Search

This paper examines strategies for integrating decision cases in the design of college courses. The benefits of decision cases are acknowledged but teaching strategies that rely solely on decision cases are challenged. A lack of real-world experience and knowledge among students can limit the effectiveness of teaching exclusively with decision cases in undergraduate or graduate classes. In such classes, decision cases need not be the sole teaching approach. Cases are much more often combined with lectures, problem sets and other teaching techniques. Suggested guidelines for incorporating cases into the design of courses are based on five critical topics: 1) course educational objectives, 2) the sequencing of case and other course material, 3) necessary facilities, timing and support 4) the number and mix of cases desirable in a course, and 5) evaluation of students.

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY: In the Fall of 1994, researchers in the Department of Agricultural Economics at Michigan State University identified the following two questions: 1.To what degree (if any) are smaller agribusiness and food industry firms involved in international markets? 2.To what degree (if any) are international markets a potential opportunity for smaller agribusiness and food industry firms? In an effort to address these two questions, researchers contacted 543 Michigan-based, small- to medium-sized agri-food firms to solicit their participation in a mail survey. Firms willing to participate in the study returned a postcard with a limited amount of information on it about the company's current marketing and sales activities. An additional 88 firms agreed to participate in the survey when they were contacted by telephone. Of the 242 firms that were sent a mail survey, 46% returned a completed questionnaire (n=112). Sixty-seven of the returned surveys were from non-exporting firms, 37 were current exporters and 12 were firms that had once been exporters but were now re-focused on U.S. markets. Statistical analysis of the returned survey data consisted of cross- tabulations, a base-line logistic regression using variables taken from the mail survey, and a second logistic regression using a six factor model generated during factor analysis of the data base. The predictive accuracy of the two logistic regression models were 88.46 and 87.76%, respectively. The statistical analysis identified a set of explanatory variables that influenced the probability a given firm would be an exporter. The implications of these findings are that decisions about exporting are influenced by the following: * a decision maker's perceptions about transaction costs in international markets (e.g., the costs of writing and negotiating contracts, collecting payments, enforcing protection from bankruptcy defaults) * a decision maker's perceptions about demand in international markets (e.g., growth of markets, sales opportunities, global supply relative to demand) * the ability to establish and sustain relationships with international customers * key environmental stimuli that increase the decision maker's exposure to an international frame of reference (e.g., receiving unsolicited orders from customers outside the U.S., having customers who are exporters) * firm size correlates positively with the probability to export. However, size is neither a necessary nor sufficient condition to be an exporter. The study identified both very small firms (as few as 2 employees) that were exporters and larger firms (over 100 employees) that were non-exporters.

The economic role and limitations of cooperatives are derived using an approach based on investment cash flows and net present value. Cooperatives are viewed as an option for member investment as well as an option for member patronage. The investment approach yields results similar to the traditional paradigms that focus on patronage. In addition, the approach makes more explicit the impact of member investment on cooperative existence, valuation, performance measurement, and strategy options.

Falling commodity returns. Proliferating environmental regulations. More complicated technologies. Pickier consumers. The general outlook is for an economic environment that puts greatly increased demands on agribusiness management. It's a sow's ear. What can be done with it?

Atten sporstofforsøk ble gjennomført i og ved nordgående tunnelløp i Vålerengatunnelen. Spredningsforsøkene bekrefter tidligere modellberegninger. Fra 60 til 150 m fra munningen var sporstoffkonsentrasjonen under 10% av konsentrasjonen i munningen. Ved vind langs Strømsveien var sporstoffkonsentrasjonen 40-60 m ut fra veien 10% av konsentrasjonen på veien.

During tracer experiments to quantify leakages of hydrocarbons, a fast response analyzer (response time 0.4 sec) for SF6 was tested in the field. The analyzer provided adequate cover of concentration fluctuations within the mean tracer plume. The peak to mean ratio within the plumes were mostly less than 3.0, while the concentration fluctuation intensities were 0.2- 0.3.

Eighteen tracer experiments were conducted in and near the northbound tube of the Vålerenga tunnel. The tracer tests confirm previous modelling results concerning air pollution impact from the tunnel. The tracer gas concentration 60 to 150 m from the tunnel was below 10% of the concentration in the tunnel outlet. For wind along Strømsveien, tracer gas concentrations 40-60 meters from the road was 10% of the roadside concentration.