Trade Agencies Research Articles

Financial Torts and Investor Protection: Is the Europeanisation of Third State Cases a Viable Solution?

Due to the growing globalisation of financial markets, non-EU market operators which act outside the EU are increasingly causing direct harm to European investors. This issue, and its relevant impact on investor protection, has already been considered by the European legislature at the substantive level. This article seeks to demonstrate that, at the private international law level, the Europeanisation of third state cases would increase both the degree of investor protection and investors’ equal access to justice. Focusing exclusively on financial torts, the advantages arising from the application of Brussels I bis heads of jurisdiction to non-EU defendants are assessed with regard to insider trading and Credit Rating Agency liability cases. The paper also examines the main critical elements related to such an extension of the Brussels I bis regime, especially from a systematic perspective, and suggests possible future approaches to this issue.

Formulasi Instrumen Kebijakan Lingkungan di Kabupaten Banyuwangi

The purpose of this study to describe and analyze the core issues relating to the environment in Banyuwangi Regency. This research used descriptive research with a qualitative approach. Informants in this study included Development Planning Agency at Regional Level; Environment Agency; Sanitation Agency; Public Works and Regional Road Agency; Public Works Irrigation Agency; Industry, Trade and Mines Agency; Agriculture Agency; and Regional Disaster Management Agency. Data were analyzed with interactive techniques that included data collection, data reduction, data display and verification. The results showed that the main issues in environment scope in the Banyuwangi Regency including tsunamis, volcanoes and other disasters; conversion of productive land; environmental pollution (water, air and soil); garbage and urban sanitation; as well as agricultural land.

TRADE AND COMPETITION IN OTTOMAN BALKAN: MERCHANTS OF DUBROVNIK IN RUMELI (1600-1630)

The Ragusan merchants who had connections with local merchants and raw material producers in Rumalian cities by the trade agencies or directly by themselves had to compete with local rulers, local merchants, Venetians and Jewish brokers in the first quarter of the XVII.th century. Venice’s attempts to make Spilato port as an arrival point for the trade caravans which come from Balkans caused the reaction of Dubrovnik but these reactions did not prevent the rise of the port. Jews embarked a ruthless struggle in order not to give rein of the control of local market to Dubrovniks. The economic changes which were occurred at the beginning of 17th century directly affected the Dubrovnik. This little city state’s competition with British, Dutch or French traders obviously cannot be expected. At the best it could integrate local/regional trade circumstances. Therefore this study will be an effort to portray how successful the Dubrovnik merchants

Do Not ‘Hit and Miss’ Or ‘Spray and Pray’, Diagnose First

This quantitative, cross-sectional study uses an integrated system evaluation process to diagnose eight variables (key tasks, structure, people relationships, motivation, support, management leadership, attitude towards change and performance) that contribute to effective organisations, with the aim of identifying gaps and suggesting corrective actions. The population comprised of all staff in a provincial trade and investment promotion agency in South Africa and a consensus approach was used through a cluster sampling technique, which secured an 85.4% response rate. Data was collected using questionnaires and analysed using both descriptive and inferential statistics. The psychometric properties (validity and reliability) of the questionnaires were statistically determined using Factor Analysis and Cronbach’s Coefficient Alpha. The results indicate that employees perceive the eight elements of organisational diagnosis as having the potential to influence effectiveness in varying degrees. The element perceived to be functioning most effectively, having the least degree of shortfalls is Key Tasks, and the element requiring the greatest degree of improvement is Structure. Significant intercorrelations exist amongst these eight diagnostic variables. Based on the results of the study, strengths and areas for improvement in each of these diagnostic variables has been identified and recommendations are graphically depicted, which when effectively implemented has the potential to enhance each of the elements and overall organisational effectiveness.

Does Player Mobility Lead to Higher Earnings? Evidence from the Nhl

A superficial examination of NHL earnings data shows that players who have changed teams earn more, on average, than players who have not. Extensive media coverage of player movement at trading and free agency deadlines has generated the perception that players on the move are consistently moving to higher salaries. Using career data for players in the National Hockey League, we estimate an earnings function and find, perhaps surprisingly, that the cumulative effect of moving on earnings is negative. Players who have changed teams many times during their careers earn less than those who remained with the same team throughout their career. We show that the negative impact of moving holds for free agents and highly talented players only if they move often.

Trade Promotions and Suppliers' Market Power

Problem statement: Trade promotions provided to retailers from suppliers are not well understood and have not been consistently reported by manufacturers. Research about the phenomenon has consequently been limited and neither the trade nor government agencies fully understand the phenomenon and its implications. One implication is that some trade promotions (or trade allowances as they are also known) can pose an ethical dilemma in terms of restricting competition to the disadvantage of smaller businesses. Approach: This research takes advantage of a one-time release of data at the individual firm level which includes firm specific information on trade promotions, which includes slotting fees, provided by manufacturers for placement in retail stores as well as advertising and promotion support for the retailer. Firm level specific data gives the researcher a method of analyzing the use of market power exercised by the manufacturer to influence retail behavior. Further, the analysis of trade promotion practices and market power give an indication of possible uncompetitive conditions created by manufacturers with high potential market power. Results: Findings indicate that firms with high potential market power, based on assets, provide more trade promotions. Firms with high profits derived from high gross margins, also exercise high market power. Both of these findings, in terms of potential market power as well as exercised market power, lend credibility to the argument that high market power firms pose an uncompetitive environment for small suppliers. Conclusion/Recommendations: The Federal Trade Commission (FTC), which previously reviewed this issue, needs to revisit the matter in terms of the creation of the uncompetitive environment that appears to be created through high market power firms. Further, research that considers both the retail and manufacturers’ firm-level data on a broad spectrum should be examined to better understand the situation.

Alcohol and non-communicable diseases-cancer, heart disease and more

Evidence has strengthened on alcohol's role in cancer and alcohol is also important in other non-communicable diseases (NCDs). Now the global prevention of NCDs as part of the Millennium Development Goals is the subject of a September 2011 United Nations General Assembly session. Alcohol issues should be included in these new initiatives.

Determinants of interest in the acquisition of export skills for Chinese exporters

PurposeThe paper aims to comprehensively study the current learning environment of export skills in China and to identify the needs of Chinese firms for skills training. Thus, it proposes a conceptual framework of skills identification and ranking model. Another main purpose of this paper is to expand the domain of export skills and knowledge management by including a broader range of the determinants of interests in export skills acquisition and identification than is normally found in the related literature.Design/methodology/approachA comprehensive and thorough survey on the learning environment of export skills acquisition was conducted in this study targeting 800 exporting firms in China. Ten propositions were proposed and the data were complemented through correspondence analysis to study the determinants of interest in export skills acquisition among these firms.FindingsThe results indicate that the overall level of export skills for Chinese exporters is somewhat low and little training resources are invested in export skills acquisition. Furthermore, interest in export skills learning is broad based and unrelated to ownership structure. It is demonstrated that Chinese exporters of greater export development and management commitment show more interest in export skills learning. Those of lower export development need more support from government trade agencies, yet in general, government assistance in meeting the demand of Chinese exporters is still insufficient.Research limitations/implicationsBecause of the chosen research approach, the research results may lack generalisability. Therefore, researchers are encouraged to find the best practice.Practical implicationsThe paper includes implications for the intelligence of learning environment, the identification of determinants of the learning interests in export skills and the development of skills training and knowledge management.Originality/valueThis paper can be used by the exporting firms, the universities and government trade agencies to design more effective skill training programs and to guide their resource allocations.

Clase obrera urbana en la industria del café. Escogedoras, trilladoras y régimen laboral en Antioquia, 1910-1942

The author analyses an urban working-class population linked to the coffee industry: the sorter women. He studies the group profile from different factors such as age, marital status, and literacy in the Medellin working class context; to go then to a deeper study on the Municipal Threshers of Concordia town (in Antioquia department) case. He observes its organization and work regime taking into account the different work agents -sorter women, directors, administrators and managers-, and the relationship between the company and the local public administration- representatives and municipal consultative council-. The author describes the company's present organizational structure, its relationship with the public establishment and the coffee trading agencies; following an exposition about the spreading and consolidation process of coffee culture in Antioquia, especially in Antioquia's southwest; and a concise assessment on historiography related to the zone and the subject matter.

THE EFFECTS OF COMPETITION ON U.S. WHEAT MARKET SHARES IN EAST ASIA

The effects of competition between wheat export countries on the U.S. wheat market shares in ten Asian countries are analyzed. The variables are relative forms of the U.S. against Australian and Canadian variables to incorporate the effects of competition among exporters. From the estimation results, we could not find distinct effects of wheat prices, exchange rates, changes of the prices and currency values, and the U.S. export enhancement program on the U.S. wheat export performance. This implies that further studies are needed to analyze other factors beyond these variables for the Asian wheat import market, such as different protein or type of wheat, importing countriesi¯ trading policies, or utilization of the state trading agencies.

Measuring the impact of regional export promotion: The Spanish case*

Abstract. This article estimates the effect of Spanish regional trade agencies abroad on exports using the gravity model. The results indicate that regional agencies increase trade. The estimated impact seems to be larger than that of Spanish embassies and consulates. Moreover, a disaggregated analysis shows that this effect is not evenly distributed across Spanish regions.Abstract. Este artículo estima el efecto de las delegaciones comerciales regionales en el extranjero sobre las exportaciones utilizando el modelo de gravedad. Los resultados indican que las delegaciones regionales fomentan el comercio exterior. El impacto estimado parece ser mayor que el de las embajadas y consulados españoles. Por otro lado, un análisis desagregado muestra que este efecto no se distribuye uniformemente entre las regiones españolas.

Study of banking sector design from risk perspective to minimise social costs

A comprehensive review of the US banking sector design is currently underway with debates among bankers, trade, consumer groups and regulatory agencies on pricing, The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) bank insurance fund maintenance and coverage levels for new deposit insurance initiative. A macro design framework is proposed as an input to planned improvements. The objective of the proposed conceptual banking sector model is to seek a design where each bank self-monitors its own risk level and controlled by the market forces/discipline. The agency providing risk-based depositors' insurance should break even, at minimal, and the stockholders should make an adequate rate of return. In this way, the need for regulations is decreased, the banking sector becomes more stable and the social cost is decreased.

Serbo-Albanian bank in Albania 1925-1927

The Serbo-Albanian Bank was founded at Cetinje in 1922, at the time Yugoslav-Albanian diplomatic relations were established, with the purpose of opening its branch offices in Albania in order to contribute to closer economic relations between the two neighboring countries. The Bank was unable to achieve its goal in the first two years of operation, as it had not obtained the necessary licenses from the Albanian authorities. The branch office in Scutari was opened only in early 1925. Another topical issue at the time was the creation of the Albanian National Bank as the central monetary institution that would function as a regulator of the entire economic life of Albania. Supported by the Yugoslav state, the Serbo-Albanian Bank planned its transformation into an Albanian central bank, but without success. Namely, it was Italian capital that assumed a leading role in the Albanian National Bank founded in September 1925. In spite of this failure, the branch office of the Serbo-Albanian Bank commenced its operations in Albania. Under its roof, it set up the Privileged Trading Agency, and expressed interest in obtaining exploration and excavation concessions for the copper mine in the region of Puka in northern Albania. It was granted the concession by the Albanian government, but failed to set up a copper exploitation company. Facing numerous difficulties, the major of which was lack of the necessary cash for operation and significant business losses in Albania, the branch office was closed in 1927, pursuant to the decision of the Cetinje headquarters.

Subchronic 4-month oral toxicity study of dried Smallanthus sonchifolius (yacon) roots as a diet supplement in rats

Yacon roots are a rich source of fructooligosaccharides (FOS) and have a long use tradition as food in the Andean region. However, there are no published reports regarding their toxicology and use safety. The aim of this study was to analyze the effects of subchronic (4-months) oral consumption of dried yacon root flour as a diet supplement using normal Wistar rats. Two daily intake levels were used, equivalent to 340 mg and 6800 mg FOS/body weight, respectively. Yacon administered as a diet supplement was well tolerated and did not produce any negative response, toxicity or adverse nutritional effect at both intake levels used. Yacon root consumption showed no hypoglycemic activity in normal rats and resulted in significantly reduced post-prandial serum triacylglycerol levels in both doses assayed. Conversely, serum cholesterol reduction was not statistically significant. Cecal hypertrophy was observed in rats fed only the high dose. Our results indicating lack of toxicity and a certain beneficial metabolic activity in normal rats warrant further experiments with normal subjects and patients suffering metabolic disorders. They should also be considered when establishing the regulatory framework of this natural product by national health authorities and international trade agencies.

The Termination of State-Run International Trade Programs in California: Perspectives on Contributing Factors and Future Policy Options

The paper examines developments that led to the termination of California’s major state-run international trade programs managed by the now defunct Technology, Trade and Commerce Agency and provides perspectives on future policy options. Study findings indicate that what the academic literature refers to as “theory failure” and “implementation failure,” along with deficiencies in leadership and organizational culture, must be seen as the major reasons for the programs’ elimination.

Vertical Coordination, Antitrust Law, and International Trade

This paper demonstrates that vertically aligned private or public organizations are capable of generating strategic trade advantage similar to that acquired through direct government export subsidization. The model considers two forms of vertical coordination that lead to advantageous trade positions in international markets: upstream vertical restraint and downstream equity sharing. Such practices are commonly employed both by state trading agencies and by private firms in nations with lenient antitrust laws. The finding has important implications under new World Trade Organization (WTO) rules intended to reduce government intervention in international transactions. Recent reforms in the WTO favor nations that sanction highly refined vertical linkages between firms, while nations with stringent antitrust legislation have an incentive to negotiate for greater harmonization of international laws.

A natural history of psychology trading agencies in the United Kingdom

A natural history of psychology trading agencies in the United Kingdom

A comparison of price, rarity and cost of butterfly specimens: Implications for the insect trade and for habitat conservation

Insects can provide one source of income to villagers as part of an alternative to logging. The Insect Farming and Trading Agency (IFTA) of Papua New Guinea aims to return as much income as possible to village-level insect collectors. An increase in demand or profit margin in the insect trade could potentially benefit sustainable forestry schemes that include insect collecting. The sustainability of insect collecting is discussed. Species rarity, specimen prices, and species wing sizes are compared. Prices are greater for rarer species. Prices are correlated with wing size, particularly at the retail level, but rarity is not positively correlated with wing size. Consequently, it should be possible to selectively increase the prices of non-rare, larger species at the wholesale level. There is a large wholesale-to-retail price markup for some species. So, consumers are probably willing to pay a wide range of prices for some species, and therefore it may be possible for IFTA to raise prices for species when IFTA is the exclusive supplier and when there is an indication that there is low price elasticity. Although price increases may have a favorable impact on sustainable management of tropical forests, steady and long-term increased consumer demand for insects from tropical forests would likely have a more substantial impact. Income from extractive reserves is usually non-competitive with income from timber, hence a broad package of income sources is usually necessary.

People of German descent in CIS States — areas of settlement, territorial autonomy and emigration

Until 1989 the ethnic Germans tended to live in Kazakhstan, Central Asia and South-West Siberia. Not only German but also Russian and Ukrainian residents in Kazakhstan and Central Asia have been induced to leave. In South-West Siberia attempts are beeing made to keep the ethnic Germans there. Two autonomous German districts have been established. The mass scale emigration to Germany has, however, affected these areas, too. That means that not only push factors are effective but also pull factors play a role. They concern the privileged immigrant status of “Aussiedler” in Germany. The economic damage suffered by Siberia on account of this kind of undifferentiated drain of workers and specialists puts whole economic regions in jeopardy. The German Home Office tried to support the re-establishment of the German Volga Republic which was dissolved by Stalin in 1941. Some German unprofessionally organised economic projects and severe diplomatic mistakes actually strengthened the nationalistic Russian opposition so that the reestablishment failed. An improvement of the ethnic Germans' perspectives in the CIS is only possible if Germany makes use of the tried and tested instruments of development aid and regional planning. German consulates and trade agencies should be opened in the Volga region, and in Siberia. It is necessary to establish a Siberian-German bank and Russian-German universities. A special programme should provide support for well-qualified people whose knowledge and skills are vital for a continuation of the ethnic Germans' economy and culture.

Quality assurance: a prescription for success.

Provides a theoretical and practical overview of one organization's total quality management initiative. Concentrates particularly on the pursuit and achievement of registration against the quality assurance standard BS 5750/ISO 9002. The organization is a public sector trading agency providing a financial internal audit service to a range of clients within the NHS.