Vygotskian-Inspired Research on the Developmental Implications of Organic Impairment

The aim is to refine recent discussion about the process of compensation under conditions of organic impairment in order to better understand how the concept has been addressed by cultural-historical researchers. From a dialogue among contemporary authors and the examination of the case of a student with multiple disabilities confronting the schooling process, we draw attention to how meaning has an effect upon complex functional systems and paves the way for new forms of human development. We conclude that it is important to challenge the relevance of the term compensation in its connection with the notion of human constitution.     

Data-driven stochastic inversion via functional quantization

In this paper, we propose a new methodology for solving stochastic inversion problems through computer experiments, the stochasticity being driven by a functional random variables. This study is motivated by an automotive application. In this context, the simulator code takes a double set of simulation inputs: deterministic control variables and functional uncertain variables. This framework is characterized by two features. The first one is the high computational cost of simulations. The second is that the probability distribution of the functional input is only known through a finite set of realizations. In our context, the inversion problem is formulated by considering the expectation over the functional random variable. We aim at solving this problem by evaluating the model on a design, whose adaptive construction combines the so-called stepwise uncertainty reduction methodology with a strategy for an efficient expectation estimation. Two greedy strategies are introduced to sequentially estimate the expectation over the functional uncertain variable by adaptively selecting curves from the initial set of realizations. Both of these strategies consider functional principal component analysis as a dimensionality reduction technique assuming that the realizations of the functional input are independent realizations of the same continuous stochastic process. The first strategy is based on a greedy approach for functional data-driven quantization, while the second one is linked to the notion of space-filling design. Functional PCA is used as an intermediate step. For each point of the design built in the reduced space, we select the corresponding curve from the sample of available curves, thus guaranteeing the robustness of the procedure to dimension reduction. The whole methodology is illustrated and calibrated on an analytical example. It is then applied on the automotive industrial test case where we aim at identifying the set of control parameters leading to meet the pollutant emission standards of a vehicle.     

Editorial

The Analysis of Verbal Behavior -     

Rational-experiential thinking style and rational intergroup cooperation: the moderating role of intergroup conflict / Estilos de pensamiento racional-experiencial y la cooperación intergrupal racional: el rol modulador del conflicto intergrupal

Cooperative relationships between groups are difficult because of the high human capability to differentiate between in-group vs. out-group members. This obstacle exists even when the groups can obtain benefits for themselves from cooperation with other groups (rational cooperation). Based on an interactionist approach, the authors propose that personal (individual differences) and situational (conflicts) factors contribute to rational intergroup cooperation. The authors conducted a preliminary correlational study (Study 1) and an experimental investigation (Study 2). In Study 1, the authors examined, with 105 participants, the psychometric properties of the Spanish version of the Rational–Experiential Inventory (REI), measuring individual differences in information processing. In Study 2, the authors conducted an experimental investigation with 141 participants, testing the role of individual differences and conflict in intergroup rational cooperation. Findings of Study 1 showed that the scale has adequate psychometric properties. Results of Study 2 confirmed that the existence of both manipulated and perceived intergroup conflict reduces the magnitudes of the relationships between rational ability and rational cooperation. In addition, perceived intergroup conflict increased the magnitude of the links from experiential ability and experimental engagement to rational cooperation. Both individual differences and previous conflict have a role in predicting rational intergroup cooperation. According to the interactionist approach, personal and situational factors should be considered in the understanding of intergroup relationships.     

Mainstreaming Nutrition for Better Development Outcomes

Even though the millennium development goals (MDGs) tackle the main economic and social problems in developing countries, nutrition is not addressed adequately despite its important role in achieving the MDGs. It is therefore crucial to mainstream nutrition by strengthening public-private partnerships, increased political and technical capacity and by achieving food security. The paper aims to discuss how strong partnerships bringing public and private efforts together are important to the success of increasing nutritional programs by providing a redesign and marketing of products and services, other services, and funding. The report explores the need to assess the setting of pertinent nutritional policies and to increase technical capacity. The study found that the relation between agriculture and nutrition is a key component for achieving food safety in order to mainstream nutrition into the MDGs. The three main topics considered in this analysis are biotechnology, food trade policies, and bioenergy products as they have a strong impact on prices. Mainstreaming Nutrition for better development outcomes.

Firm Ownership and Rent Sharing

In this paper we analyse—theoretically and empirically—how the degree of private versus public ownership of firms affects the degree of rent sharing between firms and their workers. Using a particularly rich linked employer-employee dataset from Portugal, covering a large number of corporate ownership changes across a wide spectrum of economic sectors over more than 20 years, we find that rent sharing is significantly higher in firms with a larger share of private ownership. Estimates from our most preferred empirical specification suggest that an increase in the private ownership share of 10 percentage points increases (on average) the rent-sharing elasticity by 0.0002. Based on a theoretical analysis that incorporates union-firm wage bargaining and efficiency wage effects within the same modelling framework, this result cannot be explained by private firms being more profit oriented than public ones. However, the result is consistent with a scenario whereby privatisation leads to less job security for workers, implying stronger efficiency wage effects.     

Heterogeneous firm response to organized crime: Evidence from FDI in Mexico

We thank Editor Massaki Kotabe and two anonymous reviewers for their comments and suggestions. In addition, we appreciate helpful feedback on earlier versions of this paper from Myles Shaver, Jennifer Oetzel, Adam Fremeth, anonymous reviewers for the 2011 31st Strategic Management Society Annual International Conference and conference participants. Jorge Delgado and Avilia Bueno provided valuable assistance with data collection.This paper examines the impact of organized crime on Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) considering the role of foreign investor home-country experience. Extant research shows a negative impact of organized crime on FDI. We expect investor home-country experience with organized crime to ameliorate this deterrent effect. We do not find support for this prediction analyzing FDI net flows into Mexican states from 2001 to 2010. Our analysis does, however, reveal a heterogeneous investor response to organized crime. Our results suggest, surprisingly, that crime in host locations is actually positively associated with investment from high-crime countries. This research makes several contributions. Our evidence suggests that firms seek to leverage home experience with high levels of local organized crime, involving seemingly localized routines and practices, as they expand abroad. In addition, our work draws attention to the effect of institutional variation within host countries in foreign entry. It also expands the literature by focusing on organized crime, a largely unexplored source of country risk in international management research. Finally, it brings attention to the role of powerful international criminal organizations, drug cartels, in shaping cross-border business activity.