‘Nil Repente!’: Galiani and Necker on economic reforms

The problem of the transition to a market economy provoked a lasting and important debate in eighteenth-century Ferance. The climax was reached during the 1760s and the 1770s with the two important pre-revoluntionary attempts, in 1763–64 and 1774a–76, to liberalize the French economy and, initially, the grain market. During these controversies, the reformers’ camp clearly split into two groups - the so-called ‘moderates’ and the alleged enthousiastes - which were apparently in deep disagreement as to the strategy to adopt in such circumstances. Among the ‘moderates’, two authors especially are of great interest: Ferdinando Galiani and Jacques Necker, who crystallized and developed the ideas of their camp to promote a strategy of prudence.

This paper analyes their arguments on the issue at stake: the objectives and methods of a transition to a market economy. The historical and intellectual context of the debate is first briefly restated and the basic theoretical tenets of Galiani's and Necker's critique are then outlined. The various obstacles which, in our author's opinion, were likely to come from the opponents to a transition to a market economy or from its proponents are analysed, and Galiani's and Necker's main ideas on the best way to achieve successful reforms are stressed. Some provisional conclusions are dawn at the end.     

European Tourism Product Purchase Methods and Systems

The distribution of tourism products, within Western Europe, is being affected by consumer needs as well as technological advancement. This article attempts to identify the current trends in distribution usage as well as the pressures which may bring about a shift in purchase behaviour, especially in relation to buying direct from wholesalers. In conclusion, the article identifies the current adoption of technology as one means of creating long-term advantage in the travel industry. However, it also reveals that direct agency channels could be developed if companies were willing to take advantage of the emergence of new opportunities.     

A method for the assessment of relative brand strength: a UK tour operator example

This study provides a method of uncovering the brand strengths and weaknesses of major tour operators in the UK. It provides an approach that provides a weighted assessment of attributes which is a culmination of the weighting of all measures from a two stage research model. The study provides a method that can be applied elsewhere but specifically identified Airtours as having the lowest score for brand attributes and image, a result that may well be associated to their previous rejection of branding in favour of maintaining low prices to customers. From the core values identified, it became evident that most operators' worst score was for efficiency. Perhaps the most predictable of the findings was that the Virgin brand was most familiar to younger respondents. Age was a major variable in terms of the ranking of the attributes. Over 55s ranked accommodation, efficiency, reliability and reputation higher than any other age category. Such consistency indicates that the more senior age group has greater expectations of the services offered by the tour operators, or else require a better service in order to be satisfied. A gap in the market was identified for a brand to promote itself as part of the emotional holiday experience in addition to performing the basic operator functions. Such market positioning would also present opportunities for brand differentiation. In conclusion this study has implications for other brand assessment exercises and therefore offers a model of approach for other sectors.     

企业如何选择报告质量提升及评价策略？

大多数的中国企业都会在上半年发布企业社会责任报告,并遭遇同样的考验：如何保证报告得到公司内外利益相关方的最高认同？现在中国国内许多机构及专家都参与到企业社会责任领域评价报告,但是观点往往不尽相同。     

An Institutional Analysis of Corporate Social Responsibility in Kenya

There is little doubt that Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) is now a global concept and a prominent feature of international business, with its practice localised and differing across countries. Despite the growing body of research focussing on CSR in developing countries, there is dearth research on CSR institutionalisation in African countries. Drawing on institutional theory (IT), this article examines the focus and form of CSR practice of companies in Kenya. It is evident from our findings that the nature and orientation of CSR differ across companies with operations only in Kenya and those headquartered abroad or with international operations. Significantly, firm-related drivers such as public relations and performance, as well as global institutional pressures explain the focus and form of CSR in Kenya. This article concludes that for the institutionalisation of CSR in Kenya, attention must be paid to conditions that stifle CSR uptake such as lack of government regulations, and the government’s capacity and commitment to enforce regulation. The establishment of functional CSR institutions and a vibrant civil society that advance civil regulation ought to be encouraged.     

The Role of Economics in Interdisciplinary and Problem-Oriented Programs

Although research on the teaching of economics beyond the introductory course appears to be increasing, it is still rare. This study is one of the few that deals with the intermediate level. Ault and Rutman used a three-part test (one part of which was made up of an essay question) in measuring student knowledge before and after instruction in intermediate theory. They compared an experimental group being taught through a problem-centered format (in combination with the usual lecture-discussion approach) with a control group getting only the lecture-discussion treatment. The experimental students did no better than the control students, but the authors discuss several variables that might help to explain these results.