Taxing and spending in the long view: the causal structure of US fiscal policy, 1791-1913

Causal relations between US federal taxation and expenditureare analyzed using an approach based on the invariance of econometricrelationships in the face of structural interventions. Institutionalevidence for interventions or changes of regime and econometrictests for structural breaks are used to investigate the relativestability of conditional and marginal probability distributionsfor each variable. The patterns of stability are the productsof the underlying causal order. Consistent with earlier workon the post World War II period, we find that dominant causaldirection (with only a short-lived reversal) runs from taxesto spending in the period before World War I.     

Mind the gap: line managers as effective or non‐effective talent spotters

Due to the centrality of line managers’ role in the talent identification process, this qualitative study aims to determine what effective and non‐effective talent spotters do differently from one another in relation with an ‘ideal’ talent identification model offered by the literature. A double‐blind design was applied to the sample designated by the Corporate Talent Management Director of a Latin American multinational firm. 20 senior and middle managers, some effective and some others non‐effective, who work in different countries, participated in the study. Findings show that effective talent spotters perform three key stages of the talent identification model and they do it extremely well: differentiation of potential from performance, matching process and design of developmental challenges. The clear differentiation of potential from performance constitutes the crucial stage since a fuzzy differentiation taints the following stages. Not only is it necessary to perform these key stages but they should be executed in line with the principles of the talent management literature. Recommendations for practice, including specific guidelines for Talent Managers are proposed.     

Born under a lucky star? Latin American CEOs' perceptions about their own career development

This article explores Latin American Chief Executive Officers' (CEOs') perceptions about the influence of career self-management practices and chance events on their career pathways. Through an edited topical life story approach, we investigate the relationship between those variables throughout CEO's career trajectories in the Latin American context. Semi-structured in-depth interviews with 22 CEOs working for multinational companies were conducted. Interviews were transcribed and analyzed with the aid of QSR NVivo 7 software. The study showed that even in volatile macroeconomic environments, typical of Latin American countries, CEOs do plan their careers. Career planning constitutes the backbone of the career management process. To deal with low predictability chance events, CEOs relied on active development network as the main career self-management practice. However, choice of mobility was the key career self-management behavior when responding to high predictability chance events. These central strategies were frequently combined with other career self-management practices, taking into consideration the type of chance event being responded to. According to this study, if individuals want to develop their careers in unstable environments, they will need to be proficient in career self-management practices, with particular emphasis on network development and choice of job mobility, as well as in happenstance skills.     

Dimensions of Customer Value of Website Communication in Business-to-Business Relationships

The study aims at eliciting dimensions of customer value (CV) of website communication in business-to-business relationships. It draws upon the literature on CV and the interaction approach, utilizing a qualitative case study in the elevator industry. The study portrays seven dimensions of CV of website communication in business-to-business relationships: convenience, efficiency, competence, confidence, comfort, appreciation and enjoyment.     

Website Communication and Business Relationships – Matches and Mismatches

Drawing upon the interaction approach, the internet marketing literature, and qualitative case studies, the paper depicts website communication strategies that match and mismatch different stages of business-to-business relationships. To achieve the match, the more the relationship is developed, the more individualized website communication should be employed. Mismatch situations that hinder a relationship can occur not only when websites are underdeveloped but also when websites are overdeveloped and too individualized, falling short to utilize sellers’ investments.