Strategic policy revisited: The origins of mass production in the motor industry of Argentina,Korea and Spain, 1945–87

During the postwar ‘golden age’ of economic growth, Argentina, Korea and Spain promoted the development of their motor industries by restricting imports, licensing investment, imposing a high level of local sourcing for parts, and supporting their own national champions. These strategic policies took advantage of economies of scale, achieving significant increases in output, and creating dynamic competitive advantage. Sudden liberalisation or the high volatility of the macroeconomic environment could jeopardise the process of structural change. Gradual evolution of policy-making and the cumulative learning of capabilities by the national champions were crucial for long-term success. The present research supports both List's classical defence of protection for infant industries in medium–large economies and more recent claims in favour of strategic policy.     

Effects of perceived constraints and negotiation on learned helplessness: A study of Chinese senior outbound tourists

Learned helplessness is an important psychological construct that may influence senior tourists' subjective wellbeing while travelling. Employing a mixed-method approach and a multi-sample design, this study examines how Chinese senior outbound tourists’ perceived travel constraints and negotiation efforts affect learned helplessness in outbound travel. We identified four perceived constraints (perceived incapability, lack of suitable travel agencies and services, lack of information and personal support, and complex travel decision-making) and three negotiation strategies (seeking family support, physical/health preparation, and learning). Multiple regression analyses showed that among the four perceived constraints, only perceived incapability increased learned helplessness significantly; conversely, negotiation in general reduced learned helplessness. However, not as expected, negotiation was not founded to be a moderator between perceived constraints and learned helplessness. Theoretical and practical implications are also discussed.     

The Political Economy of Argentina's Debacle

In this paper I argue that political economy considerations and, in particular, the identity of the reformers, are central to understanding the Argentine crisis that culminated in sovereign default in January 2002. During the 1990s, the main political parties remained attached to populism, and no strong party emerged at the center of the political spectrum. This had two effects in the reform process. First, it severely deteriorated it (efficiency, corruption), reducing the support of the population. Second, when a series of shocks hit the economy the anti‐reform camp tried to undo most reforms, and thus convey a message to the population about the “right” model of the world.     

Decision Factors Considered Important by MNCs in Their Reevaluation and/or Modification of Foreign Entry Modes During the Argentine Financial Crisis

ABSTRACT

Eighty-two multinational companies (MNCs) were surveyed during the recent (2001–2002) Argentine financial crisis to identify decision factors they considered important in reevaluating and/or altering their foreign entry modes during the crisis. The firms rated size of local demand, changes in trade barriers, changes in trade and tax policies, potential industrial growth, and customer attitudes as the most important issues to consider in their entry mode reevaluations. The least important factors were interactions between the host government and the IMF/WTO, physical infrastructure, neighboring economies, trading bloc associations, and availability of bargain assets. Differences were also found in factor importance ratings as to MNCs' willingness to reevaluate their foreign entry modes, their current modes of operations, and their willingness to change their foreign entry modes during the Argentine crisis. The research, managerial, and policy-making implications of the findings are discussed.

RESUMEN. Durante la reciente crisis financiera argentina (2001–2002), se examinaron ochenta y dos compañías multinacionales para identificar los factores inherentes a la toma de decisión, considerados importantes para reevaluar y/o alterar la modalidad de entrada de capital extranjero durante este período. Se tomaron en consideración los siguientes elementos, considerados importantes para realizar dicha reevaluación: tamaño de la demanda local de las empresas, cambio ocurrido en las barreras comerciales, cambios en el comercio, políticas impositivas, crecimiento industrial en potencia y reacción de los consumidores. Los factores menos importantes fueron las interacciones entre el gobierno anfitrión y el FMI/OMC, la infraestructura física, las economías vecinas, las asociaciones de bloques comerciales, y la disponibilidad de activos de negociación. También se encontraron discrepancias en la clasificación asignada a la buena voluntad que las CNM demostraban en reevaluar sus modalidades de entrada extranjera, así como sus modalidades corrientes de operación y su buena voluntad para cambiarlas durante la crisis argentina. Se discutieron además los resultados obtenidos cuanto a las implicancias investigatorias, gerenciales, y las relativas a la elaboración de políticas.

RESUMO. Analisaram-se 82 empresas multinacionais durante a recente crise financeira argentina (2001–2002), a fim de identificar os fatores decisórios considerados importantes para a reavaliação e/ou modificação do modo de entrada no mercado estrangeiro durante a crise. As empresas classificaram o tamanho da demanda local, as mudanças nas barreiras comerciais, mudanças nas políticas comerciais e fiscais, crescimento potencial do setor e atitudes dos clientes como os fatores mais importantes a serem considerados em sua reavaliação do modo de entrada. Os fatores menos importantes foram as interaç[otilde]es entre o governo local e o FMI/OIT, infra-estrutura física, economias vizinhas, associaç[otilde]es de comércio e disponibilidade de ativos para acordos comerciais. Foram encontradas também diferenças nas classificaç[otilde]es da importância de fatores como a disposição das multinacionais em reavaliar os modos de entrada no mercado estrangeiro, seus atuais modos de operação e sua disposição de alterar o modo de entrada no mercado estrangeiro durante a crise Argentina. O estudo discute também as implicaç[otilde]es dos achados para a gerência, as pesquisas e a elaboração de políticas.     

Devaluation with contract redenomination in Argentina

This study offers the first empirical microeconomic analysis of the effectiveness of dollar debt and contract redenomination policies to mitigate adverse financial and relative price consequences from a large devaluation. An analysis of Argentina’s policy of devaluation with redenomination in 2002, in contrast to Mexico’s policy of devaluation without debt redenomination in 1994–1995, shows that devaluation benefited tradables firms, and that dollar debt redenomination in Argentina benefited high-dollar debtors, as shown in these firms’ investment behavior, especially non-tradables firms whose revenues in dollar terms were adversely affected by devaluation. That investment behavior contrasts with the experience of Mexican firms in the aftermath of Mexico’s large devaluation, in which non-tradables producers with high dollar debt displayed significant relative reductions in investment. Stock return reactions to Argentine debt redenomination indicate large, positive, unanticipated effects on high-dollar debtors from debt redenomination. Energy concession contract redenomination likewise increased investment by high energy users in Argentina, and that benefit was apparent also in positive stock returns of those firms.      

Educational Marketing in the Latin American Context: An Executive MBA Case

ABSTRACT

This paper provides Latin American Executive MBA students' approaches to studying, achieving profile, preferences and perceptions of instructional methods used in teaching marketing courses and educational marketing segments based on their preference ranking of instructional methods and approaches to studying. Results indicate that, in general, these students have a strong need for excellence, and for gaining status with experts. Their approach to studying is directed first at understanding what they learn, and then at doing well in their courses. Results also indicate that such students strongly prefer courses using participative instructional methods, such as case studies, to the instructor-dominated lecture method. Thus, there appears to be a gap between the types of instructional methods now being emphasized in MBA classrooms and the methods preferred by the students. These students can be placed into four distinct segments, namely Technology Sophisticated Learners, Academic Success Seekers, Degree Seekers and Instructor-Oriented Learners. Managerial implications from the results are drawn both for the administrators and for the faculty members teaching in an EMBA program.

RESUMEN. Este estudio ilustra el enfoque do los estudiantes latinoamericanos de MBA Ejecutivo sobre las materias de estudio, trazado de un perfil, preferencias y percepción de los métodos de enseñanza utilizados en los cursos de mercadeo y mereadeo educacional en base a sus preferencias, que se utilizaron para desarrollar un sistema de clasificación de los métodos y enfoques de la enseñanza y el aprendizaje. De acuerdo a los resultados, los estudiantes sienten una gran necesidad de alcanzar la exceleneia, y de adquirir renombre junto a los expertos. Ellos encaran sus estudios eonsiderando prioritaria la función de comprender lo que aprenden, y tienen como meta secundaria el obtener buenos resultados en sus cursos. Además, los resultados también indican que estos esludiantes prefieren claramente usar métodos de enseñanza participativos–tales como los estudios de caso–al método disertivo dominado por el profesor. Consecuentemente, nos parece que existe una brecha entre los métodos de enseñanza que se están implementando en las salas de aulas de los cursos de los MBA, y los métodos preferidos por los alumnos. Estos estudiantes pueden dividirse perfectamente en cuatro segmentos, o sea, Estudiantes de Tecnologías Sofisticadas, Buscadores de éxito Académico, Buscadores de Diplomas y Estudiantes Orientados por el Instructor. En el estudio trazamos las implicancias administrativas inherentes a estos resultados, así como para los docentes que están enseñando el programa EMBA.

RESUMO. Este trabalho apresenta a visão de estudantes do MBA Executivo da América Latina, em relação ao estudo, à formação do seu perfil, às preferências e às percepções dos métodos didáticos utilizados nos cursos de marketing e nos segmentos educacionais dc marketing, baseados no ranking de suas preferências pelos métodos didáticos e pelas abordagens do estudo. Os resultados indicam que, em geral, estes estudantes buscam rigorosamente a excelência e a conquista de status através de especialistas. A sua abordagem do estudo está direcionada. primeiramente, ao conhecimento e, em segundo lugar, ao sucesso do seu desempenho. Os resultados também indicam que tais estudantcs preferem nitidamente os cursos que utilizam o método didático participativo, como o estudo de casos, ao método de ensino tradicional expositive Assim. parece haver uma lacuna entre os tipos de métodos didáticos atualmente sendo enfatizados nas aulas de MBA e entre os métodos preferidos pelos estudantes. Estes alunos podem ser classificados em quatro segmentos distintos: Aprendizes da Alta Tecnologia, Perseguidores do Sucesso Acadêmico, Perseguidores de Títulos e Aprendizes Orientados por Instrutor. As implicações gerenciais, a partir dos resultados, são delineadas tanto para os administradores quanto para os membros do corpo docente que ensinam no programa de MBA Executivo.     

阿根廷债务重组：现实困局与制度反思

自2001年主权债务违约后,阿根廷经历了2005年和2010年两次债务互换,但是,由于少数“钉子户”债权人的反对并诉诸司法程序,阿根廷债务重组陷入再次违约的重大风险。回顾阿根廷债务重组的过程以及以对冲基金为主的少数债权人对阿根廷的诉讼,可以清晰地看出阿根廷主权债务重组困境是由阿根廷自身非审慎性的债务重组机制、美国行为的双重标准以及全球主权债务重组基础机制缺失等造成的。随着重债富国问题的出现,主权债务重组中的国内外司法管辖权、私人部门与公共部门参与、集体行动条款与同等权益条款,以及合同法与法定机制等争论更加凸显,建立一个全球性主权债务重组机制是国际金融体系稳定的基础任务。     

Global strategies,differing experiences. Electricity companies in two late-industrialising countries: Spain and Argentina, 1890–1950

The article compares the performance and profitability rates of electric utility firms in Spain and Argentina from the early period of global electrification to the period following World War 2. It aims to analyse the relationship between the investment strategies of international electricity companies and local conditions in two late-industrialising countries, and evaluate its impact on the structure and development of both electric utility systems. The study finds similar long-term trends in profitability as a result of the global strategies of multinational holding companies; nonetheless profitability rates varied greatly from one country to another. Rates were higher in Argentina as foreign firms controlled large systems in most dynamic urban areas. In contrast, the increasing investment of local firms in electric utilities paved the way to a less profitable but more equitable electricity system in Spain.     

Testing the limits of privatization: Argentine railroads

Just how far can privatization be pushed, and with what consequences? Based on a study of Argentine railroads, this paper concludes that even large, unprofitable firms in developing countries faced with market failures can be privatized, but the gains from doing so depend on how badly the state enterprise was performing to begin with, and the potential for introducing competition in the market and for the market. The broader lesson is that when both market failures and government failures are present, a public-private solution is preferable to a purely private or a purely public solution. Privatization is not a panacea but potentially a palliative, when it comes to reducing subsidies or coping with regulatory failures.