Antecedents and consequences of Internet channel performance

Internet distribution channels may be either advantageous or detrimental for a company. Therefore, this study analyzes their performance, antecedents, and effect on company performance. Using survey data from multichannel retailers and structural equation model methodology, the authors show that Internet channel performance contributes to both financial and strategic company performance, with a greater effect on the latter. Similar and uncoordinated channels hinder Internet channel performance, but experience with direct channels and channel power are not required to pursue an Internet channel successfully. Customer migration and managerial commitment to the Internet channel have strong positive influences on financial performance. Overall, the results encourage the adoption and development of Internet channels.     

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The classical concept of responsibility seems inadequate with respect to complex modern contexts of action. In this paper an alternative account is given based on Hume’s theory of moral emotions and illustrated by a simple n-person co-ordination game. Responsibility is understood as the result of a social process of attribution. People thus endowed with responsibility may then serve as a focal point in social co-ordination. It is argued that such an account imparts a more subtle and appropriate understanding of the relationship between responsibility and causal origination than the classical account. Some conclusions are drawn as to the qualities a person should have, if she is to act responsibly, namely, autonomy, competence and integrity.     

The Residency Discount for Rents in Germany and the Tenancy Law Reform Act 2001: Evidence from Quantile Regressions

Most countries show a residency discount in rents for sitting tenants. In the wake of strong rent increases and housing shortages, Germany implemented a reform in 2001 to curtail rent increases. Based on linked housing‐tenant data for Germany, this paper estimates panel OLS and quantile regressions of rents within tenancies. The results show that rents deflated by the CPI increase strongly from 1984 until the reform in 2001, and there is a reversal in the trend afterwards. Before the reform, there is a significant residence discount which decreases in absolute value with tenure. The reform reduces rents, in particular for expensive apartments and for new leases. There is no residency discount after the reform.