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Book part
Publication date: 28 March 2006

Örn B. Bodvarsson and Hendrik Van den Berg

Numerous studies have concluded that immigration has very small effects on wages or unemployment, even when the immigration flow is very large. Three reasons suggested for this…

Abstract

Numerous studies have concluded that immigration has very small effects on wages or unemployment, even when the immigration flow is very large. Three reasons suggested for this are that immigration: (1) is not supply-push, but may instead be driven by demand-pull factors; (2) is likely to cause some out-migration; and (3) may induce flows of other factors across the economy. Surprisingly, few studies consider another obvious explanation: immigrant workers also consume locally, which means immigration stimulates the local demand for labor. Previous researchers have generally ignored the measurement of immigration's effects on labor demand, perhaps because when immigration, out-migration, and immigrant consumption occur simultaneously in the same labor market, it is very difficult to isolate immigration's effect on labor demand. This paper measures the labor demand-augmenting effects of immigration using a two-sector model of a very special case in which the receiving economy consists of: (a) an export industry employing both immigrants and natives; and (b) a retail industry employing native labor that is driven by local demand. The model can incorporate both supply-push and demand-pull immigration as well as out-migration. The model's important implication is that since immigration is exogenous to the retail sector, an unbiased estimate of the demand effect of immigration can be obtained without having to use instrumental variables estimation or other statistical procedures that may introduce new sources of bias. Fortunately, the economy in our model matches a very convenient test case: Dawson County, Nebraska. Dawson County recently experienced a surge in demand-pull immigration due to the location of a large export-driven meatpacking plant. This exogenous capital shock pulled in many Hispanic immigrant workers, who did not immediately seek work in the retail sector because of social and language barriers. This immigration led to higher retail wages and housing prices, confirming that immigration is capable of exerting significant effects on local labor demand.

Details

The Economics of Immigration and Social Diversity
Type: Book
ISBN: 978-1-84950-390-7

Article
Publication date: 4 April 2017

Nuwan Gunarathne and Samanthi Senaratne

This paper aims to examine how and why integrated reporting (IR) as a managerial technology is diffused in Sri Lanka, an emerging South Asian (South Asian Association for Regional…

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Abstract

Purpose

This paper aims to examine how and why integrated reporting (IR) as a managerial technology is diffused in Sri Lanka, an emerging South Asian (South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation) nation, from an expansion diffusion perspective.

Design/methodology/approach

The study followed two analytical steps. First, the adopter groups of IR of the country’s stock exchange were identified based on their annual reports. Second, the key stakeholders (both internal and external) in the process of IR diffusion in the country were interviewed. Thereafter, a content analysis of these semi-structured interviews was carried out based on the demand-pull and supply-push sides of the diffusion theory of innovation.

Findings

The temporal trend of IR suggests that the country is currently in the diffusion stage with many first time adopters are likely to join the bandwagon of IR. In the primary stage, its early adoption has been driven by the efficient-choice perspective. However, in the diffusion stage, most of the adopters are driven by fashion setting, which is mainly attributable to the active propagators in the supply side of IR diffusion. IR has been mainly a transition evolving through the incremental changes in sustainability reporting. Many firms have not internalized the IR principles with the danger of IR becoming a mere reporting mechanism.

Originality/value

The application of both demand-pull and supply-push sides of the diffusion theory of innovation is still limited, particularly in the case of new reporting mechanisms. The study provides new insights into how these two forces contribute to creating a “practice-reporting portrayal gap” in IR.

Details

Managerial Auditing Journal, vol. 32 no. 4/5
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0268-6902

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 31 August 2023

Mohamed Abadi, Jieling Huang, Jillian Yeow, Saeed Reza Mohandes and Lihong Zhang

The development of circular construction supply chains (CCSCs) is impeded by various barriers, but the current literature overlooks the interrelationships among these barriers and…

Abstract

Purpose

The development of circular construction supply chains (CCSCs) is impeded by various barriers, but the current literature overlooks the interrelationships among these barriers and the varying nature of associated countermeasures with the growth of circular economy (CE). This paper aims to develop new perspectives about the transition to CCSCs through the lens of supply-push (SP)/demand-pull (DP) strategies and related underpinning theories.

Design/methodology/approach

A systematic literature review including 136 journal articles was undertaken to identify barriers to CCSCs and associated countermeasures that are analysed for their relevance to SP/DP. The interplay between SP/DP approaches was discussed using the “technology acceptance” and “innovation chain” models.

Findings

(1) Thirty-five barriers were identified and organised into nine main barrier factors; (2) the predominant factors are knowledge and awareness, policy and regulations, technological capabilities, and incentives; (3) CCSCs transition is SP-configured primarily driven by actors above the project network; (4) “push” measures are devised to gradually create a “pull” environment and can be revoked when demand for circularity is created, suggesting a new “push-to-pull” perspective of CCSCs; and (5) a complex adaptative system is witnessed in relationships between barriers and countermeasures, and interactions among actors at all levels.

Practical implications

The findings offer practitioners countermeasures to barriers encountered in CE initiatives. It also informs policymakers of adjusting policies to accommodate the SP-DP movement in steering the circular transition.

Originality/value

This study uses theoretical models to interpret the dynamics in CCSCs transition and proposes a new definition of CCSCs highlighting their complex and dual transitional/transformational nature.

Details

Engineering, Construction and Architectural Management, vol. ahead-of-print no. ahead-of-print
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0969-9988

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 10 August 2022

Bart Kamp, Kristina Zabala and Arantza Zubiaurre

This paper aims to assess the existence of, or the risk of running into, a smart service paradox for industrial firms and how to overcome it.

Abstract

Purpose

This paper aims to assess the existence of, or the risk of running into, a smart service paradox for industrial firms and how to overcome it.

Design/methodology/approach

A qualitative multiple case study is conducted involving four machine tool builders. The main source of data is formed by semi-structured interviews with service business managers. NVivo software was used to structure the interview harvest.

Findings

The findings reveal that a smart service paradox is a realistic threat for industrial firms, that smart service business development is a supply push affair rather than a matter of demand pull, that two types of permissions need to be granted by prospective users (license to operate and license to charge) and that three intermediate steps need to be undertaken and validated to overcome a smart service paradox: value testing or proofing; value recognition; and value sharing.

Research limitations/implications

This study was vendor-centric and did not involve the industrial customers to whom the smart services were directed. It was based on a small sample, which limits the generalizability of findings to a broader or different (sectoral) context.

Practical implications

Lessons are identified for service managers on how to circumvent a smart service paradox.

Originality/value

This study departs from a value creation-delivery-capture (“business model”) perspective to assess smart service paradox dynamics. By adopting a relational perspective to it, the present paper succeeds in presenting a more granular version of the base business model.

Details

Journal of Business & Industrial Marketing, vol. 38 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0885-8624

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 17 June 2020

Papar Kananurak and Aeggarchat Sirisankanan

There are several different factors that can influence self-employment. However, there is little evidence stemming from direct examination of the impact of financial development…

Abstract

Purpose

There are several different factors that can influence self-employment. However, there is little evidence stemming from direct examination of the impact of financial development (FD) on self-employment. This study aims to formulate empirical specification models to examine the effect of FD on self-employment.

Design/methodology/approach

Panel data analysis of 136 sample countries was performed during the period from 2000 to 2017. This study initially implemented the new financial index developed by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to examine the impact of FD on self-employment. Panel data analysis including the pooled model, fixed effect and random effect model has been carried out.

Findings

The empirical results show that the financial institutions index has a negative significant impact on self-employment by a considerable magnitude, whereas the financial markets index does not show any statistical significance. The results also find that the government effectiveness index is negative and statistically significant on self-employment.

Originality/value

There are several different factors which can influence self-employment. Nevertheless, there is little evidence for the direct examination of the impact of FD on self-employment. This study investigated the impact of FD on self-employment by using the new FD index created by the IMF. The finding may help policymakers to implement FD along with other institutional policies to control self-employment.

Details

International Journal of Development Issues, vol. 19 no. 3
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1446-8956

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 2 November 2017

Richard A. Hunt

One of the crucial questions confronting strategy and entrepreneurship scholars continues to be: where do new industry sectors come from? Extant literature suffers from a…

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Abstract

Purpose

One of the crucial questions confronting strategy and entrepreneurship scholars continues to be: where do new industry sectors come from? Extant literature suffers from a supply-side “skew” that focuses unduly on the role of heroic figures and celebrity CEOs, at the expense of demand-side considerations. In response, the purpose of this paper is to examine societal demand for entrepreneurial innovations. Employing historical data spanning nearly a century, the author assess more completely the role of latent demand-side signaling in driving the quantity and diversity of entrepreneurial innovation.

Design/methodology/approach

Applying the methods of historical econometrics, this study employs historical artifacts and cliometric models to analyze textual data in drawn from three distinctive sources: Popular Science Monthly magazine, from its founding in 1872 to 1969; periodicals, newsletters, club minutes, films and radio transcripts from the Science Society, from 1921 to 1969; and programs and news accounts from the US National High School Science Fair, from 1950 to 1969. In total, 2,084 documents containing 33,720 articles and advertisements were coded for content related to pure science, applied science and commercialized science.

Findings

Three key findings are revealed: vast opportunity spaces often exist prior to being occupied by individuals and firms; societal preferences play a vital role in determining the quantity and diversity of entrepreneurial activity; and entrepreneurs who are responsive to latent demand-side signals are likely to experience greater commercial success.

Research limitations/implications

This study intentionally draws data from three markedly different textual sources. The painstaking process of triangulation reveals heretofore unobserved latencies that invite fresh perspectives on innovation discovery and diffusion.

Originality/value

This paper constitutes the most panoramic investigation to-date of the influence wielded by latent demand-side forces in the discovery and commercialization of innovation.

Details

European Journal of Innovation Management, vol. 21 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1460-1060

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 1 July 2006

Bernice Pan and Ray Holland

The objective of the research is to develop implementation strategies for producers at the fashion apparel supply chain upstream, in order to move towards a more coordinated…

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Abstract

Purpose

The objective of the research is to develop implementation strategies for producers at the fashion apparel supply chain upstream, in order to move towards a more coordinated, streamlined and responsive process.

Design/methodology/approach

Qualitative action research was conducted using non‐participatory observations on sampled producers, following a literature review on the design process and mass customization.

Findings

Main activities with contributing factors that funnel in and out of this crucial junction are mapped and broken down into a series of processes that involve producers' selection and customers' choice, where decisions are currently made based on informal correlation of supply push and demand pull, months ahead of end‐users' (“customers” hereon) real demand. Key “integrated decision points” where customers' input is identified and can be introduced into the outbound supply chain.

Research limitations/implications

This conceptual model offers the possibilities for implementing collaborative mass customization with reduced risk for producers and increased satisfaction for customers. However, producers' resistance to change from existing work methods may present potential obstacles. Further work is to be done on collecting, utilizing, and transforming customers' data in order to inform the total design process effectively and comprehensively.

Originality/value

The results of the “integrated decision pulse point map” proposed by this paper provide a threshold to the benefits of mass customization at the heart of the fashion system.

Details

Journal of Fashion Marketing and Management: An International Journal, vol. 10 no. 3
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1361-2026

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 29 April 2021

Ai-Hsuan Chiang and Ming-Yuan Huang

Rapid response is often the cornerstone of success in many industries, especially manufacturing. In the authors’ opinion, organizational structure will also affect the…

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Abstract

Purpose

Rapid response is often the cornerstone of success in many industries, especially manufacturing. In the authors’ opinion, organizational structure will also affect the construction of a fast-response supply chain system. The main purpose of this research examines whether different levels of organizational structure have different effects on the relationship between external integration and firm performance.

Design/methodology/approach

This study applied questionnaires to collect data. This study collected 818 questionnaires from manufacturers in China, Hong Kong and Taiwan to verify our proposed model using structural equation modeling.

Findings

Results show that response speed perfectly mediates the relationship between external integration and firm performance. Different levels of organizational structure will also affect external integration. Strict organizational structure requires customer integration, while loose organizational structure requires supplier integration to quickly meet customer needs.

Practical implications

Companies can probably determine whether their organizational structure is higher or lower than that of their competitors. If firms can determine that their organization structure is high or low, they can adopt suitable external integrations to enhance quick response and operational performance.

Originality/value

In the relationship between supply chain integration and performance, we consider a mediating variable and moderating variable together. Results explain the reason that the relationship between supply chain integration and performance are inconsistent in previous studies. We have addressed external integration in alignment with organizational structure to provide better service and enhance performance by providing empirical evidence.

Details

Journal of Manufacturing Technology Management, vol. 32 no. 8
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1741-038X

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 1 November 2006

Zixiang (Alex) Tan, Hsiang Chen and Xiaozhong Liu

This paper documents and examines the course of the Little‐Smart deployment in China by looking closely at the technology comparison, demand pull and supply push, as well as

Abstract

Purpose

This paper documents and examines the course of the Little‐Smart deployment in China by looking closely at the technology comparison, demand pull and supply push, as well as government regulations.

Design/methodology/approach

It deploys an empirical approach and relies on second‐hand statistical data and some interviews.

Findings

Findings suggest that the competitive advantages, including the price difference between low mobility services and cellular phone services, are the most significant drivers for the fast deployment and growth of low mobility services including PHS and Little‐Smart service, with the aid of other non‐economic factors. The changing landscape in China's wireless market, including possible significant drop of cellular phone service prices as well as overall business and regulatory dynamics, will create an uncertain future for the Little‐Smart service to move through its product life cycle in the next few years.

Originality/value

Findings of this study could be significant both for China and for other countries to optimize their strategies for low mobility services.

Details

info, vol. 8 no. 6
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1463-6697

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 1 August 2006

John Rae, Gary Taylor and Carole Roberts

Collaborative Learning in group settings currently occurs across a substantial portion of the UK Higher Education curriculum. This style of learning has many roots including…

Abstract

Collaborative Learning in group settings currently occurs across a substantial portion of the UK Higher Education curriculum. This style of learning has many roots including: Enterprise in Higher Education, Action Learning and Action Research, Problem Based Learning, and Practice Based Learning. As such our focus on Collaborative Learning development can be viewed as an evolutionary step. This collaborative and active group learning provides the foundation for what can be collectively called connectivist ‘Learning Communities’. In this setting a primary feature of a ‘Learning Community’ is one that carries a responsibility to promote one another’s learning. It goes further: Senior managers are mature and experienced learners; practitioners that are seeking to link experiential learning with the application of interesting concepts that aid analysis and understanding of real issues. This is collaborative and dynamic demand‐pull learning and not static supply‐push. Should we not aim in HE to combine learning and knowledge management? This paper will outline a developmental collaborative learning approach and describe a supporting software environment, known as the Salford Personal Development Environment (SPDE), that has been developed and implemented to assist in delivering collaborative learning for post graduate and other provision. This is done against a background of much research evidence that group based activity can enhance learning. These findings cover many approaches to group based learning and over a significant period of time. Within this we explore how collaboration, learning, and knowledge management all serve to create a connected community. This paper reports on work‐in‐progress and the features of the environment that are designed to help promote individual and group or community learning that have been influenced by the broad base of research findings in this area.

Details

Interactive Technology and Smart Education, vol. 3 no. 3
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1741-5659

Keywords

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