Una classe di funzioni monotone generalizzate

Si considera la classe delle funzioni realiF(x,y) definite inS×S, conSR ^N , che soddisfano per ognix,yS la condizione di monotoniaF(x,y)+F(y,x)0. Indebolendo la precedente disuguaglianza si introducono classi di funzioni monotone generalizzate e, supponendo soddisfatta una opportuna condizione di omogeneità, si caratterizzano tali funzioni in base alla struttura del segno delle funzioni _{x, v} (t, s) = F(x + tv, x + sv), x S, v R ^N \{0}. Infine dopo aver definite le funzioni F-differenziabili, si introducono classi di funzioni conversse generalizzate, rispetto ad F, e si studiano i collegamenti tra queste classi e la monotonia generalizzata diF.

---

Summary We consider the class of real valued functionF(x,y) defined inS×S, withSR ^N , satisfying x,yS the monotone conditionF(x,y)+F(y,x)0. Weakening the previous inequality we introduce the class of quasi-monotone, pseudo-monotone and strictly pseudo-monotone functions. Under a suitable assumption of homogeneity we characterize the generalized monotone functions studying the sign structure of the functions _{x, v} (t, s) = F(x + tv, x + sv), x S, v R ^N \{0}.Finally by means of the notion ofF-differentiability we introduce new classes of generalized convex functions (with respect toF) and we study the relationship between these classes and the generalized monotonicity ofF.

---

---

Questa ricerca è stata parzialmente finanziata dal Ministero per l'Università e la Ricerca Scientifica.     

Evaluating the British Model of Electricity Deregulation

Abstract ** :  A key aspect of the 1990 reforms to the British electricity supply industry was the introduction of a formal system of regulation by an autonomous regulatory body. It was expected that replacement of monopolies in some areas by markets and price‐setting in monopoly areas using a simple incentive formula would mean that regulation of the industry would be 'light'. This article examines how regulation has turned out in practice. It concludes that the promise of 'light' regulation has not been fulfilled. Regulation of competitive markets is a major regulatory activity, incentive regulation has evolved into a complex and intrusive form of rate‐of‐return, while regulation of industry structure has allowed the industry to descend into a concentrated, vertically integrated structure, at odds with the aims of the reforms .     

Investigating the solvency of brazilian credit unions using a proportional hazard model

Abstract ** : Due to high interest rates and bank spreads, the number of credit unions in Brazil has increased over recent years. As financial institutions, these cooperatives need tools to signal impending financial problems. This paper focuses on one tool that can be used to evaluate credit union solvency: the Cox Proportional Hazards Model. A sample of 80 credit unions from the Brazilian state of Minas Gerais was selected to supply data. The analysis period is between December 2001 and June 2003. The results indicate that the relevant indicators for insolvency prediction are, in descending order of predictive ability, General Liquidity, Salary and Benefit Expenses, and the Loan/Equity Ratio. In general, results produced using the delineated theoretical model were in consonance with international literature .     

“连接自然与文化” ① ：西方哲学背景下 的全球议题

文化遗产保护是动态发展的概念，总结了文化景观 的3类意义：1)文化景观作为物质实体；2)文化景观作为概念 和过程；3)文化景观作为方法和工具。指出当前世界遗产及 文化景观保护中存在的自然和文化分离现象，揭示了西方哲学 的二元两分法的背景根源。介绍了IUCN和ICOMOS为融合 自然与文化而进行的“连接实践项目”和“自然文化之旅”2 个项目，推广他们在不同地理和文化背景下，为更好地连接自 然与文化遗产的治理和管理实践所作出的杰出贡献和引领作 用，主张非西方原住民社区、地方社区应该在推进“自然文化 之旅”工作中占有核心地位。     

治理理论与政府改革

运用治理理论重新审视和思考政府改革，对于拓展和开阔政府改革的理论和思路具有重要意义。它表明政府改革不能仅仅局限于政府自身的改革，而应该在政治民主化、国家与社会（国家权力与公民权利）、政府与市场等更为广阔的理论视野下思考和进行。     

闽学文化传统特质与福建企业家精神

从闽学文化传统特质对福建企业家精神生成的孕育、制约两个方面分析了福建企业家精神的文化根源。并认为，在与市场经济的冲撞相融合中，经过冲突、筛选、整合过的闽学传统文化对福建的企业家精神会产生深刻的影响，能以其博大精深的文化底蕴去完善、升华福建企业家精神，使之适合福建市场经济的发展需要。     

把握政策科学 提高政府效率

提高政府效率是我国应对加入WTO带来机遇与挑战的重要环节。政策科学是政府行政的重要理论基础，政府效率首先取决于政策的科学性，政策的有效执行是提高政府效率的关键，政策评估间接促进政府效率提高。各级政府都应加强对于政策科学的研究和掌握，更好地实现有效率的政府管理。     

The potential of integrated reporting to enhance sustainability reporting in the public sector

This paper examines the influence of integrated reporting (IR) on the sustainability reporting practices of a state-owned enterprise through a content analysis of their reports and interviews with report preparers. The findings show a steady increase in the quantity and quality of sustainability disclosures. In 2012, the organization chose to adopt the IR framework in order to enhance sustainability reporting for all stakeholders. The IR process resulted in a more balanced disclosure of material aspects of sustainability. However, while IR has the potential to enhance public sector sustainability reporting, inter-generational equity issues were ignored.     

Are there major differences in the attitudes and service quality of standard and seasonal employees? An empirical examination and implications for practice

Despite the increased use of seasonal employees by organizations, few studies have been completed on the attitudes and service quality of seasonal office workers. Using Lautsch's classification model, we analyzed the organizational context in which the standard and seasonal workers in this study were employed. Hypotheses were developed based upon the organizational analysis and social exchange theory. Results from archival data obtained from a web‐based organizational survey of 205 clerical and professional workers indicated contrary to expectations, standard and seasonal employees did not significantly differ in terms of perceptions of overall job conditions, perceived organizational support (POS), or job engagement. However, seasonal employees did report significantly fewer opportunities to work on challenging tasks, less comfortable physical working conditions, and less job security than the standard workers. As predicted, standard employees reported significantly higher levels of service quality performance than seasonal employees. Additionally, job engagement mediated the relationship between POS and service quality for both the standard and seasonal employees. Implications for managing seasonal employees are discussed.     

The intellectual ecology of mainstream marketing research: an inquiry into the place of marketing in the family of business disciplines

Many inside mainstream academic marketing judge the discipline’s influence within the family of business disciplines (as well as in practice) to be in decline. Despite great research productivity, methodologies as sophisticated as any in the social sciences, and a large and rich literature, opinion and evidence suggest that academic marketing is the least influential of the mainstream academic business disciplines. Nevertheless, marketing’s decline is not inexorable. The purpose of this paper is to evaluate this perplexing situation by: (1) assembling and evaluating a number of expert opinions from within marketing; (2) exploring relations and patterns of influence among the leading academic journals in accounting, finance, management, and marketing and evaluating the position and influence of each field; (3) attempting to understand marketing’s problems; and (4) exploring avenues to move marketing back to its once prominent position among the business disciplines.