Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The Implied Cost of Equity Capital and Corporate Governance Practices

This paper examines the relation between corporate governance practices and the implied cost of equity capital through a sample of firm-year observations from 2001 to 2004. Enhanced corporate governance improves financial reporting quality, thereby lowers the cost of equity capital. To examine this relation, this paper uses a unique data set on firmlevel corporate governance practices provided by the Korea Corporate Governance Service (KCGS). This study finds that sound corporate governance practices are negatively related to the implied cost of equity capital estimates. Among several advantages of sound corporate governance practices, shareholder rights protection has the most significant effect on lowering the implied cost of equity capital. Board of directors and disclosure policy are also important in reducing the implied cost of equity capital. Overall, consistent with our expectations, the result shows that sound corporate governance practices reduce the implied cost of equity capital through a reduction in agency problems and information asymmetry.
Seemingly Inconsistent Analyst Revisions

Abstract In about 20%–30% of cases where an analyst revises two outputs (namely, earnings estimates, target prices, or stock recommendations) simultaneously, the two estimates are revised in opposite directions. Existing literature notes that these inconsistent outputs are widespread, and concludes that they are lower-quality, driven by strategic bias, and are viewed as less valid by investors. We find that these characterizations are generally inaccurate. Apparent inconsistency is largely driven by accounting and economic factors, with only limited evidence that investment banking-related conflicts play a role. Moreover, inconsistent outputs are neither less accurate than consistent outputs nor do they resolve less investor uncertainty upon their release. Overall, our results suggest that researchers should be cautious in interpreting the correlation between analyst outputs as a measure of bias or quality, and in using a single analyst output as a proxy for an analyst's overall views.
Doing Good While Doing Well: Service Learning Internships

that, since most business and professional communication students will graduate to work in industry, the best placements for them are, therefore, necessarily in industry as well. Certainly industry-sponsored internships are valuable as career preparation. However, my five years of experience coordinating internships for our Technical & Professional Writing Program at San Francisco State University convinces me that internships in nonprofits often can provide many of the same transitional benefits as internships in industry, and more. This article makes the case for that claim plus provides practical guidance for professors who
Down‐regulation of Flt‐1 gene expression by the proteasome inhibitor MG262

The mechanisms involved in the anti‐angiogenic actions of the proteasome inhibitors are poorly understood. Here, we report that the gene expression of the VEGF receptor Flt‐1 (vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 1) was down‐regulated by the reversible proteasome inhibitor MG262 in explant cultures of the developing chicken pecten oculi, a vascular organ consisting of endothelial cells, pericytes, and macrophages. In addition, the inhibitor prevented the induction of Flt‐1 by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) in macrophages and down‐regulated the expression of Flt‐1 after LPS induction. Flt‐1 gene expression was also down regulated by MG262 in cultures of human microvascular endothelial cells. Interestingly, a transcript of Flt‐1, coding for a soluble form of the receptor (sFlt‐1) with anti‐angiogenic properties, was not down‐regulated in the same extent. Only a small decrease in the expression of VEGF and Ang‐2 was detected in the pecten oculi upon inhibition of the proteasome, while no major changes were observed in the expression of other angiogenic molecules, such as KDR or Ang‐1. Since recent experiments have demonstrated the importance of anti‐Flt‐1 therapy in the inhibition of tumor angiogenesis, retinal angiogenesis, arthritis, and atherosclerosis (Luttun et al. [ 2002 ]: Nat Med 8:831–840), our observation on down‐regulation of Flt‐1 in microvascular endothelial cells and macrophages by MG262 supports the postulated role of the proteasome inhibitors as potential candidates for therapeutic modulation of angiogenesis and inflammation. © 2003 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Aprendizagem e inovação no contexto das redes de cooperação entre pequenas e médias empresas

O presente artigo visa entender a dinâmica de aprendizagem e de inovacao no contexto das redes de cooperacao entre pequenas e medias empresas, buscando responder a seguinte questao de pesquisa: a cooperacao em rede proporciona condicoes para a aprendizagem e a inovacao junto as empresas associadas? O trabalho fundamenta-se teoricamente em reflexoes de autores que sinalizam que os resultados dos esforcos de aprendizagem e de inovacao estao deslocando-se de um processo unidirecional, individual e endogeno da firma individual para um processo aberto, multidirecional, colaborativo e em rede. A pesquisa foi implementada por meio de duas etapas de coleta de dados: a primeira conduzida por meio de um grupo focal e a segunda realizada por uma survey, aplicada em uma amostra de 816 empresas associadas a redes de cooperacao empresarial. Entre os principais resultados, destaca-se que as redes com maior tempo de existencia, com maior numero de empresas e do setor do comercio foram as que apresentaram maior desempenho em relacao a adocao de novas praticas e lancamento de novos produtos e servicos.
Utilization patterns of systemic corticosteroid use for chronic rhinosinusitis

Abstract Objective: We sought to characterize the utilization pattern and factors associated with use of systemic corticosteroids for CRS. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study of 236 participants with CRS who were prospectively recruited. Participants reported the number of CRS-related oral corticosteroid courses taken in the last year. Baseline CRS symptomatology was measured using the 22-item Sinonasal Outcome Test (SNOT-22) and SNOT-22 sleep, nasal, otologic/facial pain and emotional subdomain scores. Clinical and demographic characteristics were also collected. Association was determined between patient characteristics and oral corticosteroid use in the last year for CRS. Results: Sleep (p = .026), nasal (p < .001) and otologic/facial pain (p = .022) SNOT-22 subdomain scores, and nasal polyps (p = .007) were associated with CRS-related oral corticosteroid use. In study participants without polyps, past CRS-related oral corticosteroid use was associated with sleep (adjusted OR = 1.56, 95%CI: 1.01–2.40, p = .043), otologic/facial pain (adjusted OR = 1.65, 95%CI: 1.09–2.51, p = .019) and nasal subdomain scores (adjusted OR = 1.59, 95%CI: 1.01–2.51, p = .047). In study participants with polyps, past CRS-related oral corticosteroid use was only associated with the nasal subdomain score (adjusted OR = 2.20, 95%CI: 1.40–3.45, p = .001). Conclusions: Past CRS-related oral corticosteroid use was associated with increased baseline severity of specific symptoms, which were different depending on the presence of polyps.
Group Membership, Relationship Banking and Loan Default Risk: The Case of Online Social Lending

This paper uses a new data source, online social lending (a.k.a. peer-to-peer lending), to help answer the question of what impact borrower-lender information asymmetries have on adverse selection, moral hazard and the hold-up problem. The hold-up problem refers to when lenders with private positive information do not pass long the savings associated with lower borrower risk to the borrower. The results indicate that the hold-up problem is more severe with private lenders than public lenders, and that personal relationships can mitigate the moral hazard problem. This data source has characteristics such as group membership that allow analysis of the public (outsider) versus private (insider) debt choice without some of the endogeneity issues that are present when using other data sources. Each loan contains detailed bidding information from both public and private investors. Thus, a clean distinction can be drawn between public and private debt without the potential problem of unobserved borrower risk characteristics.
A Unified Analysis of the Fault Tolerance Capability in Six-Phase Induction Motor Drives

The fault tolerance of electric drives is highly appreciated at industry for security and economic reasons, and the inherent redundancy of six-phase machines provides the desired fault-tolerant capability with no extra hardware. For this reason some recent research efforts have been focused on the fault-tolerant design, modeling, and control of six-phase machines. Nevertheless, a unified and conclusive analysis of the postfault capability of six-phase machine is still missing. This paper provides a full picture of the postfault derating in generic six-phase machines and a specific analysis of the fault-tolerant capability of the three mainstream six-phase induction machines (asymmetrical, symmetrical, and dual three phase). Experimental results confirm the theoretical post fault current limits and allow concluding, which is the best six-phase machine for each fault scenario and neutral arrangement.
Indian consumers' brand equity toward a US and local apparel brand

Purpose – The purpose of this study is to examine effects of gender, need for uniqueness, and attitudes toward American products on dimensions of brand equity for a US and local apparel brand in the Indian market.Design/methodology/approach – Three dimensions of brand equity are evaluated based on the respondents' shopping experience related to the selected US and local apparel brands. Data are collected from a convenience sample of college students in India.Findings – The empirical tests show that, for a US apparel brand, there are direct and indirect effects of Indian consumers' gender, need for uniqueness (NFU), and attitudes toward American products on three dimensions of brand equity: perceived quality, brand loyalty, and brand associations with brand awareness. For local apparel brands, these effects are found for only one brand equity dimension: perceived quality.Research limitations/implications – The study uses only one US apparel brand, which may limit the generalization of the findings to all p.
Sales promotion in the supermarket industry: a four country case comparison

This paper considers four different markets (China, Singapore, Malaysia and New Zealand) and compares the relative development of the supermarket industry in each to observed sales promotion use and stated managerial preference. A case-based approach to research is taken in order to better highlight key similarities and differences between the four countries and compare sales promotion preferences in light of different industry structures, levels of market development and culture. The article examines three Asian (China, Singapore and Malaysia) and one Western supermarket industry (New Zealand), each exhibiting different levels of industrialisation and contrasting multinational involvement in the industry. The research finds that as industrialisation of a market increases, along with increasing sophistication of consumers and multinationalisaition of the industry, use of passive value-added techniques (such as sampling, demonstrations and free gifts) should decrease. This has marked implications for retailing in Asia, which is made up of highly differentiated countries in regard to market sophistication and gives specific direction for application of sales promotion techniques in the Asian region.
Socioeconomic status and the incidence of ESRD.

BACKGROUND Persons of low socioeconomic status (SES) may be at increased risk of end-stage renal disease (ESRD). This study examines the association between SES and incidence of ESRD caused by all primary renal diseases and caused by 3 diseases that differ in the availability of effective treatment: diabetes mellitus, lupus nephritis, and autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD). STUDY DESIGN Retrospective cohort study. SETTING & PARTICIPANTS Adults with incident ESRD in the United States from January 1, 1996, to June 30, 2004 (N = 747,556). PREDICTOR SES, based on characteristics of the patient's ZIP code of residence. OUTCOMES Incidence of ESRD. RESULTS In all sex-race groups, the incidence of ESRD caused by all primary renal diseases was greatest in those in the lowest SES score quartile and decreased progressively with higher SES. For example, for white women, the incidence of ESRD was 388.9 per million in the lowest quartile of SES and 200.8 per million in the highest quartile of SES (relative risk, 1.92; 95% confidence interval, 1.89 to 1.95). However, this association differed among patients with primary renal diseases. There were strong associations between SES and ESRD caused by diabetes mellitus, weaker associations for ESRD caused by lupus nephritis, and generally no associations for ESRD caused by ADPKD. For example, for white women, relative risks of ESRD in the lowest compared with the highest SES quartile were 2.84 for ESRD caused by diabetes mellitus, 1.63 for ESRD caused by lupus nephritis, and 1.27 for ESRD caused by ADPKD. LIMITATIONS Use of an area-based measure of SES. CONCLUSIONS The strength of the association between SES and ESRD differs among patients with diabetes mellitus, lupus nephritis, and ADPKD, suggesting that socioeconomic factors act differently in the progression of chronic kidney disease in these conditions.
Satisfaction, inertia, and customer loyalty in the varying levels of the zone of tolerance and alternative attractiveness

Purpose – Empirical studies investigating the antecedents of customer loyalty typically focus on satisfaction. This study aims to develop and test a more comprehensive model of the antecedents of customer loyalty, including satisfaction and inertia. In addition, this study also considers how the effects of satisfaction and inertia on customer loyalty vary with differing levels of the zone of tolerance (ZOT), and how these are likely to change due to customers' alternative attractiveness.Design/methodology/approach – Hierarchical moderated regression analysis was used to test the hypotheses.Findings – The results show that a wider level of the ZOT strengthens the positive effect of inertia on customer loyalty, while also reducing the positive effect of satisfaction. The results also indicate that the negative moderating effect of the ZOT on the relationship between satisfaction and customer loyalty will reduce as alternative attractiveness increases. In contrast, the positive moderating effect of the ZOT o.
Effects of Performance Management and Incentive Allocation on Development of Thai Public Services and Officers

The Public Sector Development Commission implemented a performance management system comprised of goal setting, performance appraisal, and incentives for performance in 2004. The ultimate objective was to improve the ability and standard of Thai public services and to continually improve the efficiency of Thai public officers. This study aims to investigate the effects of this performance management system during the period 20042007, and to give some recommendations on how to improve the system. The research methodology includes both secondary and primary data collection. In-depth primary data is obtained from interviewing top management and concerned officers from 20 selected units; broad primary data is obtained from questionnaires. There are two groups of respondents - management and staff. They are stratified using multi-stage sampling with a 37.1% response rate from management and 59.31% from staff. The findings are: (1) Both goal setting and performance appraisal, at almost equal levels, have a significant effect on the efficiency and effectiveness of both units and individuals. The effect on units is higher than the effect on individuals. (2) The effects of incentives vary between the two methods. Equal results for usefulness and not-usefulness to public sector development from the interview study, and some effect to public sector development (increasing unit efficiency, and employee satisfaction leading to efficient and quality working improvement) from the survey study, with more effect on organizations and units than individuals. Some management recommendations are also included in this research.
Do Electronic Logbooks Contribute to Motor Carrier Safety Performance

Within the U.S. Department of Transportation and among U.S. motor carriers, there has been increased interest in the potential benefits of electronic logbooks to improve the safety of trucking operations. This paper investigates the specific contribution of electronic logbooks to improving firm safety performance (as measured by the number of crashes and hours of service violations). The models presented demonstrate that electronic logbooks contribute positively to crash reduction and to decreases in hours of service violations, particularly among carriers with poor overall safety records. Moreover, hours of service violations fully mediate the relationship between electronic logbook use and number of crashes. These results have policy significance as the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration has proposed a rule that would require the use of electronic logbooks for some carriers.
Contracts, Ownership, and Industrial Organization: Past and Future

We review the formal literature in industrial organization that incorporates organizational models of the firm into the analysis of industry behavior. Although many insights have been generated, this "organizational industrial organization'' is still in its early stages: a complete theory of the relationship between organizational design and traditional IO variables such as price, quantity or welfare has yet to be developed. We show how the insights emanating from the incomplete contract literature can be used to address these questions and others of interest to both IO and organization economists: endogenous heterogeneity; the role of liquidity and surplus division in organizational design; the relationship between product price, industry supply and organizational choices; the response of industry supply to shocks in fundamentals.
Studying Affecting Factors On Customers Attitude Toward Products With Halal Brand (Case Study: Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia)

Today, halal is not simply a religious issue rather it is an opportunity to increase sale and acquire competitive advantage. Concerning its importance, the aim of present research is to identify the beliefs that shape customers’ attitudes toward products with halal brand. This is a survey – type research to collect its data, questionnaire tool was used. To achieve research aims, 384 customers of products with halal brand in Kuala lumpur (Malaysia) were selected as the sample. To analyze data and to test research hypotheses/model, structural equation model (SEM) and confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) were used. Research findings indicate significant impact of “Advertising and progress”, “halal products relative quality”, “religion”, “consumption barriers”, “attitudes toward other products” and “mental norm” believes on “customers attitude toward products with halal brand”.
Reduction of Postoperative Spinal Infections Based on an Etiologic Protocol

Acute postoperative spinal infections are serious complications. We saw a sudden increase in the infection rate in our unit during a 6-month period. This led us to construct an assessment protocol combining risk factors into a mnemonic we named the “Nine Ps Protocol” (patient-related factors, personnel, place, preoperative length of stay, procedure, prosthetics, prophylaxis, packed red blood cells, and pus cultures). We reviewed 102 consecutive patients having spine surgery in three sequential 6 month periods: Group A included 34 patients before the outbreak of infection and Group B included 26 patients during the outbreak of infection. We prospectively applied the protocol in 26 patients (Group C) after the outbreak. After the implementation of the protocol the infection rate dropped from 16.7% (Group B) to 3.6% (Group C). Increased risk factors for postoperative infection included advanced age, posterior instrumented fusion, high allogenic blood transfusion rates, and suboptimal sheet and dressing changing conditions. We propose the Nine Ps Protocol as a useful clinical tool for the etiologic assessment and prevention of spinal infections.Level of Evidence: Prognostic study, Level II (Lesser quality prospective study [eg, patients enrolled at different points in their disease or < 80% followup]). Please see Guidelines for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.
The factors responsible with corporate reputation: A structural equation modelling approach

In recent years, the concept of corporate reputation has gained wide consideration in the academic field as well as in the business world. Companies are very carreful with their corporate reputation because it is the item that can determine competitive advantage and establishes good relations with stakeholders. This study examines the elements that are responsible for corporate reputation. Data used in this study were collected from the responses of people regarding the perceptions about corporate reputation. Structural modelling analysis is used to analyze data and to test hypothesis concerning the factors that are responsible for corporate reputation.
Analisis Faktor-Faktor yang Memengaruhi Nasabah Non-Muslim dalam Menggunakan Jasa Bank Syariah di DKI Jakarta

Islamic banking industry in Indonesia experienced significant growth and development, despite its market share is still small, i.e around 4.9%. Islamic bank is an intermediary institution based on sharia, which serve both muslim and non-muslim. This study analyzes the factors that affect non-Muslim customers in using the services of Islamic banks in Jakarta. Respondents used in this study consist of 50 non-Muslim customers of Islamic banks and 50 non-Muslim customers of conventional banks. The method used is the logistic regression method. Descriptive analysis methods is used to see the trend of non-Muslim customers towards Islamic banks. Factors that are significantly affecting non-Muslim customers in using the services of Islamic banks in Jakarta are the location factor with an odds ratio value of 1.450, factor of administrative advantages with an odds ratio value of 6.790, and religious stimulant factor with an odds ratio value of 2.679.
Location-Level Links Between Diversity and Innovative Climate Depend on National Power Distance

In this study, we examined the relationship between the demographic diversity and innovative climates of 248 organizational locations of a multinational company in 24 countries. Supporting a status characteristics perspective, multilevel analyses revealed that diversity in the more task-oriented demographic attributes of organizational tenure and functional background was negatively related to these locations' innovative climates in high-power-distance countries but positively related to the locations' innovative climate in low-power-distance countries. These interactive effects were not found for the more relations-oriented demographic attributes of age and gender.