A tactical retreat? Conceptualising the dynamics of European grocery retail divestment from East Asia

The internationalisation of the firm is a highly dynamic process, in which periods of investment and expansion intermingle with periods of divestment and retrenchment. Academic research to date has focused on identifying the reasons for and the processes of divestment. Empirical studies either evidence generic pressures or provide case studies of specific incidents. There few longitudinal studies of international divestment, consequently the dynamic interactions between host market, home market and firm level factors, and how the institutional context changes over time is underplayed. This paper seeks to rectify this gap in our understanding.We explore the rationale and evolving dynamics of European grocery retail divestment in East Asia over a thirty year period. Taking an inductive approach and drawing on analysis of contemporary narratives drawn from company documentation, trade journals, newsfeeds and market reports, three phases can be identified characterised by specific factors and combinations of factors which intersect to provide the key pressures and stimuli for divestment. We conclude that at different time periods, different internal and external contextual influences manifest themselves through different priorities within the firm’s strategy – marked by a switch from local (host) market, to regional, to global firm-centric considerations. Longitudinal analyses allow a greater recognition of this dynamic interplay of factors, and the changes in these relationships, and provides a more nuanced understanding of the international divestment process.     

“I Am My Body”. Physical Selves of Police Officers in a Changing Institution

Most studies on identity work have overlooked the corporeal quality of occupational life. Despite calls to attempt such engagement, little is known about the role of the body in occupations for which corporeal elements are central in the affirmation of identity. This study aims to answer such calls by providing a detailed ethnography of police work. Focusing on four bodily practices, we demonstrate how fitness, intimidation, cleanliness, and toughness are central elements to the officers’ construction of self. We thereby highlight the notion of physical selfhood as a way to understand the body/identity nexus among police officers and their capacity to resist new work requirements. We view bodies through a lens of resistance, rather than docility and compliance as much previous research has done. We aim to contribute to scholarship on identity work by portraying the politicization of bodies as a powerful component, thereby helping professionals to deflect some important institutional pressures affecting their work.     

海内外各界对新四军抗战的经济支援

新四军之所以能在艰苦的环境里不断发展起来,并且没有发生八路军1941~1942年间出现的严重困难局面,除了新四军所在的华中地区比较富庶外,还得力于海内外各界对新四军的巨大经济支援。海内外各界的经济支援,保障了新四军最迫切的医药、衣被、器械等方面的急需,为新四军坚持华中敌后抗战提供了强有力的物质支撑。     

电梯主接触器故障分析

通过电梯出现的故障现象及故障代码来判断电梯故障发生的直接原因,为解除电梯故障确立一个分析方向,再通过逐层分析法和实验法将疑点逐一排除,找出引起故障的最终原因：主接触器触点接触不良。     

建筑施工中混凝土抗裂性问题及其对策

混凝土在建筑业中被称作是人工制造的"石头",因为不同类型的混凝土因其强度不同,形状相异,整体性能好,故而,在建筑施工中得到广泛应用。但是,混凝土也有许多缺点,关键的一点就是抗裂性能差。如何在应用过程中保证混凝土强度,提高混凝土抗裂性能在建筑施工过程中是最需要迫切解决的技术难题。所以,本文对混凝土在施工过程中造成裂缝的原因、如何提高混凝土抗裂性的问题进行研究和探讨。     

鸢尾属植物抗旱生理指标的测定

利用聚乙二醇(PEG-6000)以10%、20%、30%三个浓度,将四个品种鸢尾植株进行浸根处理,作为模拟土壤干旱胁迫。测定结果表明:马蔺具有较强的抗旱性。质膜透、MDA含量和SOD活性含量是鸢尾属植物重要的抗旱生理指标。     

高压配电网如何选择中性点接地方式

分析高压配电网中性点各种接地方式的特点,影响其选择的因素,及实际工程应用中应注意的问题。     

叠合箱受弯性能的试验研究与分析

混凝土叠合箱网梁楼盖是一种新型的楼盖形式,是由小型预制构件(混凝土叠合箱)与现浇混凝土肋梁结合成具有连续箱型截面的整体结构。本文通过对网梁楼盖的3块构件进行抗弯性能试验,得到了楼盖在受弯时的破坏机理,给出了截面抗弯承载力计算方法,为此种新的构件形式的工程应用提供了依据。     

10kV小电阻接地系统电流互感器配置

对10 kV小电阻接地系统电流互感器的配置进行分析和探讨,提出具体的配置方案,并进行比较,从而选择合理的配置方案。     

基于ADS1248高精度测温装置的设计

针对疫苗的运送及仓储过程中对环境温度的严格要求,设计了高精度的测温装置。选用了Pt100作为温度传感器,采用四线制测量方法去除了传输线上的干扰,设计了比例测量法使系统的精度仅依赖于一个高精度电阻。选用的ADS1248芯片内部包含了PGA放大器及24位ADC芯片,降低了装置的复杂性,同时具有较高的分辨率。经测试,本装置的测温精确达到0.1℃,能够满足疫苗的运送及仓储的要求。