Non-Parametric Production Analysis of Pesticides Use in the Netherlands

Many previous empirical studies on the productivity of pesticides suggest that pesticides are under-utilized in agriculture despite the general held believe that these inputs are substantially over-utilized. This paper uses data envelopment analysis (DEA) to calculate non-parametric measures of the value of the marginal product of pesticides. Furthermore, the effect of pesticides on the value of the marginal product of productive inputs is investigated in order to analyze technical interdependence between pesticides and productive inputs. Results suggest, in general, substantial under-utilization of pesticides, which is consistent with earlier findings of parametric specifications.     

Clustering and visualization of earthquake data in a grid environment

We present a web client-server service WEB-IS, which we have developed for remote analysis and visualization of seismic data consisting of both small magnitude events and large earthquakes. We show that the problem-solving environment (PSE) intended for prediction of large magnitude earthquakes can be based on this WEB-IS idea. The clustering schemes, feature generation, feature extraction techniques and rendering algorithms form a computational framework of this environment. On the other hand, easy and fast access both to the seismic data distributed among distant computing resources and to computational and visualization resources can be realized in a GRID framework. We discuss the usefulness of NaradaBrokering (iNtegrated Asynchronous Real-time Adaptive Distributed Architecture) as a middleware, allowing for flexibility and high throughput for remote visualization of geophysical data. The WEB-IS functionality was tested both on synthetic and the actual earthquake catalogs. We consider the application of similar methodology for tsunami alerts.     

Exploring the adjustment of American expatriate spouses in Germany

This paper re-conceptualizes the adjustment of expatriate spouses during overseas assignments and explores various factors influencing the level of spousal adjustment. It does so by using a combination of qualitative data, collected through interviews and group discussions with expatriate spouses, and quantitative data, gathered by means of a questionnaire survey of American expatriate spouses in Germany. The results support the existence of a hitherto neglected facet of spousal adjustment, designated 'role adjustment', and highlight some important antecedents of spousal adjustment. The implications of the results for research and the practice of international HRM are discussed.     

Role model influences on entrepreneurial intentions: A comparison between USA and Mexico

Most research and popular writing includes entrepreneurial role models as an important factor in the decision to start a business. Few, if any, studies compare the influence of business owner role models between two different countries. Further, studies cite the importance of role models for potential entrepreneurs but ignore how the role model process actually works. This study looks at activities that role models might engage in and compares their influence on respondents in the US and Mexico. This is the first study that examines differences in role model influence between two countries. Ten of the variables are significantly different between respondents in the two countries. Nine of the differences were rated as being significantly more influential among Mexican students than US students while only one variable was rated as being significantly less influential. Results of the study, especially as related to the specific influence of role models on career intentions, may be relevant in designing entrepreneurship programs. The results may also be appropriate in courses that discuss entrepreneurship in different countries (e.g., international entrepreneurship). The results may also be relevant in family businesses where eventual continuity of family ownership through succession is desired.     

A semi-automated system for interoperability assessment: an ontology-based approach

ABSTRACT

A plethora of approaches to assess the ability of companies to interoperate can be found in the literature. Nevertheless, most of the current assessment approaches are following manual-conducted processes, which can be laborious, time-consuming and costly. Therefore, this paper aims at developing a knowledge-based system for supporting an interoperability assessment process using an ontology as its knowledge model. The resulting system allows identifying potential interoperability problems and related solutions based on the knowledge model including information of the assessed enterprise(s). A real business case is presented for evaluating the proposed approach.     

Duration, volume and volatility impact of trades

This paper presents a framework to model duration, volume and returns simultaneously, obtaining an econometric reduced form that incorporates causal and feedback effects among these variables. The methodology is applied to two groups of stocks, classified according to trade intensity. We find that: (1) all stocks exhibit trading volume clustering (which is significantly higher for frequently traded stocks); (2) times of greater activity coincide with a higher number of informed traders present in the market only for the frequently traded stocks; (3) the more frequently traded stocks converge more rapidly (in calendar time) to their long-run equilibrium, after an initial perturbation.     

Kommunikationssteuerung und Kommunikationscontrolling Das Beispiel Henkel

Zusammenfassungen  In Zeiten von immer knapper werdenden Ressourcen sehen sich viele Kommunikationsverantwortliche zunehmend in der Pflicht, die vorhandenden Budgets effizient und effektiv einzusetzen sowie ihren Wertsch?pfungsbeitrag nachzuweisen. Dabei unterliegen sie den gleichen Controllinganforderungen, die an andere Funktionen eines Unternehmens gestellt werden. Eine m?gliche Strategie zeigt das Praxisbeispiel des internationalen Konsumgüterherstellers Henkel. Ernst Primosch Corporate Vice President und Head Corporate Communications bei der Henkel KGaA in Düsseldorf M. A. Simone Gleumes Leiterin Strategy & Steering im Bereich Corporate Communications bei der Henkel KGaA in Düsseldorf     

Heterogeneity of customers of personal image services: a segmentation based on value co-creation

The aim of this work is to gain an understanding of the heterogeneity of the customers of service firms dedicated to personal care. This comes from their participation in the value co-creation process. We later analyze if the distribution of the satisfaction variable is the same between the previously-identified groups. This analysis is carried out via a latent class segmentation. The empirical research data was obtained from a sample of users of firms from the Spanish sector of hairdressing and aesthetics. This is mostly made up of young, self-employed entrepreneurs and microenterprises. 547 questionnaires were correctly completed and included in the study. The use of the customers’ involvement in value co-creating as a segmentation criteria resulted in the users being put into two groups. It was thus verified that there are differences in the distribution of the satisfaction variable between the two groups studied. The main contribution of the study stems from considering the value co-creation behavior as a valid criterion for the segmentation of customers of aesthetics and personal care services. This facilitates the decision-making related to the marketing policies of the firms in the sector.