Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Eco-innovation and corporate performance in Africa: the African Experience

Addressing a paucity of research about industrial adoption of environmentally benign technologies in Africa and, more generally, in tropical developing countries, we examined the Nigerian pulp and paper industry as a case study. Qualitative interviews with twenty upper echelon executives representing five Nigerian firms challenge conventional expectations that energy intensive industries in developing markets operate amid highly pollution-intensive conditions, within weak or non-existent formal environmental regulatory frameworks, and with limited institutional capacity. Our findings suggest a strong positive relationship between cleaner technology use and corporate financial performance of African industrial firms. Our study also suggests the adoption of classical ̳win-win‘ integrated preventive environmental strategy, ecoefficiency and green productivity which improves industrial efficiency and profitability. Nigerian pulp and paper firms are shown to have moved beyond end-of-pipe technologies and cleaner technologies and adopted industrial ecology and ―zero emission‖ principles with appropriate reuse of the remaining waste streams turning the production system into a sustainable industrial ecosystem.
User preference on use of print and Electronic Resources in Selected Universities in Tanzania: A survey.

This paper is based on a study that examined user preferences in the use of print and electronic resources in Selected Universities in Tanzania. Design/methodology/approach: A descriptive survey method was used as the research design, which involved three sampled universities in Tanzania,namely the University of Dar es Salaam (UDSM), the Open University of Tanzania (OUT) and Tumaini University-Dar es Salaam College (TUDARco). Purposive sampling technique was used to select respondents, comprising undergraduate and post-graduate students, academic and research staff chosen due to their proximity and degree of involvement in the generation and usage of information in both print and electronic formats in their academic and research endeavours as well as consultancy. 3 Empirical data for the study was collected using the questionnaire survey and interview guide. Out of the 400 copies of questionnaire administered, 350 (87.5%) were successfully completed and used for the study. Data collected using questionnaires were coded, entered into a computer, analysed and intepreted with the help of the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 20 whereas data obtained from interview was subjected to content analysis. The qualitative data analysis process entailed collecting, sorting and eventually organising the information according to emerging themes in line with the objectives of the study . Findings: The study found out that a positive majority 163 (50.5%) of the respondents, prefer the use print over electronic resources. These findings are not in congruency with a popular assumption that the ready availability of online resources has supplanted print resources, which is not necessary the case. However, one significant finding in this study is that e-resources popularity has started to gain ground accross the three universities under review. Recommendation: Finally, (267 (52.5%) of the respondents) recommended fostering the use of both print and electronic resources in universities, for wider access of knowledge, particularly in the resource-limited contexts prevailing in Tanzania. Conclusion: Based on the findings, the study concluded that a hybrid collection is the paneacea to optimising resources as it provides users with more access choices between the two formats.
Bank Failure Prediction Model Based on Governance: A Case of Rural Banks in Indonesia

Since it was first operating in 2005 until 2017, Indonesia Deposit Insurance Corporation (IDIC) has liquidated 91 rural banks which were determined as failed banks by supervision authority. The cause of the failing of the bank is mainly due to the incapability of the bank to meet the minimum Capital Adequacy Ratio (CAR). Bank’s capital was shrunk by the loss caused by fraud. The fraud is mostly induced by the lack of good corporate governance implementation. By using the logistic regression, it can be concluded that (1) the incomplete of responsibility letter which will be used in the event of bank failure, submitted by the bank commissioners; (2) the incomplete of responsibility letter which will be used in the event of bank failure, submitted by the bank directors; (3) role duplication between shareholders and board of directors; and (4) bank had classified as special supervision, have impact on the increase of rural banks failure. At the same time, the compliance level of rural banks to a correct premium payment has impacted to decrease of rural banks failure possibilities.
PENGARUH STRUKTUR MODAL, KEBIJAKAN DIVIDEN DAN LIKUIDITAS TERHADAP PROFITABILITAS PERUSAHAAN PERBANKAN DI BURSA EFEK INDONESIA

This study was conducted to examinate the effect of capital structure, dividend policy and liquidity on profitability of bank that listed on Indonesia Stock Exchange period of 2015 to 2017. This study was associative research. The population of this study were 39 companies and observed during 2015 to 2017. The sampling technique used in this study was saturated samples. Based on these techniques, 39 companies obtained as samples. This study used the secondary data from IDX. The data collection methods used in this study was non participant observation method. The researcher used multiple linear regression as the analytical technique. SPSS 20 was used to help analyze. The result of analysis can be conclude Capital Structure had significant negative effect on profitability, Dividend policy had significant positive effect on profitability and Liquidity had positive significant effect on profitability. Keywords: profitability, capital structure, dividend policy, liquidity
Food quality from the consumer's perspective : an empirical analysis of perceived pork quality

In der europäischen Agrarund Ernährungswirtschaft vollzieht sich ein Strukturwandel, der entscheidend geprägt ist durch gesättigte Märkte und zunehmend homogene Produkte. Lebensmittelqualität bietet eine Möglichkeit, um sich von den Mitbewerbern abzugrenzen. Hierbei ist es für den Geschäftserfolg von entscheidender Bedeutung, dass qualitätsbezogene Marketingaktivitäten verbraucherorientiert gestaltet werden (KOTLER UND ARMSTRONG, 1994). Das bedeutet, die Qualität der angebotenen Lebensmittel muss die Bedürfnisse der Konsumenten erfüllen. In diesem Zusammenhang wird ebenfalls von wahrgenommener Qualität gesprochen. Besonders die Qualitätswahrnehmung bei unverarbeiteten Lebensmitteln wie frischem Fleisch gilt als problematisch, da in diesem Fall zentrale Qualitätsindikatoren wie z.B. Marken fehlen (BREDAHL, 2003). Konsumenten müssen daher auf andere Merkmale zurückgreifen, um die Qualität zu beurteilen. Dies trägt dem Sachverhalt Rechnung, dass die subjektive Beurteilung von Qualitätsmerkmalen in dieses Qualitätsverständnis mit einfließen (z.B. STEENKAMP, 1989). Die subjektive Beurteilung der Qualität beruht aus theoretischer Sicht zum einen auf erfahrungsbasierten Gedächtnisinhalten und zum anderen auf aktuellen Informationen, welche im Rahmen der eigentlichen Kaufentscheidung wahrgenommen und genutzt werden. Diese beiden Aspekte werden anhand von zwei empirischen Verbraucherbefragungen untersucht.
Differences in the value relevance of identifiable intangible assets

Motivated by investor criticisms of current accounting standards, this study investigates whether differences exist in how acquired identifiable intangible assets relate to investors’ expectations about the entity’s cash flow prospects. Some investors assert that all acquired intangibles should be subsumed within goodwill, while others prefer separate recognition of identifiable intangibles only when they are strategically important sources of future cash flows. Still other investors call for separate recognition from goodwill only when identifiable intangibles are separable from the business, have defined useful lives, and have identifiable revenue streams (i.e., “wasting” intangibles). Consistent with some investor views, we find cross-sectional variation in the value relevance of identifiable intangibles based on differences in underlying asset characteristics. Our primary findings suggest that strategically important and wasting intangibles provide information different from that provided by goodwill. These findings inform standard setters as they evaluate recognition and disclosure alternatives for identifiable intangible assets.
Markups and market structure in South Africa: What can be learnt from new administrative data?

The South African economy is generally understood to be characterised by high levels of product market concentration and high firm markups. This paper reviews the existing literature and discusses what can be learnt from new administrative firm-level panel data. I present new evidence on South African markups, industrial concentration, and the firm-size distribution, for sectors across the South African economy.
The Impact of SNAP Work Requirements on Labor Supply

This study explores the impact of work requirements for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) on the labor supply of able-bodied adults without dependents, exploiting unique features of SNAP work requirements. First, states can exempt individuals living in certain areas from work requirements. Second, the work requirements apply only to adults aged below 50. Using a triple difference model that compares the time-series changes in labor supply for age groups on either side of the age threshold in areas before and after the exemption, I find that suspending work requirements does not discourage employment; a decrease in employment of more than 1.4 percentage points among people who are potentially affected by the exemption can be ruled out with a 95% confidence interval. I also find evidence of a reduction in hours of work among older prime-age workers due to the work exemption. Further analysis uncovers two reasons why the work exemption has little effect on employment. First, many new SNAP participants who enrolled due to the exemption are the long-term non-employed who have no labor supply to reduce. Second, the generous income deductions in benefit calculation act as work incentives by significantly lowering the effective benefit reduction rate at very low income ($0–600). These findings indicate that the SNAP work requirement is unlikely to achieve the intended goal of promoting employment; instead it may increase the risk of disadvantaged individuals failing to receive the assistance they need.
The Influence of Website Service Quality towards Consumer Satisfaction by Using Webqual 4.0 Method: Study on Grab Users in Bandung

: This research is motivated by rapid technological developments to create business opportunities through technology increasingly. The website becomes important as platforms deliver information to users in a wide range of information about a company (company profile) until the customer service. One current trend is a provider of transportation services online. Grab as one based transportation services provider online service accessible websites for consumers to support services offered to costumers. This study aims to determine the quality of the website Grab customer satisfaction. Based on the type of research, including research into the types of causality research. Sampling technique in this study is using purposive sampling technique and the number of samples in this study as many as 100 respondents to the people who live in Bandung and ever used website Grab.
The impact of the Common agricultural policy on developing countries

Being the biggest world agri-food importer and exporter, the European Union plays an important role in international agricultural markets. The Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) has considerable influence on international agri-food market. With the CAP 2014-2020, the distortive effect of the policy have been dramatically reduced. However, voluntary coupled support are a matter of concern. Following the 2014¬ 2020 CAP, Member States may grant voluntary coupled support (VCS) to specific sectors undergoing difficulties. All Member States expects Germany have opted to apply VCs in some sectors and this generated market distortions both in the internal and in the international marketplace. Another feature of the 2014-2020 CAP is its competitive - oriented approach. Increased competition can boost agricultural development of non -EU countries but can also imply risks for sustainable development and food security. Growing demand supported by the CAP can also have a negative environmental impact. Therefore there are concerns about the coherence of the CAP support with environmental and climate objectives. Although the 2014-2020 CAP made progress towards ensuring policy coherence, more has to be made in the future CAP reform, particularly with reference to international commitment on climate change. Market distorting effects of some CAP instruments shall also be reconsidered.
Analysis Capital Structure on Indonesia Stock Exchange

Capital structure is a mix of funding composition in a company, which will have an impact on the cost of capital and company value. This research was conducted to analyze the effect of asset structure, profitability, firm size, business risk and asset growth on capital structure in the mining, agriculture and Food & Beverage sectors. The sampling method used purposive sampling, obtained 14 samples of mining companies, 9 samples of agricultural companies and 11 samples of Food & Beverage during the period 2010-2014. The results of the study show that in the mining sector asset structure, profitability and business risk affect the capital structure, while the size of the company and the growth of the company do not. In the agricultural sector capital structure is influenced by asset structure, profitability, company size, business risk and company growth. In the F & B sector, asset structure, profitability and business risk affect the capital structure, while the size of the company and the growth of the company do not. Keywords—Capital Sructure, Mining Sector, Agriculture Sector, Food & Beverage Sector
Case Study: Productive Performance and Prediction of Operating Income of Small-Scale Contract Farming of Swine in Lampang, Thailand

The objective of this study was to examine productive performance and predict factors affecting operating income of small-scale contract farming of swine (SCFS) in Lampang, Thailand. Ten SCFSs were selected by purposive sampling as primary data sources for two consecutive fattening cycles during the year 2015-2017. Data indicated that the SCFS was feeder pig finishing system which herd size (HS) averaged 502 head/farm. The animals consumed approximate 1.59 kg of feed/head/d. The average daily gain (ADG) was 675.22 g/d and feed conversion ratio (FCR) was 2.42. The mean of fattening time (FT) averaged 158 d/cycle. The culling rate (CR) and mortality rate (MR) were 0.17% and 2.50%, respectively. The predicted operating income (POI) was estimated by multiple linear regressions. The equation was: POI = 2,700.912 + 0.027HS – 7.119CR – 18.225MR + 16.885ABW + 806.466FI – 4.142ADG – 420.281FCR – 9.719FT (ABW = average body weight; FI = feed intake) with r = 0.899, r = 0.808, p-value = 0.009. According to stepwise procedure, the potential equation was: POI = 323.664FI – 9.769MR – 22.635 with r = 0.837, r = 0.701, p-value = 0.000. This predicted equation would benefit as a monitoring index for SCFS to manage their expected operating income and proper farm management to be further profitable and sustainable.
VARIABEL-VARIABEL YANG MEMPENGARUHI RETURN SAHAM PADA PERUSAHAAN PROPERTY DAN REAL ESTATE DI BEI

Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk membuktikan secara empiris faktor-faktor Produk Domestik Bruto (PDB), nilai tukar rupiah, tingkat suku bunga SBI, inflasi, Return On Assets (ROA), Net Profit Margin (NPM), Earning Per Share (EPS) dan Price Earning Ratio (PER) terhadap return saham pada perusahaan property dan real estate diBursa Efek Indonesia pada tahun 2012-2016.Sampel penelitian ditentukan dengan metode purposive sampling dimana peneliti memiliki criteria atau tujuan tertentu terhadap sampel yang akan diteliti sebanyak 26 emiten yang termasuk dalam sektor property dan real estatedi PT Bursa Efek Indonesia Hasil penelitian ini adalah sebagai berikut: Produk Domestik Bruto, Net Profit Margin, Earning Per Share dan Price Earning Ratio berpengaruh positif dan signifikan terhadap return saham property dan real estate. Nilai tukar rupiah dan inflasi berpengaruh negatif dan signifikan terhadap return saham property dan real estate. Selanjutnya, tingkat suku bunga SBI dan Return On Assets berpengaruh positif dan signifikan terhadap return saham property.
Changes in Personal Bankruptcy Protection Laws: The Impact on Bank Lending to Small Businesses

In the U.S., individual parties who file for bankruptcy can exempt a certain dollar amount of property from creditor liquidation during the debt settlement process. We examine the effect of changes to these protection laws on bank lending to small businesses. Our results indicate that additional debtor protection, brought about by changes to bankruptcy laws, significantly reduces the amount of credit issued by banks to small businesses. We find that this impact is more severe for small businesses located in census tracts with low income levels and that our results are largely driven by lending in urban areas.
Tradeoffs of Situatedness: Iconicity Constrains the Development of Content-Oriented Sensorimotor Schemes.

Mathematics education practitioners and researchers have long debated best pedagogical practices for introducing new concepts. Our design-based research project evaluated a heuristic framework, whereby students first develop acontextual sensorimotor schemes and only then extend these schemes to incorporate both concrete narratives (grounding) and formal mathematical rules (generalizing). We compared student performance under conditions of working with stark (acontextual) vs. iconic (situated) manipulatives. We summarize findings from analyzing 20 individually administered task-based semi-structured clinical interviews with Grade 4 – 6 participant students. We found tradeoffs of situatedness: Whereas iconic objects elicit richer narratives than stark objects, these narratives may detrimentally constrain the scope of potential sensorimotor schemes students develop in attempt to solve manipulation problems.
ICT COMPETENCE AND THE USE OF E-RESOURCES AMONG FACULTY MEMBERS IN ILORIN METROPOLIS

The study investigated Information and Communication Technology (ICT) competence and the use of electronic resources by university faculty members in Ilorin metropolis, Nigeria. The study adopted descriptive survey research design. The population of the study comprised faculty members in Al-Hikmah University and University of Ilorin. Raosoft Online Sample Size Calculator was used to calculate the sample size with precision levels of 5% and confidence level of 95% and the recommended sample size was 309. A simple random sampling technique was used to select the samples from the population. Data was collected through a research instrument titled “Information and Communication Technology Competence and the use of Electronic Resources by Faculty Members Questionnaire (ICTCERFMQ)”. Content-related approach of validation was conducted to ensure the validity of the instrument while the instrument has reliability with Cronbach’s alpha values between 0.684 and 0.813. Copies of the questionnaire were analyzed with the IBM SPSS version 21.0 using simple frequency counts and percentages. The presentations of the data for the research objectives were done using tables and pie chart. For testing of the hypothesis, Spearman Rank Order Correlation was adopted. The finding generally revealed that there is a significant relationship between ICT competence and the use of e-resources based on the type of e-resources preferred and purpose of using e-resources by faculty members in Ilorin metropolis (rs(297)= 0.132, p<0.05). Among other recommendations, the study recommended that university management should ensure that competence in ICT is a major requirement in the recruitment process.
Adoption of Ubiquitous Customer Relationship Management (uCRM) in Enterprise: Leadership Support and Technological Competence as Moderators

Abstract Ubiquitous Customer Relationship Management (uCRM) signifies the realization of special characteristics, including proactiveness, context awareness, and mobility. This uCRM helps to enhance promptness and timeliness of the traditional system, thereby creating an environment associated with a state of being everywhere in no time and covering any device and any network. uCRM provides high personalization of service. The uCRM system has opened a new area of satisfaction for customers. Context awareness computing, a uCRM characteristic, is presumed to have enhanced benefits for a firm adopting uCRM in India. In this context, this study has taken a holistic attempt to analyze how technological competence and leadership support can enhance the business performance of a firm adopting uCRM. With input from literature studies, a hypothesis and a conceptual model have been formulated. Statistically, those have been validated with survey work considering 165 usable respondents from 22 different firms situated in three metropolitan cities in India. Results show that the effect of technological competence and leadership support positively help a uCRM-dependent firm towards achieving better business benefits. The study ends with a comprehensive conclusion.
The Impact of Remittance on the Real Exchange Rate in Ghana

This study examined the impact of remittance on the real exchange rate on Ghana economic performance. The study extracted and used secondary data sources derived from the World Development Indicators (WDI) of the World Bank and Bank of Ghana websites over the period 1970-2016. Trade openness, government public debt, remittance, terms of trade, capital flow were used as independent variable and real exchange rate as the dependent variable. Using the Ordinary Least Squares (OLS) estimator, the study established that government public debt, trade openness and capital flow had significant impact on real exchange rate in Ghana. The study also established that remittance and terms of trade have no significant impact on real exchange rate. The analysis further suggests that, in the long run, a change in the real exchange rate is generally related to movement in economic fundamentals.
Corporate governance and firms stock returns in the emerging market

This paper examines the relationship between corporate governance and firms’ performance (stock returns) in the emerging market. The paper fills the need for empirical evidence on governance issues in the scarce emerging markets compared to the developed world. Exploiting a unique dataset on the corporate governance index for the largest 90 companies listed on the Saudi stock market, we construct two portfolios. We compare the performance of good governed companies and poorly governed firms. We find that good governed portfolio outperforms the poor one. Nevertheless, regression results do not show any association between corporate governance score and performance. We interpret this as weak evidence for the link between corporate governance and firms’ performance.