bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Shortest Way to Draw a Connected Picture
Authors: Seebold Patrice , Slowinski Karine
Published: December 2004

With any word over the alphabet Π={r, r̄, u, ū}, we associate a connected picture in the following manner: the reading of each letter of this word induces a unit line: r (r̄, u, ū respectively) stands for a right (left, up, down respectively) move. We present a rewriting system which can yield, from any word over Π, all the words describing the same picture. Particularly, we give an algorithm to find a minimal word describing a given picture: this word represents the shortest way to draw this picture without ‘penup’.
From Math Comes Beauty: Monkey Curves, Spirals, and Saddles
Authors: Pickover C.
Published: December 2004

This informal note presents computational recipes for producing visually interesting surfaces.
A Formal Specification of a Graphics System in the Framework of the Computer Graphics Reference Model
Authors: Duce D. A. , Paterno F.
Published: December 2004

This paper is motivated by the emerging ISO/IEC Reference Model for Computer Graphics (CGRM) and the revision of the ISO/IEC computer graphics standard, the Graphical Kernel System (GKS). The paper explores the use of the CGRM as a framework for structuring a specification of apart of the current draft of the revised GKS and the use of the LOTOS formal description technique for specifying graphics systems.
The Generation of Straight Lines on Hexagonal Grids
Authors: Yong‐Kui Liu
Published: December 2004

The best disposition of a discrete set of points on the plane can be reached if the points are on a hexagonal grid. This paper describes an algorithm for the generation of straight lines on hexagonal grids. It uses only integer arithmetic.
Beyond the Message in a Bottle: The Other Critical Theory
Authors: Pensky Max
Published: December 2004

Book reviewed in this article:

Alex Demirović, Der nonkonformistische Intellektuelle. Die Entwicklung der Kritischen Theorie zur Frankfurter Schule
The Board of Directors as Leaders of the Organisation
Authors: Heracleous Loizos
Published: December 2004

The primary aim of this paper is to explore the relevance and applicability of leadership research in enhancing our understanding of boards of directors’ functioning and effectiveness. Secondly, to discuss methodological issues with respect to board research and indicate potentially fruitful methodological approaches. It is suggested that the leadership research stream focused on traits and competencies is particularly promising for future research on boards, since it has been demonstrated that there are traits that can distinguish leaders from non‐leaders or effective leaders from ineffective ones; as well as that certain competencies can distinguish superior performers from average performers in particular jobs. Moreover, it is proposed that a promising way forward in terms of methodology is to focus on gathering in‐depth qualitative longitudinal data of actual board behaviours based on observation, and to inform quantitative research by such in‐depth data in order to enhance the operationalisation of theoretical variables, as well as identifying the critical variables in the first place.
Empirical Evidence of Long‐Termism and Shareholder Activism in UK Unit Trusts
Authors: Solomon Aris , Solomon Jill
Published: December 2004

In this paper, we assess the impact of recent reforms in UK corporate governance, focusing specifically on aspects of the reforms which apply to unit trust managers, a major group of institutional investors, and their investee companies. We canvass the views of UK unit trust managers to shed light on three issues: the extent of shareholder activism by UK unit trusts; the extent to which longer and stronger decision and communication links are being forged between investment institutions and their investee companies, and; the emerging controversy over whether or not these recent reforms represent a help or a hindrance for unit trust managers. The empirical findings indicate that unit trusts: are active shareholders, developing and using written voting policy documents; are encouraging the development of longer and stronger links with their investee companies, and; have welcomed corporate governance reforms.
Not Badly Paid But Paid Badly
Authors: Lee Paul
Published: December 2004

There seems to be an increasing disconnection between the expectations of directors and those of investors as to appropriate levels of executive remuneration. This article seeks to understand why this may be occurring. It starts from the basic principles that drive executive pay, tax, time‐scales and trust, and then explores how those factors play out in the imperfect market for talent. As US pay structures are increasingly leading the pay schemes of global companies, it asks whether those structures truly act to enhance shareholder value. It is not at all clear that this is the case, and the article points out that it is unfortunate for US tax and accounting structures to be driving pay elsewhere in the world in directions that are not conducive to shareholder value. The article proposes alternative ways forward.
Nascent Stages of Corporate Governance in an Emerging Market: regulatory change, shareholder activism and Samsung Electronics
Authors: Jang Hasung , Kim Joongi
Published: December 2004

The dynamic state of corporate governance in an emerging market is discussed through an in‐depth case study of Korea’s Samsung Electronics Corporation (SEC). This paper covers the influence upon SEC’s corporate governance of recent regulatory changes and the efforts of the People’s Solidarity for Participatory Democracy’s (PSPD), a young but influential minority shareholder activist group. It will show that corporate leaders from Korea are slowly gaining an understanding of the importance of corporate governance, but that for a variety of reasons they still remain reluctant participants, unable and unwilling to change effectively.
Leadership Style, Social Climate And Organizational Outcomes: A study of a Swedish University College
Authors: Ekvall GÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂran , Ryhammar Lars
Published: December 2004

The study raises the question of the dual influence of leadership style on organizational outcomes by way of climate and directly. Research material primarily collected for a study of the creative organizational and individual resources of a state university college in Sweden was utilized and further analysed. A sample of 130 teachers answered questionnaires about the creative climate in their departments, the department head’s leadership style and the performance of the department in terms of creativity and productivity. The results indicate that in this organization the behavioural style of the manager affects organizational results only through influencing the social climate. The implications of the results considering the kind of organization studied are discussed.
The Creativity Continuum: Towards a Classification of Creative Problem Solving Techniques
Authors: McFadzean Elspeth
Published: December 2004

It can be argued that companies may innovate on a more regular basis if groups and individuals can be encouraged to think more creatively. One method of encouraging novel ideas is to undertake creative problem solving (CPS). There are a number of different techniques that can enhance creative thinking. Some of these techniques require less imagination and produce less novel results than others. Individuals and group facilitators must choose which creative problem solving technique(s) to use for their specific situation. Some techniques, for example, may leave an inexperienced group feeling uncomfortable (e.g. if they are asked to draw pictures or develop fantasies) although they are often more effective than the more analytical methods. It may be helpful, therefore, to classify creative problem solving techniques so that individuals can easily choose an appropriate technique for their specific situation. This paper offers such a classification, which categorises the creative problem solving techniques into paradigm preserving, paradigm stretching and paradigm breaking. Some implications and future research are also presented.
Creating a Competitive Advantage through Quality
Authors: Meulenbroeks Cees
Published: December 2004

It is becoming more and more important for companies to have an optimal alignment between business strategy and information strategy. The approach developed in Hewlett‐Packard is one way to achieve this. Proper alignment and embeddedness within the IT environment is needed to realise business objectives to achieve competitive advantage. Effectiveness and flexibility are the key‐words to ensure competitive advantage by delivering a maximum service level to the customers, by reacting adequately on market changes and to optimise the business processes. Harvesting the creativity of users is an important aspect of the process.

‘Our fundamental goal is to build positive, long‐term relationships with our customers, relationships characterised by mutual respect, by courtesy and integrity, by a helpful, effective response to customer needs and concerns, and by a strong commitment to providing products and services of the highest quality.’

(extracted from Hewlett‐Packard’s Corporate Objectives for Customers)

One of the objectives of Hewlett‐Packard is to create a competitive advantage both for the customers and the company by selling and delivering quality business solutions. This objective and the globalisation of our services ask for a business solution delivery approach based on standard products and in conformity with internationally accepted standards. The quality of the business solution delivery process is managed through the project delivery process. The customer’s business solution delivery appreciation is an implicit result of the quality of each individual project. This quality is based on international standards and generic company methodologies. These standards and methodologies combined with the quality of the people are the drivers for the embedding of quality within the entire organisation. The resulting total quality approach triggers a continuous quality improvement process in order to guarantee a win‐win situation for both the customer and Hewlett‐Packard.

For the delivery of quality business solutions there must be a homogeneous set of quality objectives, performance goals, quality system implementation guidelines and a strategy for continuous quality improvement. Within Hewlett‐Packard, the Project Management Services department is responsible for the project delivery process with which the quality of the business solution delivery is managed. This paper describes how this is done.
The Postmodern Challenge – From Economic to Creative Management
Authors: Nyström Harry
Published: December 2004

This paper discusses economic and creative management, not as two different ways of understanding and managing the world, but as part of an integrated framework. This is done against the background of the creative process, where the early, more open and flexible stages basically reflect the requirements of postmodern theory, while the later, more closed and analytical stages, are similar to the modern world view of economic theory and related approaches to management. In a rapidly changing world, where we need to both develop and apply new knowledge, we should adopt a balanced modern and postmodern approach to theory generation and implementation, to better understand and evaluate both individual, organizational and societal action.
Benefiting from Commissioned Research: The Role of Researcher – Client Cooperation
Authors: Grundvåg Ottesen Geir , Grønhaug Kjell , Johnsen Oddrun
Published: December 2004

This paper discusses why commissioned research is often neglected and misunderstood, as well as how its use can be enhanced. We argue that the lack of use of such research can be attributed to differences in researchers’ and practitioners’ knowledge and expectations regarding research problems, solutions, interpretations, and applications. Two hypotheses are proposed, which link the use of research to cooperation between researchers and users during the production of the research, and to assistance in interpreting and applying the research results. The hypotheses were tested on a sample of 65 buyers of 86 research projects in the seafood industry. The reported findings reveal that collaboration fosters research utilisation, but also that close cooperation between the providers and the users of research may substitute assistance in enhancing research utilisation.
The Implementation of Innovation by a Multinational Operating in Two Different Environments: A Comparative Study
Authors: Zain Mohamed , Richardson Stanley , Adam Mohd Nazri Khan
Published: December 2004

The aim of the paper is to examine the innovation initiatives and processes followed by two subsidiaries of a German multinational company operating in Europe and Asia and to compare the innovativeness of their operations in these two locations. The study examined the innovation processes followed by the two subsidiary firms operating in Germany and Malaysia, the actual problems faced by them, the critical success factors involved in the implementation, and the work climates of the firms. Interestingly, it was found that both firms followed similar innovation processes. Nevertheless, different types of problems and critical success factors were applicable to both firms. The results showed that the Malaysian subsidiary faced more behavioural problems while the German subsidiary encountered more technical problems. Further, the study showed that a lack of knowledge was the common problem faced equally by both firms. The study demonstrated that the German subsidiary had better working climate compared to its counterpart in Malaysia. Finally, the German subsidiary was found to be more innovation–active than the Malaysian subsidiary as it introduced more types of innovation, interacted with more types of entity in the external environment and introduced more types of training.
The Alignment Conference: A Stakeholder’s Way to Create a Competitive Advantage
Authors: Becker Bill
Published: December 2004

The Alignment Conference is a process anchored in three components that are each significant and effective in their individual application. Implementation of this integrated approach addresses the strategic concerns of key organizational stakeholders, allowing them to reach new agreements about what they will do and how they will do it, relative to the organization’s core organizational competencies. It can be a particularly useful process in helping staff change–agents help senior leaders and line managers understand that the human side of the equation is equally important as the technical side, and provides a technology that allows the social side to address business results and processes, for current and future conditions.
Brain Plasticity and Behavior
Authors: Kolb Bryan , Gibb Robbin , Robinson Terry E.
Published: December 2004

Although the brain was once seen as a rather static organ, it is now clear that the organization of brain circuitry is constantly changing as a function of experience. These changes are referred to as brain plasticity, and they are associated with functional changes that include phenomena such as memory, addiction, and recovery of function. Recent research has shown that brain plasticity and behavior can be influenced by a myriad of factors, including both pre- and postnatal experience, drugs, hormones, maturation, aging, diet, disease, and stress. Understanding how these factors influence brain organization and function is important not only for understanding both normal and abnormal behavior, but also for designing treatments for behavioral and psychological disorders ranging from addiction to stroke.
The Malicious Serpent
Authors: Öhman Arne , Mineka Susan
Published: December 2004

As reptiles, snakes may have signified deadly threats in the environment of early mammals. We review findings suggesting that snakes remain special stimuli for humans. Intense snake fear is prevalent in both humans and other primates. Humans and monkeys learn snake fear more easily than fear of most other stimuli through direct or vicarious conditioning. Neither the elicitation nor the conditioning of snake fear in humans requires that snakes be consciously perceived; rather, both processes can occur with masked stimuli. Humans tend to perceive illusory correlations between snakes and aversive stimuli, and their attention is automatically captured by snakes in complex visual displays. Together, these and other findings delineate an evolved fear module in the brain. This module is selectively and automatically activated by once-threatening stimuli, is relatively encapsulated from cognition, and derives from specialized neural circuitry.
The Relation of Hypertension to Cognitive Function
Authors: Waldstein Shari R.
Published: December 2004

Hypertension is an established risk factor for stroke. However, prior to such a major clinical event, hypertension exerts a more subtle impact on the brain that is revealed by diminished cognitive function. Studies comparing the performance of people with high and normal blood pressure levels have shown that high blood pressure or hypertension is related to poorer performance on tests of attention, learning and memory, executive functions, visuospatial skills, psychomotor abilities, and perceptual skills. Hypertension is also predictive of cognitive decline. Variables that may alter (i.e., moderate) the relation of hypertension to cognitive function include age, education, several biological characteristics of hypertension, and the presence of concurrent diseases. Although hypertensives are not clinically impaired, their diminished levels of cognitive performance could affect their perceived quality of life. Various brain mechanisms may explain the relation of hypertension to lower levels of cognitive function. Further understanding of the relation between hypertension and cognition is critical to the preservation of cognitive function across the life span.
Implicit Learning
Authors: Frensch Peter A. , Rünger Dennis
Published: December 2004

Implicit learning appears to be a fundamental and ubiquitous process in cognition. Although defining and operationalizingimplicit learning remains a central theoretical challenge, scientists' understanding of implicit learning has progressed significantly. Beyond establishing the existence of “learning without awareness,” current research seeks to identify the cognitive processes that support implicit learning and addresses the relationship between learning and awareness of what was learned. The emerging view of implicit learning emphasizes the role of associative learning mechanisms that exploit statistical dependencies in the environment in order to generate highly specific knowledge representations.
Computer- and Internet-Based Psychotherapy Interventions
Authors: Taylor C. Barr , Luce Kristine H.
Published: December 2004

Computers and Internet-based programs have great potential to make psychological assessment and treatment more cost-effective. Computer-assisted therapy appears to be as effective as face-to-face treatment for treating anxiety disorders and depression. Internet support groups also may be effective and have advantages over face-to-face therapy. However, research on this approach remains meager.
Marital Conflict
Authors: Fincham Frank D.
Published: December 2004

Marital conflict has deleterious effects on mental, physical, and family health, and three decades of research have yielded a detailed picture of the behaviors that differentiate distressed from nondistressed couples. Review of this work shows that the singular emphasis on conflict in generating marital outcomes has yielded an incomplete picture of its role in marriage. Recently, researchers have tried to paint a more textured picture of marital conflict by studying spouses' backgrounds and characteristics, investigating conflict in the contexts of support giving and affectional expression, and considering the ecological niche of couples in their broader environment.
Children and Youth in Neighborhood Contexts
Authors: Leventhal Tama , Brooks-Gunn Jeanne
Published: December 2004

Neighborhoods are increasingly studied as a context where children and youth develop; however, the extent of neighborhoods' impact remains debatable because it is difficult to disentangle this impact from that of the family context, in part because families have some choice as to where they live. Evidence from randomized experiments, studies using advanced statistical models, and longitudinal studies that control for family characteristics indicates that neighborhoods do matter. In nonexperimental studies, small to moderate associations were found, suggesting that children and adolescents living in high-income neighborhoods had higher cognitive ability and school achievement than those living in middle-income neighborhoods, and children and adolescents living in low-income neighborhoods had more mental and physical health problems than those living in middle-income neighborhoods. The home environment has been shown to be partly responsible for the link between neighborhood and children's development. For adolescents, neighborhood effects are partially accounted for by community social control. Experimental studies in which families were randomly assigned to move to low-poverty neighborhoods from housing projects found larger neighborhood effects than nonexperi-mental research, particularly for boys' outcomes. Additional issues reviewed are relevant neighborhood characteristics, theoretical models explaining the pathways underlying neighborhood effects, methods for research assessing neighborhood processes, and policy implications.
Executive Control of Thought and Action
Authors: Logan Gordon D.
Published: December 2004

Executive control is studied in many areas of psychological research using a wide variety of procedures. This article focuses on studies of the executive processes involved in switching between tasks. The experiments discussed were designed to isolate and measure the duration of the executive processes required to switch from one task to another. However, the research is open to alternative interpretations that do not hypothesize executive processes, suggesting that task-switching procedures may not measure the duration of executive control. Further research is required to determine whether or not behavioral effects reflect the involvement of executive processes.
Autobiographical Memory and Conceptions of Self
Authors: Ross Michael , Wilson Anne E.
Published: December 2004

We examine links between self-assessment and autobiographical memory. People generally view themselves as improving over time, relative to their peers. We suggest that this sense of improvement is sometimes illusory, and motivated by the desire to enhance the current self. Our research focuses on people's subjective feeling of temporal distance between an earlier period and the present, a feeling that is only modestly associated with actual time. Research participants praise or criticize the same former self, depending on how far away it feels. An equally distant episode feels close or remote, depending on whether it has favorable or damaging implications for evaluations of the current self. The identical achievement boosts evaluations of the current self or has little impact, depending on how far away it feels. The same failure does or does not harm appraisals of the current self, depending on how far away it feels.
The Limitations of Water Regulation: The Failure of the Cochabamba Concession in Bolivia
Authors: Nickson Andrew , Vargas Claudia
Published: December 2004

This article examines the limitations of governmental capacity to regulate private sector participation in urban water supply in developing countries through an analysis of the most dramatic failure to date of a major franchise contract for supplying water and sanitation services to a large city – the 40‐year concession awarded in September 1999 to Aguas del Tunari (AdT) in Cochabamba, Bolivia. Five months later, the population rioted against water tariff increases and the contract was cancelled. The paper analyses the background, context and factors that explain the failure of the concession and seeks to draw lessons for the regulation of future concessions.
Explaining Crime in Buenos Aires: The Roles of Inequality, Unemployment, and Structural Change
Authors: Hojman David E.
Published: December 2004

Theoretical and empirical ambiguities suggest that it may be wrong to claim that unemployment increases crime, always and everywhere. Multiple regression results for Greater Buenos Aires during 1985–1997 show that inequality helps to explain crime, but unemployment does not. Moreover, unemployment fails to explain inequality. The discussion also raises some governability issues.
End‐of‐life Issues as Perceived by Lebanese Judges
Authors: Adib Salim M. , Kawas Sami H. , Hajjar Theresa A.
Published: December 2004

Objectives: to assess the attitudes of judges in Beirut, Lebanon, regarding end‐of‐life issues such as assisted suicide and withholding or withdrawing life‐sustaining treatment.

Subjects and Methods: 85% of all currently acting and in‐training judges and public prosecutors in Beirut (N =135) were surveyed using a mailed questionnaire that assessed attitudes toward intervention in five hypothetical cases. The associations of attitudes, on a scale from least to most ‘sympathetic’ toward assisting those who desire to end their lives, were measured by a variety of personal, social and professional variables.

Results: younger individuals, and those who have not yet been formally appointed as judges, were significantly more sympathetic to withdrawal or withholding of life‐sustaining devices when patients or their proxies requested it, and more in support of assisted suicide. Gender, religious denomination, religious practice, and personal experience with prolonged illness leading to death among close friends or family, were generally not significant predictors of respondents' attitudes. Years of experience as a judge correlated strongly with age and may have contributed to its predictive effect.

Discussion and conclusions: a relatively more sympathetic attitude among younger judges, many of them women, and among trainees, may reflect a historical evolution in younger age‐groups in Lebanon today. A survey of opinions in the public may help reach a more conclusive understanding in this regard. In any case, judges in Lebanon will remain important partners in the debate, as they will continue to be the final interpreters of the letter of the law in end‐of‐life issues.
Through a Glass Darkly: Data and Uncertainty in the AIDS Debate
Authors: Whiteside Alan , George Gavin , Barnett Tony , Van Niekerk Anton
Published: December 2004

The HIV/AIDS epidemic is the greatest threat to development in much of Africa. It is already the main cause of death in many countries, especially those in Southern Africa. However there is an absence of solid data on the scale and scope of the disease and how it is evolving. In this article we discuss the data on the epidemic – where it comes from and how it is presented. We note the limitations of the use of antenatal clinic surveys – which provide the bulk of our information.

We then turn to the evidence of impact. The paper shows that the long incubation period between infection and illness means that it takes time for HIV infections to turn into AIDS cases, and AIDS cases to translate into deaths with all the consequences of orphaning, poverty and changing population structures. Furthermore it means that once the HIV prevalence has peaked, AIDS impact will take years to work through – this epidemic is a ‘long‐wave’ event.

The paper is premised on the view that HIV causes AIDS and AIDS causes death. It notes that insufficient and/or unreliable data have allowed leaderships to deny the scope and scale of the problem and that this is unacceptable. However it is incumbent on all to accept the moral responsibility for and the moral consequences of their work, and this includes those who gather, interpret and use the data.
The Steve Biko Affair: A Case Study in Medical Ethics
Authors: McLean G. R. , Jenkins Trefor
Published: December 2004

Steve Biko died in detention in South Africa in 1977. Critical ethical issues are raised both by the conduct of the doctors responsible for Biko's care and by the subsequent response of the medical profession as a whole. Because those issues are relevant to all healthcare professionals everywhere, the Biko affair provides a useful case study in medical ethics. We discuss the case in this article, describing how we use it in our teaching.
Setting Up a Domestic Violence Service
Authors: Vetere Arlene , Cooper Jan
Published: December 2004

Background: This paper describes some of the issues we confronted and resolved in setting up an independent dedicated domestic violence service.

Method: In our project we work with violent behaviour that is known or suspected in the contexts of both assessment and therapy. We describe our policy on domestic violence, including confidentiality, our reflecting practices, our relationships with referrers as a means of managing the risk of violence, and the assessment and evaluation procedures we use for the assessment of risk of violence. We include some discussion of the effects of domestic violence on children and the effects of doing this work on ourselves.

Conclusions: We conclude by discussing the moral issues involved for us as therapists in doing this work, the impact of the legal frame within which we work, and some of the social and psychological theories we find helpful in understanding the causes and effects of violent behaviour in the family.
Looked After Children in Residential Homes
Authors: Nicholas Bridget , Roberts Sophie , Wurr Catherine
Published: December 2004

Background: Looked after children in residential children's homes constitute a particularly vulnerable group who are known to have high rates of mental health problems and limited access to services.

Method: A survey was undertaken in Leeds to determine what proportion of these children are involved with mental health services, and to look at the different ways in which child and adolescent mental health services across the city are currently working with this group.

Results: Of the 177 children in residential children's homes in August 2000, 64% had had some contact with child mental health services in the previous 5 years and 27% were in current contact. Thirty‐six percent had had no contact with services over the past five years.

Conclusions: It was anticipated from a review of the literature that a higher proportion of children would have been currently in contact with services. The findings suggest that the pattern of services offered to this group of children is changing, with an increase in consultation with, and training of, staff in residential children's homes. The paper ends with a discussion of whether or not this is a positive change and how CAMH resources might best be utilised in the future.
Social Skills Training with Children and Young People: Theory, Evidence and Practice
Authors: Spence Susan H.
Published: December 2004

Deficits in social skills and social competence play a significant role in the development and maintenance of many emotional and behavioural disorders of childhood and adolescence. Social skills training (SST) aims to increase the ability to perform key social behaviours that are important in achieving success in social situations. Behavioural SST methods include instructions, modelling, behaviour rehearsal, feedback and reinforcement, frequently used in association with interpersonal problem solving and social perception skills training. Effective change in social behaviour also requires interventions that reduce inhibiting and competing behaviours, such as cognitive restructuring, self‐ and emotional‐regulation methods and contingency management. Research suggests that SST alone is unlikely to produce significant and lasting change in psychopathology or global indicators of social competence. Rather, SST has become a widely accepted component of multi‐method approaches to the treatment of many emotional, behavioural and developmental disorders.
Explaining cross‐country differences in policy response to child labour
Authors: Dessy Sylvain E. , Vencatachellum Désiré
Published: December 2004

Abstract We develop a model of child labour where poverty and inequality combine to determine policy response to child labour. If there are strategic complementarities between parents’ decisions to educate their children and firms’ technology choice, multiple school‐enrolment equilibria arise. Only rich countries and those that are not ‘too’ poor and have a low wealth inequality benefit from adopting child labour laws. This is because such laws commit an economy with either of those initial conditions to the full school‐enrolment equilibrium which Pareto‐dominates all other equilibria. Moreover, wealth redistribution is not sufficient to eliminate child labour. JEL Classification: I20, O33

Une explication des différences d’un pays à l’autre dans la réaction des politiques au phénomène du travail des enfants Les auteurs développent un modèle de travail des enfants dans lequel les niveaux de pauvreté et d’inégalité se combinent pour déterminer les politiques. Si des complémentarités stratégiques existent entre les décisions des parents d’éduquer leurs enfants et le choix de technologie des entreprises, de nombreux équilibres impliquant divers niveaux d’inscription à l’école sont possibles. Seuls les pays riches, et ceux qui ne sont pas « trop » pauvres ou qui ont un degré d’inégalité de la richesse relativement bas, tirent profit de lois réglementant le travail des enfants. C’est le cas parce que de telles lois engagent une économie qui a ces caractéristiques à se diriger vers un équilibre d’inscription totale des enfants à l’école. Dans ces cas, il s’agit d’un équilibre qui domine au sens de Pareto tous les autres équilibres. On note de plus que la redistribution de la richesse ne suffit pas pour éliminer le travail des enfants.
A Ricardian model of climate change in Canada
Authors: Reinsborough Michelle J.
Published: December 2004

Abstract A comparative static ‘Ricardian’ model is used to establish relationships between climate and agricultural land value in Canada. From these relationships, agricultural costs of climate change scenarios are estimated. This study is motivated partly by evidence of potential agricultural benefits of climate change from a similar analysis of the United States by Mendelsohn, Nordhaus and Shaw, and partly by the void of Canadian studies. Furthermore, it extends the analysis to non‐uniform climate change scenarios. Its finding of a slightly positive upper bound on the agricultural benefits from climate change, within a wide margin of error, is motivation for further analysis.

Un modèle ricardien de changement climatique au Canada.  L’auteur utilise un modèle statique ricardien classique pour établir des relations entre le climat et la valeur des terres agricoles au Canada. A partir de ces relations, on calibre les coûts agricoles de divers scénarios de changement climatique. Cette étude a pris forme en partie en réaction aux résultats d’une analyse similaire de Mendelsohn, Nordhaus et Shaw aux Etats‐Unis, et en partie en réponse à un manque d’études de ce genre au Canada. Cet article étend les analyses aux scénarios de changements climatiques non‐uniformes. Les résultats suggèrent qu’il existe une sorte de borne positive supérieure aux avantages agricoles du changement climatique, à l’intérieur d’une marge d’erreur assez vaste. Voilà qui encourage à poursuivre les analyses.
Multiproduct firm behaviour in a differentiated market
Authors: Giraud‐Héraud Eric , Hammoudi Hakim , Mokrane Mahdi
Published: December 2004

Abstract In this paper we offer a generalization of the circular model of product differentiation by introducing a multiproduct firm facing monoproduct competitors. We prove existence and explicitly characterize equilibrium when transportation costs are quadratic. We exhibit interesting equilibrium features for price policy, market shares, and profits. In equilibrium, the multiproduct firm uses its connected market shares to build asymmetric pricing schemes that allow a fraction of its product line (brands, stores or firms) to be shielded from outside competition and hence extracts maximum consumer surplus. Our results shed some light on the link between product differentiation and mergers and acquisitions activity (M&As). JEL Classification: D21, L11, L13

Le comportement de l’entreprise multi‐produits dans un marché différencié Cet article propose une généralisation du modèle circulaire de différenciation des produits en considérant le cas d’une firme multi‐produits en concurrence avec des firmes mono‐produit. Nous montrons l’existence d’un équilibre en prix, que nous caractérisons dans le cas de coûts de transports quadratiques. Nous exposons les propriétés de cet équilibre en terme de parts de marchés et de profits obtenus par les entreprises. A l’équilibre, la firme multi‐produits utilise ses niches de marché pour mettre en place une tarification asymétrique permettant à une partie de sa ligne de produits d’être protégée de la concurrence et d’extraire le maximum de surplus aux consommateurs. Nous proposons ensuite une discussion sur le lien entre différenciation des produits et activité de fusion et acquisition.
Technological choices and regulation: the case of the Canadian manufacturing sectors
Authors: Ouellette Pierre , Vigeant Stéphane
Published: December 2004

Abstract The economic environment in which Canadian manufacturing firms operate has changed substantially over the last 40 years. Technological changes, new regulations, deregulation, and exogenous economic shocks all have been important aspects of this economic environment. In this article, we show how to include such changes in the economic environment faced by the firms in a behavioural model that includes the investment decision of the firm under uncertainty. Assumptions regarding the expectation formation process and technology are kept minimal. We estimate the effects of innovations such as the free trade agreement, the foreign investment review agency, and the federal environmental policy on the economic decisions of fifteen Canadian manufacturing sectors. JEL Classification: D24

Choix de technologies et réglementation: le cas des secteurs manufacturiers canadiens Au cours des 40 dernières années, l’environnement économique des firmes manufacturières canadiennes s’est grandement transformé. Que ce soit à cause du changement technologique, de la réglementation, de vagues de déréglementation ou de chocs économiques exogènes, les firmes ont dû s’adapter en modifiant leur technologie. Dans cet article, nous montrons comment prendre en compte les changements de l’environnement économique des firmes dans le cadre d’un modèle décisionnel de la firme en incertitude avec investissement. Les hypothèses concernant la technologie et les anticipations sont aussi générales que possible. Nous estimons l’effet qu’ont eu l’accord de libre échange, l’agence de tamisage des investissements étrangers et la politique environnementale fédérale sur les choix de technologies des firmes de quinze secteurs manufacturiers canadiens.
Interconnectivity of communications networks and international trade
Authors: Kikuchi Toru
Published: December 2004

Abstract In this study a multi‐country model of trade is developed that captures the role of country‐specific communications network interconnectivity, which enhances trade in intermediate business services. The number of countries connected to internationally interconnected networks is found to determine the structure of comparative advantage. That is, countries with interconnected networks have a comparative advantage in the good that requires business services provided via networks. In connected countries, producers of that good benefit from the efficient transmission of business services. This research also demonstrates that countries whose country‐specific networks are not connected to the interconnected networks may become worse off as the result of trade. JEL Classification: D43, F12

Interconnectivité des réseaux de communication et commerce international Ce mémoire développe un modèle de commerce international impliquant plusieurs pays qui cerne le rôle de l’interconnectivité des réseaux de communication de chaque pays. Cette interconnectivité enrichit les flux de commerce dans les services intermédiaires d’affaires. Il appert que le nombre de pays connectés aux réseaux internationalement connectés détermine la structure de l’avantage comparatif. Ce qui veut dire que les pays qui ont des réseaux interconnectés ont un avantage comparatif dans le bien qui requiert les services d’affaires fournis par les réseaux. Dans les pays connectés, les producteurs de ces biens bénéficient de la transmission efficace de ces services d’affaires. La recherche montre aussi que les pays dont les réseaux nationaux ne sont pas connectés aux réseaux interconnectés peuvent voir leur situation s’empirer en conséquence du commerce international.
Expense ratios of North American mutual funds
Authors: Ruckman Karen
Published: December 2004

Abstract The average expense ratio paid by Canadian mutual fund investors is 50% higher than that paid in the United States. This discrepancy is commonly thought to exist because Canadian funds do not take advantage of economies of scale and have less competition. A monopolistic competition framework is used to develop a model for the mutual fund industry. By allowing each fund to have different attributes, the model permits funds to charge different expense ratios in equilibrium and is found to strongly fit the North American mutual fund market. Empirical analysis indicates that these two common explanations and measurable fund attributes account for 24% of the discrepancy. JEL Classification: L11, L13 and G15

Les ratios de dépenses des fonds mutuels nord‐américains Le taux moyen de dépenses payées par les investisseurs canadiens dans les fonds mutuels sont de 50% plus élevées que celles qu’on paie aux Etats‐Unis. Cet écart est attribué d’habitude au fait que les fonds canadiens ne tirent pas profit des économies d’échelle et qu’il y a moins de concurrence au Canada. On utilise un modèle de concurrence monopolistique pour analyser l’industrie des fonds mutuels. En permettant à chaque fond d’avoir certains attributs, le modèle permet aux fonds de charger des taux de dépenses différents en équilibre. Il semble que cela corresponde aux caractéristiques du marché des fonds mutuels américains. Une analyse empirique montre que les deux explications usuelles et les attributs mesurables des fonds expliquent 24% de l’écart.
A history of prices in Canada, 1840–1871: a new wholesale price index
Authors: Paterson Donald G. , Shearer Ronald A.
Published: December 2004

Abstract We present a new monthly wholesale price index for Canada, 1840–71, comparing fluctuations in the Canadian macroeconomy with fluctuations in similar U.S. and British indexes. Canadian prices move through distinct phases: the 1840s rise in prices and the decline in the depression of 1848–49; the mid‐century economic boom and the 1857 depression; U.S. Civil War inflation and apparent Canadian price insulation through a flexible exchange rate created by U.S. withdrawal from gold; and the non‐inflationary boom following Confederation. After adjustment for the U.S. greenback issue, a broad coherence of Canadian, U.S., and British indexes suggests highly integrated commodity markets. JEL Classification: N20, N21, E31

Une histoire des prix au Canada 1840–1871: un nouvel indice de prix de gros Ce mémoire présente un nouvel indice de prix de gros pour le Canada dans la période de 1840 à 1871. C’est un indice mensuel. A l’aide de cet indicateur, on décrit les fluctuations de la macroéconomie canadienne et on les compare avec les fluctuations d’indices similaires aux Etats‐Unis et en Grande Bretagne. Les prix canadiens passent à travers plusieurs phases au cours de cette période. Les prix s’accroissent dans les années 1840 et chutent avec la dépression de 1848/1849; et puis il y a le grand boom victorien du milieu du siècle qui culmine en 1857; il y a de plus les périodes de l’inflation de la guerre civile américaine et l’immunisation apparente des prix canadiens par la création d’un régime de change flexible parce que les Etats‐Unis se retirent de la monnaie étalonnée sur l’or; et enfin la période sans inflation du boom qui suit la Confédération. Si l’on ajuste pour tenir compte de l’affaire des « greenbacks », il y a cohérence des divers indices canadiens, américains et britanniques. Voilà qui suggère des marchés de biens fortement intégrés.
The Lutheran Confessional Writings for the 21st Century: A Question of Translation
Authors: Russell William R.
Published: December 2004

The 21st century shift of the church's “center of gravity” from North America and Europe to Asia, Africa, and South America, provides a context in which translating the Lutheran confessional writings— and the theology to which they point—will play a vitally important role in the life of “...the one, holy, catholic, and apostolic church.”
Habitat heterogeneity, species diversity and null models
Authors: Cramer Michael J. , Willig Michael R.
Published: December 2004

The habitat heterogeneity hypothesis states that an increase in habitat heterogeneity leads to an increase in species diversity. We tested this hypothesis for a community of small mammals in the semiarid, sand‐shinnery‐oak ecosystem of the southwestern United States. We used indices of differentiation diversity to quantify differences between two habitat types (blowouts in a sand‐shinnery‐oak matrix) in terms of species diversity. The Wilson‐Shmida index (βT) considers species composition only, whereas the Morisita‐Horn index (CmH) also takes species abundances into account. We constructed null models to test the hypothesis that differentiation diversity between habitat types is greater than that produced by stochastic processes. Two models were constructed, one based on the random placement of species and one based on the random placement of individuals. No evidence supported the hypothesis that habitat heterogeneity enhances diversity of a landscape by increasing the number of species in an area. Indeed, paired habitats were more similar than chance alone would dictate in terms of species identities. In contrast, habitat heterogeneity affects diversity by significantly altering the relative proportions of species in contrasting habitat types. Because seeds differentially accumulate at the interface between blowouts and matrix, the high productivity of the edge may actually homogenize habitat types in terms of species richness. Nonetheless, blowouts might best be considered to be microhabitats which enhance or complement the value of the matrix even though the species which use either habitat type are identical.