Interorganizational Information Systems and Business-to-Business Relationships: System Characteristics,Assistance, Performance,Satisfaction, and Commitment Model

We introduce the SAPSaC model to see how relationship characteristics influence the implementation and outcomes of a specific type of inter-organization information system—electronic data interchange (EDI). Using a relational exchange perspective, we examine the effects of interfirm system characteristics, target firm capabilities, and initiator assistance, on project outcomes. We explore effects of three system characteristics—relationalism, dependence, and tenure on initiator assistance. System characteristics and assistance are hypothesized to affect outcomes—project performance, satisfaction, and commitment to the relationship. We consider the target's task readiness an additional determinant of initiator assistance and performance. Using sample survey data from firms in the housewares industry, we find that initiator assistance stems from relationalism, not tenure. From the target's perspective, project performance derives from relationalism and tenure. Satisfaction is driven by relationalism, tenure, assistance, and performance. Commitment comes from relationalism, dependence, and satisfaction. A multi-industry study successfully replicates most of the results.     

Does banking competition alleviate or worsen credit constraints faced by small- and medium-sized enterprises? Evidence from China

Banking competition may enhance or hinder the financing of small and medium-sized enterprises. Using a survey on the financing of such enterprises in China, combined with detailed bank branch information, we investigate how concentration in local banking market affects the availability of credit. We find that lower market concentration alleviates financing constraints. The widespread presence of joint-stock banks has a larger effect on alleviating these constraints, than the presence of city commercial banks, while the presence of state-owned banks has a smaller effect.     

Counting the cost,reconciling the benefits: understanding employer investment in Higher Apprenticeships in accounting

Lack of progression to higher education amongst those who complete an Advanced Apprenticeship in England and the country’s need for higher level skills led to the introduction of Higher Apprenticeships in 2009. Whilst Higher Apprenticeships would be expected to facilitate learner progression, the volume of these has remained low. In this paper, the example of accountancy training illustrates that Higher Apprenticeships are typically introduced into a crowded qualification landscape where they likely replace or subsume existing vocational qualifications. Based on employer case studies, the paper explores the factors employers consider when deciding to invest in this form of training and finds that the net costs of training are central. Higher Apprenticeships often simply substitute for other previously used modes of accountancy training, providing the same core qualification but there are some added benefits of the Apprenticeship including widening the employers’ recruitment pool for accounting technicians. As Apprenticeship reforms evolve, it will be down to the value employers place on this route compared to standalone qualification to the same level, which will determine the viability of Higher Apprenticeships in the accounting space.     

From Fixed to Float: A Competing Risks Analysis

This paper examines the determinants of the exchange rate regime of a country. A competing risks model is estimated. It is found that the way a country exits a fixed exchange rate regime is affected non-linearly by the duration of the peg. In addition, countries with a lower growth rate of reserves, higher occurrence of banking crises, higher concentration of trade and lower degree of capital-account liberalisation are more likely to experience a crisis-driven exit.     

A Man's Blessing or a Woman's Curse? The Family Earnings Gap of Doctors

We examine the size and determinants of the family earnings gap for Australian general practitioners (GPs). Female GPs with children earn more than $30,000 less than comparable female GPs without children, while male GPs with children earn more than $45,000 more than comparable male GPs without children. The main determinants of the family gap are differences in observable characteristics such as working hours, labor‐force attachment, and demographics, and additionally, for men, entrepreneurship and practice size. A fixed‐effects extension of the analysis confirms both the carer effect of children on female GPs and the breadwinner effect of children on male GPs.     

Exploring historical economic relationships: two and a half centuries of British interest rates and inflation

In this paper, we use new data and modern time series econometrics to reassess the relationship between interest rates, prices and inflation in Britain across the two and a half centuries from 1750 to 2006 for which reliable data are available. We pay particular attention to monetary regimes that may lead to breaks in the relationship and to associated shifts in the stochastic structure of interest rates and prices. The behaviour of real interest rates is examined in detail and estimates of the expected real rate are calculated using a variety of methods to check for robustness.