A matrix-based industrial location model

Experience with earlier interview-type location studies is employed as a basis for an ‘improved’ matrix model for the external location factors affecting industrial undertakings. The model enables the relative advantage of potential locations for industry to be determined, and the most appropriate branches of industry to be assigned to each region.     

Features of the Z-scoring method in graphical two-dimensional web surveys: the case of ZEF

Research in the human and behavioral sciences has long been burdened by a methodological distinction between two categories of research: that which measures and produces facts and that which understands and interprets phenomena. However all interpretation of numbers requires that results be viewed in relative terms and there are no other means for this than comparison. The Z-scoring method, that is to say standardization, in web survey ZEF, emphasizes relative traits of survey answering. Questions in ZEF are illustrated in graphical two-dimensional chart where respondents are able to compare their answers at the moment of answering process. This trait of answering emphasizes the relationship of questions more than an absolute values on the scales of two dimensions. The Z-scoring method that is used in ZEF for handle results is based for same assumption: The respondents are compared questions and are formulated their answers through comparison. The significance of differences between groups cannot be measured directly: in some content areas, even small differences may be important, while in others changes of even several per cent are not significant. Standardization makes visible how different respondents and groups value things, that is, construct an order for them, using the dimensions given.     

Pricing by hedging and no-arbitrage beyond semimartingales

We show that pricing a big class of relevant options by hedging and no-arbitrage can be extended beyond semimartingale models. To this end we construct a subclass of self-financing portfolios that contains hedges for these options, but does not contain arbitrage opportunities, even if the stock price process is a non-semimartingale of some special type. Moreover, we show that the option prices depend essentially only on a path property of the stock price process, viz. on the quadratic variation. We end the paper by giving no-arbitrage results even with stopping times for our model class.      

Improving firm positioning through enhanced offerings and buyer-seller relationships

We analyze the strategic repositioning of firms through changes in their market offerings and buyer-seller relationships. Based on literature from strategy, marketing, economics, and information systems, we formulate a two-by-two matrix to examine alternatives for positioning. We evaluate the framework with four case studies of companies that have recently moved toward more complete product/service offerings and stronger relational linkages with customers. These moves followed two different paths. The product/service path initially focused on the development of new and related products, product bundles, and the addition of product-related services. The relational path first focused on establishing closer relationships with customers including closer operational linkages, enhanced information sharing, more fully articulated legal and contractual obligations, and enhanced cooperation. In all the cases, the strategic repositioning was influenced by customer needs and enabled by information technology and the acquisition of new competencies through networking.     

Forecasting the consumption of alcoholic beverages in Finland: A box-Jenkins approach

In this report the results of identifying, estimating and diagnostically checking short-term rational distributed lag (transfer function) models for forecasting the consumption of alcoholic beverages other than beer in Finland are reviewed and compared with some other Scandinavian studies. The output of models is the logarithm of the monthly consumption of alcoholic beverages while the only specified input is the logarithm of the price index of alcoholic beverages. Other explanatory variables are included in the ARIMA noise. The importance of the price variable is demonstrated by comparing ex post predictions obtained using different methods.     

New challenges in professional cleaning: hygiene quality and monitoring of surfaces in private domestic homes

In many countries, changes in the pattern of working lives and ageing of the population increases the need for professional cleaning in private domestic homes. The objective of this study was to obtain basic knowledge concerning professional home cleaning. The study consisted of two parts. First, cleanability of surfaces contaminated with microbiological and organic soils was examined in the laboratory using cleaning cloths, detergents and rapid detection methods with potential for use in conjunction with professional cleaning in private homes. Second, hygienic conditions in three households were screened using the same rapid detection methods as in the laboratory experiments. According to the laboratory study, the cleaning efficiency of the non‐woven cloth was clearly poorer than that of the cleaning cloths containing microfibers. There were differences between the efficacy of the cleaning agents in removal of protein and microbiological soils. Despite the differences between surface topography observed with scanning electron microscopy, differences between the cleanability of the three examined surface materials (steel and two plastic surfaces) were small. In hygiene monitoring, the highest levels of total aerobic bacterial counts were detected in the plughole of the sink, on the eating table in kitchens and along the edge of the toilet washbowl and the cover of toilet seats. Low amounts of Enterobacteriaceae indicating faecal contamination were detected in the toilet and bathroom after cleaning. Moulds were not detected in any of the three households, and the amounts of yeasts were low. Detection methods, microbiological dipslides and the protein test, were well suited to the laboratory study. Furthermore, they complemented each other in the hygiene monitoring. The information obtained will be used for development of better practices in professional home cleaning. Good quality management in professional home cleaning and the cleanliness of surfaces in homes are important factors affecting comfort and safety.     

Commitment problems justify subsidies for medical insurance

Consumers who believe that government will provide them with some public medical care, even if they did not purchase medical insurance, may choose to purchase no such insurance. The amount of medical care consumed will then be less than the first-best optimum. Under specified conditions government can then increase the welfare of consumers by subsidizing insurance, or by providing public health care at a more generous level than the minimum it would otherwise give.     

Hygienic quality of cleaning cloths used in professional cleaning of private domestic homes

The objective of this laboratory study was to obtain general background information concerning professional cleaning in private domestic homes. The specific aim was to examine the effect of storage and washing of dirty cloths on their hygienic status. The effect of storage on the number of Staphylococcus aureus bacteria in cleaning cloths was examined using current or potential materials for professional cleaning in private homes. The bacterial content increased in microfibre cloths in some cases during a normal working day (8 h storage), and more clearly after 16 h or 48 h of storage. Disposable fibre cloths did not promote the growth of microbes as well as microfibre cloths. The effect of detergents on the hygienic status of cleaning cloths was unclear: some cleaning agents appeared to enhance the growth of bacteria, while others did not. In many cases, organic substances, i.e. protein added to the cloths, enhanced the growth of microbes. Washing of microfibre cloths at 60°C reduced the numbers of bacteria on the cloths but did not remove them entirely. Storage of dirty cloths before washing will probably cause difficulties in the proper washing of the cloths, and thus negatively affect their capacity for hygienic results in cleaning surfaces, as well as presenting a risk to the safety of the worker. Cleaning cloths should be washed as soon as possible after use: washing after each working day, at the latest, is recommended. Furthermore, cleaning cloths should be selected for professional use to allow washing at hot temperatures. The findings of this study could be used for training in professional home cleaning. They also provide valuable information for other branches of cleaning, including consumer use in households.