Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Tony Mutsune Title: APPROPRIATION OF INVESTMENTS AND INNOVATION BENEFITS IN THE U.S. - CHINA TRADE RELATIONSHIP Abstract: It is widely understood that the 1978 market-oriented economic reforms set the stage for China’s phenomenal growth and swift accession to the world’s second-largest economy. A part of the reforms involved relaxing restrictions on foreign investment inflows, privatization and contracting of state-owned industries, and the lifting of protectionist policies. These initiatives are thought to have assisted the flow of knowledge and skills into China. Such flows are known to help deepen human capital which results in productivity increases when combined with improvements in physical capital and other resources. It is reasonable that these advantages are primarily channeled through international commerce linkages. This context provides for investment and innovation choices to influencing productivity outcomes among trading partners. This study presents an empirical framework for testing data from the U.S.-China trade experience for the period 1996-2014, with the aim of identifying how research and development (R&D) expenditures in the U.S. and China combine to influence productivity outcomes in the Chinese economy. The results indicate that R&D stock accumulation in the U.S. plays an important role in prompting productivity increases in China’s economy when combined with China’s own R&D efforts. The implications of the results can be applied in making strategic R&D choices that improve the advantages in the U.S.-China trade relationship Classification-JEL: F14, F20, F23 Keywords: Trade, Technology Spillovers, Productivity, Foreign Direct Investment Journal: Global Journal of Business Research Pages: 1-11 Volume: 10 Issue: 2 Year: 2016 File-URL: http://www.theibfr2.com/RePEc/ibf/gjbres/gjbr-v10n2-2016/GJBR-V10N2-2016-1.pdf File-Format: Application/pdf Handle: RePEc:ibf:gjbres:v:10:y:2016:i:2:p:1-11 Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Marco Wolf Author-Name: Dennis Kopf Author-Name: Pia A. Albinsson Title: MARKETIZATION, NOSTALGIA, AND SOCIAL CONNECTEDNESS: AN EXPLORATORY STUDY IN EASTERN GERMANY Abstract: The purpose of this paper is to uncover how East Germans reacted to product shortages following product abundance immediately after reunification and over time. The authors conduct in-depth interviews to document the stories of the individuals during this time period. Our data analysis reveals that East Germans experienced surprising trade-offs during this transition period. On the one hand, they now had access to an abundance of products. But on the other hand, something unexpected was lost. East Germans no longer needed extensive social networks to obtain products and services. As a result, the importance of maintaining social networks decreased leading to a lack of social connectedness and security. As their disenchantment with the new market system grew, Ostalgie - a form of nostalgia indigenous to the region characterized by a deep longing for the past emerged. This seems to indicate that societies based on materialism can have unforeseen consequences of feelings of insecurity. Business can use these results to fundamentally reconsider their role in the well-being of consumers. As a result, marketers that focus on creating opportunities for social connection will satisfy a fundamental human need leading to more successful business models Classification-JEL: M31, P2 Keywords: Marketing, Brand, Brand Preference, Transition Economies Journal: Global Journal of Business Research Pages: 13-25 Volume: 10 Issue: 2 Year: 2016 File-URL: http://www.theibfr2.com/RePEc/ibf/gjbres/gjbr-v10n2-2016/GJBR-V10N2-2016-2.pdf File-Format: Application/pdf Handle: RePEc:ibf:gjbres:v:10:y:2016:i:2:p:13-25 Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Stephanie Valdivia Author-Name: Arturo Morales Title: DETERMINANTS OF THE INDEX OF PRICES AND QUOTATIONS ON THE MEXICAN STOCK EXCHANGE: SENSITIVITY ANALYSIS BASED ON ARTIFICIAL NEURAL NETWORKS Abstract: This study applies a neural network (NN) methodology to determine the relative variable impact between variables, established by financial theory, as determinants of Index of Prices and Quotations (IPC) on the Mexican Stock Exchange. A NN model is proposed because these variables have nonlinear and nonparametric behavior. NN models are most appropriate and efficient than conventional linear models in these situations. The architecture used to implement the network was Multilayer Perceptron (MLP) with a hidden layer. The following variables were used in the input layer: Index Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJIA), Consumer Price Index (CPI), International Reserves (RI), Yields on Treasury Certificates (CETES), Monetary Aggregate (M1), and Exchange Rate (TC). The algorithms applied to assess variable contribution were Connection Weights Approach and Garson’s Algorithm. Then, a comparative analysis of the results of each algorithm was performed. We conclude the variable International Reserves has the greatest impact. Moreover, results allow quantifying the impact of each proposed variable on the IPC of the Mexican Stock Exchange. This study adds to research that demonstrates the efficiency of artificial neural networks for the simulation and provides a methodology to determine relative importance of financial economic variables Classification-JEL: E31, C45 Keywords: Financial Economic Variables, Mexican Stock Exchange, Artificial Neural Network, Sensitivity Analysis Journal: Global Journal of Business Research Pages: Volume: 10 Issue: 2 Year: 2016 File-URL: http://www.theibfr2.com/RePEc/ibf/gjbres/gjbr-v10n2-2016/GJBR-V10N2-2016-3.pdf File-Format: Application/pdf Handle: RePEc:ibf:gjbres:v:10:y:2016:i:2:p:27-32 Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Candace Blayney Author-Name: Karen Blotnicky Title: CAREER STRATEGIES OF HOTEL MANAGERS IN CANADA Abstract: The purpose of this paper is to explore career strategies used by hotel managers in Canada. An online survey was conducted of 60 hotel general managers across Canada, including 30 male and 30 female respondents. The results indicated that gaining experience and mentoring are the main strategies used for career advancement for men and women. Gaining experience was obtained by asking for challenging projects and moving properties. Some personality factors were identified as willingness to learn and determination. This study allows a better understanding of how men and women develop their careers in the Canadian hotel industry, an important one consisting of over 8,000 properties and generating revenues of $16.7 billion in 2013 (PKF, 2014). The Canadian hotel industry has little scholarly research. Further research into how work experience can be leveraged more efficiently into career building strategies and how personality factors impact career development is required Classification-JEL: M12, M50, M51 Keywords: Hotel Managers, Career Strategies, Management Development, Canadian Hotel Industry Journal: Global Journal of Business Research Pages: 33-48 Volume: 10 Issue: 2 Year: 2016 File-URL: http://www.theibfr2.com/RePEc/ibf/gjbres/gjbr-v10n2-2016/GJBR-V10N2-2016-4.pdf File-Format: Application/pdf Handle: RePEc:ibf:gjbres:v:10:y:2016:i:2:p:33-48 Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Beatriz Alicia Leyva Osuna Author-Name: Hector Guadalupe Marquez Ortiz Author-Name: Sergio Ochoa Jimenez Author-Name: Carlos Armando Jacobo Hernandez Title: ORGANIZATIONAL STRATEGIES FOR SMALL & MEDIUM SIZED ENTERPRISES Abstract: This paper is a descriptive research to identify the types of strategies used by Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs), to provide a main competitive factor. Data collection involved two instruments, taken from Vezina (2011). We use an interview guide and questionnaire to directors and/or managers. We used the strategies typology of Miles and Snow (1978). Evidence shows that managers of small and medium enterprises for the most part, adopted a strategy that adapts to the environment. We further find that exploring and analyzing strategies were the most representative for small businesses, defined by staying in a more dynamic environment. Midsize companies adopt further to the analyzing type, characterized by trying to minimize risks and maximize profits in a safer environment and always supported by a administrative management system Classification-JEL: L10, L25, L60, M10 Keywords: Small and Medium Sized Company, Strategy, Organization Journal: Global Journal of Business Research Pages: 49-62 Volume: 10 Issue: 2 Year: 2016 File-URL: http://www.theibfr2.com/RePEc/ibf/gjbres/gjbr-v10n2-2016/GJBR-V10N2-2016-5.pdf File-Format: Application/pdf Handle: RePEc:ibf:gjbres:v:10:y:2016:i:2:p:49-62 Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Tamara Clark-Gill Title: THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN ENTREPRENEURIAL DRIVE AND CHALLENGES AMONG MINORITY ENTREPRENEURS IN THE UNITED STATES Abstract: Research shows that minority entrepreneurs experience challenges with growth of their businesses in the United States. The challenges that minority entrepreneurs experience and the impact of growth in their businesses are not clearly defined. Research explores the levels of entrepreneurial drive among entrepreneurs and the effect of growth in their businesses in the United States. Previous studies about entrepreneurial drives does not provide an in-depth analysis about minority entrepreneurs and the influence of business growth in the United States. This paper shows the existing challenges and various levels of entrepreneurial drive among minority entrepreneurs in the United States. It reveals the relationship of existing challenges and various levels of entrepreneurial drive among minority entrepreneurs and the impact of business growth in the United States Classification-JEL: P230 Keywords: Entrepreneurship, Business, Minorities Journal: Global Journal of Business Research Pages: 63-73 Volume: 10 Issue: 2 Year: 2016 File-URL: http://www.theibfr2.com/RePEc/ibf/gjbres/gjbr-v10n2-2016/GJBR-V10N2-2016-6.pdf File-Format: Application/pdf Handle: RePEc:ibf:gjbres:v:10:y:2016:i:2:p:63-73 Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Yunke He Author-Name: Heather Banham Title: CHINESE ENTREPRENEURS IN SMALL AND MEDIUM ENTERPRISES (SMES)– AN EMIC VIEW Abstract: In-depth personal interviews are conducted with nine Chinese entrepreneurs. They are located in three different geographical regions from coastal to interior. Their businesses span eight sectors from clothing to industrial automation. This article focuses on their motivations to start new businesses, and introduces their educational and working background as well. The interview results show that eight out of nine entrepreneurs resigned from their stable or even enviable positions to pursue their personal dreams - from creating own brand in men’s suits to commercializing research findings from own PhD dissertation in industrial automation. The research findings have some important implications on engineering education, female entrepreneurship, and forms of business ownership for SMEs Classification-JEL: M190 Keywords: Chinese Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs), Chinese Entrepreneur Journal: Global Journal of Business Research Pages: 75-87 Volume: 10 Issue: 2 Year: 2016 File-URL: http://www.theibfr2.com/RePEc/ibf/gjbres/gjbr-v10n2-2016/GJBR-V10N2-2016-7.pdf File-Format: Application/pdf Handle: RePEc:ibf:gjbres:v:10:y:2016:i:2:p:75-87 Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Chin-Hung Liu Author-Name: Cheng-Yih Hong Author-Name: Jian-Fa Li Title: THE EFFECT OF KEY FACTORS ON GREEN CONSUMPTION INTENTION IN THE GREEN HOTEL INDUSTRY Abstract: Band image is established to create an environment for customers living in green hotels. Customers can participate in environmental protection measures away from home. The goal is to help consumers generate a positive green perceived value, green trust, and green consumption attitude toward green hotels, thereby improving green consumption intention. The present study explores relationships between brand image, green perceived value, green trust, green consumption attitude, and green consumption intention for the green hotel industry. We find significantly positive correlations and impacts among brand image, green perceived value, green trust and green consumption attitude, and green consumption intention. These findings provide perspectives and insights into the impact on green consumption intention. The environmentally friendly hotel industry might use this information to implement environmental protection measures and make strategic suggestions to promote public green consumption Classification-JEL: Z31, Z32, Z39 Keywords: Brand Image, Green Perceived Value, Green Trust, Green Consumption Attitude, Green Consumption Intention Journal: Global Journal of Business Research Pages: 89-101 Volume: 10 Issue: 2 Year: 2016 File-URL: http://www.theibfr2.com/RePEc/ibf/gjbres/gjbr-v10n2-2016/GJBR-V10N2-2016-8.pdf File-Format: Application/pdf Handle: RePEc:ibf:gjbres:v:10:y:2016:i:2:p:89-101 Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Erin Chancey Author-Name: Jose Luis Martinez Flores Author-Name: Maricarmen Baez Palma Author-Name: Omar David Badillo Valenzuela Author-Name: Maria Arlethe Sanchez Cabrera Title: REDESIGN OF THE SUPPLY CHAIN OF A RESTAURANT FRANCHISE IN THE FOOD INDUSTRY Abstract: This research analyzes the problem of facility location and vehicle routing for an efficient logistics system in a practical case study application. It is intended to redesign the logistics network of a franchise company in the food industry in the city of Puebla, Puebla (Mexico). First, facility location is analyzed and two scenarios are presented, installing one new distribution center, and installing two new distribution centers, by the means of the P-median model. Subsequently, a new distribution route between the depots (distribution centers) and demand points (restaurant franchises) will be proposed by means of a Capacitated Vehicle Routing Problem, to satisfy demand and operational constraints of the customer. The objective of this study is to minimize costs through a reduction in delivery times and distances. Exact facility locations are presented along with a vehicle route scheduling, followed by a cost analysis to help in the ultimate decision of the logistics network redesign Classification-JEL: C6 Keywords: Facility Location, P-median, Capacitated Vehicle Routing Problem, Logistics, Distribution Journal: Global Journal of Business Research Pages: 103-111 Volume: 10 Issue: 2 Year: 2016 File-URL: http://www.theibfr2.com/RePEc/ibf/gjbres/gjbr-v10n2-2016/GJBR-V10N2-2016-9.pdf File-Format: Application/pdf Handle: RePEc:ibf:gjbres:v:10:y:2016:i:2:p:103-111