A Dual Approach to Nonconvex Frontier Models

This paper extends the links between the non-parametric data envelopment analysis (DEA) models for efficiency analysis, duality theory and multi-criteria decision making models for the linear and non-linear case. By drawing on the properties of a partial Lagrangean relaxation, a correspondence is shown between the CCR, BCC and free disposable hull (FDH) models in DEA and the MCDM model. One of the implications is a characterization that verifies the sufficiency of the weighted scalarizing function, even for the non-convex case FDH. A linearization of FDH is presented along with dual interpretations. Thus, an input/output-oriented model is shown to be equivalent to a maximization of the weighted input/output, subject to production space feasibility. The discussion extends to the recent developments: the free replicability hull (FRH), the new elementary replicability hull (ERH) and the non-convex models by Petersen (1990). FRH is shown to be a true mixed integer program, whereas the latter can be characterized as the CCR and BCC models.     

In search of FDI-transmitted R&D spillovers: A study based on Swedish data

In Search of FDI-Transmitted R& D Spillovers: A Study Based on Swedish Data. — This paper analyzes empirically whether inward and outward foreign direct investment (FDI) work as channels for international R&D spillovers. The authors utilize firm-level and industry-level data for Swedish manufacturing. Hardly any evidence of FDI-related R&D spillovers is found. But while the results do not provide support for the hypothesis that the activity level of MNEs’ affiliates matters for the extent of FDI-transmitted international spillovers, they suggest that utilizing foreign affiliates’ employment as a weighting scheme may be too crude a measure. The authors’ analysis shows indeed that the type of activity — R&D or assembly — carried out in the affiliates matters significantly for technology sourcing.     

Equilibrium youth unemployment

In a model with continuous entry and exit to the labor market, it is shown that workers exploit their monopoly power by adopting a seniority system implying youth unemployment or an age determined insider-outsider distinction. The incentives of young outsiders to unberbid are curtailed by their expectation of becoming insiders in the future.     

Incentive-based regulation of CO2 emissions from international aviation

We explore the possibilities of using incentive-based environmental regulations of CO₂ emissions from international civil aviation. In theory incentive-based instruments such as an emission charge or a tradable emission permit system are better regulations than so-called command-and-control regulations such as emission limits or technology standards. However, the implementation of these instruments is a complex issue. We therefore describe and discuss how an emission charge and a tradable emission permit system for international aviation should be designed in order to improve efficiency. We also compare these two types of regulations. In brief, we find that an emission charge and a tradable emission permit system in which the permits are auctioned have more or less the same characteristics. The main advantage of a tradable emission permit system is that the effect, in terms of emission reductions, is known. On the other hand, we show that under uncertainty an emission charge is preferred. The choice of regulation is a political decision and it does not seem likely that an environmental charge or a tradable emission permit system would be implemented without consideration of the costs of the regulation. Revenue-neutral charges or gratis distribution of permits would, for this reason, be realistic choices of regulations. However, such actions are likely to result in less stringent regulations and other negative welfare effects.     

Information Uncertainty and Post-Earnings-Announcement-Drift

Abstract:  We examine whether rational investor responses to information uncertainty (IU) explain properties of and returns to the post-earnings-announcement-drift (PEAD) trading anomaly. Consistent with a rational learning explanation, we find that: (1) unexpected earnings (UE) signals that are characterized as having greater IU have more muted initial market reactions; (2) extreme UE portfolios are characterized by securities with higher IU than non-extreme UE portfolios; and (3) within the extreme UE portfolios, high IU securities are more prevalent and earn larger abnormal returns than low IU securities. Further tests show that prior evidence of greater PEAD profitability for higher idiosyncratic volatility securities is explained by the greater information uncertainty associated with these securities.     

An operationalization of Stevenson's conceptualization of entrepreneurship as opportunity‐based firm behavior

Stevenson (1983) holds that entrepreneurial management, defined as a set of opportunity‐based management practices, can help firms remain vital and contribute to firm and societal level value creation. While his conceptualization has received much attention, little progress has been made because of a lack of empirical tools to examine his propositions. This article seeks to resolve this by describing a new instrument that was developed specifically for operationalizing Stevenson's conceptualization. After two pre‐tests, the instrument was tested full scale on a very large (1200+ cases) stratified random sample of firms with different size, governance structure, and industry affiliation. The results show that both in the full sample and in various sub‐samples it was possible to identify six sub‐dimensions with high discriminant validity and moderate to high reliability, which represent dimensions of Stevenson's theoretical reasoning. We label these Strategic Orientation, Resource Orientation, Management Structure, Reward Philosophy, Growth Orientation and Entrepreneurial Culture. We were further able to show that these dimensions only partly overlap with ‘Entrepreneurial Orientation’, the hitherto best established empirical instrument for assessing a firm's degree of entrepreneurship. Our instrument should open up opportunities for researchers to further evaluate entrepreneurship in existing firms. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Labour Tax Reform, the Good Jobs and the Bad Jobs

We analyse recent proposals to shift the tax burden away from low‐paid labour, assuming a dual labour market where the “good” high‐paying jobs are rationed. A shift in the tax burden from low‐paid to high‐paid workers has an ambiguous effect on the level of aggregate employment while the allocation of aggregate employment is further distorted. Even if the tax reform raises total employment, economic efficiency may be reduced because labour is reallocated from high‐productive to low‐productive jobs. We also find that opportunities for on‐the‐job search have important implications for the policy effects.     

Structured,Qualitative Comparison

This article defines qualitative data as representations of human acts and utterances, conventionally analysed in the form of long, coherent texts. The purpose of qualitative research is to interpret the actors' understandings and intentions.On the background of this definition, I make a distinction between variable-coding and theme-coding and between code-oriented and content-oriented analysis. Variable-coding of the text-content should be avoided, since this implies reducing multi-dimensional qualitative data to single-dimensional data. However, variable-coding of background-information can be used together with theme-coding of the text-content without corrupting the qualitative data. I call this approach structured, qualitative comparison. In that way it is possible to retain the many levels of meaning of qualitative data throughout the research-process, while focusing on the importance of macro-variables or scope-conditions, which indicate the potential area of validity of the findings.By examples from a comparison of Norwegian and German factories, I demonstrate the usefulness of such a content-oriented analysis-style for qualitative research, as well as for combining qualitative and quantitative data. In this way, the basic characteristics of qualitative data are preserved throughout the research-process.