Greening propensity and performance implications for logistics service providers

Stakeholders in the logistics industry have growing concern about the damage caused by logistics operations to the environment. Logistics service providers (LSPs) have taken steps to pursue environmental objectives by involving customers in their operations. This study defines greening propensity (GP) as “involvement of customers to perform logistics activities to achieve environmental performance”. We analyze survey data collected from the logistics industry in Hong Kong to address the following questions: What are the categories of greening capability in LSPs? What are the performance outcomes of LSPs’ greening capability? Theoretical contributions and implications of the study results are discussed.     

改革开放以来中国城镇居民消费结构变动及区域差异

近年来,我国主要靠投资拉动经济增长的方式越来越难以持续,因此,扩大内需和调整投资与消费的关系是我国经济结构调整的迫切需要。文章选取东、中、西部有代表性的江苏、山西和四川三省,比较其城镇居民消费结构的相同点、差异及变动趋势,得出的结论是:中西部地区由于收入水平偏低,虽然其边际消费倾向较高,但总体消费能力有限;而东部地区虽然收入较高,但边际消费倾向较低,所以也影响其总消费量,故而全国有效需求不足,不利于启动内需与调整经济结构。最后据此提出了缩小区域之间差距、提高城镇居民,尤其东部地区居民的发展性消费等建议。     

比较分析扩大内需措施

消费是生产的惟一目的，扩大内需是我国经济发展长期基本立足点。文章认为扩大内需首要任务是扩大居民消费，以此为出发点，分析了制约我国居民消费的瓶颈因素，并相应评析了常用扩大内需措施，发现很多措施不利于长期经济健康发展。因此，我国应改变扩大内需的方式，以更宽阔的眼光寻求扩大内需的有效措施，确保国民经济又好又快发展。     

The Influence of Entrepreneurial Risk Assessment on Venture Launch or Growth Decisions

Entrepreneurs are thought to engage in riskier behavior than nonentrepreneurs, yet little empirical evidence supports that intuitively appealing notion. We argue instead that differences in information, not risk aversion, may explain the decision to launch or grow a venture. We separately test risk taking propensity and risk assessment. We hypothesize that entrepreneurs will not differ from nonentrepreneurs on risk taking propensity. Additionally, we propose and test a model of risk assessment. The sample size for this exploratory study is n=53 with 30 respondents declaring themselves as entrepreneurs and 23 declaring themselves as nonentrepreneurs. The study’s design is a simulation. Each respondent is provided with data on a potential acquisition that would result in either the launch of a new venture or significant growth for an existing firm. Consistent with the hypotheses, the results show no difference between entrepreneurs and nonentrepreneurs on the risk taking measure. We also find that we can predict entrepreneurial behavior based on risk assessment. We close with a discussion of limitations and directions for future research.     

股权激励存在持续性的激励效应吗？--基于倾向得分匹配法的实证分析

为克服样本选择偏误,本文采用倾向得分匹配法,在六年的时间框架内检验了股权激励效应的持续性问题。研究发现：整体而言,激励组的ROE和Tobin’s Q值均显著高于控制组,说明股权激励能有效地提高企业的财务绩效和市场价值;激励组的ROE在股权激励计划实施后的三年时间里均显著高于控制组,三年之后逐渐与控制组无显著差异,表明股权激励对企业财务绩效的提升作用能持续三年时间;激励组的Tobin’s Q值在实施的第一年与控制组无显著差异,但在随后的四年时间里均显著高于控制组,表明股权激励对企业市场价值存在长达四年的持续提升作用,但存在为期一年的时滞效应。     

Comparison of Effects from Different Institutions: Public Credit Guarantee in Korea*

We aim to compare the activities of the two main credit guarantee institutions in Korea. There has been mounting criticism that although these institutions were mandated to play different roles in financing small and medium‐sized enterprises (SME), their operations are, in fact, similar, and many SME receive overlapping support from both institutions. Using the propensity score matching method (allowing for multiple, mutually exclusive support scenarios) to compare the effects of PCG on different institutions, the present study provides suggestions to help the government make decisions regarding the consolidation of PCG funds. The results suggest that the institutions function differently and target different SME. However, overlapping support enables firms to expand their sales only, indicating the existence of inefficiency in the case of overlapping support to firms.     

Visiting Propensity Predicted by Destination Image

Abstract

In destination market positioning, the destination image plays a pivotal role. Due to the interrelationship between destination choice behavior and image, there is an increased interest in the destination image as a predictor variable in a destination choice model. The research presents a binary logistic model to evaluate factors affecting the propensity of potential German travelers visiting the U.S. The overall impression, perceptive image, sociodemographic variables and previous visits are examined in a visiting propensity context. Empirical results of this study showed that the overall image is the most significant factor in influencing destination choice, along with the perceptive image based on destination attributes. The relative importance of the destination image was assessed as being higher than other factors.     

An integrated framework for the conceptualization of consumers’ perceived-risk processing

Research on risk is built on a complex array of diverse and sometimes inconsistent definitions, constructs, models, and outcomes. This study examines various literatures to formulate an integrated framework for the conceptualization of perceived-risk processing. The framework specifies three phases (framing, assessment, and evaluation) and their accompanying outcomes of risk attention, perceived risk, and risk-taking propensity. Explicit linkages are specified between situational and individual characteristics. Perceived-risk evaluation is identified as concepturally distinct from assessment of perceived risk, and the construct of risk-taking propensity is separated from those of risk affinity and perceived risk. The framework further presents points of intersection between the literatures on perceived risk and the literatures on consumer decision-making, information search, and satisfaction. Finally, it serves as an anchor for framing future research to promote conceptual and methodological consistency, and to guide progress in directions that are consistent with some leading edge paradigms outside of marketing. Margy P. Conchar (concharm@mail.ecu.edu; Ph.D., University of Georgia) is an assistant professor at East Carolina University. Her research focuses on consumer behavior and advertising. Her work in consumer behavior concentrates on risk, motives, and optimal consumption experience. Her research in advertising focuses on the interface between advertising and finance, accounting, or economics. She has previously published in the proceedings of the Academy of Marketing Science, the Association for Consumer Research, the American Marketing Association of Educators, and the Society for Marketing Advances. George M. Zinkhan (gzinkhan@terry.uga.edu; Ph.D., University of Michigan) is the Coca-Cola Company Chair of Marketing at the University of Georgia. His major research interests include advertising, promotion, e-commerce, and knowledge development. Two of his recent coauthored books includeConsumers (2004, McGraw-Hill) andElectronic Commerce: A Strategic Perspective (2000, Dryden). Cara Peters (petersc@winthrop.edu; Ph.D., University of Nebraska) is an assistant professor at Winthrop University. Her research lies in the general areas of consumer behavior and e-commerce. Primarily using mixed methods, she examines risky consumer behaviors as they relate to sociology and psychology. She has published in theJournal of Consumer Psychology andConsumption, Markets, and Culture, among other journals. Sergio Olavarrieta (solavar@negocios.uchile.cl; Ph.D., University of Georgia) is an assistant professor at Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile. He is assistant dean of undergraduate programs at the School of Business and Economics at the University of Chile. His research focuses on branding and marketing strategy. He has previously published in theJournal of Strategic Marketing and theInternational Journal of Product Distribution and Logistics Management.     

Is There Persistence in the Impact of Emergency Food Aid? Evidence on Consumption, Food Security, and Assets in Rural Ethiopia

We identify the impact of emergency food aid programs after the 2002 drought in rural Ethiopia on future welfare. Based on a difference-in-differences matching estimator, participation in food-for-work increases growth in total consumption and food consumption eighteen months after the drought. Separately, receiving free food raises growth in food consumption, but, surprisingly, negatively impacts food security. Food-for-work benefited households in the middle and upper tail of the consumption distribution, while the better-targeted free food program benefited the poorest. Evidence suggests these impacts demonstrate accumulated and persistent effects of food aid received in the first twelve months after the drought.     

土地流转对农户贫困脆弱性的影响研究

研究目的:探究土地流转对农户贫困脆弱性的影响,为防范农户陷入贫困和解决农村贫困提供理论和实证依据。研究方法:本文借助2016年湖北省1682个农户实地调查数据,基于倾向得分匹配法(PSM)和回归方程的Shapley值分解法,分别考察国定贫困线、1.9美元贫困线和3.1美元贫困线下不同类型土地有无转出和转出面积对农户贫困脆弱性的影响。研究结果:土地转出能够显著降低农户的贫困脆弱性,且农户贫困脆弱性随着转出土地面积的增加而降低;从土地转出的异质性来看,水田转出对缓解农户贫困脆弱性的效果更为明显,旱地转出的效果次之。研究结论:应进一步加快农村土地流转,释放农村剩余劳动力,不断增加农户收入,从而降低农户贫困脆弱性。