Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Post War Industrialisation and Growth: What Can a Lewis Type Model Explain?

We investigate the extent to which segmented labour markets in industrializing economies, generate productivity and GDP growth. The paper presents a Lewis type model in which an efficiency wage results in a productivity gap between the traditional and modern sectors. We find, first, that the demand for modern sector labour is driven mainly by physical capital accumulation. Second, for 20% of our sample, segmented labour markets result in an implied additional return to capital of 13 percentage points. Thus we also find that this process of structural change has an important quantitative effect of observed growth rates.
Business Routes of Influence in Brussels: Exploring the Choice of Direct Representation

This paper presents one of the first statistical analyses of the factors that determine the extent to which direct influence strategies are used by companies. New survey evidence and multivariate analysis is used to assess seven hypotheses to explain direct influence strategies. The factor of greatest significance is company size since direct influence is open only to large companies. But the extent to which direct influence is followed by large companies depends on their sector, its extent of organization, the sector's size and ‘weight’, and the form of the business association relevant to the sector. Direct influence is more likely where associations cover large corporate businesses (rather than owner-managers, professionals, federations or mixed associations), in sectors with a high degree of market concentration within large companies, and where their associations are relatively small. These findings are related to the logic of collective action suggesting that in sectors where there is the least chance to opt out of an association, there is a greater chance of a business also directly lobbying in order to assure itself that its interests are not being diluted and so that it can gain direct specific information or influence benefits.
DIVERGENT EXPECTATIONS AND THE ASIAN FINANCIAL CRISIS OF 1997

An important question concerning integration of global financial markets is whether local investors in an equity market react differently from international investors, particularly during periods of financial crisis. Considering local investors are closer to information, they might turn pessimistic before foreign investors before a crisis. We examine whether local investors in each of the six Asian stock markets--Indonesia, Korea, Malaysia, the Philippines, Taiwan, and Thailand--reacted differently from international investors during the 1997 Asian financial crisis. Our empirical results indicate that, in general, closed-end country fund share prices (mainly driven by foreign investors) Granger-cause the respective net asset values (NAVs, mainly driven by local investors). Moreover, this one-way Granger-causality effect from share prices to NAVs becomes much stronger during the crisis period after controlling for U.S. stock returns. Our results suggest international investors turned pessimistic before local investors.
University–Industry Linkage Evolution: An Empirical Investigation of Relational Success Factors

University–industry linkages (UILs) offer an array of benefits for the parties involved and the economy at large; however, research provides limited theoretical development and practical advice on successfully managing UILs from initial negotiations to project completion and beyond. This paper, thus, empirically investigates the impact of relational success factors (communication, trust, understanding, individuals) on UIL performance across three phases of evolution, accounting for the changing manifestations of these factors over time. Communication emerged as a consistent predictor of success, with positive interrelationships between individuals advancing all relational success factors across all phases. A positive effect of trust and understanding, however, only emerged for some relationship phases. Results provide managers with insight into forms relational drivers take throughout long‐lasting successful UILs.
Impact of Human Capital Incorporation on Economic Value Added of Large Scale Organizations: A Conceptual Managerial Decision Making Approach

In today’s turbulent times, Corporate have realized the importance of human capital in the corporate world. But there was no such method suggested to show human capital in the framework of conventional accounting. After an exhaustive literature survey, the paper has focused on financial approach towards human capital management and has developed a conceptual managerial decision making model of Economic Value Added (EVA) with incorporation of human capital in the calculation of Weighted Average Cost of Capital (WACC) which will help the organizations in the long run to know the real value of EVA which has become the real indicator for the increase or decrease in shareholders fund. The appropriate value of EVA differs from organizations to organizations depending upon different HR practices, size, and nature and planned outcomes of the business. The paper first has explored the concept of EVA and Human Capital Management and economic definitions cited in Google website and has attempted in citing human capital definition which has been derived from the conclusion of the study. The paper has also attempted in framing a calculation methodology (Dash. Sujata. P (2013), “Inclusion of human capital in the calculation of WACC”, European Scientific Journal, Vol.9, No.28, pp. 405-421) to find out the true economic profit that is the EVA of any organizations in Indian context irrespective of manufacturing and service sector industries which gives an insight about the appropriate value which directly reflects the true wealth of the shareholders after incorporating human capital in the calculation of WACC. Any organizations can utilize the calculation methodology and can thereby enhance the performance of their organization using EVA because EVA is a financial performance metric that measures value based on adjusted accounting data to access financial performance and help a company grow. (Stewart, p.3, Makelainen & Rozticki, 1998, p.7). EVA measures the profitability of a company after taking into account the cost of all capital including equity. It is the post -tax return on capital employed (adjusted for the tax shield on debt) minus the cost of capital employed. The paper finally describes the conceptual managerial decision making model of EVA with inclusion of human capital and tested the role of human capital management in economic value addition of large scale organizations empirically. Keywords: Human Capital, Human Capital Management, Economic Value Added, Weighted Average Cost of Capital.
Sorting Out Downside Beta

Downside risk, when properly defined and estimated, helps to explain the cross-section of US stock returns. Sorting stocks by a proper estimate of downside market beta leads to a substantially larger cross-sectional spread in average returns than sorting on regular market beta. This result arises despite the fact that downside beta is based on fewer return observations and therefore is more difficult to estimate and predict. The explanatory power of downside risk remains after controlling for other stock characteristics, including firm-level size, value and momentum.
Social mediation in remote developing world tourism locations – the significance of social ties between local guides and host communities in sustainable tourism development

This article discusses the role of the local, or regional, guide as a social mediator between a host society and tourists, as a means of sustainable tourism development in developing world locations. The debate illustrates how previous studies have neglected this social aspect of mediation by tourist guides and partly absorbed it into the concept of cultural mediation. Empirical illustrations are offered from the context of small tourist group visitations to local villages in rural areas of Madagascar, where collective social norms still play an important role. A qualitative approach based on personal interviews with guides and on field trip experience and observation is employed. Empirical findings indicate that the inclination of the host society to welcome accompanied tourists is facilitated by the capacity of local guides to develop relatively strong social ties with the host society. It is suggested that the increased use of local guides with good social relationships with the local communities as against the mere employment of non-local accompanying guides working for centrally located tour operators can enrich the mutual experience quality in the encounter between visitors and hosts and support local sustainable development by enhanced local involvement. Implications for sustainable tourism practice are discussed.
Coping and quality of life of patients following microsurgical treatment for breast cancer–related lymphedema

Breast cancer–related lymphedema is associated with numerous adverse outcomes. This study investigated the extent clinical factors, lymphedema symptoms, lymphedema-related appearance, and coping strategies predicted quality of life. Female patients who underwent microsurgical treatment for lymphedema (n = 54) participated. Lymphedema symptoms were associated with physical and functional well-being, but not emotional and social well-being. Clinical factors and lymphedema-related appearance were not significantly associated with quality of life. Compared to adaptive coping strategies, maladaptive coping strategies (e.g. denial, venting, self-blame) were more strongly associated with quality of life. This suggests psychosocial interventions aimed at modifying maladaptive coping behaviors can potentially improve quality of life for this patient population.
Predicting Commodity-Futures Basis Factor Return by Basis Spread

A growing body of literature confirms the significance of the commodity futures basis factor: It has a significantly positive premium and it explains the cross-section of commodity-futures excess returns. We extend the literature by documenting predictive relation between this factor and the inter-quartile spread in the basis. Using commodity futures market data between 1972 and 2011, we show that the basis spread is a strong predictor of the basis factor return. Our finding supports the insight from recent theoretical models that economy-wide production shock affects the commodity market risk premium through the basis.
Sustainable development of improvement activities--the long-term operation of a suggestion scheme in a Swedish company

Although the use of continuous improvement (CI) is widespread today, many organizations are faced with problems associated with both the implementation and long-term sustainability of their CI programmes. The purpose of this article is to identify factors important for the sustainable development of suggestion schemes. A case study has been performed in a company that was chosen because the suggestion scheme has been in existence for nine years with a activity level. The main method used is semi-structured interviews and the study of the long-term development has been complemented with previous research performed at the case study company. There seem to have been three periods in the development of the suggestion scheme. First, a period when the system was introduced by a champion (Initiation). Secondly, a period of decline in interest (Decline). Finally, a period of new interest when the suggestion scheme attracted new attention from employees (New Interest). A number of factors seem to influence the sustainability of the suggestion scheme. (1) A champion initiated the suggestion scheme in 1993. (2) The system has been simple and easy to adjust to suit the interests of the stakeholders within the organization. Furthermore it was not too time consuming for anyone involved. (3) Commitment both from managers and shop-floor workers has been an important aspect of the sustainability of the system. (4) Also important was quick feedback to employees submitting suggestions.
Does European Integration Lead to a `Presidentialization' of Executive Politics?

In this article, we address recent claims that executive— legislative relations in parliamentary democracies are undergoing important changes owing to either a `presidentialization' or a `Europeanization' of domestic political systems. Therefore, we test empirically whether parliamentary democracies are indeed experiencing changes in executive—legislative relations and whether these developments can, in part, be explained by an increase in European integration. Using data on ministerial selection in Swedish cabinets during the years 1952—2006, we find that there appears to be a slight tendency towards `presidentialization', which is indicated by a decrease in ministers with a parliamentary background being appointed, and that there exists some support for the notion that Sweden's political and economic integration into the European Union is part of the explanation for this change.
Fertility and regulated wages in an OLG model of neoclassical growth: Pensions and old age support

Since little attention has been paid to the effects of the regulation of wages on individuals' fertility choice, this paper investigates such effects within a standard OLG model of neoclassical growth. Some new results, so far escaped closer scrutiny by the increasing literature investigating economic growth and fertility, and which may have interesting policy implications, emerge: introducing minimum wages may, under suitable conditions, (1) have a favourable impact on the long-run outcomes of the economy; and (2) reduce the population growth rate. This occurs more likely when both sufficiently high capital's weight in technology and unemployment benefits do exist. Interestingly, these results are robust to different extensions introducing pensions and intra-family transfers. Therefore, to the extent that the absence of unions and of any regulation of wages are related with low wages, and the weight of capital in the distribution is increasing, the findings of this work also offer some policy implications which are, especially for developing countries in which the population growth may be too high, very interesting.
The new trade politics and EU competition policy: shopping for convergence and co-operation

Abstract As firms increasingly trade and invest internationally, the decisions of competition regulators can increasingly interact with the political decisions that govern trade policy. Competition regulators prefer promoting international convergence and co-operation as a means to avoid trade-related and other political interventions in their regulatory decisions. This article employs a venue shopping model of policy change to identify those international organizations through which the European Union's Directorate General Competition is most likely to seek co-operation and convergence in international competition policy. The Directorate General Competition shops among four different international organizations – the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development, the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development, the World Trade Organization and the International Competition Network. Five different legal features frame and determine Directorate General Competition's preference for selecting among these different venues, which, in turn, helps to explain the current and future dynamics of competition policy in the new trade politics.
The impact of a mass media campaign on personal risk perception, perceived self-efficacy and on other behavioural predictors

To determine whether an AIDS prevention mass media campaign influenced risk perception, self-efficacy and other behavioural predictors. We used household survey data collected from 2,213 sexually experienced male and female Kenyans aged 15–39. Respondents were administered a questionnaire asking them about their exposure to branded and generic mass media messages concerning HIV/AIDS and condom use. They were asked questions concerning their personal risk perception, self-efficacy, condom effectiveness, condom availability, and their embarrassment in obtaining condoms. Logistic regression analysis was used to determine the impact of exposure to mass media messages on these predictors of behaviour change. Those exposed to branded advertising messages were significantly more likely to consider themselves at higher risk of acquiring HIV and to believe in the severity of AIDS. Exposure to branded messages was also associated with a higher level of personal self-efficacy, a greater belief in the efficacy of condoms, a lower level of perceived difficulty in obtaining condoms and reduced embarrassment in purchasing condoms. Moreover, there was a dose–response relationship: a higher intensity of exposure to advertising was associated with more positive outcomes. Exposure to generic advertising messages was less frequently associated with positive health beliefs and these relationships were also weaker. Branded mass media campaigns that promote condom use as an attractive lifestyle choice are likely to contribute to the development of perceptions that are conducive to the adoption of condom use.
Migration and Migrants Entrepreneurial Skills in South Africa: Assets or Liabilities?

Cape Town’s CBD, as well as many of its suburbs, is a location that hosts many immigrant entrepreneurs. An empirical research was conducted in these areas to determine the impact of those immigrant entrepreneurs with regards to the transmission of entrepreneurial skills to local citizens. Literature on migration and its consequences was reviewed. A questionnaire as a research instrument was drawn up and pilot-tested. A sample of 120 immigrants was used, and face-to-face interviews were conducted. Findings revealed that more than 73% of immigrant entrepreneurs transmit their entrepreneurial skills to locals who are either employed by them or do business with them. The study also revealed that 82% of the immigrant entrepreneurs’ employees are locals, of whom 54% have ascertained to have acquired entrepreneurial skills from their employers. The study was conducted only in Cape Town and some of its suburbs, and therefore does not represent the general trend in the whole country. Furthermore, the study involved only those immigrants from the African continent. The overall result is an acknowledgment of the contribution that foreigners are making on skills development and to the country’s growth. In conclusion, recommendations relevant to policy change on South African immigration law are made, as well as suggestions offered for government intervention in teaching tolerance and peaceful cohabitation between foreigners and locals. DOI: 10.5901/mjss.2014. v5n14p147
Executive and Scrutiny Reforms: The Agenda and its Impact at Devon County Council

This article evaluates the shift to an executive and scrutiny model in local government by assessing the changes at Devon County Council. Interviews were used to evaluate support for the changes and identify the key issues and problems. Most members had little enthusiasm for the reforms, support for the changes was dependent on the loyalty of Liberal Democrat backbenchers towards the leadership and central government's legislative agenda. The analysis revealed substantial problems with the operation of the reformed structure and suggested that the changes might fail to deliver the benefits expected by central government.
A calcium‐induced calcium‐release mechanism supports Luteinizing Hormone (LH) induced testosterone secretion in mice Leydig cells

Binding of LH to a G Protein Coupled Receptor in the plasma membrane, results in a primary increase in cAMP and in the intracellular calcium concentration ([Ca2+]i in Leydig cells. Immunocytochemical labeling with specific antibodies show the presence of three distinct isoforms of both ryanodine receptors (RYRs) and inositol 1,4,5‐trisphosphate receptors (IP3Rs). Measurements of intracellular calcium activity, using the fluorescent calcium sensitive dye Fluo3 and confocal microscopy, demonstrate that these receptors are involved in a calcium induced calcium release mechanism (CICR), responsible for the amplification of the initial Ca2+ influx through plasma membrane T‐type calcium channels (CaV3), induced by LH. The RYRs and IP3Rs are functional, as judged both from their activation by caffeine and IP3 and block by ryanodine and 2‐APB, respectively. Nevertheless, the intracellular global calcium changes resulting from treatment of the cells with LH are readily blocked 100 μM ryanodine but not by 2‐APB or xestospongin C. Besides this, blockage of the ryanodine receptor inhibits both the hormone‐induced [Ca2+]i transients and steroid secretion by Leydig cells. These results not only broaden the understanding of the role played by calcium in Leydig cells but also show, for the first time, that ryanodine receptors have a crucial role in determining secretion of testosterone by the testis.
Cost-effectiveness of diacetylmorphine versus methadone for chronic opioid dependence refractory to treatment

Background: Although diacetylmorphine has been proven to be more effective than methadone maintenance treatment for opioid dependence, its direct costs are higher. We compared the cost-effectiveness of diacetylmorphine and methadone maintenance treatment for chronic opioid dependence refractory to treatment. Methods: We constructed a semi-Markov cohort model using data from the North American Opiate Medication Initiative trial, supplemented with administrative data for the province of British Columbia and other published data, to capture the chronic, recurrent nature of opioid dependence. We calculated incremental cost-effectiveness ratios to compare diacetylmorphine and methadone over 1-, 5-, 10-year and lifetime horizons. Results: Diacetylmorphine was found to be a dominant strategy over methadone maintenance treatment in each of the time horizons. Over a lifetime horizon, our model showed that people receiving methadone gained 7.46 discounted quality-adjusted life-years (QALYs) on average (95% credibility interval [CI] 6.91–8.01) and generated a societal cost of $1.14 million (95% CI $736 800–$1.78 million). Those who received diacetylmorphine gained 7.92 discounted QALYs on average (95% CI 7.32–8.53) and generated a societal cost of $1.10 million (95% CI $724 100–$1.71 million). Cost savings in the diacetylmorphine cohort were realized primarily because of reductions in the costs related to criminal activity. Probabilistic sensitivity analysis showed that the probability of diacetylmorphine being cost-effective at a willingness-to-pay threshold of $0 per QALY gained was 76%; the probability was 95% at a threshold of $100 000 per QALY gained. Results were confirmed over a range of sensitivity analyses. Interpretation: Using mathematical modelling to extrapolate results from the North American Opiate Medication Initiative, we found that diacetylmorphine may be more effective and less costly than methadone among people with chronic opioid dependence refractory to treatment.
A Novel Innovation Management Process: For Applications in Fields such as Food Innovation

The sustained competitive advantage of a company today requires the management of internal and external knowledge and leveraging it to create innovation. The 21st century is rapidly moving into what is being called the "global knowledge economy," marked by the increased turbulence, uncertainty, and ambiguity of the current economic climate. Managing innovation requires research methods which evaluate: a) the technological abilities, b) the procedures, and c) the needs of a company/organization and propose specific actions for improvements, progress, and development. This paper proposes a process for managing innovation in small to medium size enterprise (SME). In order to support this process, this article elaborates on the innovation management techniques through a directory, which organizes techniques and tools into four generic types and 36 sub categories. Finally, to demonstrate this process a fictitious case example is presented.