C-optimal threat decision n-tuples in collective bargaining

In a two-person game with bargaining, C-optimal threat decision pairs are defined. The definition is compared with that of optimal threat decision pairs in Nash's sense. In the case of differential games, a sufficiency condition for the C-optimality of a threat strategy pair is given and illustrated by examples of collective bargaining.Deceased     

Corporate Social Responsibility Theories: Mapping the Territory

The Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) field presents not only a landscape of theories but also a proliferation of approaches, which are controversial, complex and unclear. This article tries to clarify the situation, “mapping the territory” by classifying the main CSR theories and related approaches in four groups: (1) instrumental theories, in which the corporation is seen as only an instrument for wealth creation, and its social activities are only a means to achieve economic results; (2) political theories, which concern themselves with the power of corporations in society and a responsible use of this power in the political arena; (3) integrative theories, in which the corporation is focused on the satisfaction of social demands; and (4) ethical theories, based on ethical responsibilities of corporations to society. In practice, each CSR theory presents four dimensions related to profits, political performance, social demands and ethical values. The findings suggest the necessity to develop a new theory on the business and society relationship, which should integrate these four dimensions.     

An Overview of Public Consultation Mechanisms Developed to Address the Ethical and Social Issues Raised by Biotechnology

Biotechnology, whether applied to plants, animals, or humans is a rapidly expanding industry. Citizens, often organized in groups or organizations, wish to express their views and even to participate in the decision-making process that authorized to the marketing of new biotechnology derived products. In order to allow participation of the public in the debate on the ethical and social issues raised by biotechnology, it is important to select appropriate consultation mechanisms. Much may be learned from the experiences and mechanisms used in various countries.Part I of this report surveys various institutional models for public consultation activities. Part II then reviews various mechanisms used to address ethical and social issues with public participation and Part III highlights the strengths and weaknesses of these mechanisms in a Canadian context.     

Labour Market Policy in Post-Soviet Economies: The Case of Azerbaijan

MOCT-MOST: Economic Policy in Transitional Economies -     

关于促进黑龙江省加工贸易转型升级的研究

加工贸易为我国外贸发展做出了重要贡献,曾占据我国外贸出口的半壁江山.随着国家外贸战略政策的调整,黑龙江省的加工贸易企业转型升级也迫在眉睫.黑龙江省加工贸易规模和比重处于较低水平,且劳动密集型产品居多,外资企业比例下滑,原产地和出口市场单一.因此,提升企业在全球价值链所处环节、延长产业链、扶持产业集群成为加工贸易企业转型升级的主要途径.应继续加大招商引资力度,鼓励内资企业从事加工贸易;优化加工贸易产业结构,提高加工贸易企业的竞争能力;制定相关优惠政策,建立"加工贸易示范园区";鼓励企业"走出去",开展境外加工贸易;要与服务外包有机结合互补发展.     

Selling digital music: business models for public goods

This paper considers the market for digital music. We claim that the combination of the MP3 format and peer-to-peer networks has made music non-excludable and this feature is essential for the understanding of the economics of the music market. We study optimal business models for selling non-excludable goods and show that despite promising theoretical results, adding just a slight uncertainty about the number of customers has significant negative implications for profitability. Indeed, as the average number of customers tends to infinity the average payment per customer converges to zero. Therefore, the music industry should concentrate on alternative ways of creating profit such as selling access to listeners, concerts, merchandise, ringtones etc.     

Evaluating China’s Integration in World Trade with a Gravity Model Based Benchmark

This paper assesses China’s “natural” place in the world economy with a new set of trade integration indicators, which are used as a benchmark in order to examine whether China’s share in international trade is consistent with fundamentals such as economic size, location and other relevant factors. They constitute a better measure of trade integration that incorporates many more factors than traditional openness ratios. The model tracks international trade well and confirms that China is already well integrated in world markets, particularly with North America, several Latin American and East Asian emerging markets and most euro area countries.

Does a better diet reduce dependence on imports? The case of Tunisia

In the last 40 years, Tunisia has experienced—as many other developing and emerging countries—a dietary transition, which led to an increase in the consumption of sugar, fats, and animal products. This transition was accompanied by an increase in noncommunicable diseases, particularly cardiovascular diseases. Using mathematical programming, we optimized the Tunisian diet using the French dietary recommendations as constraints. Then, we used the Global Trade Analysis Project's constant elasticities of substitution in order to simulate the impact of fulfilling the nutrient recommendations on international trade and domestic supply. Using this approach, we showed that the Tunisian diet is rich in carbohydrates and sugar but lacks fibers, some minerals, and vitamins. The adherence to all recommendations would induce an imperative shift to less sugar and cereal-based products by reducing the import dependence on these products, but would result a dramatic increase in the domestic supply of products from animal origin, fruits, vegetables, and legumes.