La théorie des anticipations de la structure par terme : test à partir des titres publics français.

This paper focuses on the expectations hypothesis of the term structure on long-term government bonds. Standard tests (based on the relationships between the change in the long-term rate and the spread and between the change in the short-term rate and the spread) lead to a puzzle close to the one obtained by Campbell and Shiller (1991) using US data. An approach based on stationarity of excess returns and error-correction models gives more details on these results: the expectations hypothesis is widely accepted when holding return is considered whereas it is systematically rejected when rollover return is considered.Term structure of interest rates ; Expectations hypothesis ; Cointegration ; Error-correction model.

Le contenu en information de la pente des taux : application au cas des titres publics français.

This paper evaluates the information content of the term structure about future changes in interest rates and changes in inflation rate, in France. A data set has been constructed, which contains zero-coupon yield curves on government bonds over the period 1980-95. The information content is generally very weak over the whole period. On the contrary, over the period 1985-95, the term structure contains information for certain maturities. On the one hand, spreads vis-à-vis 2-year rates are informative for future changes in short-term rates, whereas spreads vis-à-vis 3-year rates are informative for both future changes in short-term rates and future changes in long-term rates; on the second hand, the spreads from (2- versus 1-year rates) to (5- versus 1-year rates) and (4- versus 2-year rates) are the most informative for future changes in inflation rate.Term structure of interest rates ; Expectations hypothesis ; Fisher relation ; Information Content.

The Expectation Theory: Tests on French, German, and American Euro-Rates.

This paper deals with tests of the expectations hypothesis of the term structure on French, German, UK and US short-term interest rates. Three tests are examined: the first is based on forward rates and the other two are based on the interest rates spread. First, we show that the puzzle highlighted by Campbell and Shiller (1991) for US data does not hold in the cases of French and UK short-term rates. Second, we propose tests for the expectations hypothesis based on error-correction specifications. These tests are shown to be much more favorable for the theory and the initial puzzle disappears.Term structure of interest rates ; Expectations hypothesis ; Error-correction model.

Corporate strategy revisited: A view from complexity theory

Despite its long tradition and well known contributions, corporate strategy research is yet far from being mature. This paper proposes an innovative framework that approaches the field from the theoretical perspective provided by complexity theory. We propose to see the corporate level of the organization as the driver, pacer and framer of the overall firm's evolution process. Drive is provided by the cognitive representation of the corporate fitness landscape that is implicit in the firm's corporate plan. Pacing is a consequence of the kind of strategic initiatives ("search strategy") developed by the company. Framing is achieved through the architectural design that the corporate level implements for the firm.corporate strategy; complexity theory; self-organizing;

What do we really know about when technological innovation improves performance (and when it does not)?

Most approaches to innovation bear the implicit assumption that increased innovativeness leads to improved organizational performance. Thus, more attention has been focused on innovativeness than on innovation performance; on novelty than on value. However, recent empirical evidence calls into question the unqualified optimism surrounding innovation, and leads us to ask what we really know about when technological innovation improves performance. In this paper, we seek to make a contribution by presenting the results of an exhaustive review of extant knowledge on the outcomes of technological innovation. Our synthesis of the literature allows us to relate in one parsimonious model the drivers and moderators of the antecedents, technical outcomes, and performance outcomes of technological innovation and technological change. We also make sense of the proliferation of terms, and consequent terminological ambiguity, which characterizes a lot of work on technological innovation. Finally, in the light of the model presented and recent developments in work on firm capabilities, we indicate possible avenues for further development of this critical area of research.Technological innovation; organizational performance; innovation and innovativeness;

Appropriating value from external technology: Absorptive capacity dimensions and innovation strategy

Innovation from external sources has continued to grow in importance in recent years, in defiance of conventional wisdom advocating internal sourcing of core technologies. One important reason for the previous emphasis on internal sourcing of core technologies relates to concerns of horizontal and vertical appropriability. Thus, the question arises of whether and how firms can reconcile horizontal and vertical appropriability with the rise of the external sourcing of new technologies. Must firms sacrifice value appropriation on the altar of value creation? To answer these questions, we delve beneath individual technological innovations to examine the technical and market capabilities underlying them. Specifically, we show how the amount of value a firm stands to appropriate relative to competitors and relative to technology suppliers depends on the fit between its innovation strategy and its previous investments in distinct dimensions of absorptive capacity. At the same time, we also show how first-order capabilities and dynamic capabilities interact to determine firm performance. Thus, we shed light on how and when the move to 'open' innovation will affect the amount of value innovating firms stand to appropriate.Innovation strategy; external sourcing; technology innovation; value appropriation;

Organizational tension between static and dynamic efficiency, The

Efficiency has been defined in at least two different ways: in terms of the refinement of existing products, processes or capabilities (static efficiency) or the development of new ones (dynamic efficiency). This paper analyzes the organizational trade-off between these two forms of efficiency. It shows that there is a tendency towards extremes, and that the irreversibility of efficiency orientations tends to tip the balance to be struck between static and dynamic efficiency toward the latter. The paper also advances hypotheses about the industry, business and corporate factors that mediate between the choice of a particular efficiency orientation and organizational performance.organizational trade-off; efficiency;

Corporate strategy in turbulent environments: Key roles of the corporate level

This paper analyzes the evolution during the period 1986-2002 of the corporate strategy of Lujan, a highly successful car components manufacturer headquartered in Spain, as a way to explore how the corporate level influences the successful evolution of a company exposed to a "turbulent" environment over a long period. We find that the corporate level plays three key roles. First, it drives a firm's evolution by developing a cognitive representation of the firm's competitive landscape. Second, it paces the company's evolution by alternately shifting the balance of organizational initiatives between static efficiency-based "local search" strategies, chosen in times of stability or economic slowdown, and dynamic efficiency-based "long jump" strategies, adopted during periods of major environmental turbulence. Long-jump corporate strategies, carried out through limited downside strategic initiatives such as real options and strategic alliances ("off-line long-jumps"), are particularly frequent in these circumstances. The third role consists of developing an organizational architecture that frames the self-organized coordination of the different business divisions. The Lujan story clearly illustrates the important role of corporate strategy in a firm that must undergo radical transitions as a result of major environmental changes.corporate strategy; turbulent environments; complexity theory; car components;

Competing through business models

In this article a business model is defined as the firm choices on policies, assets and governance structure of those policies and assets, together with their consequences, be them flexible or rigid. We also provide a way to represent such business models to highlight the dynamic loops and to facilitate understanding interaction with other business models. Furthermore, we develop some tests to evaluate the goodness of a business model both in isolation as well as in interaction with other business models of different organizations, be those competitors, complements, suppliers, partners, etc.Business model; Interaction; Competitive Strategy; Competitive Dynamics;

Company strategy: Business model reconfiguration for innovation and internationalization

The competitiveness of a country is the result of the competitiveness of its firms. The competitiveness of firms is partly determined by how their business models interact with the environment to produce offerings with added value. This chapter contributes to the reflection on Catalonia's competitiveness by using the business model concept to highlight the need to adapt business models to new realities in the Catalan environment. Catalan firms have made little effort to reconfigure their business models after being affected by important external shocks. We derive recommendations by presenting and analyzing examples of companies that have innovated in their business models. Business models sit at the core of competitiveness and should be the focus of managers willing to create efficient firms that foster sustained wealth in Catalonia.Strategy; Business; Innovation; Internationalization; competitiveness; Firms;