Continuous extension of preferences

We consider the problem of extending preferences from a subset of a commodity space to the entire space. It is a simple consequence of the Tietze extension theorem that continuous preferences can be extended if they are defined on closed subsets of a normal space and are representable by utility functions. We show the following: If the space is a non-separable metric space, then extension of preferences is not always possible. In fact for (path-connected) metric spaces, extension property, utility representation property, and separability are equivalent to each other.     

会计网络化建设存在的问题与对策

会计网络化是会计发展的必然趋势。加快会计网络化建设有利于拓宽财务管理的空间,加快业务流程的时效,提升财务管理的效能,确保资金划拨安全快捷。目前,会计网络化建设在规划设计、功能开发和运行管理等方面,存在重建轻联、重投轻用、重有轻管、重硬轻软等问题。本文中笔者从五个方面剖析会计网络化建设存在问题的原因,在此基础上,从加强统一领导,重视整体设计,完善管理机制,强化管理职能四个方面来提出有针对性的改革措施。     

试论建立和完善我国矿产资源有偿使用制度

文章介绍了典型市场经济国家为实行矿产资源有偿使用而向矿产资源使用者征收的费税种类.同时介绍了我国向矿产资源使用者征收的六种税费,并指出了其缺陷和不足之处,在此基础上,提出了对我国矿产资源税费进行改革可供选择的三个方案.     

HEDONIC PRICING MODELS FOR VEHICLE REGISTRATION MARKS

Abstract.  This paper attempts to link Chinese numerology to the determination of vehicle registration mark (VRM) prices in Hong Kong through the hedonic pricing analysis. The values of different patterns of the numbers and Roman alphabet letters are examined. We find that there is a very strong preference for the number '8', that visually appealing patterns add great values to a VRM and that the non-transferable VRMs are more expensive than transferable ones. We also show that their prices move in tandem with the Hang Seng Index. The findings suggest that the government can raise revenue by auctioning off intangible assets containing alphanumerical identification marks.     

NONPROFIT EMPLOYEES' MACHIAVELLIAN PROPENSITIES

Nonprofit organizations are held to high ethical standards due to their charitable missions serving the common good. Incidents of fiscal mismanagement within the nonprofit sector make it relevant to assay the ethical principles of employees. This study examines the level of Machiavellian propensities of US nonprofit employees. Results indicate Machiavellian propensities do exist in certain nonprofit employees and these employees agree with questionable behavior. Policy makers and oversight agencies may find these results useful in developing corporate governance and accountability measures for nonprofit organizations. Furthermore, board of director members may use these results to monitor employee actions and address management training.     

烟台发达县市走新型工业化道路剖析

走新型工业化道路是目前烟台实现工业可持续发展及加快现代化进程的必然选择。烟台市进入全国县域经济百强县(市)的龙口、招远、蓬莱三市把发展新型工业化作为推动当地工业经济、县域经济发展的重中之重来抓,并根据自身特点、经济、资源等条件,走出了一条各具特色的新型工业化之路。但是,要进一步提高新型工业化水平,还有诸多制约因素,需采取切实可行的措施加以解决。     

ADR面面观

ADR是近年来在世界范围内蓬勃兴起的一种争议解决方式,确切地说是一组争议解决程序的总称,具有简便、快捷、费用低廉、专业性强以及保密性强等优势,通过ADR解决争议已成为现代法律发展中的一大趋势.然而在我国,除了传统的调解和仲裁之外,其他ADR形式却鲜为人知.本文通过对ADR基本特征的分析,对ADR的范围进行了界定,并着重介绍了国际上流行的各种ADR形式,最后对于我国对外公司在国外工程承包过程中如何灵活有效地运用ADR提出了笔者的建议.     

Domestic Support and Border Measures for Processed Horticultural Products

In horticultural markets, trade barriers often apply to the processed products whereas domestic support applies to farm-produced raw commodities. Here we assess the effects of such trade barriers and domestic support by simulating the effects of policy reform on global processing tomato markets, which are faced with modest processed product tariffs and high domestic support in the European Union (EU). Both protection and EU subsidy drive down world welfare, but we find that reducing import tariffs for tomato products would yield greater effects on markets and larger welfare impacts outside Europe than would reductions in EU domestic support.     

REVISITING INFORMAL EMPLOYMENT AND SEGMENTATION IN THE SOUTH AFRICAN LABOUR MARKET

This study revisits the definition of informal employment, and it investigates the puzzle of high open unemployment co‐existing with relatively limited informal employment in South Africa. We estimate earnings equations using data from the September 2004 Labour Force Survey and present evidence of persistent earnings differentials not only between formal and informal employment, but also between types of informal employment. These persistent earnings differentials are suggestive of complex segmentation in the South African labour market and challenge the presentation of informal employment as an undifferentiated residual with no barriers to entry or mobility.