Incentives In Cases Research Articles

An empirical study of the internal factors influencing the application of compensation incentives in SMEs

PurposeCompetitiveness is a multidimensional construct, related to a number of external and internal company factors. This paper aims to provide empirical evidence on the relationship between the application of small- and medium-sized enterprises’ (SMEs) compensation incentives as an index/element of human system development and competitiveness.Design/methodology/approachA unique primary data set drawn from the Global Competitiveness Project on SMEs’ competitiveness was analysed, using cross-sectional data of 784 firms. First, descriptive statistics were used to show the data set peculiarities. Second, a forward logistic regression was applied to show the effects on the application of compensation incentives. A 25.1% of explanatory power was found by targeting the application of compensation systems by 7 firm-level principal factors and 30 control variables.FindingsThe findings suggest that there is a higher chance of the application of compensation incentives in cases when the employees possess a more substantial tacit knowledge and formal and informal relationship networks. It is also positively impacted by the higher level of intra-company manifestation of knowledge.Research limitations/implicationsThe research was conducted among SMEs from eight countries, based on a unique questionnaire designed for small enterprises. The respective countries are from Europe and Latin America, which serve as a reference category for Hungary. Also, there is a high level of 0 answers for the involved variables. The binary logistic regression methodology is suitable for filtering out some of these; nevertheless, the proportion of uncertain factors remains high as it is indicated by the explanatory power.Originality/valueThe majority of the literature is dealing with large companies in the topic of competitiveness, whereas in this data set, a deeper analysis was carried out among SMEs from eight countries, comparing their results to the Hungarian ones. The findings can be used as reference points for future studies, and the understanding of the HR cycle within SMEs.

Market and Welfare Effects of Big Box Retail Entry in a Linear City Model with Oligopolistic Competition

We model the entry of a big box retailer into a closed monocentric city with an existing CBD retailer. The big box produces a lower quality good and has an efficiency advantage over the downtown firm. We find that while the big box charges a lower price, it may produce more or less output, and hire more or fewer workers, than the downtown retailer. Its entry may also increase or decrease local retail employment, depending on key parameters. We show that the big box?s profit-maximizing location is closer to the CBD than the utility-maximizing point. The socially optimal location is even farther from the CBD than the utility-maximizing location if the substitutability between goods is low enough and the scale of the big box is large enough. This suggests a welfare rationale for zoning rules that prevent big boxes from moving too close to city centers, but under the opposite parameter conditions the socially optimal location can actually be downtown, in which case incentives may be needed to lure the big box closer to the center.

A Normative Analysis of Local Public Utilities: Investments in Water Networks

We analyze rehabilitation investments in a regulated water industry with perfectly inelastic demand. We compare alternative organizational solutions for local provision (municipalization, corporatization and privatization), though subject to a common regulatory mechanism. We can then assess the effects of incentive regulation in public firms and find that even benevolent politicians always stick to the price-cap, in order to save on distortionary taxation. However, incentives to invest result to be excessive only in private firms, as the cost of capital is accounted differently by public and private undertakings.We also provide a theory of mixed firms, based on strategic interaction between politicians and managers, which contributes to endogenously explain partial privatization and minority participation by private stockholders. In this last case incentives to invest appear to be driven just by governance and ownership reasons.

Effects of protein intake and growth hormone on utilization of N 15 from ammonium citrate

In experiments on dogs receiving diets containing either 12.3 per cent of casein and a supplement of methionine, or 36.2 per cent of casein, utilization of N 15 from ingested ammonium citrate was larger when it was added to the low protein diet. Growth hormone induced nitrogen storage and gain in weight on the low protein diet, and increased utilization of N 15 from ammonium citrate much more than it did when protein intake was high. Addition of sodium lactate, pyruvate, or α-ketoglutarate to either diet on the day that N 15-labeled ammonium citrate was fed did not alter the amount of N 15 retained.

The Effect of Quantitative and Qualitative Protein Deficiency on Blood Regeneration. II. Hemoglobin

Abstract 1. The effect of diets, varying in quantity or quality of protein, on hemopoiesis was studied in protein depleted and anemic adult rats. 2. In experiments with diets containing different amounts of casein (0, 3, 9 and 18 per cent, respectively), and fed ad libitum, it was found that with a protein-free diet a further decrease of hemoglobin occurred, whereas the other three diets initiated a regeneration of hemoglobin; its degree being more or less proportional to the casein content. 3. In experiments, in which diets with 9 and 18 per cent of casein, respectively, were given in restricted amounts, it was found that the degree of hemoglobin formation was similar to that with the same diets when given ad libitum, whereas the weight gain was considerably less. It is concluded, therefore, that in caloric deficiency hemoglobin formation has a priority over weight recovery. 4. A diet containing 30 per cent casein and given in restricted amounts induced a further weight loss, whereas the concentration of hemoglobin showed a marked increase. Comparing the results obtained by this diet with those observed with 18 per cent casein diets, given either ad libitum or in controlled amounts, it was evident that restriction of the quantity of food protein interferes more seriously with hemopoiesis than restriction of calories. 5. Diets containing nutritionally inferior proteins fed at 9 per cent level, also impaired normal hemopoiesis. Hemoglobin regeneration induced by the proteins investigated was found to decrease in the following order: eggs, meat, processed soya, casein, peanut, maize, wheat, gelatin. 6. Comparing the nutritive value of various proteins for regeneration of hemoglobin and of granulocytes it was found, that casein and soya and maize proteins are considerably more efficient for hemoglobin formation than for production of granulocytes, whereas wheat protein and gelatin have a higher granulocytopoietic capacity.

The Effect of Quantitative and Qualitative Protein Deficiency on Blood Regeneration. I. White Blood Cells

Abstract 1. The effect of diets, varying in quantity or quality of protein, on white blood cell regeneration was studied in leukopenic rats, the leukopenia having been induced by a protein-free diet. 2. Diets containing different amounts of casein (3, 6, 9 and 18 per cent, respectively), were fed ad libitum. At the 3 per cent level, a further decrease occurred of white blood cells, whereas the other three diets initiated a regeneration of leukocytes, its degree being more or less in proportion to the casein content. 3. In experiments with diets containing 18 and 30 per cent of casein, the amount of protein eaten and not its level in diet was the decisive factor in the regeneration of leukocytes. The white blood cell regenerating effect of a diet containing an optimal level of protein, may be neutralized when given in restricted amounts. 4. Diets containing nutritionally inferior proteins, fed at 9 per cent level, also impaired normal regeneration of leukocytes. The white blood cell regeneration afforded by the proteins investigated was found to increase in the following order: maize, gelatin, wheat, casein, processed soya, peanut, meat, egg. 5. In white blood cell regeneration promoted by dietary protein, granulocytes were found to react to a greater degree than lymphocytes and monocytes.

Physical Testing Procedure for Latex Stocks

Abstract Adjustment of stabilizers may be necessary in order to produce a smooth surface on an air-dried latex test slab. A combination of 1 per cent of casein and 1 per cent of Aquarex D on the rubber gave a satisfactory dried slab. Reproducible results cannot be obtained unless the test strips are conditioned at controlled relative humidity conditions. Zero per cent humidity gave highest tensile and modulus figures. Batch-to-batch accuracy of latex stocks using methods described herein was comparable to that of mill-mixed pure gum stock.

THE OXIDATIVE DESTRUCTION OF VITAMINS A AND E

It is generally accepted that vitamin A as found in butter fat and cod liver oil is easily destroyed. Heating and aerating these fats for a short time or exposing them to air at room temperature for a longer period uusually deprives them of every trace of vitamin A. During such treatment the fats absorb oxygen and a long series of partial oxidation products is recognized as accompanying the more or less undefined condition of rancidity so developed. A destruction of vitamin E as found in butter fat was first indicated by our experiments 1 on milk rations. These showed that 50 per cent of whole milk powder supplemented with 8 per cent of casein, 2 per cent of mineral salts, 5 per cent of yeast and 35 per cent of starch was adequate for growth and reproduction of rats, but that when appreciable quantities of lard, from 15 to