The Impact of Administrative Reform on the Central Functions of Larger Polish Cities

The purpose of this research note is to identify the central functions of larger Polish cities, as well as analyze their transformations resulting from changes in the administrative division of Poland. We perform the study based on the central place theory by Walter Christaller using two measures: centrality index and centrality index adjusted to its demographic potential.     

‘My People’: the potential of LGBT employee networks in reducing stigmatization and providing voice

Abstract

This paper explores the separation and isolation from the mainstream workforce that lesbian, gay, and bisexual employees can experience due to their sexual orientation, and how this can affect their voice and silence in the workplace. In response to perceived threats and actual experience of stigma in the workplace, we highlight the need for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender (LGBT) voice in organizations, while unpacking the complexities and concerns for LGBT employees in publicly voicing their sexual orientation at work. We explore how LGBT employee networks help mitigate LGBT isolation at work, and can directly and indirectly provide them with voice in the organization. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with LGBT employees across organizations in Ireland. The findings confirm that LGBT employees can experience isolation at work, affecting their voice, and that workplace networks may moderate this loneliness and stigma. However, the findings question the value of LGBT employee networks in providing voice for all sexual minority employees. Our research considers the individual-level responses of LGBT employees to participation in, and the value of, employee networks, and the perceived role of these networks in giving them visibility and voice.     

A double-edged sword? The moderating effects of control on firm capabilities and institutional distance in explaining foreign affiliate performance

By drawing from the internalisation and institutional theories, as well as the organisational capability perspective, the paper analyses the moderating effects of parent control over foreign affiliates in relation to firm capabilities and institutional distance and their performance effects. These relationships are explored in the context of new MNEs from Poland as a mid-range emerging economy, for which ownership choices constitute critical decisions given their early stage of internationalisation. Our findings show that while firm capabilities drive foreign affiliate performance, the increase of parent control limits this beneficial effect, suggesting the potential occurrence of organisational inertia and reduction of learning in foreign markets. On the contrary, we also find partial evidence that the increase of parent control reduces the negative effect of institutional distance computed based on the Mahalanobis formula. Accordingly, the study suggests a certain ambiguity of parent control in affecting affiliate performance.     

A boosting approach to forecasting gold and silver returns: economic and statistical forecast evaluation

We use a boosting algorithm to forecast the returns of gold and silver prices. We then study the implications of using different information criteria to terminate the boosting algorithm in terms of the statistical and economic performance of a forecasting model. Our findings demonstrate that information criteria that select parsimonious forecasting models perform better in statistical terms than information criteria that select relatively complex forecasting models, but this good performance does not necessarily survive an economic performance evaluation.     

A study of MRP benefits and costs

This paper describes benefits and costs of MRP systems based on a large survey of MRP users. These users report they have achieved significant improvements in inventory turnover, delivery performance, and other benefits, and that further improvements are expected when their MRP systems are fully implemented. A series of regression models are also described in the paper which explain why some companies achieve more benefits from MRP than others. The models are not only fitted to the sample data, but they obtain good predictive results on a holdout sample. These models indicate that companies should stress a broad approach to implementation; there is no one overriding factor which guarantees MRP success.     

Building a nursing research fellowship in a community hospital

Often, registered nurses feel that they are using "evidence" to guide practice, but in reality the sources of evidence are not based on research. The nursing leadership team at Northwest Community Hospital was committed to integrating evidence-based practice and nursing research into the clinical setting for RNs at all levels of the organization. The scope of the fellowship program enabled direct care RNs to receive protected release time for a 12-month period to develop a research proposal, implement the study, and disseminate the findings. The Nursing Research Fellowship Program was successful from the perspective of the Magnet appraisers who recognized the program as a Magnet exemplar, the chief executive officer, the CNE, members of the nursing leadership team, professional colleagues, the fellows and partners, and registered nurses at all levels in the organization. Nursing research is now part of the professional nursing culture.     

Sustainability-oriented future EU funding: a financial transaction tax

Although responsibility for realizing the Europe 2020 strategy is shared between the EU and its 28 member states, the main criticism of the current EU budget relates to the lack of a link between the budget and the Europe 2020 strategy. Therefore the paper focuses on a new budget design as well as alternative revenue sources. One of the possible candidates is a financial transaction tax (FTT). To research FTT revenue potential, a model based on a remittance system was designed. We analyse full or partial replacement of VAT- and GNI-based own resources by the transfer of tax revenues from a FTT raised on the national level to the EU budget. The research reveals that FTT-based own resource would be able to fully replace GNI-based own resource only for some EU member states; however, VAT-based own resource can be fully replaced by a FTT-based own resource for the entire EU. Further, results also show that from the EU11 (28) perspective, the tax is sufficient to fully replace VAT- or GNI-contributions if levied on the EU11 (28) level (not on the national level) as a direct payment to the EU budget without tracking the source member State.     

Low‐paid women: the impact of regulatory change in Australia

How is low‐paid work experienced and understood by women at a time of marked regulatory change? Using a qualitative methodology, we examine women's experiences under Work Choices to assess the impact of the new laws. As in other neoliberal environments, we find that labour standards can have marked effects on low‐paid workers; that heightened managerial prerogative leads to fear and insecurity; and that, in spite of all this, low‐paid women have significant pride in their work. Furthermore, the results of regulatory change go beyond the workplace to affect women as carers, citizens and community members.