Building the Theory of Comparative Hrm

The study of comparative HRM is needed to complement and condition the field of international HRM. But the task of building a theory of comparative HRM is not a simple one. This article argues that the goal of such theory should be to account for differences in workforce capability and labour productivity across nations. Suggesting what ought to be explained, however, is much easier than providing credible explanations. the article argues that it is important to identify dominant models of HRM in each country, recognising that there is significant variation both within and between nations. Management in firms plays a critical role in shaping models of labour management but analysis must also take account of the impact of other actors such as the state and labour.     

Improving the response rate and quality in Web-based surveys through the personalization and frequency of reminder mailings

Internet shares some characteristics of survey making with traditional media, especially postal mail. However, there are considerable differences that justify a different focus on administration and make existing knowledge of the traditional media not directly applicable to Internet. Research is therefore necessary to discover how Web-based surveys operate under different conditioning factors, so that general behavioral patterns can be established in order to improve the administration and results of such surveys. This study thus centers on two of the parameters that can influence responses to Web-based surveys, which are personalization and the frequency of reminder mailings distributed among the sample population. The results obtained show a positive influence of personalized e-mail messages on response rate and the need to use a lower frequency for studies aiming at increasing the response rate in the shortest possible time; and longer frequency (and personalized) when the aim is to have the respondents complete the full questionnaire.     

Downside risk management and VaR-based optimal portfolios for precious metals,oil and stocks

Value-at-Risk (VaR) is used to analyze the market downside risk associated with investments in six key individual assets including four precious metals, oil and the S&P 500 index, and three diversified portfolios. Using combinations of these assets, three optimal portfolios and their efficient frontiers within a VaR framework are constructed and the returns and downside risks for these portfolios are also analyzed. One-day-ahead VaR forecasts are computed with nine risk models including calibrated RiskMetrics, asymmetric GARCH type models, the filtered Historical Simulation approach, methodologies from statistics of extremes and a risk management strategy involving combinations of models. These risk models are evaluated and compared based on the unconditional coverage, independence and conditional coverage criteria. The economic importance of the results is also highlighted by assessing the daily capital charges under the Basel Accord rule. The best approaches for estimating the VaR for the individual assets under study and for the three VaR-based optimal portfolios and efficient frontiers are discussed. The VaR-based performance measure ranks the most diversified optimal portfolio (Portfolio #2) as the most efficient and the pure precious metals (Portfolio #1) as the least efficient.     

Alternative transportation modes in an urban land use model: A general equilibrium approach

This paper presents and analyzes a general equilibrium transportation demand model. The model was applied to hypothetical cities with populations of 1 and 2 million. Data and coefficients for those cities were obtained from existing metropolitan areas of equivalent sizes. A subway system is found to be uneconomical in the hypothetical city with one million population and with an average population density of 4400 per square mile. However, it is found to be economical and desirable for the hypothetical city with two million population and with an average density of 6900 per square mile.     

基于因子与聚类分析的江苏省邮政业务协同运作实效研究

中国邮政业务出现了发展缓慢、停滞甚至倒退的现象,邮政业务创新成为不可回避的现实问题。通过2013年江苏邮政通信企业统计数据,对江苏13个邮政局的邮政各类业务协同发展水平状况以及资产配置水平进行因子分析和聚类分析。得出江苏省邮政业务地区发展的层次分布情况,分析了业务发展差距的原因,并总结了邮政在协同发展邮政业务的经验。     

A latent class poisson regression model for heterogeneous count data

In this paper an approach is developed that accommodates heterogeneity in Poisson regression models for count data. The model developed assumes that heterogeneity arises from a distribution of both the intercept and the coefficients of the explanatory variables. We assume that the mixing distribution is discrete, resulting in a finite mixture model formulation. An EM algorithm for estimation is described, and the algorithm is applied to data on customer purchases of books offered through direct mail. Our model is compared empirically to a number of other approaches that deal with heterogeneity in Poisson regression models.     

RELATIONSHIPS OF JOB CATEGORIES AND ORGANIZATIONAL LEVELS TO USE OF COMMUNICATION CHANNELS,INCLUDING ELECTRONIC MAIL: A META-ANALYSIS AND EXTENSION*

This study tests hypotheses derived from information processing theory concerning relationships between individuals' job category, organizational level, and levels and patterns of media usage. Media studied include face-to-face, meetings, memos/letters, telephone and electronic mail. In the meta-analysis of over 40 studies, usage of different media was significantly different for managers/executives versus others, and was highly correlated with organizational level. In the individual-level analyses of four organizations, the majority of respondents were classified into their actual job categories, and according to distances between organizational levels, by a discriminant function involving only relative extent of media use, especially participation in meetings. Contrary to information richness theory, upper-level respondents (managers) did not necessarily use electronic mail less than did lower-level respondents (clerical workers). The article concludes by discussing implications for theories of organizational media use and implementation of electronic mail systems.     

The potential of a multi-mode data collection design to reduce non response bias. The case of a survey of employers

The aim of the paper is to compare two alternative survey designs in terms of resultant response rates, non response bias and cost. The first design is a simple postal survey with follow-up mailings; the second design is a two-phase multi-mode design, where the postal survey is followed at the second phase by a telephone survey of non-respondents. We present a case study based on a survey of employers. In this study we find evidence that the sample obtained using only postal methods is biased in important respects. Bias is not apparent in the demographic characteristics of the employees. But bias is observed in some of the employees’ employment characteristics and some of the characteristics of the firms in which they work. The multi mode design seems, overall, to have reduced or removed the bias of the postal sample. Only in marginal respects was some further bias introduced. We also compare costs of the two designs, to enable a comparison of cost-effectiveness at bias reduction.     

International Business Environment in Mercosur Nations

Abstract

Mercosur is the latest common market in Latin America with Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay and Uruguay as its full members, along with Bolivia and Chile as associate members. Mercosur is an acronym for Mercado Comun Del Sur meaning the Southern Cone Common Market. Mercosur, with its original four member nations, has a total population of 200 million and a combined GDP of $1,000 billion (Fidler 1997, Pilling 1997). If Mercosur were a single country, this would make it the world's fourth most populous nation with the seventh largest economy.

Since the Treaty of Mercosur, also known as the Asuncion Treaty, the four full members have made tremendous strides towards achieving most of their objectives within the specified time periods. However, the agreement which called for the full implementation of a customs union by January 1, 1995, has not been fully realized. This has given rise to some concern among foreign investors about the practicality, and the attractiveness of the proposed Customs Union. The purpose of this paper is to evaluate the general business environment of the four Mercosur-member nations through an examination of the agreement itself, followed by a brief investment risk assessment using a country risk assessment model, and conclude with some implications for prospective investors. The analysis is limited to the economies of the four full member nations mainly because of two reasons: (1) the study focuses on issues concerning this group's transition to a customs union and eventually to a common market, and (2) there are continuing negotiations with countries such as Colombia, Mexico, Peru, Ecuador, and Venezuela for their accession into Mercosur as associate members. Therefore, the term Mercosur Nations in this paper refers to the four nations who are full members of Mercosur.     

Two new models for survey sampling with sensitive characteristic: design and analysis

Sensitive topics or highly personal questions are often being asked in medical, psychological and sociological surveys. This paper proposes two new models (namely, the triangular and crosswise models) for survey sampling with the sensitive characteristics. We derive the maximum likelihood estimates (MLEs) and large-sample confidence intervals for the proportion of persons with sensitive characteristic. The modified MLEs and their asymptotic properties are developed. Under certain optimality criteria, the designs for the cooperative parameter are provided and the sample size formulas are given. We compare the efficiency of the two models based on the variance criterion. The proposed models have four advantages: neither model requires randomizing device, the models are easy to be implemented for both interviewer and interviewee, the interviewee does not face any sensitive questions, and both models can be applied to both face-to-face personal interviews and mail questionnaires.     

Institutional quality and environmental pollution: MENA countries versus the rest of the world

Using data for over 100 nations over the years 2004–2007, this study examines the effect, of institutional quality on environmental pollution, focusing primarily on influences of corruption, and the shadow economy, and paying special attention to MENA countries. Controlling for a, number of factors, results show that both more corrupt nations and nations with large shadow sectors have qualitatively and quantitatively similar effects in yielding fewer (recorded) emissions; however, MENA nations have higher pollution rates. Policy implications are noted.     

A note on the size distribution of cities over time

"The Pareto Law of Income Distribution is applied to the analysis of city size structures. Particular concern is focused on the Pareto coefficient as a measure of interurban concentration, and on how this varies through time within a nation. On the basis of evidence from 12 nations, it is argued that over time a nation tends to display a U-shaped pattern in the degree of interurban concentration, and that the higher a nation's overall level of development, the more advanced it will be in the sequence of concentration. Consideration is given to the possibility of supporting these conclusions through cross-sectional analysis among nations. The various bases for the proposed temporal pattern of concentration within a nation are then explored."     

Auto pollution and congestion in an urban model: An analysis of alternative strategies

Congestion and pollution externalities associated with automobile driving are examined for their effect on urban structure. A monocentric urban model which incorporates household preferences for both an unpolluted environment and for leisure time is presented, and used to evaluate alternative pricing and emissions policies on automobile use and their effects on city structure. Optimal tax gradients for driving are derived, and compared with second best cases of per mile taxes and no taxes. As externalities gradients become more nonlinear, the welfare gains from employing optimal taxes rather than a per mile tax are increased. The appropriate choices of an emission standard, highway capacity, and highway pricing policy must be made simultaneously and depend on household preferences.     

以物流配送为基础的邮政电子商务发展模式

在经济全球化的浪潮中,电子商务扮演着越来越重要的角色,影响着企业的生存和发展,给企业带来了新的挑战和发展机遇。为了提高邮政业的物流配送服务水平,结合我国电子商务物流配送现状,从电子商务发展的瓶颈入手,从BtoC电子商务与中国邮政配送体系相结合的角度分析了我国电子商务邮政配送模式,进而分析得出中国邮政进军电子商务的核心优势,最后从电子商务信用平台的角度出发,探讨了中国邮政物流业的运营模式创新,促进我国邮政业的全面发展。     

Non-audit services and auditor independence: some evidence from Ireland

This study reports the results of an investigation into the effects of the provision of non-audit services (NAS) on perceptions of auditor independence held within the Irish commercial environment, an environment not previously subject to a study of this nature. The methodology used in the study combined the use of a mail questionnaire and semi-structured interviews to allow both breadth of coverage and the opportunity to probe deeper into the nature of the perceptions held. The principal findings of the study were that perceptions of auditor independence were significantly diminished when NAS were provided to clients by personnel involved in the audit rather than by either a separate department within the audit firm or to non-audit clients only. The study highlighted that users of financial statements were willing to accept some reduction in auditor independence consequent upon the provision of NAS if this resulted in firms obtaining better or more cost-effective advice or if it resulted in a higher standard of audit. Analysis of the interviews provided further insights into the manner in which users of financial statements formed these perceptions and also suggested that, in the opinion of the interviewees, the small size and closeness of the Irish audit market acted to enhance rather than diminish audit independence.     

邮政业与区域经济增长关系——以上海市为例

随着电子商务和跨境电商的发展,邮政业的发展对国民经济的支撑作用越来越显著,农村电商的发展更是提高了邮政业在城乡经济协调发展的关键地位。因此文章以上海市邮政业与经济发展协调性为研究对象,通过VAR模型的格兰杰因果检验法,对上海市2002～2018年邮政业务总量和生产总额进行分析,分析表明上海市邮政业与经济发展存在互动的格兰杰因果关系。     

Culture and entrepreneurial orientation: a multi-country study

Entrepreneurial orientation (EO) has been proven as an essential attribute of high performing firms, and the role of culture has been highlighted for generating robust EO. The purpose of this study is to investigate the role of culture by identifying differences among the selected nations in terms of EO dimensions. This is an empirical study based on the data collected from university students in the U.S., Korea, Fiji, India, and Malaysia representing nations with significantly different cultural contexts. The result showed significant differences among the nations in most EO dimensions. This implies that customized education approaches based on unique cultural context are needed for developing EO among college students.     

Assessing nonresponse bias in activist surveys

How confident can we be that the comparatively low response rates associated with mail surveys of groups of political activists, such as participants of a demonstration, does not hide a substantial nonresponse bias? The paper compares the results of a face-to-face survey of 2003 anti-Iraq war demonstrators in Glasgow, achieving a near perfect response rate, with the data derived from a mail survey handed out to demonstrators eliciting valid responses from 37% of marchers. The comparison shows that better educated, older, female demonstrators were more likely to return the mail questionnaire. Also demonstrators having born a higher ‘cost’ of travelling to the demonstration are more likely to respond. There was no evidence that political interest or political orientation played an important role. However, those who had taken part in demonstrations very frequently in recent years were less likely to return the mail questionnaire. While these results provide some reassurance that even with response rates below 40%, no substantive political bias is present, researchers undertaking surveys of activists should be alerted to the need to address possible nonresponse biases in a systematic way.     

Location, innovation and trade: The role of localization and nation-based externalities

This paper models locales that produce goods for trade outside their boundaries. We use a model that assumes monopolistic competition in both service and traded goods sectors; and, influenced by Porter (The Competitive Advantage of Nations, The Free Press, New York, 1990), we study the impact of both a localization externality and a nation-based externality. The localization externality is related to innovation that occurs because of agglomeration in the locale. The nation-based externality reflects the idea that some nations promote competitive industries more successfully than do others. We identify two types of comparative statics effects related to two distinct results of innovation.