Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Bridging the Perception Gap between Management and Customers on DINESERV Attributes: The Korean All-You-Can-Eat Buffet

Our study is based on the premise that there are differences between the key service attributes that restaurant managers prioritize and crucial DINESERV attributes that are important to customers’ perception of their experience at a restaurant. This paper investigated the perception gap between operators and customers on the service attributes of Korean all-you-can-eat buffet restaurants, and it suggests strategic alternatives to bridge this perception gap. To investigate this perception gap, we first used the analytic hierarchy process (AHP) to determine the priority ranking of the service attributes that restaurant managers employ for enhancing customer satisfaction. Second, we used the importance-performance analysis (IPA) methodology to reveal the importance that customers place on individual restaurant service attributes and how they affect customer satisfaction. Finally, this paper integrated AHP and IPA to scrutinize the perception gap between managers’ prioritization and customers’ view of the importance of DINESERV attributes. The theoretical contribution of this study is the proposed integrated AHP-IPA model that combines the manager and customer perspectives. This model differentiates our study from previous studies that analyzed operator prioritizations and customer perceptions separately. Furthermore, we offer strategic alternatives for managing service attributes that are suitable for multiple types of buffet restaurants, including hotel, specific, and casual buffet restaurant types that are categorized by the food served and service procedures employed.
Essays in International Finance

This dissertation discusses central banking as world markets become more interlinked, as the Federal Reserve generates international shocks, and as the dollar becomes more pervasive globally. In the first chapter, I establish a new fact on how the Fed’s monetary policy spills over into foreign currency and bond markets asymmetrically. Using high-frequency data, I show that when the Fed tightens: (i) the dollar appreciates more against high-rate currencies (e.g. the Australian dollar) than against low-rate currencies (e.g. the yen), and (ii) high-rate long-maturity bond yields rise more than low-rate yields. Apart from the European Central Bank, other countries do not generate spillovers of their own. My results illustrate the unique potency of the Fed and the heterogeneity in global markets. In the second chapter, I examine the channels through which the Fed’s monetary policy spills over into foreign financial markets. Specifically, I show that the fact identified in the first chapter provides evidence against two leading channels of spillovers. The asymmetries across currency and bond markets reject theories in which foreign central banks react to the Fed, and reject models with full risk-sharing in which foreign risk premia shift, as currency and bond markets contradict each other under these two channels. Shifts in risk premia under models with incomplete markets are most consistent with these patterns. My results suggest that the Fed’s spillovers do not diminish the independence of central banks, but rather illustrate the importance of frictions. In the third chapter, I document and explain the accumulation of large dollar portfolios by foreign central banks, by arguing that these reserve portfolios hedge liquidity shocks to dollarized financial systems. First, I extract currency shares for the foreign reserves of seventy-seven countries. The dollar shares are large and well-explained by the dollar shares of their financial systems’ liabilities, particularly for countries that cannot borrow from the Fed directly. Second, I generate a
Educational accountability in EFL contexts: Providing remedies

Abstract Establishing high standards for educational accountability and informing those not already familiar with the basic components of a strong accountability system is a fresh avenue in EFL context, particularly in Iran, where the perceived shortcomings of English learning in the public sector are evident. The present mixed methods study used educational accountability as a theoretical framework to determine the level to which its elements (Goals, Performance Indicators, Design Decisions, Consequences, Communication, Support, and System Evaluation, Monitoring, and Improvement) differ in Iranian high schools and English language institutes when concerning school principals, English teachers, parents, and students. To this end, 300 EFL learners, 120 parents, 100 English teachers, and 60 principals were selected to complete the piloted and validated educational accountability questionnaires. The reliability of all questionnaires was around 0.95. To better understand the results of the questionnaires, 86 semi-structured interviews were conducted. The results of the t-tests indicated a statistically significant difference between the levels of accountability in both EFL contexts. The only exception was the aspect of Communication, which was almost the same in both educational contexts. The results of the semi-structured interviews also confirmed those of the questionnaires. Several remedies were offered by the researchers of the study. The findings of this study suggest that the EFL agents and policymakers can take advantage of educational accountability systems.
Efficiency of Intercropping System under Smallholder Farmers in Osun State, Nigeria

Recently, the constant rise in population growth has resulted in increased pressure on available agricultural land. This has given rise to greater land use intensification and crop diversification by smallholder farmers. However, information is scarce about the economic efficiency of the system in the Osun State. The study was carried out to assess the technical and allocative efficiencies of intercropping systems in Osun State of Nigeria. A three-stage random sampling technique was used to select a total of 120 smallholder farmers across six local communities namely Owode, Ologede, Ifewara, Iperindo, Ilerin and Odundun from which responses were solicited with the aid of a questionnaire. The descriptive and stochastic production frontier was used to analyze the data gotten from the smallholders. The results showed that the average technical efficiency index was 67%, while allocative efficiency was 13%. The factors that significantly influenced the production were farm size, quantity of fertilizer used as well as the cost of other inputs. While those that significantly influence the technical and allocative efficiencies of intercropping systems in the study area were the educational status, household size in adult equivalent and membership to cooperatives. It is, therefore, recommended that farmers require training on the appropriate skills required to operate an efficient intercropping system. This can be done through the cooperative societies. This will help the farmers in the efficient allocation of resources available to them.
Do Fama–French common risk-factor portfolio investors herd on a daily basis? Implications for common risk-factor regressions

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to examine whether Fama–French common risk-factor portfolio investors herd on a daily basis for five developed markets, namely, Europe, Japan, Asia Pacific ex Japan, North America and Globe. Design/methodology/approach To examine the herd behavior of common risk-factor portfolio investors, this paper utilizes the cross-sectional absolute deviations (CSAD) methodology, covering a daily data sampling period of July 1990 to January 2019 from Kenneth R. French-Data Library. CSAD driven by fundamental and non-fundamental information is assessed using Fama–French five-factor model. Findings The results do not provide evidence for herding under normal market conditions, either when reacting to fundamental information or non-fundamental information, for any region under consideration. However, Fama–French common risk-factor portfolio investors mimic the underlying risk factors in returns related to size and book-to-market value, size and operating profitability, size and investment and size and momentum of the equity stocks in European and Japanese markets during crisis period. Also, no considerable evidence is found for herding (on fundamental information) under crisis and up-market conditions except for Japan. Ancillary findings are discussed under conclusion. Research limitations/implications Further research on new risk factors explaining stock return variation may help improve the model performance. The performance can be improved by adding new risk factors that are free from behavioral bias but significant in explaining common stock return variation. Also, it is necessary to revisit the existing common risk factors in order to understand behavioral aspects that may affect cost of capital calculations (e.g. pricing errors) and valuation of investment portfolios. Originality/value This is the first paper that examines the herd behavior (fundamental and non-fundamental) of Fama–French common risk-factor investors using five-factor model.
Drivers for Pursuing Sustainability through IoT Technology within High-End Hotels—An Exploratory Study

A growing hotel sector makes a significant environmental footprint. Due to a contemporary focus on climate change and high competition within tourism, enhancing sustainability through energy savings is a priority for many hotels. Through technological innovations, Internet-of-Things (IoT) technology provides the opportunity to integrate more systems (e.g., heating, air-conditioning, window-openings) on a platform (also known as smart management), making it easy for a hotel guest to operate room conditions through a single device while also optimizing hotel operations. A research gap on the likelihood of adopting IoT technology to pursue sustainability in the hotel sector exists. Based on explorative case studies of five high-end hotels, this paper offers propositions on drivers for hotels’ use of IoT to deliver on their sustainability goals. This study suggests that a hotel is more inclined to implement IoT if (1) the hotel is focused on energy savings, e.g., due to green certificates; (2) it belongs to an international hotel group; (3) decision makers perceive sustainability to be important for their customers; (4) the target group is more B2B (business) than B2C (leisure); (5) the hotel a five star one; and (6) the hotel guests come from Northern Europe or North America.
MODERASI PENGALAMAN PADA PENGARUH FRAUD RISK ASSESSMENT, SKEPTISME, DAN WORKLOAD TERHADAP KEMAMPUAN MENDETEKSI KECURANGAN

The purpose of this study was to analyze the effect of fraud risk assessment, skepticism, and workload on the ability to detect fraud with experience as quasi moderating variables. The population and sample of this study are auditors who work at the Central Java Development and Supervisory Board (BPKP). The sample in this research is 41 auditor. Data collection using questionnaires. Data analysis method of this research is multiple regression analysis and moderated regression analysis (MRA). The results of this study indicate that the fraud risk assessment has no significant effect on the ability to detect fraud. Professional skepticism, workload, and experience have a significant positive effect on the ability to detect fraud. The test results also show that experience can moderate the influence of the relationship between fraud risk assessment and the ability to detect fraud. Based on the results of the study it can be concluded that experience is a moderating quasi variable where experience has a direct and indirect influence (moderation) on the ability to detect fraud. The influence of fraud risk assessment on the ability to detect fraud is determined by experience.
Does debt convergence hold in case of India?

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to examine the convergence analysis of public debt among Indian states using annual data from 1990‒1991 to 2014‒2015. Design/methodology/approach The paper tests this hypothesis using club convergence technique propounded by Phillips and Sul (2007). Findings The results reveal the existence of debt divergence for overall Indian states. States are formed into four clubs on the basis of their level of debt, and three clubs support the hypothesis of club convergence. Further, the total public debt decomposes into three compositions such as market loans, bank loans and loans and advances from the central government. The existence of convergence is found for market loans and bank loans; however, the presence of divergence is found in case of loans and advances for overall states. Practical implications Since public debt plays an important role for fiscal health of the Indian states, findings of this study suggest to squeeze the fiscal consolidation further for Indian states whose debts as a percentage to gross state domestic product are on the higher side. Further, the examination of debt convergence helps to manage debt level among the states because heavy dependence on public debt could retard investment and economic growth. Originality/value Whereas bulk of empirical studies emphasize on examining the linkage between public debt and economic growth, and issue on debt sustainability across Indian states, examination of convergence of debt and its compositions (markets borrowings, bank loans and loans and advances from the central government) among the Indian states is scanty.
Political instability and its impact on economic growth: the case of Jordan

Purpose Political instability may have far-reaching implications for economic performance. This paper aims to analyze the impact of political instability on economic growth by focusing on the case of Jordan, a small country located in the Middle East, which represents a highly political instable region. Design/methodology/approach The analysis is performed by regressing different indicators for internal and external political instability on economic growth for the period from 1980 to 2015 using the fully modified ordinary least squares approach. Findings The results point at a significant impact of political instability on the economic growth of the country in all the specifications considered; in particular, the analysis reveals a positive impact of external political instability indexed by border countries’ political instability and a negative impact of internal political instability, as proxied by the number of crimes and cabinet changes. Further, regarding the effect of the level of freedom, the authors find evidence for the so-called conflict perspective. Originality/value This paper is original and relevant for two main reasons. First, it adds to the debate on the effects of political instability on economic growth, and hereby, disentangles the effects of internal and external political instability. Second, it makes an important contribution by focusing on the case of Jordan, which has received little attention in the literature on political instability so far, even though political instability is a constant threat to the country.
Essays on Structural Transformation and Trade

This dissertation examines the dynamics of structural transformation and employment structure in developing countries, the impact of trade liberalization on these dynamics, and, finally, the empirical methods used to estimate this impact. In the first chapter, I document that while structural transformation out of agriculture has historically entailed a transition from self-employment to wage employment, sub-Saharan Africa has diverged from this pattern in having a particularly high level of self-employment. I provide some evidence that this could be due to variation in the drivers of structural transformation across regions, namely an increase in agricultural productivity or natural resource export earnings, rather than an increase in non-agricultural productivity. In the second chapter, I study the impact of trade liberalization on regional structural transformation and industrialization in Brazil. I show that Brazil’s import tariff reductions in the early 1990s actually had a positive impact on manufacturing labor demand, accelerating the transition out of informal agriculture, and reallocating employment towards manufacturing and formal services rather than informal services. In the final chapter of the dissertation, I apply a critical lens to Bartik-style regional trade shocks, the empirical method used to estimate the regional effects of trade policy. To ensure that the interpretation of the results are consistent with the underlying theory, I propose a simple test that checks for consistency between industry-level and regional-level outcomes. I then demonstrate the application of the test in the context of trade liberalization in Brazil.
Consumption Uncertainty Reduction Among Sweet Potato Smallholder Farmers in Tanzania

This study examines food production and consumption among smallholder sweet potato farmers in the selected districts of Tanzania, namely Kishapu and Mvomero. Inter-cropping is commonly practiced among smallholder farmers in the study area to shield against harvest failure due to unpredictable weather change. Crop productivity in the study area was low for almost all staples selected for the analysis, leading to low food consumption among smallholder farmers and their household members in the study area. Most smallholder farmers’ food consumption in the study area was below the minimum standard. Some households failed to provide three meals for their family members, including children, pregnant mothers, and lactating mothers. Some farmers could only afford one meal. The calorie intake analysis indicated that more than half of the households surveyed had less than minimum caloric intake in both the pre- and post-harvest period. Due to food consumption uncertainty, smallholder farmers hardly changed their consumption level as their income changed. Even though consumption was inelastic, consumption inequality closely followed income inequality among smallholder farmers in the study area. Food crop productivity improvement was vital in reducing food consumption uncertainty among smallholder farmers in the study area.
Financial applications of semidefinite programming: a review and call for interdisciplinary research

Optimization problems in finance commonly have non-linear constraints for which previous solutions have required unrealistic assumptions. However, many of these can be efficiently solved as Semidefinite Programming (SDP) problems, which have less restrictive assumptions. Through review of the literature that uses SDP in finance, two major research streams are identified: portfolio optimization and option pricing. Nevertheless, many finance researchers are unaware of SDP. One possible reason is that this research is often published in non-finance journals. This paper aims to better integrate the SDP research to promote wider use of current findings and further interdisciplinary research, particularly in environmental finance.
HuCoM: A Model for Human Comfort Estimation in Personalized Human-Robot Collaboration

Human comfort is significant in human-robot collaboration since it can influence the task efficiency and quality. In this paper, we propose a computational Human Comfort Model (HuCoM) to model and quantify the human comfort during human-robot collaborative manufacturing. Based on the defined primitive comfort rewards and combined comfort rewards, the HuCoM is developed with an incorporation of the static comfort model and the dynamic comfort model. We validate and evaluate the proposed model by several human-robot collaborative tasks via a YuMi robot.
Hebdomadal Patterns of Compensatory Behaviour: Weekday and Weekend Housework Participation in Canada, 1986–2010

Quantitative housework research focused on aggregate weekly hours, which are inadequate in revealing hebdomadal compensatory behaviour in housework participation because such behaviour is likely to occur on weekends when couples have more time to do housework. This article extends the existing theoretical frameworks by accounting for the hebdomadal patterns in routine and non-routine housework tasks. Employing five time-use waves of the Canadian General Social Survey, our study shows that the hebdomadal compensatory behaviour applies both to women and men. Equal-earner and breadwinner wives compensate for their low levels of weekday housework participation by doing more routine housework on weekends. Similarly, husbands also increase their time on routine housework on weekends. Therefore, compensatory behaviour is more likely to depend on hebdomadal time availability rather than on the neutralisation of gender deviance in the labour market (gender deviance neutralisation). Some evidence of the gender deviance neutralisation, however, cannot be completely ruled out.
Pengaruh Karakteristik Perusahaan Pada Pengungkapan Tanggung Jawab Sosial Perusahaan

Tujuan penelitian ini untuk memberi bukti empiris pengaruh karakteristik perusahaan yang meliputi umur perusahaan, ukuran perusahaan, profitabilitas, dan ukuran dewan komisaris pada corporate social responsibility disclosure. Penelitian ini dilakukan pada perusahaan yang terdaftar di Bursa Efek Indonesia dengan periode pengamatan selama 3 tahun yaitu dari tahun 2015-2017. Sampel penelitian ini berjumlah 52 perusahaan dengan jumlah pengamatan sebanyak 110. Metode penentuan sampel menggunakan teknik purposive sampling. Hasil penelitian ini menunjukkan bahwa umur perusahaan dan ukuran perusahaan berpengaruh positif pada corporate social responsibility disclosure, sedangkan profitabilitas dan ukuran dewan komisaris tidak dapat dibuktikann berpengaruh pada corporate social responsibility disclosure. Kata Kunci : corporate social responsibility disclosure, umur perusahaan, ukuran perusahaan, profitabilitas, ukuran dewan komisaris.
Gifts as governance: Church Welfare and the Samaritan's dilemma

Abstract How do gifts relate to formal and informal institutions? Giving gifts, especially in the form of anti-poverty aid, opens the givers to a serious social dilemma: the Samaritan's dilemma. We explain how the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints uses a mixture of formal and informal governance to provide sustainable social welfare programs that avoid this dilemma. These institutions not only govern aid arrangements, but also provide governance across the entire Church community, encouraging religious adherence and broad-based participation.
Challenges to Academic Research and International publishing in the Discipline of Tourism and Hospitality Management in Egypt

Enriching the body of knowledge represents the main purpose of conducting academic research in any discipline. Such a purpose can be best achieved by sharing research through international platforms/outlets. This study aims to investigate the challenges of academic research and publishing papers in international periodicals within the discipline of tourism and hospitality management. A quantitative approach was adopted in this study using A questionnaire was used for gathering primary data. The sample of the study included 68 academic researchers from different tourism and hospitality faculties/institutes in Egypt. The results of the study showed that scholars at the field of tourism and hospitality management struggled against many obstacles during different stages of conducting research, such as lack of appropriate references; limited access to databases; absence of established research designs; biased and uncooperative participants. The results also revealed that publishing research in local periodicals was dominant in this discipline in Egypt due to many challenges, including long time and high costs associated with international publishing. The study has concluded some practices for handling challenges to academic research.