鞍山钢铁厂 中国粮油进出口公司 北京华联超市 上海宝钢 上海电力 粤海集团 万通集团中国化工进出口公司 广东美雅集团 新亚集团 华能电力 东方航空 南方航空 山东新华制药厂 庆玲汽车 海螺水泥宝丰集团皖通高速公路 成渝高速公路 中国制药 中国民航计算机信息中心 中国航空技术进出口公司 北京人民印刷股份有限公司 东风汽车 上海电力 涟源钢铁厂等     

TIME IS OF THE ESSENCE: THE IDEA OF THE COROLLARY OF THE COASE THEOREM AND A POSSIBLE APPLICATION

Extant theories on the application of the Coase Theorem to the development market have focused on the effects of zoning on the environment or upon property prices. As an original contribution to the Coasian research on the interface between the development market and the statutory planning machinery, this article seeks to develop a Coasian proposition informed by what has been called the corollary of the Coase Theorem, which allows for an empirical examination of the impact of property prices on decisions to use resources under different institutional arrangements. Our proposition is that the procedural steps taken to consume resources are not contingent on property prices unless the associated transaction costs are positive or property rights ambiguous.     

THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE RIGHT TO BUY AND THE SALE OF COUNCIL HOUSES

The history of the 'Right to Buy' local government-owned council houses is examined in this paper. It is seen that the right of councils to sell was transformed into the right of tenants to demand such sales. Peter Walker had a pivotal role in this process. Later, Michael Heseltine and Margaret Thatcher emerged as key political players. The other intellectual drivers of this reform are also discussed.     

THE DEMAND FOR BEER,WINE AND SPIRITS: A SURVEY OF THE LITERATURE

Abstract The demand for alcohol literature is vast and much conflicting information about the nature of the demand for alcoholic beverages has been published. This paper presents a survey of the literature, and then uses the technique of meta‐regression analysis to establish insights into the nature of the demand for beer, wine and spirits. Unlike previous meta‐studies of the demand for alcoholic beverages this study adjusts for the precision of each elasticity estimate. The analysis presented suggests reported elasticity estimates will be influenced by such factors as estimation technique, data frequency and time period under consideration. With respect to time, the findings suggest that the demand for alcoholic beverages has become less inelastic since the mid‐1950s and that the income elasticity has been falling since the mid‐1960s. The analysis also found support for the idea that alcohol as a commodity group is a necessity, and that consumers respond to price discounting with inventory behaviour rather than true substitution behaviour. Little support is found for the idea that the demand for alcoholic beverages varies fundamentally across most countries, although wine may be an exception.     

THE EFFECTS OF EXPANDING THE GENEROSITY OF THE STATUTORY SICKNESS INSURANCE SYSTEM

This article evaluates an expansion of employer‐mandated sick leave from 80% to 100% of forgone gross wages in Germany. We employ and compare parametric difference‐in‐difference (DID), matching DID and mixed approaches. Overall workplace absences increased by at least 10% or 1 day per worker per year. We show that taking partial compliance into account increases coefficient estimates. Further, heterogeneity in response behavior was of great importance. There is no evidence that the increase in sick leave improved employee health, a finding that supports a shirking explanation. Finally, we provide evidence on potential labor market adjustments to the reform. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

THE MANAGEMENT OF THE PERSONNEL FUNCTION

This article examines the way the personnel role has developed in the United Kingdom, and argues that three main models of personnel management may be discerned. The way these models have been influenced by the recession is discussed and it is suggested that the personnel function, both as a specialized activity and as one aspect of all managerial work has been forced to change, in response to the need for increased competitiveness, to structural and ideological changes, and to industrial reorganization. Looking to the future, the paper anticipates the ‘balkanization’ of the personnel function as new specialisms emerge, and as personnel activity becomes more closely associated with corporate marketing strategies.     

AN INTERPRETATION OF THE SIGNIFICANCE OF THE SECOND BATTLE OF WATERLOO

Good governance is a pre-condition for economic development. Good governance, in turn, requires peace. The second Battle of Waterloo, in Sierra Leone, showed what the West can do in this regard. A small military intervention, not hemmed in by the typical restrictions on what 'peacekeepers' can do, made a huge difference to the development prospects of the country. This has important implications for the use of external military forces as part of the overall strategy for poverty reduction in Africa.     

超轻暴力精灵

路特斯。一个与保时捷、法拉利并称世界三大跑车制造商的传奇品牌，Elise。一个拥有精灵的名字，绚丽色彩的款式。它在轻量化的哨的街头荧光黄。心脏里却体现着纯正的专业，其实真正的品质来自于对机械的极致追求，     

INNOVATION, PRICE COMPETITION AND THE 'TILT' OF COMPETITION POLICY

Innovation is the key to rising living standards; competition is the key to a rapid rate of innovation.