Soft Power, World System Dynamics, and Democratization: A Bass Model of Democracy Diffusion 1800-2000

This article uses Polity IV data to probe system dynamics for studies of the global diffusion of democracy from 1800 to 2000. By analogy with the Bass model of diffusion of innovations, as translated into system dynamics by Sterman, the dynamic explanation proposed focuses on transitions to democracy, soft power, and communication rates on a global level. The analysis suggests that the transition from democratic experiences (\'the soft power of democracy\') can be estimated from the systems dynamics simulation of an extended Bass model. Soft power, fueled by the growth in communications worldwide, is today the major force behind the diffusion of democracy. Our findings indicate the applicability of system dynamics simulation tools for the analysis of political change over time in the world system of polities.Democracy, Bass, Communication, System Dynamics, Power, Diffusion

THE IMPACT OF HISTORICAL AND REGIONAL LINKAGES ON FREE TRADE IN THE AMERICAS: A GRAVITY MODEL ANALYSIS ACROSS SECTORS

This paper estimates the impact of regional linkages (i.e. regional trading agreements) and historical linkages (i.e. neo-colonial trade ties) on trade pattern in the Western Hemisphere using the gravity model of international trade. The estimation is made at the aggregate trade level as well as on the disaggregated level by using trade data corresponding to food products and manufactured goods respectively. The evidence suggests that significant distortions of trade patterns due to regional and historical linkages exist. It seems that smaller economies are more receptive to the effects of regionalism than larger ones and that the food sector is more affected by distortions than the manufactured goods sector.International Relations/Trade,

IT integration in a mergers and acquisitions context

Although mergers and acquisitions are an increasingly popular growth method for firms, most of them fail to meet their financial, strategic or operational goals. This study analyzed the IT integration dynamics in a M&A context. The IT integration is a vital part of any acquisition process, and most of the IT integration happens in the post-acquisition integration phase. The technological integration was reported as the most difficult process during this phase, and IT integration as the third most common reason for an M&A failure. Despite the evident importance of IT, it has been somewhat overlooked in research literature and practice. The starting point of this thesis was to build a framework which relied on the findings of existing theories and studies. The theoretical framework combined the theories and illustrated their relation to IT integration. This research was conducted as a single case study. The data for this thesis was collected by using semi-structured interviews, followed by a written survey which was done after each interview. The interviewees were selected based on access and their role in the case acquisition. The data was analyzed by using thematic analysis method, and the survey results were analyzed using simple quantitative methods. The results of the empirical research were in sync with existing findings, but also provided new insights to the IT integration dynamics. It was concluded that IT integration cannot be viewed in a vacuum, but rather the process needs a holistic perspective. In other words, the recipe for a successful IT integration includes not only the IT integration internal factors, but the business context and IT integration external factors need to be considered as well. Out of the findings regarding the IT integration internal factors, there was evidence that the IT integration method mirrors the overall integration strategy used. However, no single IT integration method can be chosen for the entire process, the reality is closer to a mixture of methods. The IT integration critical success factors survey results recognized four CSFs in the case acquisition, which had some correlation between each other and relations to other factors as well. Also, the underlying causes for the difference between IT integration plan and implementation emerged from the empirical data. Albeit the study had its limitations due to resource and time restrictions, this thesis was able to illustrate the dynamics of an IT integration, and deepen our understanding of the factors which are included in the process

Optimal scaling of the ADMM algorithm for distributed quadratic programming

This paper presents optimal scaling of the alternating directions method of multipliers (ADMM) algorithm for a class of distributed quadratic programming problems. The scaling corresponds to the ADMM step-size and relaxation parameter, as well as the edge-weights of the underlying communication graph. We optimize these parameters to yield the smallest convergence factor of the algorithm. Explicit expressions are derived for the step-size and relaxation parameter, as well as for the corresponding convergence factor. Numerical simulations justify our results and highlight the benefits of optimally scaling the ADMM algorithm.Comment: Submitted to the IEEE Transactions on Signal Processing. Prior work was presented at the 52nd IEEE Conference on Decision and Control, 201

CARICOM Bilateral Trade: A Preliminary Analysis Using the Gravity Model

This paper investigates the determinants of intra-CARICOM bilateral trade and the CARICOM member's trade with the North American and European countries using the gravity model. Seventeen annual cross-sections are estimated for the period 1980 through 1996. Overall, the empirical results indicate that the gravity model has considerable potential to explain intra-CARICOM bilateral trade as well as trade between CARICOM members and non-members. The evidence suggests that both the importer's GDP per capita and the exporter's GDP per capita exert strong positive effects on CARICOM trade levels. Since these effects are found to be statistically the same, we conclude that the gravity model is symmetric with respect to GDP per capita. Further, sharing a common language, colonial ties, or membership in the CARICOM all significantly contribute to larger volumes of bilateral trade, while geographic distance has the opposite effect. Both the exporting and the importing countries' populations have a positive effect on trade levels, indicating that larger economies have a wider production base and thus export and import more than would smaller economies.Caribbean economies, CARICOM, FTAA, gravity model, regional integration, International Relations/Trade,

More ties than we thought

We extend the existing enumeration of neck tie-knots to include tie-knots with a textured front, tied with the narrow end of a tie. These tie-knots have gained popularity in recent years, based on reconstructions of a costume detail from The Matrix Reloaded, and are explicitly ruled out in the enumeration by Fink and Mao (2000). We show that the relaxed tie-knot description language that comprehensively describes these extended tie-knot classes is context free. It has a regular sub-language that covers all the knots that originally inspired the work. From the full language, we enumerate 266 682 distinct tie-knots that seem tie-able with a normal neck-tie. Out of these 266 682, we also enumerate 24 882 tie-knots that belong to the regular sub-language.Comment: Accepted at PeerJ Computer Science 12 pages, 6 color photograph

Life history trade-offs in Anadromous Burbot Lota lota (Linnaeus 1758) from Rickleån and Sävarån, Northern Sweden

Anadromous burbots Lota lota (Linnaeus 1758) from two similar rivers in the Gulf of Bothnia area, Sävarån and Rickleån, Northern Sweden, were compared. The aim was to test for and explain differences in ecology. Spawning burbots in Sävarån were smaller, younger, grew slower and were more densely populated. The positive correlations between individual size, and gonad- and liver indexes which were found in Rickleån, were weaker or absent in Sävarån. The positive correlations of rapid growth in regard of liver tissue growth and K, were weaker in Sävarån than in Rickleån. K in Sävarån were not correlated with individual size, and were also lower in general, than in Rickleån. The majority of spawning burbots had empty stomachs, 73 % in Sävarån, and 58 % in Rickleån. “Rest year” strategies, which were correlated to both organ (except gonads) indexes, and K, where common in Rickleån, but almost absent in Sävarån. Almost all burbots, even those smallest, found in the stomachs of bigger individuals, where fully mature with high gonad index. The size group histogram and normal probability analyses, indicated that there were large numbers of even smaller individuals present at the spawning sites in Sävarån, not possible to sample with the gear used. As a whole, burbots in Sävarån exhibited precocity, favouring early spawning on the expense of growth and/or higher fecundity in future spawnings. I also found that many of the differences confirmed between the populations, were also present within both populations, between males and females. Males exhibited a more precocious reproduction, while females exhibited a more delayed reproduction. [1] The differences between the populations in age at spawning, individual size, growth, allocations to different organs and foraging, were presumably due to both a) trade-offs favoured by selection due to differences in mortality related to human harvest, and b) density-dependent effects [2]. [2] The population densities differed, assumably due to two abiotic factors, a) higher summer temperatures in the littorals outside Sävarån and b) more significant episodical acidity in the spring in Rickleån. [3] The demise of the largest and oldest burbots in these rivers, as well as the whole Sweden, was a different problem. The climate change seemed to be the most plausible explanation. A climatologic and thermal threshold for burbots may have been exceeded. Whenever a new discovery is reported to the scientific world, they say first, “It is probably not true.” Thereafter, when the truth of the new proposition has been demonstrated beyond question, they say, “Yes, it may be true, but it is not important.” Finally, when sufficient time has elapsed to fully evidence its importance, they say, “Yes, surely it is important, but it is no longer new.” Michel de Montaigne (1533-1592)