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Purpose - The purpose of this paper is to attempt to look at the link between labor market risks and social insurance demands by taking occupational unemployment rates, and specificity of skills into account. Design/methodology/approach - Occupational unemployment rate is treated as an estimate of labor market risk in addition to human capital investment. Then, the variations in Germany and the USA - with diverse labor markets and a considerable difference in terms of social insurance support - are examined. Findings - The results suggest that occupational unemployment rate is explanatory for the demands for social insurance along with income. Practical implications - Conclusions reached in the paper aim to contribute to the understanding of the political support for social insurance and hence provide tools for the design of such insurance mechanisms. Originality/value - Contrary to the widespread association between the type of human capital and social insurance preferences in the literature, the paper argues that the cross-country variations can be explained by occupational unemployment rates. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Training designs are critical to the success of intercultural training programs. A common typology for classifying intercultural training designs distinguishes among the following dimensions: experiential discovery versus didactic expository and culture-specific venus culture-general training. The purpose of this paper is to assess different intercultural training designs referring to this typology. First, a concept of intercultural competence is developed. Based on this concept experiential training designs are favored as they allow to train the cognitive, affective and behavioral component of intercultural competencies. In the second part of the paper an empirical study in the USA and Germany is conducted in order to assess whether the degree of intercultural competencies differs between the two nations. As no considerable differences can be identified the benefit of culture-general training is discussed. Significant skills to be focused on in intercultural training are described and specific measures for pre-assessment devices in intercultural training are presented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose – This paper seeks to compare different national PR histories in order to unfold the degree of abstract reflection in PR history writing. It aims to provide some suggestions for a future PR historiography, based on this comparison. Design/methodology/approach – The paper compares British, German, and US American PR historiography. The study is based on a comparison of 36 PR histories. A triple matrix of theoretization is used in order to differentiate the histories. Findings – Within the comparison American PR historiography accounts for 24 public relations history approaches, whereas Great Britain (1) and Germany (11) offer fewer histories. However, this richness in quantity does not lead to theoretical diversification. Owing to the paradigmatic obligation to a progressivist understanding, American PR historiography actually entails only one theoretic approach, while its German equivalent includes three different theoretic approaches and British PR historiography – being at its start – at least contains one explicitly non-progressivist, methodologically well-informed, fact-oriented example. Paradoxically, the prevailing American PR historiography, on the one hand, conceptualizes PR as a modern phenomenon but, on the other hand, claims even ancient beginnings. Research limitations/implications – The corpus of analysis contains only studies that attempt to supply an encompassing overview of (national) PR history. Practical implications – Public relations managers may use these findings to achieve a more nuanced critical understanding of the history of their occupation, and thereby reflect on its current state, which may lead to intensified ethical endeavours. Originality/value – The paper presents a pioneer systematic comparison of the three national PR histories, which may lead to enhanced national and general PR historiography. Another value is the establishment of a theoretically informed comparative measuring instrument, which (in future) can also be applied in order to compare and improve other national PR historiographies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose -- The purpose of this paper is two-fold: first, the degree to which career adaptability, career optimism, and career knowledge predict career decisiveness in China, Germany, and the US is to be examined; second, the effect of the five personality traits on the determinants of career decisiveness, on career decisiveness, and on the relation between career decisiveness and its determinants in the three countries is to be investigated. Design/methodology/approach -- A survey was conducted using a structured questionnaire. The sample consists of 555 business students from three countries: China (196), Germany (210), and the USA (149). A two-stage OLS regression analysis was applied for assessing the relation between career decisiveness, its determinants, and the personality traits. Findings -- The results show that personality traits have direct and moderating effects on career decisiveness and its antecedents. In addition, the influence of personality and the antecedents of career decisiveness differ in the three countries examined. Research limitations/implications -- The conclusions of this study may be subject to several limitations that suggest further possibilities for empirical research, e.g. the study does not examine the influence of cultural traits on career decisiveness, its determinants, and their relation. Practical implications -- The identified cross-country differences lead to the need for diverse career counseling for students with different personalities in different countries. Originality/value -- So far research on students' career decisiveness has focused only on national samples. The explorative paper examines the influence of personality traits on business students' career decisiveness in three countries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose -- As the interest in talent management (TM) gathers momentum, this paper aims to unravel how talent is managed in multinational corporations, what factors mediate the talent management process and what computerised systems may contribute to the management of talent. Design/methodology/approach -- The study employs a single case study but multiple units of analysis approach to elucidate the factors pertaining to the transmission and use of talent management practices across the German and Irish subsidiaries of a US multinational corporation. Primary data for this study derive from a series of in-depth interviews with key decision makers, which include managers at various levels in Germany, Ireland and The Netherlands. Findings -- The findings suggest that the diffusion of, and success of, talent management practices is contingent on a combination of factors, including stakeholder involvement and top level support, micro-political exchanges, and the integration of talent management with a global human resource information system. Furthermore, the discussion illuminates the utility and limitations of Cappelli's "talent on demand" framework. Research limitations/implications -- The main limitation of this research is the adoption of a single case study method. As a result, the findings may not be applicable to a wider population of organisations and subsidiaries. Additional research will be required to substantiate the relevance of these findings in the context of other subsidiaries of the same and other corporations. Practical implications -- This paper accentuates a number of practical implications. Inter alia, it highlights the complex nature of institutional factors affecting the talent management process and the potential efficacy of a human resource information system in managing talent globally. Originality/value -- The paper extends the body of knowledge on the transfer of talent management practices in the subsidiaries of multinational corporations. The discussion presented herein may engender further academic debate on the talent management process in the academic and practitioner communities. The link between talent management and the use of human resource information systems established by this research may be of particular interest to human resource practitioners. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to discuss the high rates of economic growth of the US economy and the remarkable acceleration of productivity growth since the mid-1990s which is widely attributed to the modern information and communication technologies (ICTs). Design/methodology/approach After identifying three key factors for Solow's productivity puzzle and examining ICTs as a general purpose technology, three main channels of ICTs' impact in the economy are discussed: the first transmission channel is direct and consists of the effects generated by rapid technical progress within the ICT-capital goods producing sector. The second one is due to the increasing accumulation and application of ICT goods and services in the user sectors. ICTs' positive spillover effects comprise the third transmission channel, i.e. they lead to "disembodied" increases in efficiency in the sense of "learning by doing" in the end-user sector. Findings - The diffusion of ICTs requires investment in all industries, i.e. the improvement of competitiveness on the macro level is strongly linked to investment activities and skill qualifications on the micro level. Research limitations/implications The paper concludes with some comparisons between the US and the German economy where the acute need for infrastructure investment in East Germany in the 1990s limited the possibilities for investment in ICTs exactly at a time of high-technological dynamism at the start of an upswing of a new Kondratieff cycle. Although some comparisons with the EU are made the impact of ICTs in other countries except the USA and Germany is not discussed more intensively. Practical implications A very useful source of information for graduate students and policy makers alike on the theoretical and empirical impact of new technologies on economic development. Originality/value - This paper fulfils an information need for comparing growth in international perspective. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose - How many hours per week should workers in the USA and Germany spend at their paying jobs? The present paper aims to address this question by constructing policymakers' reaction functions capable of modelling the optimal length of working time as a function of the relevant labour market variables. Design/methodology/approach - The study is based on a counterfactual policy experiment. Given a policymaker's loss function and a structural model of the labour market alternative specifications of reaction functions are defined where the response coefficients indicate how policymakers should react to any news in the labour market in order to stabilise employment and wages. Findings - The results suggest that simple rules perform quite well and that the advantages obtained from adopting an optimal control-based rule are not so great. Moreover, the analysis emphasises the success of the wage-based rule and of the employment-based rule in the USA and Germany, respectively. Research limitations/implications - The study is based on a counterfactual policy experiment, which perhaps limits its operational value. Practical implications - Labour market authorities might stabilise employment and wages by implementing policy rules. Originality/value - The paper proposes a policy rule to capture the dynamics of the weekly working hours. According to the rule in the paper the length of the workweek is an inverse function of the deviation between the actual and potential employment level. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose - The current literature implicitly assumes a symmetric impact of cultural distance (CD) on expatriate adjustment. By using distance as a predictor of adjustment, the literature has rendered the direction of the flow irrelevant: a US expatriate in Germany is presumed to face the same hurdle as a German expatriate in the USA. Not only is there no evidence to justify that suggestion, but logic and related findings suggest just the opposite. The aim of the present paper is to test the proposition that such impact is asymmetric, that is, the impact of CD is contingent on the direction of the assignment. Design/methodology/approach - Using a two-flow sample of US expatriates in Germany and German expatriates in the USA, we examine and compare the psychological and socio-cultural adjustment of each group of executives. Findings - Controlling for the length of assignment, we find that German expatriates in the USA were better adjusted, both socio-culturally and psychologically, than American expatriates in Germany. These results support the asymmetry hypothesis and call into question previous findings attesting to the relationship between CD and expatriate adjustment. Originality/value - The paper offers new insights into the concept of CD and the findings may amount to a potentially fundamental contribution to the literature with important implications for the theory and practice of international human resource management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose — The paper aims to compare the office of directly elected mayor in England, Germany and the USA. Proposing and applying a conceptual model of government, governance and allegiance, it assesses the leadership role of the elected mayor in the three countries. Design/methodology/approach — Qualitative interviews were conducted with a sample of mayors in each country over a period of 11 years. These formed part of the authors' continuing research into local leadership and political management, which has also included interviews with ex-mayors, elected representatives and senior officials. Findings — The operation and success of the elected mayor in specific countries is influenced by formal variables (e.g. state constitutions, formal requirements) and informal relationships (e.g. with officials), represented in the distinction between structure and agency. The role of the individual mayor also varied in the light of local party affiliations. The paper considers the impact of these variables on the government, governance and allegiance functions of the elected mayor. Research limitations/implications — In providing an analytical framework and in the discussion of original research, a basis is provided for the further study of the office of elected mayor in different national contexts. This is likely to prove valuable as the future of sub-national government is subject to continuity scrutiny. Practical implications — The adoption and growth of the elected mayoral system may be considered as an example of lesson drawing. This has both positive and negative implications. Positively, much can be learned from comparative experience. Mayoral systems have resulted in quicker decision making. The mayor provides a very visible form of local leadership and accountability. However, dangers lie in the over-concentration of powers in the office of mayor and, in England especially, the failure of the mayoral system to enhance public engagement in local government. Originality/value — The discussion will be of value to practitioners, policy-makers and academic researchers who are concerned with the future of the elected local state and its office holders. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose – The purpose of this study is to identify determinants of involuntary cross-listing (CL) of US restaurant companies on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange (FSE). Design/methodology/approach – The study utilizes a mixed method design with an interview and a pooled logistic regression analysis with panel dataset using the company-clustered standard error to develop and test the hypotheses. Findings – The empirical investigation identified determinants of involuntary CL by examining ten factors, including size, firm growth opportunities, leverage, financial flexibility, international operation, profitability, overall German economic condition, industry growth opportunities, restaurant type, and local operation. The study found three determinants – large size, favorable economic condition in Germany and positive industry growth opportunities – utilizing the sample that covers the entire periods of involuntary CL of US restaurant companies on the FSE. Originality/value – This paper uncovers the phenomenon of involuntary CL, which many stock exchanges have strategically adopted by simplifying listing requirements for companies already listed in other stock markets, focusing on US restaurant companies. The number of involuntarily cross-listed US restaurant companies greatly increased to 50 percent of domestically listed US restaurant companies while those companies are largely unaware of the phenomenon. The research advances understanding of involuntary CLs, which previously received little attention. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose - The purpose of this paper is to establish a scale for the measurement of proactive improvement, in general, and then more specifically in terms of cost- and service-focused improvement in logistics outsourcing arrangements. Design/methodology/approach - Upon completing a review of the literature, scale development is completed in five phases. The first two phases focus on item generation and qualitative validation. The third phase (quantitative pilot testing) involves a sample of 220 logistics managers in Germany. The fourth phase replicates these findings with a sample of 250 US logistics managers. The final phase differentiates the general scale tested and replicated in the previous two phases by assessing the merit of cost- and service-focused scales adapted from the general scale among a separate sample of 298 logistics managers in Germany. Findings - After eliminating one measurement item, the German and US samples provide support for a four-item scale to measure general proactive improvement. Subsequent analysis with a separate sample finds strong support for scales that are adapted to capture the distinct aspects of cost- and service-focused improvement. Research limitations/implications - Research indicates that one of the key differentiators in the success of logistics outsourcing relationships is the service provider's ability to achieve proactive improvement, or customer-oriented ex post adaptations that benefit the customer after the relationship's formation. Little empirical research has been conducted to assess the influence and merit of such improvements. The establishment of valid scales is an important initial step towards understanding the value and nature of proactive improvement in logistics outsourcing relationships. Practical implications - Future research using the established scales should help provide practitioners with a better understanding of the value and nature of proactive improvement in logistics outsourcing relationships. Originality/value - The paper employs a thorough multi-phase/multi-sample approach across two distinct countries to devise a scale for an important construct in logistics outsourcing research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The main purpose of this paper is the evaluation of previous German and Spanish research conducted related to oral communication capability in a different cultural surrounding. In order to test the validity of the European findings, a new sample was drawn using membership data of the U.S. based National Institute of Governmental Purchasing. The results of this paper corroborate that oral communication capability is a construct consisting of three dimensions. The model obtained in Europe for managers from private sector purchasers is also applicable in the U.S. for public purchasers. Furthermore, European results proposed four distinct types of communicators, while in the U.S. two additional groups of purchasers were found. Nevertheless, there is limited evidence for demographic or cultural influences on the oral communication capabilities of purchasers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose - This paper aims to describe the results of an investigation into the techniques used to design factory control systems in the body-in-white section of car-manufacturing plants in Germany, the UK and the USA. Design/methodology/approach - Research was conducted through a set of semi-structured interviews with the individuals responsible for planning control system architectures in a number of companies world-wide. Findings - The challenges faced by the users of industrial control systems, such as the need to conduct changes quickly, accurately and without errors, are identified. Each organisation participating in this study was seen to use a company-specific standard to bring commonality to systems and to improve the ease of developing, maintaining and modifying their control systems. Similar software structures were seen to be in use in many of the companies participating in this survey, though in some cases differing attitudes to the use of the same tools were observed. Practical implications - This work captures, documents and reviews industrial practice in a structured manner, providing an insight into the factors affecting the selection of control system technology by industrial users, and serves as a starting-point for researchers wishing to investigate the relative importance to industrial practitioners. Originality/value - Existing work on industrial programming practice is extended by detailing specific software structures used in manufacturing operations in the car industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose -- The purpose of this paper is to explain a comprehensive memorandum of understanding (MOU) between the SEC and BaFin designed to facilitate their supervision of internationally active firms and their oversight of markets. Design/methodology/approach -- The paper explains the scope of supervisory consultation, cooperation, and exchange of information relating to firms, related entities, and dual-regulated entities; describes procedures for on-site visits of regulated entities and dual-regulated entities; discusses the intended framework for cooperation with regard to affiliated markets; explains how requests for assistance should be executed; outlines permissible uses and procedures for requesting confidential information; and discusses the possible gathering of information under the auspices of the MOU for enforcement purposes. Findings -- The paper finds that the MOU sets forth the terms and conditions for the sharing of information about regulated entities and financial groups that operate in the USA and Germany and, in view of the growing trend toward cross-border exchange affiliations, outlines a framework for cooperation in the oversight of markets in both countries. Originality/value -- The paper provides a practical insight from an experienced lawyer who is an expert in German and cross-border securities regulations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper analyzes the impact of family background characteristics and social exclusion features on the intergenerational transmission of educational attainment and income positions, and the relative poverty risk in Germany and the United States. These countries vary widely by welfare regime, family role patterns, and labor market settings. From these differences we predict higher intergenerational income elasticities in the United States and higher intergenerational educational elasticities in Germany. Using longitudinal data from the Cross-National Equivalent File (CNEF) 1980-2008, we find some empirical support for these hypotheses. In both countries, parental educational attainment stimulates intergenerational economic and social mobility, which accentuates the importance of promoting human capital accumulation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses the political strategies and feminist concerns in the U.S. and Federal Republic of Germany. Although feminism as a social movement has a long and diverse international history the difference in perspective and political strategy between countries have rarely been examined in detail. Nonetheless, the meaning feminism has and the nature of its impact in individual nations will reflect very specific historical developments and political cultures. Despite some common concerns, the way the women's movement organizes and issues it makes central vary from country to country depending on the political tools and opportunities available in each setting. The particular focus of this paper is on legacies of race and class politics for struggles over gender today. Race politics has brought issues of equality to the fore in the U.S., while the historical struggle of feminists to find an autonomous voice apart from the socialist party has distinctively shaped the politics of feminism in the Federal Republic of Germany.

The extant research advocates for the strategic integration of human resource management (HRM) in managerial decision making to foster firm performance. However, the empirical evidence of a stronger strategic integration of HRM is still limited, especially in terms of strategic guidelines such as a human resource (HR) strategy and international comparative matters. Drawing on responses from 588 German and US-based organizations and related to the new institutionalism theory, this study examines whether a HRM partnership (i.e., sharing responsibilities between HRM and line management) that represents a particular form of strategic integration of HRM is beneficial for organizations. In particular, we find international differences as a more pronounced HRM partnership increases employee turnover in the USA, whereas no significant changes are encountered in Germany. We further demonstrate that organizations located in the USA are more likely to have a formal HR strategy compared to those in Germany. However, this study can neither provide support for the direct effect of a HRM partnership on employee turnover nor of a moderation of this relationship through the HR strategy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose - The purpose of this study is to examine whether sentiment toward marketing differs between students attending universities in the USA and Germany. Design/methodology/approach - The sample was drawn from students attending classes in professional programs at two universities in the USA and two universities in Germany. The resulting sample sizes were 312 from the Germany institutions and 392 from the US institutions. Sentiment toward marketing was measured using the Index of Consumer Sentiment toward Marketing. Findings - The hypothesis that students attending universities in Germany possess lower sentiments toward marketing is supported. Only the first hypothesis addressing the individual aspects of marketing is supported; however, a significant (at the 0.05 level) difference was only observed for sentiment toward advertising. In that instance, students attending universities in Germany were shown to possess more negative sentiment toward advertising than students attending universities in the USA. Practical implications - The lower sentiment toward advertising among students attending universities in Germany may be expected to present a challenge to marketers attempting to reach these individuals. Their lower sentiment toward advertising may lead German students to be less likely to accept messages conveyed via advertising than their counterparts in the USA. Originality/value - Past research suggests that differences in sentiment toward marketing exist between consumers residing in nations at different stages of development and with differing types of market structures. Do differences exist, however, between different nations at similar levels of development? [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses the findings of a study of multinational underwriting cycles in property-liability insurance in Switzerland, Germany, the United States and Japan. A description of the study design and methodology is given. The study provides a hypothesis that the factors affecting underwriting cycles are mainly country-specific rather than global/international.

At the level of aggregate expenditures, variables explaining consumption functions are usually deflated by price indices on the plausible assumption that consumers are influenced by variables in "real" rather than monetary terms[1]. This procedure may be appropriate for permanent income and life cycle theory approaches as developed by Friedman and Modigliani because, in the long run, consumers strive for the standard of living that can be reached by people of their education and income level, the standard of living being measured in terms of real estate and car ownership, ownership of household durables and so forth. But "evidence continues to accumulate that the assumption of consumers being influenced by variables in real terms rather than in monetary terms is contrary to fact and that consumers are subject to the money illusion"[2]. Branson and Klevorick, in an attempt to investigate the money illusion in the aggregate consumption function, come to the conclusion that, "in the short run, the price level has an independent effect on real consumption"[3]. Their conclusion is at least plausible for a period of "creeping" inflation. As long as the rise in nominal income is not matched by a compensating rise in the price level, consumers may not worry too much about rising prices. They are cognisant of their growing standard of living and may even be inclined to justify rising prices on the grounds that they are purchasing better quality products and services. This mentality of consumers may be expected to change in periods of lower increases in nominal income and growing rates of inflation. If the rate of inflation has been exceeding the long-run average for a number of years and if the economic outlook does not suggest a change for the... [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article reports on findings of a research on collective bargaining released by the International Labor Organization in 1977. It shows that collective bargaining has spread beyond its original use as a means of settling wages and basic working conditions. For example, collective agreements have been made in many countries to protect workers in the event of a cut-back in production. Others now include investment policy and work organization among the subjects for negotiation. Detailed clauses governing the relations between the parties to the collective agreement have become a customary feature in many countries. Collective bargaining also covers increasing number of workers. It has spread to the nationalized countries in France and to farming in parts of the U.S. In the U.S. in 1976, more than 200,000 collective agreements were signed. In Germany, the total was about 8,000, covering more than 90 percent of all workers in the country. About 75 percent of British workers and more than 50 percent of French workers are covered.