Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
EFFECT OF CAPITAL STRUCTURE ON PERFORMANCE OF MICROFINANCE INSTITUTIONS: A CASE OF DEPOSIT TAKING MICROFINANCE INSTITUTIONS

Abstract: Most DTMFIs in Kenya started off as NGOs and had built significant supply side competencies, as such, funding structure had no relevance. However, with growth and commercialization, MFIs are spinned off to become fully independent, the puzzle of funding structure that will ensure sustainability and profitability becomes relevant. The main objective of this study was to investigate on the effect of capital structure on the performance of microfinance institutions with a case of taking microfinance institutions. The study also sought to determine the effect of debt to equity ratio, debt to asset ratio, total debt ratio and customer deposits on the performance of microfinance institutions in Kenya. This study used a descriptive research design. The target population for this study constituted of 8 Deposit Taking Microfinance institutions in Kenya. Census method was used to select all the 8 DTMs in Kenya. This study used cross-sectional data, where all the MFIs were observed at the same point of time (2010-2014). The research concentrated on secondary data using annual reports of the relevant Deposit Taking Microfinance institutions. The study made use of both descriptive and inferential statistics. In relation to descriptive statistics the study used frequency distributions, percentages, measures of central tendency (mean) and measures dispersion (Standard deviation) to summarize the data. The study also used correlation and multivariate regression analysis to examine the magnitude of the influence of the independent variable on the respective dependent variables. From the results, the study found that there is a positive relationship between debt to equity ratio and the performance of microfinance institutions in Kenya. The study also established that debt to asset ratio, total debt and customer deposits and the performance of microfinance institutions in Kenya. The study also found portfolio at risk influences the performance of microfinance institutions negatively. The study recommends the development of appropriate policies to enable MFIs to have access to debt to enhance their operations. In addition, the Nairobi Security Exchange should have a look at their listing requirements and work towards designing mechanisms that would enable MFIs to get listed and to offer them the opportunity to access equity capital.
The Influence of Leadership and External Environment on Performance through Learning Organization, and the Influence towards Competitiveness through Performance of Institute of Economic Science in Java

This study aims to provide information on how to improve the performance and competitiveness of STIE in Indonesia. The variables in this study consisted of two exogenous variables, namely leadership and the external environment. Three endogenous variables, i.e., organizational learning, performance and competitive. The method in this study uses structural equation model (SEM) and the data processed by using Amos during the research period of five months, from May 2017 to October 2017. The population in this study are Institute of Economic Science in Java, amounting to 142 are institute of economic science in coordination of private universities (Kopertis) region III to region VII by reason of the island of Java is a barometer of higher education in Indonesia. The research result shows that the leadership has significant effect on the competitiveness of Institute of Economic Science, the external environment has a significant effect on the competitiveness of Institute of Economic Science, leadership has a significant effect on performance through organizational learning, the external environment has a significant effect on performance through organizational learning, leadership has a significant effect on competitiveness through performance, and the external environment has a significant effect on competitiveness through performance.
Marketing roles of university technology transfer offices: a systematic review

This paper seeks to understand the marketing roles in studies on universities to market technology transfer processes and relies on the fact that universities play a key role in the technological development of a nation. To this end, a systematic review was performed from the Web of Science portal, which generated as a result forty articles. It was found that no periodic dedicated to the marketing item presented on the subject, as well as any of the articles was evaluated based on the marketing theories. Thus, gaps have been identified for research in marketing in this context as well, pointing to negligence of marketing researchers in a theme as relevant for today's world. As an essential consideration, it was found that marketing can contribute to the improvement process of practices that foster innovation in universities in various ways, as in understanding the internal relationships in the institutions, in partnership with these institutions internal and external actors, in promoting technologies and the development of channels with the market, the performance of the developed actions and their results, among other aspects.
Dividend and Investment Decisions of Indian Corporate Firms Under Cash Flow Uncertainty

The Miller–Modigliani theory proposed that in perfect capital market, dividend and investment decisions are mutually separable, which is commonly known as the “separation principle. ” On the basis of this theory, this article tries to investigate the dividend–investment relationship from a new perspective by introducing the cash flow uncertainty. This cash flow uncertainty is measured by cash flow shortfall and cash flow volatility. Using firm-specific data on relevant variables of the BSE-listed firms from 2001 to 2015, this article tries to explore the instruments which help to resolve cash flow uncertainty of the firm. Classifying firms into quintiles and dividing them into positive and negative shortfalls on the basis of both the measures of cash flow uncertainty, our main results show that firms mainly use external financing to resolve cash flow uncertainty. However, cash drawdown plays a trivial role in mitigating shortfalls. Moreover, applying the linear panel data estimation, the relationship between dividend and investment is explored for firms having a positive cash flow shortfall, using both measures of cash flow uncertainty. Our results reported that firm’s investment decision has no impact on dividend decision and vice versa. Hence, dividend and investment choices are made independently under cash flow uncertainty. Thus, our results support the “separation principle” under cash flow uncertainty.
Green stores: an analysis of LEED-Certified fashion stores

Abstract The purpose of this study is to provide insight into green retail spaces for fashion brands. Particularly, in this study, we analyzed Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED)–certified retail stores of fashion brands. The LEED program, which is one of the most widely used green building certification programs in the world, is administered by the United States Green Building Council (USGBC). Using publicly available data from the USGBC, we analyzed patterns and characteristics of fashion stores that achieved LEED certification under the LEED 2009 for Retail: Commercial Interiors rating system (CI). A total of 199 fashion stores that completed their LEED certification were used for the data analysis. A credit achievement pattern of each fashion store project was analyzed in six LEED CI assessment categories. A pattern emerged from the data analysis suggesting that for fashion stores, aesthetic considerations more often than not trump sustainability concerns. This has been highlighted in the low achievement in credit categories where surface materials are most visible or in categories where achievement would greatly alter space design.
Learning Capability and the Performance of Small and Medium Enterprises in Developing Economies: The Role of Absorptive Capacity

How to develop and enhance the effectiveness of external flow of knowledge and information to improve invention and performance of small and medium enterprises (SMEs) has becomes crucial to both researchers and managers. This study was designed to purposely examine empirically the influence of the absorptive capacity on the relationship of organizational learning capability and SMEs performance. A total of 206 valid questionnaires obtained from personal administration of the survey instrument on SMEs manager in Kano state Nigeria. Partial Least Square Structural Equation Model (PLS-SEM). The result of the study indicates that learning capability significantly and positively relates to SMEs firms performance, equally learning capability positively relates with absorptive capacity. The study further established significant positive relationship between absorptive capacity and SMEs performance. Similarly, absorptive capacity mediates the relationship between learning capability and SMEs performance. The study conclude that experimentation, risk taking, external interaction, dialogue and participatory decision making influences SMEs knowledge acquisition, assimilation, transformation and application for better performance.
What Do Employee Referral Programs Do?

Employee referral programs (ERPs) are randomly introduced in a grocery chain. Larger bonuses increase referrals and decrease referral quality, though the increase in referrals is modest. Still, ERPs are highly profitable, partly, because referrals stay longer than non-referrals, but, mainly, because non-referrals stay longer in treated stores than in control stores. In a post-RCT firmwide ERP rollout, referral rates remain low for grocery jobs, but are high for non-grocery jobs, which are perceived as more attractive. Our results (1) are consistent with referral-making being driven by money and altruism toward friends; (2) show that ERPs can have substantial benefits beyond generating referrals. The most-supported mechanism for (2) is that workers value being involved in hiring.
Effect of Continuity and Smoothing of Profit on Corporate Profit- Stock Returns With Taking into Account the Heterogeneous Relationship of Profit - Efficiency on Companies Admitted to the Tehran Stock Exchange.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of continuity and smoothing of profits on the relationship between corporate profits - Stock efficiency taking into account the heterogeneous profit relationship – efficiency on companies admitted to the Tehran Stock Exchange, generally, profit has always been a factor in investor decisions. In this regard, on the one hand, accounting and stock returns are linked together, on the other hand, the variable of earnings quality is related to accounting profit and stock returns. So it may be that the question arises what is the effect of the continuity and smoothing of profits on the relationship between accounting profit and stock returns? The present research seeks to answer this question; as a result, the main question of the research is presented as follows: What is the effect of continuity and smoothing of earnings on the relationship between earnings and stock returns for listed companies in Tehran Stock Exchange? To check this, the data of 123 companies listed in Tehran Stock Exchange during the years 2012-2016 were used; data was analyzed using the Logit method using Eviews10 software. Evidence and empirical findings have shown that; both profit continuity and profit smoothing criteria have significant effects on the heterogeneous relationship between current period earnings and stock returns.
Cashless Policy and Financial Performance of Deposit Money Banks in Nigeria

Copyright © 2019 by author(s) and International Journal of Trend in Scientific Research and Development Journal. This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY 4.0) (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/ by/4.0) ABSTRACT The study investigated the effect of Central Bank of Nigeria Cash less Policy and the Financial Performance of Deposit Money Banks in Nigeria. A panel data were collected from a sample of 14 banks covering 6 years spanning from 2012 when the policy was introduced in Nigeria to 2017. The study used return on Asset as proxy for bank performance while the value transactions done through the ATM, POS, Internet Banking, NIP and NEFT platforms (E-banking Products) were used to proxy cash less policy. In other to ensure the validity and the reliability of our data, we therefore subjected our data to a diagnostic test using Descriptive Statistic Analysis, Multicolinearity test, Correlation testing, and Herteroskadaticity testing. Findings from the study revealed that that (ATMV) has a positive and significant effect on return on assets (ROA) of banks in Nigeria while , POSV, WEBV, NIPV and NEFV were found to have a positive but insignificant effect on ROA of quoted banks in Nigeria. The study concluded that E-banking products as a proxy for cash less policy has positive effect on the financial performance of Deposit Money Banks in Nigeria. It was thus recommended among others that bank management should pay more attention on the activities that will improve the ATM services if they wish to increase the ROA.
Investigating residents’ attitudes of 2016 Olympic Games

Purpose Olympic Games provide an arguably unparalleled amount of opportunities for the host city and country in relation to economic and socio-cultural growth and development. However, the achievement of such long-term success measures lies with the holistic involvement of community groups, specifically residents, in the planning of the mega event. The purpose of this paper is to examine the residents’ attitudes of the 2016 Olympic Games and to verify moderating effects of place of residence in support of the Games. Design/methodology/approach The data were collected in Brazil in the months leading to the Rio Olympic Games using non-probabilistic convenience sampling. A total of 501 responses were collected prior to the opening ceremony of the event. Both exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses were applied. Findings The socio-cultural and economic dimensions had a positive and significant effect in support for the Olympic Games; however, the environmental dimension did not have such strong effect. Furthermore, differences between host and non-host city residents tested positive in support of the Olympic Games. Practical implications This study aims to contribute to the developing application of country branding by examining attitudes of internal stakeholder groups in the form of residents. Originality/value This research presents a conceptual model to further establish the importance of such attitudes for organizers and government authorities involved with the bidding, planning and management of mega events from a country branding perspective, particularly in developing countries such as Brazil.
Viterbi Decoding for Satellite and Space Communication

Convolutional coding and Viterbi decoding, along with binary phase-shift keyed modulation, is presented as an efficient system for reliable communication on power limited satellite and space channels. Performance results, obtained theoretically and through computer simulation, are given for optimum short constraint length codes for a range of code constraint lengths and code rates. System efficiency is compared for hard receiver quantization and 4 and 8 level soft quantization. The effects on performance of varying of certain parameters relevant to decoder complexity and cost is examined. Quantitative performance degradation due to imperfect carrier phase coherence is evaluated and compared to that of an uncoded system. As an example of decoder performance versus complexity, a recently implemented 2-Mbit/s constraint length 7 Viterbi decoder is discussed. Finally a comparison is made between Viterbi and sequential decoding in terms of suitability to various system requirements.
How Stakeholder Sensing and Anticipations Shape the Firm’s Strategic Response Capability

We outline a strategic response capability framework drawing on cognitive neuroscience to explain stakeholder sensing and anticipations as essential input to environmental analysis. Stakeholders receive stimuli from ongoing interactions with the firm and thereby sense current environmental changes and form anticipations about future performance that provide early signals about needs for proactive strategic responses. Based on insights from literatures on cognitive neuroscience, marketing and strategy we develop a strategic response capability model driven by stakeholder sensing and anticipations with associated propositions. We discuss the implications of the proposed framework and suggest future research venues to further uncover the microfoundations of the firm’s strategic response capability.
THE INFLUENCE OF ELECTRONIC WORD OF MOUTH (E-WOM) PROMOTION OF STUDENT INTEREST IN BUYING SHARES: STUDY ON PNJ INVESMENT GALLERIES

ABSTRACT The background of this research is lack students interest on buying shares. It arise the ideato do this study. Research begins with exploratory research to find out what promotion methods aremost preferred to arouse their interest among viral marketing, referral marketing, and communitymarketing or buzz marketing. The unit analysis is 200 students who have a stock account at PNJinvestment gallery. Statistic tool used in the study was multiple linear regression. The result showsthat referral marketing, community marketing and buzz marketing influential promotion tools in arisestudent interest to buy shares. Furthermore, positive students’ mindset is also an important factor toaccept the promotion message easily. Keywords: electronic word of mouth (EWOM), promotion, buying stock interest
Challenges in E-Marketing Adoption Among Small Businesses in the Hospitality Industry in Kenya

Small businesses appear to be slow in adopting e-marketing. This study sought to investigate the challenges faced by small businesses in adoption of E-marketing. Specifically, this study sought to determine the relationship between security concerns and adoption of E-marketing and to determine the relationship between perceived cost of e-marketing technology and adoption of E-marketing among small businesses in the hospitality industry in Kenya. A cross sectional survey design was employed. Stratified random sampling method was used to generate the study sample of 115 small businesses, out of which respective owner-managers responded. The study used structured self administered questionnaire to collect primary data while secondary data were collected via relevant publications. Instrument reliability assessment was confirmed using cronchbas alpha while validity was confirmed using content and construct validity testing. The data was analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics using Partial Least Squares-Structural Equations Modeling implemented in WarpPLS v.5 software. The results show that a negative relationship exists between Security concerns and e-marketing adoption (β= -0.158, p= 0.047). The results also show a negative relationship between perceived costs and e-marketing adoption (β= -0.260, p= 0.002). This study recommends the provision Information Technology security systems to prevent spy ware, viruses and hackers and hence improve security of the Internet and provide relatively affordable hosting services for small businesses. The policy makers should also play an active role to ensure that the cyber laws effectively regulate online transactions and protect against virtual theft and hacking. The Vendors of E-marketing applications should also create awareness among small businesses on the advantages of e-marketing and especially on newer technologies like the provision of Software As A Service (SAAS) using cloud technologies. This may reduce the cost of adoption of e-marketing among small businesses that are resource constrained. The Government should also invest in the necessary I.T. infrastructure to allow Emarketing and payment services to be conducted
Board Gender Diversity and Corporate Innovation: International Evidence

Abstract Using a novel database of firm patents and board characteristics across 45 countries, we examine both within- and cross-country determinants of board gender diversity and its relation to corporate innovation. Boards are more likely to include women in countries with narrower gender gaps, higher female labor market participation, and less masculine cultures. Firms with gender diverse boards have more patents and novel patents, and a higher innovative efficiency. Further analyses suggest that gender diverse boards are associated with more failure-tolerant and long-term chief executive officer (CEO) incentives, more innovative corporate cultures, and more diverse inventors, characteristics that are conducive to an improved innovative performance.
TRANSFERABILITY AND ROBUSTNESS OF PREDICTIVE MODELS TO PROACTIVELY ASSESS REAL-TIME FREEWAY CRASH RISK

This thesis describes the development and evaluation of real-time crash risk assessment models for four freeway corridors, US-101 NB (northbound) and SB (southbound) as well as I-880 NB and SB. Crash data for these freeway segments for the 16-month period from January 2010 through April 2011 are used to link historical crash occurrences with real-time traffic patterns observed through loop detector data. The analysis techniques adopted for this study are logistic regression and classification trees, which are one of the most common data mining tools. The crash risk assessment models are developed based on a binary classification approach (crash and non-crash outcomes), with traffic parameters measured at surrounding vehicle detection station (VDS) locations as the independent variables. The classification performance assessment methodology accounts for rarity of crashes compared to non-crash cases in the sample instead of the more common pre-specified threshold-based classification. Prior to development of the models, some of the data-related issues such as data cleaning and aggregation were addressed. Based on the modeling efforts, it was found that the turbulence in terms of speed variation is significantly associated with crash risk on the US-101 NB corridor. The models estimated with data from US-101 NB were evaluated based on their classification performance, not only on US-101 NB, but also on the other three freeways for transferability assessment. It was found that the predictive model derived from one freeway can be readily applied to other freeways, although the classification performance decreases. The models which transfer best to other roadways were found to be those that use the least number of VDSs–that is, using one upstream and downstream station rather than two or three. The classification accuracy of the models is discussed in terms of how the models can be used for real-time crash risk assessment, which may be helpful to authorities for freeway segments with newly installed traffic surveillance apparatuses, since the real-time crash risk assessment models from nearby freeways with existing infrastructure would be able to provide a reasonable estimate of crash risk. These models can also be applied for developing and testing variable speed limits (VSLs) and ramp metering strategies that proactively attempt to reduce crash risk. The robustness of the model output is assessed by location, time of day and day of week. The analysis shows that on some locations the models may require further learning due to higher than expected false positive (e.g., the I-680/I-280 interchange …