Supplier Initiating Risk Management Behaviour and Supply-Side Resilience:The Effects of Interpersonal Relationships and Dependence Asymmetry in Buyer-Supplier Relationships

Purpose The aim of the study is to explore how two dimensions of interpersonal relationships (i.e. size and range of relationships) affect supplier-initiating risk management behaviours (SIRMB) and supply-side resilience. Further, the study aims to explore the moderating role of dependence asymmetry. Design/methodology/approach Nine hypotheses are tested based on a moderated mediation analysis of survey data from 247 manufacturing firms in China. The data are validated using a subset of 57 attentive secondary respondents and archival data. Findings SIRMB positively relates to supply-side resilience. Further, SIRMB mediates the positive relationship between range and supply-side resilience, and this relationship is stronger at lower levels of dependence asymmetry. Yet, although dependence asymmetry positively moderates the relationship between range and SIRMB, it negatively moderates the relationship between size and SIRMB. We did not, however, find evidence that size has a conditional indirect effect on supply-side resilience through SIRMB. Practical implications Managers in buying firms can incentivise SIRMB to enhance supply-side resilience by developing a diverse rather than a large set of interpersonal relationships with a supplier. This might include allocating particular employees with a wide range of contacts within a supplier to that relationship, while it may be necessary to adopt different networking strategies for different supplier relationships. Firms in a highly asymmetrical relationship may seek to raise supplier expectations about the necessity to initiate risk management behaviour or look to change the dynamic of the relationship by managing contracts for fairness. Originality/value New knowledge on SIRMB as a mediating variable underpinning the relationship between interpersonal relationships and supply-side resilience is provided; and empirical evidence on the opposing moderation effect of dependence asymmetry is presented

Measuring core inflation in the UK

This PhD thesis provides a comprehensive analysis of inflation in the UK, adopting a data-driven approach to model inflation, evaluate different measures of core inflation, and investigate the impact of monetary shocks on output. The study begins by modelling month-on-month (mom) inflation as an autoregressive process, taking into account factors such as seasonality and VAT changes. A significant 12-month lag effect on inflation was identified, leading to a degree of persistence in annual inflation. This effect was found to exist at the aggregate level and within the majority of consumer expenditure categories. The research also explored the individual components of the Consumer Price Index (CPI) basket using the System of National Accounts (SNA) COICOP expenditure divisions up to 4 digits. The study found that inflation is best explained by itself, indicating a focus on core measures of inflation without reference to other variables. In addition to analysing mom inflation, the thesis investigated different methods for measuring core inflation and their effectiveness in predicting future inflation at the 12- month horizon. The exclusion of food and energy prices, the use of trimmed means, and the inclusion of sticky prices were evaluated. The results showed that the exclusion of food and energy measure and the sticky price index have the best forecasting performance at the 12-month horizon, while the autoregressive and seasonal autoregressive integrated moving average models have the worst performance. In the third chapter, the thesis delves deeper into the intricacies of inflation persistence and the impact of monetary shocks on output. The Generalized Taylor Economy (GTE) model proposed by Dixon and Kara (2005b) was introduced, providing a flexible framework for capturing the heterogeneity of wage-setting processes across sectors. The research underscores the significant influence of long-term contracts on economic output and its persistence. Furthermore, the diverse range of contract lengths present in the economy and their potential influence on economic dynamics is significant. Measuring Core Inflation in the UK Abstract Page III Overall, this thesis has made a valuable contribution to the literature on macroeconomic modeling by providing a more comprehensive understanding of inflation persistence, the impact of monetary shocks on output, and the effectiveness of different measures of core inflation in forecasting future inflation. The findings of the study have important implications for policymakers and practitioners who rely on accurate inflation forecasts to make informed decisions

A case study of the Lunger phenomenon based on multiple algorithms

In this study, we conduct a thorough and meticulous examination of the Runge phenomenon. Initially, we engage in an extensive review of relevant literature, which aids in delineating the genesis and essence of the Runge phenomenon, along with an exploration of both conventional and contemporary algorithmic solutions. Subsequently, the paper delves into a diverse array of resolution methodologies, encompassing classical numerical approaches, regularization techniques, mock-Chebyshev interpolation, the TISI (Three-Interval Interpolation Strategy), external pseudo-constraint interpolation, and interpolation strategies predicated upon Singular Value Decomposition (SVD). For each method, we not only introduce but also innovate a novel algorithm to effectively address the phenomenon. This paper executes detailed numerical computations for each method, employing visualization techniques to vividly illustrate the efficacy of various strategies in mitigating the Runge phenomenon. Our findings reveal that although traditional methods exhibit commendable performance in certain instances, novel approaches such as mock-Chebyshev interpolation and regularization-centric methods demonstrate marked superiority in specific contexts. Moreover, the paper provides a critical analysis of these methodologies, specifically highlighting the constraints and potential avenues for enhancement in SVD decomposition-based interpolation strategies. In conclusion, we propose future research trajectories and underscore the imperative of further exploration into interpolation strategies, with an emphasis on their practical application validation. This article serves not only as a comprehensive resource on the Runge phenomenon for researchers but also offers pragmatic guidance for resolving real-world interpolation challenges.Comment: 13 Figures 9 Pages. After first submission, there was a revision of the authorship order, which was the result of joint discussion