Hungary's entry into the euro area: Lessons for prospective members from a monetary policy perspective

This paper evaluates the conduct of monetary policy in Hungary using standard Taylor rules as well as extended rules that incorporate real exchange rate effects. Moreover, we explicitly consider the impact of future euro area entry by estimating instrument rules that permit an influence from Maastricht Treaty inflation requirements via the estimation of Markov switching models as well as by estimating a differential rule vis-à-vis the existing euro area. Lastly, the paper also considers the impact on policy rules from the large data revision that affects real exchange rate and output estimates. I find that interest rate setting behavior in Hungary does not resemble that of the euro area. Also, counterfactual experiments reveal that the potential macroeconomic costs of entry into the euro area sooner rather than later may be lower than if membership in the single currency area is delayed beyond 2008.     

Customer service-focused HRM systems and firm performance: evidence from the service industry in Taiwan

Abstract

This study adopts a resource-based view, attraction–selection–attrition theory and a focused approach to examine the link between service-focused human resource management (HRM) systems and firm performance. Internally, we examine employee competency as the ‘black box’ between service-focused HRM systems and firm performance. Externally, we examine the effect of the interplay of a service-focused strategy and service-focused HRM systems in predicting firm performance. We collect data from different sources (i.e. executives, human resource members, and line managers). Using a final sample included 2120 respondents from 175 firms in the service industry in Taiwan, the results show that customer service-focused employee competency transmitted 53% of the effect of customer service-focused HRM systems on firm performance. In addition, when a firm implements a less service-focused business strategy, service-focused HRM systems leads to significant improvement in firm performance. Implications for research are discussed.     

Coproducing healthcare: individual-level impacts of engaging citizens to develop recommendations for reducing diagnostic error

ABSTRACT

Coproduction has received considerable attention from scholars and practitioners in recent years. While theory and some research suggest that coproduction can have individual-level effects on participating lay actors, few studies have tested such hypothesized effects. This study seeks to add to the evidence base for collective coproduction. Using data from a randomized and controlled research project, it examines whether collective coproduction affects participants’ issue awareness, perceived empowerment, trust in service professionals, and support for coproduction. The results provide empirical evidence that collective coproduction can significantly increase issue awareness, empowerment, and trust. The results for support of coproduction are mixed.     

The development of political skill and political capital by global leaders through global assignments

The purpose of this paper is to explain how developing global leaders through global assignments (i.e. in the form of expatriation and inpatriation) may lead to their acquisition of valuable political skill and political capital. First, using the theoretical frame of political influence theory, the benefit of political skill is explained relative to the development and augmentation of global leaders' capital portfolio during global assignments. Second, a distinction between social capital and political capital, as the integral components of global leader's capital portfolio, is made. In conclusion, the value of acquiring political skill and building human, cultural, social and political capital by global leaders is discussed separately for expatriate and inpatriate assignments.     

The role of interpersonal affect in performance appraisal: evidence from two samples – the US and India

The interpersonal affect, a li ke–dislike relationship between a supervisor and his/her subordinate, has traditionally been conceptualized as a source of bias in performance appraisals. However, some researchers have argued that the interpersonal affect may not be a bias, especially where it develops as a result of past performance. In this field study, using data from 190 supervisors in the US, and 113 supervisors in India, we delineate the relationship between interpersonal affect and performance ratings. In both samples, interpersonal affect and performance level were found to have significant effects on performance ratings. Results from the US sample indicated that raters are able to separate their liking for a subordinate from actual performance when a ssigning performance ratings, suggesting that the interpersonal affect does not operate as a bias in the appraisal process. Results from the Indian sample, however, suggest that supervisors inflate ratings of low performers, suggesting that local cultural norms may be operating as a moderator.     

我国会计教育及其改革问题研究的回顾与展望——近十年研究的述评

伴随我国会计改革的进程，会计教育、教学改革也在追一步深化。相关的研究也越来越受到重视。本文采用文献研究的方法．以1993-2002年发表在《会计研究》、《财会月刊》、《财会通讯》、《财务与会计》、《上海会计》．《四川会计》等六种期刊上有关会计教育的文章为样本，对我国近十年来会计教育及其改革问题研究的内容和方法追行了教改系统的分析，并提出一些建议。     

追本溯源话活力--打造成功的城市商业步行街

随着城市化进程的不断推进,"商来步行街"之风席卷全国各地,文章通过对城市商业步行街中人们行为心理需求的分类剖析,探求成功的商业步行街的活力源头,提示了营造充满活力的商业步行街的具体途径.     

城市住宅面面观--兼谈住宅个性化

实现小康社会,城市居住需划、建设、管理工作应该改变观念、调整规划、全盘考虑、制度政策,建立一个健全的机制,为国家、城市提供适应不同城域城市、不同城市区域、不同阶层的住房方案.文章还提出实现住宅个性化,改变城市形象的建议.     

根据企业用人标准提升技校学生的就业能力

技工教育是一种以市场需求为导向、以学生就业为目标的职业教育。技校学生的就业能力是企业在用人方面考察的重点。文章认为,分析现代企业选录用人标准的侧重点,借鉴知名企业培训经验,注重培养技校学生的职业道德素养,加强校企合作,探索技工教育的新思路,以准企业化管理模式开展教育培训工作,能有效提升学生的就业能力。