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There has been considerable recent work in industrial organization emphasizing the importance of group stratification within industries. The thrust of this literature is that in empirical work, and in particular in investigating public policy problems, differences across firms within an industry may be crucial. This paper is intended as a contribution to the empirical literature of group structures. In this paper, I examine patterns of strategic group membership in a number of industries, and analyze changes in the strategies used by firms. In particular, I provide a series of rather simple exploratory tests of the importance of intraindustry strategic differences in a number of industries.

American wineries have taken marketing steps toward attracting consumers. They employ tasting scores to augment and solidify market share. According to Oster (1999) and Porter (1985), competitive advantage comes from either cost advantages or product differentiation. American wineries use tasting scores they receive from experts as the basis for product differentiation and raising prices. To achieve competitive advantage, the product must be seen as important and an improvement in the market, while simultaneously lacking imitation. This article looks at how tasting scores given by wine experts may affect American firms' competitive advantage, barring entry by importing rivals, such as Australian firms. If these tasting scores provide product importance and improvements, while delivering a product that lacks imitation, competitive advantage may result. If importers to the US realise this, these firms can undermine American advantages, increase competition, and gain market share through their own competitive advantages.

The benefits of trade liberalization on upskilling and skill-based wage premiums for high-skilled workers have recently been questioned in policy circles, in part because of rising income inequality and populist movements in developed economies such as the USA. The purpose of this paper is to determine the effects of trade liberalization on the relative supply and demand for skills.

Through the systematic review of the literature on trade and skill acquisition, this paper isolates a total of 25 articles published over the past two decades.

Key findings demonstrate the importance of the relative development of the trading partner, with more developed countries experiencing higher upskilling, while less developed countries experience deskilling. Technology, geographic level of analysis, sector and gender were also found to be important influences on human capital acquisition associated with international trade.

Overall, the authors find support for the idea that trade with developing countries places pressure on low-skill jobs in developed countries but increases the demand for educated workers. The implications of shifts in skills for public policy-making and in terms of the skill premium on wages are discussed.

This conceptual paper explores how the construct of machismo can influence gender‐based discrimination across two cultures; Mexico and the US. First, the relevant literature on machismo is reviewed and the construct clarified. Secondly, evidence is presented which indicates that masculine gender roles are not innate, but rather heavily influenced by cultural factors. Hofstede’s cultural dimensions are used to develop propositions about the effect of masculinity on gender‐based discrimination. We suggest propositions designed to explain how programs aimed at eliminating or reducing gender‐based discrimination might be impacted by high levels of cultural masculinity.