Regional influences on the prevalence of family versus non-family start-ups

We integrate insights from family business and organizational ecology into the entrepreneurship field by constructing a theoretical framework that explains how the regional context impacts family and non-family start-ups in differing ways. Regional count data models based on a rich longitudinal dataset reveal that while economic factors such as population size and growth in regions are primarily associated with the number of non-family start-ups, factors related to regional embeddedness, such as pre-existing small family businesses as well as favorable community attitudes toward small businesses, are more strongly associated with the number of family start-ups. Our research provides support for the notion that ‘the regional context’ is an important yet under-theorized area for research on venture creation and family business.     

Recognizing the Significance of Culture and Ethnicity: Exploring Hidden Assumptions of Homogeneity

Despite increasing focus on culture and its impact upon study results, researchers may be unaware of or ignore their own cultural biases and assumptions in interpretation of the data. Often when similarities exist between researcher and participant, the researcher may assume cultural homogeneity exists. This article provides an illustration of the problematic nature of such assumptions through the examination of a study on entrepreneurship and the intersection of work, leisure, and family. Participants included 13 men and women who were home-based business entrepreneurs living in an urban community within Newfoundland, Canada. Additional themes were uncovered when culture was addressed, including the importance of family, the division between public and private in the household, and the interconnection of gender and culture. A recommendation is given to use greater care when conducting research with participants who share a similar racial background with the researcher.     

The impact of age and family life experiences on Mexican visitor shopping expenditures

Mexican Nationals frequently visit border towns and other cities in the United States that are in close proximity to their areas of residence for the main purpose of shopping at popular malls and outlet centers. However, it is somewhat difficult to gather the necessary information in order to profile the visitors and develop marketing strategies for targeting the appropriate market segments. The purpose of this paper is to identify the key target markets for U.S. shopping malls based on the age and family life experiences (i.e., marriage and having children) of the Mexican visitors. First, a three-factor ANOVA analysis is used to examine the impact of these characteristics on shopping expenditures, including the interaction effects. Then, a cluster analysis is performed in order to segment the market using age and the family life experience variables. Finally, recommendations are provided based on the expenditures and trip behavior by family life cycle stage.     

家庭因素在大学生发展中的作用———对华中某高校贫困生和富裕生的个案研究

目的：研究家庭因素中的家庭经济条件和家庭教养方式对大学生发展的作用.方法：本研究使用“质的研究方法”,在目的性抽样后,对一贫一富两个大学生使用访谈法与观察法进行研究.结果：家庭经济条件对大学生的生活压力、发展压力有直接影响.家庭教养方式通过幸福感和自尊水平等间接影响大学生的心境与压力应对情况.结论：家庭因素综合而系统地对大学生的成长与发展产生影响.在对待贫困生和富裕生的发展问题时,不仅要考虑家庭经济条件的影响,而且要重视家庭教养方式等其他家庭因素的影响.     

Notes on some present day Questions regarding Mortality

Abstract

In the absence of any definite development of actuarial science in Great Britain which would be a suitable subject for this paper I considered that the most useful course would be to discuss some of the problems which are at present exercising my own mind, and no doubt the minds of many of my colleagues. Probably, many of these questions are akin to others which arise in other countries, so that their discussion at a meeting such as this may prove of mutual interest, while even if they are peculiar to ourselves, a disclosure of our doubts and difficulties will indicate the directions in which future developments may be expected. I must, however, emphasize that any views expressed are purely personal, and do not in any way pretend to represent a consensus of British actuarial opinion. Throughout this paper only Ordinary (as opposed to Industrial) business in considered.     

Harmonizing conflict in husband–wife purchase decision making: perceived fairness and spousal influence dynamics

To market important products to families successfully, salespeople must understand how couples behave in concert to resolve conflict across major decisions. The authors develop a model of spousal fairness and test it with a study of multi-period family purchase decision making. The results show that a spousal sense of fairness serves as a mechanism for contemporary couples to harmonize conflict over time in family decisions. Specifically, spouses’ perceived fairness mediates the relationship between spousal prior influence and spousal decision behavior in subsequent decisions. Spouses also consider their partner’s perceptions of fairness when taking action to restore fairness. Moreover, the effects of perceived fairness are moderated by spousal traits of empathy, egalitarianism, and empowerment in a gendered pattern.

意大利美第奇家族银行的兴衰探析

关第奇家族银行从1397年建立,到1494年被其政治对手充公、结束历史使命为止．前后近百年,经历了比齐（1360-1428年）的创业、科西莫（1389-1464年）的辉煌和高多索（1416—1469年）、劳伦佐（1449-1492年）的衰落三个阶段,为中世纪佛罗伦萨经济谱写了辉煌的篇章。美第奇家族银行作为欧洲15世纪最著名的银行之一,在银行管理上形成了独具特色的控股公司的形式。在世界经济发展史上留下了自己的痕迹。在经济日新月异的今天,研究美第奇家族银行对全面了解关第奇家族对意大利文艺复兴的贡献和现代企业的发展仍具有重要的现实意义。