CROSS‐DOCKING AND ITS IMPLICATIONS IN LOCATION‐DISTRIBUTION SYSTEMS

Cross‐docking replaces traditional warehousing, enabling continuous flow of items without storage. Here we model location‐distribution networks, that include cross‐docking facilities, to obtain the latter's impact on the supply chain. We formulate optimization models to minimize total cost in three multi‐echelon networks, each model generalizing the preceding one. The first includes a single manufacturer, one product type, and multiple customers. Cross‐docks are to be located between origin and destinations. Besides solving optimally, a tool for quantitative analysis of direct‐shipment decisions is developed. The second model considers more than one product: We determine a cost‐effective sequence of items for indirect shipment (via cross‐docks). Finally, in a network with multiple origins, optimal solutions are obtained for 40 medium‐sized and larger examples.     

On Sraffa's Standard commodity: is its price invariant with respect to changes in income distribution?

In his 1960 book, Sraffa suggested using a composite commodity,which he called the ‘Standard commodity’, to solveRicardo's search for an invariable measure of value, i.e., astandard capable of isolating the price movements of any othercommodity induced by changes in income distribution. The absencein Sraffa's book of an explicit proof of the invariance propertyof this standard gave rise to many misunderstandings about itsmeaning and its role as an invariable measure of value. In orderto clear up these questions, Bellino (On Sraffa's Standard commodity,Cambridge Journal of Economics, vol. 28, 121–32, 2004)has proposed a ‘proper’ definition of an ‘invariablemeasure of value’, showing that Sraffa's Standard commoditydoes fulfil the requirements of this definition. He claims thatthe fulfilment of this property (but not the constancy of its‘nominal’ price) qualifies the Standard commodityas an invariable measure of value. In this paper, a proof ofthe invariance of the price of the Standard commodity with respectto changes in income distribution is given, and the equivalenceof this property with Bellino's definition of invariance isshown.     

结构突变对实证估计方法选择的影响：以人民币汇率为例

本文在详细归纳结构突变的单位根检验方法基础上,以2002—2007年间人民币汇率为例探讨了结构突变对于模型估计方法选择的影响。采用结构突变的单位根检验方法得到的检验结果否定了不考虑结构突变的传统ADF检验结果,揭示出人民币兑日元汇率时间序列为结构突变的平稳序列。本文结论表明,是否考虑结构突变将会导致对估计方法作出截然不同的选择,不考虑结构突变可能会带来“伪协整”问题。     

The Industry Determinants of Exchange Rate Pass-Through into Canadian Producer Prices

This paper models and estimates exchange rate pass-through and its determinants in Canadian manufacturing industries. The paper predicts theoretically that the exchange rate pass-through should be between one and zero, where it is positively affected by the share of tradable inputs in production costs and the domestic firms’ market share, and negatively by the elasticity of marginal cost with respect to output. The sign for the degree of product differentiation is not theoretically clear. Results of estimation indicate that pass-through is incomplete and is mostly affected by the share of tradable inputs in production costs (positively) and the elasticity of marginal cost with respect to output (negatively).     

人民币新汇制改革的贸易效应之谜——基于我国对外经济贸易特征视角的协整研究和脉冲分解

关于人民币汇制改革在我国贸易均衡方面的表现,文章运用Johansen模型揭示出:人民币升值是近两年贸易顺差形成的主要推动因素,马歇尔-勒纳条件在我国并不适用;依托于我国现行的经济贸易特征,未来一段时间我国仍将唱响贸易顺差的主旋律;在人民币加速升值的今天注重升值节奏对于保持我国贸易收支的稳定不容忽视,这一观点通过脉冲响应函数与方差分解得到了有效印证.     

The role of entrepÔt trade in the choice of a nominal anchor for Hong Kong

This paper adds a new perspective to the literature of monetary standard by establishing a link between re-exports and the choice of nominal anchor. The model developed is applied to address the controversy over the US dollar versus the renminbi as the nominal anchor for Hong Kong, in the context of its considerable amount of entrepÔt trade with the US and China. It is found that the distinct trade structure of the US-Hong Kong-China triangle significantly reduces Hong Kong's opportunity cost of choosing between the two currencies, its nominal anchor.     

Investigating the impact of demand amplification on freight transport

Despite freight transport operations being influenced by supply chain dynamics, there has been only a very limited investigation into the impact of demand amplification on this function, with almost no analytical research. This paper aims, through spreadsheet simulation of a generic production control system, to quantify the impact of demand amplification on transport performance. Performance measures evaluated include both transport cost and efficiency. The results in general find a negative relationship between transport performance and demand amplification. It is also found that the ratio of vehicle capacity to average demand affects these results.     

The Asian clam Corbicula fluminea in the European freshwater-dependent industry: A latent threat or a friendly enemy?

While the biofouler Corbicula fluminea (Müller, 1774) is known to cause great economic losses in North America, studies reporting the problem in Europe are much scarcer. This paper explores the industrial effects of the species in Portugal, the gateway by which the bivalve entered Europe around 30 years ago. National waterworks, major power stations, cement plants, pulp and paper mills and irrigation systems were surveyed. The industrial impacts of the pest were shown to remain relatively mild; irrigation systems are those that seem to be facing more significant economic losses due to infestation. Possible reasons for the apparent discrepancy between this result and the species dispersal in natural ecosystems are discussed, and recommendations on adequate responses to the latent threat are provided. This study may assist the implementation of integrated pest management policies in countries at risk of invasion or recently invaded, and contribute to an understanding of the species’ progression in industrial environments.     

对SHIBOR作为我国货币市场基准利率的有效性检验

SHIBOR是我国正在培育和发展的基准利率.本文根据国际通行的基准利率标准,运用SHIBOR运行以来的数据,采取理论分析和实证检验的方法,从市场性、基础性、稳定性、可控性、相关性五个方面,对其作为我国货币市场基准利率的有效性进行了全面系统地检验.结果表明,SHIBOR可初步作为基准利率,但有效性偏弱.并提出了改进建议.