Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Effect of Managerial Practices on the Implementation of Strategic Plans by SMEs in Nairobi, Kenya

A well-conceived strategic plan enhances business performance, decision making, catalyse strategic change and contribute to strategic direction in organizations (Wilson & Eilertsen, 2010). Being a formal managerial process, strategic planning involves sequence of analytical and evaluative procedures to formulate an intended strategy. It also aligns the major objectives, strategies, and policies that govern the acquisition and allocation of resources to achieve organizational goals. (Johnson, Scholes & Whittington, 2008; O’Regan and Ghobadian, 2002). Its benefits are competitive advantage through matching firm capabilities and competencies to the external environment, effective decision making, optimal allocation of resources and long-term prosperity of the firm . This study seeks to investigate how managerial practices affects the implementation of strategic plans by SMEs in Nairobi County in Kenya. Prior studies indicated that many SMEs are practicing strategic planning but the implementation process remains a challenge leading to shelving of well-formulated strategies that fail at the implementation stage. While existing studies focused on relationships between various factors that impact on the strategy implementation, this study endeavored to establish the influence of managerial practices on implementation. To achieve the main objective, a survey of 96 SMEs was conducted from a population frame of 810 SMEs registered by the Nairobi City Council. Both quantitative and qualitative data were collected. A questionnaire containing both open-ended and closed questions was used for data collection. The response rate of 91.67% was achieved. Data collected was analyzed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) software. The study results indicate that managerial practices affect implementation of strategic plans in Kenyan SMEs. Based on the findings, the study has recommended that SMEs should take initiatives to improve their management practices through lobbying, professional and industry organizations, adoption of best practices and taking advantage of both government and private sector initiatives. Key Words : Strategic Planning, Management Practices, Internal Environment
Shear Force-Relative Displacement Relationships of L-shape Shear Connector Subjected to Strut Compressive Force

This study investigates the relationships between shear force and relative displacement of L-shape shear connector by means of beam type test method. Based on experimental results, an equation to predict the ultimate shear capacity of L-shape shear connector at split failure occurrence was developed. Moreover, an equation for the enveloped curve of shear force-relative displacement relationship of the shear connector was proposed. The ultimate relative displacement was found to be approximately 0.02 times the height of the shear connector regardless of strut angle and concrete strength.
Markets, citizenship and rights: state regulation of labour migration in Malaysia and Spain

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Investigating the Differences of Single-Vehicle and Multivehicle Accident Probability Using Mixed Logit Model

Road traffic accidents are believed to be associated with not only road geometric feature and traffic characteristic, but also weather condition. To address these safety issues, it is of paramount importance to understand how these factors affect the occurrences of the crashes. Existing studies have suggested that the mechanisms of single-vehicle (SV) accidents and multivehicle (MV) accidents can be very different. Few studies were conducted to examine the difference of SV and MV accident probability by addressing unobserved heterogeneity at the same time. To investigate the different contributing factors on SV and MV, a mixed logit model is employed using disaggregated data with the response variable categorized as no accidents, SV accidents, and MV accidents. The results indicate that, in addition to speed gap, length of segment, and wet road surfaces which are significant for both SV and MV accidents, most of other variables are significant only for MV accidents. Traffic, road, and surface characteristics are main influence factors of SV and MV accident possibility. Hourly traffic volume, inside shoulder width, and wet road surface are found to produce statistically significant random parameters. Their effects on the possibility of SV and MV accident vary across different road segments.
Effects of Pre-Pubertal Plane of Nutrition on Skeletal Growth, Lamb Mortality, IGF-1 Concentrations, Quantity and Quality of Colostrum Production in Kurdish Female Lambs

This experiment was conducted to investigate the effect of pre-pubertal plane of nutrition on the skeletal growth, lamb mortality, insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) concentrations, quantity and quality of colostrum produced in ewe lambs. A total of 40 clinically health Kurdish female lambs (30±8.6 d and weighing 10.2±3.4 kg) were randomly allocated to one of two experimental diets in pre-weaning period: high quality diet (HQD, 2.50 Mcal ME/kg dry matter (DM) and 148 g CP/kg DM) or low quality diet (LQD, 2.02 Mcal ME/kg DM and 87 g CP/kg DM). At weaning, one half of lambs from each group was randomly separated and assigned to HQD or LQD. So there were four treatment groups in post-weaning period: H-H (HQD pre- and post-weaning); H-L (HQD pre-weaning and LQD post-weaning); L-H (LQD pre-weaning and HQD post-weaning) and L-L (LQD pre and post-weaning, control group). Weekly DM intake was determined. Serum IGF-1 concentrations was determined by ELISA method. The HQD treatment increased DM intake and BW (body Weight) compared with the LQD treatment during pre-weaning period(P 0.05). HW at weaning time was not affected by quality of diet. However, lambs of H-H and L-H sequences had a higher increase in HW during post-weaning period compared with lambs of H-L and L-L sequences. Quantity and quality of colostrum was not influenced by pre-pubertal plane of nutrition (P>0.05). Based on the results of current study the authors’ suggestion is that skeletal compensatory growth during post-weaning period can compensate losses caused by poor nutrition during pre-weaning period. And also, the results indicated that skeletal size is a better indication for first-lactation colostrum yield than body weight (BW).
Estimating Compensating Wage Differentials with Endogenous Job Mobility

We estimate compensating wage differentials for occupational fatality risk using administrative longitudinal matched employer-employee data from Brazil. Our method documents, and corrects for, the presence of bias from endogenous job mobility and nonrandom assignment of workers to firms that may be correlated with unobserved job characteristics. We find that changes in risk across jobs are correlated with changes in residual wages, so estimates that only control for unobserved worker heterogeneity are biased downward. Controlling for unobserved plant and job-match effects, while allowing for correlation between worker effects, plant effects, and risk, implies compensating differentials that are about 8 times larger than within-worker estimates, and lie between cross-sectional and within-worker estimates. The implied value of a statistical life (VSL) for prime-age male workers, after correction for endogenous mobility, is estimated to be 330,000 reais – equivalent to 42 years employed at the average wage. In addition, our data allow us to measure fatality risk within very detailed industry-occupation cells, alleviating concern about measurement error and aggregation bias that has been highlighted in recent research.
Determinants of Employee Engagement in Service Sector of Pakistan

The aim of this study was to investigate what are the determinants of employee engagement in service sector of Pakistan. A self-administered questionnaire was used for data collection of data from respondents working in service sector on five-point Likert scale. Overall 301 filled useable questionnaires were entered. The average age is 25-29 years and 67% of total respondents are male. The average working experience of the participants is 2-5 years. The results of confirmatory factor analysis and multiple regression analysis indicate that the core self-evaluation, fairness and treatment of employees and service environment of organization are positively and significantly related with employee engagement. Different antecedents of employee engagement are investigated in this study. As a result, this research endeavors to fill the gap about the lack of academic literature on fairness and treatment of employees in Pakistani context. Findings of this research do have practical implications for service sector, mainly for their human resources department as how they can increase the engagement of employees in service sector. Low sample size is limitation in generalizing the results of this study. Sample size may be increased and this study should be tested in other regions as well.
Moderate Level of Genetic Diversity in Anthocephalus Macrophyllus Roxb, an Endemic Tree of Sulawesi and Its Implication in Conservation

Anthocephalus macrophyllus Roxb is an endemic tree to Sulawesi having high economic value. It has rarely been investigated, either in genetic population or genetic consevation aspects. The information regarding genetic diversity is very important in order to gain more understanding for breeding and conservation strategies. Genetic diversity is used as material selection of expected genotype. The study was to determine genetic diversity of A. macrophyllus from Sulawesi provenances that would be used in further development of this species. Leaf samples were collected from 108 families of A. macrophyllus belong to Sulawesi provenances. Four out of ten microsatellite markers that had high polymorphism were used for amplifying the 108 DNA samples. Results showed number of allele and mean of allele were 3 to 4 alleles and 3,5, respectively. Moreover, PIC mean of the evaluated loci was 3,7. The analysis of genetic relationship showed that the 108 families had moderate level of genetic diversity. This research suggest to establish germplasm nursery via either seed from different provenance. In situ and ex situ approaches have to be applied together for conserving genetic resources of Anthocephalus macrophyllus.
DNA C-values of 20 invasive alien species and 3 native species in South China.

Cultivated fields and forests in South China are experiencing serious damage due to invasive alien plants. We investigated the relation between DNA C-values and invasiveness. The DNA C-values of 23 species ranged from 0.39 pg to 3.37 pg. Herbs, perennials and native species had higher mean DNA C-values than shrubs, annuals and invasive alien species. DNA C-values decreased with increasing invasiveness. Paederia scandens, a harmful native species, has the lowest DNA C-value among the perennials, indicating that native species with low nuclear content may also possess an invasive potential.
Softening the ultra-stiff : controlled variation of Young ’ s modulus in single-crystal 1 diamond 2 3

Softening the ultra-stiff: Controlled variation of Young’s modulus in single-crystal diamond by ion implantation / Battiato, A. ; Lorusso, M. ; Bernardi, E. ; Picollo, F. ; Bosia, F. ; Ugues, D. ; Zelferino, A. ; Damin, A. ; Baima, J.; Pugno, N.M. ; Ambrosio, E.P.; Olivero, P. In: ACTA MATERIALIA. ISSN 1359-6454. 116(2016), pp. 95-103. Original Citation: Softening the ultra-stiff: Controlled variation of Young’s modulus in single-crystal diamond by ion implantation
Corporate Leverage: How Much Do Managers Really Matter?

This paper studies the effect of top managers on corporate financing decisions. Differences among CEOs account for a great deal of the variation in leverage among firms. This effect can account for the firm fixed effects on capital structure stressed by Lemmon et al (2006). After a CEO is forced out, leverage typically declines. Firms that offer higher pay-for-performance to the top executives, adjust leverage to target more rapidly. CEO personal characteristics are not closely connected to corporate leverage choices. To some extent the CEO may be serving as a proxy for an entire management team. The CFO seems to play at least as important a role as the CEO in determining corporate leverage.
Passive Acoustic Measurement of Bedload Grain Size Distribution using the Self-Generated Noise

Monitoring sediment transport processes in rivers is of particular interest to engineers and scientists to assess the stability of rivers and hydraulic structures. Various methods for sediment transport processes description were proposed using conventional or surrogate measurement techniques. This paper addresses the topic of the passive acoustic monitoring of bedload transport in rivers and especially the estimation of the bedload grain size distribution from self-generated noise. It discusses the feasibility of linking the acoustic signal spectrum shape to bedload-grain sizes involved in elastic impacts with 15 the river bed treated as a massive slab. Bedload grain size distribution is estimated by a regularized algebraic inversion scheme fed with the power spectrum density of river noise estimated from one hydrophone. The inversion methodology relies upon a physical model that predicts the acoustic field generated by the collision between rigid bodies. Here it we is proposed an analytic model of the acoustic energy spectrum generated by the impacts between a sphere and a slab. The proposed model computes the power spectral density of bedload noise using as a linear system of analytic energy spectra weighted by the grain 20 size distribution. The algebraic system of equations is then solved by least square optimization and solution regularization methods. The result of inversion leads directly to the estimation of the bedload grain size distribution. The inversion method was applied on real acoustic data from passive acoustics experiments realized on the Isère River, in France. The inversion of in situ measured spectra reveals good estimations of grain size distribution, fairly close to what was estimated by physical sampling instruments. These results illustrate the potential of the hydrophone technique to be used as a standalone method that 25 could ensures high spatial and temporal resolution measurements for sediment transport in rivers.
A class of asymmetric regression models for left-censored data

A common assumption regarding the standard tobit model is the normality of the error distribution. However, asymmetry and bimodality may be present and alternative tobit models must be used. In this paper, we propose a tobit model based on the class of log-symmetric distributions, which includes as special cases heavy and light tailed distributions and bimodal distributions. We implement a likelihood-based approach for parameter estimation and derive a type of residual. We then discuss the problem of performing testing inference in the proposed class by using the likelihood ratio and gradient statistics, which are particularly convenient for tobit models, as they do not require the information matrix. A thorough Monte Carlo study is presented to evaluate the performance of the maximum likelihood estimators and the likelihood ratio and gradient tests. Finally, we illustrate the proposed methodology by using a real-world data set.
Global Identification of Linearized DSGE Models

This paper introduces a time domain framework to analyze global identification of stochastically nonsingular DSGE models. A formal identification condition is established that relies on the restrictions linking the observationally equivalent minimal state space representations and on the inherent constraints imposed by them on deep model parameters. We next develop an algorithm that checks global identification by searching for observationally equivalent model parametrizations. The algorithm is efficient as the identification conditions it employs shrink considerably the space of candidate deep parameter points and does not require solving the model at each of these points. We also derive two complementary necessary conditions for global identification. Their usefulness and the working of the algorithm are illustrated with an example.
A Study of the Properties of Electrical Insulation Oils and of the Components of Natural Oils

This paper presents a study of the electrical and non-electrical properties of insulating oils. For the correct choice of an electrical insulation oil, it is necessary to know its density, dynamic viscosity, dielectric constant, loss number and conductivity, and the effects of various exposure factors. This paper deals with mathematical and physical principles needed for studying and making correct measurements of the dynamic viscosity, density and electrical properties of insulation oils. Rheological properties were measured using an A&D SV-10 vibratory viscometer, and analytical balance with density determination kit, which operates on the principle of Archimedes’ law. Dielectric properties were measured using a LCR meter Agilent 4980A with connected with the Agilent 16452A test fixture for dielectric liquids.
Preferences for Redistribution among Emigrantsfrom a Welfare State

This paper studies attitudes towards income redistribution in the country of origin among those who stay in a welfare state, and those who emigrate. We find a striking gender difference among Danish emigrants. Majority of men opposes increasing income redistribution, while majority of women supports it. Women are somewhat more positive towards redistribution also in Denmark, but the gender difference is much smaller. We study to what extent differences in attitudes towards redistribution are driven by beliefs about the determinants of individual success, generalized trust, assimilation to the new home country, and self-selection of emigrants to the United States and other destinations. We do not find evidence of assimilation to political values prevalent in the new home country.
Evaluating the efficacy of 'Trichoderma' spp and 'Bacillus substilis' as biocontrol agents against 'Magnaporthe grisea' in rice

Rice blast causes yield losses to rice farmers worldwide. Although this problem is currently being addressed through the use of resistant rice varieties, fungicide and rotation farming, these methods alone do not form a durable, long lasting solution in mitigating disease. Here we obtained Trichoderma isolates from soil and tested their efficacy as biocontrol agents against Magnaporthe grisea. Twenty-two Trichoderma isolates were identified and used in dual culture assays to determine antagonistic ability before isolates showing promise were administered to rice plants grown in greenhouse conditions where the efficacy of these isolates was tested individually or as dual inoculums with Bacillus substilis UKM1. The results showed that the dual inoculation of biocontrol agents caused significant (p =0.05) inhibition of M. grisea as compared to a single agent. In addition, we observed the inhibitory effect of Trichoderma T2 under SEM where the hypha of the biocontrol agent coiled and possibly enzymatically degraded the pathogen. Trichoderma T2 in combination with B. substilis UKM1 gave the highest reduction in pre-post damping off, disease infection and disease severity caused by M. grisea in greenhouse conditions. From the greenhouse experimentations, the biocontrol agents were more efficient in inhibiting rice blast when applied prior to transplantation as compared to when applications were made at seed setting stage.
The 'Numbers Game' in The Pre-and Post-Sarbanes-Oxley Eras

This paper asks two questions. First, has the prevalence of expectations management to meet/beat analyst expectations changed in the aftermath of the 2001-2002 accounting scandals and the passage of the 2002 Sarbanes-Oxley Act (SOX)? Second, has the mix among the three mechanisms used for meeting earnings targets: accrual earnings management, real earnings management, and earnings expectations management shifted in the Post-SOX Period? We document that the propensity to meet/beat analyst expectations has declined significantly in the Post-SOX Period. Our primary findings explain this pattern. In particular, we find a decline in the use of expectations management and accrual management, and no change in real earnings management in the Post-SOX Period relative to the preceding seven-year period. Our results are robust to controlling for varying macro economic conditions. These findings contribute to the academic literature, investors, and regulators.
The Effects of Board Characteristics and Ownership Structure on the Corporate Financial Leverage

The paper aims to investigate the linkage between some corporate governance mechanism such as board characteristics, ownership structure and corporate financial leverage in an emerging market, Egypt. To achieve the objectives of this study, we use a sample of 36 non-financial firms selected from the more actively traded 50 listed Egyptian firms in the Egyptian Stock Exchange (EGX) covering the period from 2007 to 2011. Measures of corporate financial leverage employed are the total debt ratio, the long-term debt ratio and the short-term debt ratio. The explanatory variables of corporate characteristics are board size, outside non-executive directors, CEO duality, and board female proportion. The measures of ownership structure include managerial ownership, institutional ownership, block holder's ownership and governmental ownership. Similarly, the effect of some control variables like firm size, profitability, growth and tangibility has been also examined. The multiple regression models (OLS) were used to analyze the data. Results show that institutional ownership and governmental ownership are significantly positively related to corporate leverage, whereas board size, board female, and block holding are found to be significantly negatively correlated. Although Egyptian firms still have weak corporate governance mechanisms compared to firms in developing countries, the empirical findings suggest that board characteristics and ownership structure playing an important role in deciding the Egyptian corporate financial leverage.