Relevant Competitors Research Articles

Determinants of Mexico’s Comparative Advantages and of the Performance of its Manufacturing Exports During 1996-2005

We analyze if the pattern of comparative advantages and the recent behavior of Mexican manufacturing exports, vis-`a-vis its closest competitors, are related with productivity differentials or with differences in factor endowments. The relative abundance of relatively unskilled labor in Mexico locates this country in markets where other large countries with similar factor endowments, such as China, have entered rapidly. In comparison with China and other similar competitors, the most important determinant of Mexico’s comparative advantages and export performance seems to be productivity differentials. When Mexico is compared against other relevant competitors that have been able to rise faster in the value chain, Mexican export performance also seems to reflect its relatively small endowment of human capital.

Sparse Multivariate Regression With Covariance Estimation

We propose a procedure for constructing a sparse estimator of a multivariate regression coefficient matrix that accounts for correlation of the response variables. This method, which we call multivariate regression with covariance estimation (MRCE), involves penalized likelihood with simultaneous estimation of the regression coefficients and the covariance structure. An efficient optimization algorithm and a fast approximation are developed for computing MRCE. Using simulation studies, we show that the proposed method outperforms relevant competitors when the responses are highly correlated. We also apply the new method to a finance example on predicting asset returns. An R-package containing this dataset and code for computing MRCE and its approximation are available online.

Estimating sensitive proportions by Warner’s randomized response technique using multiple randomized responses from distinct persons sampled

In 1965 Warner pioneered randomized response techniques to estimate the proportion of people bearing a sensitive characteristic. He restricted applying his randomized response device to gather data on sensitive issues from respondents chosen by simple random sampling with replacement (SRSWR). It has spawned numerous ramifications. We present results for the situation where the distinct persons chosen in an SRSWR are identified but each one independently gives a randomized response by Warner’s device, repeated as many times as he/she is selected. Two new estimators are proposed for the sensitive proportion and compared against relevant competitors.

Predatory Pricing and Marketing Theory: Applications in Business-to-Business Context and Beyond

ABSTRACT There is an increasing gap between the insights from modern economic and strategic theory, and the current judicial policy to evaluate predatory pricing cases. Marketing insights, data collection, and analysis methods can uniquely aid decision-making in the courts and lead the way for a contemporary antitrust approach. The contributions and limitations of the existing paradigm in enforcement are summarized. The courts' current decision-making paradigm is detailed in four steps: Is the defendant business sacrificing current profits? Can the business recoup its strategic sacrifice? How are the business' relevant competitors affected? And ultimately, will there be injury to buyer welfare? Each step is substantiated with expanded perspectives and insights from marketing, and examples in business-to-business context to synthesize theory and practice. A managerial decision-making framework is developed. Future research perspectives are identified. A cross-disciplinary timetable of the evolution of predatory pricing in the U.S. is also presented.

Patent portfolios for strategic R&D planning

Abstract Empirical research has found a discrepancy between the perceived importance and the actual level of information on competitor's R&D strategies. It has been argued in the literature that patent information might be used to overcome this information deficit. However, empirical research further reveals that patent information is rarely used in strategic R&D planning. The present paper explores this issue and introduces two types of patent portfolios for strategic R&D planning. In patent portfolios on the company level, patenting strategies are identified and the quality of overall technological positions is benchmarked against relevant competitors. In addition, we present a patent portfolio on the technological level, which, as it is known from various technology portfolios, helps companies to manage the allocation of R&D resources effectively. Based on patent data from 21 German, European and Japanese mechanical engineering companies we show the application of both patent portfolios for strategic R&D planning purposes. The patent portfolios prove to be a very valuable tool for R&D decision makers in companies. Based on the experiences made in the case study, recommendation for the effective use of patent portfolios are formulated.

Software protection technology: Legal aspects of software protection devices

Empirical research has found a discrepancy between the perceived importance and the actual level of information on competitor's R&D strategies. It has been argued in the literature that patent information might be used to overcome this information deficit. However, empirical research further reveals that patent information is rarely used in strategic R&D planning. The present paper explores this issue and introduces two types of patent portfolios for strategic R&D planning. In patent portfolios on the company level, patenting strategies are identified and the quality of overall technological positions is benchmarked against relevant competitors. In addition, we present a patent portfolio on the technological level, which, as it is known from various technology portfolios, helps companies to manage the allocation of R&D resources effectively. Based on patent data from 21 German, European and Japanese mechanical engineering companies we show the application of both patent portfolios for strategic R&D planning purposes. The patent portfolios prove to be a very valuable tool for R&D decision makers in companies. Based on the experiences made in the case study, recommendation for the effective use of patent portfolios are formulated.

Prices and Price/Quality Relationships: A Longitudinal Analysis

Though price and quality are recognized as important tactical and strategic variables for a marketing manager, few empirical data are available on the behavior of price or the correspondence between price and quality over time. The authors report results for three hypotheses derived from product life cycle theory, dynamic pricing policy, and economic information theory about price trends, price convergence, and the correspondence between price and quality among brands in 62 durable product forms. Results strongly confirm the hypotheses that prices converge as well as decrease in real terms. The decline in price variation apparently results from a narrowing of prices by all relevant competitors. Brands entering or exiting a category counterbalance one another and are nearly as likely to be priced below as above a category mean. Reduced correspondence between price and quality levels over time suggests that as pricing flexibility declines, competition may occur in the form of promotional expenditures rather than relative quality improvements. Implications of these findings for marketing strategy and consumer welfare are discussed.

GENERATING MARKETING STRATEGY PRIORITIES BASED ON RELATIVE COMPETITIVE POSITION

The marketing manager has little or no guidance in formulating competitive strategies. This article presents a marketing strategy planning tool based on customers' perceptions of the positions of competing brands across various product attributes. The method, called “Simultaneous Importance‐Performance Analysis,” advocates focusing attention on relevant competitors' positions and attacking or defending market territory selectively. An example of its application is provided to illustrate its usefulness. The tool provides a framework for prioritizing alternative marketing strategies and is helpful in deciding on the allocation of limited marketing resources to design an efficient short‐range marketing plan. We will first discuss the nature of competitive advantage strategy and look at the marketing manager's dilemma on how to select tactics to develop a competitive advantage. We will then describe and illustrate “simultaneous importance — performance analysis,” based on importance‐performance analysis. Finally, we will suggest how this technique might be integrated into a company's strategic planning system.