Preparing Graduate Students in Economics for Teaching: Survey Findings and Recommendations

Survey data from PhD-granting economics departments are used to assess the teaching preparation of graduate students in economics. The results show that relatively few departments require graduate student instructors to take a credit course in teaching before teaching their own course or leading a recitation section. Although more graduate student instructors are required to take a noncredit course in teaching before serving as an instructor or recitation leader, the value of such noncredit courses may be limited. The assessment of teaching preparation by department chairs shows mixed responses, with about three-fifths rating it as very good or good and about two-fifths considering it to be only adequate or poor. Recommendations are offered for improving the teaching preparation of graduate student instructors in economics.     

Trends in undergraduate economics degrees: 1991–2015

Undergraduate degrees awarded in economics by U.S. colleges and universities were stagnant from 2009–10 through 2012–13, but have increased rapidly (almost 14 percent) over the two years from 2012–13 through 2014–15.     

The impact of implicit and explicit communications on frontline service delivery staff

Using structural equation modelling employing partial least-squares estimation, data from staff in the consumer transport industry were analysed to explore the role of implicit and explicit communications on their service delivery behaviour. Both implicit and explicit communications were found to impact service delivery. Explicit communications had a direct impact on service delivery, whilst implicit communications (in the form of internal market orientation) operated through affective commitment and customer orientation. This study provides quantitative evidence of the roles of implicit and explicit communications on staff attitudes and behaviours, and offers insights into the management of communications with employees to ensure effective service delivery.     

见证中国企业社会责任的发展趋势

如果我们要见证CSR在中国最快的发展的趋势的话,最好的地方就是在北京,第四届企业社会责任国际论坛是最好的、能让我们看到CSR发展的地方。     

Confirmatory tetrad analysis in PLS path modeling

The authors propose a CTA-PLS assessment routine for measurement models. This routine applies confirmatory tetrad analysis (CTA) in a manner which is consistent with partial least squares (PLS) path modeling assumptions. The conceptualization employs a bootstrapping procedure to accomplish an appropriate statistical test examining vanishing tetrads in CTA-PLS. The approach allows distinguishing a formative indicator specification from a reflective indicator specification. Applications using experimental and empirical data demonstrate the usefulness and effectiveness of CTA-PLS. As a means of evaluating PLS path modeling results, the routine assists researchers in avoiding potentially unrepresentative consequences of measurement model misspecification.     

用工经济学：测评人的重要性

随着知识型员工和优质服务日益成为公司组织竞争优势的重要来源,对于人才的争夺战更为激烈。要在市场上取得胜利,高级主管们必须吸引和留住最优秀的人才。然而,在这一点上,许多公司暴露出了根本弱点：用于测评员工业绩的管理体系是依据资本的有效运用而设计的,而不是人力资源的充分利用。     

Neuausrichtung des Hypothekenkreditgeschäfts in der Lebensversicherung durch Kreditverkäufe

Loan portfolio sales represent a valid option to restructure the life insurer’s real estate loan business. Latest market experience gained by vendors from the German banking industry is positive as there has grown a liquid and professional market in Germany over the last few years. Some German life insurers have already utilised this market to sell loan portfolios and restructure their real estate loan business accordingly. Potential vendors from the insurance industry can rely on the given market experience and professional assistance to design the transaction process and the restructuring result efficiently.