Pre-testing for linear restrictions in a regression model with spherically symmetric disturbances

In this paper we derive the exact risk (under quadratic loss) of pre-test estimators of the prediction vector and of the error variance of a linear regression model with spherically symmetric disturbances. The pre-test in question is one of the validity of a set of exact linear restrictions on the model's coefficient vector. We demonstrate how the known results for the model with normal disturbances can be extended to this broader case. We also show that the critical value of unity results in a minimum of the risk of the pre-test estimator of the error variance. To illustrate the results we assume multivariate Student-t regression disturbances and numerically evaluate the derived expressions.     

Spirituality: Creating meaning and purpose for students the corporate way

“Although American higher education can justifiably take pride in its capacity to develop the student's ability to manipulate the material world through its programs in science, medicine, technology, and commerce, it has paid relatively little attention to the student's “inner” development—the sphere of values and beliefs, emotional maturity, moral development, spirituality, and self‐understanding.” —from the Foreword to Encouraging Authenticity and Spirituality in Higher Education by Alexander W. Astin and Helen S. Astin     

The Power of One to Make a Difference: How Informal and Formal CEO Power Affect Environmental Sustainability

This study empirically investigated the impact of ethical leadership on employee burnout, deviant behavior and task performance through two psychological mechanisms: (1) developing higher levels of employee trust in leaders and (2) demonstrating lower levels of surface acting toward their leaders. Our theoretical model was tested using data collected from employees of a pharmaceutical retail chain company. Analyses of multisource time-lagged data from 45 team leaders and 247 employees showed that employees’ trust in leaders and surface acting significantly mediated the relationships between ethical leadership and employee burnout, deviant behavior and task performance. We discuss the theoretical and practical implications of our findings for understanding how ethical leaders influence employees’ attitudes and behavior.     

达成一致和复杂自适应系统(续)--一种评价协作性规划的框架

五、复杂性科学 在物理学、生物学、数学和计算机科学中出现了一系列关于自组织、复杂系统的适应性本质的观点.这些观点不仅提供了对正在形成的网络社会的理解方法,而且提供了在达成共识中走出这些佯谬的途径.复杂性科学为我们的评价框架提供了灵感,因为它提供了能够同时评价有形和无形结果的方法.复杂性科学提供了概念的工具,使我们关注达成一致过程中的反馈和学习,它帮助我们理解改革和第二、第三位的作用是如何产生的.这些观点暗示达成共识在漫长的过程中的最大贡献将是:在如此频繁变幻的世界上,帮助社区和组织在实施和创造方面提高到新的水准.     

达成一致和复杂自适应系统--一种评价协作性规划的框架

达成一致过程不仅与产生协议和计划有关,而且与实验、学习改变和达成共享的意义相关.本文以我们在大范围的关于达成一致案例中的实验性研究和实践为基础,提出达到一致过程应该被放在复杂科学原则和联络性理论的背景下进行评价.作为结果和标准,文内提出了一些评价原则和一系列方法.     

Modeling the relationship between firm and user generated content and the stages of the marketing funnel

While research has successfully linked social media to separate customer metrics, an in-depth conceptual and empirical understanding of how social media affects the stages of the marketing funnel is currently lacking. We draw on extant theories of consumer information processing and source credibility to conceptually link and contrast the relationships between firm generated content (FGC) dimensions of neutral valence, positive valence and vividness, user generated content (UGC) dimensions of volume and valence and the marketing funnel stages of awareness, consideration, purchase intent and satisfaction. Using daily aggregate brand-level data for 19 brands across seven industries, our analysis shows that UGC dimensions have a stronger relationship with awareness and satisfaction while FGC dimensions are more effective for consideration and purchase intent. Specifically, we observe that FGC vividness has the strongest relationship with consideration and purchase intent, while UGC valence dominates UGC volume for these stages. Our results also show that brands with higher corporate reputation have stronger relationships between dimensions of FGC and the marketing funnel stages. Findings by consumption category show that UGC and FGC dimensions have larger positive relationships with awareness for durables and non-durables, and with consideration, purchase intent, and satisfaction for services. Thus, overall, our study offers critical managerial insights into social media marketing regarding how to leverage both FGC and UGC in managing the marketing funnel and brand reputation.     

Defending Brands: Effects of Alignment of Spokescharacter Personality Traits and Corporate Transgressions on Brand Trust and Attitudes

Two repeated-measure experiments examine the role of spokescharacters in defending consumer perceptions of brand attitude, brand trust, and the willingness to pay a price premium (WPPP) for the brand. Based on the theory of anthropomorphization, the first experiment assesses the moderating role of the alignment between the spokescharacter personality and negative information. Results show that nonaligned negative information and personality traits offer a stronger defense for the brand. The second experiment extends the first by comparing the role of spokescharacters relative to another visual promotion tool, brand logos. Results show that when personality and negative information are not aligned, there are no significant (unfavorable) effects on brand attitude and trust when either spokescharacters or logos are used, but the brands are susceptible to unfavorable effects when the negative information is aligned. In addition, the spokescharacter offers somewhat greater protection for the brand than does the logo when the negative information is aligned.     

Identifying Success Factors for Rapid Growth in SME E-commerce

With high unemployment rates and major companies downsizing, SME policy has started to move centre stage. The small business job-creation thesis can be traced to David Birch, who placed great emphasis on the job generation process of very rapidly growing businesses he termed Gazelles: "In fact most firms don't grow. Gazelles do. And that is only 3% of all small companies." This paper focuses on the baby gazelles of the Internet economy. It looks at critical success factors that fast growing E-commerce ventures need to take into account in the start-up phase. Based on the results of the EU project KITE, the article demonstrates links between critical success factors, and highlights the competitive advantage deriving from the application of a certain critical success factor. It will compare the critical success factors identified for high growth E-commerce ventures in the start-up phase in KITE with research into the success of high growth companies in general.