bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Due professional care of certified public accountants in the People’s Republic of China
Authors: Zhengdan Xu , Rong Xie , Chunyuan Hu
Published: July 2002

Believes that the rapid development of the market system in the People’s Republic of China should encourage Chinese certified public accountants (CPAs) to examine themselves and recognize the importance of exercising due professional care, in order to develop in an international and healthy manner. Because the time of reconstructing the CPAs system in China is short, most attention is paid to how the CPAs profession can develop rapidly and to general professional management. However, the lack of consciousness of what “due care” is and what comprises the legal standards of due care contributes to confusion about its role. Feels that in order to promote the consciousness of audit liability, the law needs perfecting, and technical standards, audit theory, and court procedures need improvement before resolution of the auditors’ liability issue can be achieved.
Internal audit developments in the tobacco industry
Authors: Fa Zhang
Published: July 2002

Describes the internal audit arrangements in the Chinese tobacco industry. The elements of a high quality, well‐supervised service are already in place, with the capability of auditing across the range of activities and tackling corruption. States that there is a need for continuous development and staff training, with computer technology being an area requiring special attention. Feels the prospects seem bright and that internal auditing’s role of supervision will be enhanced in the continuing transition to the market economy.
Audit committees: where do we go from here?
Authors: Pomeranz Felix
Published: July 2002

Auditors are urged to promote communication with audit committees as well as with the entire board. Contacts with the entire board are most appropriate, given the rise of issues of corporate governance. It is not yet understood how effective audit committees have actually been, although the committees’ objectives are commendable. It is likely that any significant shortcomings will be redressed by synthesizing the work of the committees and of the board. The responsibilities of audit committees will be broadened, especially with respect to new practice areas, some of which involve proactive audit approaches. The qualifications for audit committee membership require upgrading; a need exists for practical accommodation between independence, on the one hand, and the tight market for qualified committee members, on the other.
A zero‐one programming model for internal audit planning
Authors: Hemaida Ramadan
Published: July 2002

One of the major components of an audit plan is risk assessment. Risk factors vary among organizations, and internal auditors must review their own organizational cultures to determine audit exposure. In order to minimize the risk, the internal audit department must develop an audit plan that ensures a maximum coverage of the areas to be audited. Presents the second phase of a study which aims to identify the relevant risk factors and rank the relevant auditable activities in terms of their riskiness. Develops a mathematical model that will ensure maximum audit coverage, using data from a local hospital. Suggests that the results of this research offer a practical alternative for audit managers.
Viewpoint: My sons and me and ABC costing
Authors: Doost Roger K.
Published: July 2002

Activity‐based costing (ABC) has received considerable attention in recent years. In fact, some have portrayed it as a cure‐all for all kinds of problems. Presents a father‐son debate on this issue (the father as the consultant and the son as the entrepreneur). Argues that ABC may not apply in many situations, and that common costs remain common, no matter how meticulously we attribute them to certain cost drivers for allocation purposes. Furthermore, if considerable facility and capacity costs remain unidentifiable with individual cost objects, the problem of not knowing the true product cost remains unresolved. The non‐accountant son wins most of the arguments in this real debate. Laments our getting on someone’s bandwagon too quickly in confirming or rejecting a concept or an approach to doing things. Aims to shed some light on this interesting issue.
Viewpoint: Ethical standards or accounting standards for developing countries: which one should come first?
Authors: Doost Roger K.
Published: July 2002

With the formation of the International Accounting Standards Committee in the 1970s the natural progression in the 1980s was to bring together developing and underdeveloped nations in the path towards standardization. What the standard‐setting body wished to do was to introduce these countries to the codified set of international accounting standards. Raises the key question of priority. Should the focus of international accounting bodies with regard to the needs of developing countries be on harmonization or standardization of accounts in the coming decade, or should it be on developing the proper and ethical environment for sound business practices? Puts forward the belief, based on personal experience, that imposing international accounting standards on developing countries, at this time, is still hasty and immature.
Business process control for the twenty‐first century
Authors: Ratliff Richard L. , Reding Kurt F. , Rees Fullmer R.
Published: July 2002

Many of the traditional controls that accountants and auditors are most familiar with can be traced to bureaucratic management. This article introduces a business process control model that fully captures the broader array of process controls now being implemented by world‐class organizations, including value‐adding controls focused on quality, cost and time. The article describes the categories of controls included in the model, presents a new way of mapping process controls that reflects the model, and illustrates the use of the model within the context of an actual business process. The article also discusses the primary benefits of adopting the model. First, the model provides a common business process control language and structure which will facilitate communications and foster a uniform understanding of process controls among senior executives, process owners, accountants and auditors. Second, the model provides a framework for comprehensively assessing business process risks and evaluating and improving business process controls.
Accounting, auditing and regulating charities ‐ towards a theoretical underpinning
Authors: Palmer Paul , Vinten Gerald
Published: July 2002

We outline the history of a distinct accounting standard for charities. It charts the development of the first charity SORP and its subsequent failure. The paper explains the development of the current second charity SORP, and reviews three philosophical schools of accounting ‐ positivism, interpretive and critical. We critique how each perspective would define the SORP’s development. We conclude that all three philosophies provide a context which validates the purpose of the new charity accounting statement and subsequent regulation. The interpretative school, however, provides fusion between theory and current professional practice.
A signal detection theory approach to analyzing the efficiency and effectiveness of auditing to detect management fraud
Authors: Karim Khondkar E. , Siegel Philip H.
Published: July 2002

The purpose of this paper is to apply signal detection theory (SDT) to the problem of detecting management fraud. The use of SDT methodology significantly strengthens understanding of the relationships among audit technology, base rates of management fraud, costs of Type I and Type II errors, extensions of audit procedures, and risk assessments prior and during the audit. The analysis suggests that the auditor must accept disproportionate false alarm rates in order to maintain audit effectiveness in the presence of management fraud. This condition becomes even stronger as the costs of Type II errors increase compared to costs of Type I errors. The study also provides policy implications for auditor practice and standard‐setters.
Confirmation of a four‐variable quality management model
Authors: Noronha Carlos
Published: July 2002

Most “quality management models” to date have been largely “experience‐based”. For example, Deming’s famous chain reaction model and Juran’s trilogy model are validated by the gurus’ own observations and experience in the industry. Such “experience‐based” models have laid the cornerstone for some more “theory‐driven” approaches to quality management, usually encompassing theories from other related disciplines such as motivational theories and group dynamics. Such approaches have, in turn, formed the basis for some widely accepted and implemented quality management models. The TQM model of the US Department of Defense is an excellent example of a blueprint of quality strategies adopted by outstanding companies worldwide. Very little literature to date has attempted to verify the veracity of such models using actual data collected from the industry. The present paper aims at presenting an interesting exercise in verifying and confirming one such model using structural equation modelling techniques.
Quality assurance in the social sector
Authors: Häversjö Tord
Published: July 2002

The latest Mobile oil survey tells us that up to September 1997 more than 200,000 accredited ISO 9000‐family certificates had been issued worldwide. This figure reminds us of the fact that certified quality management is no longer a matter solely for production companies, but is nowadays practised in almost any industry around the world. In this article the implementation of an ISO 9000 system in a public‐owned home for mentally retarded and disabled people in Denmark called “Ebo”, is being analysed. The analysis focuses on three major areas: the motivation for choosing certification, the interpretation of the standard in the social sector, and finally the effects of the implementation process at Ebo. The research project has been conducted through action research methodology in which the author has been involved in the implementation process as a consultant.
The internal auditor as fraud‐buster
Authors: Hillison William , Pacini Carl , Sinason David
Published: July 2002

External auditors are often not positioned to detect and report the occurrence of employee fraud. Internal auditors, however, can be an entity’s main line of defence against fraud. In this article, the authors identify: the fraud risks and signals that internal auditors should recognize, the assistance that internal auditors can provide external auditors in implementing SAS No. 82 and complying with Title III of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act, and the affirmative steps internal auditors can take to prevent, deter, detect, and report fraud. The future is not promising, however. All three aspects of the fraud model – pressure, opportunity, and rationalization – appear to be moving in the direction of increasing the risk of fraud. The potential for increased fraud demands a sharpened focus by the internal auditor.
Audit disaster futures: antidotes for the expectation gap?
Authors: Wolf Fran M. , Tackett James A. , Claypool Gregory A.
Published: July 2002

The gap between what the public expects from the auditor and what the auditor perceives his or her role to be has exacerbated crises within the accounting profession. Perceived audit failures, followed by historically large law suits, have resulted in the alteration of accounting firms’ behavior. Ironically, the response has done little to alleviate the crisis in public confidence and has led to other concerns related to the auditor‐client relationship. Discusses issues associated with the expectation gap and posits that the profession’s efforts to educate users as to the nature of the audit process is a necessary, but insufficient, response. A two‐part strategy is proposed to effect structural change of the auditor‐client environment. Part one of the strategy calls for greater involvement of regulators in selecting the external auditor and requiring auditor rotation. Part two of the strategy proposes market‐based instruments, audit failure permits and audit disaster futures, to deal with remaining audit risk.
Strategic marketing management for health management: cross impact matrix and TOWS
Authors: Proctor Tony
Published: July 2002

Organisations operate within a three‐tiered environment – internal, micro and macro. The environment is a powerjul force acting upon the effectiveness of strategic decision making. Failure to take cognisance of the influence of the three‐tiered environment can have disastrous consequences. The cross‐impact matrix and the TOWS matrix are two strategic decision‐making aids that improve effective decision making. When used in conjunction with creative problem solving methods they can provide the basis of a powerful management tool.
NHS reforms in the United Kingdom and learning from developing country experience
Authors: Collins C.D. , Green A.T. , Hunter D.J.
Published: July 2002

The NHS has been the object of much international interest from its inception and through its periodic reforms. However, UK policy‐makers have expressed only limited and selective concern for health sector reforms in other countries. This paper seeks to identify key elements of the present process and content of reforms to the UK NHS and examine the extent to which international learning would be important in developing these reforms. Particular emphasis is placed on learning from developing country experience. The paper therefore considers the policy process in the UK, the focus on primary care, the shift from competitive to collaborative strategies in addition to prioritising and planning. Each is considered in relation to developing country experience and the opportunities for learning. The paper concludes by setting out four areas leading to an international opening in NHS policy processes: developing political space in policy making, developing mechanisms for international exchanges, understanding policy context, and broadening international experience and changing values. The notion of a one‐way process in international policy learning is rejected: while the South can learn from the North, so too can the North from the South.
Beyond the Business Plan
Authors: Harrison James , Thompson David , Flanagan Hugh , Tonks Peter
Published: July 2002

Acknowledges that business planning in the NHS frequently disappoints.
Reasons for this are found in the tendency for managers to view the
production of a plan as an end rather than a means. A further difficulty
resides in the perception managers have of their world. Argues that
marketing is the most appropriate paradigm for understanding and
structuring this world at present. However, an adaptive cognitive style
is necessary to allow constant reframing within the dominant paradigm or
even reframing of the paradigm itself. In adopting these approaches, the
probability of achieving competitive advantage is heightened. If they
are ignored, however, it is likely that training and development
techniques, however sophisticated, will have little lasting impact.
Management: The One Disease Consultants Did Not Think Existed
Authors: Dopson Sue
Published: July 2002

Considers progress made in involving doctors in management, drawing on
available ethnographies of local health‐care systems and a small‐scale
study of consultants who have moved into clinical director roles or the
equivalent. Specifically considers the extent to which the sample
believes consultant roles have changed as a result of the recent
reorganization of the NHS and general concerns about the involvement of
doctors in management.
Assessing Strategic Behaviour within the Acute Sector of the National Health Service
Authors: Chaston Ian
Published: July 2002

The creation of the internal market has merely been the latest progression in the change processes confronting the NHS over recent years as the UK Government searches for new ways of expanding patient output while concurrently restricting provision of additional financial resources. To assist in the implementation of change, acute sector providers have introduced managerial concepts from the private sector such as strategic planning. It is not clear, however, whether these techniques are appropriate or effective in the management of health‐care services. A survey was undertaken to gain the perspectives of middle managers in acute units on the degree to which senior management involves them in determining performance goals and strategic plans. Results indicate that in most units, the orientation of senior management is to retain control over key issues associated with strategic planning and to minimize the degree to which the workforce is involved in any decision‐making processes. Reviewing these results relative to the service‐sector management theories concerning the options of industrializing or employee empowerment strategies indicates that senior management in the acute sector is operating a production‐line service output philosophy. Although this orientation may meet the immediate needs of the UK Government, a review of how this strategic philosophy has severely weakened Western firms′ position in world markets provides a basis for examining whether greater economic advantages might accrue to Britain by redirecting the management of change in the NHS towards a strategic philosophy based on employee empowerment.
Doctors in management or the revenge of the conquered
Authors: Allen David
Published: July 2002

Takes a historical perspective on the role of doctors in
management, using this approach as a way of describing the current
situation and the problems inherent in doctors as managers without
appropriate training. Describes the changes occurring in the attitudes
of doctors following participation in management training programmes and
the importance of encouraging doctors to continue to participate in such
programmes designed specifically for their needs.
Physician supply and distribution in the USA
Authors: McEldowney Rene P. , Berry Arnold
Published: July 2002

The rising cost of US health care has precipitated some close
examination as to the supply, distribution, and specialty choice of the
physician workforce. It is an issue of considerable concern as America
struggles to control health‐care expenditures by shifting resources away
from specialty medicine. Central to this problem are the various
programmes and incentives which have encouraged an excess number of
residency positions and specialty training. Examines the consequences of
an unregulated medical school structure and provides an overview of
current policy alternatives designed to increase the number of primary
care physicians, correct the problems of physician maldistribution, and
limit the overall number of medical school graduates.
Health‐care reforms in the Czech Republic
Authors: Earl‐Slater Alan
Published: July 2002

Health‐care reform is everywhere. Although different countries are moving at different speeds, using somewhat different means and different routes, they are all trying to arrive at the same place. The place is called “better value for money in health care”. Presents details of the health‐care reforms taking place in the Czech Republic, identifying and discussing the main strands of Czech reforms: the dissolution of the regional health authorities; the reorientation of district health authorities; the move to a pluralistic semi‐competitive insurance‐based system; hospitals receiving funding by winning contracts with purchasers; contracts becoming more sophisticated and being based on cost, volume and quality factors; changes in the incentives and rewards for GPs; the drive towards a primary‐care‐led health‐care system; and privatization.
Management of queues in out‐patient departments: the use of computer simulation
Authors: Aharonson‐Daniel Limor , Paul Ray J. , Hedley Anthony J.
Published: July 2002

Notes that patients attending public outpatient departments in Hong Kong spend a long time waiting for a short consultation, that clinics are congested and that both staff and patients are dissatisfied. Points out that experimentation of management changes in a busy clinical environment can be both expensive and difficult. Demonstrates computerized simulation modelling as a potential tool for clarifying processes occurring within such systems, improving clinic operation by suggesting possible answers to problems identified and evaluating the solutions, without interfering with the clinic routine. Adds that solutions can be implemented after they had proved to be successful on the model. Demonstrates some ways in which managers in health care facilities can benefit from the use of computerized simulation modelling. Specifically, shows the effect of changing the duration of consultation and the effect of the application of an appointment system on patients’ waiting time.
Swedish physicians’ perspectives on the introduction of the Stockholm model
Authors: Quaye Randolph K.
Published: July 2002

Reports findings on the perspectives of Swedish physicians since the introduction of the Stockholm model. Subjects were asked to describe their work, how long they had been working and whether they were familiar with the Stockholm model. Questions also focused on professional autonomy, use of diagnostic‐related groups (DRGs), quality of care and competition among health‐care providers. Most of the physicians interviewed reported that the Stockholm model had the advantage of increasing efficiency and productivity, that economic incentives influenced their medical decisions, and medical treatment appears more patient‐focused than before. Finally, primary care physicians report an enhanced status within the medical profession.
Opportunity 2000 in the National Health Service: a missed opportunity for women
Authors: Corby Susan
Published: July 2002

The NHS in 1991 launched an equality programme for women, setting eight goals to be achieved by 1994. Shows that at least some of the goals are not being met and suggests reasons falling into four categories. First is the NHS context, including trusts’ autonomy which is incompatible with a national equality plan. Second, there is a failure of implementation, Third, the programme is inherently flawed: its business rationale is less than convincing to many health professionals who attach a high value to ethics, Fourth, the reasons for failure relate to all equality programmes for women, including a value system which sees the male career pattern as the norm. Concludes that movement towards equality for women in the NHS is only likely to be made if a different approach to goal setting is adopted.
The introduction of patient process re‐engineering in the Peterborough Hospitals NHS Trust
Authors: Probert David , Stevenson Bill , Tang Nelson K.H. , Scarborough Harry
Published: July 2002

Patient process recognition and re‐engineering (PPR) has become a major concern of recent health care development and management. This paper discusses the position of the National Health Service (NHS) in the UK; where it is at present and where it aims to be. It suggests that the work of the current government in developing community care is central to the work of both the Leicester Royal Infirmary and the Peterborough Hospitals NHS Trust, when building relationships between primary (community) and secondary (hospital) health care provision. This paper aims to examine whether and how PPR can improve patient processes in the NHS. It does this through a case study of PPR in Peterborough Hospital.
Opinion
Authors: Wright John , Smith Michael L. , Jackson David R.H.
Published: July 2002

This paper describes the early development of clinical governance in an acute NHS Trust. Three Trust‐wide workshops and 17 individual departmental workshops were held between 1998‐1999. The discussions in these workshops were used to define the key founding principles of clinical governance and the operational structure. The philosophy behind clinical governance, to improve quality of services, was recognised as being part of mainstream trust business, not an optional add‐on. The authors found that teamwork and multidisciplinary collaboration are essential components of future quality improvement. Effective leadership skills need to be supported and developed, with responsibilities shared between a core group within each department rather than one individual. Contributions should be recognised and rewarded. Collaboration with primary care and involvement of patients are prerequisites. Specific objectives should be agreed by each department and used to monitor progress. More effective use of existing resources (staff, time, IT and training) can be made.
Integrated care management: applying control theory to networks
Authors: van Raak Arno , Paulus Aggie , van Merode Frits , Mur‐Veeman Ingrid
Published: July 2002

Delivery of integrated care by interorganisational networks attracts much attention in Europe. Such care is required to meet the demands of multi‐problem patients. Many efforts are made to establish networks. Often, established networks do not deliver integrated care. Managers must understand the background of this problem, in order to deal with it. The issue addressed here concerns behaviour control in networks of autonomous care‐providing organisations. So far, publications have focused on behaviour control in single organisations. Based on empirical data we argue that, due to an essential distinction between networks and single organisations, behaviour control in the former should be approached differently. In addition, we discuss the implications of our findings for the management of integrated care delivery.
The production of large format backplanes—part 1
Authors: Morse Gary
Published: July 2002

Reviews the equipment and processing challenges involved in the initial stages of the manufacture of large area back plane printed wiring boards and describes some of the techniques employed by APW Electronic Solutions.
The production of large format backplanes—part 2Presented at the ICT 27th Annual Symposium, 2 May 2001
Authors: Morse Gary
Published: July 2002

The first part of this article was published in Circuit World (Volume 28, Issue 2) and in this second part the final stages of large format backplane manufacture from the desmear and metallisation process onwards are described.
A step to endorse sustainability
Authors: Seidl Irmi
Published: July 2002

Though sustainable development is widely accepted, its realisation is hampered by numerous factors, many of which are located within the political system. The paper discusses some of these hindrances and the council on sustainable development which is designated to counterbalance and attenuate them. Special attention is given to the council’s functions and tasks, competencies and composition. Also, contradictions of different requirements and the contingencies of day‐to‐day politics are explored. Two existing national councils (USA and Switzerland) are discussed as exemplars. This paper argues that these councils do not have enough competencies and legitimisation to bring about a turn in politics towards sustainable development. Yet, they are a first step to having the idea of sustainable development represented institutionally within the political system.
Conflicts and paradoxes in economic development
Authors: Basu Parikshit K.
Published: July 2002

Papua New Guinea (PNG) relied heavily on exploitation of mineral wealth in the past for achieving economic growth. Although in terms of macroeconomic indicators, growth performance is not entirely unsatisfactory, the government failed to redistribute the benefits of this limited growth, and the beneficiaries have been localized and narrow. As a result, in terms of standard of living of its population, PNG remained one of the poorest nations in the world. In recent years, the new development strategy to a greater extent stresses renewable sources such as agriculture, fisheries, processing and downstream activities, and tourism. With its unique and pristine physical and cultural diversity, tourism can conveniently become the mainstream economic activity of this island nation. However, PNG tourism is entirely based on its natural, environmental and cultural resources. So any economic activity which disturbs these infrastructures is most likely to affect the tourism potential adversely. Development of agricultural activities, fisheries, forestry and mining, while undertaken indiscriminately (as it is done today), is actually affecting the potentiality of tourism growth and creating conflicts of economic interests. As a result, neither tourism nor other activities are being developed properly and the wellbeing of the country’s population remained unchanged. More importantly, these conflicts are often generating significant and far‐reaching social and political tensions. Unless controlled at this initial stage of development, the process can lead to a very unbalanced situation from where a turnaround would be extremely difficult.
On values and their estimation
Authors: Bennett Jeff
Published: July 2002

Whilst demands for benefit cost analysis (BCA) to be applied to a wide variety of policy decisions are growing, there remains a degree of dissatisfaction amongst policy makers, non‐economist specialists and some economists with its use. Part of that dissatisfaction arises because of a degree of confusion relating to what is meant by the term value as it is used in BCA. Furthermore, proponents of other techniques that have been suggested as substitutes for BCA are keen to cast doubts on the ability of BCA to perform its role in consolidating the disparate information relating to the outcomes of alternative policies. An attempt is made to clarify the notion of value as it is used in a variety of guises. These alternative notions are assessed in terms of their abilities to assist in policy formulation. Second, some of the alternative techniques are critiqued, with particular attention being paid to the use of the value concept. Concludes that clarity in the specification of the goals to which a specific concept of value is to be applied is vital. Different concepts relate to different goals and the application of the wrong concept to a goal could be costly. In a final section, the confusion that has arisen within the discipline regarding the concept of value that underpins some non‐market valuation techniques is explored.
Water conveyance costs and conjunctive use
Authors: Umetsu Chieko , Chakravorty Ujjayant
Published: July 2002

Suggests a spatial conjunctive use model of an irrigation project in which the utility invest optimally for the water distribution system and charge farmers the shadow price of surface and groundwater. Seepage from the irrigation canal and on the field are assumed to recharge the groundwater aquifer. Particular attention was given to the effects of conveyance on the allocation of both surface and groundwater resources and the distribution of rents. An empirical model indicated that higher conveyance costs skew the distribution of water as well as rents over the project area. This suggests that the tail farmers need to face a substantially higher price for water if the system deteriorates and conveyance costs increase in the long run.
Is growth good for the poor? Thailand’s boom and bust
Authors: Warr Peter G.
Published: July 2002

In the past two decades, Thailand experienced a prolonged economic boom followed by a collapse. During the boom the incidence of absolute poverty fell dramatically but relative inequality increased. The collapse of 1997 had the reverse effects. The poor became significantly worse off in an absolute sense but proportionately less so than the rich; inequality thus declined. The significance of these events depends on a fundamental question: does the welfare of the poor depend on their absolute standard of living, as reflected in measures of poverty incidence, or on their position relative to the rich, as reflected in measures of inequality?
Rescuing charitable duties
Authors: Wein Sheldon
Published: July 2002

This paper examines the duty to rescue and the duty to assist the needy. An explanation is offered regarding why common‐sense morality makes the duty to rescue feel more pressing than the duty to assist the needy.
Income and social inequality in China: impact on consumption and shopping patterns
Authors: Khei‐Mie Wong Grace , Yu Lu
Published: July 2002

Since the “open‐door” policy was introduced in 1978, China’s socio‐economic development has been impressive, and the standard of living of its approximately 1.2 billion population has generally improved. However, with the rapid economic development and technological advancement comes the inevitable income and social inequality between urban and rural residents as well as among the populace in different regions of China. The disparity in consumption and shopping patterns between higher income and lower income consumers, as well as the recent deflation and “premature consumption psychology” phenomenon in China, have become major challenges for existing shopping centers, and the development of the retail sector as a whole. Based on official data from 1991 to 1998 and empirical evidence from a 1998/9 study, this paper examines the differences in consumption and shopping patterns among consumers in China and discusses the reasons behind such disparity.
Regional disparities in China: an alternative view
Authors: Wu Yanrui
Published: July 2002

Regional disparities in China have recently attracted the attention of economists both inside and outside China. In particular, researchers and policy makers are concerned with how economic reforms have affected regional disparities in China. As a result, there has been a boom in the literature. However, the exploding literature has so far presented conflicting results. The aim of this paper is to review the literature in this field and to present new evidence on income disparities in China’s regional economies. This study is based on the application of regional GDP figures covering the period of 1953‐1997. It attempts to assess and consolidate the findings from previous studies and hence contributes to the current debate.
Major Douglas′ Proposals for a National Dividend
Authors: Burkitt Brian , Hutchinson Frances
Published: July 2002

Restates the essential economic proposals of Major Douglas, whose social
(BEI) movement was a substantial political force in the inter‐war years.
Refutes some common misinterpretations of his work and provides a new
interpretation of his collaboration with A.R. Orage, a prominent guild
socialist, between 1918 and 1922. Re‐assesses Douglas’ contributions to
economic thought in the light of more recent events and of the
development of the newly recognized discipline of social economics. Aims
to show that Douglas’ warnings fall within the boundaries of this
discipline, both in questionning the purpose of the economic system and
in assessing its impact on the community in which it operates.
The Moral Community: An Additional Dimension to Individualistic Rationalism
Authors: Reilly Bernard J. , Kyj Myroslaw J.
Published: July 2002

In today′s complex and interdependent society the meaning of the individual and the meaning of the community become critical for the functioning of a well‐ordered society. Examines the basic flaw in classical economic reasoning which promotes an anti‐social meaning of reality. Namely, its premisses limit reasoning to the analytical meaning of the individual isolated from significance given to the importance of community. Draws the conclusion that the scientific paradigm of economic thought is limited in its ability to account for the ethical and moral functioning of individuals as part of a moral community. It is a theory of reasoning with little regard for broader human ends than self‐interest efficiency. However, when the economic “technique” is applied to society it becomes normative for behavioural definitions.
Technology and Paradigms of Managerial Decision Making
Authors: Manders A.J.C. , Brenner Y.S.
Published: July 2002

Combines theory with practice, based on experiences rather than
philosophical speculation. The question posed is whether technological
innovation must be regarded as an exogenous or endogenous variable in
economic models. Neoclassical economics, even in such modified versions
as developed by Samuelson and Solow, regard technology, labour economics
and social change, exogenous. The belief is that they are endogenous,
and innovations in the technological sphere are no less influenced by
economic factors than the economy by technological developments.
Examines the related decision‐making processes in one of the major
electronics multinationals in order to obtain more insight into the
complex interaction between economic and technological changes.
The Economic Aspects of Environmental Co‐operatives for Farmers
Authors: Slangen Louis H.G.
Published: July 2002

Nature and landscape and the quality of soil, water and air are indicated as the environment. On the basis of exclusiveness and rivalry the environment is a public good. Modern mechanized and intensified agriculture has reduced qualities of this environment. These consequences are negative external effects of contemporary agriculture, and in this sense a typical example of market failure. Government intervention is, because of x‐inefficiency and allocation inefficiency, not without problems. An alternative would be to apply a decentralized decision‐making process. The “club” theory offers a theoretical basis from which it can be deduced that co‐operation by farmers in the shape of an environmental co‐operative is a Pareto efficient alternative to Government interventions. For legitimacy, effectiveness and efficiency it is important that covenants, transferable pollution rights or permits and management agreements are a coherent part of the instruments of an environmental co‐operative.
The Industrial Commons and Other Workplace Regimes
Authors: O′Boyle Edward J.
Published: July 2002

Mainstream economics views the workplace from the perspective of
property rights, maximum efficiency, and profit maximization. Economic
resources, including human beings, are represented as instrumentalities.
Social economics affirms the problem of unmet human material need and
the inadequacy of the “invisible hand” solution but does not provide a
single paradigm as to how the workplace is reconstructed to meet that
need. The key to workplace reconstruction is to shift attention from
property rights and personal rights to human material need by
recognizing that rights derive from need and that rights are means to
the end of meeting need. Describes the seven workplace regimes in which
human material need is more salient than property rights, personal
rights or organizational types such as sole proprietorship or
corporation, and the characteristics of the industrial commons, drawing
on Ronald Oakerson′s framework for analysing the natural resource
commons.
Regulatory capture and the price of electricity: evidence from time
series estimates
Authors: Upadhyaya Kamal P. , Mixon Franklin G.
Published: July 2002

Re‐estimates the famous study by Stigler and Friedland (1962) that
examines the impact of regulation on the price of electricity. Employs
time‐series data in the analysis, in light of recent extensions of the
Stigler‐Peltzman theory of regulation. By modelling regulatory behaviour
as an endogenous variable in a simultaneous system the model suggests
that regulatory agencies are more likely to respond to the concerns of
the firms that are being regulated. The regulatory authorities use their
political power to regulate when the price of electricity (and hence,
producer profits) falls over time.
The feasibility of an expenditure tax
Authors: Pressman Steven
Published: July 2002

Argues that while an expenditure tax would increase the complexity
and administrative burdens of taxation, these problems are not
overwhelming. The problems which have led others to conclude that an
expenditure tax is infeasible, or would result in gross inequities, are
not insuperable. At worst they can be handled with a little ingenuity
and a suitable transition scheme. The case for or against an expenditure
tax must rest on whether the economic benefits of adopting such a tax
exceed the minor administrative costs of the tax. The expenditure tax
cannot be rejected as infeasible merely because of practical or
administrative problems.
Impacts of welfare participation, school dropouts, and police force
on illegal drug arrests
Authors: Hsing Yu
Published: July 2002

Examines the determinants of illegal drug arrests based on the 1991
data for 48 states in the USA. Major findings indicate that illegal drug
arrests have a positive relation with welfare (AFDC) recipients, high
school dropout rates, field police force and other types of crime, and a
negative relation with the unemployment rate. Policy implications of
this study are that to reduce illegal drug crime, the government and
parents need to emphasize family values and work ethics, provide quality
education and proper counselling, increase field police size or make
police more productive, and reduce other types of crime.
Property rights and environmental management on Pacific atolls
Authors: Hunt Colin
Published: July 2002

Argues that the serious environmental degradation occurring in two “low island” Pacific states, Kiribati and Tuvalu, can be directly attributed to the lack of allocation of rights of access to, or the lack of exclusion of non rights‐holders from, common property resources. A recommendation, resulting from research in the countries concerned, is that the governments must enforce their rights over lands and underground water, if these resources are to continue to provide benefits to the community and if disease incidence in the population (an outcome of open access to public resources) is to be reduced. For the management of inshore fisheries resources, it is suggested that rights of Island Councils are confirmed and reinforced by central government. In the case of the nations’ ocean resources, co‐operation between Pacific island states is required to manage access and exploitation by foreign vessels.
Dissent from choice theory: implications for environmental decision making
Authors: Tacconi Luca
Published: July 2002

Shows the importance of heeding Clem Tisdell’s call to devote attention to values and to consider further the limitations of unbounded rationality models in economic research. Outlines the implications of a criticism of choice theory for environmental decision‐making. The critics of positivist philosophy of science show that it is impossible to carry out any analysis without making value judgements. The economist cannot escape this neither in theoretical analyses nor in applied studies. In relation to Clem Tisdell’s call to consider values without pontificating on them, it is important to make two points. First, the analysts should state as clearly as possible the values that guide their specific analyses. Second, they could provide the decision makers with a range of options that depend on different stakeholders’ ethical positions. Describes elements of the participatory decision‐making process. It is noted that this approach to evaluation may enhance the rationality of the choices; better represent the values of the various stakeholders; and allow an improved interaction between individuals and institutions.
A post‐mortem on the Clinton healthcare proposal
Authors: Hill Lewis E. , McComb Robert F.
Published: July 2002

Examines the Clinton administration’s health‐care proposal, for a system of national health insurance in the USA. Investigates whether, if it had been implemented, it would have solved healthcare delivery system problems. Goes on to question why it failed to gain the approval of Congress. Argues that the free market for health care is achieving its own solution through the development of managed care arrangements. Deals with the consequences of managed care for the US economy.
Towards the teleological understanding of economic value
Authors: Leiashvily Paata
Published: July 2002

Suggests a new understanding of the category of economic value. According to this understanding, economic value is the unity of economic utility and economic costs. Interprets these categories of utility and costs as relative, and imminently implying one another. There exists a specific attitude of man towards the limited goods which are involved in his teleological activity. On the basis of this new understanding of economic value, attempts to give a new explanation of the law of increasing marginal costs, as the opposite form of manifestation of the law of diminishing marginal utility. Suggests an original interpretation of global and local criteria for optimum, and of an economic mechanism for comparison of costs and utility. Proposes many ideas which proceed from the teleological understanding of man’s activity and which are in harmony with the ideas and principles of econometrics.
The anarchy of legitimacy
Authors: McNutt Patrick
Published: July 2002

Focuses on the indirect participation of the more marginalized and disenfranchised voters in a political system where discrimination and segregation in the supply of public goods is a leading hallmark of political reality. Specifically, the non‐voters tend to be poorer, less well educated, younger and also disproportionately higher in minority and discriminated groups. There is instability in the political system and inevitably their detachment confers legitimacy to a political suborder, popularized by terrorism and paramilitary activity. Addresses the possibility of achieving equal control of the political agenda. The unelected representatives, referred to as the parapoliticians, of the marginalized and disenfranchised citizens, many of whom have had recourse to paramilitary activity, have to be included in the negotiations for a new political system. The accomplishment may be in electing a government but a greater accomplishment would be in revealing and unmasking who really governs. The parapoliticians are in a unique position to exercise agenda control which would restore stability to the political system.
Postscript: comments on proposed elections in Northern Ireland
Authors: McNutt Patrick , Moran Mark
Published: July 2002

The elections in Northern Ireland took place on 30 May 1996. The parapolitical parties must have a fair share of the seats in any new proposed electoral body. Comment on the distribution of seats is difficult, however, as the concentration of seats in a supergroup of seven or ten and the redistribution of seats away from the lower group of five or eight parties is a more complex issue, bedevilled by a mixture of considerations of what is right, what is fair and what is representative.
Incentive model designed for macro‐economy management system in China
Authors: Ming Lei
Published: July 2002

Introduces incentive strategy as a market‐oriented and highly efficient macro‐economy management system (MEMS). By means of the hierarchical decision‐making theory and the stochastic optimization theory, two static models with perfect information structure and partial information structure respectively are designed.
Impact of “Europe agreements” on FDI in developing countries
Authors: Prasad Agarwal Jamuna
Published: July 2002

Argues that the association of Bulgaria, Hungary, Poland, Romania, Czech and Slovak Republics (CEECs) with the European Union (EU) under “Europe agreements” is unlikely to divert any significant amount of foreign direct investment (FDI) from developing countries because most of it in the latter is location specific. Notes that this applies to investments in natural resources, services and manufacturing industries targeting at domestic markets of the host developing countries. Only in the case of footloose labour and pollution intensive branches, developing countries may face additional locational competition from the associated CEECs. But such industries generally have very low shares in total FDI. Moreover, relative costs of production in CEECs are expected to rise in the course of their convergence towards EU standards.