Equilibrium structure and fluctuations of suspensions of colloidal dumbbells

We investigate the structure and equilibrium linear-response dynamics of suspensions of hard colloidal dumbbells using Brownian Dynamics computer simulations. The focus lies on the dense fluid and plastic crystal states of the colloids with investigated aspect (elongation-to-diameter) ratios varying from the hard sphere limit up to 0.39, which is roughly the stability limit of the plastic crystal phase. We find expected structural changes with larger elongation with respect to the hard sphere reference case and very localized orientational correlations, typically just involving next-neighbor couplings. These relatively weak correlations are also reflected in only minor effects on the translational and rotational diffusion coefficients for most of the investigated elongations. However, the linear response shear viscosity exhibits a dramatic increase at high packing fractions ($\phi\gtrsim 0.5$) beyond a critical anisotropy factor of about $L^* \simeq 0.15$ which is surprising in view of the relatively weak changes found before on the level of colloidal self-dynamics. We suspect that even for the small investigated anisotropies, newly occurring, collective rotational-translational couplings must be made responsible for the slow time scales appearing in the plastic crystal.Comment: Molecular Physics 201

Labor market adjustments after a large import shock: Evidence from the German clothing industry and the Multi-Fibre Arrangement

This paper considers labor market adjustments following a large import shock in the German clothing industry caused by the phasing out of the Multi-Fibre Arrangement. Using the German shoe industry as a control group and administrative data, we study adjustments on the individual and firm level using difference-in-differences. Our results suggest relatively small increases in unemployment risk and no wage effects on the individual level, despite a 30% increase in plant mortality. Part of the different effects found for plants and individuals can be attributed to the reallocation of workers into other industries and occupations.

Labor Market Adjustments after a Large Import Shock: Evidence from the German Clothing Industry and the Multi-Fibre Arrangement

This paper considers labor market adjustments following a large import shock in the German clothing industry caused by the phasing out of the Multi-Fibre Arrangement. Using the German shoe industry as a control group and administrative data, we study adjustments on the individual and firm level using difference-in-differences. Our results suggest relatively small increases in unemployment risk and no wage effects on the individual level, despite a 30% increase in plant mortality. Part of the different effects found for plants and individuals can be attributed to the reallocation of workers into other industries and occupations.import shock, adjustment, clothing industry, Germany

Product Differentiation and Profitability in German Manufacturing Firms

We use a unique rich newly built data set for German manufacturing enterprises to investigate the product differentiation – firm performance relationship. We find that an increase in the degree of product diversification has a negative impact on profitability when observed and unobserved firm characteristics are controlled for. The effects are statistically significant and large from an economic point of view. This helps to understand the – at least, at a first glance – surprising fact that nearly 40 percent of all manufacturing enterprises with at least 20 employees in Germany are singleproduct firms according to a detailed classification of products, and that multi-product enterprises with a large number of goods are a rare species.Product differentiation, profitability. Germany

Exploring SOA’s Potential For Business Process Outsourcing

Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) represents an organizational change which results in an e-Business relationship between a firm and an outsourcing service provider. This paper analyzes whether and how a modular IT architecture - service-oriented architecture (SOA), in particular - contributes to the potential of BPO by increasing the benefits and reducing the costs. This research question is investigated using a multi-case study approach based on six different firms which have adopted SOA. Three of them have already made BPO experiences based on SOA and all confirm SOA’s positive impact on BPO. Besides identifying success factors, counter intuitive results and new research opportunities are identified

The two transitions in Central and Eastern Europe and the relation between path dependent and politically implemented institutional change

"The increasing gap between the formerly socialist countries of Central and Eastern Europe (CE & EE) with regard to both their economic and political performance cannot be explained by their different starting conditions after the breakdown of the Soviet Union alone. Rather, it is due to cultural and historical circumstances that shape the particular tradition and societal environment. Taking a cultural approach and referring to the newer literature on the transfer of institutions, we try to improve the understanding of the interrelation between formal and informal institutions. Our central thesis is that the ‘reaction rate’ of informal institutions depends on their compatibility with imported formal institutions. The transition processes in CE & EE can tell us much about the relation between path dependent and politically implemented institutional change. During the 20th century the countries of CE & EE twice went through rapid institutional change: For centuries they had acculturated to Western Europe, but as a result of the October Revolution ‘Eastern’ patterns were imposed upon them. Since the breakdown of the SU in the late 1980s they have ‚returned to Europe‘ by (re-)establishing democracy and capitalism. In our opinion, to understand the differences in performance between the transition countries, it is necessary to interpret both transitions as processes of institutional transplantation and ask how the informal institutional settings in the different countries interacted with the imported formal institutions." [author's abstract

Nonequilibrium Structure of Colloidal Dumbbells under Oscillatory Shear

We investigate the nonequilibrium behavior of dense, plastic-crystalline suspensions of mildly anisotropic colloidal hard dumbbells under the action of an oscillatory shear field by employing Brownian dynamics computer simulations. In particular, we extend previous investigations, where we uncovered novel nonequilibrium phase transitions, to other aspect ratios and to a larger nonequilibrium parameter space, that is, a wider range of strains and shear frequencies. We compare and discuss selected results in the context of novel scattering and rheological experiments. Both simulations and experiments demonstrate that the previously found transitions from the plastic crystal phase with increasing shear strain also occur at other aspect ratios. We explore the transition behavior in the strain-frequency phase and summarize it in a nonequilibrium phase diagram. Additionally, the experimental rheology results hint at a slowing down of the colloidal dynamics with higher aspect ratio

Product Diversification and Stability of Employment and Sales: First Evidence from German Manufacturing Firms

We use a unique rich newly built data set for German manufacturing enterprises to investigate the relationship between product diversification and the stability of sales and employment. We find that contrary to portfolio theoretic considerations more diversified firms exhibit a higher variability of sales and employment. However, the effects are negligibly small from an economics point of view.Product diversification, stability, variability, Germany

Immobilisierung von Proteinen in elektrogesponnenen polymeren Nanofasern

Immobilisierung von Proteinen in elektrogesponnenen polymeren Nanofasern

An empirical evaluation of the impact of process standardization on process performance and flexibility

This paper argues that business process standardization, as part of BPM activities, is an effective way to improve business process flexibility and performance. We develop and empirically evaluate a theoretical model of the differential impact of business process homogenization and optimization on business process flexibility and performance. The analysis based on data from 85 large firms shows a strong and highly significant influence of process standardization on business process flexibility and performance. This paper is among the first to propose a research model and empirical operationalization to analyze the twofold impact of process standardization on business process flexibility and performance. For practitioners the paper provides actionable recommendations on how to apply the findings to their management context