钟表巨献,时间轨迹

刚刚过去的第19届日内瓦国际高级钟表展,共有17家品牌亮相,其中首次参加本届展览的两家品牌分别是拉尔夫劳伦(Ralph Lauren),以及瑞士钟表工业联合会(FSWI)。虽然今年的展期较往年提前,参观人数较往年也略有下降,但风采不输以往。媒体关注和交易金额再创新高,充分显示了在当今全球经济环境并不景气的背景下,高级腕表工业并未受到冲击。     

Quality,quantity, spending and prices

One measure of the change in the “quality” of consumption is the degree to which the consumption basket as a whole moves towards more luxurious goods, away from necessities. We introduce two related measures based on the luxury/necessity distinction. One is an index of the extent to which the prices of luxuries change as compared to necessities, while the second indexes the change in spending. These two measures are interpreted as the price of and spending on quality. The “volume” of quality is then spending deflated by its price. Using the recent International Comparison Program data for 100+ countries, we find that, on average, quality increases with income, but at a slower rate; luxuries are relatively more expensive in richer countries, necessities cheaper; and approximately 75 percent of additional spending on quality flows into a volume component, with the remaining 25 percent accounted for by prices.     

A Cross-National Investigation on How Ethical Consumers Build Loyalty Toward Fair Trade Brands

Although Fair Trade has recently experienced rapid growth around the world, there is lack of consumer research that investigates what determines consumers’ loyalty toward Fair Trade brands. In this research, we investigate how ethical consumption values (ECV) and two mediating variables, Fair Trade product beliefs (FTPB) and Fair Trade corporate evaluation, (FTCE) determine Fair Trade brand loyalty (FTBL). On the basis of two empirical studies that use samples from the U.S. and Korea, we provide evidence demonstrating that the manner in which ECV influence FTBL differs in the U.S. and Korea. In the U.S., ECV determine FTBL only indirectly via FTPB, whereas in Korea they determine FTBL directly as well as indirectly via FTCE. We discuss theoretical and managerial implications of these findings.     

A citation analysis measuring the impact of Albrecht ＆ Sack （2000）

This educational note measures the impact of the Albrecht ＆ Sack （2000） monograph in accounting education literature from its publication date at the end of 2000. Impact refers to the number of times Albrecht ＆ Sack （2000） has been cited and referenced in the three leading US Accounting education journals, being Advances in Accounting Education, Issues in Accounting Education, and the Journal of Accounting Education. This educational note found that since 2001, and until 2007, ＂Albrecht ＆ Sack （2000）＂ has been cited in 29.3% of research papers, and the most cited chapter was Chapter 5-＂Improving accounting education＂. While Albrecht ＆ Sack （2000） has been widely cited, the impact in terms of policy changes, and changes to the accounting curriculum has yet to be eventuated. Indeed it may still be too early to examine impact beyond pure citation.     

Who Takes Up Free Flu Shots? Examining the Effects of an Expansion in Coverage

The risk of costly complications and the externalities of contagious diseases lead many countries provide free flu shots to certain populations. In 2008, the Netherlands expanded their flu shot program to cover all individuals over the age of 60, instead of 65. We investigate the effects of the expansion and examine those factors that influence people to change their behavior. We find that the main barrier to take up of free flu shots is labor force participation. Expansion of the program did little to change the behavior of those at increased risk, primarily because these individuals were already getting flu shots.     

Toward successful IC foundry venturing

The goal of this research is to analyze the evaluation criteria used by integrated circuit （IC） designers when selecting foundry service providers. With an MCDM model considering the aspects of technology, production, customer service and support, and manufacturing location, we interviewed managers and experts of Taiwan＇s IC design firms, using the AHP survey with 16 attributes, to determine the areas of top concern with respect to foundry evaluation criteria. In this study process technology has been found to be the most significant evaluation criterion in view of competitiveness in the customer market.     

Do Property–Casualty Insurance Firms Locate to Minimize Insurance Premium Taxes?

States levy insurance premium taxes, which are essentially gross receipt taxes on premiums, with insurance companies paying the higher of the tax rate in the state in which the company is domiciled and the state in which the policy is written. Using firm‐level data for the property–casualty (P‐C) insurance industry, we estimate the extra insurance premium tax that P‐C insurance firms pay by not locating in the state that minimizes their insurance premium taxes. We find that only 4.78 percent of P‐C firms are located in the state that minimizes their insurance premium taxes. We explore the relationship between the extra tax paid and other factors that are thought to be associated with firm location choice. We find that P‐C firms appear to trade off higher taxes to locate in a state that is more urban.     

The Adequacy of Pre‐purchase Due Diligence in Independent Small Business and Franchising

This research reports an in‐depth study of the due diligence activities that prospective independent small business operators and franchisees in Australia undertake prior to purchasing or starting up their businesses. Although academic literature and industry publications promote undertaking ‘proper due diligence’, there is a lack of empirical research into the nature of due diligence and its effect on business outcomes. Using a qualitative approach, 60 currently and formerly operating independents and franchisees were personally interviewed, exploring the diversity of approaches to undertaking due diligence prior to entering business. The research revealed that differences occur in both the type and amount of due diligence undertaken by independents and franchisees and highlighted further differences between current and former operators. In general, the due diligence undertaken by participants was relatively unsophisticated with few exceptions of rigour and planning. Where prospective independents and franchisees were entering business for the first time, their appreciation of business was naïve. A steep learning curve followed during which they often recognised flaws in their initial research. As a result of this qualitative in‐depth research, we present a set of propositions regarding due diligence and a model for future testing on a large sample.