Two methodological approaches to the study of production chains in tourism industry

In this article, two different methodological frameworks are applied to study the production chains in the tourism industry in Andalusia (Spain). Firstly, from a macroeconomic perspective, input-output techniques are used to identify tourism production chains from the regional input-output table. Secondly, from a microeconomic perspective, a different approach is taken based on the concept of Global Value Chains (GVC) (Gereffi 1999; Kaplinsky and Readman 2001). In this respect, the structure and main agents participating in the GVC in tourism are presented, and the role of SMEs in the tourist industry in Andalusia is put forward. Finally, the relationship between the two approaches is discussed, pointing out their main differences and complementing factors

Banking on Shared Value: How Banks Profit by Rethinking Their Purpose

This paper articulates a new role for banks in society using the lens of shared value. It is intended to help bank leaders, their partners, and industry regulators seize opportunities to create financial value while addressing unmet social and environmental needs at scale. The concepts included here apply across different types of banking, across different bank sizes, and across developed and emerging economies alike, although their implementation will naturally differ based on context

Factors influencing branchless banking for microfinance in Sudan: Theoretical perspectives and future directions

In Sudan more than 40% live below the poverty line and getting basic financial service poses a challenge to financial institutions. Most of these unserved populations live in far-flung areas that make it difficult for microfinance institutions to reach them. But the enormous growth of mobile technology industry has created new opportunity to expand financial services to this unserved population. Branchless banking is one of the latest technologies that have been employed in different developing countries to expand financial services to the unbanked poor. Despite the potential benefits and relevance of Branchless banking to Sudan, there are still very few studies on Branchless banking in Sudan. To address this gap in the literature, this study aims to investigate the factors that are essential to the development of branchless banking in Sudan using mobile technology. This is a research-in-progress paper, the critical review of the literature so far revealed that there are essential factors for the success of branchless banking in Sudan e.g. the identification of the industry key players and their roles, the enabling regulatory environment, the infrastructure readiness and Sudanese cultural values. The paper will provide regulators and policy makers in Sudan a way forward to expedite the development of suitable Branchless banking for microfinance in Sudan

Product innovation when consumers have switching costs

Economists have long recognized that in free markets, incentives to innovate will be diluted unless some factors grant innovators with a temporary monopoly. Patenting is the most cited factor in the economic literature. This survey concentrates on another factor that confers innovators with first-mover advantage over their competitors, namely consumer switching costs, whereby a consumer makes an investment specific to her current seller, that must be duplicated for any new seller. In this survey, we list several components of switching costs that are relevant as regards to firm innovation behaviour. The aim of this classification is twofold. First, consumer switching cost theory has matured to the point that some classification of switching costs for both understanding innovative firm behaviour and building policy-oriented models is necessary. Second, the classification included in this paper addresses the confusion that has been existing so far regarding the distinction between ‘good’ or ‘bad’ switching costs, perceived or paid switching costs, and between switching and search costs. This paper then surveys the existing literature on the effect of switching costs on product innovation by firms and the way they compete for consumers. We also raise several important regulation and competition policy questions, using examples from the real world.Consumer switching costs; Search costs; Product innovation; Competition policy; Economic methodology

A business project with energias de Portugal

CEMSAgainst the background of an increasing importance of reputational risk in today‘s business envi-ronment, this work describes an approach to categorize and quantify reputational risks. The de-veloped methodology quantifies the negative impact of identified reputational risk categories based on data from financial markets. Following this, the developed methodology is specifically tied to EDP. Results show that the identified reputational risk categories Communities, Global Strategic Direction and Environment cause the greatest negative impact to EDP on a yearly basis. Finally, in a separate part, reasons contributing to an increased importance of reputational risk for corporations are analyzed

Reputational risk mapping and quantification: a business project with energias de Portugal

CEMSAgainst the background of an increasing importance of reputational risk in today‘s business envi-ronment, this work describes an approach to categorize and quantify reputational risks. The de-veloped methodology quantifies the negative impact of identified reputational risk categories based on data from financial markets. Following this, the developed methodology is specifically tied to EDP. Results show that the identified reputational risk categories Communities, Global Strategic Direction and Environment cause the greatest negative impact to EDP on a yearly basis. Finally, in a separate part, reasons contributing to an increased importance of reputational risk for corporations are analyzed

Hardship policies in practice: a comparative study

Drawing on the grassroots professional experiences of financial counsellors as well as focus group interviews with consumers, this report outlines how the telecommunications industry\u27s hardship policies and practices compare with those of the banking, energy and water industries. Summary In 2012, Financial Counselling Australia (FCA) received a grant from the Australian Communications Consumer Action Network to conduct research comparing hardship practices in the banking, energy, water and telecommunications sectors. The purpose of this research was two-fold. First, as a broad analysis, we wanted to find out from financial counsellors and other stakeholders what systems and processes were most effective – ‘what works’ – when it comes to assisting customers experiencing financial hardship. This topic is particularly relevant to FCA and to financial counsellors. Financial counsellors assist people in financial difficulty and have first-hand experience when it comes to hardship programs in the banks, utilities and telcos (see box for a more detailed explanation of the role of a financial counsellor). By documenting good practices in place for assisting consumers experiencing hardship, we can share this information with our colleagues in industry, the community sector, external dispute resolution (EDR) schemes, regulators and government who can apply it in their own sectors. The second purpose of the research was to apply the broad findings about ‘what works’ to the telecommunications industry. In recent years, financial counsellors have worked closely with the banking industry to review hardship policies and practices, resulting in a number of changes. The financial counselling sector is now engaged in a similar dialogue with the telecommunications industry and this research will inform those discussions

An Overview and Examination of the Indian Services Sector

India’s service sector has grown rapidly since the 1990s. Domestic demand for services has increased as incomes have risen, triggering the expansion of industries such as banking, education, and telecommunications. Exports have also increased rapidly, led by information technology and business process outsourcing (IT-BPO). India’s ability to offer low-cost, high-quality IT-BPO services has made it a world leader in this industry. However, employment in services has not grown as quickly as output. The majority of India’s jobseekers are low-skilled, but demand for workers is growing fastest in higher-skill industries. The supply of highly-skilled workers has not kept pace with demand, causing wages to increase faster for these workers than for lower-skilled ones. India’s government has supported the growth of service industries through a mix of deregulation, liberalization, and incentive programs, such as the Software Technology Parks of India. Nevertheless, burdensome regulations, poor infrastructure, and foreign investment restrictions continue to affect service firms’ ability to do business. USITC analysis suggests that additional liberalization would lead to an increase in India’s imports of services