The technological gatekeeper

The present study identifies a two-step flow process of communication mediated by technological gatekeepers for scientific and technical fields characterized by dynamic information environments. Peer identification and a supervisory recognition of the phenomenon validate the gatekeeper finding. Certain characteristics of this study differ from previous research. The external communication needs of military in-house researchers are mitigated greatly by the infusion of technical information into the laboratory which is a part of the everyday activities of the organization. Gatekeepers are differentiated by topic and not the media monitored. Finally, the gatekeeper phenomenon is implicitly recognized, even though the development may be spontaneous; development that results because either the formal media leave a void in information needs or that engineers are not trained in the use of the formal information sources. In either case, the technological gatekeeper is a natural response to an information need.     

Implementing Evidence-Based Practice in Health Care

This article summarizes recent research on the effectiveness of efforts to implement evidence-based health care. The authors conclude that the evidence in support of single interventions being effective in bringing about practitioner change is weak at best. The authors give examples and evaluative comments on more complex organizational and systemic interventions that are aimed at changing clinical practice, and discuss some of the barriers to their application.     

The critical discount factor as a measure for cartel stability?

This paper considers the stability of tacit collusion in price setting duopolies with repeated interaction. The minimum discount factor above which tacit collusion can be sustained in a subgame perfect equilibrium is called the critical discount factor δ*. In addition, δ* is often used as an intuitive measure for the stability of a tacit cartel, assuming that a collusive equilibrium is more difficult to sustain when δ* increases. However, according to standard theory the distance δ − δ* between the actual and the critical discount factor does not matter for stability as long as δ > δ*. This paper contributes experimental evidence that supports the intuitive idea that a larger critical discount factor makes collusion a less likely outcome.      

On measuring the utilization rate of employed labour

This paper deals with the factors that influence plans to retire from the labour force. We use a theoretical model to explain the empirical findings from a bivariate probit model relating economic, demographic, and social characteristics to retirement plans for over 7000 women and men between the ages of 40 and 64. The results of the analysis concerning retirement intentions suggest that personal, economic and household characteristics are more important determinants of retirement plans for women than men.     

大众：最年轻的德国“汽车”

大众汽车公司是德国最年轻的、同时也是德国最大的汽车生产厂家。作为目前德国最大的企业,2010年大众打败日本丰田、美国通用汽车公司成为世界最大汽车公司。其在世界500强排行榜中的排名由2010年的16位升至2011年13位,是德国排名最靠前的品牌。     

THE IMPACT OF THE INDONESIAN FINANCIAL CRISIS ON CHILDREN: AN ANALYSIS USING THE 100 VILLAGES DATA

This paper examines the impact of the Asian financial crisis on children in Indonesia. Specifically, data from four rounds of the 100 Villages Survey are used to examine changes in school attendance rates, child labour force participation and health status. The paper also examines ways in which households are coping with the crisis. The findings provide little evidence that the crisis has had a dramatic negative impact on children. School attendance dropped slightly after the onset of the crisis but has since rebounded to higher than pre-crisis levels. Fewer children are now working, although the older children who are working and not attending school seem to be working longer hours. Comparisons of child health status indicators over time are complicated by changes in the questionnaire but appear to show a relatively stable pattern of child health.     

Japanese management style in China? Production practices in Japanese manufacturing plants

Through an examination of twenty Japanese owned manufacturing plants in China, this article seeks to question the usefulness of identifying Japanese competitive success as being associated with specific Japanese production management techniques. Rather Japanese plants adopt, seemingly profitably, various and differentiated production methods, depending on local and parent company circumstances.     

The Target Zone Model, Non-Linearity and Mean Reversion: is the Honeymoon Really Over?

We estimate a target zone model for three ERM exchange rates for 1983–6 and 1987–91 by the method of simulated moments, taking account of the continuous time specification by using daily data with the interruptions of holidays and weekends. Specification tests are unable to reject the model. The estimates imply, however, an essentially linear relationship between the exchange rate and the fundamentals, with a very limited 'honeymoon effect'. Using Monte Carlo simulations, calibrated on the estimates, we find that standard tests for mean reversion of the exchange rate would largely reject the target zone model when, in fact, it held.     

Bainbridge Festive Foods

Lara Owens and Kathleen Pegram were starting to worry about their newly acquired business, Bainbridge Festive Foods. Bainbridge, a supplier of specialty jams, jellies, and pickles, sold its product through many outlets but relied heavily on a relationship with Cracker Barrel (a restaurant usually accompanied with a country gift store). Many issues face Bainbridge Festive Foods and its new owners. This case offers the opportunity to examine a small agribusiness facing many common issues: reputation (food quality and safety), change in ownership, reliance on one outlet, and a price structure that had not been examined since the firm's inception.