A Relook into the Impact of Divestitures in the Presence of Agency Conflicts: Evidence from Property Subsidiary Sell-Offs in China

We analyze property subsidiary sell-offs in China to examine her market reaction to firms’ divestiture decisions. Overall, the response from the stock market is neutral. However, detailed analysis reveals that the market reacts differently to property subsidiary sell-off announcements by state-owned enterprises (SOEs) and non-SOEs. Consistent with findings from extant literature, we find statistically positive market returns associated with non-SOE sell-off announcements. However, we find statistically negative market returns associated with SOE sell-off announcements. We suggest that this divergent market reaction is influenced by the institutional feature of the Chinese market and is consistent with the high agency costs associated with state ownership.     

基于社会资本的企业间网络变迁

现有研究对于企业间网络由强关系向弱关系变迁的发展模式已经基本达成共识,而在网络变迁的内在机制上仍存在较大分歧。本文基于社会资本理论和资源依赖理论,分两个阶段深入研究了企业成长初期企业间网络变迁的内在机制。在单层egocentric强关系网络模式下,社会资本增加与资源积累的动态促进过程是网络变迁的内在机制;随着强关系网络层级的不断增加,社会资本仍然能够促进企业效用的提高和资源的积累,但其贡献程度不断降低。当合作关系网络扩张到规模边界时,企业应当摆脱路径依赖,加入灵活性较大的弱关系网络,以获得持续发展。     

The effect of outward foreign direct investment on home country's export: A case study on Taiwan, 1989–2006

The purpose of this study is to examine the effect of outward foreign direct investment (FDI) on home country's export in Taiwan since the late 1980s. By pooling the time series and cross-section data in a modified gravity model, the study analyzes the effect of outward FDI, both country by country and host groups as a whole, on Taiwan's exports. It is concluded that outward FDI has a complementary effect on home country's export in Taiwan, most significantly evidenced in China-bound investment, which accounted for most FDIs after the 1990s.     

Multivariate cointegration and causality tests of Wagner's hypothesis: evidence from the UK

The purpose of this paper is to examine the issue of omitted variables in testing the long run validity of Wagner's hypothesis. Using UK data for the period 1948 to 1997, this paper first investigates the secular relationship between public spending and economic development in a bivariate system. In all cases considered, our bivariate cointegration tests indicate the absence of a long run equilibrium condition. However, the introduction of a third variable (money supply) re-establishes a cointegrating relationship between public expenditure and economic development variables. In addition, the results of the Granger's multivariate causality test indicate a unidirectional causality from income and money supply to public spending in the long run, thus providing support for Wagner's hypothesis.     

Accreditation of engineering programs: an evaluation of current practices in Malaysia

The curriculum for undergraduate engineering courses in Malaysia is becoming increasingly structured, following the global trend for quality assurance in engineering education, through accreditation schemes. Generally, the accreditation criteria call for the graduates from engineering programs to demonstrate a range of skills, from technical problem solving to soft skills and an aptitude for lifelong learning. In order to comply with these criteria, accreditation schemes are adopted as a quality assurance measure. This paper shall introduce the characteristics of the engineering accreditation scheme in Malaysia. The impact of the accreditation scheme on the quality of these engineering programs shall be evaluated. Data collection is in the form of benchmarking and questionnaires. The evaluation criteria shall be in terms of benefits to the institution, academic faculty, students, and the challenges encountered. A discussion on the evaluation shall include the supposed dichotomies which arise from this accreditation process, namely the compromise between research versus teaching; and the value of engineering knowledge whether as an academic pursuit or catering to industry’s needs. Ultimately, this paper shall address a fundamental question related to undergraduate teaching in engineering: whether accreditation is a necessary prerequisite in maintaining high standards in engineering programs in Malaysia.     

Organizational socialization and career success of Asian managers

This study proposed a new framework to conceptualize organizational socialization. It examined two broad socialization strategies: perceived organizational support and developmental experience and their relationships with career success. Data were obtained from interviews with 374 line managers and human resource managers in four industrial sectors in five Asia countries/societies, namely, Singapore, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Japan and Thailand. There is partial support for the predicted relationships. The results from the present study add to our understanding of how organizational socialization affects career success. Implications for research and managerial practices, as well as future research directions, are provided.     

Analysis of shopping preference and satisfaction with airport retailing products

This paper studies passengers' responses to retail products at Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport. Incorporating the passengers' demand factors, modified grey relational analysis is applied to establish the priority relations of product categories for shopping purposes and satisfaction. The results indicated that travelers valued the utility and souvenir characteristics of products. The youngest respondents tended to shop in souvenir and café stores. Satisfaction analysis showed higher rankings for brand-name, utility, and low-cost products, and low satisfaction levels on quality and price of café products.     

Residential Mortgage Lending and Borrower Risk: The Relationship Between Mortgage Spreads and Individual Characteristics

The mortgage banking environment in Hong Kong is quite different from that in the United States. For example, the secondary mortgage market and mortgage insurance only started after 1997. Using a large data set on mortgages, we examine empirically how mortgage rates in this market vary with various individual borrower, property, and loan characteristics. We find that mortgage rates in Hong Kong do vary with individual characteristics, which suggests credit sorting according to both prepayment risk and default risk, as a higher mortgage rate is found to be related to either higher collateral (a lower loan-to-value ratio) or slower prepayment. The empirical results suggest that lenders in Hong Kong can observe the risk type of individual borrowers to a certain extent and charge a corresponding mortgage spread. Overall, the evidence is consistent with the sorting-by-observed-risk paradigm as in Berger and Udell (1990).     

Network collaboration and performance in the tourism sector

This study used the partial least squares (PLS) and structural equation modeling (SEM) tool to examine factors influencing collaboration among tourism operators in an island economy. It also measures the impact of collaboration on network performance. Statistical results confirm that communication and commitment impact on collaboration while collaboration in turn positively influences performance. Collaboration also mediates partially the impact of communication and commitment on performance. The results, besides indicating the suitability of the PLS in statistical analysis, has also contributed to a better understanding of tourism networks in an island economy in Penang which hitherto has not been tested. Findings are useful for policy makers, tourism associations and practitioners to enhance Malaysian tourism. Limitations and suggestions for future research are also included.     

BOOK REVIEW

This research uses Camp Blaze, a firefighting camp for young women, to explore ways that the body and processes of embodiment are integral to learning about firefighting. We also address the role that the leisure space of the camp plays in simultaneously constraining and enabling young women's use and understanding of their bodies. Analysis of observational, interview, and photo data revealed that learning about firefighting involved several interconnected processes of embodiment. Results include how the processes of embodiment operated and the importance of learning and social context.