Signaling the Strategic Value of Knowledge

Firms competing primarily on knowledge resources face problems in informing relevant external stakeholders about the value of that knowledge without losing its value. This knowledge may be transferred to stakeholders only at great expense, or that transfer of knowledge to stakeholders may simultaneously promote its transfer to competitors. By conceptualizing firms and the environments within which they compete to differ in levels of uncertainty, this paper develops a framework to examine signaling mechanisms firms can use to effectively signal the value of their knowledge to two key stakeholder groups, the capital and labor markets, while avoiding associated transfer problems.     

Geostatistical analysis of hydraulic conductivity related data based on core samples from a heterogeneous fluvial aquifer

Summary This paper presents a case study for the geostatistical characterization of the hydraulic conductivity field of a fluvial aquifer. An experimental distribution of hydraulic conductivity values was obtained from core samples, which were analysed in the laboratory with regard to their grain size distribution. The geostatistical analysis was performed on (i) hydraulic conductivity data derived from the grain size distributions applying an empirical relationship, (ii) binary transforms of the hydraulic conductivity data using thresholds, and (iii) categorical variables obtained by a K-means clustering of the grain size distributions. Although the available data base is rather small, the results show that the investigated aquifer is distinctly heterogeneous and anisotropic with respect to hydraulic conductivity and soil texture.     

Bildung und der Dinfluss von Argumenten auf das Moralische Urteil

According to Kohlberg our moral judgment develops in an irreversible sequence of 6 stages. Starting on a level where moral problems are perceived from an egocentric point of view until an increasingly broader and more integrated perspective replaces the initially more restricted one. By using a vignette design on the background of this theory euthanasia was selected as an example to investigate to what extent arguments can morally justify a decision. In order to judge which arguments are adequate and which are less adequate cognitive competence is required. A central task of the education system is to increase this competence. Therefore it is assumed that the impact of different arguments depends above all on the level of education. All in all, the empirical analyses reported in this article do not confirm these hypotheses. In methodological respect the analyses go beyond earlier research since a recently developed multi level procedure is used. This allows an estimate of the intra-individual answer behavior of respondents and inter-individual differences between respondents simultaneously.     

Die „4-Level-Evaluation“: Messen der Ergebnis- und Prozessqualität im Coaching

“4-Level-Evaluation”: Measuring coaching success. Introducing a general and valid evaluation methodology, the “4-level-evaluation”, which will secure measuring coaching success and coaching process –without any limitation in terms of special tools or methods – and which every client will understand and appreciate. How to create a realistic evaluation bottom line, how to manage expectations to avoid perhaps disappointments, how to define possible coaching goals and how to eventually evaluate grades of achievement are explained and applied to a practical coaching case.     

中国加入WTO的重点领域:农业及其补贴

以中国加入 WTO谈判为背景 ,结合中国的农业发展水平和农产品贸易状况以及WTO《农业协议》等有关协议 ,通过国际比较 ,分析了中国加入 WTO后对世界农业发展和农产品贸易可能产生的影响 ,并对与此有关的农业补贴问题和国有贸易公司改革问题进行了探讨。