Differential reporting in Germany - A historical analysis

Based on a contingent perspective of accounting change, this paper reviews the historical development of differential reporting in Germany, by drawing on primary and secondary sources. The main objective of the paper is to shed light on the driving forces and main influential parameters that have shaped the existing differential reporting framework. This historical approach supplies interesting insights for the current discussion on differential reporting in Germany produced by the EU Regulation on the application of International Accounting Standards.     

Blocked-Error-R 2: A Conceptually Improved Definition of the Proportion of Explained Variance in Models Containing Loops or Correlated Residuals

Bentler and Raykov (2000, Journal of Applied Psychology 85: 125–131), and Jöreskog (1999a, http://www.ssicentral.com/lisrel/column3.htm, 1999b http://www.ssicentral. com/lisrel/column5.htm) proposed procedures for calculating R ² for dependent variables involved in loops or possessing correlated errors. This article demonstrates that Bentler and Raykov’s procedure can not be routinely interpreted as a “proportion” of explained variance, while Jöreskog’s reduced-form calculation is unnecessarily restrictive. The new blocked-error-R ² (beR ²) uses a minimal hypothetical causal intervention to resolve the variance-partitioning ambiguities created by loops and correlated errors. Hayduk (1996) discussed how stabilising feedback models – models capable of counteracting external perturbations – can result in an acceptable error variance which exceeds the variance of the dependent variable to which that error is attached. For variables included within loops, whether stabilising or not, beR ² provides the same value as Hayduk’s (1996) loop-adjusted-R ². For variables not involved in loops and not displaying correlated residuals, beR ² reports the same value as the traditional regression R ². Thus, beR ² provides a conceptualisation of the proportion of explained variance that spans both recursive and nonrecursive structural equation models. A procedure for calculating beR ² in any SEM program is provided.     

Efficiency comparisons between two estimators based on matrix determinant Kantorovich-type inequalities

We first establish two matrix determinant Kantorovich-type inequalities. Then, based on these two and other inequalities, we introduce new efficiency criteria and present their upper bounds to make efficiency comparisons between the ordinary least squares estimator and the best linear unbiased estimator in the general linear model. We provide numerical examples to examine the upper bounds of some new and old efficiency criteria. Received: June 1999     

Social capability deficits and productivity behaviour of African manufacturing firms: Evidence from Lesotho garment producers

Despite attempts to induce strong competitiveness in African manufacturing firms, poor productivity performances continue to hinder their ability to operate successfully in international markets. This paper argues that, while many plausible explanations can be put forward for this failing, analysis of the firms' social and institutional contexts can provide useful insights into why they have continued to perform badly. Adopting the technological catch-up framework proposed by Abramovitz (1986) Abramovitz, M. 1986. Catching up, forging ahead and falling behind. Journal of Economic History, 46(2): 385–406. [Crossref], [Web of Science ®] , [Google Scholar], the paper uses the case of Lesotho garment producers to illustrate how an environment characterised by significant social capability deficits has a negative impact on local firms' competitiveness. Strategic interventions to improve the quality of infrastructural services deliveries are suggested as urgently needed remedial measures.     

公平关切下闭环供应链差别定价决策

针对零售商和第三方回收商具有公平关切的情形,研究由制造商主导的三级供应链成员及整个系统的差别定价最优决策。分析了零售商以及第三方回收商公平中性和公平关切两种情形的决策模型。研究发现:零售商以及第三方回收商的公平关切行为最终会造成各自利润的损失,并且对整条供应链利润也是不利的,而这样的公平关切行为对制造商来说却是有利的。同时当公平关切程度较弱时,对整条闭环供应链系统是不利的;而当公平关切程度较强时,对整条闭环供应链系统是有利的。