Seeking out and building monopolies, Rothschild strategies in non ferrous metals international markets (1830-1940)

The aim of this article is to analyse the strategies employed by the Rothschilds until 1940 to limit competition in the non ferrous international market. We will study how they opted for rigid demand products of highly concentrated supply which were favourable to market control (mercury, nickel, lead and copper and sulphur) by assuming administrative monopolies (mercury from Spanish Almadn Mines) or through control of the leading businesses of the respective markets (Le Nickel, Pearroya and Rio Tinto). We will also analyse how the family was able to gain worldwide monopolies, or if not, how they promoted collusive oligopolies with the competition in any number of forms in their quest to maintain profitability and to flee from any competition.International Raw material markets, Cartels, Rothschild, mining, Non-ferrous metals.

The Rothschild House business network in Spain as an example of entrepreneurial decision-taking and management structure.

In the period between 1835 and 1931 the Rothschild House established one of the most complex and influential business networks in Spanish economic history. This network controlled a wide range of activities, including financial services for the Spanish Government and the Bank of Spain, as well as the management of industrial, mining and railway firms. Instances of these firms are Rio Tinto Co., Société Minière et Metallurgique Peñarroya, MZA railway company and Deutsch & Cie, which was the main oil refining firm in Spain at the end of the 19th century.Spain 1835-1931, Rothschild, networks, Weisweiller, Bauer, foreign investments in Spain, railways, mining and refining companies, international raw material market, Public Finances, entrepreneurial function, agency problems, rent-seeking.

Allelic effects on starch structure and properties of six starch biosynthetic genes in a rice recombinant inbred line population

BACKGROUND: The genetic diversity of six starch biosynthetic genes (Wx, SSI, SSIIa, SBEI, SBEIIa and SBEIIb) in indica and japonica rices opens an opportunity to produce a new variety with more favourable grain starch quality. However, there is limited information about the effects of these six gene allele combinations on starch structure and properties. A recombinant inbred line population from a cross between indica and japonica varieties offers opportunities to combine specific alleles of the six genes. RESULTS: The allelic (indica vs japonica) effects of six starch biosynthetic genes on starch structure, functional properties, and abundance of granule bound proteins in rice grains were investigated in a common genetic background using a recombinant inbred line population. The indica Wx (Wxi) allele played a major role while indica SSI (SSIi), japonica SSIIa (SSIIaj) and indica SBEI (SBEIi) alleles had minor roles on the increase of amylose content. SSIIaj and japonica SBEIIb (SBEIIbj) alleles had a major and a minor role on high ratio of ∑DP ≤ 10 to ∑DP ≤ 24 fractions (RCL10/24), respectively. Both major alleles (Wxi and SSIIaj) reduced peak viscosity (PV), onset, peak and end gelatinization temperatures (GTs) of amylopectin, and increased amylose-lipid complex dissociation enthalpy compared with their counterpart-alleles, respectively. SBEIIai and SBEIIbj decreased PV, whereas SSIi and SBEIIbj decreased FV. SBEIi reduced setback viscosity and gelatinization enthalpy. RCL10/24 of chain length distribution in amylopectin is negatively correlated with PV and BD of paste property and GTs of thermal properties. We also report RILs with superior starch properties combining Wxi, SSIj, SSIIaj, SBEIi and SBEIIbj alleles. Additionally, a clear relation is drawn to starch biosynthetic gene alleles, starch structure, properties, and abundance of granule bound starch biosynthetic enzymes inside starch granules. CONCLUSIONS: Rice Wxi and SSIIaj alleles play major roles, while SSIi, SBEIi, SBEIIai and SBEIIbj alleles have minor roles in the determination of starch properties between indica and japonica rice through starch structural modification. The combination of these alleles is a key factor for starch quality improvement in rice breeding programs. RCL10/24 value is critical for starch structure and property determination.Jixun Luo was supported by CSC (Chinese Scholarship Council) and Australian National University scholarships. This work was funded by CSIRO Food Future National Research Flagship

Method for Using Rubric Ratings on Fishbone Diagrams to Compare Case Studies

Background: In multi-case study program evaluations, the large amount of qualitative data that are generated from interviews can be difficult to utilize. This is particularly so when inference must be made as to why some cases succeed and some fail. Purpose: This paper shows a method for comparing multiple evaluation sites by using a rubric to define ratings for relevant factors, and an Ishikawa fishbone diagram as a model to show relationships among those factors. We show how this technique identified reasons for differences in outcomes among the sites. Setting: The evaluation setting was a large-scale safety innovation in the U.S. railroad industry. Four cases were considered—two passenger railroads and two freight railroads. Intervention: The Confidential Close Call Reporting System (C3RS) program allowed railroad workers to confidentially submit “close calls” which were reviewed by a team made up of labor, management, and the Federal Railroad administration to determine ways to improve safety. Research design: Multiple comparative case study, Ishikawa root and contributing cause modeling, evaluative rubric scoring, and data visualization techniques. Data collection & analysis: Interview data were collected from four pilot railroad sites, each of which participated in a five-year test of C3RS. Testing periods overlapped, with the entire evaluation lasting about 12 years. Findings: The method of using Ishikawa fishbone diagrams with ratings from an evaluative rubric was an effective method to summarize, analyze, and present large quantities of qualitative data. The approach succeeded in explaining degrees of success and failure across the sites. The sponsor and industry stakeholders were able to understand the analysis and the findings, and to develop deep insight into how to promote successful implementation. Keywords: Multiple comparative case studies; qualitative methodology; qualitative coding; data visualization; fishbone diagrams; Ishikawa diagrams; evaluative rubrics; close calls; near miss; data visualization