Normative target‐based decision making

This paper relates normative expected‐utility decision making to target‐based decision making, and introduces a new quantity, the aspiration equivalent. We show that using the aspiration equivalent as a target provides a new method for choosing between lotteries that is consistent with expected‐utility maximization. Furthermore, we show that the aspiration‐equivalent target provides a win–win situation for executive–manager delegation. This result furnishes a new link between normative decision analysis and target‐based decision making. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Capital Flows, FDI, and Technology Spillovers: Evidence from Arab Countries

The aim of this paper is to study the role and significance of foreign direct investment (FDI) in the economic performance of the Arab countries. It first highlights the importance of international capital and financial flows in the Arab and developing countries, and then concentrates on the global distribution of FDI and its position in the Arab world. This discussion is followed by an analysis of the effect of FDI on Arab technological development and total factor productivity (TFP). The paper concludes with policy recommendations and suggestions.     

基于效果模式的定州市土地征收制度改革绩效评估

[目的]通过对定州市土地征收制度改革绩效进行评估,以期为我国其他地区土地征收制度改革的推进提供借鉴。[方法]文章基于土地征收制度改革试点区(定州市)实地调研获取的数据,运用瑞典学者韦唐的"效果模式",从目标实现程度、相关者满意度、被征地农民生活状况以及公平性4个方面评估了定州市土地征收制度改革绩效水平。[结果](1)定州市土地征收制度改革政策措施整体实施效果良好,基本实现了征收制度改革的目标,利益相关者满意度较优秀,被征地农民生活状况达到合格级别,公平性实现良好。(2)以征地区片价代替年产值倍数法提高了补偿标准;增设粮食补贴和养老保险,保障了被征地农民的长远生计。[结论](1)基于"效果模式"构建土地征收制度改革绩效评估体系,能较好地反映定州市征地制度改革效果,验证了指标的可行性。(2)定州市土地征收制度改革试点工作稳中求进,做法相对保守,需要大胆探索。     

The manager’s role in enhancing the transfer of training: a Turkish case study

The process of the transfer of training has a great impact on job productivity, effectiveness and satisfaction. Studies focusing specifically on the role of managers in the process have, however, been limited in number. The general aim of this study is to determine the impact of managers’ reinforcement on participants’ job attitude, productivity, effectiveness and satisfaction in the process of the transfer of knowledge, skill and attitude to be acquired through a training programme into the workplace. The study involves a group of sales representatives participating in the Basic Sales Training Program for Sales Representatives and their supervisors in the Coca‐Cola Bottlers of Turkey. Using experimental and control groups, the study is based on Kirkpatrick’s four–stage evaluation model. The findings obtained are discussed and evaluated with respect to the roles of managers in the transfer of training.     

社会硅谷:社会创新的发生与发展

社会创新是为满足社会需求而进行的创造性行动和服务。近年来,随着人口老龄化、环境污染、酗酒等社会问题的日益严重,社会创新已迫在眉睫。尽管社会创新时有发生,但较之于商业和科技创新,人们对这方面的研究却较少。本文紧紧围绕社会创新的概念、发展简史、动力和过程等展开讨论,并把组合各种资源和能量以推动社会创新的机构喻为“社会硅谷”。     

A Flexible Neuro‐Fuzzy Approach for Improvement of Seasonal Housing Price Estimation in Uncertain and Non‐Linear Environments

Changes in housing price affect both individuals and government since they have substantial influence on the socio‐economic conditions. Valuations of housing are necessary in order to assess the benefits and liabilities in housing sector. This study presents a flexible meta‐modelling approach for improvement of housing price estimation in ambiguous and complex environments. It is composed of artificial neural network (ANN) and fuzzy linear regression (FLR). Seven FLR models are considered to cover latest approaches and viewpoints. Also, ANN is applied to data sets. The preferred FLR model is selected via mean absolute percentage of error (MAPE) for further considerations, and then the preferred FLR model and the best structure of ANN are applied to the data set. Finally, the preferred model is selected based on MAPE. The intelligent approach of this study is applied for estimation and forecasting housing price in Iran. The housing price in Iran mainly is based on eight economic indices including currency, oil income, general index, house service pricing index, rate of informal market, gross domestic production in basic price, added value of oil group and construction materials price. FLR is identified as the preferred model with lowest MAPE for housing price forecasting in Iran. This shows that the housing market of Iran is associated with severe environmental fuzziness and ambiguity. This is the first study that introduces a flexible neuro‐fuzzy approach for improved estimation and forecasting of housing price in noisy, complex and uncertain environments.     

What determines stock liquidity in Australia?

Using an index of corporate governance quality (CGQ), we provide the first robust evidence of the determinants of stock liquidity in Australia. We assume that CGQ affects stock liquidity because effective governance decreases information asymmetries between insiders (e.g. managers) and outsiders (e.g. investors), as well as among outsiders, by improving information transparency of a firm. Consistent with agency theory, this study, using 435 large capitalization firms over the period from 2001 to 2008, finds a significant positive relationship between CGQ and stock liquidity, suggesting that better governed firms have a higher level of stock liquidity. These findings are robust to alternative proxies of CGQ, stock liquidity and endogeneity bias.     

Shaping Halal Into a Brand? Factors Affecting Consumers’ Halal Brand Purchase Intention

The authors’ aim was to find the possible positive relationships among branding constructs (brand image, brand perceived quality, brand satisfaction, brand trust, and brand loyalty) to explain consumer purchasing behavior toward halal brands. The authors proposed and empirically tested a conceptual model consisting of variables such as brand image, brand perceived quality, brand satisfaction, brand trust, and brand loyalty. A sample of 324 international Muslim respondents in China was gathered through the use of convenience and snowball sampling methods, and the hypotheses were tested by performing structural equation modeling. The empirical results show that the brand image of a halal milk brand is found to directly and positively affect consumer brand perceived quality, brand satisfaction, brand trust, and brand loyalty except for consumer brand purchase intention. This study suggests that companies dealing with halal brands should invest more resources to increase brand perceived quality, brand satisfaction, brand trust, and brand loyalty because these factors are positively associated with customers’ brand purchase intention.     

Fatality rate of pedestrians and fatal crash involvement rate of drivers in pedestrian crashes: a case study of Iran

The aim of this study was to uncover patterns of pedestrian crashes. In the first stage, 34,178 pedestrian-involved crashes occurred in Iran during a four-year period were grouped into homogeneous clusters using a clustering analysis. Next, some in-cluster and inter-cluster crash patterns were analysed. The clustering analysis yielded six pedestrian crash groups. Car/van/pickup crashes on rural roads as well as heavy vehicle crashes were found to be less frequent but more likely to be fatal compared to other crash clusters. In addition, after controlling for crash frequency in each cluster, it was found that the fatality rate of each pedestrian age group as well as the fatal crash involvement rate of each driver age group varies across the six clusters. Results of present study has some policy implications including, promoting pedestrian safety training sessions for heavy vehicle drivers, imposing limitations over elderly heavy vehicle drivers, reinforcing penalties toward under 19 drivers and motorcyclists. In addition, road safety campaigns in rural areas may be promoted to inform people about the higher fatality rate of pedestrians on rural roads. The crash patterns uncovered in this study might also be useful for prioritizing future pedestrian safety research areas.     

Competition and Corporate Social Responsibility under Creative Capitalism

This article focuses on the changing nature of market competition and on responsible business conduct on the global stage. The article explores the concept of creative capitalism and seeks to address whether or not corporate social responsibility (CSR) is better realized under creative capitalism. This study is conceptual in nature. While it identifies the forces that facilitate and sustain creative capitalism and strengthen executives' commitment to CSR, it proposes a model that can enhance the possibility of a thriving CSR under creative capitalism. The article advocates that under creative capitalism it is more likely to easily channel executives' passion into broad and purposefully driven endeavors; thereby strengthening executives' capacity for understanding how CSR creates value both for their organizations and for society.