bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Interaction between trade and environment policies with special‐interest politics
Authors: Keswani Mehra Meeta 
Published: October 2010

PurposeThe purpose of the paper is to examine the interdependencies between trade and environment policies, as they get jointly determined in a political‐economy model of a small open economy. In theoretical literature, government is usually modeled as benevolent. In real economies, however, it is not a pure social welfare maximizer. Lobbies have stakes in the specific policies, and they negotiate with/bribe the government over the latter's policy stance. The influence of industry lobbying on both trade and the environment policies at the political equilibrium is the focus of the paper.Design/methodology/approachConcepts from non‐cooperative game theory are used to incorporate a Nash‐bargaining game between the industry lobby and government. Government is not benevolent. Campaign contributions help win elections and provide incentive to distort policies to attract lobby contributions. Several situations are modeled. Given a politically set environment policy, tariffs may be zero in view of the free trade agreements. Or, a sequential game is modeled where environment policy is set to maximize social welfare, given a politically determined trade policy. Alternatively, in the full political equilibrium, government and lobby bargain simultaneously over tariff and the environmental tax.FindingsLobbying implies that government may trade‐off one policy for another. When only environment policy is politically manipulable by the lobby, pollution tax is lower than the Pigouvian tax. If, instead, the lobby can influence trade policy only, government provides protection to domestic import‐competing sector. In a sequential game, the trade policy outcome does not change, but pollution tax is always higher than the Pigouvian level, even with the environmental lobby absent. With both the policies political, the government “concedes” and offers positive tariff protection, but, not on environment policy; that is, imposes a pollution tax higher than the Pigouvian level.Originality/valueThe paper provides useful insights into how, under the influence of special‐interest politics, and bargaining between the government and lobbies, the trade and environment policies interact with each other. In comparison with the existing literature on this issue, it derives several stronger and (apparently) counter‐intuitive conclusions.
Residential market development in sub‐Saharan Africa
Authors: Anim‐Odame Wilfred K. , Key Tony , Stevenson Simon 
Published: October 2010

PurposeThere is a general consensus that residential submarkets exist, but the basis upon which these are specified remains the subject of debate. The purpose of this paper is to model data on different residential locations in Ghana to show how the submarkets have performed over the past 16 years.Design/methodology/approachThe paper employs hedonic modelling based on 3,250 sale transactions and 1,130 rental transactions from 1992 to 2007.FindingsThe results demonstrate that five residential real estate characteristics – location, detached, landscaping quality, gross internal areas and plot size – predominate in the explanation of both rental and transactions prices across all submarkets. They also highlight points of variation between the submarkets. An understanding of the impact of these features on residential price and rent is important for capital and rental valuation.Originality/valueThis paper analyses historic performance of the residential market, both at the aggregate and disaggregate level to place the housing market in an investment context.
Evaluating the real estate market by confidence index in China: a case study of Shenzhen
Authors: Xu Qian , Li Heng , Hui Eddie C.M. , Chen Zhen 
Published: October 2010

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to present results from a pilot research into the Chinese real estate confidence index, called CRE index, with regard to three diverse aspects, including effective demand and supply, potential demand, and potential supply, and to develop an effective tool for diversity management at different levels in the Chinese real estate market.Design/methodology/approachTo undertake this research, a novel methodology framework is introduced in terms of the three aspects. Extensive literature review and questionnaire survey are systematically adopted accordingly to work out three individual sub‐indices, and to compose the entire CRE index.FindingsThe research put forward a novel approach to describing the changing situations of the Chinese real estate market by means of the CRE index, which is synthetically calculated based on its three sub‐indices to reflect the three different aspects. For the calculation of the CRE index, data collected from government statistics and specific questionnaire survey are effectively used, and this proves a practical approach as proposed for the research.Research limitations/implicationsAlthough the CRE index is proposed to be a generic indicator for the Chinese market, this research focuses only on a synthesized CRE index for the local real estate market in Shenzhen, and data collected are also limited from 1999 to 2003. However further research with more comprehensive data can draw an entire picture and provide more reliable forecast based on either local or national data in China.Practical implicationsAs it is a generic indicator to reflect changes in the Chinese real estate market, the CRE index provides all stakeholders with a quantitative method to verify history and detect tendency with regard to the progressive development of the market which is influenced by dynamic social and natural conditions.Social implicationsThe CRE index has been developed as a tool to support diversity management in the Chinese real estate market, and it is assumed that governors at local, regional, and national levels can all use this tool in macroeconomic regulation and control towards the Chinese real estate market. Others, including developers, investors as well as consumers can all make informed judgments based on the value and trend of the CRE index.Originality/valueThe CRE index uniquely incorporates comprehensive market data and statistics, including historic data from government statistics and current information from questionnaire survey and literatures, into confidence index calculation. In this regard, comparing with other confidence indices for the real estate market, this method is capable of providing more informed predications, especially when statistical data are full and accurate.
The paradox of China's international stock market co‐movement
Authors: Nishimura Yusaku , Men Ming 
Published: October 2010

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to examine the daily and overnight volatility spillover effects in common stock prices between China and G5 countries and explain their implications on the basis of empirical results.Design/methodology/approachThe analysis utilizes the exponential generalized autoregressive conditional heteroskedasticity (EGARCH) model, the cross‐correlation function approach, and realized volatility for daily and intraday stock price data that cover the period from January 5, 2004 to December 31, 2007.FindingsPrincipally, the paper concludes the following: strong evidence of short‐run one‐way volatility spillover effects from China to the US, UK, German and French stock markets is observed and the test results indicate that Chinese investors were not rational and China's stock market entered a speculative bubble period after the second half of 2006.Originality/valueContrary to widespread belief, the empirical results suggest that a small (China) stock market has significant influence on a large (G5) stock market but not vice versa. This paradox is interpreted as a particular phenomenon existing together with the rapid economic development and severe capital regulation in China.
China's pathway to low‐carbon development
Authors: Wang Yi 
Published: October 2010

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to explore China's current policy and policy options regarding the shift to a low‐carbon (LC) development.Design/methodology/approachThe paper uses both a literature review and empirical systems analysis of the trends of socio‐economic conditions, carbon emissions and development of innovation capacities in China.FindingsThe analysis shows that a holistic solution and co‐benefit approach are needed for China's transition to a green and LC economy, and that, especially for developing countries, it is not enough to have only goals regarding mitigation and adaptation. Instead, a concrete roadmap towards a LC future is needed that addresses key issues of technology transfer, institutional arrangements and sharing the costs in the context of a global climate regime. In this light, it is argued that China should adopt an approach for low‐carbon development centred on carbon intensity reduction over the next ten years.Originality/valueThe paper thus provides a unique summary, in English, of the arguments supporting China's current low‐carbon innovation policies from one of the authors of this policy.
Chinese low‐carbon innovation
Authors: Marigo Nicoletta , Foxon Timothy J. , Pearson Peter J.G. 
Published: October 2010

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to analyse the innovation effort underway in China to develop domestic technological capacity for the manufacturing of a low‐carbon energy technology: solar photovoltaics (PV).Design/methodology/approachA framework for analysis based on the “technological capability” (TC) literature was developed and applied to explore the innovative capacities and performance of the Chinese PV manufacturers. The paper draws on a survey conducted in China in mid‐2005 with a selected number of PV manufacturers, as well as on personal interviews with other Chinese PV stakeholders and international experts.FindingsThe paper shows that by 2005 PV firms in China had progressed well beyond basic operational capabilities and were quickly moving away from being mere users of imported PV components. Despite the existence of considerable differences between the firms, their competitiveness extended beyond the use of relatively cheap labour to the reduction of production costs through TC improvements. The paper recognises that the Chinese firms had developed innovation capacity only in the most mature PV technology family, i.e. crystalline silicon, which could leave them vulnerable if new PV technology families takeover. Moreover, the Chinese Government has not so far chosen to build upon its dynamic low‐carbon PV industry by promoting long‐term measures for the development of the domestic PV market. Consequently, challenges remain for the industry.Originality/valueThere has been limited previous research into China's capacity for PV innovation, how it is developing and how it might be improved. The paper shows that a better understanding of these aspects has important bearings on China's low‐carbon future and on potential development of a significant export industry.
Going green: women entrepreneurs and the environment
Authors: Braun Patrice 
Published: October 2010

PurposeThe paper seeks to explore whether women entrepreneurs may be more engaged with green issues than their male counterparts. The study was undertaken to add to our understanding of gendered attitudes and behaviours around green entrepreneurship.Design/methodology/approachThe paper opted for a mixed method exploratory study consisting of quantitative datasets from two regional studies on environmental attitudes and behaviour and qualitative data generated as part of an Australian green entrepreneurship training program.FindingsThe study found that participating women had stronger environmental attitudes and commitment to the green entrepreneurship program than males, suggesting that women entrepreneurs may be more engaged in green issues than male entrepreneurs.Research limitations/implicationsGiven the exploratory study approach, research results lack generalisability. Therefore, researchers are encouraged to test the proposed framework.Practical implicationsUnderstanding gendered behaviours has implications for policy and education in terms of greening the small business sector. It also has implications for business innovation, the green marketplace and a sustainable post‐carbon future.Originality/valueThe paper helps lay the foundation for comprehensive research on women entrepreneurs' engagement with environmental issues and green entrepreneurship.
Values and female entrepreneurship
Authors: Terrell Katherine , Troilo Michael 
Published: October 2010

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to research the extent to which different types of values influence a woman's decision to become an entrepreneur.Design/methodology/approachThe paper constructs a two‐stage model to capture the entrepreneurial decision. In the first stage, life values affect the decision to enter the workforce. In the second stage, work values impact the type of employment sought: entrepreneur vs employee.FindingsIt is found that women whose life value is that “men should have scarce jobs before women” are less likely to participate in the labor force and hence less likely to become an entrepreneur; work values of initiative, achievement, and respect are positively correlated with entrepreneurship.Research limitations/implicationsThe definition of entrepreneurship is limited to those who are self‐employed.Practical implicationsThe findings have important policy implications. If policy makers wish to spur the rate of entrepreneurship among women to make it approach or reach the same rate as men's, raising young women's awareness that they need not hold themselves secondary to men in the job market and instilling in them work values of achievement, initiative, and respect are important.Social implicationsIf policymakers address values that impede women's economic participation, they have the potential to assist both women's social status as well as their economic well‐being.Originality/valueThe contribution and originality of the work is the synthesis of labor economics and entrepreneurship scholarship in the two‐stage model of how values influence a woman's decision to become an entrepreneur.
Connecting with women entrepreneurs: equality or business imperative?
Authors: Lawton Sue 
Published: October 2010

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to discuss the need for a shift from traditional sources of enterprise activity to routes that stimulate economic growth. In particular, it focuses on the potential of women‐owned businesses to contribute to economic recovery, and asks if creating greater access to corporate and government contracts, through initiatives such as WEConnect.Design/methodology/approachThis is essentially a discussion paper starting the debate on the contribution women business owners can make to the recovery of the economic meltdown.FindingsConnecting with women‐owned businesses is no longer about corporate social responsibility or, indeed, levelling the proverbial “playing field”. It is simply a business imperative!Originality/valueThis is an original piece of work aimed at raising awareness of the value of women business owners in the supply chain.
Effects of land use at a landscape scale on bumblebee nest density and survival
Authors: Goulson Dave , Lepais Olivier , O’Connor Stephanie , Osborne Juliet L. , Sanderson Roy A. , Cussans John , Goffe Louis , Darvill Ben 
Published: October 2010

Summary 1. We have little idea how landscape‐scale factors influence the success of wild bumblebee nests over time. Here for the first time we use molecular markers to estimate within‐season changes in the numbers of nests. 2. Workers of two bumblebee species were sampled in an arable landscape in late May–June and late July–August, and the numbers of nests represented in each sample were estimated. We compare the methods available to estimate nest number from such samples and conclude that methods which allow for heterogeneity in the probability of capture of nests provide the best fit to our data. Changes in numbers of nests at the two time points were used to infer nest survival. 3. The two bee species appeared to differ markedly in survival over time, with estimates of 45% of nests surviving for Bombus lapidarius and 91% for B. pascuorum. However, our data suggest that the foraging range of B. pascuorum may be greater in late season, which would lead us to overestimate nest survival in this species. Differential survival may also reflect differences in phenology between the two species. 4. The land use class which had the most consistent effects on nest number and survival was gardens; for B. lapidarius, the area of gardens within a 750 and 1000 m radius positively influenced nest survival, while for B. pascuorum, the number of nests in late samples was higher at sites with more gardens within a 500 and 750‐m radius. For B. pascuorum, the area of grassland within a 250 and 500‐m radius also positively influenced nest number in late samples, probably because this is the preferred nesting habitat for this species. 5. The importance of gardens is in accordance with previous studies which suggest that they now provide a stronghold for bumblebees in an otherwise impoverished agricultural environment; furthermore, our data suggest that the positive influence of gardens on bumblebee populations can spill over at least 1 km into surrounding farmland. 6. Synthesis and applications. The substantial effects that even small areas of local resources such as rough grassland or clover leys can have on bumblebee nest numbers and survival is of clear relevance for the design of pollinator management strategies.
Linking modelling, monitoring and management: an integrated approach to controlling overabundant wildlife
Authors: Chee Yung En , Wintle Brendan A. 
Published: October 2010

Summary 1. Overabundant wildlife can cause economic and ecological damage. Therefore population control typically seeks to maintain species’ abundance within desired control limits. Efficient control requires targets, methods for estimating population size before and after control, and reliable means of forecasting population size. Demographic stochasticity, environmental variability and model uncertainty complicate these tasks. Monitoring provides critical feedback in the control process, yet examples of integrated monitoring and management are scarce. 2. We developed an integrated Bayesian population modelling and monitoring algorithm to assist with dynamic cull control of an overabundant population. We describe components of the control algorithm and their combination to produce a structured, sequential prescription for implementing control of a kangaroo population. We demonstrate its application within a single management year and evaluate its performance over a multi‐year horizon under a range of scenarios reflecting uncertainties about population dynamics. 3. Simulation testing of the algorithm demonstrates that it provides a coherent, flexible, efficient and robust basis for managing population control. It is coherent in that connections between management objectives, models and operating rules are explicit and logically integrated. It is flexible in that the management objectives can be freely varied. It is both cost and operationally efficient because: (i) it avoids the need for an expensive, dedicated sampling process to estimate population size prior to culling; (ii) a relatively small number of culls produces reasonable population size estimates and (iii) the estimation by removal process enables direct assessment of whether control has been achieved. Lastly, it is robust because even when there is substantial uncertainty about system state and dynamics, the algorithm performs well at keeping the population under control over the duration of the management horizon. 4. Synthesis and applications. We provide a general and flexible framework for integrated monitoring and culling when the objective is to keep a species’ abundance within control limits. Our framework explicitly deals with uncertainty arising from demographic stochasticity, ecological complexity and lack of knowledge, and provides the foundation for maximizing efficiency and cost‐effectiveness of control operations. Our approach could be applied in any instances where control is effected via culling.
Manipulation of feedback expectancy and valence induces negative and positive reward prediction error signals manifest in event‐related brain potentials
Authors: Pfabigan Daniela M. , Alexopoulos Johanna , Bauer Herbert , Sailer Uta 
Published: October 2010

AbstractThe feedback‐related negativity (FRN) has been hypothesized to be most sensitive to unexpected negative feedback. The present study investigated feedback expectancy and valence using a probabilistic gambling paradigm where subjects encountered expected or unexpected positive and negative feedback outcomes. In line with previous studies, FRN amplitude reflected a negative reward prediction error, but to a minor extent also a positive reward prediction error. Moreover, the P300 amplitude was largest after unexpected feedback, irrespective of valence. We propose to interpret the FRN in terms of a reinforcement learning signal which is detecting mismatch between internal and external representations indexed by the ACC to extract motivationally salient outcomes.
Developing and Evaluating Complex Healthcare Interventions in Geriatrics: The Use of the Medical Research Council Framework Exemplified on a Complex Fall Prevention Intervention
Authors: Faes Miriam C. , Reelick Miriam F. , Esselink Rianne A. , Rikkert Marcel G. Olde 
Published: October 2010

Geriatrics focuses on a variety of multiorgan problems in a heterogeneous older population. Therefore, most geriatric healthcare interventions are complex interventions. The UK Medical Research Council (MRC) has developed a framework to systematically design, evaluate, and implement complex interventions. This article provides an overview of this framework and illustrates its use in geriatrics by showing how it was used to develop and evaluate a fall prevention intervention. The consecutive phases of the framework are described:Phase I: Development. This phase began with a literature review, which provided the existing evidence and the theoretical understanding of the process of change. This understanding was further developed through focus groups with experts and interviews with patients and caregivers. The intervention was modeled using qualitative testing of the preliminary intervention through focus groups and through the completion of Delphi surveys by independent specialists.Phase II: Feasibility and piloting. In this phase, a pilot study was conducted in a group of patients and caregivers. The feasibility of the intervention and evaluation was also discussed in focus groups of participants and instructors.Phase III: Evaluation. The information from phases I and II shaped the design of a randomized controlled trial to test the effectiveness of the intervention.Phase IV: Dissemination. The purpose of the final phase is to examine the implementation of the intervention into practice.The MRC framework provides an innovative and useful methodology for the development and evaluation of complex geriatric interventions that deserves greater dissemination and implementation.