Chinese MNEs and managerial knowledge transfer in Africa: the case of the construction sector in Ghana

This paper considers the case of managerial knowledge spillovers from Chinese FDI in Africa, in the context of the Ghanaian construction sector. Using empirical data from in-depth qualitative interviews, the paper first identifies key channels and determinants of managerial knowledge spillovers. Limited local employment at the managerial level in Chinese construction firms is the main impediment to managerial knowledge spillovers from these firms. Cultural and linguistic barriers can explain this situation. Localisation strategies, defined as the progressive replacement of Chinese managers by local ones, can help overcome these barriers and foster managerial knowledge spillovers.     

Modeling FDI based on a spatially augmented gravity model: Evidence for Central and Eastern European Countries

Based on a spatially augmented gravity model, the current paper isolates spatial interrelationships in foreign direct investment (FDI) to Central and Eastern European Countries (CEECs) not only across the destination but also across the origin country dimension of FDI. Results show that (i) spatial interrelationships across destination countries are present and are consistent with the predominance of vertical-complex FDI in total FDI; (ii) spatial correlation across origin countries is given in earlier years of transition, while spillover and competition effects cancel over the whole sample period; and (iii) agglomeration forces gain in importance for FDI to CEECs.     

Book review

The existing literature on offshoring neglects the importance of host country conditions in affecting the boundaries of a firm. In this paper, we focus on the role of the host country's human capital in affecting the organization of offshore production. Acknowledging that an input is produced offshore only after training the host labor, we propose that this training cost depends on the human capital gap between the home and the host country. Our model finds that a sourcing firm prefers to offshore production internationally only if the human capital gap between the home and the host country is below a threshold. Secondly, as the human capital gap increases, the probability for international outsourcing vis-à-vis intra-firm trade increases. Finally, as opposed to conventional wisdom, our model shows the possibility of outsourcing inputs of a high-tech good when the human capital gap between the home and the host is high.     

旅游外语教学中渗透中外文化差异述论

中外文化差异对涉外旅游业有重要影响，在旅游外语教学中渗透有关中外文化差异的内容，能激发学生的学习兴趣、改善学生的知识结构、提高学生的交际能力和意识、提升涉外旅游活动的文化品位，有效提高旅游外语专业人才的文化素养，促进中外文化的交流、交融。     

缓解人民币的升值压力：提工资还是升汇率？

当前人民币面临的升值压力有社会的、政治的以及经济的等各种因素,但其根本则在于,中国劳动者的工资低下,这与生产要素的一价化原则相差甚远。因此,要缓解减少贸易顺差的压力,在提高人民币汇率和工人工资两大措施之间,后者是根本性的,这也是缓和国内收入分配急速拉大趋势的需要。     

FDI对我国城乡居民收入差距影响的实证分析

外商直接投资,即FDI,对于促进我国经济发展、经济技术水平的提升有着非常显著的作用。本文以我国大陆1993～2008年期间时间序列数据作为研究样本,实证分析了外商直接投资对我国城乡居民收入差距的具体影响,扩大了中国的城乡收入差距。     

论我国对外贸易中的环境成本内部化

在我国对外贸易迅速发展的同时,资源浪费、生态环境受到污染的现象也日益严峻。环境成本内部化理论的提出,为解决国际贸易中的环境污染问题指明了一条道路。环境成本内部化使出口企业的生产成本增加,必然影响我国外贸出口。各有关方面应采取积极有效的措施,应对环境成本内部化,实现贸易与环境的协调发展。     

嘉兴早期教会学校的教育理念及其影响——以秀州中学为例

以秀州中学为例，对20世纪初美国南长老会在嘉兴创办教会学校初期所做的大量工作、办学模式及教育理念做了综合调查与分析。嘉兴早期教会学校师资力量比较强，关爱教育对象，通过多样化课程和丰富的教育实践促进学生的兴趣和个性发展，重视学生的实践能力和综合素质培养，建立了“学校市”的民主自治管理和实践模式以培养学生的自治管理能力和社会实践能力。这对当代教育具有积极的借鉴和启示作用。