Nested model comparison with structural equation approaches

Potential problems with the conventional nested model comparison procedure in the structural equation models context are discussed. It is argued that fixing parameter values might lead to creation of different unobservables in the nested model. A number of alternative ways of conducting model comparisons are reviewed and applied in a marketing example.     

《课程要求》下的外语学习策略训练

《：大学英语课程教学要求（试行）》将学习策略作为大学英语教学的主要内容之一,因此,我们有必要探讨学习策略在外语教学中的重要性,分析策略训练中应注意的问题,以适应大学英语教改的要求,从而提高学生的自主学习能力。     

An integrated production–distribution model for the dynamic location and allocation problem with safety stock optimization

The design and management of a multi-stage production–distribution system is one of the most critical problems in logistics and in facility management. Companies need to be able to evaluate and design different configurations for their logistic networks as quickly as possible. This means coordinating the entire supply chain effectively in order to minimize costs and simultaneously optimize facilities location, the allocation of customer demand to production/distribution centers, the inbound and outbound transportation activities, the product flows between production and/or warehousing facilities, the reverse logistics activities, etc.Full optimization of supply chain is achieved by integrating strategic, tactical, and operational decision-making in terms of the design, management, and control of activities. The cost-based and mixed-integer programming model presented in this study has been developed to support management in making the following decisions: the number of facilities (e.g. warehousing systems, distribution centers), the choice of their locations and the assignment of customer demand to them, and also incorporate tactical decisions regarding inventory control, production rates, and service-level determination in a stochastic environment. This paper presents an original model for the dynamic location–allocation problem with control of customer service level and safety stock optimization. An experimental analysis identifies the most critical factors affecting the logistics cost, and to finish, an industrial application is illustrated demonstrating the effectiveness of the proposed optimization approach.     

Challenges for ground operations arising from aircraft concepts using alternative energy

Current research in the field of future aircraft concepts aims at accommodating ambitious reduction goals set by national and international regulators. These concepts should be investigated not only with regard to aircraft efficiency, but also in terms of their compatibility with airline operations, existing ground handling procedures and airport infrastructure requirements, as these influence the overall performance of a future aircraft concept. This paper addresses this aspect, focusing on case studies concerning hybrid-electric and universally-electric aircraft concepts, analyzing implications for current ground handling operations at the airport. Current bottlenecks, such as capacity shortages, and potential areas of improvement are identified based on a state-of-the-art reference ground handling process. To this end, requirements of different stakeholders, including airports, airlines and ground handling providers, are outlined. In the next step, insights are contrasted with operational requirements of the future aircraft concepts under consideration. The paper stresses the anticipated challenges involved in aligning future aircraft requirements with current procedures, discusses the necessary adaptions to operational processes. The results highlight changes that need to be made to the current system before an aircraft can enter service, and provide an initial basis for the strategic planning of the stakeholders involved.     

Failure of the national flood insurance partnership

For nearly a decade flood insurance was provided by a unique partnership arrangement involving the federal government and the private insurance industry. This study examines (1) the rationale for establishing subsidized flood insurance in the United States, (2) the government-industry partnership formed to provide flood insurance, (3) the reasons why the partnership failed, and (4) the implications of the failure for future joint ventures between government and industry.     

Labor process control in modern organizations: Subtle effects of structure

Labor process control in today's work organizations is more subtle and sophisticated than in previous eras. Mechanisms such as personnel selection, training and socialization, organizational technology, organizational architecture, organizational structure, and organizational ideology and languages produce strong compliance pressures, often without appearing part of an intricate control network. Studies of organizational control intellectually grounded in systems theory have focused on processes designed to correct the occasional “deviant” action, leaving unfocused mechanisms which tend to ensure routinely compliant behavior. This article identifies subtle controlling influences resulting from the structuring of organizations. Three major dimensions of organizational structure—specialization, hierarchy of authority, and formalization—are analyzed to determine their effects on patterns of employee compliance. Although modern organizational control processes such as structural design subtly produce powerful compliance pressures on employees, conflict in organizations between capital and labor is not suppressed. Workplace struggles are an inevitable aspect of modern organization and emerge even within the confines of sophisticated controls.     

Price structure as a marketing variable: An experimental investigation

This study examines the relative impact on preferences of price level and price-structure variables. A pair of four-factor experimental designs were developed to investigate the preferences of students for automobile price structures and recent homebuyers for various price arrangements in buying a house. The findings indicate that, for a majority of the subjects, the structural variables of down payment, interest rate, and monthly payment are more important than price level in determining overall preferences.     

Simple theories for complex processes: Accounting policy and the market for myopia

The tendency to use simplified models to capture and predict complex phenomena in the social sciences is discussed and criticized by examining a paper on policymaking, Watts and Zimmerman's “Demand for and Supply of Accounting Theories: The Market for Excuses.” Criticism of the paper takes three forms: 1) the methodology and testability is shown to be suspect; 2) the applicability of the evidence cited to the propositions stated is questioned; 3) contrary evidence is given to rebut the theory.     

Cooperation and conflict between industrial sales and production

This study examines the potential for cooperation between the sales and production functions in the composite can and tube industry. The interfunctional communications perceptions, role-partner choices, and personal value attributions of incumbents in four key positions are examined. While perceptions, choices, and attributions are found to interact differently in different positions, the overall effect suggests a greater potential for conflict and dominance than for cooperation.     

贵州省金融发展与经济增长的实证研究

采用理论分析与实证分析相结合的方式,对贵州省金融发展与经济增长关系进行研究。首先对贵州省经济增长及金融发展现状进行定性分析。其次,对贵州省金融发展与经济增长进行因果关系分析,分析贵州省金融发展和经济增长之间的相互影响。最后,对贵州省金融发展提出几点政策建议。