Peritoneal mesothelioma: Sonographic findings in nine cases

Ultrasonographic findings in nine cases of peritoneal mesothelioma are presented. The most common findings were sheetlike or nodular peritoneal thickening, soft tissue masses, fixation of the intestinal loops, mesenteric thickening, and minimal ascites which was disproportional to the degree of tumor dissemination. The authors found that abdominal sonography, using 3.75–7.5 MHz transducers, is a useful imaging method for diagnosis of peritoneal mesothelioma in high-risk groups.     

A lot sizing and sequencing algorithm for dynamic demands upon a single facility

A heuristic algorithm is developed and applied to determine lot sizes and production sequence on a single facility. The various product demands are treated as deterministic and time varying (dynamic) over a finite planning horizon, such as that generated from a material requirements planning (MRP) system.In contrast to other approaches available, the algorithm considers the sequencing decision in each period by realistically assuming inventory holding cost occurrence in the period of production, and in addition, it is capable of considering set-up times where such set-up times consume available productive capacity. The ability to handle numerous products, and the capability of being able to specify maintenance time and holidays is an integral aspect of the algorithm.The results of an application of the algorithm in a medium size bearing company have shown very significant reduction in the controllable inventory holding cost while eliminating late deliveries. In an effort to cope with potential realistic schedule alterations, different solutions were developed for managerial evaluation providing greater flexibility but at a higher cost.     

Optimale Bedürfnisbefriedigung der Konsumenten durch Category Management — Category Management bei Schwarzkopf & Henkel

Welche Bedürfnisse, Wünsche und Anforderungen haben die Konsumenten an den Einkauf im Allgemeinen und den Kosmetikeinkauf im Speziellen? Unterscheiden sich die Konsumenten in den verschiedenen Vertriebskan?len hinsichtlich ihrer Einstellungen? Wie k?nnen weitere Potenziale über das Sortiment und Regal hinaus identifiziert und gehoben werden? Wie k?nnen Handelsunternehmen die verschiedenen Aspekte im Sinne eines konsumentenrelevanten Sortiments miteinander verbinden? Durch die Kooperation von Handels- und Industrieunternehmen in Category Management-Prozessen k?nnen diese Fragestellungen im Sinne der Konsumenten beantwortet und neue Potenziale ausgesch?pft werden.     

Sampling frame coverage and domain adjustment procedures for internet surveys

The objective of this paper is to define and compare alternative sampling frames for the representative population coverage as a basis for sample selection in internet surveys. The study aims to provide a methodology for domain weighting and adjustment procedures for free access web surveys that are based on the restricted access surveys. Some basic variables can be proposed for the data adjustment, namely gender breakdown, age groups, and education groups. The application of our work consists of a first stage based on a web survey by an e-mail invitation (restricted access) and a second stage based on a voluntary participation web survey (free access). An advertising company’s registered customer list was taken as the sampling frame population for the first stage. This frame was an electronic e-mail list of the population of registered customers. Two different types of questionnaire were loaded on the company’s internet web site for a month each, for two independent rounds, for testing the visual aspects of the questionnaire design. The restricted access internet survey design relies on probability selection procedures in this study. These results are used with the provided algorithms for the adjustment procedures of free access web surveys. A new methodology is also proposed for the estimation and allocation of the population frame characteristics of adult internet users by gender and age groups. The proposed alternative methodologies will be beneficial tools for future web survey users.     

The impact of macroeconomic uncertainty on non-financial firms' demand for liquidity

This paper empirically investigates whether changes in macroeconomic volatility affect the efficient allocation of non-financial firms' liquid assets. We argue that higher uncertainty will hamper managers' ability to accurately predict firm-specific information and induce them to implement similar cash management policies. Contrarily, when the macroeconomic environment becomes more tranquil, each manager will have the latitude to behave more idiosyncratically as she can adjust liquid assets based on the specific requirements of the firm, bringing about a more efficient allocation of liquid assets. Our empirical analysis provides support for these predictions.     

Economic Effects of Taxing Different Organizational Forms under the Nordic Dual Income Tax

This paper analyzes the economic effects of income splitting rules for closely held corporations and sole proprietorships/partnerships under the Nordic dual income tax. Income is split by imputing a return to capital, but the methods used for this differ between the Nordic countries. With a few notable exceptions, income splitting does well in the sense that the cost of capital is approximately the same in closely and widely held corporations. The special tax rules for sole proprietorships/partnerships manage to neutralize the impact of the high labor income tax on the cost of capital.     

Does Illegitimate Corporate Behaviour Follow the Forms of Polity? The Turkish Experience

In this study, we argue that illegitimate corporate actions can not only be strategic responses to the conflicting technical and institutional demands at the field level but also manifestations of the contradictory higher‐order institutional logics at the polity level. By focusing on the statist polity, somewhat neglected by the new institutional theory, we argue that the contradictory nationalist and capitalist institutional logics in the statist polity generate illegitimate corporate actions. We also propose that uncertainties and opportunities created by statist polity characteristics such as weak policy‐making capacity, neopatrimonialism, and clientelism lead to illegitimate corporate actions by triggering conflict between nationalism and capitalism. To demonstrate this, we examine the Turkish case, by focusing particularly on a recent example of illegitimate corporate action, namely the pursuit of non‐operating revenues. The case supports our arguments. It implies that illegitimate corporate behaviours may be ‘institutionalized’ as continuously reproduced by the actors embedded in a polity. It also implies that the impression management techniques to legitimate illegitimate behaviours may vary according to the forms of polity. Finally, it suggests that organizations may adopt hybrid missions as a survival strategy in a contradictory and uncertain business environment, paradoxically ultimately restricting their competitive capacities.     

Local inequality and project choice: Theory and evidence from Ecuador

This paper provides evidence consistent with elite capture of Social Fund investment projects in Ecuador. Exploiting a unique combination of data sets on village-level income distributions, Social Fund project administration, and province-level electoral results, we test a simple model of project choice when local political power is unequally distributed. In accordance with the predictions of the model, poorer villages are more likely to receive projects that provide excludable (private) goods to the poor, such as latrines. Controlling for poverty, more unequal communities are less likely to receive such projects. Consistent with the hypothesis of elite capture, these results are sensitive to the specific measures of inequality and elite power used in the empirical analysis, and are strongest for expenditure shares at the top of the distribution.     

Ganzheitlicher strategiefokussierter Managementansatz für Finanzdienstleistungsunternehmen: Relevanz und Aspekte der Einführung

The Balanced Strategy Scorecard represents a further optimization of the original Balanced Scorecard. Nowadays the BSC in terms of a BSSC is already used by some enterprises. Also companies in the finance service sector gather first experiences with this concept. The introduction and consistent application of this modern management instrument is of particular importance to the finance services sector with its dynamic environment. A continuous communication of a strategy throughout the entire organisation as well as a pragmatic and efficient implementation are essential preconditions for long-term success of finance service companies.