Energy, uncertainty, and entrepreneurship: John D Rockefeller’s sequential approach to transaction costs management in the early oil industry

This article delves into the challenge of successful entrepreneurship in the energy industry under conditions of uncertainty by examining the case of John D Rockefeller’s Standard Oil Company, which rapidly seized control of an initially-uncertain industry. It finds that Rockefeller cemented control through a willingness to internalise contextual uncertainty (related to the nature of the energy business) as a stepping stone to managing contractual uncertainty (related to transactions with other parties). This finding suggests that thinking sequentially about the management of contextual and contractual uncertainty aids entrepreneurial success in the field of energy. This suggestion accords with standing calls in the transaction costs literature, which means that findings may generalise to some extent. However, the exploratory nature of the analysis implies the need for further research about the argument’s compatibility with modern energy practices and its generalisability

The effects of fansubs on EFL education for Translation and Interpreting students: an empirical approach

This article reports on an empirical experiment conducted with Translation and Interpreting undergraduate students to gauge the effects of fansubbing on learning English as a foreign language (EFL). Experience has shown that young Spanish-speaking undergraduate students tend to watch free TV programmes online, and these programmes may be fansubbed in Spanish, which means that fansubbed videos are acting as a linguistic model to many students of English as a foreign language. This study aims to ascertain the potential benefits, as well as the main drawbacks, of using fansubbed products for foreign language learning purposes in translator training. This research targeted students in their second year of studies whose participation was twofold: firstly, they were invited to complete an online survey to collect data on their opinions about subtitling and fansubbing; secondly, the students were exposed to two short clips, one professionally subtitled and one fansubbed. This was followed by a blind experiment including a questionnaire with an assessment test and more personal questions. The survey was successfully completed by 46 students and throws light on their preferences for audiovisual consumption when learning a foreign language. The blind experiment was successfully completed by 59 students and provides evidence of the effects fansubbing may have on foreign language education

More Than Money: Making a Difference With Assistance Beyond the Grant

Examines foundation efforts beyond grantmaking such as training, advocacy, and new investment strategies to increase grantee effectiveness and impact. Assesses the benefits of such help, grantees' views, and implications. Includes case studies

Lost in thought

What mechanisms exist for tracking what goes on in translators’ minds while they are at work? Alejandro Bolaños García-Escribano looks for some answer