Schedule evaluation in unstable manufacturing environments

This paper provides a new approach to validate the feasibility of schedules of multiple-step mixed-model unstable manufacturing environments with different changeover times. Traditionally, continuous lines in a manufacturing process run the same sequence in order to minimize WIP inventory and lead time. Nevertheless, multiple reasons such as different product mixes or setup times can lead managers to run different sequences in continuous lines. Unfortunately, lack of reliability of supply and demand in these environments makes it difficult to manage product inventories and often leads to starvation due to the discoordination between the schedules of both lines. This approach is based on a new type of visual representation of schedules and an estimate the probability of starvation. It assumes stochastic supply and demand and a predefined schedule sequence based on batches of different sizes.     

Minimising foreign control of land in an era of globalisation prospects for St. Lucia

Although globalisation is not a recent phenomenon, it is the trend toward trade liberalisation that poses the greatest threat to small countries. The paramount question is how can small states buffeted by the forces of trade liberalisation attract foreign investment while protecting their populations from the foreign control of land. Using St. Lucia as a case study, this paper reviews the existing land tenure system, examines the force of current legislative, fiscal and land use policy instruments used to limit foreign control of land, and presents alternatives for curtailing the potentially negative effect of trade liberalisation on the foreign control of land.     

Dynamics and Long-run Structure in U.S. Meat Demand

Empirical analysis, based on a general dynamic Almost Ideal Demand System, shows the commonly used autoregressive and partial adjustment processes are restrictive to meat demand data. This study derives a linear specification in levels form to investigate dynamics in a general framework. Merging a long-run steady state structure with short-run dynamics results in consistent and robust long-run demand elasticities Une analyse empirique, basée sur un systéme dynamique général de demande quasi optimale, montre que les mécanismes courants d'ajustement autorégressif et d'ajustement partiel ont un effect restrictif sur l'évaluation des données de la demande de viande. Les auteurs proposent une spécifcation linéaire par niveaux pour examiner la dynamique du cadre général. La combinaison d'une structure stable de longue durée avec une dynamique de courte période a produit des élasticités cohérentes et solides de la demande à long terme     

Environmental and economic development issues in the Polish motorway programme: some findings on local authority attitudes

This paper assesses the relative value attached by Polish local authorities to the development of motorways, as opposed to other national roads. It presents the findings of a survey, (the first of its kind) designed to record attitudes to these plans (which have changed with each successive government). The results are analysed in light of the on-going debate about environmental/economic development issues, polarised also along party lines. Previous analysis of media debate is re-visited. The degree of collaboration between gminas and the Ministry of Transport is explored, but found to be limited. The priorities of most local authorities are local economic development, and the quantity and quality of non-motorway roads are seen at least as important as the construction of new motorways.     

Growth and unemployment in a shirking efficiency wage model

Abstract.  The relationship between growth and unemployment in a general equilibrium shirking efficiency wage model is explored. In contrast to past work on this subject, detected shirkers are not dismissed but instead incur a monetary punishment. As a result of this modification, the model can account for a stable rate of unemployment when there is positive population growth and/or technological growth in the economy. Moreover, I show that institutions and policies that limit the ability of firms to punish detected shirkers or restrict their use of discretionary bonuses can increase unemployment and reduce the economy's long run growth rate. JEL Classification: E0, J41     

A Ricardian model of climate change in Canada

Abstract A comparative static 'Ricardian' model is used to establish relationships between climate and agricultural land value in Canada. From these relationships, agricultural costs of climate change scenarios are estimated. This study is motivated partly by evidence of potential agricultural benefits of climate change from a similar analysis of the United States by Mendelsohn, Nordhaus and Shaw, and partly by the void of Canadian studies. Furthermore, it extends the analysis to non‐uniform climate change scenarios. Its finding of a slightly positive upper bound on the agricultural benefits from climate change, within a wide margin of error, is motivation for further analysis.
Un modèle ricardien de changement climatique au Canada.  L'auteur utilise un modèle statique ricardien classique pour établir des relations entre le climat et la valeur des terres agricoles au Canada. A partir de ces relations, on calibre les coûts agricoles de divers scénarios de changement climatique. Cette étude a pris forme en partie en réaction aux résultats d'une analyse similaire de Mendelsohn, Nordhaus et Shaw aux Etats‐Unis, et en partie en réponse à un manque d'études de ce genre au Canada. Cet article étend les analyses aux scénarios de changements climatiques non‐uniformes. Les résultats suggèrent qu'il existe une sorte de borne positive supérieure aux avantages agricoles du changement climatique, à l'intérieur d'une marge d'erreur assez vaste. Voilà qui encourage à poursuivre les analyses.     

The moderating influence of strategic orientation on the strategy formation capability–performance relationship

An effective strategy formation capability is a complex organizational resource—a dynamic capability that should lead to superior performance. Strategy scholars have examined the strategy formation capability from many perspectives. However, no study has examined a comprehensive model of strategy formation in the context of the firm's strategic orientation. We develop and examine such a model. The results show that strategic orientation moderates the relationship between different elements of the strategy formation capability and performance. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Without a Care in the World: The Business Ethics Course and Its Exclusion of a Care Perspective

This article analyzes the impact of the rights-oriented business ethics course on student's ethical orientation. This approach, which is predominant in business schools, excludes the care-oriented approach used by a majority of women as well as some men and minorities. The results of this study showed that although students did not shift significantly in their ethical orientation, a majority of the men and an even greater majority of the women were care-oriented before and after a course in business ethics. If business schools are to address society's increasing diversity then the perspective of women and others who are care-oriented must be assimilated into the curriculum. This can only be done by rethinking how the business ethics course (and the entire business curriculum) are taught to include a care-oriented approach.