Assessing Perceptions of the Integrative Justice Model Propositions: A Critical Step Toward Operationalizing a Macro Model

Propositions underlying the theoretical tenets of the Integrative Justice Model (IJM), a normative, ethical framework for engaging in impoverished markets, are investigated for reliability in application. Santos and Laczniak provide numerous decision principles to help the marketer to evaluate fairness in the marketplace exchange, yet which are most reflective of the core tenets and most useful in application? Managerial perceptions of the extent to which the propositions reflect the core tenets of the IJM are evaluated in this critical step toward operationalizing the model. Factor analysis is implemented with a relatively small sample, a challenge particularly common in research with the impoverished or marginalized, to evaluate the decision principles most reflective of the core tenets, from the perspective of the marketer/manager. Normality is not considered a critical assumption of factor analysis where groups of like variables are clustered into underlying constructs. This work articulates a critical step in macromarketing research methods, exemplifying an approach resilient to micro samples under macro frameworks

Fostering Fair and Sustainable Marketing for Social Entrepreneurs in the Context of Subsistence Marketplaces

In recent years, in-depth, on-the-ground research has generated many insights into the nature and functioning of subsistence marketplaces and the people who operate in them. Such knowledge is bound to be useful to various companies and organisations, as they seek to engage such marketplaces, particularly for marketing managers, who quite likely have not had education or experience in marketing in such impoverished settings. This paper complements these practical insights with a normative ethical framework, presented in the marketing literature and labelled the integrative justice model (IJM) for impoverished markets, so as to synthesise a new framework for fair and sustainable marketing for social entrepreneurs in the context of subsistence marketplaces

The “Integrative Justice Model” as Transformative Justice for Base-of-the-Pyramid Marketing

Writing in Business and Politics, Santos and Laczniak (Business and Politics 14(1) 2012) formulated a normative, ethical approach to be followed when marketers e ngage impoverished market segments. It is labeled the integrative justice model (IJM). As noted below, that approach called for authentic engagement, co-creation, and customer interest representation, among other elements, when transacting with vulnerable market segments. Basically, the IJM derived certain operational virtues, implied by moral philosophy, to be used when marketing to the poor. But this well-intentioned approach raises a significant “So what?” question. Are such sentiments anything but lofty aspirations for idealists or are there steps to be taken by society and business managers of goodwill to make the adaptation of the IJM by corporations more likely and pragmatic? This paper begins to layout a roadmap that shows “how and why” the IJM might more likely be vitalized. The crux, as described below, is found in the transformational justice dimensions that are embedded in institutions (and supporting institutional arrangements); such external institutions provide a “power” impetus to assure the ethical rights claims that impoverished consumers have owed to them. In this way, the ideal exchange characteristics for bottom (or base) of the pyramid (BoP) markets argued for in the IJM can become actively transformational. The main contribution of this paper is that it begins to chart out the institutional system elements that need to exercise power in order to deliver a “fairer” marketplace for BoP consumers

Recovery of the Austrian economy following the COVID-19 crisis can take up to three years, IIASA Policy Brief #26

Collaboration between researchers from IIASA, WU, WIFO, and the IHS provides scenarios of the medium-run economic effects of the lockdown in Austria using the IIASA macroeconomic simulation model. The analysis suggests that the return to the business-as-usual trend may take up to three years after a steep initial economic downturn due to the lockdown, and a gradual recovery thereafter

Auswirkungen der Arbeitsmarktöffnung am 1. Mai auf den Wirtschafts- und Arbeitsstandort Österreich

aus dem Inhaltsverzeichnis: Zusammenfassung; Executive Summary; Einleitung; Die Erfahrungen Österreichs mit der Freizügigkeit der Arbeitskräfte; Modellsimulation; Literaturüberblick zu volkswirtschaftlichen Effekten von Migration auf das Zielland; Wirtschaftspolitische Schlussfolgerungen; Literaturverzeichnis; Appendix; Tabellen; Abbildungen

Identification of metabolic genes essential for proliferation of clear cell Renal Cell Carcinoma (ccRCC) cells

Kidney cancer accounts for 2-3% of adult malignancies with clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC) being the most common histological subtype (70-80% of cases). Interestingly, ccRCCs show a highly distinct metabolic phenotype making this disease stand out amongst other cancer types. The underlying causes of the aberrant metabolism in ccRCC are not fully understood, but metabolic transformation could provide novel strategies for targeted therapies in this disease. The pVHL tumour suppressor is located on chromosome 3p21, which is frequently lost in ccRCC. pVHL is a negative regulator of the Hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF), which orchestrates the cellular response to oxygen deprivation and might contribute to the aberrant metabolic phenotype of ccRCC cells. In order to reveal metabolic weaknesses in ccRCC, a customised RNAi screen targeting 230 different metabolic enzymes, regulators and nutrient transporters was performed. The screen was performed in a panel of 5 ccRCC pVHL-null cell lines and included their counterparts with reconstituted pVHL, in order to also identify potential vulnerabilities that depend on VHL function. With this approach, several genes that are essential for ccRCC cell viability but dispensable for the survival of non-malignant renal epithelial cells were identified. It was found that ccRCC cell lines are highly sensitive to ablation of components of the glutathione-dependent reactive oxygen species (ROS) detoxification system. Silencing of enzymes of the glutathione biosynthesis pathway or different glutathione peroxidases (GPXs) severely impaired cell viability. One of the precursors of glutathione biosynthesis is glutamate, which is generated from glutamine by glutaminase (GLS). Interestingly, there is evidence that ccRCCs are highly dependent on the MYC oncogene, which induces many enzymes within the glutaminolysis pathway. Indeed, we found that glutamine starvation or chemical inhibition of GLS reduced proliferation and viability of ccRCC cells, confirming the importance of this pathway in ccRCC. In conclusion, the study reported in this thesis provides insight into the metabolic dependencies of ccRCC cells and emphasises the need for a solid anti-oxidant system for ccRCC cell survival and proliferation. Concomitantly, the reliance of ccRCC cells on glutamine and glutathione is a vulnerability that could potentially be exploited for diagnostic and/or therapeutical applications

Economic Forecasting with an Agent-Based Model

We develop the first agent-based model (ABM) that can compete with benchmark VAR and DSGE models in out-of-sample forecasting of macro variables. Our ABM for a small open economy uses micro and macro data from national and sector accounts, input-output tables, government statistics, census and business demography data. The model incorporates all economic activities as classified by the European System of Accounts as heterogeneous agents. The detailed structure of the ABM allows for a breakdown into sector level forecasts. Potential applications of the model include stress-testing and predicting the effects of changes in monetary, fiscal, or other macroeconomic policies