Eli P. Cox

The Optimal Number of Response Alternatives for a Scale: A Review

A conceptual framework employing the distinction between stimulus-centered and subject-centered scales is presented as a basis for reviewing 80 years of literature on the optimal number of response...

Assessment of shifting global competitiveness: Patent applications and grants in four major trading countries

R ecord U.S. trade deficits during the 1980s have directed increasing research attention to national competitiveness. U.S. trade deficits have been equated with the deteriorating competitiveness of U.S. firms in the world market. However, the recent dollar depreciation has allowed U.S. trade deficits to decline, particularly with Western Europe, while the deficits still remain a relatively sticky problem with Japan. In the political arena, foreign trade barriers (particularly in Japan, China, and other Asian countries) often have been blamed, for mounting U.S. trade deficits. However, data from GAIT and other sources suggest that in addition to competitive weaknesses in U.S. industry, the United States has a comparably high level of tariff and non-tariff barriers to Western Europe and Japan. The Presidents Commission on Industrial Competitiveness (1985) defines U.S. competitiveness as the degree to which the United States can, under free and fair market conditions, produce goods and services that meet the test of international markets while simultaneously maintaining or expanding the real income of its citizens. At a quantitative level, no single indicator accurately measures all aspects of U.S. competitiveness. The trade balance is a partial reflection of a nations competitiveness, but it also reflects exchange rate fluctuations and trade barriers. Variants of trade balance, such as a natioras share of world exports and its import penetration, also are frequently used measures of competitiveness. These measures, similar to the trade deficit, reflect past performance and are less indicative of a nations current and future competitiveness. Numerous studies have shown the importance of a nations innovative ability as a foundation for future competitiveness in international trade. A nations product and process innovations have become increasingly critical prerequisites for the success of its firms in global competition. Patent data also cast some concern over future U.S. cornTrends in patent applications and grants in four countries studied suggest not only a decline in the U.S. competitive position, but an apparent technological life cycle as well.

Psychology, marketing and warnings research: Bridging the gap between consumer theory and warning practice

It is remarkable that although warnings appear on thousands of consumer and industrial products, little empirical research has been conducted (Cox, Wogalter, Stokes, & Murff 1997). It is also remarkable that marketing has contributed so little to what empirical research evaluating product warnings can be found. This is unfortunate, because the marketing discipline has a research tradition, theoretical models, and experimental procedures that could stimulate and advance significantly the state of the art in warnings research. · Over the last century, products, equipment, and environments have become increasingly complex technologically, resulting in many potential hazards not readily apparent to laypeople. In response to this problem, thousands of warnings have been developed to protect workers and consumers from injury, illness, and property damage. The increased presence of warnings has been fueled by several important forces. One has been the publics increased concern about safety and health. An important manifestation of this concern has been the increasingly proactive role of governments and standards organizations around the world in mandating warnings. A second manifestation has been the U. S. judicial systems shift from the theory of negligence to the theory of strict liability, resulting in a reduction in the burden of proofrequired for plaintiffs in product-liability lawsuits (Madden, 1988). Manufactur-