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Simple Summary: In this study, we ask whether the invasive paper mulberry (Broussonetia papyrifera) has a competitive advantage over neighbor trees in a native area. We determined the competitive capacity of paper mulberry in three deciduous broad-leaved forests using structural indices including the mixing index, the tree–tree interval index, and the diameter/height differentiation index. It was found that the reference paper mulberry had a slight competitive advantage over neighboring trees in both the horizontal and vertical planes. Such a competitive ability may play a significant role in the ecological invasion of paper mulberry. Our findings not only help to reveal the invasion mechanism of paper mulberry, but also provide an important reference for the management and utilization of paper mulberry in invaded areas. Paper mulberry (Broussonetia papyrifera) is currently an invasive species on several continents. However, little is known about whether paper mulberry has a competitive advantage over its surrounding trees in its native distribution range, subtropical regions of China. Here, we determined the relative intraspecific and interspecific competitive capacity of paper mulberry in three subtropical deciduous broad-leaved forests using the indices of structural diversity including the mixing index, the tree–tree interval index, and the diameter/height differentiation index. It was found that more than 80% of mingling index values were not greater than 0.25, suggesting a stronger competitiveness of paper mulberry relative to other tree species. The tree–tree interval index values ranged between 1 m and 2 m, suggesting a strong competition between paper mulberry and its neighbors. Moreover, more than 60% of the height differentiation index and diameter differentiation index values were positive, suggesting that the reference paper mulberry had a slight competitive advantage over neighboring trees in both the horizontal and vertical planes. These collectively suggest a competitive advantage over other tree species in the native distribution range, which may play a significant role in the ecological invasion of paper mulberry. Our findings not only help to reveal the invasion mechanism of paper mulberry, but also provide an important reference for the management and utilization of paper mulberry in invaded areas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In a quest for economies of scale, access to technologies, and, most importantly, expansion of market share, Chinese public companies have been engaged in several consecutive waves of mergers and acquisitions (M&As) involving mostly domestically domiciled non-listed targets from the same or adjacent industries. Relying on a comprehensive panel dataset of 7,998 transactions completed between 1993 and 2020 by 2,842 publicly listed acquirers domiciled in China, the paper attempts to establish whether M&A deals allow acquirers to improve their market share and, consequently, their relative market position. We use dynamic panel regression and ordered logit models to establish and quantify the link between deal characteristics and the post-deal market share of the combined entities. Our empirical findings demonstrate that corporate consolidations exercise no significant impact on the relative competitive positioning of firms. Only acquisitions by industry leaders produce a sizeable increase in the latter's market share and lead to higher industry concentration. Most consolidations occur among outsiders exhibiting a high degree of similarity, relatively lower profitability, and stagnant market shares within the more competitive industries with higher rates of firm creation. These consolidations, often in the form of mergers, are not effective in advancing the combined entities' competitive positioning. Despite the fact that the bulk of corporate consolidations appears unlikely to constitute a threat to competition in the medium term, careful regulatory oversight may be warranted within the currently fragmented and highly commoditized industries, which appear likely to consolidate at the fastest pace. JEL Classification: G30, G32. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Adults of stoneflies have diverse mating behaviors and complex signals for communication, but they are not always able to correctly recognize their mates. With the observations from several provinces of China, we provide the first study on the erroneous mating behaviors of stoneflies from this country. Three different categories of erroneous mating attempts involving 13 species belonging to three stonefly families are reported, and information on their physical competition, the sensorial mechanisms triggering the mating, the conditions favoring the mating mistakes, and the possible consequences of interspecific mating are discussed. Hitting and pushing with the head and abdomen could be the unique method employed in the male–male physical competition. Vibrational signals are considered not a prerequisite for triggering a mating behavior, while vision and/or touch could be a sufficient condition for triggering it, but they are not always efficient for species-specific recognition. Currently, information on the biology of Plecoptera from China is scarce, particularly on mating behavior. In this paper, the existence of mating mistakes (erroneous mating attempts) involving 13 Chinese stonefly species (belonging to nine genera and three families) is reported. These erroneous mating behaviors can be included into three different categories: mating attempts between conspecific males (including the formation of erroneous mating balls), mating attempts between different taxa (including displacement attempts during copulation), and mating-related behaviors with non-living objects. From these behaviors, some aspects of stoneflies during mating, such as the physical competition between males, the sensorial mechanisms implied in triggering a mating behavior, the conditions favoring the mating mistakes, and the possible consequences of interspecific mating in the hybrid production, are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Silk Road Economic Belt (SREB) and Maritime Silk Road (MSR) provide important avenues for cargo transport between China and Europe. This paper addresses the issues of the subsidy for China-Europe Railway Express (CERE) on the SREB and the sulfur emission control for liner shipping on the MSR from a perspective of building a community of shared future for mankind. Two welfare maximization models are proposed for determining the optimal subsidy and the optimal sulfur emission control coverage within which the sulfur in ships' fuel oil is required to be less than 0.1%. One considers the competition between two transport modes (CERE and liner shipping), in which their own net profit is maximized. The other concerns the cooperation between two modes, in which their total net profit is maximized. The properties of the two models are analytically explored and compared. The results show that intermodal competition outperforms intermodal cooperation in terms of social welfare, consumer surplus, and environmental pollution, though at the cost of carrier profit and total subsidy from the regulator. The regulator may efficiently control the adverse impacts of an increase in the fuel oil price or in the marginal cost of air pollution on the social welfare of the system through adjusting the CERE subsidy and the sulfur emission control coverage. • Address the issues of the optimal subsidy for China-Europe Railway Express and the optimal emission control coverage for liner shipping on Maritime Silk Road. • Propose social welfare maximization models under the competition and cooperation of the China-Europe Railway Express and liner shipping. • Intermodal competition outperforms intermodal cooperation in terms of social welfare, consumer surplus, and environmental pollution, though at the cost of carrier profit and total subsidy from the regulator. • The regulator may efficiently control the adverse impacts of fuel oil price rise through adjusting the subsidy for China-Europe Railway Express and the sulfur emission control coverage for liner shipping. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To contribute to the debate on the importance of state vis-à-vis inter-firm competition in regional development, this paper examines a representative dataset of the relocation of manufacturing firms in Guangdong province of China with multinomial logistic regression models. To improve the competitiveness of manufacturing in the Pearl River Delta, the Guangdong government implemented pro-active policies to encourage the relocation of existing manufacturing firms to their designated industrial parks during the 2000s. Although the initial results appear to support the usefulness of relocation policy, further examination reveals its effectiveness depends on the industrial sector and profiles of the relocated firms. In fact, the relocation of large-scale labor-intensive firms is not driven by local government initiatives. The physical proximity of high-technology parks to airports/ports has a bigger impact on the relocation of small-scale locally-funded high-technology firms into designated parks. In the case of locally-funded firms in polluting sectors, they are expanding rather than relocating to designated industrial parks. The empirical evidence indicates the non-binary nature of the industrial relocation policy. The nuances of relocation policy and its multi-scalar effects on relocated firms rejects any simplistic generalization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper examines the price dispersion among China's "Big Three", namely, Air China, China Eastern and China Southern in the presence of high-speed rail (HSR). It has been found that HSR is positively and significantly associated with airline price dispersion on the long-haul routes, which may suggest that the presence of HSR can facilitate airline cooperation in setting prices and outputs, thereby leading to greater price dispersion. However, on the short-haul routes where HSR is highly substitutable, the HSR competition effect dominates, and smaller price dispersion is observed. All the market structure and competition variables included in this study support the conclusion that price dispersion is greater in more concentrated and more densely travelled markets. The contribution of airline cost to price dispersion is limited. • This paper examines the price dispersion among Chinese main carriers in the presence of high-speed rail (HSR). • The presence of HSR is positively and significantly associated with airline price dispersion. • Price dispersion is greater in more concentrated and more densely travelled markets. • The contribution of airline cost to price dispersion is limited. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: This paper aims to study how state ownership influences the innovation process in terms of allocating resources toward searching for new solutions and converting these efforts into economic value. On one hand, deep pockets of the state provide slack resources that may facilitate risk taking and innovation. On the other hand, soft budgets can create incentive problems and dampen the efficient use of resources. The authors suggest how accounting for competitive context can disentangle these countervailing forces. Design/methodology/approach: The authors use a panel of over 240,000 Chinese firms over the years 2004–2008. The broad sample and period afforded substantial variability in terms of state ownership within and across firms. The authors use a two-stage model and a within-firm (i.e. fixed-effects) design, controlling for all time-invariant firm characteristics and the problematic unobserved heterogeneity that can often lead to erroneous inferences. Furthermore, the relatively short window limits the likelihood of time-varying unobserved firm characteristics biasing the empirical results. Findings: The authors found that private-sector competition has the opposite effect on the relationship between state ownership and the second step of the innovation process. In industries where there is robust private-sector competition, state ownership diminishes the firm's ability to convert R&D efforts into economic value. Private-sector competition competes away any advantages state-owned firms may have in terms of developing or accessing the complementary resources needed for commercialization. Ultimately, the inefficiencies of state ownership in terms of relatively undisciplined selection and monitoring of R&D activities outweigh any potential resource advantages derived from state ownership. Originality/value: The state remains a prominent player in many economies throughout the world. The authors explored how state ownership of firms influences the resources they expend in searching out new solutions, and their success in converting such resources into economically valuable new products and services. State ownership has potentially countervailing effects on innovation. The authors disentangle these countervailing effects through consideration of how accounting for competitive context could determine whether the beneficial effects of state ownership dominate its detrimental effects for both searching for new solutions and converting these efforts into economically valuable new products. With a focus of market competition as an external force that drives the difference in innovation between SOEs and the private-sector, this study serves as a parallel effort to Jia et al. (2019) who investigate the joint effect of public and corporate governance on SOEs' innovation performance, and Zhou et al. (2017) who concern the balance of the institution and efficiency logics on the comparative advantage of SOEs over privately owned enterprises in innovation performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Relying on the linkage and leverage theory, the paper aims at reviewing critical issues related to China's economic, cultural and political expansion in EU's Central and Eastern member states. Through the "17+1" format and "One Belt, One Road" initiative, China became an assertive competitor in Europe, acting on a "divide et impera" strategy through bilateral or multilateral negotiations, undermining the EU's cohesion. Also, the European Union is facing a movement of illiberal, nationalist or populist policies that occurred in the former Warsaw Pact countries which are trying to avoid Brussels' norms and therefore they are opened to other alternatives. In order to find out a pattern or relevant arguments for advancing a set of competing hypotheses or scenarios, a structured analytical technique will be applied, respectively "indicators or signposts of change", for the following countries: Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland, Romania and Slovakia. In this regard, the key indicators will refer to: economic factors, the strength of the civil society, the force of the opposition or of pro-European parties and the degree of Europeanization in the analysed states. Thereby, the article will advance three important questions: 1) Is EU in competition with China and how the confrontation takes place? 2) Which are the EU's countries more likely to strengthen the partnership with China? 3) Which are the EU's own linkages and leverages in its Eastern part and how they can be used for stopping China's advancement? The results will strengthen the idea that China became a real competitive actor, trying to expand in Europe, where the peripheral ex-communist states have been placed in the core of the confrontation. Also, the article will demonstrate that EU facing a real economic rival has the capabilities to stand up and therefore act as an international power. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

From a knowledge-based perspective, this paper highlights the need for a framework linking perceived competition of the industry and firms' strategic location choices of external knowledge search and examines whether the perceived competition increases the propensity of cluster firms to search more widely from extra-cluster knowledge sources than intra-cluster knowledge sources. Furthermore, we emphasise that cluster firms with varying degrees of tacitness in their knowledge base might respond to such competition differently when conducting external knowledge search activities. Using a sample of 310 cluster firms in the Zhejiang Province of China, we find that the cluster firm would increase the propensity for more geographic boundary-spanning search relative to local search while under the pressure of competition. Moreover, the positive relationship between perceived competition and the propensity towards geographic knowledge search is weaker when the tacitness of the cluster firm's knowledge base is higher. The findings contribute to the understanding of the relationship between competition and the choice of location strategies in external knowledge search. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The High-speed Railway (HSR) network in China is the largest in the world, competing intensively with airlines for inter-city travel. Panel data from 2007 to 2013 for 138 routes with HSR-air competition were used to identify the ex-post impacts of the entry of HSR services, the duration of operating HSR services since entry, and the specific impacts of HSR transportation variables such as travel time, frequency, and ticket fares on air passenger flows in China. The findings show that the entry of new HSR services in general leads to a 27% reduction in air travel demand. After two years of operating HSR services, however, the negative impact of HSR services on air passenger flows tends to further increase. The variations of the frequency in the temporal dimension and the travel time in the spatial dimension significantly affect air passenger flows. Neither in the temporal nor spatial dimensions are HSR fares strongly related to air passenger flows in China, due to the government regulation of HSR ticket prices during the period of analysis. The impacts of different transportation variables found in this paper are valuable to consider by operational HSR companies in terms of scheduling and planning of new routes to increase their competitiveness relative to airlines. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The rapid economic development of China has intensified the country's environmental problems such as pollution and waste. As industry is the main contributor to environmental deterioration, the development mode of industry has attracted attention from the government and the public. In this paper, we have assumed that the industry is permitted a fixed total amount of pollution in order to avoid excessive pollution. If one province shows increased pollution, other provinces are required to reduce pollution by the same amount to maintain the total level of pollution. However, so far, few studies have considered such competition over outputs. This paper presents a new data envelopment analysis approach, which considers both the fixed and the variant sum desirable outputs in the performance improvement of a decision making unit, to evaluate the environmental efficiencies of China's industry from 2007 to 2011. The analysis results demonstrate that some economically developed provinces have better performance than less developed provinces; in particular, all efficient provinces are the developed ones. The Chinese government should focus on the increasing differences in environmental efficiencies among regions and take measures to address them. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

It is often argued lately that some regional transit systems should be integrated to improve the transit services across jurisdictional borders. One of the important issues concerning this integrated transit system is how to make proper use of the competition and regulation to improve its performance and to increase relevant benefits to the authorities, the operators and the passengers. This paper deals with this problem in a new integrated transit system across jurisdictional borders. An optimization model is used to investigate the competition of transit operators in oligopolistic competition transit market (OCTM). An optimization model with nonlinear complementarity constraints is proposed to guide the competition of transit operators using transit subsidy as the regulation means in system optimum transit system (SOTM). By analyzing and comparing the performances of the integrated transit system in two markets, numerical studies show that the competition mechanism should be made full use of and transit subsidy is an important regulation means that should be valued by the transit authorities in the integrated transit system. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Access to in-building wiring for buildings with multi-dwellings is crucial for local fixed network competition. Otherwise the first operator servicing consumers in a building will obtain a de facto monopoly since it is very doubtful that there will be more than one rolling out of in-building wiring because of costs, lack of space in cable trays and refusal of co-ownership property representatives to grant access to more than one operator. In this paper, Hong Kong''s experience regarding access to in-building wiring of the local fixed network is used to illustrate the importance of regulatory action. Since sharing of in-building wiring is crucial for facilitating the roll-out of fibre-to-the home, this is an issue that is of continuing importance even in an NGA (next generation access) environment since it could constitute a formidable ‘last-link’ barrier to competitive entry for delivery of high-speed broadband if the first operator deploying fibre becomes the de facto monopoly. The layered model consisting of three types of interconnection, which is proposed in this paper, makes the regulation of access to in-building wiring to facilitate local fixed network competition explicit and flexible. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

This paper addresses the extent to which Hong Kong Productivity Council (HKPC) serves as an “intelligent hub” to enhance the productivity and competitiveness of enterprises, particularly the small and medium enterprises (SMEs), in Hong Kong.The scope of this paper covers the following: (i) the profile of SMEs in Hong Kong; (ii) the role of HKPC as an industry support organization; (iii) HKPC’s “3388” strategies to serve as an “intelligent hub”; (iv) HKPC’s SME initiatives; (v) the SME Centre as a key initiative; (vi) Compass North to facilitate China–Hong Kong cooperation; (vii) supporting innovative enterprises and (viii) marketing through industry groups. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The paper attempts to develop a better understanding of the evolution and future prospects of a container port by drawing on the changing international, national and local factors since the 1990s. Hong Kong, the world's busiest container port, is chosen as a case study. Against the background of four international megatrends of increasingly large containerships (and the restructuring of the liner shipping industry), the high spatial agglomeration of container traffic, the emergence of inland load centres and the growing importance of railways, the levels and the spatial dimensions of containerization in the People's Republic of China are systematically examined. Then, the relevancy of these factors in shaping the evolution and competitive position of Hong Kong's container port is highlighted at the local level. This paper finds that the changing policies of the Hong Kong government have not been consistent with the international and national trends associated with the development of a better integrated port – inland distribution system (and land bridges) based on road and railways. Market forces cannot explain the container port development satisfactorily. Political and other considerations have become equally, if not more, important. In the future, the competitive edge of Hong Kong's container port lies with serving the wider inland areas of Mainland China and the tapping of medium- and long-distance container freight, more economically transported by railways than by road or inland river. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Water, energy and food (WEF) are three basic elements that safeguard human life and socioeconomic development. As the demand for water increases in food and energy production, water scarcity is more prominent globally. WEF Nexus plays an important role in evaluating and alleviating the contradiction between food and energy for water. Based on the water footprint of food and energy in China from 1997 to 2016, this paper used the "Structure-Conduct-Performance" analysis paradigm to evaluate the water competition mechanism. The newly constructed competition mechanism model includes type, conduct and performance. The results showed that the blue water footprint of energy increased from 3.25 Gm³ in 1997 to 12.54 Gm³ in 2016. The blue water footprint of food remained above 200 Gm³ for many years, and competition between food and energy production for water was intensifying. The gray water footprint of energy was increasing yearly, and food reached the maximum value of 181.01 Gm³ in 2014. Through model analysis, the South-to-North Water Diversion has not effectively alleviated water scarcity, and a few provinces were still classified in the water pressure-dominated area. The northern channel of West-to-East Power Transmission only transferred electric energy from water pressure-dominated area, causing the unsustainability coefficients of Inner Mongolia and Yunnan to increase from 0.09 and 0.03 in 1997 to 0.23 and 0.05 in 2016. This paper provides effective policy insights for global challenges facing WEF Nexus from the source, process and end of food and energy production. [Display omitted] • The WEF Nexus internal competition mechanism is evaluated by constructing a model. • The model analysed dominant factor, driving mechanism and feedback effect of competition. • The increasing energy water footprint yearly makes water security more prominent. • This study finds that water scarcity has not been effectively alleviated in China. • Many measures provide policy insights into global challenges facing WEF Nexus. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In order to ease environment pressure and alleviate the scarce problem of energy, Chinese government has begun to exploit and develop shale gas (SG) since 2009. However, the formation of competitive market is bristled with difficulties, due to its infancy, imperfect and lack of standardization. This paper firstly analyzes the status quo of technology, policy, cost, and competition of SG industry in China. Then a system dynamics (SD) model is built to show various trends of Chinese SG industry under different scenarios, which shows that technology, policy and cost all have effects on competitiveness. At last, the simulations reveal that the number of competitors in Chinese SG industry will arrive at its peak from 2019 to 2020. The corresponding recommendations have been presented: Chinese government should pay more attention on the perfection of laws and regulations of SG industry. And competitors should focus on increasing R&D investment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper proposes a theory of competition and customization. When firms allocate their production to both custom-made and standardized products, the fraction of sales from the former will increase in the face of increased competition. Recent surveys conducted by the World Bank on Chinese firms provide a rare direct measure of customization that allows us to test the above-mentioned prediction. We find empirical results consistent with the prediction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper investigates the inter-temporal relationship between banking profitability, competition and risk of a sample of Chinese commercial banks by employing several profitability and risk indicators and using Seemingly Unrelated Regression (SUR) under a panel data framework over 2003-2009. The results support the Structure-Conduct-Performance (SCP) theory which states that there is a negative impact of competition on bank profitability. We also find that banks with higher profitability normally operate in a less competitive environment. The results have potentially important implications for the government and banking regulatory authorities to make relevant policies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Descriptions of the political order of the Xiongnu empire rely heavily upon Chinese historical narratives and, as a result, often simplify steppe politics and gloss over provincial political agents. This paper therefore discusses the entire spectrum of "kings" and regional elites in the steppes in order to elucidate shifting power politics over the course of the Xiongnu empire. Furthermore, a comparison of historical dynamics with the archaeological record suggests that competition from local leaders against the ruling factions spurred changes in material regimes of the imperial political culture, leading to a bifurcation of the steppe elite and pronounced expressions of authority. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Until now, researchers have not addressed the relationship of competition and investment in China''s telecommunications industry, the biggest mobile telecommunications market in the world with unique institutional characteristics. This paper seeks to fill this gap by examining the effects of mobile telecommunications competition on mobile network investment in China. Fixed effects and dynamic panel data models using Chinese regional panel data over the period 2003–2009 show a consistent positive correlation between the mobile market concentration and mobile network investment in the industry. This phenomenon is attributed mainly to the soft budget constraint problem that occurs under asymmetric market competition between state-owned enterprises. It is suggested that the asymmetric competitive structure has been a potential driving force of overinvestment in the mobile network in China; hence, improving the competitive structure by implementing appropriate regulatory policy rather than by policy allowance or inequitable policy burdens would be an effective way to alleviate overinvestment in network facilities. Co-construction and sharing of network infrastructure should be carried out to reduce duplication of infrastructure especially in the coming 3G era of China''s telecommunications industry. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The process of diffusion of standards and competition between standards is susceptible to initial conditions and is path dependent. In this paper, the authors are interested in investigating to which extent economic actions and public policy initiatives can modify the outcome of a path-dependent process of competition between standards. They also aim to identify the factors that affect the success of such initiatives. To this end they analyse competition between mobile standards in China across two generations (2G and 3G), with the help of essential notions of economics of standards. Different policy initiatives have been taken to stimulate the domestic innovation and to relieve the burden of foreign IPRs, culminating with the introduction of a 3G domestic standard, TD-SCDMA, to compete with the established global standards. Despite the size of the Chinese market and the strong hold of the government on the telecommunications industry, it is found that the available market data indicate that these path-breaking initiatives have not been successful from a commercial point of view. From the case study, the authors analyse the reasons for the unsatisfactory market results and outline the main lessons to be drawn. They also investigate to which extent the Chinese initiatives have contributed to other objectives related to catching-up. It is suggested that they have provided opportunities of learning to innovate and develop valuable capabilities. Building on the lessons drawn from this case, the authors discuss three standard policy and strategy options for catching-up countries: simple participation in global consortiums on agreed global standards, indigenous architectural innovation, and indigenous modular innovation. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The aim of this paper was to: (i) describe the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games swimmer's ages and; (ii) compare ages according to swimmer's gender. It was analyzed 1101 inscriptions (588 men and 513 women) for all swimming events held at the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games: 50 meters freestyle (L50), 100 meters freestyle (L100), 200 meters freestyle (L200), 400 meters freestyle (L400), 800 meters freestyle (L800, only women) 1500 meters freestyle (L1500, only men), 100 meters backstroke (C100), 200 meters backstroke (C200), 100 meters breaststroke (B100), 200 meters breaststroke (B200), 100 meters butterfly (M100), 200 meters butterfly (M200). The final result lists was consulted at the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games official internet site, collecting the swimmer's name and chronological age for each event. Afterwards, chronological age was converted into decimal age at the day of the event heats. From the quartile analysis became clear that there was a tendency for the age median and variance to decrease from the shorter to the longest events for both genders. There were significant variations in the age, according to gender at the L400 ( p = .01), L1500/L800 ( p = .02), C100 ( p < .01), C200 ( p < .01), B100 ( p = .02), B200 ( p = .04), M100 ( p = .05) and M200 ( p < .01). For all these events, decimal age was higher for men than for women. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: This paper considers aspects of the competitive selection process in China – firm entry, survival, and exit – in an important sector of manufacturing, looking in particular for changes resulting from the process of reform. Using industry census data from a province in North-East China, we find substantial differences in the process between ownership types. By conducting decompositions of aggregate growth and exploring the determinants of firm''s exit using a hazard rate model, we observe a substantial rate of churning of enterprises in the sector, finding that the competitive selection processes operate, for small and collectively owned enterprises (COEs), in a manner consistent with what is known about a private market economy. While the hazard for state owned enterprises (SOEs) is lower than for COEs, we find that the reforms introduced in 1992 were important in closing the gap for similarly situated firms. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Summary: This paper analyzes the unit prices of imports into the EU, Japan, and the US during 1989–2006 of manufactured products in which China specializes. It finds that imports from middle income countries are in close price competition with those from China and that there has been price competition between China and high-income countries in low-technology products. By contrast, the impact of China’s exports on low-income countries is not through price competition but through market expansion. China’s WTO entry had a once-for-all shock on the export prices of the high-income countries. The price competition effect of China’s exports weakened over the time period of 1989–2006, suggesting a gradual change in competition from price to nonprice factors such as quality and variety. If sustained, this trajectory poses an increasing competitive threat to high-income economies in the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this research paper presents the results concerning the comparative analysis of the textile production chain-garment of Jiangsu Province, China and the Department of Atlántico, Colombia, initially identifying the different variables and categories associated with the production chains followed by a comparative analysis using models of industrial districts, cluster models and enterprise networks, which eventually led to establishing the differences in production between production chains in the textile-clothing sector of the Atlantic Department and Jiangsu Province in the Republic China, two regions that, although dissimilar in many respects, displays some similarities in the development of textiles and garments, particularly as it has to do with operational infrastructure and human resource training. The assessment of these differences allowed us to establish strategies and guidelines that can generate positive effects through improved competitiveness and ensure better for competition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

China's rapid growth and increased integration with the global economy over the past three decades have significant economic impacts and political implications for Latin America. This paper reviews the debate over whether these impacts have on balance been positive or negative for the region. It argues that those who emphasise the positive economic impacts of China have been over-optimistic and underplay some of the negative impacts associated with Chinese competition in manufacturing and increasing Latin American specialisation in primary products. On the other hand, when focusing on the political dimensions, there has been a tendency to exaggerate both the extent of China's influence in the region and the fears to which this gives rise, particularly among US commentators. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Selecting an appropriate competition strategy in bidding is the ambition of most contractors. The multiple requirements of clients encourage contractors to consider other strategies to deliver additional benefits besides offering a low-price bid. Offering low bids will reduce contractors' profits and potentially make development less attractive. Contractors need to understand their specific resources that generate competitive advantage and accordingly develop strategies to win contracts. This paper reports the findings from a recent survey on competition strategies in the Hong Kong construction industry. Thirteen typical bidding strategies, their used frequency in bidding, and their effectiveness for winning contracts of different types and between different groups of contractors are studied. The analysis of findings is explored to provide local contractors and clients with new insights into competition strategies in bidding. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

China's rapid economic growth and increased openness has been one of the most significant developments in the global economy over the past 25 years. This paper analyses Chinas impacts on the Latin American economies, and in particular the challenges that China poses for the region. It discusses both the direct impacts arising from bilateral trade and investment flows between China and Latin America, the indirect impacts associated with Chinese competition in export markets and for foreign direct investment, and the positive terms of trade effects resulting from Chinas increased demand for raw materials. Challenges identified include the recent rapid increase of competition from Chinese imports in the Latin American market, the concentration of exports to China in a narrow range of primary products and the uneven distribution of profits from trade with China within Latin America. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: In China, a large acreage of cultivated land is devoted to relay intercropping of winter wheat and cotton. Wheat is sown in strips with interspersed bare soil in October and harvested in June of the next year, while cotton is sown in the interspersed paths in the wheat crop in April and harvested before the next wheat sowing in October. This paper addresses the question how strip width and number of plant rows per strip of wheat or cotton affect light interception (LI) and light use efficiency (LUE) of both component crops. Field experiments were carried out in three consecutive years: 2002, 2003 and 2004. Light interception and productivity were estimated in monocultures of wheat and cotton and four intercropping designs differing in strip and path width as well as number of rows per strip. The intercrop systems were identified by the number of rows per strip of wheat and cotton, respectively, as 3:1, 3:2, 4:2 and 6:2. Total light interception over a season was calculated from LAI measurements, using a model for light interception in a row crop. The spatial distribution and diurnal course of light in intercrops were also measured with sensors. Wheat monocrops intercepted 618MJm−2 photosynthetically active radiation (PAR) from 18 March to harvest in 2002, 337MJm−2 from 29 April to harvest in 2003, and 457MJm−2 from 13 April to harvest in 2004. Averaged over 3 years, wheat in the four intercrops (3:1, 3:2, 4:2 and 6:2, respectively) intercepted 83, 71, 73 and 75% as much PAR as the sole wheat. From sowing to harvest, cotton monocrops intercepted 491MJm−2 PAR in 2002, 426MJm−2 in 2003, and 415MJm−2 in 2004. Cotton in the four intercrops (3:1, 3:2, 4:2 and 6:2, respectively) intercepted 73, 93, 86 and 67% as much PAR as the sole cotton. LUE of wheat was 2.12±0.14gtotaldrymatterMJ−1 PAR during the reproductive period, while that of cotton was 1.33±0.02gdrymatterMJ−1 PAR over the whole growing period. No differences in LUE of wheat or cotton were found between systems. The analysis indicates that the high productivity of intercrops, compared to monocultures, can be fully explained by an increase in accumulated light interception per unit cultivated area. The component crops are thus complementary in their interception of light over space and time. The model results indicate that light interception can be modified by choice of the number of crop rows per strip and strip width. The best distribution of light is attained in systems with narrow strips, a high proportion of border rows, and high planting densities of cotton. Suggestions for system improvement are given. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Summary: The rapid growth of China and its increased integration with the global economy is having both direct and indirect effects on the Latin American and Caribbean region. The paper focuses on the impacts of China on Latin American trade and foreign direct investment flows. It identifies the main channels through which China’s growth is affecting the region and undertakes a preliminary analysis of the impacts on development. It is shown that there are winners and losers in the region, both at the country and sector level. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

A proper method to assess contractor competitiveness is important both for assisting clients in the selection of proper contractors and for assisting contractors in the development of more competitive bidding strategies. Previous studies have identified various indicators for assessing contractor competitiveness, and several assessment methods have been introduced. Nevertheless, these studies are limited because they are unable to tell which indicators are more important in different market environments. This paper identifies the key competitiveness indicators (KCIs) for assessing contractor competitiveness in the Chinese construction market. An index value is used to indicate the relative significance of various competitiveness indicators based on which KCIs are identified. The data applied in this study are from a survey of the construction industry in mainland China. The research findings provide valuable information for both existing businesses and the construction professionals who plan to compete for construction works in the Chinese market. The study provides useful references for further studies that compare the KCIs used in the Chinese construction industry and those used in other construction industries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

China’s entry to the World Trade Organization (WTO) will allow both domestic and overseas construction firms to compete under the same market conditions. This development will lead to a more rigorous participation from overseas construction professionals in the Chinese construction market. Nevertheless, this participation can only be effective or successful when there is a proper understanding about the construction procurement practice in China. The Chinese construction practice has its own characteristics, such as governmental regulations, professional qualification systems, and procurement systems. These characteristics present a different practice in awarding construction contracts from that in the West. This paper investigates the characteristics of construction business environment in China and identifies the key parameters used in assessing contractors’ competitiveness for awarding construction contracts in the market. The parameters are useful tools for assisting contractors in identifying their strength and weakness, thus reengineering actions can be adopted for improving competitiveness. A case study is used to demonstrate how these multiple parameters are used in the process of awarding contracts in the local market. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Prior to Hong Kong's 1997 handover to China, some political economists predicted that a regime shift from London to Beijing would result in a deterioration of Hong Kong's economic and institutional freedoms. Such predictions would seem to have proven accurate according to annual indices of international economic freedom and competitiveness. These have seen Hong Kong's previously high ranking decline. However, whether Chinese sovereignty or local Hong Kong government ineptitude is responsible for such decline is uncertain; both have been blamed for a series of incidents that have brought Hong Kong's competitiveness and economic, civil and political freedoms into question. Using data collected from 130 domestic and foreign firms in Hong Kong, this paper disentangles the degree to which the `high politics' of the city now being part of China or the `low politics' of local government action account for Hong Kong's diminished international reputation for economic freedom and competitiveness. Results for all firms suggest that both Chinese sovereignty and local government actions are equally to blame, but that Chinese sovereignty mediates adverse local government actions. However, results differ by firm origin, and those for domestic Hong Kong firms cast doubt on the general success of China's `one country two systems' policy and raise specific concerns about the policy's potential applicability to Taiwan. Overall, results highlight the importance of macro-political economy factors in assessing comparative international competitiveness and provide objective evidence in support of international political economy theory suggesting that a shift from liberal to more authoritarian regimes will adversely affect already affluent economies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In recent years, China's container ports have experienced a significant expansion in throughput and capacity. This paper provides a review of the sector and analyses the recent development of container ports and terminals within Mainland China. It then focuses in more depth on the competition between the ports of Shenzhen and Hong Kong. In particular, the port of Shenzhen is analysed in the context of Robinson's criteria for hub port development to try to discern whether it will become the dominant regional hub. The discussion concludes that despite Shenzhen's current competitive advantages, Hong Kong will, in all probability, retain its dominant role. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As the entrepoˆt to the Chinese mainland, the economy of Hong Kong has enjoyed a high growth rate of economic development. When Hong Kong developed its container ports in order to accommodate the regional economic boom, its counterparts in China were left far behind; there was no serious port competition from China. However, as China develops its economy, the port of Hong Kong faces real challenges from Chinese ports, particularly from southern ones. Interestingly, the handover of its sovereignty to China in 1997 caused an issue of competition and co-operation between these ports. This paper aims to examine the possible competition and co-operation of the adjacent container ports in Hong Kong and South China from a strategic perspective. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Fierce competition in today's global markets has forced enterprises to improve their quality, cost, delivery, new product introduction speed, customer services, and the ability to be innovative. These six competitive factors are vital to the success of an enterprise. Enterprises in China are now facing a life and death transition in the dynamic market-driven economy. China's entry to the World Trade Organization (WTO) will create more fierce competition in China's market and will, inevitably, speed up the life and death process of Chinese enterprises. In this paper, we study the competitive priorities of 138 enterprises in mainland China by investigating the importance of these different priorities over the next 5 years, and their perceived strength relative to their primary competitors. We assess the reliability of the competitive priority instrument used in the Boston University Manufacturing Features Survey. The result shows that innovativeness, after-sale services, quality, and flexibility will become the most important competitive priorities among these Chinese enterprises in the next 5 years. Most of the companies also believe that they are stronger than their major competitors in the most important competitive priority areas. However, they believe that they have a lower level of relative strength in the area of innovativeness. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]