Modes of goods acquisition in deprived neighbourhoods

The aim of this paper is to show that the extent to which British consumers acquire their goods new through formal retail outlets is not as all-pervasive as some might believe. Analysing how 200 households in relatively deprived areas of Southampton last acquired six goods (furniture, DIY tools, clothes, fridge, cooker and car), it finds that a large proportion of goods were acquired either informally and/or second-hand, especially amongst households excluded from the formal labour market, due to their financial circumstances. Given this reliance on informal and second-hand modes of goods acquisition, it concludes that public policy should seek to develop initiatives for the distribution of such goods, especially electrical goods, in a more regulated environment. Without such developments, the socially excluded will remain dependent on modes of acquisition in which there is little or no regulation of the quality of the products.     

When institutional change outruns the change agent: The contested terrain of entrepreneurial microfinance for those in poverty

We argue that institutional change moves through stages punctuated by recurring attempts to formally redefine the boundaries and logics of organizational fields that institutional entrepreneurs initially establish. With a grounded theory model, we demonstrate that institutional change in microfinance started with dominant development logic, shifted to market logic, and got stuck in a conflict over regulatory logic. We show how the role of the entrepreneur can change markedly over time while the institutional change process continues unabated. We present institutional entrepreneurship as an evolving phenomenon and suggest that the interplay between institutional entrepreneurs and established organizational fields is highly nuanced.     

Research on entrepreneurship in the informal economy: Framing a research agenda

The informal economy consists of economic activities that occur outside of formal institutional boundaries but which remain within informal institutional boundaries for large segments of society. We draw from diverse disciplines to frame research concerning entrepreneurship in the informal economy around three separate theories: institutional theory, motivation-related theories from a sociological perspective, and resource allocation theory. Each of these theories provides a complementary lens through which to examine the incentives, constraints, motivations, strategies, and abilities of entrepreneurs to operate and grow their ventures in the informal economy. Employing these theoretical perspectives facilitates efforts to highlight the breadth of informal economy research in different domains and lays foundations for future entrepreneurship research.     

Reciprocity and informal institutions in international market entry

This article first identifies two gaps in the literature: (1) the need to expand international market entry research beyond contractual modes of “make, buy, and ally;” and (2) the need to address the imbalance in the institution-based view that has paid inadequate attention to informal institutions. To help close the two gaps, we identify reciprocity—the mutually contingent exchange of gratifications that is supported by informal institutions—to be a non-contractual mode of international market entry. We focus on how informal institutions provide some of the conditions, motivations, and precipitating circumstances behind the use of reciprocity.     

农村金融市场四大问题及其演化逻辑

融资困境是影响农村实现效率和公平目标的最大金融瓶颈，需要一个合适的农村金融体系去解除这一瓶颈。但为何已有成熟的城市工商金融体系，不能自然而然地延伸到农村地区，而需要一个单独的农村金融安排呢？笔者认为，原因在于农村金融市场存在四大基本问题：严重的信息不对称、抵押物缺乏、特质性成本与风险、非生产性借贷为主。四大问题的存在，使农村金融市场自然发育状态下出现“市场失灵”和“负外部性”，需要政府介入。但政府介入后，又往往以正式金融制度取代非正式金融制度，进一步恶化农村融资环境，又带来了“政府失灵”。两大“失灵”，使得农村资金的非农化成为常态。若不改变涉农基本制度，缓解两大“失灵”的关键，在于放弃单纯依赖正式金融部门的幻想，构建并运行正式和非正式金融两部门垂直合作型农村金融体系。若要从根本上解决农村融资难题。则需跳出金融去看农村金融问题，突破市场逻辑，改善基本涉农制度。     

Are maize marketers averse to quality loss in supplies? A case study from Ghana

To ensure sustainable post‐harvest loss reduction, markets that are averse to quality loss and provide incentives for farmers to supply high quality produce are crucial. Such markets will be averse to quality loss, offering distinct prices and substantial rewards to farmers for the supply of quality produce. Farmers in sub‐Saharan Africa (SSA), where informal markets exist, have often assessed the rewards for the supply of quality produce as inadequate. Hence, this study investigates if intermediary buyers are actually indifferent to quality loss in supplies based on two scenarios—the informal market scenario and a hypothesized grade scenario. The analysis builds on survey data from marketers in two informal maize markets in Ghana. For the hypothesized grade scenario, random effect regression was used to examine the influence of marketer‐specific characteristics on premiums offered to farmers over different quality levels. The findings suggest that although informal markets seem not to adequately value loss reduction, investing in institutional infrastructures, such as grades and standards can change this. Furthermore, interaction among marketers and association participation positively influences the value marketers place on quality loss reduction. The result highlights the importance of standard grading systems and collaborating with market groups in minimizing quality loss.     

多尺度下农村居民点空间分布特征及其影响因素研究

[目的]为更精细、更科学地了解农村居民点空间分布特征及其影响因素,从多尺度角度进行对比分析,为农村居民点整理提供依据。[方法]基于空间自相关、核密度分析等方法,以广水市为例,从多尺度角度对2016年广水市农村居民点分布空间分布状况进行对比分析,并引入空间计量回归模型对其影响因素进行探究。[结果](1)对广水市农村居民点进行核密度分析时,搜索半径为1 800m最合理,广水市农村居民点核密度最大值为14. 26个/km~2;(2)对广水市农村居民点核密度估计值从县级、乡镇级、村级3个尺度分别进行全局空间自相关分析,Moran's I县级=0. 642 4、Moran's I乡镇级=0. 694 3、Moran's I村级=0. 808 2,全部表现为空间正相关,村级的空间集聚特征最显著、乡镇其次、县级相对最小;(3)局部自相关分析显示农村居民点核密度估计值高值区分布在城郊乡、骆店乡、马坪镇、长岭镇4乡镇,与该研究的核密度分析结果一致。(4)通过空间计量回归模型分析,农村居民点的影响因素:地形位指数到城镇距离到道路距离到水系距离。[结论]文章从多尺度角度对农村居民点分布特征及其影响因素对比研究,以期为今后同方向的研究提供借鉴,为农村居民点整治、农村居民点空间演变研究、村镇规划、农村土地集约利用、乡村振兴等提供理论方法的支撑。     

Institutional distance and the quality of the headquarters–subsidiary relationship: The moderating role of the institutionalization of headquarters’ practices in subsidiaries

Through the lens of the institutional theory, we developed and empirically tested a contingency theoretical framework that examines the effects of formal and informal institutional distances on the quality of the headquarters–subsidiary relationship, and how such effects are contextualized by internal institutionalization of headquarters’ practices in subsidiaries of Chinese multinational enterprises (MNEs). Data were collected from both the headquarters of 297 Chinese MNEs and their respective subsidiaries. The results show that regulative and cultural distances are positively associated with the quality of the headquarters–subsidiary relationship, and that these positive relationships are stronger when subsidiaries institutionalize headquarters’ practices to a higher degree. Theoretical and practical implications are highlighted in the paper.     

Affective networks,informal ties,and the limits of expatriate effectiveness

Expatriate effectiveness research has so far rarely taken into account the influence of social networks on expatriate performance and adjustment. Likewise, antecedents of social networks remain poorly understood. We fill this research gap by exploring the situation of expatriates in South Korea. Based on expert interview data, we have discovered seven antecedents critical to expatriate effectiveness. Most antecedents hinder expatriate effectiveness due to the expatriates’ inability to become a part of so-called Yongo networks, a distinctive type of social tie in South Korea that is to a great extent determined by birth. As a consequence, it is in particular expatriates’ relational performance and interaction adjustment that is negatively influenced by Yongo. Based on the South Korean case, this study advises future research to more deeply study the nature and characteristics of the local social context, in particular affective ties, and extend research on expatriate effectiveness in this important dimension. Finally, we discuss practical implications important for multinational corporations and provide suggestions on how to better cope with exclusive informal social networks while on an assignment abroad.     

‘The price is different depending on whether you want a receipt or not’: examining the purchasing of goods and services from the informal economy in South-East Europe

ABSTRACT

Research on the informal economy has largely focussed on supply-side issues, addressing questions like what motivates individuals to work in the informal economy and how can governments tackle this phenomenon. To date, much less attention has been given to demand-side aspects, examining issues around who purchases goods and services from the informal economy, why, and to what extent there are variations according to demographic, socio-economic and geographic dimensions. This paper addresses this imbalance by examining the purchasing of goods and services from the informal economy in South-East Europe. Firstly, this paper identifies the prevalence of such informal purchasing in South-East Europe as well as who undertakes such purchasing. Next, it examines the relative significance of cost factors, social factors and failures in the formal economy, in motivating such purchasing. Finally, it explores variability in the significance of these motivators based on individual-level factors, within and across three South-East European countries.