医药产学研联盟创新决策、创新危机与利润分配

以我国医药行业产学研合作创新为现实背景,构建两家相互竞争的制药企业与学研机构的双边纳什议价模型,分析企业的创新价值和议价能力对联盟成员绩效的影响,探讨合作创新对药品价格、企业市场份额、经营绩效和社会福利的影响,研究制药企业创新战略的选择决策及创新对企业可能的危险。通过模型分析,得到如下结论:产学研合作创新能够提高社会总福利,但不一定提高制药企业的绩效和药品的价格;议价能力强的制药企业不一定总是获得高利润,企业最终的利润受到企业自身及竞争者的议价能力、创新价值的共同影响;虽然产品创新能够提高消费者的购买意愿,但盲目跟风创新可能会带来双输的结果。本研究对促进医药行业的产学研合作,提高产学研合作的有效性具有现实意义。     

Implementation of Lean Six Sigma in small- and medium-sized manufacturing enterprises in the Netherlands

In this paper we provide an exploration and analysis of Lean Six Sigma (LSS) implementation in Dutch manufacturing/engineering small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). Critical success factors (CSFs) and impeding factors are identified and analysed. Exploratory empirical evidence about LSS implementation in Dutch SMEs was collected from a survey study on Dutch SMEs. Statistical testing was applied to validate the ranking of the CSFs. To deepen insight in how organizations translate CSFs into practice and cope with impeding factors, additional in-depth qualitative information was gathered from six case studies. Linking to customer, vision and plan statement, communication and management involvement and participation are the highest ranked CSFs. Internal resistance, the availability of resources, changing business focus and lack of leadership are the strongest impeding factors. The case studies confirmed the importance of the CSFs and revealed three new CSFs: personal LSS-experience of Top management, development of the project leader's soft skills and supply chain focus. SMEs in the Netherlands make no distinct separation between lean manufacturing and Six Sigma, but rather apply both approaches intertwined.     

Ownership and trust in the governance structures of Spanish-Moroccan SMEs constituted as international joint ventures

The choice of a specific governance structure can be related to different aspects. This structure can be critical in the success of a firm. In SMEs constituted as international joint ventures (IJVs) the governance structure may depend on different elements to large firms and they should be described. The relationship between partners can be decisive in determining these structures. So, the ownership, the participation of partners in different levels of governance, and trust are key factors in determining the choice of the governance structure. The results, from 210 SMEs constituted as Spanish-Moroccan IJVs, reveal the importance of the ownership concentration and the overlapping of roles in the choice of governance structures. Control and trust are important issues. The existence of a board or a sole administrator allows aligning the interest of partners and managers, limiting the possible situations of opportunism by managers. The existence of owner-managers in Spanish-Moroccan IJVs is positively related with the existence of a board, possibly because there is no convergence of interests between partners. The results show that trust and the control exercised via the governance structure are substitutive mechanisms.     

Measurement of a linkage among environmental,operational, and financial performance in Japanese manufacturing firms: A use of Data Envelopment Analysis with strong complementary slackness condition

This study investigates a linkage among environmental, operational and financial performance in Japanese manufacturing industry. All manufacturing firms examined in this study are listed in Tokyo stock exchange market. We use DEA (Data Envelopment Analysis) as an evaluation methodology. This study finds that large firms have managerial capabilities to improve their operational and environmental performance. The improvement leads to the enhancement of their financial performance. However, we cannot find such a business linkage in small and medium-sized firms. They improve their operational performance and then direct themselves toward the improvement of their environmental performance. Their environmental performance is, not the first priority, the second priority for the small and medium-sized firms even though Japanese government is currently making a policy pressure on all manufacturing firms to pay attention to various environmental issues related to the global warming and climate change. The environmental protection policy is effective on only large Japanese manufacturing firms that have technological and financial capabilities for environmental protection.     

Effects of asymmetric knowledge spillovers on the stability of horizontal and vertical R&D cooperation

In order to investigate the role of asymmetric spillovers in the stability of R&D cooperation, this paper distinguishes two different types of cooperative partners, and uses a game theory approach to reveal the relationship between asymmetric spillovers and R&D investment in the horizontally and vertically related R&D cooperation. In the horizontal R&D cooperation, higher incoming spillovers and lower outgoing spillovers induce firms to invest on R&D efforts as agreed. However, it is the contradiction between horizontal firms’ attitudes towards asymmetric spillovers that leads to the inherent instability of the cooperation. In the vertical R&D cooperation, our results question the usually held opinion about the effects of asymmetric spillovers on the decision of R&D investment. The incoming spillovers are less important in the innovation process for vertically related R&D cooperation. A firm tends to under-invest on the arranged level of R&D efforts when its incoming spillovers increase. Our results also show that efficient mechanisms to restrain firms’ non-cooperative behavior are essential to improve the stability of horizontal and vertical R&D cooperation.     

基于供应链金融的中小企业信贷市场演化分析

根据演化博弈论,分别构建了供应链金融模式及传统融资模式下中小企业信贷市场的演化博弈模型,比较分析了两种模式下中小企业信贷市场的演化规律,探析了供应链金融对中小企业信贷市场的影响。研究表明,在传统融资模式下,系统不存在稳定汇入点,信贷市场不稳定,中小企业较难获得银行贷款;而在供应链金融模式下,系统的演化将收敛于银行贷款、企业履约的稳定状态,中小企业信贷市场呈良性发展。最后,通过数值分析对模型结论的有效性进一步验证。     

基于Hotelling模型的双寡头免费增值策略竞争分析

软件产品的经验性和强网络效应使得企业往往依靠免费的基础产品积聚人气,再通过收费的增值产品或服务来盈利。现有免费增值策略相关研究多局限于垄断情况,对多个企业之间的竞争交互鲜有探讨。基于产品网络效应和消费者偏好差异,本文构建Hotelling模型研究了双寡头企业免费增值策略博弈均衡及其影响因素。结果表明:若网络效应相对较强,企业都应采用免费增值策略;若网络效应相对较弱,都不采用;若网络效应相对处于中等水平,存在“都不采用”和“都采用”两种可能的均衡结果,但前者情况下双方企业都能获得更大利润。另外,消费者对企业之间的水平差异越敏感,对免费版本的质量要求越高,企业采用免费增值策略的动力越弱,“都不采用”区域扩大,而“都采用”区域缩小。     

Profit maximizing coalitions with shared capacities in distribution networks

We study the distribution network structure of multiple firms in the context of demand sensitivity to market offers. The problem consists in determining the profitability of horizontal collaboration between firms in a collaborative distribution schema. It considers the case of a set of regional distribution centers (DCs) where each DC is initially dedicated solely to one firm’s distribution activities and studies when it is beneficial that the DC owners collaborate through sharing their storage-throughput capacity. Such strategic decisions are made in order to improve the distribution capabilities of firms in terms of response time and cost-efficiency compared to the stand-alone situation. The problem is modeled as a coalition formation game in a cooperative framework, and we propose a collaborative distribution game with profit maximization. Three sharing mechanisms are modeled and tested: egalitarian allocation, proportional allocation, and Shapley value. The collaboration decision conditions for a given firm are analytically derived according to the sharing method considered and used to enhance the solution approach. Our numerical results clearly highlight the impact of this innovative collaboration opportunity on the firms’ performance in terms of distribution cost savings and revenue increases. An observed behavior is that the formation of several sub-coalitions prevails over the formation of a grand coalition, and that different cost sharing methods can lead to different sub-coalitions. We also provide managerial insights on the appropriate size of a coalition in various business instances tested, and on the key drivers that foster horizontal collaborative behavior among firms.     

Innovation capabilities measurement using fuzzy methodologies: a Colombian SMEs case

The main aim of this paper is to establish the hidden incidences that can improve specific aspects of beekeeper Small and Medium Enterprises (SME) innovation capabilities in Boyacá-Colombia. The methodology is focused on the use of the expertons model, adequacy coefficient and forgotten effects theory. A questionnaire of 58 items about different innovation management areas is distributed to 14 beekeeper SMEs in the area of Boyacá-Colombia. The findings suggest that there are two specific actions that can improve innovation culture. These actions are related to marketing strategies and product innovation. The innovation strategy has a significant influence on the development of an innovative culture in the beekeeper SMEs; one must have a clear orientation to the innovation objectives in the marketing strategy, which is transferred to the product. Likewise, the utility of fuzzy methods for analysis when information is limited, subjective and scarce is highlighted. Finally, this research can be useful to practitioners and academics because the findings can serve as guidelines to understanding sources and enablers of innovation. In addition, the findings show how fuzzy methods help in contending with incomplete and subjective information, highlighting the meaning of the information rather than its measurement.

     

风险投资对中小企业经营绩效的影响——基于区分风险投资机构事前效应与事后效应的视角

基于风险投资与企业绩效的内生性关系视角,即是风险投资事前选择了业绩更优的项目,还是其事后监督辅助提升了参与企业的绩效,本文对深圳创业板与中小板上市企业进行PSM配对,并对配对样本在2001至2014年的面板数据进行回归分析,研究发现与同质非风投支持企业相比,风投支持的企业总体上表现出了显著的绩效优势,但这种绩效优势仅仅源自于企业的自身发展能力。风险投资机构在投资前对优质项目具备积极的筛选能力;但在控制了风险投资的筛选效应后,风险投资机构的事后介入对受资企业的绩效甚至起到一定程度的抑制作用。在Heckman两阶段模型结合内生转置回归模型检验中同样证明了风险投资机构具有积极的事前筛选效应;但其事后介入对受资企业的经营绩效产生负向处理效应。此外,风险投资的特征因素对其事后处理效应具有显著的调节作用:相比成熟的风投机构,年轻风投对企业的经营绩效表现出更大的负面事后处理效应;而相比在企业初创阶段介入的风投机构,在企业后期发展阶段介入的风投对参与企业经营绩效表现出更大的负面事后处理效应;相比新兴产业,在传统产业中风投对企业经营绩效表现出更大的负面事后处理效应。     

SimLean: Utilising simulation in the implementation of lean in healthcare

Discrete-event simulation (DES) and lean are approaches that have a similar motivation: improvement of processes and service delivery. Both are being used to help improve the delivery of healthcare, but rarely are they used together. This paper explores from a theoretical and an empirical perspective the potential complementary roles of DES and lean in healthcare. The aim is to increase the impact of both approaches in the improvement of healthcare systems. Out of this exploration, the ‘SimLean’ approach is developed in which three roles for DES with lean are identified: education, facilitation and evaluation. These roles are demonstrated through three examples of DES in action with lean. The work demonstrates how the fusion of DES with lean can improve both stakeholder engagement with DES and the impact of lean.     

Support vector machines for default prediction of SMEs based on technology credit

In Korea, many forms of credit guarantees have been issued to fund small and medium enterprises (SMEs) with a high degree of growth potential in technology. However, a high default rate among funded SMEs has been reported. In order to effectively manage such governmental funds, it is important to develop an accurate scoring model for selecting promising SMEs. This paper provides a support vector machines (SVM) model to predict the default of funded SMEs, considering various input variables such as financial ratios, economic indicators, and technology evaluation factors. The results show that the accuracy performance of the SVM model is better than that of back-propagation neural networks (BPNs) and logistic regression. It is expected that the proposed model can be applied to a wide range of technology evaluation and loan or investment decisions for technology-based SMEs.     

The rise of complex phenomena in Cournot duopoly games due to demand functions without inflection points

In this paper, we propose Cournot duopoly games where quantity-setting firms use non-linear demand functions that have no inflection points. Two different kinds of repeated games are introduced based on rationality process of firms and Puu’s incomplete approach. First, a model of two rational firms that are in competition and produce homogenous commodities is introduced. The equilibrium points of this model are obtained and their dynamical characteristics such as stability, bifurcation and chaos are investigated. By using rationality process firms do not need to solve any optimization problem but they adjust their production based on estimation of the marginal profit. Using Puu’s incomplete information approach a new model is introduced. As in the first model, the equilibrium points are obtained and their dynamical characteristics are investigated. By using Puu’s approach firms only need to know their profits and the quantities produced in the past two times. We compare the properties of the two models under the two approaches. The paper extends and generalizes the results of other authors that consider similar processes.     

Cheating as a dynamic marketing strategy in monopoly,cartel and duopoly

In 2015 it was discovered that Volkswagen had manipulated the exhaust emissions of its (diesel) cars. Since then, numerous other automotive car manufacturers were strongly suspected to violate against the same emission standards. This paper investigates how and why firms (monopoly, cartel and duopoly) engage in cheating, more precisely, promising attributes that are actually not part of the product. Firms make claims in order to better market their product but risk damaging their future reputation. The upshot of the paper is the stark difference between open loop and Markov perfect oligopolistic equilibrium outcomes. More precisely, the latter mitigates cheating substantially even below the levels attained by monopolies and cartels (unless consumers have a very short memory), which is contrary to the outcome in the limiting static version of the game. Therefore, revealing the true state (e.g., by mandating strict inspections) could force firms to use this information and play in Markov instead of open loop strategies.

     

A new approach to firm evaluation

In this paper, a method is developed to evaluate firms on the basis of the risks they face. In accordance with the multi-factor method, risk is represented as a vector of sensitivities to unexpected changes of risk factors. Subsequently, the sensitivities themselves are related to firm characteristics.In addition, an application of the method to interfirm comparison is presented. This application is illustrated by a numerical example based on estimates concerning real data. Apart from this application, some other possible future applications are mentioned. Finally, some decision support tools are presented which may enhance the usefulness of the method in practice.     

基于模糊ANP和TOPSIS法的科技型中小企业成长性评价体系构建

当今独角兽企业的发展已成为衡量区域创新能力的重要考察因素,为建立从种子企业的选择、孵化、加速发展、最终成功落地的完备的独角兽培育机制,亟待构建全面、客观、科学的中小企业成长性评价模型。基于此,研究主要分三个步骤进行,首先确定45个相关影响因素,将其归类划分为10个主要因素;其次,采用模糊网络分析法(FANP)对这些因素的整体优先级进行排序,确定影响成长性的关键因素;最后提出基于加权因素的模糊TOPSIS法对科技型中小企业进行评价。研究表明,外部因素对被研究企业的发展与成长更为重要。“政策条例”、“技术因素”和“企业家的特点”被确定为关键影响因素。本文的研究不仅可为企业管理者制定恰当的发展战略,为提高企业绩效提供有效指导,同时也为科技型中小企业的遴选与培育提供有价值的参考。     

Supply chain networks,wages, and labor productivity: insights from Lagrange. analysis and computations

The COVID-19 pandemic has dramatically demonstrated the importance of labor to supply chain network activities from production to distribution with shortfalls in labor availability, for numerous reasons, resulting in product shortages and the reduction of profits of firms. Even as progress has been made through vaccinations, issues associated with labor are still arising. Increasing wages is a strategy to enhance labor productivity and, also to ameliorate, in part, labor shortages, but has not, until this work, been explored in a full supply chain network context. Specifically, in this paper, a game theory supply chain network model is constructed of firms competing in producing a substitutable, but differentiated, product, and seeking to determine their equilibrium product path flows, as well as hourly wages to pay their workers, under fixed labor amounts associated with links, and wage-responsive productivity factors. The theoretical and computational approach utilizes the theory of variational inequalities. We first introduce a model without wage bounds on links and then extend it to include wage bounds. Lagrange analysis is conducted for the latter model, which yields interesting insights, as well as an alternative variational inequality formulation. A series of numerical examples reveals that firms can gain in terms of profits by being willing to pay higher wages, resulting in benefits also for their workers, as well as consumers, who enjoy lower demand market prices for the products. However, sensitivity analysis should be conducted to determine the range of such wage bounds. Ultimately, we observed, that the profits may decrease and then stabilize. This work adds to the literature on the integration of concepts from economics and operations research for supply chain networks and also has policy implications.

     

Collaboration and sharing mechanisms in improving corporate social responsibility

This paper investigates the effects of the collaboration between an upstream and a downstream firm regarding their decisions of prices and levels of corporate social responsibility (CSR) efforts. The firms collaborate with each other by sharing their costs or benefits to improve their profitabilities and CSR performances. Three collaborative models are developed for considering that collaboration may be undertaken by either or both firms, and each model has both profit- and cost-sharing mechanisms. We derive and characterize the consumer valuation and the firms’ decisions at equilibrium with respect to the changes in the sharing scheme, and further identify the impacts of each sharing mechanism. Moreover, a Nash bargaining game is developed for examining the choices of sharing scheme under the negotiation between the firms. Finally, we provide economic and managerial insights for socially concerned companies.     

Investment and financing decisions in the presence of time-to-build

We study a firm’s optimal decisions on investment, default, and financing when the amount of time and the running costs for project completion are uncertain. In the presence of time-to-build, a firm makes conservative investment and financing decisions; investment is delayed, and the optimal leverage ratio is inverted U-shaped with respect to the size of the lag. Although equity holders can choose to default before the project has been completed, the default probability in the presence of time-to-build is lower than that in the absence of a lag in most cases because of the conservative investment and financing decisions. Given the lower default probability, equity holders may benefit more from debt financing in the presence of time-to-build than they would in the absence of a lag. When firms can shorten their expected time-to-build by bearing more costs, unlevered firms strive to reduce the lag more than optimally levered firms do. However, highly levered firms utilize more resources to reduce the lag than all-equity firms do because equity holders are more concerned about the possibility of default before the project’s completion.