On the continuity of correspondences on sets of measures with restricted marginals

Summary. Consider the set of probability measures on a product space with the property that all have the same marginal distributions on the coordinate spaces. This set may be viewed as a correspondence, when the marginal distributions are varied. Here, it is shown that this correspondence is continuous. Numerous problems in economics involve optimization over a space of measures where one or more marginal distributions is given. Thus, for this class of problem, Berge's theorem of the maximum is applicable: the set of optimizers is upper-hemicontinuous and the value of the optimal solution varies with the parameters (marginals) continuously. Received: April 23, 1997; revised version: January 16, 1998     

Executive behavioral cages: Is escape possible?

Pressure upon a child to conform to the exoectations of others leads him to deny parts of his own personality. Upon reaching adulthood, he has perfected behaviors to hide and compensate for these parts; it is as though he has built an invisible but escape-proof behavioral cage around himself. Others cannot get in to see the real person, and the real person cannot get out. The actions of an executive living in one of these cages can be costly; the author discusses a case in which a caged executive cost his plant .$3 million yearly in unrealized efficiencies. Analysis is made in terms of a model useful for understanding caged executives; an approach to freeing oneself is also suggested.     

Knowledge seeking in going abroad

Based on knowledge theories, this study examines the impact of client‐following and market‐seeking entry strategies on foreign market entry by firms. The article also explores the subsequent development of knowledge in firms. Using data from 116 firms, we test three hypotheses using logistic regression. Our hypotheses are supported in the data. Our analysis shows that significant differences exist between client‐following firms and market‐seeking firms. Client followers are both supported and trapped by their international network, whereas market seekers, though not supported, are much freer to pursue higher‐order learning. Due to differences in their network ties, these two types of firms learn at different speeds and learn different things. We also found that firms with proactive knowledge‐seeking strategies learn more. Thus, learning strategies have consequences for exploration and exploitation of international markets, what is learned and how much is learned, and proactive internationalization strategies for firms. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

MODELING UNCERTAIN FORECAST ACCURACY IN SUPPLY CHAINS WITH POSTPONEMENT

We examine a situation where a manufacturer operates in a two‐mode production environment. The first mode could involve overseas vendors and manufacturing facilities. If additional units are later required, the company must use its second mode—more expensive last‐minute domestic vendors and manufacturing sites. We develop a new methodology for analyzing the impact of forecast accuracy on the decision to postpone production. We examine the interaction of forecast accuracy, shortage vs. holding costs, transportation costs and the cost of postponing production in the supply chain of a single product facing uncertain demand. Our model can be used to analyze the cost of important changes, such as increasing forecast accuracy, reducing the cost of backorders, lowering the cost of delaying production, or lowering transportation costs. Our model allows a firm to understand its overall cost structure so that it can accurately evaluate the impact of improved forecast accuracy and lowered costs in the context of postponement.     

独立审计费用影响因素分析——基于消费者效用视角

真实的会计信息披露是证券市场健康发展的必要条件.独立审计费用在一定条件下是保证审计质量的前提.由于"被动消费产品"的存在可能导致上市公司对审计费用的不合理降低并选择效用指数低的审计师,进而造成审计质量的降低并危害到外部相关者的利益.     

Using Credible Advice to Overcome Framing Effects

A framing effect occurs when different, but logically equivalent,words or phrases (e.g., 10% employment or 90% unemployment)cause individuals to alter their decisions. Demonstrations offraming effects challenge a fundamental tenet of rational choicetheory and suggest that public opinion is so malleable thatit cannot serve as a useful guide to policymakers. In this articleI argue that most previous work overstates the ubiquity of framingeffects because it forces experimental participants to makedecisions in isolation from social contact and context. I presenttwo experiments where I show that some widely known framingeffects greatly diminish and sometimes disappear when participantsare given access to credible advice about how to decide. I discussthe implications of my findings for rational choice theory,and public opinion and public policy.     

The role of the seven dimensions of job satisfaction in salesperson's attitudes and behaviors

To date, the majority of studies on job satisfaction use either a global measure or the JDI measure. To extend current research, this study uses the seven dimensions of job satisfaction as described by Churchill et al. [Churchill, G.A., Ford, N.M., Walker, O.C. Measuring the job satisfaction of industrial salesmen. J Mark Res 1974; 11 (3): 254-260.] to explore the relationship between job satisfaction, emotional exhaustion, organizational commitment and propensity to leave. Findings suggest that: 1) emotional exhaustion only relates to certain dimensions of job satisfaction and 2) job satisfaction dimensions related to organizational commitment and propensity to leave are not necessarily the same. Overall, this research provides an argument for the use of the seven dimension job satisfaction scale, as opposed to global measures or the JDI measure.     

CAN INDONESIA DECENTRALISE SUCCESSFULLY? PLANS,PROBLEMS AND PROSPECTS

Indonesia is engaged in an unprecedented social and economic experiment. Responsibility for much government expenditure is being decentralised, largely to local (district) rather than to provincial governments. If this process is successful, the world's most centralised large country could become one of its most decentralised. This paper considers the issues arising as preparations for decentralisation are finalised, and as the socialisation of its plans and practices is considered by the central government, the People's Representative Council, the decentralised units of government, and the public. These issues were identified partly through interviews with local government officials. They include policy and administrative matters yet to be resolved, such as local budgeting, financial management and auditing practices, personnel decentralisation, local taxation, borrowing by local governments, and the match between revenues and expenditures. A major theme is the importance of a continuing national and local discussion on the goals and processes of decentralisation.