Dimensions Of Competition Research Articles

About Governance, Production, and Territorial Dimensions of Farm Competitiveness – The Case of Bulgaria

About Governance, Production, and Territorial Dimensions of Farm Competitiveness – The Case of Bulgaria

The structure of municipal voting in Vancouver

ABSTRACT We offer a new interpretation of the structure of municipal electoral competition in Vancouver, focusing on the city’s high-profile municipal election in 2018. Using novel “cast vote records”—a dataset containing each of the 176,450 ballots cast in the city’s municipal election—we use a Bayesian multidimensional scaling procedure to estimate the location of every 2018 candidate and voter in Vancouver in a shared two-dimensional political space. We then use data from the Canadian Municipal Election Study (CMES), a large election survey undertaken in Vancouver in 2018, to interpret this political space, assessing 96 possible correlates of CMES respondents’ locations in political space. We find evidence of a single primary dimension of competition, structured by left-right ideology, along with a secondary dimension dividing establishment from upstart parties of the right. Our paper supplies a new interpretation of Vancouver’s electoral landscape, clarifies our understanding of the role of left-right ideology in municipal electoral competition, and demonstrates the promise of cast vote records for research on municipal elections and voting.

Dimensões de competitividade na era das plataformas digitais

Study objective: While there is a consolidated view of the competitive dispositions under which traditional approaches to competitive advantage operate, there is no cohesive view of how this logic manifests itself in a scenario based on technology and digitization where digital platforms operate. Therefore, this study aimed to analyze what are the prevailing competitive dispositions in digital platforms.Methodology/Approach: this is an exploratory study, correlating the topics of digital platforms and competitive advantage through a literature review on the Web of Science database, presenting a sociometric analysis of the data and a synthesis of the main competitive dispositions in digital platforms.Originality/Relevance: despite the acknowledged inadequacy of traditional strategies to explain competitiveness in the context of digital platforms, the studies dedicated to discussing this issue are still limited, and the present study has contributed by extending the discussion and providing perspectives to this novel scenario. Main results: The results define certain differences between the competitive dispositions regarding traditional enterprises and platform-based business models. Among the new elements identified, the distinct focus of the value creation process, the centrality of a networked structure as well as the use of data, and interaction of a more heterogeneous set of participants are highlighted.Theoretical/methodological contributions: the present study contributes to the current debate by indicating a first effort to align and consolidate the competitive dimensions that present themselves in digital platforms, in comparison to what is known concerning traditional pipeline approaches. Moreover, by proposing a research agenda, the development of future studies is also assisted.

Measuring Competitiveness: A Composite Indicator for Italian Municipalities

This study measures territorial competitiveness at the municipal level in Italy, by proposing a robust composite indicator based on variables not yet used in the literature. The underlying theoretical framework is identified based on the literature on regional competitiveness. The proposed indicator consists of the following seven dimensions of competitiveness: Education, Job, Economic Wellbeing, Territory and Environment, Entrepreneurship, Innovation, and Infrastructures and Mobility. Data are retrieved mainly from administrative sources, for 2014 and 2015. In the building process, three aggregation methods are compared: a compensatory method, the arithmetic mean, and two partially compensatory methods, the geometric mean and the Adjusted Mazziotta-Pareto Index (AMPI). The arithmetic mean turns out to be the most robust method among the three considered, but the AMPI is the most robust method among the two partially compensatory methods. All the methods considered agree in identifying Innovation and Entrepreneurship as the most influential pillars in 2014 and 2015, respectively. The detailed geographical focus provides specific insights into territorial competitiveness in Italy. It emerges a rather heterogeneous picture of municipal competitiveness within the Italian regions. Highly competitive municipalities are present in every region, though with different concentration levels.

Populism, Anti-establishment Politics, and Dimensions of Political Competition

This article analyzes the nature of populism in the Czech Republic, which was until recently described as centrist and moderate. It uses an approach that views populism as associated with empty policy space: that is, with (previously) secondary issues on which the established parties have unclear positions. The empirical analyses presented in this article show that in the Czech Republic, where political conflict has traditionally been based on disputes over economic distribution, the migration crisis that started in 2014 increased the salience of ethnicity and gave rise to an ethnopopulist reaction that led to a transformation of the party system and the dimensionality of political conflict in the country. Ethnicity thus became linked with populism and, as a result, transformed the dimensionality of political conflict by adding another (ethnic) layer to the political conflict in the country. This article contributes to the discussion of populism in Central and Eastern Europe (CEE) by describing the transformation of the nature of populism based on the dimensionality of political conflict.

At Least Agree on the Important Things: The Impact of Issue Distance, Intracoalition Heterogeneity, and Salience on Voters’ Coalition Preferences

The 2021 German federal election led to the formation of the so-called traffic-light coalition between the Social Democratic Party, the Green Party, and the Free Democratic Party, which had never before been agreed upon at the federal level. Over a long period, German parties had competed for government in relatively clear and ideologically homogeneous camps. However, fragmentation of the party system made majorities for two-party alliances more and more unlikely, and party elites needed to reassess new partnerships. Most of these novel coalitions, like the traffic-light coalition, are also cross-cutting dimensions of political competition in Germany. This raises the question of how voters reflect upon these novel government alternatives and make up their minds about which of them they would like to see in office.In this paper, I argue that a nuanced view on issues rather than general ideology offers more precise insights on the origins of voters’ coalition preferences. Furthermore, as salience theory suggests, not every issue is equally important for every part of the citizenry. Therefore, it is expected that the effects of voter–coalition distance as well as intracoalition heterogeneity on specific issues are moderated by individuals’ saliency of the respective issues. These expectations are tested using data from the 2021 preelection cross-section survey of the German Longitudinal Election Study. The results emphasize the relevance of specific issues as well as salience in the formation of voters’ coalition preferences.

The belief system of the Italian Democratic Party: before, during, and after Renzi

ABSTRACT This article aims to explore why the ‘demolition’ of values promoted by Matteo Renzi had profoundly different effects on the factions within the Partito Democratico (Democratic Party, PD). While several studies have examined the PD’s political culture, few have investigated the changing attitudes of its factions. We help fill this gap in the literature by analysing the PD’s intraparty divisions on the main dimensions of party competition in the new millennium. We draw inspiration from the theory of party change, arguing that changes in a party’s dominant coalition craft a new party image. Based on a unique dataset from PD delegates to national assemblies, this article offers new empirical evidence on intraparty cohesion. Our multivariate analysis offers fresh evidence that under Renzi intraparty divisions on economic issues widened, while cohesion on ethical issues increased. Our work indicates that opening the black box of party politics sheds light on new party images.

Research on the Mechanism of Influence of Game Competition Mode on Online Learning Performance.

With the rapid development of information technology and the influence of the COVID-19 pandemic, online learning has become an important supplement to the teaching organization form of basic education and higher education. In order to increase user stickiness and improve learning performance, gamification elements are widely introduced into online learning situations. However, scholars have drawn different conclusions on the impact of game-based competition on online learning performance. This study is based on field theory and constructivist learning theory. Taking the online interaction of the curriculum platform as the situation, psychological capital as the intermediary variable and connected classroom atmosphere as the adjustment variable, this paper constructs an interaction model between game competition and online learning performance and discusses in depth the intermediary effect of psychological capital and the adjustment effect of a connected classroom atmosphere. The results show that game-based competition has a significant positive effect on learning performance, and the effect of direct competition is better than that of indirect competition; the self-efficacy dimension of psychological capital plays an intermediary role between direct competition and learning performance, and the resilience dimension plays an intermediary role between competition and learning performance; and a connected classroom atmosphere plays a regulating role in the dimensions of game competition, knowledge mastery and knowledge innovation.

The Contribution of Event Quality Factors on the Development of Memorable Tourism Experiences: Evidence from the 2018 Fifa World Cup

The aim of this study is to test the applicability of the construct of memorable tourism experience in the context of a mega-sport event, and to investigate the contribution of event quality factors on the development of memorable tourism experiences. For the accomplishment of this aim, the study investigated the experiences of a sample of international spectators who attended the 2018 FIFA World Cup matches hosted in St. Petersburg, Russia. Data collection took place onsite during the group stage matches hosted at the stadium and was conducted with a self-completion questionnaire using two scales, one for memorable tourism experience and one for event quality factors. The results of exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses provided support for the psychometric properties of revised versions of the two scales. Multiple regression analysis showed that memorable tourism experiences were significantly predicted by the event quality factors, with the authenticity, entertainment, venue quality, and event competition dimensions having the most significant contributions. Theoretical and management implications are discussed.

Between center-periphery and left-right: A comparison of traditional and new regionalist parties’ strategies in Galicia during the Great Recession

This article explains the rise, success, and subsequent failure of new challenger formations in the Galician party system during the Great Recession. For that, it focuses on the multidimensional electoral strategies developed by Alternativa Galega de Esquerda (AGE) and En Marea, comparing them to that of the traditional Bloque Nacionalista Galego (BNG). Our analysis shows the different strategies displayed by the BNG and new challengers (AGE, and later En Marea), examining both the electoral supply (framing and party programmatic positions) and demand (voter positions). We find a new subsuming strategy developed by AGE and En Marea, which prioritized left-wing anti-austerity policies over core pro-periphery ones. The paper demonstrates the potential of this new strategy during the Great Recession but also its limitations, linking its demise to the organizational weakness that prevented electoral realignment, and ultimately allowed the BNG to regain its leading role in the territorial dimension of competition.

How do auditors respond to client firms’ technological peer pressure? Evidence from going‐concern opinions

AbstractWe examine whether auditors consider financially distressed clients’ technological peer pressure (TPP) in their going‐concern assessments. While auditing standards highlight the importance of understanding the competitive environment in risk assessments and going‐concern assessments, it is not clear whether and to what extent auditors assess different dimensions of industry competition in evaluating firms’ ability to continue as a going concern. We show that a client firm's TPP in the prior year increases the likelihood that it is issued a going‐concern opinion in the current year. This dimension of industry competition is more relevant in auditor evaluations than product market threats and supply chain competition. Further, we find that the positive association is more pronounced when a client firm's auditor audits more industry peers and when a client's peer firms have greater innovative originality. Finally, we find evidence that greater TPP results in more conservative going‐concern reporting.

Striking the right balance in tension management. The case of coopetition in small- and medium-sized firms

Purpose The purpose of this study is to elaborate on the management, sources, levels of strength and dynamics of inherent tension in coopetition between small- and medium-sized firms (SMEs). Design/methodology/approach An embedded single-case design is applied in the study. Two manufacturing SMEs in coopetition are studied. The units of analysis are their past dyadic coopetition with other competitors, their present coopetition with each other and their view of possible dyadic coopetition with other partners in the future. Findings This study addresses the call for more research on coopetition and tension dynamics. It gives longitudinal insight into the changes of a coopetitive relationship through the evolution of tension inherently present in the relationship. Furthermore, the results show that a partial separation of the cooperative and competitive dimensions enables entrepreneurs’ integration of a contradictory logic. The successful management of tension also relies on mechanisms for mutual value appropriation, which eventually enhances the ability to embrace contradictions. Originality/value This study contributes to the limited knowledge on tension management by showing how partners in coopetition apply different tension management principles or combinations of principles due to how the tension in the relationship evolves. Furthermore, on a practical level, it introduces a mapping or configuration scheme to identify the sources and levels of strength of inherent tension, enhancing coopetition partners’ ability to monitor their relationship over time.

When do firms benefit from joint price and lead-time competition?

Motivated by the observation that more and more firms are now using lead-time guarantee as a new competitive weapon to attract customers, we study firms’ optimal decisions in prices and lead-time quotations when they compete in these two dimensions for demand. We formulate a simultaneous game between multiple firms that sell substitutable products to the same market, and customer demand is determined by both prices and lead-time quotations of all firms. We fully characterize the existence and uniqueness of the Nash equilibrium, and use analytical results supplemented by comprehensive numerical examples to understand the impact of competition. Our research yields two key counterintuitive findings. First, although on the surface price and lead-time shape the demand function in a similar fashion, competition in these two dimensions drives equilibrium price and lead-time quotation in opposite directions. In particular, price competition decreases price but increases lead-time quotation, whereas lead-time competition increases price but decreases lead-time quotation. Second, under joint price and lead-time competition, if the relative price and lead-time competition intensities are disparate, firms can benefit from increased competition in the weaker dimension. The intuition is that increased competition in the weaker dimension diffuses the tensions between the firms in the stronger competition dimension, mitigating its negative impact on profit. To the best of our knowledge, we are among the first to identify conditions under which firms can gain from intensified competition.

Territorial Polarisation after Radical Parties’ Breakthrough in Spain

ABSTRACT Radical parties are on the rise in Europe. However, there is scant evidence on whether their breakthroughs affect voters’ political attitudes, particularly with regard to non-economic dimensions of electoral competition. We address these gaps using a combination of panel surveys developed during recent general election cycles (2011, 2015 and 2019) in Spain. We show that the breakthrough of Podemos and Vox in 2015 and 2019 respectively contributed to the ideological polarisation of voters’ positions on the highly salient territorial dimension in this country, a phenomenon that we do not observe in 2011. However, affective territorial polarisation was not achieved.

Assessing the impact of e-entrepreneurship orientation key success factors on banks’ performance

The 2030 Vision for Saudi Arabia emphasizes an increase in SMEs' contributions to the national economy from 20% to 35%, and a reduction in unemployment from 11.6% to 7%. This requires banks to play a crucial role in supporting entrepreneurial projects, which the Kingdom relies upon. Saudi Arabia's banks took advantage of this opportunity to gain more customers and market share by being more innovative and proactive, and willing to take risks concerning e-services. The purpose of this study includes evaluating banks' performance in KSA considering entrepreneurship orientation drivers in E-banking. The methodology: For testing these hypotheses, a questionnaire has been created and filled out by banks’ workers. The findings: Actually, E-banking entrepreneurial orientation is strongly supported by human capital as evidenced by the research results. On the other hand, the results show a significant positive impact of e-banking entrepreneurial orientation on three dimensions of bank performance, namely, competitiveness, financial performance, and customer services. JEL Classification: L25, L26, G20

Conceptualizing and Assessing the Competitiveness of Slow Tourism Destinations: Evidence From the First Accredited Cittàslow in China

Characterized with in-depth interactions and self-reflections, slow tourism has been gaining growing popularity in recent years thanks to the importance attached to quality of life and self-actualization of tourists in the post modern era, which has all been necessitated by the challenges wrought by the Covid-19 pandemic. In response to the current research lacuna of competitiveness analyses of specialized small-scale destinations, this study comprehensively proposes and empirically evaluates the competitiveness of slow tourism destinations as indicated by the values perceived by the slow tourists, and explores the mechanism of competitiveness of slow tourism destinations with investigation of the interrelationships between competitiveness and tourist attitude, consumption emotion and behavioral intentions through Structural Equation Modeling (SEM). The Gaochun District, which was the first accredited Cittàslow in China, was selected as the research site. Findings yielded four major competitiveness dimensions of community ambiance and service, tourist, and comprehensive management, cultural resources and values and natural resources and protection, and confirmed that perceived values are positively related to attitude, consumption emotion, and behavioral intentions. In addition to offering a valid scale measuring the competitiveness of slow tourism destinations, this study suggests the integration of cultural components in better planning and management of slow tourism destinations.

ICT Research networks and regional competitiveness: an analysis of the 7th Framework Program

ABSTRACT Using Social Network Analysis and the novel concept of bridging centrality this paper investigates the links generated by the research networks created by two of the European Union-funded Programs, the 7th Framework Program (FP7) and the ICT action of the Competitiveness and Innovation Framework Program (CIP) and their impacts on regional competitiveness. Our findings show a positive impact on the competitiveness of both networks. Those regions with higher capacities to establish bridging paths tend to show higher levels of competitiveness. Moreover, our results indicate that these effects differ between research and diffusion networks. Whereas the FP7-related network impacts all the dimensions of competitiveness, the CIP influences competitiveness only through the innovative channel. Our results highlight the importance of facilitating intra- and inter-regional collaboration networks between core and peripheral regions in Europe.

Using a Sustainable Competitive Advantage Strategy to Reduce the Gap in the Dimensions of Competition between the Expectations of the Product and the Wishes of the Customer

Major developments and rapid changes in the business environment and increased competition have made the wishes of the customer constantly fluctuating, and this is what made the companies look at it as a moving goal and not a fixed target, as change became imperative and the obligation of companies. And from this point of view the study has tried the literature of the field of accounting towards new ways in dealing with the strategic dimensions of quality, cost, and time and making them respond in a way that is positive with the wishes of the customer by knowing the needs of the customer and then managing its impact on these dimensions. Continuous improvement has been used to keep competitiveness away from sustainable competitive advantage to determine the cost of activities to manufacture the product and the removal of activities that do not add any valuation, the results have led to an exit. With the conclusion that the orientation towards the dimensions of quality has become time-consuming and the way in which the company's visions are linked to a strategy that includes the integration of these dimensions according to a strategic perspective that contributes to achieving customer satisfaction. It is more useful than moving towards individual smetres.

Legal Analysis of the Competitive Dimensions of the Sixth Five-Year Economic, Social and Cultural Development Plan

Legal Analysis of the Competitive Dimensions of the Sixth Five-Year Economic, Social and Cultural Development Plan

Spatial Mapping of Store Retailers With Reference to Apparels

The advancement and progressive nature of the Indian customers has requisite the apparel retail players to understand the competitive dimensions of the market. To withstand the pressing factor of rivalry, the apparel retailers need to develop techniques subsequent to deciding their positioning in the market so that their development and endurance in this competitive market is secured. The current research studies the dimensions of positioning frame and maps the different apparel retail stores using spatial maps. The objective of the study is to examine how the customers perceive different apparel stores based on its similarities. The sampling frame of the study consisted of five major apparel stores, viz. Central, Pantaloons, Reliance Trends, Shoppers Stop and Planet Fashion. The data for the study is collected through questionnaire in which the 150 respondents were asked to provide similarity judgements for all the pairs of selected stores using a Likert scale. The direct approach of multidimensional scaling through ASCAL is approached to generate spatial map. The results showed that Reliance Trends is enjoying at an uncluttered space and can be assured of no real competition as compared to other select stores.