Assessing the Number of Components in Mixture Models: a Review.

Despite the widespread application of finite mixture models, the decision of how many classes are required to adequately represent the data is, according to many authors, an important, but unsolved issue. This work aims to review, describe and organize the available approaches designed to help the selection of the adequate number of mixture components (including Monte Carlo test procedures, information criteria and classification-based criteria); we also provide some published simulation results about their relative performance, with the purpose of identifying the scenarios where each criterion is more effective (adequate).Finite mixture; number of mixture components; information criteria; simulation studies.

Democracy and Economic Development: a Fuzzy Classification Approach

The aim of this work is to (1) analyse whether countries differ on political indicators (democracy, rule of law, government effectiveness and corruption) and (2) study whether countries with different political profiles are associated with different levels of economic, human development and gender-related development indicators. Using a fuzzy classification approach (fuzzy k-means algorithm), we propose a typology of 124 countries based on 10 political variables. Six segments are identified; these political groups implicate the access to different levels of economic and human development. In this study evidence of a positive but not perfect relationship between democracy and economic and human development is observed, thus presenting new insights for the understanding of the heterogeneity of behaviors relatively to political indicators.Democracy, Economic Development, Fuzzy k-means

Corporate brand identity – a conceptual redefinition

There is a wide agreement that identity is a multidisciplinary concept. Branding is an identity expression. Although there are some frameworks to assess brand identity there isn’t an accepted definition. The authors consider this a gap in literature and investigate the components to assess brand identity under a holistic approach. Literature was reviewed and reinterpreted under an integrated perspective evolving corporate and brand identity studies. The authors propose a definition and nine componentscharacterizing corporate brand identity: reputation, culture, positioning, personality, relationships network, presentation style, communication, environmental influences and mission. Some are related with internal and others to external facets. The authorsare strongly encouraged to test these results empirically towards validity and reliability of the proposed construct.CIICES

Using an integrative approach to assess brand identity

There is a wide agreement that identity is a multidisciplinary concept. The authors consider this an opportunity do develop a framework to assess identity. In a marketing context, literature reveals two approaches on identity: one focus on corporate identity and the other focus on branding. The aim of this paper is to integrate these two approaches to develop a synthesis framework to assess brand identity. Based on literature on identity the authors found nine components related to brand identity. Those components are described in this paper as well as the relation they have with brand identity. The authors hope that this synthesis approach contributes to a better understanding of the brand identity, and are very encouraging for refining this framework in the future.CIICES

Perceptual and behavioural dimensions : measuring brand equity consumer based

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to propose a brand equity measurement model in the consumers’ mind. The measurement model separates the perceptual component of the behaviour component of individuals in their preferences for brands. That is, as a result of a set of perceptions, consumers create a brand equity that will be realised in loyal behaviour and in their willingness to pay a premium price for a brand. Design/methodology/approach A measurement model of brand equity using the methodology of SEM is proposed. Two samples were used, one for the estimation and another one for the validation of the proposed model, with 272 observations each. The sample is constituted by consumers of five denim clothing brands that have their own chain of stores in Portugal. Findings Results show that the model is statistically valid and that perceptual aspects should be separated from behavioural aspects in brand equity measurement based on consumers’ mind. Originality/value The originality of the model is the division of constructs into perceptual constructs (inputs), and of behaviour constructs (outputs) of brand equity. By doing this, the model tries to answer two important aspects of entrepreneurial management: which are the explanatory variables of brand equity and how could that be translated into an answer, for the consumer. </jats:sec

Aspectos Metodológicos da Segmentação de Mercado: Base de Segmentação e Métodos de Classificação

This work provides a broad review of the past literature on market segmentation, focusing on a discussion of proposed bases and classification methods. Multiple segmentation bases are detached, organized according to two axes - observable/ unobservable, general/ specific of the product and evaluated according to some criteria that must be satisfied for an effective segmentation: identifiability, substantiality, accessibility, stability, actionability and responsiveness Classification methods grouped in three classes - nonoverlapping, overlapping and fuzzy, according to the format of the partition matrix they provide.market segmentation, effective segmentation, segmentation bases, classification analysis

The level of CEO compensation for the short and long-term - a view on high tech firms

AbstractThis study examines the relationship between corporate performance and the Chief Executive Officer compensation in high- technology firms in the S&P 1500. The total CEO compensation and short and long-term compensations were tested regarding corporate performance. A panel data SUR model is estimated and describes the total compensation and cash compensation as a proportion of total pay for the period between 2000 and 2010 in high-technologies firms. The findings indicate that there is a strong and positive relation between CEO compensation and firm performance. This econometric study provides a better understanding on the relationship between CEO compensation and performance in high-technologies firms

The impact of national cultures on international marketing strategy and subsidiary performance of portuguese SME’s

The dynamic of the international business and its multidimensional nature requires the understanding of the complexities of different contexts dictated by cultural differences between countries. The purpose of this paper is to study, in depth howsmall and medium-sized companies develop their international marketing mix strategy in their overseas subsidiaries. We use the theoretical construct of Hofstede (1980, 1991) in the dimensions of Power Distance (PD), Uncertainty Avoidance (UA), Individualism (IND), Masculinity (MASC) and Long-Term Orientation (LTO) to assess the cross cultural differences between countries and the business practices to analyze the adaptation or standardization of the international marketing mix strategy of foreign Portuguese subsidiaries. Ourstudy uses an exploratoryand qualitative methodology. We conducted semi-structured interviews in order to achieve a good understanding ofinternational marketing mix strategy of four companies from different sectors. Our results show that the national cultural differences have great influence in the marketing strategy of the subsidiary. The business practices adjustments in the subsidiary company that proved to be necessary conditions for their performance are conducted by the products augmented offerings concerning the characteristics of the product, design and brand name in order to meet the requirements and specificities of the host country of the subsidiary

O impacto da distância entre países na estratégia de marketing internacional: o caso das empresas subsidiárias portuguesas em Espanha

A natureza dinâmica do negócio internacional e os contextos diferenciados ditados pelas diferenças entre países, leva a que as empresas internacionais enfrentem o desafio de encontrar o equilíbrio entre estandardizar e adaptar a sua estratégia de marketing mix nos mercados externos de modo a terem sucesso. O propósito deste estudo é contribuir para a compreensão do modo como as empresas portuguesas desenvolvem a sua estratégia de marketing no mercado espanhol. A nossa investigação parte da análise do quadro teórico do modelo CAGE (Ghemawat, 2007) para avaliar as diferenças entre países e averiguar qual o seu impacto na estratégia de marketing das empresas subsidiárias. O nosso estudo é qualitativo e adota a metodologia de estudo de caso através da realização de entrevistas semiestruturadas em duas PME para alcançar uma melhor compreensão sobre o processo de formulação da estratégia de marketing internacional. Os nossos resultados indiciam que as dimensões de distância que têm maior influência na estratégia de marketing da empresa subsidiária no mercado espanhol são as dimensões culturais, administrativas e económicas, sendo a dimensão geográfica a menos relevante. As adaptações que se revelaram ser condições necessárias para o sucesso do negócio, consubstanciam-se na proposta de valor aos clientes através da marca, da diferenciação dos produtos,do design, do preço e da comunicação

How R&D and tax incentives influence economic growth: Econometric study for the period between 1995 and 2008 of EU-15

Setting targets to increase the levels of R&D, a component that is present in the political and economic agendas of the European Member States with the promotion of active tax policies, suggests that it is possible for R&D to cause an impact on economic growth. This research work aims at understanding the influence of the evolution of R&D expenditures, as well as the influence of tax incentives on economic growth. For that, a panel data of 15 European countries, during the period between 1995 and 2008, was used. The econometric study confirms the foreseen importance, both in this study and in the literature, of the countries’ R&D efforts and their impact on economic growth. The positive effect of tax incentives on economic growth, combined with R&D levels, is highlighted and demonstrated, thus confirming a strategic orientation towards tax policies followed by the national institutions.R&D, tax incentives, economic growth, econometric analysis in panel data