Choosing governance modes for external technology sourcing

This study examines the effect of uncertainty on governance mode choice of interfirm relationships in new business development (NBD). We combine transaction cost economics and real options reasoning, arguing that in the early stages of NBD, where technological and market uncertainty are very high, companies are better off using governance modes that are reversible and involve a low level of commitment. When uncertainty has decreased as a result of prior R&D investments, transaction costs considerations become dominant and companies will shift towards governance modes that are less reversible and more hierarchical. We argue that technological distance leads to less hierarchical governance modes and prior cooperation between firms leads to subsequent choices for more hierarchical modes. Finally, we propose that higher exogenous uncertainty leads to less hierarchical governance modes.     

Price formation and the inflationary process in a small open economy (The Netherlands)

Summary Price formation in the manufacturing, services, building and agricultural sectors is analysed by estimating price equations in which unit labour costs, import prices, capacity utilization and the structure of the sellers market (sheltered or competitive) play a part. These equations have been included in a model in which sectoral wages and social security premiums are endogenous as well. This model, which is still partial since it considerse.g. labour productivity and capacity utilization as exogenous, allows a study of the intersectoral multiplier effects which were found to be quite considerable.A large number of simulation results are presented showing the effects of both domestic and foreign exogenous shocks.Finally, an analysis of the relative importance of the factors determining the rise in consumer prices during 1954–1972 has been carried out.     

Familial control,size and performance in the largest French firms

This paper explores to what extent large French firms in the hands of wealthy families have performed in a significantly different manner from non-familial firms. The results of the econometric analysis confirms the Monsen Downs Williamson theory according to which only a combination of size and divergent goals could cause deviations from profit-maximization. Indeed, it is established that when ownership and management are not essentially separate, large size has a systematically better impact upon profitability than when such a divorce exists. Differences in financial structure viz leverage do not affect the result.     

Het dagbladbedrijf in Nederland

Mr. Dr. M. Rooy, Het dagbladbedrijf in Nederland, H. E. Stenfert Kroese N.V. Leiden 1956, 613 blz.     

Toward Equitable and Sustainable Rural Water Supplies: A Contingent Valuation Study in Brazil

Because many rural people are poor, it is usually assumed thatrural water supplies must be financed by government agencies.It is now widely recognized, however, that many rural peoplecan and will pay for improved water supplies, and that sustainingand extending services depends on mobilizing this willingnessto pay. This article describes a study of willingness to payfor water in Brazil. The study shows that surveys of actualand hypothetical water-use practices can provide policy-relevantinformation on willingness to pay, which is shown to vary accordingto household socioeconomic characteristics and the characteristicsof the existing and new supplies of water. In rural Brazil,tariffs for yard taps can be increased substantially beforesignificant numbers of households would choose not to connectto an improved system, whereas provision of free water at publictaps can protect the poor without jeopardizing the financialviability of the scheme.     

Telecommunications for development — an addendum

Further comments on the debate concerning the use of telecommunications for development, in response to John H. Clippinger's article ‘Can communications development benefit the Third World?’     

Relative prices, income distribution and stabilization plans : The Argentine experience, 1967–1970

The objective of this paper is to analyze the anti-inflationary plan applied in Argentina in 1967, a plan which did not eliminate inflation. With respect to the failure of this plan, two different explanations have been offered: one according to which the problems were essentially political, and another, which maintained the program contained basic technical flaws. From the analysis of this paper it is clear that the truth lies much closer to the second explanation. In the last section of the paper, economic policy recommendations relevant for future anti-inflationary plans, be they implemented in Argentina or in other inflationary economies, are presented.