Common currency and economic integration in mercosur

Latin America has a long history of attempts to achieve regional integration, yetsuccess has been modest. This paper contends that this is essentially due not so much toprotectionist practices in the various countries, but to the lack of a common currency, or, atleast, of a tightly managed exchange rate band. We reviewed the optimum currency areacriteria that indicate it is prudent to increase economic integration before attempting toestablish exchange rates coordination. Yet, we show that in the Mercosul there are already theminimal requirements to work on this direction. Diminishing exchange rate instability couldencourage trade and investment flows across Latin American economies. We also performed asimplified exercise to understand how feasible would be the efforts to achieve exchange rateparity stability in the two larger economies in the region (Brazil and Argentina) and stepforward toward adopting a common currency.

Customer segmentation and value proposition : the case of KG International

The purposes of this Master’s Degree Final Assignment are as follows: (1) Assess the relationship between customer segmentation and value propositions; (2) Review previous research on both concepts; (3) Present empirical evidence based on a curricular internship at the firm Konsulting Group International (KG International); (4) Propose a framework based on the comparison of the theory and the case. The goal is to explore the importance that Customer Segmentation has on Value Propositions. It later identifies aspects as the need for rethinking, adapting and redesigning customer segmentation and value propositions, especially in the company’s early years. The case is particularly illustrative of Value Propositions in the context of consulting services

Distanciamento social no estado de São Paulo: uso de série temporal dos óbitos por causa da COVID-19 para demonstrar a redução de casos

Introduction: Demonstrating the results of Social Distancing Strategies (SDS) became a relevant factor to obtain support by the population in São Paulo State and in Brazil. The delay in the processing of PCR tests and the small number of tests available limits the ability of sanitary authorities to make meaningful data available as to the number of cases or the number of deaths due to COVID-19. Methodology: We use a time series analysis of deaths due to COVID-19 referenced to the date of deaths (as opposed to the date in which the test results were obtained). Results: We demonstrate that the SDS adopted in São Paulo City and State clearly brought meaningful results to delay the growth of COVID-19 cases. We also show that by using this type of time series it is possible to identify different trends for regions, allowing for targeted approaches. Additionally, by using a time series which is death-oriented makes it possible to identify, for São Paulo City, the effects of the SDS with the Social Isolation Index (SII) adopted in the state and to make a gross estimate for the SII, which prevents the growth of the disease. Conclusion: The use of a time series of deaths due to COVID-19 referenced to the date of the event allows a better understanding of the effects of the SDS on the progression of the COVID-19 epidemic in São Paulo State, Brazil.Introdução: Demonstrar os resultados das estratégias de distanciamento social (EDS) tornou-se um fator relevante para obter apoio da população do estado de São Paulo e do Brasil. A demora no processamento dos testes do tipo RCP e o pequeno número de testes disponíveis limita a capacidade das autoridades sanitárias de disponibilizar dados significativos sobre o número de casos ou o número de óbitos por causa da Covid-19. Metodologia: Usamos uma série temporal de óbitos pela Covid-19 referenciada à data dos óbitos (diferentemente da data em que os resultados dos exames foram obtidos). Resultados: Demonstramos que é visível que as EDS adotadas no município e no estado de São Paulo trouxeram resultados significativos que atrasam o crescimento dos casos de Covid-19. Também mostramos que utilizando esse tipo de série temporal é possível identificar diferentes tendências para as regiões, permitindo abordagens direcionadas. Além disso, utilizando-se uma série temporal orientada ao óbito, é possível identificar, para o município de São Paulo, os efeitos das EDS com o Índice de Isolamento Social (IIS) adotado no estado e fazer uma estimativa bruta para o IIS, que quebra o crescimento da doença. Conclusão: O uso de uma série temporal dos óbitos devidos à Covid-19, referenciada diretamente à data do óbito, permite compreender os efeitos do distanciamento social na evolução da epidemia de COVID-19 no estado de São Paulo, Brasil

"Powered by whom?" : A network perspective on replication as strategy

This study examines the configuration of resources and activities among firms as a strategy to improve their position in a network through the replication of a template. The conceptual background combines the network approach to strategizing with the capability approach to replication. Using a longitudinal study of a large wholesaler, this study demonstrates that change in a network position can result from two interwoven processes: the development and replication of a template in some sections of the network, and a rearrangement of the web of relationships among counterpartsinfo:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Growth and exchange rate volatility: a panel data analysis

The aim of this article is to assess the role of real effective exchange rate volatility on long-run economic growth for a set of 82 advanced and emerging economies using a panel data set ranging from 1970 to 2009. With an accurate measure for exchange rate volatility, the results for the two-step system GMM panel growth models show that a more (less) volatile RER has significant negative (positive) impact on economic growth and the results are robust for different model specifications. In addition to that, exchange rate stability seems to be more important to foster long-run economic growth than exchange rate misalignment