The 2008 crash has left all the established economic doctrines - equilibrium models, real business cycles, disequilibria models - in disarray. Part of the problem is due to Smith’s "veil of ignorance": individuals unknowingly pursue society’s interest and, as a result, have no clue as to the macroeconomic effects of their actions: witness the Keynes and Leontief multipliers, the concept of value added, fiat money, Engel’s law and technical progress, to name but a few of the macrofoundations of microeconomics. A good viewpoint to take bearings anew lies in comparing the post-Great Depression institutions with those emerging from Thatcher and Reagan’s economic policies: deregulation, exogenous vs. endoge- nous money, shadow banking vs. Volcker’s Rule. Very simply, the banks, whose lending determined deposits after Roosevelt, and were a public service became private enterprises whose deposits determine lending. These underlay the great moderation preceding 2006, and the subsequent crash.

The Economic Institutions of Capitalism

行銷硏究 : Marketing research

Open Innovation: The New Imperative for Creating and Profiting from Technology

Supply chain collaboration: Impact on collaborative advantage and firm performance

Alliance Management as a Source of Competitive Advantage

Many managers attempt to develop collaborative alliances with other organizations. Such strategies are difficult to implement: they are as likely to fail as to succeeed. Implementing and managing an alliance is harder than deciding to collaborate. This paper explores the topic empirically through a study of one form of alliance – supply chain partnering. It presents an interaction model of partnering which shows seven contextual factors that shape, and are shaped by, human action. This context can both help and hinder the emergence of co-operative behaviour. The model is illustrated through a case study of two organizations (customer and supplier) attempting to co-operate more closely. The case shows how the cultural and other differences between the parties at first caused difficulty. Actions were taken to change aspects of the context to facilitate more co-operative behaviour. Improving interpersonal relations led to further actions to create more formal mechanisms which would support future co-operation. These appear to have contributed to the relationship exceeding the initial expectations of the partners. The interaction model illuminates both the content and process of supply chain partnering.

Implementing Collaboration Between Organizations: An Empirical Study Of Supply Chain Partnering

Globalisation and technology effects appear to have spurred smaller firms around the world to embrace e‐business practices. However, there is considerable variability in adoption and usage from country to country. Drawing on existing research on e‐business and conventional business and marketing in the smaller firm, this paper formulates a conceptual framework of reasons behind adoption and non‐adoption in the smaller firm. Macro dimensions, industry sector and firm‐level factors are analysed, together with owner/manager motivations and attitudes towards e‐business adoption. A conceptual framework is constructed and research propositions are then developed in order to focus attention on sets of internal and external factors which impact on smaller firm e‐business usage. Recommendations for future theory development are presented, together with implications for industry bodies involved in supporting the SME sector.

Factors impacting on e‐business adoption and development in the smaller firm

The purpose of this research was to investigate e‐business and e‐supply strategies in Scottish small‐ and medium‐sized enterprises (SMEs). The paper reviews academic literature and recent survey reports on the degree of e‐business adoption in the UK and Republic of Ireland. The qualitative methodology undertaken is described, findings are discussed and implications from this study for e‐business strategies outlined. This was an exploratory study using a small sample with possible geographic biases. Nevertheless, the data so far are in line with findings from larger studies. The role of support agencies is examined, as well as how government could better serve the SMEs. Finally conclusions and future research plans are presented.

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E-business and e-supply strategy in small and medium sized businesses (SMEs)

Drawing on existing research on e‐business and the smaller firm, this paper presents a review of the literature and the formulation of a conceptual framework of adopting an e‐business approach. Macro‐factors, industry sector, firm and managerial motivations and attitudes are examined, and then positioned in a conceptual framework of e‐business development in domestic and international markets. A series of research propositions are developed which go beyond the formalised, prescriptive frameworks of e‐business as presented in marketing and e‐commerce textbooks. These include the belief that those firms with a high degree of entrepreneurial orientation will be more likely to develop interests in e‐business than their conservative counterparts. Other factors include firm size, age of the manager, particular industry sector and product type. Conceptualises the tangible and intangible factors which impact upon the process of e‐business development, to present a workable framework for future qualitative and quantitative data collection.

Beverly Wagner

Papers

Implementing Collaboration Between Organizations: An Empirical Study Of Supply Chain Partnering

Factors impacting on e‐business adoption and development in the smaller firm

E-business and e-supply strategy in small and medium sized businesses (SMEs)

A conceptualisation of the opportunities and barriers to e‐business development in the smaller firm

Organisational Supplying Behaviour: Understanding supplier needs, wants and preferences