EFFECTS OF REGIONAL COOPERATION AMONG SMALL AND MEDIUM-SIZED FIRMS ON THEIR GROWTH IN JAPANESE INDUSTRIAL CLUSTERS

We examine the effects of regional inter-firm cooperation on firm growth by estimating the firm growth function, using the data of a questionnaire survey for three major industrial clusters in Japan, namely, Tama, Kinki and Hokkaido. We focus on the specific content of cooperative activities for two aspects: that is, three production stages of R&D, commercialization, and marketing for cooperation and different types of alliance partners. The findings for our study areas demonstrate: i) vertical cooperation, the most prevalent with suppliers and customers, does not contribute to firm growth; ii) the clusters do not enjoy "urbanization economies arising from agglomerating a variety of different industrial sectors"; iii) the alliances with "universities" and "cross-industry exchange organizations" show positive effects on firm growth; and iv) both contributions and limitations are identified for the cluster-promotion policies in Japan.     

AN EXAMINATION OF THE INFLUENCE OF MIDDLE-LEVEL MANAGERS IN FORMULATING AND IMPLEMENTING STRATEGIC DECISIONS

The upward influence of middle-level managers (MLMs) on strategic planning and decision-making is examined. It was found that: (1) upward influence activity was more prevalent in low risk/return types of strategic decisions than in high risk/return decisions; (2) upward influence activity was more prevalent during the implementation of strategic decisions than during the formulation of such decisions; (3) managers most often used rational arguments in their influence attempts; (4) managers were more likely to be successful than unsuccessful in influencing their superiors in strategic decisions; (5) managers most often attributed their success in influencing their superiors to internal causes and their failures to external causes; (6) managers from private sector organizations exerted influence in both high risk and low risk strategic decisions more frequently than did managers from public sector organizations; and (7) the number of years working with the superior was the best predictor of successful interactions and of risky decisions. Some insight into the development of widespread strategic thinking in an organization is provided.     

小企业的销售人员薪酬设计

公司的分配制度改革正悄然进行着,大锅饭原则已经被个人竞争力制度所替代。特别在销售部门,员工的收入水平受其个人的工作表现和工作绩效影响,但是为什么人员的频繁跳槽现象依然不减呢?很显然,普通的人力资源薪酬设计并不能完全有效地激发销售人员的工作热情,公司需要一种激励员工挑战自我的行之有效的薪酬模式。大明科技是一家有30余人的小公司,从事办公自动化用品销售,公司原有业务销售人员15人。和其它一些公司一样,大明科技也采用了基本工资加业务提成的薪酬模式,老板对员工也挺和善,员工之间也能够和睦相处,但令人费解的是跳槽现象却时…     

THE INTERDEPARTMENTAL INFLUENCE OF MANAGERS: INDIVIDUAL AND SUB-UNIT PERSPECTIVES

This paper examines the extent to which managerial influence over group-interdepartmental decisions is derived from sub-unit contingencies or is due to more individualistic characteristics of the manager. Both individual and sub-unit perspectives are presented in a framework composed of seven power factors each of which is investigated empirically. The major finding from a survey of 142 departmental managers is that individual managerial expertise is more important than sub-unit-based power with access to and control of information being of equal importance. We suggest that the investigation of managerial influence from a sub-unit perspective alone may be insufficient and that, in certain circumstances, both individualistic and sub-unit perspectives should be taken into account.     

THE THEORY OF STATE-OWNED ENTERPRISES IN MARKET ECONOMIES

Abstract. Four topics are covered: the circumstances under which state-owned enterprises (SOEs) are more effective than private firms; the different approaches to modelling public and private firms; the performance of SOEs; and strategies including privatization to limit their more damaging effects. It is argued that ideological or development motives are important in their genesis, but that if efficiency and innovation are key considerations the normative case for their existence is more doubtful. Various types of SOE model are identified, deriving from the variety of circumstances in which they operate, and the theoretical perspective of the modeller. These include the property rights school, the public choice tradition, neoclassical, behavioural and budget maximizing approaches. All models assume the existence of monitoring problems, created by informational asymmetry. The consequences can include high non-pecuniary benefits for managers, a concentration on monitored activities, and lower innovation levels and efficiency than private firms. Curiously this is not necessarily reflected in higher prices or costs. Possible remedial strategies include a change of ownership, a change of objectives, the introduction of incentive-compatible payment schemes, improved performance indicators and privatization.     

KAMPUNG IMPROVEMENT IN THE SMALL AND MEDIUM SIZED CITIES OF CENTRAL JAVA

The analysis of data from the Kampong Improvement project in the small and medium sized cities of central Java demonstrates that house upgrading is no longer the only measure of improved welfare for Kampong residents. The privatizing of previously public essential services like water supply and those of MCK facilities (bath, laundry, toilet) currently provide evidence of improved living standards. Kampong residents in larger cities did not exhibit more responsible attitudes toward maintenance than smaller-city residents. Kampong location in relation to the city center, the city's economy and the socio-economic characteristics of the population were more influential factors.     

STRATEGIC AWARENESS, PERSONAL COMMITMENT AND THE PROCESS OF PLANNING IN THE SMALL BUSINESS

This paper is based on detailed study [1], over two years, of sixteen small companies based in the northern region of the U.K. the study was concerned with the way in which the companies pursued different lines of product and market development. the research was characterized by experimental ‘action inputs’ designed to allow observation of the impact of different types of ‘software’(information, counselling, training/education) support on the development process. On the basis of this observation the paper constructs a model of the development process as a basis for evaluation of ‘assistance support’. This model, derived from theoretical concepts, nevertheless has been used in practice by companies for the evaluation of their own specific business development and has also been used for training small firm advisers. Observation of the development process enables a characterization of methods of planning used and evaluation of their influence. This indicates clearly the absence of formal planning models but underlines the importance of the strategic awareness and personal commitment of the owner manager in pursuing particular objectives. Strategic awareness is defined and its relationships with forms of assistance are explored. Implications are then drawn for those who seek to assist small businesses.     

SELF-ESTEEM, INTERNAL-CONTROL AND EXPECTANCY BELIEFS OF WHITE AND BLACK MANAGERS IN SOUTH AFRICA

The relationship between internal-control, self-esteem and self-respect measures of the effort-performance and performance-outcome beliefs – the two major beliefs of the expectancy model of work motivation – were examined in a sample of forty-two white and thirty-eight black managers in South Africa. The correlations between self-esteem and the effort-performance belief and between internal-control and the performance-outcome belief were both significant in the white group but not in the black group. The white managers were significantly more internally oriented and had significantly higher levels of self-esteem than the black mangers. The white-black differences are explained in terms of features of the current socio-political systems in South Africa. The fact that in both groups the two beliefs correlated significantly together and equally with the self-esteem and internal-control suggests that the two beliefs may not be as independent as is implied by expectancy theory.     

HOW TO BEST ENSURE REMUNERATION FOR CREATORS IN THE MARKET FOR MUSIC? COPYRIGHT AND ITS ALTERNATIVES

Abstract.  The focus of this essay is to examine the market for copyrighted works with a particular emphasis on the sound recording market. This market is currently in a state of flux, some would say disarray, due to the ability of the Internet to lower transmission costs for both authorized and unauthorized copies, with the latter being, at this time, far more prevalent. In this essay we discuss the intent of copyright, the role of copying and file-sharing, and some alternative production/consumption schemes meant to strengthen or to replace copyright.     

限购之下,房地产产业链企业发展之道

主持语：随着地产调控的进一步加剧,房价上涨过快的三线城市逐渐被纳入调控的范围,下半年将继续巩固和加强调控成果,这会令楼市更扑塑迷离。继部分房企转战商业地产、旅游地产后,广州地产商美林基业天生卫康投1.2亿发展养猪事业,这点燃了房企转战多元化经营的新天地,也从某种程度上表明了目前房地产行业发展的不景气。房地产发展的不景气及＂达芬奇效应＂在高端家具行业不断显现出来,促使建筑、景观、室内设计等公司未雨绸缪,重新思考如何提升设计附加值,改善人们的生活环境,进而提高其在行业的竞争力,他们是如何看待目前的市场,正在思考些什么？     

内地企业在香港上市十年回顾和展望

自1993年首家国企以H股形式在香港上市,揭开了香港证券市场大规模为内地企业筹集资金的序幕.十年来,内地企业与香港的证券市场已建立非常紧密的关系,下列的数据可以充分反映两者关系的情况.     

BROADCASTING LICENCE FEE SETTLEMENTS IN THE UK AND GERMANY

In October 2010 the British and German broadcasting licence fees were settled. In the UK, the BBC's worst settlement in its history appears moderate compared with other cuts in public sector spending. However, whereas the near future of the Corporation and public service broadcasting (PSB) in the UK may lie in the provision of narrower services and competitive funding, in Germany the current change of the fee towards an excise duty make ARD and ZDF, the two key German PSB organisations, appear stronger than ever. The implementation of the new model will harm individual freedom, commercial broadcasting operators and the taxpayer.