Showing papers by "HEC Montréal published in 2006"
TL;DR: In this article, the authors link the domains of corporate governance, investment policies, competitive asymmetries, and sustainable capabilities, and propose a framework to link these domains to the domain of sustainable capabilities.
Abstract: This article seeks to link the domains of corporate governance, investment policies, competitive asymmetries, and sustainable capabilities. Conditions such as concentrated ownership, lengthy tenure...
705 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors investigate the relation between firms' CSR ratings and their ownership and capital structures and find that insiders' ownership and leverage are negatively related to the firm's social rating, while institutional ownership is uncorrelated with it.
Abstract: In recent years firms have greatly increased the amount of resources allocated to activities classified as Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR). While an increase in CSR expenditure may be consistent with firm value maximization if it is a response to changes in stakeholders' preferences, we argue that a firm's insiders (managers and large blockholders) may seek to over-invest in CSR for their private benefit to the extent that doing so improves their reputations as good global citizens. We test this hypothesis by investigating the relation between firms' CSR ratings and their ownership and capital structures. Employing a unique data set that categorizes the largest 3,000 U.S. corporations as either socially responsible or socially irresponsible, we find that on average, insiders' ownership and leverage are negatively related to the firm's social rating, while institutional ownership is uncorrelated with it. These results support our hypothesis that insiders induce firms to over-invest in CSR when they bear little of the cost of doing so.
660 citations
01 Dec 2006
TL;DR: The main features of the problem are described and a summary of the most important models and algorithms is provided.
Abstract: The Dial-a-Ride Problem (DARP) consists of designing vehicle routes and schedules for n users who specify pickup and delivery requests between origins and destinations. The aim is to plan a set of m minimum cost vehicle routes capable of accommodating as many users as possible, under a set of constraints. The most common example arises in door-to-door transportation for elderly or disabled people. The purpose of this article is to review the scientific literature on the DARP. The main features of the problem are described and a summary of the most important models and algorithms is provided.
618 citations
TL;DR: A model that comprises both a competitive strategy framework and the resource-based perspective is used to achieve this objective, depicting the effects of IT support on business strategy and firm assets and capturing the impact of IT on firm performance.
Abstract: The contribution of IT to business performance has been studied from two main perspectives: a ‘strategy as positioning perspective,’ which underlines a market power imperative, and a resource-based view perspective, which conceptualizes the enterprise as a ‘bundle of unique resources.’ The objective of the present study is to improve our understanding of the contribution of IT to firm performance in building upon the complementarity between the two perspectives. To do so, a model proposed by [Spanos, Y.E., Lioukas, S. 2001. An examination into the causal logic of rent generation: contrasting Porter's competitive strategy framework and the resource-based perspective. Strategic Management Journal 22(10), 907–934], which comprises both a competitive strategy framework and the resource-based perspective was adapted to reflect the role played by IT. More precisely, the model encapsulates the effects of both IT support for business strategy and IT support for firm assets on firm performance. To test the model, a survey of 96 small- and medium-sized enterprises (SME) was conducted.
450 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, a non-parametric approach for checking whether the dependence structure of a random sample of censored bivariate data is appropriately modelled by a given family of Archimedean copulas is described.
Abstract: Wang & Wells [J Amer Statist Assoc 95 (2000) 62] describe a non-parametric approach for checking whether the dependence structure of a random sample of censored bivariate data is appropriately modelled by a given family of Archimedean copulas Their procedure is based on a truncated version of the Kendall process introduced by Genest & Rivest [J Amer Statist Assoc 88 (1993) 1034] and later studied by Barbe et al [J Multivariate Anal 58 (1996) 197] Although Wang & Wells (2000) determine the asymptotic behaviour of their truncated process, their model selection method is based exclusively on the observed value of its L2-norm This paper shows how to compute asymptotic p-values for various goodness-of-fit test statistics based on a non-truncated version of Kendall's process Conditions for weak convergence are met in the most common copula models, whether Archimedean or not The empirical behaviour of the proposed goodness-of-fit tests is studied by simulation, and power comparisons are made with a test proposed by Shih [Biometrika 85 (1998) 189] for the gamma frailty family
425 citations
TL;DR: The existing body of literature on teamwork behaviors is substantial and offers many different conceptualizations as discussed by the authors, however, there is a lack of consensus concerning the conceptual structure of team-w...
Abstract: The existing body of literature on teamwork behaviors is substantial and offers many different conceptualizations. However, there is a lack of consensus concerning the conceptual structure of teamw...
336 citations
TL;DR: In this article, the authors built a typology containing 21 structuring characteristics of virtual communities of practice (VCoPs) based on an extensive review of the literature and a study of 18 VCoPs.
Abstract: The literature is packed with “one-size-fits-all” advice on how to develop intentionally formed virtual communities of practice (VCoPs). However, a closer look at the literature shows that VCoPs often have unique “personalities.” Based on an extensive review of the literature and a study of 18 VCoPs, we built a typology containing 21 structuring characteristics. We then used this typology and three of the studied VCoPs to show how different their basic natures are. Researchers and practitioners alike must not only recognize the diversity of VCoPs, but also identify challenges, strategies and practices that are contingent upon their specific characteristics.
313 citations
TL;DR: In this article, the authors explored the relationship between quality management practices and their impact on performance and found that there is a significant relationship between management and infrastructure practices and that the results illustrate a direct effect of infrastructure practices on operational performance and of core practices on product quality.
Abstract: Purpose – This paper aims to explore the relationship between quality management practices and their impact on performance.Design/methodology/approach – First, critical quality management practices are identified and classified in three main categories: management, infrastructure, and core practices. Then, a model linking these practices and performance is proposed and empirically tested. The empirical data were obtained from a survey of 133 Tunisian companies from the plastic transforming sector.Findings – The results reveal a positive relationship between quality management practices and organizational performance. Moreover, the findings show a significant relationship between management and infrastructure practices. In addition, the results illustrate a direct effect of infrastructure practices on operational performance and of core practices on product quality.Research limitations/implications – The conceptual model proposed and tested in this study can be used by researchers for developing quality ma...
304 citations
TL;DR: This article proposed an empirical framework for the estimation of dynamic stochastic general equilibrium (DSGE) models that exploits the relevant information from a data-rich environment, and applied this estimation approach to a state-of-the-art DSGE monetary model.
Abstract: Standard practice for the estimation of dynamic stochastic general equilibrium (DSGE) models maintains the assumption that economic variables are properly measured by a single indicator, and that all relevant information for the estimation is summarized by a small number of data series. However, recent empirical research on factor models has shown that information contained in large data sets is relevant for the evolution of important macroeconomic series. This suggests that conventional model estimates and inference based on estimated DSGE models might be distorted. In this paper, we propose an empirical framework for the estimation of DSGE models that exploits the relevant information from a data-rich environment. This framework provides an interpretation of all information contained in a large data set, and in particular of the latent factors, through the lenses of a DSGE model. The estimation involves MarkovChain Monte-Carlo (MCMC) methods. We apply this estimation approach to a state-of-the-art DSGE monetary model. We find evidence of imperfect measurement of the model’s theoretical concepts, in particular for inflation. We show that exploiting more information is important for accurate estimation of the model’s concepts and shocks, and that it implies different conclusions about key structural parameters and the sources of economic fluctuations.
299 citations
TL;DR: Atabu search algorithm that iteratively invokes an inner tabu search procedure for the solution of the loading subproblem is proposed, which is experimentally evaluated both on instances adapted from vehicle routing instances from the literature and on new real-world instances.
Abstract: This article considers a combination of capacitated vehicle routing and three-dimensional loading, with additional constraints frequently encountered in freight transportation. It proposes a tabu search algorithm that iteratively invokes an inner tabu search procedure for the solution of the loading subproblem. The algorithm is experimentally evaluated both on instances adapted from vehicle routing instances from the literature and on new real-world instances.
298 citations
TL;DR: In this article, the authors address the following question: why some university researchers are more likely to create spin-off companies than others, and draw on the resource-based theory of the firm.
TL;DR: A new formulation of the logistics network design problem encountered in deterministic, single-country,single-period contexts is introduced and when constraints are incorporated in the Benders decomposition algorithm, this offers outstanding reoptimization capabilities.
Abstract: In this paper we introduce a new formulation of the logistics network design problem encountered in deterministic, single-country, single-period contexts. Our formulation is flexible and integrates location and capacity choices for plants and warehouses with supplier and transportation mode selection, product range assignment and product flows. We next describe two approaches for solving the problem---a simplex-based branch-and-bound and a Benders decomposition approach. We then propose valid inequalities to strengthen the LP relaxation of the model and improve both algorithms. The computational experiments we conducted on realistic randomly generated data sets show that Benders decomposition is somewhat more advantageous on the more difficult problems. They also highlight the considerable performance improvement that the valid inequalities produce in both solution methods. Furthermore, when these constraints are incorporated in the Benders decomposition algorithm, this offers outstanding reoptimization capabilities.
TL;DR: Analysis of the results showed that web site quality had a positive impact on the cognitive appraisal of situational state, which influenced five of the six emotions of the proposed model: liking, joy, pride, dislike, and frustration.
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors focus on the extent and nature of conceptual convergence in entrepreneurship research and propose a method to evaluate the convergence of concepts in the context of entrepreneurship research.
Abstract: Conceptual convergence is often seen as a holy grail in entrepreneurship research. Yet little empirical research has focused specifically on the extent and nature of this convergence. We address th...
TL;DR: A label setting algorithm for solving the Elementary Resource Constrained Shortest Path Problem, using node resources to forbid repetition of nodes on the path, is implemented and a state-space augmenting approach for accelerating run times is considered.
TL;DR: The quay crane scheduling problem is formulated as a vehicle routing problem with side constraints, including precedence relationships between vertices, which is solved by a branch-and-cut algorithm incorporating several families of valid inequalities, which exploit the precedence constraints between Vertices.
Abstract: The quay crane scheduling problem consists of determining a sequence of unloading and loading movements for cranes assigned to a vessel in order to minimize the vessel completion time as well as the crane idle times. Idle times originate from interferences between cranes since these roll on the same rails and a minimum safety distance must be maintained between them. The productivity of container terminals is often measured in terms of the time necessary to load and unload vessels by quay cranes, which are the most important and expensive equipment used in ports. We formulate the quay crane scheduling problem as a vehicle routing problem with side constraints, including precedence relationships between vertices. For small size instances our formulation can be solved by CPLEX. For larger ones we have developed a branch-and-cut algorithm incorporating several families of valid inequalities, which exploit the precedence constraints between vertices. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Naval Research Logistics, 2006
TL;DR: Simulations conducted with real-life emergency medical services data from the Montreal area confirm the feasibility of the proposed approach to provide a dynamic relocation strategy for emergency vehicle waiting sites in such a way that the expected covered demand is maximized and the number of waiting site relocations is controlled.
Abstract: In the Maximal Expected Coverage Relocation Problem the aim is to provide a dynamic relocation strategy for emergency vehicle waiting sites in such a way that the expected covered demand is maximized and the number of waiting site relocations is controlled. The problem can be formulated as an integer linear program. When the number of vehicles is relatively small this program can be solved within reasonable computing time. Simulations conducted with real-life emergency medical services data from the Montreal area confirm the feasibility of the proposed approach.
TL;DR: Results demonstrate that psychological ownership of a POE system is positively associated with physicians' perceptions of system utility and system user friendliness, and indicates that through their active involvement and participation, physicians feel they have greater influence on the development process, thereby developing feelings of ownership toward the clinical system.
01 Jul 2006
TL;DR: This paper provides a foundation towards the development of a theoretical framework for the implementation of e-government systems via extensive literature review, which resulted in a synthesis of existing empirical findings and theoretical perspectives related to e- government adoption and development of the premises of a conceptual model that would reflect the multi-level and multi-dimensional nature of e -government systems acceptance.
Abstract: Despite increased research interest on e-government, the field currently lacks sound theoretical frameworks that can be useful in addressing two key issues concerning the implementation of e-government systems: (1) a better understanding of the factors influencing the adoption of e-government systems, and (2) the integration of various e-government applications. The objective of this paper is to provide a foundation towards the development of a theoretical framework for the implementation of e-government systems via extensive literature review, which resulted in (1) a synthesis of existing empirical findings and theoretical perspectives related to e-government adoption, and (2) development of the premises of a conceptual model that would reflect the multi-level and multi-dimensional nature of e-government systems’ acceptance.
TL;DR: The authors argued that pragmatic ambiguity is both the result and the resource of a collective process of interessement occurring during the rise in popularity of a new management approach, and provided empirical evidence in support of this claim by means of a longitudinal analysis of quality management (QM) concepts as articulated by several authors both before and during the Quality Movement of the 1980s and 1990s.
Abstract: This article builds on constructs that authors have labelled strategic ambiguity, interpretative viability, umbrella constructs, and boundary objects, and suggests that these constructs all articulate a central concern for collective action and the role of ambiguity therein. It characterizes as pragmatic ambiguity the condition of admitting more than one course of action, and elucidates and operationalizes this new construct. Drawing on the sociology of translation (Callon, 1986; Latour, 1987),[1] it argues that pragmatic ambiguity is both the result and the resource of a collective process of interessement occurring during the rise in popularity of a new management approach.
Following Benders and van Veen (2001), the article posits that pragmatic ambiguity increases during the rise of a management fashion. It provides empirical evidence in support of this claim by means of a longitudinal analysis of quality management (QM) concepts as articulated by several authors both before and during the Quality Movement of the 1980s and 1990s. The analyses of QM texts show that concepts became vaguer, more ambiguous, and more general as the Quality Movement gained momentum, suggesting the presence of a positive feedback loop between pragmatic ambiguity and popularity. In addition, the data illustrate how pragmatic ambiguity was achieved and sustained textually, and how it was supported by a variety of social, linguistic and rhetorical factors.
TL;DR: This work considers the case when customers can call in orders during the daily operations, and a heuristic solution method is developed where sample scenarios are generated, solved heuristically and combined iteratively to form a solution to the overall problem.
Abstract: The statement of the standard vehicle routing problem cannot always capture all aspects of real-world applications. As a result, extensions or modifications to the model are warranted. Here we consider the case when customers can call in orders during the daily operations; i.e., both customer locations and demands may be unknown in advance. This is modeled as a combined dynamic and stochastic programming problem, and a heuristic solution method is developed where sample scenarios are generated, solved heuristically, and combined iteratively to form a solution to the overall problem.
Posted Content•
01 Jan 2006TL;DR: The multiplier central limit theorem is used for calculating p-values of the Cram´er-von Mises test statistic and the testing procedure is applied on empirical examples in finance, psychology, insurance and medicine.
Abstract: We develop a test of equality between two dependence structures estimated through empirical copulas. We provide inference for independent or paired samples. The multiplier central limit theorem is used for calculating p-values of the Cram´er-von Mises test statistic. Finite sample properties are assessed with Monte Carlo experiments. We apply the testing procedure on empirical examples in finance, psychology, insurance and medicine.
TL;DR: In this paper, a model to study the decision of a private level introduction for a retailer and its effects on the manufacturer was proposed, and the authors investigated whether the manufacturer can counter the harmful effects of this introduction, if any, by implementing a cooperative advertising program.
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors used self-congruity theory to explain how the social class image of a mall influenced the quality perception of stores located within the mall, and a 3 × 2 × 2 − 2 factorial design experiment was conducted to test this explanation.
TL;DR: In this paper, a detailed case study of a complex decision process in a public healthcare system is presented, where managers successfully mobilized a system of numbers to make an extremely controversial strategic decision.
Abstract: This article draws on a detailed case study of a complex decision process in a public healthcare system to consider the role and potential power of numbers in strategizing. Because of their association with precision and accuracy, numbers may seem at first sight to be unlikely tools for decision making in contexts characterized by ambiguous goals and diffuse authority.Yet in the case described in this article, managers successfully mobilized a system of numbers to make an extremely controversial strategic decision.The empirical study examines in depth the micro-practices and processes by which the objectivity and legitimacy of a transparently contestable system of numbers were socially constructed in a public forum. By developing a system whose results mapped on to dominant values and interests, by displaying transparency, consistency and competence in defence of the system, and by organizing the decision process in a way that disempowered adversaries, the pro tagonists in the case were able to infuse a d...
TL;DR: This study confirms the findings of previous studies that analyzed the efficacy of telemonitoring for patients with COPD, and patients were found to easily accept the idea of using the technology, and the telehomecare program demonstrated significant clinical benefits.
Abstract: A cost-minimization analysis was performed on a telehomecare program for patients with a chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). The research was quasi-experimental and included a control group. We compared the effects and costs of care provided to a group of 19 patients under a telehomecare program to a comparable group of 10 patients receiving regular home care without telemonitoring. Our results clearly indicate that there were fewer home visits by nurses and hospitalizations for patients in the experimental group. However, these patients made more telephone calls than patients in the control group, although this difference was not statistically significant. Of utmost importance, the cost-minimization analysis yielded positive results. Indeed, telemonitoring over a 6-month period generated $355 in savings per patient, or a net gain of 15% compared to traditional home care. Our study confirms the findings of previous studies that analyzed the efficacy of telemonitoring for patients with COPD. Patients were found to easily accept the idea of using the technology, and the telehomecare program demonstrated significant clinical benefits. Financial advantages of the program could have been more pronounced had it not been for the cost of technology that effectively erased a good portion of the savings.
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors examined the potential influence of a state's particular social, political, and economic interests on its propensity to adopt green electricity policies using binary logistic regressions.
01 Jan 2006
TL;DR: A new version (AGX 2) of the AutoGraphiX system for computer assisted or, for some of its functions, fully automated graph theory is reported on, containing many enhancements, as well as a new function for automated proof of simple propositions.
Abstract: The AutoGraphiX (AGX) system for computer assisted or, for some of its functions, fully automated graph theory was developed at GERAD, Montreal since 1997. We report here on a new version (AGX 2) of that system. It contains many enhancements, as well as a new function for automated proof of simple propositions. Among other results, AGX 2 led to several hundred new conjectures, ranking from easy ones, proved automatically, to others requiring longer unassisted or partially assisted proofs, to open ones. Many examples are given, illustrating AGX 2’s functions and the results obtained.
TL;DR: In this article, the authors present hypotheses based on principal-agent theory concerning the potential impact of corporatization and compare the behavior and performance for 3 years prior to corporatisation to the 3 years subsequent to corporatonization.
Abstract: The new public management includes a portfolio of prescriptions that involve reconfiguring the boundaries of government agencies. One form of reconfiguration is corporatization. Corporatization creates separate agencies that have a contractlike relationship with a ministry or oversight agencies. Corporatization usually comprises a portfolio of changes that attempt to make agencies more "businesslike." Although corporatization is now popular with governments around the world, there is little empirical evidence on its performance impact. This article analyzes 11 corporatizations in Canada by the federal and Quebec governments. We first present hypotheses based on principal-agent theory concerning the potential impact of corporatization. For each agency, we compare the behavior and performance for 3 years prior to corporatization to the 3 years subsequent to corporatization. The aggregate results suggest that the introduction of corporatization did alter behavior on a number of dimensions. The results show that output and revenues increased, the revenues-to-expenditures coverage gap narrowed, and cost-efficiency and employee productivity improved following corporatization. Most of these changes were statistically significant.
TL;DR: Non-multilevel quantitative methods limit the conceptual development of this research and have negative statistical consequences that pose a risk for the validity and robustness of the results, while multilevel qualitative methods provide benefits when incorporating them for research on the selection of an entry mode.
Abstract: and Key Results
▪ International strategy empirical research on the mode of entry has typically overlooked the multilevel nature of this question and relied on non-multilevel quantitative methods. This creates important conceptual and statistical limitations. We examine such drawbacks by explaining the multilevel nature of this research question and the necessity to use multilevel methods.
▪ As an illustration, we develop a multilevel model and run a multilevel Bernoulli analysis to analyze the determinants of modes of entry, using a dataset on Japanese Foreign Direct Investment. Its results are compared to those of the dominant statistical method used in International Management for this topic: logistic regression.
▪ Research on mode of international entry has a clear conceptual and empirical multilevel dimension. Non-multilevel quantitative methods limit the conceptual development of this research and have negative statistical consequences that pose a risk for the validity and robustness of the results. In contrast, multilevel quantitative methods provide benefits when incorporating them for research on the selection of an entry mode. This has important methodological implications for future quantitative research on this topic.