The New Economic Geography

Recently, the 'new economic geography' literature has developed as a theory of the emergence of large agglomerations which relies on increasing returns to scale and transportation costs. This literature builds on diverse intellectual traditions. It combines the insights of traditional regional science with those of modern trade theory and thus attempts to provide an integrative approach to interregional and international trade. The paper surveys this literature and discusses its relation to earlier approaches to similar topics.     

基于粗糙集的决策方法及其在房地产预测中的应用

利用差别矩阵的差别元素的重要度的思想给出了信息系统属性的重要度，然后利用该重要度给出了信息系统中属性的权重，再由属性的权重给出了将信息系统转化成决策机构表的方法。在此基础上，利用正区域的大小作为属性选择标准，给出决策树的生成算法。将该算法运用到产品销售预测过程中，获取了一些较合理的简洁规则。     

The crisis cloud's silver linings: The effects of hope and gratitude on employee burnout and engagement

A crisis such as the COVID-19 pandemic has a tremendous impact on organisations and their employees. Building on the job demands–resources model, conservation of resources theory and the broaden-and-build theory of positive emotions, we examined the influence of job stressors on employee burnout, as well as how positive emotions can help employees thrive in tough times. We collected data from 503 Australian employees during the transition period of the COVID-19 crisis, when the country had reached a high vaccination rate and was starting to prepare to return to pre-crisis normal. Our findings show that financial insecurity has a direct impact on employee burnout, whereas a health threat has only an indirect effect. Further, our findings highlight the importance of positive emotions. Hope for the post-crisis future was found to buffer the negative impact of financial insecurity and reduce employee burnout, and feeling gratitude at work was found to mitigate the effects of burnout and enhance employee engagement even when employees are emotionally exhausted.     

To praise or not to praise- Role of word of mouth in food delivery apps

This study examined the determinants of word of mouth, using the dual-factor theory in the context of food delivery apps (FDA) during the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic, which has created unique challenges and opportunities for the hospitality industry. We proposed and tested an integrated model by examining both enablers (i.e., trust, perceived benefit, quality control) and inhibitors (i.e., advertisement overload, perceived threat, quality issues) of FDA usage as antecedents of positive word of mouth (PWOM) and negative word of mouth (NWOM). Our results revealed that trust and perceived benefit drive PWOM, while advertisement overload and quality issues lead to NWOM. We also found some counterintuitive and unique results; for instance, perceived benefit leads to NWOM, the perceived threat does not result in NWOM, and quality control does not necessarily result in PWOM. Through these findings, we provide empirical evidence and recommend managerial interventions to help restaurant owners and FDAs navigate crises like the ongoing pandemic.     

Investigating the importance of positive hotel design

Despite customers’ attention to well-being, scant research has examined the role of positive hotel design to enhance customers’ well-being and brand evaluations. Derived from the positive design framework and Stimulus-Organism-Response model, this study investigated effects of positive design factors on customers’ responses in the context of the hotel industry. Findings from this study identified that corporate social responsibility to environment, escapism, and compatibility positively influenced customers’ well-being; whereas, only escapism and compatibility influenced self-brand connection. Both well-being and self-brand connection led to customers’ brand loyalty. Results provided suggestions to hotel managers in developing meaningful customer experiences through the lens of positive design.     

Differential effects of atmospheric cues on emotions and loyalty intention with respect to age under online/offline environment

Effects of atmospheric cues are usually not compared across offline and online contexts as well as across age groups. This study proposes a model that examines the effect of the atmospheric cues graphics design and information design on positive emotions and loyalty intentions. The model is compared across offline and online stores and regards the consumers' age as moderator. A field study was conducted, which collected data from 363 customers. Hypotheses are tested using structural equation modeling. Results for the offline context reveal that graphics design foster positive emotions and loyalty. Information design predicts loyalty. Results for the online context reveal that information design is salient over graphics design. Information design fosters positive emotions and loyalty, while graphics design does not. Further, we found that in the offline context positive emotions predict loyalty among younger customers but not among older ones. In the online context the effect of graphics design on loyalty is stronger and, thus, significant for younger customers than compared to older ones.     

Taking in the good: How to facilitate savoring in work organizations

Recognizing, enhancing, and appreciating positive experiences in our lives, also known as savoring, has many benefits. Research on savoring suggests that practicing savoring is linked to positive outcomes, such as increased happiness and general well-being. Organizations should be aware of the positive implications of practicing savoring and should seek to develop savoring norms, as this can contribute to organizational success. This article discusses the savoring of positive experiences and its application in the workplace. Specifically, this article will provide an overview of strategies aimed at enhancing savoring, as well as past research findings that highlight the utility of these strategies. Different barriers and solutions to savoring are discussed, in addition to the importance of the context in cultivating savoring norms in the workplace.     

Positive emotions and spirituality in older travelers

This paper explores the potential of travel to generate self-transcendent positive emotions and contribute to the spirituality of travelers. Senior travelers are chosen as the target group for this research as spirituality and focus on emotions are salient characteristics of older adults. Sixteen depth interviews are conducted with experienced travelers aged 60–85. Content analysis reveals that travelling generates three categories of self-transcendent positive emotions including awe of natural beauty and Man’s harmonious relationship with nature, awe of manmade heritage and artistic beauty, admiration of other people and appreciation of kindness. Respondents also describe how travelling positively influences their spirituality by giving a positive meaning to their lives and nurturing their reflection on the meaning of life.     

“Towards a co-creation framework in the retail banking services industry: Do demographics influence?”

Although many firms profess to adopt a customer-centric approach many are yet to embrace the notion that value is not solely created within the boundaries of the firm, that it is created co-jointly with outside parties. As such, value co-creation has increasing importance in modern marketing, impulsed by Service-Dominant Logic. While co-creation is a hot-topic in the marketing literature, services marketing literature recognizes the impact of demographic characteristics in consumer behavior. However, literature analysing the effects of demographics in co-creations models is very scarce.Therefore, the aim of this paper is to examine a set of outcomes of co-creation (satisfaction, loyalty and WOM) from a customer perspective. More, this research also analyses the potential moderating effect of demographic characteristics such as gender and age in this co-creative framework.The results show that co-creation directly affects customer satisfaction, customer loyalty and WOM. Co-creation also results in increased levels of customer satisfaction, which in turn mediates the effect of co-creation on customer loyalty and positive WOM. Data also reveal different patterns of behavior depending on gender and age.This paper contributes to the understanding of co-creation from a customer viewpoint. Firms should strive to foster co-creation initiatives as this can lead to increased levels of customer satisfaction, more loyal customers and the possibility of attracting new customers through positive WOM by current customers. Customers databases must be segmented for higher levels of marketing campaigns efficiency.     

关于积极财政政策挤出效应的研究文献综述

积极财政政策否存在挤出效应一直是目前学术界争论的焦点,存在这样的两种观点：一是以吴俊培为代表,认为积极财政政策具有一定的挤出效应,另外一种以郭庆旺为代表,则否认我国的积极财政政策具有挤出效应。财政加大生产性支出有助于提高社会资本收益率水平,因为在其他条件不变的情况下,民间投资与资本收益率正相关,证明了财政投资不排挤私人投资。