University of Groningen

About: University of Groningen is a education organization based out in Groningen, Groningen, Netherlands. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Population & Context (language use). The organization has 36346 authors who have published 69116 publications receiving 2940370 citations. The organization is also known as: Rijksuniversiteit Groningen & RUG.

Foreign direct investment mode choice : entry and establishment modes in transition economies

Abstract: In this study, we bridge two streams of foreign direct investment literature, specifically studies on establishment mode choice (i.e., the choice between an acquisition and a greenfield establishment) and studies on entry mode choice (i.e., the choice between a wholly owned outlet and a subsidiary with shared ownership). We arrive at a conceptual synthesis for an examination of the effects of the same predictors on the dual entry-establishment mode choice made in the context of a single foreign investment. We demonstrate that a parent firm's technological intensity, international strategy and experience determine both establishment and entry mode choices. Moreover, we apply Williamson's new institutional economics to investigate the influence of institution building on multinational enterprises' dual investment choice. In the context of transition economies, we test empirically the possible moderating effect of a host country's institutional environment. We conclude that the degree of the host country's institutional advancement moderates the effect of both technological intensity and international strategy on the establishment and entry mode choice.

Aspirin plus Heparin or Aspirin alone in women with recurrent miscarriage

Abstract: Background Aspirin and low-molecular-weight heparin are prescribed for women with unexplained recurrent miscarriage, with the goal of improving the rate of live births, but limited data from randomized, controlled trials are available to support the use of these drugs. Methods In this randomized trial, we enrolled 364 women between the ages of 18 and 42 years who had a history of unexplained recurrent miscarriage and were attempting to conceive or were less than 6 weeks pregnant. We then randomly assigned them to receive daily 80 mg of aspirin plus open-label subcutaneous nadroparin (at a dose of 2850 IU, starting as soon as a viable pregnancy was demonstrated), 80 mg of aspirin alone, or placebo. The primary outcome measure was the live-birth rate. Secondary outcomes included rates of miscarriage, obstetrical complications, and maternal and fetal adverse events. Results Live-birth rates did not differ significantly among the three study groups. The proportions of women who gave birth to a live infant were 54.5% in the group receiving aspirin plus nadroparin (combination-therapy group), 50.8% in the aspirin-only group, and 57.0% in the placebo group (absolute difference in live-birth rate: combination therapy vs. placebo, −2.6 percentage points; 95% confidence interval [CI], −15.0 to 9.9; aspirin only vs. placebo, −6.2 percentage points; 95% CI, −18.8 to 6.4). Among 299 women who became pregnant, the live-birth rates were 69.1% in the combination-therapy group, 61.6% in the aspirin-only group, and 67.0% in the placebo group (absolute difference in live-birth rate: combination therapy vs. placebo, 2.1 percentage points; 95% CI, −10.8 to 15.0; aspirin alone vs. placebo −5.4 percentage points; 95% CI, −18.6 to 7.8). An increased tendency to bruise and swelling or itching at the injection site occurred significantly more frequently in the combination-therapy group than in the other two study groups. Conclusions Neither aspirin combined with nadroparin nor aspirin alone improved the live-birth rate, as compared with placebo, among women with unexplained recurrent miscarriage. (Current Controlled Trials number, ISRCTN58496168.)