Illegal Immigrants and the Informal Economy in Italy

ABSTRACT: The present work is divided into three parts. In the first part the (limited) empirical data relevant to the phenomenon in question is presented, that is, the growing illegality of Italian immigration and the illegal work that immigrants are destined to take up. Obviously the illegality of their presence and the íllicitness of the work are, by definition, phenomena which are difficult to quantify. Some estimates, albeit limited to certain regions, are nevertheless available and the picture that emerges is coherent with the present hypothesis. The hypothesis is then explained at a theoretical level, in the second part, where a simple model of general equilibrium is presented, referring to a two-sector economy with a single good. The model has the sole aim of illustrating the plausible characteristics of an economy characterised by the phenomenon that this present paper attempts to clarify. In the third part, to give an example, a simulation is put forward, utilising, in the model, values not incoherent with estimates based on Italy as a whole.     

Imprinting: Toward a Multilevel Theory

The concept of imprinting has attracted considerable interest in numerous fields—including organizational ecology, institutional theory, network analysis, and career research—and has been applied at several levels of analysis, from the industry to the individual. This article offers a critical review of this rich yet disparate literature and guides research toward a multilevel theory of imprinting. We start with a definition that captures the general features of imprinting across levels of analysis but is precise enough to remain distinct from seemingly similar concepts, such as path dependence and cohort effects. We then provide a framework to order and unite the splintered field of imprinting research at different levels of analysis. In doing so, we identify economic, technological, institutional, and individual influences that lead to imprints at the level of (a) organizational collectives, (b) single organizations, (c) organizational building blocks, and (d) individuals. Building on this framework, we develop a general model that points to major avenues for future research and charts new directions toward a multilevel theory of imprinting. This theory provides a distinct lens for organizational research that takes history seriously.     

阿里巴巴:用价值观领导“非正式经济事业”

非正式经济指不由政府管制的非正式过程提供合法最终产品的经济活动。当非正式经济被视为一种社会需要和顾客价值时,非正式经济事业便随之产生。阿里巴巴的实践表明了用价值观来领导这一事业的过程,从基于这种社会创新和价值观领导者特质而形成价值观驱动型企业,到领导者所进行的一系列价值观管理实践,包括价值观的构建、落实以及发展,在这些实践的基础上,企业才能真正对顾客价值有所贡献,并获得自身事业的成长。     

Toward a Systems Theory of Motivated Behavior in Work Teams

Work motivation theories and research have tended to focus either on individual motivation, ignoring contextual influences of team processes on individuals, or on team motivation, ignoring individual differences within the team. Redressing these limited, single-level views of motivation, we delineate a theoretical multilevel model of motivated behavior in teams. First, we conceptualize motivational processes at both the individual and team levels, highlighting the functional similarities in these processes across levels of analysis. We then delineate a set of theoretical propositions regarding the cross-level interplay between individual and team motivation, and antecedents and outcomes of individual and team motivation. Finally, we discuss the implications of our theoretical model for future research and managerial practices.     

数字经济的博弈论基础

博弈论是支撑和理解数字经济的重要基础理论,在数字经济中发挥核心作用。结合当下数字经济发展对博弈论的新需求,凝练了数字经济基础要素配置的机制设计、数字经济平台设计和监管、数字经济中市场设计理论和应用、数字经济中的大规模网络博弈、数字经济中的动态竞争和合作5个研究方向。这些研究方向的突破,有利于中国学者在博弈论研究中占据前沿位置,并助力数字经济高质量发展。     

Skill Acquisition in the Informal Economy and Schooling Decisions: Evidence from Emerging Economies

Informal jobs offer skill acquisition opportunities that may facilitate a future switch to formal employment for young workers. In this sense, informal training on the job may be a viable alternative to formal schooling in an economy with a large and diverse informal sector. In this paper, I investigate if these considerations are relevant for the schooling decisions of young individuals using panel data for 17 Latin American countries and micro‐level data for Turkey. Specifically, I ask if the prevalence of informal jobs distorts schooling attainment. I concentrate on three measures of schooling outcomes: (1) secondary education enrollment rate; (2) out‐of‐school rate for lower secondary school; and (3) tertiary education graduation rate. I find that the secondary education enrollment rate is negatively correlated with the size of the informal economy, whereas the out‐of‐school rate is positively correlated. Moreover, the tertiary education graduation rates tend to fall as the informal employment opportunities increase. This means that informal training on the job may be crowding out school education in developing countries. Policies that can potentially affect the size of the informal sector should take into consideration these second‐round effects on aggregate schooling outcomes.     

腐败如何影响了中国的环境污染？——基于非正规经济的视角

现有关于腐败如何影响环境污染的研究多数忽略了非正规经济的作用,而非正规经济的存在将会影响到腐败与环境污染之间的关系。为此,本文首先从理论上研究了腐败和非正规经济对环境污染的影响。研究显示,腐败通过提高非正规经济规模增加了环境污染;同时,腐败通过减少正规经济规模降低了环境污染。基于1998-2016年中国省级层面的面板数据,本文利用系统GMM方法考察了腐败和非正规经济活动对中国环境质量的影响效应。结果表明,腐败通过扩大非正规经济规模对中国环境污染的间接影响显著为正,腐败总体上改善了中国的环境质量,说明腐败对中国环境污染的直接效应占主导。非正规经济规模对中国环境污染的影响显著为正,腐败程度越高,非正规经济对中国环境质量的负面影响也越大。     

Formal and Informal Risk Sharing in LDCs: Theory and Empirical Evidence

We develop and estimate a model of dynamic interactions in which commitment is limited and contracts are incomplete to explain the patterns of income and consumption growth in village economies of less developed countries. Households can insure each other through both formal contracts and informal agreements, that is, self‐enforcing agreements specifying voluntary transfers. This theoretical setting nests the case of complete markets and the case where only informal agreements are available. We derive a system of nonlinear equations for income and consumption growth. A key prediction of our model is that both variables are affected by lagged consumption as a consequence of the interplay of formal and informal contracting possibilities. In a semiparametric setting, we prove identification, derive testable restrictions, and estimate the model with the use of data from Pakistani villages. Empirical results are consistent with the economic arguments. Incentive constraints due to self‐enforcement bind with positive probability and formal contracts are used to reduce this probability.     

Citistate理论与区域经济管理体制重构

随着市场经济体制的建立和逐步完善,我国区域经济发展的实际与现行区域经济管理体制之间的矛盾越来越突出.本文试图在系统介绍现代区域经济发展新观点--citistate理论的基础上,重点考察阻碍区域经济发展的内生制度因素,提出以citistate理论为指导,重构区域经济管理新体制,实现区域经济的持续、快速增长.     

Toward a capabilities perspective of the small firm

This paper attempts to explain the competitive advantages of the small firm in the capabilities perspective. It begins by identifying the kinds of strategic assets possessed by small firms. It argues that entrepreneurship and a simple capital structure are the sources of dynamism for small firms. The relationship between the small firm's resources and its capabilities are then critically examined. In particular, the analysis focuses on the influences of strategic assets on the organizational flexibility – a significant source of competitive advantage enjoyed by small firms. The competitive attributes of small firms are further discussed in terms of firm's internal and external capabilities. Finally, the relationship between the small firm's capabilities and the choice of technology strategies is examined.     

Toward a theory of business

What is the purpose of business? While most agree that business minimally involves the creation of value, a blurred double image of value haunts our discussion of purpose. The image of what counts as value for a single firm is laid atop an image of what counts as value for business in general. These two images cannot match. Indeed, the resulting conceptual blurriness is a classic example of a composition fallacy. We should never mistake the properties of a part for the properties of the whole. A theory of the firm is ill equipped to handle the many expectations we hold for business practice. As such, we seek to establish the beginnings of a theory of business, one that is both empirical and normative. Offering four central propositions about the purpose, accountability, control and success of business, we close with a consideration of several important theoretical issues and practical opportunities that await us in the years ahead.     

非正式组织演进路径实证研究

本文基于组织行为学视角,以天津市部分企业员工为调查对象,通过问卷调查和调查访谈,对企业非正式组织演进路径进行了实证研究。研究发现,非正式组织与组织成员心理特征、非正式组织领袖、企业文化及其结构特征具有相关性。本文还辩析了非正式组织演进路径模型,并在此基础上,得出管理非正式组织的启示。     

Toward a Theory of Whistleblowing Intentions: A Benefit‐to‐Cost Differential Perspective*

In order to rescue information technology (IT) projects when they go awry, it is critical to understand the factors that affect bad news reporting. Whistleblowing theory holds promise in this regard and a number of salient factors that may influence whistleblowing intentions have been identified. However, an integrative theory that explains how they influence whistleblowing intentions has been conspicuously absent. In this research, we introduce and test a middle‐range theory of whistleblowing that can explain how and why a variety of factors may influence an individual's whistleblowing intentions. Drawing on the social information processing perspective, we propose that individuals holistically weigh the perceived “benefit‐to‐cost differential” and that this mediates the relationship between whistleblowing factors and whistleblowing intentions. Tests using data collected from 159 experienced IT project managers largely support our theoretical perspective, in which the central explanatory variable (benefit‐to‐cost differential) significantly mediates a majority of the proposed relationships. Implications of these findings for research and practice are discussed.     

以创新的招商理念构建大开放经济格局

2002年以来,镇平县始终坚持把扩大开放、招商引资上项目作为加快县域经济发展的重大战略,着力盘活县内人力、物力、智力资源,以全新的理念、灵活的政策、求实的作风,强力实施开放带动战略,通过以区位、资源、产业优势为依托,以项目建设为纽带,打造融资平台,扩大开放领域,拓宽招商渠道,强化挂靠联合,致力于以大招商促进大投入、以大开放促进大发展,走出了一条以开放促开发、以开发促发展之路。实践证明,创新招商理念,增投入、上项目,是实现县域经济超常规发展、跳跃式前进的动力所在、潜力所在、希望所在。具体工作中,我们主要坚持以“五求五…     

Toward a theory of spiritual leadership

A causal theory of spiritual leadership is developed within an intrinsic motivation model that incorporates vision, hope/faith, and altruistic love, theories of workplace spirituality, and spiritual survival. The purpose of spiritual leadership is to create vision and value congruence across the strategic, empowered team, and individual levels and, ultimately, to foster higher levels of organizational commitment and productivity.I first examine leadership as motivation to change and review motivation-based leadership theories. Second, I note the accelerating call for spirituality in the workplace, describe the universal human need for spiritual survival through calling and membership, and distinguish between religion and spirituality. Next, I introduce a generic definition of God as a higher power with a continuum upon which humanistic, theistic, and pantheistic definitions of God can be placed. I also review religious- and ethics-and-values-based leadership theories and conclude that, to motivate followers, leaders must get in touch with their core values and communicate them to followers through vision and personal actions to create a sense of spiritual survival through calling and membership.I then argue that spiritual leadership theory is not only inclusive of other major extant motivation-based theories of leadership, but that it is also more conceptually distinct, parsimonious, and less conceptually confounded. And, by incorporating calling and membership as two key follower needs for spiritual survival, spiritual leadership theory is inclusive of the religious- and ethics and values-based approaches to leadership. Finally, the process of organizational development and transformation through spiritual leadership is discussed. Suggestions for future research are offered.     

Supply Networks as a Complex Adaptive System: Toward Simulation‐Based Theory Building on Evolutionary Decision Making

In this article, we examine how the firms embedded in supply networks engage in decision making over time. The supply networks as a complex adaptive system are simulated using cellular automata (CA) through a dynamic evolution of cooperation (i.e., “voice” decision) and defection (i.e., “exit” decision) among supply network agents (i.e., firms). Simple local rules of interaction among firms generate complex patterns of cooperation and defection decisions in the supply network. The incentive schemes underlying decision making are derived through different configurations of the payoff‐matrix based on the game theory argument. The prisoner's dilemma game allows capturing the localized decision‐making process by rational agents, and the CA model allows the self‐organizing outcome to emerge. By observing the evolution of decision making by cooperating and defecting agents, we offer testable propositions regarding relationship development and distributed nature of governance mechanisms for managing supply networks.     

Toward a Framework for Achieving a Sustainable Globalization

Widespread trade liberalization and economic integration characterize the current era of globalization. While this approach has resulted in significant job creation, improved living standards, and a wider variety of cheaper consumer goods and services, opponents question if globalization's benefits outweigh the dislocations and downsides that it causes. Protestors are intent on stalling or rolling back globalization's progression and our review of the history of globalization reveals that a backlash is not without precedent. The article carefully examines the myth and reality of these two opposing positions on four key areas of the globalization debate: jobs; inequality and poverty; national sovereignty and cultural diversity; and the natural environment. This information is then utilized to derive a broad set of feasible policy recommendations that could help bring about a more sustainable form of globalization.