Assessing the impact of cost optimization based on infrastructure modelling on CO2 emissions

Traditionally, logistics design is driven by a need to reduce costs and improve customer service. Recently, the environmental concerns from transport have been increasingly discussed. The traffic levels and associated energy consumption are influenced by supply chain structure, modal split and vehicle utilization. This paper aims to assess the impact of the traditional cost optimization approach to strategic modelling on overall logistics costs and CO₂ emissions by taking into account the supply chain structure (number of depots) and different freight vehicle utilization ratios (90%, 75% and 60%). The simulation model, based on a European case study from the automotive industry, considers strategic and operational level decisions simultaneously. The analysis shows that the optimum design based on costs does not necessary equate to an optimum solution for CO₂ emissions, therefore there is a need to address economical and environmental objectives explicitly as part of the logistics design.     

The interface of the energy and forest sectors—Potential players in the bioenergy business

The upcoming bioenergy business area opens up promising opportunities for the traditional energy and forest sectors. This has motivated us to study existing and potential bioenergy actors that could take up this unique opportunity and develop new business around the “green gold” of the forest. Light is shed on the interface between the energy and forest sectors through a comparison of the most focal bioenergy actors with traditional forest and energy companies. The analytical methods used include both parametric and nonparametric analysis of variance, and cluster analysis. The result is a better understanding of the players that have the potential to capitalize on the emerging business.     

Does trade integration alter monetary policy transmission?

This paper explores the role of trade integration—or openness—for monetary policy transmission in a medium-scale new Keynesian model. Allowing for strategic complementarities in price setting, we highlight a new dimension of the exchange rate channel by which monetary policy directly impacts domestic inflation: a monetary contraction which appreciates the exchange rate lowers the local currency price of imported goods; this, in turn, induces domestic producers to lower their prices too. We pin down key parameters of the model by matching impulse responses obtained from a vector autoregression on time series for the US relative to the euro area. Our estimation procedure yields plausible parameter values and suggests a strong role for strategic complementarities. Counterfactual simulations show that openness alters monetary transmission significantly. While the contractionary effect of a monetary policy shock on inflation and output tends to increase in openness, we find that monetary policy's control over inflation increases, as the output decline which is necessary to bring about a given reduction of inflation is smaller in more open economies.     

Portfolio characteristics of outward foreign direct investment and dynamic performance of emerging economy firms: An option portfolio perspective

In recent decades, emerging economy (EE) firms have taken an aggressive approach to international expansion. Drawing upon option portfolio theory, this study develops the characteristics of the OFDI portfolio based on two attributes of a portfolio and two dimensions of host environments. We examine how the characteristics of the OFDI portfolio dynamically influence the OFDI?performance linkage. Using a sample of 545 Chinese listed multinational firms during the period 2009–2018, we find EE firms’ OFDI contributes more to short-term performance when the OFDI portfolio features a higher overall quality of host institutions or a higher diversity of strategic factor market developments in the host countries. However, over a relatively long period, EE firms’ OFDI contributes more to long-term performance when the portfolio features a higher overall diversity of strategic factor markets and institutional environments. These findings offer further knowledge on the OFDI?performance link in emerging economies.     

The ‘science’ and ‘practice’ of HRM in small firms

This paper looks at the ‘science’ and ‘practice’ of human resource management in small firms. While there is growing evidence that the practice of human resource management in small firms is characterized by informality, there is less evidence about the science, or explaining why this is the case. We look to writing on strategic human resource management, which has at its heart the resource based view of the firm, for possibilities offered to understanding the science of human resource management in small firms.     

Turnaround strategy: A study of restaurant firms

This paper uses a case study approach to analyze the turnaround actions of two restaurant firms and compares them to the model of Robbins and Pearce [1992. Strategic Management Journal 9, 287–309]. The objective of this study is to scrutinize why these firms were unsuccessful in turning around and identify gaps between the firms’ actions and the empirical model of turnaround proposed by Robbins and Pearce. Two key turnaround measures, i.e., retrenchment and recovery are explored in detail and discussed in the context of the firms. The need for studying turnaround strategies is warranted as the number of hospitality firms that perish because of unsuccessful turnaround strategies is on the increase. Since turnaround strategies have not been pursued vigorously as a stream of research within the hospitality industry context, this approach would provide a framework for hospitality researchers to initiate similar future research efforts, which in turn would help the industry cope with turnaround.     

社会建设与行政本位的战略视点

中国特色社会主义事业总体布局中“四位一体”的社会建设,可理解为包括社会事业体系、社会保障体系、社会管理体系、社会服务体系、社会指标体系等在内的社会建设。政府在社会建设中的职能,应是着重于这五大体系的建设,并从中形成行政本位的战略视点。     

国际视域下德国科学计量学影响力研究

2019年普赖斯奖获得者是德国科学计量学家LutzBornmann，至此在30位普赖斯奖获得者中，德国共有两位学者获此殊荣，反映了德国科学计量学研究在国际上的重要地位。因此，有必要对德国科学计量学发展及国际影响力进行研究。以Scientometrics期刊数据以及施引文献作为数据来源，通过使用词频分析、战略坐标图、文献计量分析、Python爬虫方法、引文分析展现德国科学计量学在国际舞台上的战略地位。结果发现，第一阶段德国科学计量学发展处于较为领先的地位，但第二阶段稍逊于第一阶段。德国在科学计量学领域的发展有较为明显的领头羊效应，即第一、第二阶段都有一家机构、一名学者一枝独秀，引领德国乃至世界科学计量学发展。     

The use and value of qualitative research studies

Qualitative research provides rich insights into many marketing problems and, with appropriate interpretation, will provide detailed solutions. This article describes the benefits of conducting qualitative research and cites its appropriateness to specific marketing questions. Examples of qualitative research and its application to marketing and business decisions are provided.     

The Current Status, Advantages and Disadvantages, Path and Strategy Choice of RMB Internationalization

本文首先诠释了货币国际化的含义、衡量标准及决定因素;其次分析了人民币国际化的现状、进程及利弊;最后,根据当前的国际政治、经济、文化格局及货币国际化模式选择,认为人民币国际化将是一个漫长的过程,我国应采取渐进式的人民币国际化路径,在地域扩张、货币职能、演进历程上分别采取＂三步走＂的发展战略。