Effective working relationships between audit committees and internal audit—the cornerstone of corporate governance in local authorities, a Welsh perspective

This research looks at the working relationship between audit committees and the internal audit function within Welsh local government. The focus is primarily on the working relationship from the perspective of the head of internal audit, also known as the Chief Audit Executive or Chief Internal Auditor [Head of internal audit will be used synonymously with that of Chief Audit Executive and Chief Internal Auditor]. Is it a marriage of convenience or a working relationship where the two can capitalise on what they both bring to the corporate governance arena? Reluctance by local government in Wales to embrace the merits of audit committees in the late 1990s means that local government is playing catch up with other public sector organisations. This in turn affects the recognition of the benefits of an effective audit committee capable of working with the internal audit function to promote sound corporate governance. Published guidelines by the UK public sector accountancy body in 2005 on the implementation of audit committees within local government made those organisations yet to establish an audit committee to rethink the situation, and were encouraged by the seemingly positive benefits of audit committees. Wales was no exception, and the 22 local authorities considered embracing the concept of audit committees. Consequently, this placed the internal audit function and head of internal audit under the spotlight in terms of the expectations of the audit committee members. Audit committees roles and responsibilities mean that they should assist councils and officers to ensure they undertake their responsibilities with probity and effectiveness, especially in respect of financial control. It is imperative that committee chairs and internal audit can function as a working team in order to be effective. Audit Committees have a role to assess the performance of the internal audit function, appoint heads of internal audit, support and promote the audit function within the organisation. It is therefore important that the heads of internal audit have confidence and respect for the audit committee and its chair in terms of the skill and knowledge it has of the audit role in relation to the financial and non-financial aspects of the organisation. Laura Spira (2003) comments on how very little research has been undertaken in relation to the audit committee activities, within the private sector, consequently very little is known about what they actually do, let alone how effective they are in undertaking their role. In a similar vein, the same is true of the public sector audit committee activities, especially when they have tended to adopt the private sector audit committee as a blue print to their own audit committee development.     

本土创新、能力发展和竞争优势——中国激光视盘播放机工业的发展及其对政府作用的政策含义

认为中国工业发展应当遵循“比较优势”的观点实质上是要求政府放弃工业政策和技术政策 ,但在解释工业竞争力源泉上却贫乏无力。本研究通过对中国激光光盘播放机工业发展经验的分析证明 ,基于本土市场需求特点的产品创新以及企业在技术学习和能力发展上的努力 ,才是技术相对落后国家的企业能够在开放市场条件下获得竞争优势的原因。中国DVD工业目前遭到被征收高额专利费的困境 ,突出说明了中国工业发展在技术结构上所面临的制约。突破这种制约不仅要求中国企业努力在技术上爬升 ,而且要求中国政府采取积极的技术政策和工业政策 ,因为在全球化条件下的市场机制既不能有效地解决通用技术知识的供给问题 ,也不可能公正地分配来自技术知识的收益。     

Regulatory Models and the Environment: Practice, Pitfalls, and Prospects

Computational models support environmental regulatory activities by providing the regulator an ability to evaluate available knowledge, assess alternative regulations, and provide a framework to assess compliance. But all models face inherent uncertainties because human and natural systems are always more complex and heterogeneous than can be captured in a model. Here, we provide a summary discussion of the activities, findings, and recommendations of the National Research Council's Committee on Regulatory Environmental Models, a committee funded by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to provide guidance on the use of computational models in the regulatory process. Modeling is a difficult enterprise even outside the potentially adversarial regulatory environment. The demands grow when the regulatory requirements for accountability, transparency, public accessibility, and technical rigor are added to the challenges. Moreover, models cannot be validated (declared true) but instead should be evaluated with regard to their suitability as tools to address a specific question. The committee concluded that these characteristics make evaluation of a regulatory model more complex than simply comparing measurement data with model results. The evaluation also must balance the need for a model to be accurate with the need for a model to be reproducible, transparent, and useful for the regulatory decision at hand. Meeting these needs requires model evaluation to be applied over the "life cycle" of a regulatory model with an approach that includes different forms of peer review, uncertainty analysis, and extrapolation methods than those for nonregulatory models.     

考虑多主体参与的产业共性技术研发模式比较研究

将共性技术研发模式划分为市场机制模式、学研参与模式与政府参与模式,借鉴Stackelberg主从博弈思想,构建共性技术供给企业A、商业开发企业B及政府间的博弈模型,对三种研发模式下研发企业各自的最优研发努力水平、最优研发预期收益及政府最优补贴、政策引导等问题进行了分析比较。研究表明：除政府参与模式严格优于学研参与模式之外,共性技术研发模式选择需厘清各研发模式占优的关键因素及影响机理;三种研发模式下政府、企业A、企业B预期收益及研发企业A、B的努力水平受到共性和个性因素的影响,共性技术研发协同度是重要的影响因素;政府应通过补贴和政策引导支持共性技术研发,就政府补贴分配比例而言,技术弹性较大时政府应分配给企业A较大补贴比例,利润分享系数较大时政府应分配给企业B较大的补贴比例。最后,从研发模式选择、促进研发主体参与及政府精准施策等方面提出促进共性技术研发的政策启示。     

Telecommunication steering committees and their implications

Rapid advances in telecommunications technology (TT) and its usage have elevated it to a strategic role. This strategic thrust of TT has obvious implications for TT management. This paper reports on a study conducted to identify and analyze the impact of using a distinct steering committee to manage telecommunication technology. Based on statistical analysis of the responses to a survey instrument it is found that having a separate steering committee to manage telecommunication technology has a positive impact on various factors affecting telecommunications usage and management. Implications of our findings for successful TT management are discussed.     

Opportunities and Impediments for Risk-Based Standards: Some Views from a Workshop

Techniques for performing scientific risk assessments for a wide variety of chemical and radiological hazards present in the environment and workplace are available. Speakers at a workshop sponsored by the Environmental and Public/Occupational Health Standard's Steering Group addressed both the state-of-the-art in risk assessment and areas of difficulty that require further research. The Steering Group concluded that within the limits of the available data, risk-assessment techniques are a useful tool in decision-making. In the past, many government agencies have not been effective either in listening to public concerns or in communicating technical or scientific information about risks. This has been true at all levels of government. Workshop speakers discussed some ways that government agencies can more effectively communicate with the public. The Steering Group concluded that major efforts must be made to ensure that two-way communication takes place. Thus the results of the workshop show that effective management of risk requires both a scientific assessment of risk and a responsive consideration of the public's perception of risk. Intensive efforts must be made to ensure that effective two-way communication takes place between members of the public and the appropriate government agencies.     

基于DEA-t检验的以企业为主体的科技创新效率评价

以企业为主体的科技创新效率评价是衡量科技投入后的产出水平、资源利用效率并寻找影响科技创新效率的主要因素,为优化资源投入结构打下基础。以企业作为科技投入和产出的主体,通过数据包络分析（DEA）中CCR模型和BCC模型测算中国15个副省级城市科技创新的总体投入产出效率、纯技术效率和规模效率。通过DEA-t检验的方法萃取出显著影响效率的关键指标,找到不同副省级城市各自效率偏低的关键问题。创新与特色一是将保留所有指标的DEA效率测算模型作为基础模型,将逐一剔除单个指标后的DEA效率测算模型作为对比模型。通过t检验,依次检验基础模型与每个对比模型的总体投入效率TE是否存在显著差异。若差异显著,则对比模型中剔除的指标为显著影响效率的关键指标,由此确定了影响科技创新效率的五个关键指标。改变现有研究的数据包络分析（DEA）方法仅仅能测算效率、无法萃取影响效率的关键因素的弊端。二是实证结果表明：显著影响以企业为主体的科技创新效率的关键指标为规模以上工业企业R&D经费内部支出、财政科技经费投入、科技从业人员数、技术市场成交额、规模以上工业企业新产品产值。三是实证结果表明：不同副省级城市导致效率偏低的关键问题大相径庭。如杭州的关键问题是“财政科技经费投入”的冗余率过大,而哈尔滨的关键问题是“规模以上工业企业新产品产值”的产出不足超高。     

新兴产业间技术关联定量分析——以信息技术与生物技术为例

从技术商业化角度出发,构造了用以衡量技术发展能力的综合评价指标。通过采用该指标体系,实现了生物技术与信息技术的技术关联度的定量测量,典型样本数据取自NASDAQ信息技术与生物技术行业内排名前10名公司1999～2009年的财务数据。研究表明,除了信息技术中的支撑层技术与生物技术关联度呈现出不规则变化之外,信息技术中的基础层技术、系统层技术与生物技术关联度均保持较稳定的增长趋势。     

Information technology and productivity: Myths and realities

In the absence of empirical research, media and government publicity have created false expectations and unnecessary anxieties about the effects of new technology. It is comparatively easy to show how information technology can produce productivity gains and job losses in specific areas. But it is not realistic to extrapolate ‘local’ effects to an organization as a whole, or to the economy. The argument of this paper is that it is necessary to consider the implications of technical change on three ‘levels of effect’—operating, organizational and strategic—in order to make a comprehensive assessment. Management, however, appear to concentrate on operating criteria, ignore the consequences of organizational decisions, and do not explore the strategic opportunities of the new technology. The potential strategic advantages may thus not be achieved.     

Linking R&D with the strategic management process of the firm

An examination of the problems associated with integrating R&D activities with the overall strategic planning process of the firm is presented. A model which links R&D to other functional activities as well as to strategic planning by a technical planning committee is proposed. The implementation of this integrative process requires organizational structural and communications adjustments.     

基于(k,y)空间技术分解的企业投资效率评价

目前国内外企业层次上综合投资效率评价的研究还是一个未探索的领域,现有企业业绩评价方法没有将投资效率列为评价的内容,对企业发展能力的评价呈现出明显的不合理。本文在相关领域投资效率评价方法以及对投资效率内涵界定的基础上,总结投资效率评价基本出发点,利用技术效率评价在(k,y)空间的投影来建立企业层次上综合投资效率的评价方法。在(k,y)空间内,可以识别并分解企业资产技术和运营效率,能够有效跟踪企业资产及相应运营效率的变化。在此基础上建立的投资效率评价指标融合了目前宏观经济和微观具体项目投资效率评价方法,反映的是企业投资活动对其经营效率的带动作用,能够准确评价企业投资效率的真实业绩。     

基于改进型共引聚类的技术跟踪二维可视化研究

通过技术跟踪,可以了解某一技术领域的现状和发展态势,为技术战略的制定提供决策信息支持.当前,基于共引聚类分析的技术跟踪研究获得了长足的发展,但仍然存在一些问题,主要表现在数据关联的计算和聚类效率的提升上.基于此,文章从构建共引关联模型,改进系统聚类算法二个方面对共引聚类进行改进,并根据改进的共引聚类方法设计了基于多维标度模型的技术跟踪二维可视化工具.在此基础上,以公路工程领域为例,从个人、机构层面进行可视化实验,并着重对中国在此领域的技术情况进行详细的分析,以此判别技术领域的深层次结构,为技术跟踪的相关研究做一些支撑性工作.     

基于个性优势特征识别的区域科技发展模式分析方法及应用

基于区域科技能力的个性优势特征识别,提出了一种区域科技发展模式的分析方法.该方法以确定社会系统内个体的价值取向为出发点,采用2-范数意义下的距离,从最有利于每个个体的角度出发,实现客观识别其个性优势特征.同时,基于识别到的个性优势状况,对所有个体进行系统聚类及"民主代理"评价,并以此为基础对系统的模式进行分析与推介.最后,将该方法应用于我国大陆31个省级区域2002～2004年科技发展模式的分析,并提出促进我国区域科技发展的相应对策.     

Mintech in retrospect—II

In this article, following Part I which appeared in the previous issue, are described the approaches made by the Ministry of Technology to its policy problems in 1964–1970, covering the reorganization of government industrial research establishments, the improvement of technology, the development of civil aircraft, and changes of industrial structure. An attempt is made to appraise the performance of the Department, and to draw lessons for the future from its experience.     

审计委员会治理：防范校企合作创新中逆向选择风险的作用

本文运用博弈论基本原理和模型,描述了校企合作创新中技术交易行为的整个博弈均衡过程.指明和阐释了逆向选择现象的形成机理,进而探讨如何发挥审计委员会等的监督和治理作用,以降低和防范逆向选择行为的发生.     

The capacity for absorbing and assimilating foreign technology by developing countries

The technological choices made by developing countries have a direct effect on their economic growth and on the degree of their technological dependence.A good choice of technology, made from the entire range of present or future technology (advanced, adapted and new) should take into account the following two basic variables (Jequier, 1974): — the economic and socio-cultural context into which the chosen technology will be integrated, and — the country's technological and scientific capabilities.A country's economic and socio-cultural context may be easily appraised, but its technological and scientific capacity is more difficult to measure.This article proposes a method of evaluation of the capacity for absorbing and assimilating foreign technology by developing countries.The classical method of calculating the “location factor” is looked at from a new angle. Generally used as a basis for the economic evaluation of a project, it is treated here as an indicator of the technological and scientific capacity of a country.This analysis is accompanied by a study on the development of the participation of developing countries in their own industrial projects.     

Technology transfer — and the U.S. space program

Using ten years of data in the structured technology transfer program of the United States National Aeronautics and Space Administration as a base, a rough model of the nature and significance of research and development and its movement as technology is presented. Painted in economic hues is the economic return of technology of 7·23 to 1 over an 18 year period, in technical terms—the nature of integrated circuit technology transfer and the public significance of technology transfer to the problems of rechargeable Cardiac Pacemakers. The distinction between natural technology diffusion and intended technology transfer is made to outline the movement of technology through the U.S. economy.     

INFLATION,MAINTENANCE OF CAPITAL,AND THE IRR MODEL: AN APPRAISAL AND ALTERNATIVE

Capital budgeting under inflationary conditions presents some additional implementation problems when computing the internal rate of return. This paper reviews an earlier proposal made in this journal and concludes that it has some technical deficiencies. Further, it does not have the flexibility needed to be congruent with a wide variety of concepts of capital maintenance and asset evaluation. An algorithm is developed that will permit the user to make a variety of assumptions and then solve for the IRR that is consistent with those assumptions.     

IT Governance Characteristics,Electronic Medical Records Sophistication,and Financial Performance in U.S. Hospitals: An Empirical Investigation

As a result of a recent federal government mandate, an increasing number of hospitals have decided to adopt electronic medical record (EMR) systems. This initiative is expected to lead toward more efficient and higher quality health care; however, little is known about governance characteristics and organizational performance for EMR adopters. Our goal is to inform theory and practice by examining hospitals with a sophisticated EMR and comparing those hospitals to similar hospitals (with a less sophisticated EMR) to understand the association between information technology (IT) governance characteristics and the implications on financial performance. Leveraging elements of the upper echelon theory, we posit that hospitals in which the chief information officer (CIO) reports to the chief executive officer, CIO turnover is low, and an IT steering committee is present are more likely to have a sophisticated EMR. We argue that EMR sophistication leads to improved financial performance. Our results underscore the importance of continuity in the CIO position on successful EMR implementations. Results also show that hospital size and financial performance are strongly associated with EMR sophistication. In addition, we find that a sophisticated EMR appears to be a fundamental element in improving hospitals’ revenue cycle management. Moreover, we find that hospitals with a sophisticated EMR appear to be more profitable. Finally, we observe that total payroll expense adjusted by total discharges drops among the sophisticated hospitals, potentially due to an increase in employee productivity. These insights can serve as a basis for tempering expectations relative to the financial impact of EMR adoption.     

Linking fuel cell technology with environmental strategy: The plug power story

The technology of fuel cells—electricity-producing devices that promote energy efficiency and lowered emissions—has been studied and researched for more than a century. Only recently, however, has enough progress been made in fuel cell research to allow for the mass production of home fuel cell units. With recent technological advances, a number of companies have entered the fuel cell industry, both as start-ups and as established corporations interested in diversifying their product line.Among the fuel cell start-ups is New York State-based Plug Power, LLC. Founded to develop a residential fuel cell for mass production, Plug Power has become a major player in the burgeoning fuel cell industry. The company recently formed a joint venture with GE Power Systems, linking the producer to the distributor in order to ensure consumers access to this innovative technology. The success of the company in working with non-profits, government and the private sector shows that great strides can be made through public/private partnerships.